Professor Tetsuo Akiyama presented a talk today on Public Transportation : Increasing Mobility for the Disabled and Disadvantaged Groups which gave an insight to the planning and provision of accessible transportation for disabled person and other disadvantaged groups. It was organised by INTAN as part of their continuing education programme.
Professor Akiyama who is also the Vice -President of the Japanese Association Toward Caring Society For All, gave examples from Japan as well other European countries. Among the audience were transport operators from various sectors, government officers, representatives from Local Authorities and disability leaders and activists.
Spain revelled in sweet victory as they swept aside Netherlands in a hard fought climax of the World Cup 2010. It was their very first claim to the coveted Jules Rimet trophy. Andres Iniesta scored the solitary goal during extra time which sent fans, spectators, viewers the world over and of course the whole of Spain into a frenzied ecstasy! Right from kick-off the world was treated to a superb display by the best two teams in a gripping two hour final. I thought the referee, Howard Webb was being lenient, trying his best to avoid sending players off the field. De Jong's intentional kick onto the chest of Spaniard Xabi Alonso warranted a red card, but was reduced to yellow. In the end a total record of 14 yellow cards !! - including one for Iniesta for taking off his shirt after scoring . Only one Dutch player John Heitinga had to be sent off on a second yellow card.
Spain put up a splendid performance to deny Germany a place in the Finals. Having swept aside England and Argentina en route to the Semis, Germany, who had won the World Cup thrice, conceded to a solitary goal netted by Carles Puyol. The Spaniards had impeccable passes and solid team work that made them rulers of the pitch for the day. Their style of play, tapping the ball on impact for short passes, was a pleasure to watch - appeared like an orchestrated dance with the Jabulani.
With this win SPAIN becomes the current favourite to win the coveted Cup.
There goes the much looked-forward-to 1974 repeat finale between Germany and Holland !
Carles Puyol on the ground after heading in the victorious goal (Photo: Courtesy Reuters)
Thursday July 8, 2010
New incentives for those pursuing higher education
KUALA LUMPUR: Disabled persons pursuing higher education full-time at local institutions of higher learning – both public and private – will receive up to RM5,000 a year or RM20,000 for the entire duration of their course.
Announcing the new policy here yesterday, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the sum covers tuition fees as well as a monthly allowance of RM300.
He said any balance of the money cannot be carried forward.
For long-distance learners and part-time students, however, the policy only applies to the tuition fees. Disabled students already receiving scholarships are only eligible for the allowance .
Before the revision, disabled students at higher education institutions received only the RM300 allowance each month.
Under the new policy, disabled students reading certificate courses are eligible for aid over a two-year period while those pursuing diplomas and degrees will receive it over three and four years respectively.
Master programme students will receive aid for two years while PhD students will be covered over a four-year period
“Financial aid will be provided to all disabled students, including those reading certificate and diploma courses at polytechnics and community colleges,” Mohamed Khaled told a press conference at Universiti Malaya’s seventh residential college here.
Blind student Lim Tien Hong, 26, who is pursuing a Master’s in Applied Economics at UM, said the revision was timely.
“I am happy and thankful to the Government, as the greater provision allows disabled students to pursue post-graduate studies.
“All that is left now is implementation. Instead of requiring disabled students to apply for the aid package, the process could be automated the moment they enrol at university,” he said.
Holland eliminated the only remaining South American team to advance into the Finals with a 3-2 score. A beautiful field goal from Giovanni Bronckhorst at the 18th minute put Holland in the lead. A smashing equaliser, also a field goal by Diego Forlan in the first half raised Uruguay's hope of making it to the finals. But it was not to be as the goal gap widened further with two consecutive goals, three minutes apart, from the Dutch in the second half. Maximiliano Pereira of Uruguay caused some momentary excitement when he scored during the additional time. But alas, time was not on their side. Germany-Holland Finals is getting closer.
CULMINATION OF AN ARDUOUS JOURNEY FOR THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (CRPD)
Dato Seri Shahrizat Abd Jalil with the CRPD which she ratified on behalf of the government. Together with her is Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Richard Riot
The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was finally ratified by Malaysia on 6th July 2010. In a brief ceremony, the Minister for Women, Family and Community Development Dato Seri Shahrizat Abd Jalil signed the ratification witnessed by representatives from disabled persons' organisations. The Deputy Foreign Minister Daatuk Richard Riot also witnessed the event.
Disability organisations in Malaysia had been urging the government to participate in the drafting of the CRPD from way back in 2002.
In November 2005, as a member of the National Advisory and Consultative Council for the Disabled, I suggested to the Minister Dato' Shahrizat Jalil who chaired the meeting, to include a disabled person in the Malaysian delegation to the next CRPD meeting in New York in January 2006. She assured that the Ministry would look into it.
January 2006 : A Malaysian delegation attended the 7th Session of the Ad Hoc Committee.
In March 2006 : Disability organisations were invited to a meeting to give input and deliberate on the CRPD draft ( I recall clearly the representative from the Ministry of Tourism expressing concern if the Convention would give 'extra' rights to disabled persons compared to able-bodied citizens)
In May 2006 : The 7th Session Ad Hoc Committee Report of the CRPD was circulated to all Ministries and disability organisations for their feedback.
In August 2006 : Finalising of negotiations on the final draft of the Convention and the Optional Protocol. Our Malaysian delegation included disabled representative Mah Hassan bin Omar who participated in the negotiations.
8 April 2008 : Malaysia signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (but did not sign the Optional Protocol)
6 July 2010 : Malaysia ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (with Reservations on Articles 15 and 18; and Interpretative Declarations on Article 3 (b), (e) and Article 5 (2); and did not ratify the Optional Protocol)
CRDP Chronology. Source : United Nations Enable Website
30 March 2007 - the Convention and Optional Protocol opened for signature at UN Headquarters in New York. States or regional integration organisations may now sign the Convention and Optional Protocol at an time at UN Headquarters in New York.
13 December 2006 - The UN General Assembly adopted by consensus the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol.
December 2006 - the resumed eighth session of the Ad Hoc Committee adopted the final draft of the Convention and its Optional Protocol with th etechnical amendments suggested by the drafting committee.
September - November 2006- Liechtenstein convened the drafting group which undertook a technical review to ensure uniformity of terminology throughout the text and to harmonise the versions in the six official languages of the UN.
August 2006 - the eighth session of the Ad Hoc Committee finalised negotiations on the draft Convention and a separate Optional Protocol and adopted the texts ad interim subject to a technical review being undertaken by a drafting committee consisting of State representatives. (MALAYSIAN delegation including disabled representative Mah Hassan bin Omar attended)
May-August 2006 - Mexico led informal consultations on internal monitoring.
January 2006 - the seventh Ad Hoc Committee completed a first readin of the Chairperson's text (MALAYSIAN delegation attended)
August 2005 - the sixth session of the Ad Hoc Committee completed the second reading of the draft text. The Chairperson prepared a revised text, reflecting debate at the third, fourth and fifth sessions for presentation at the seventh session of the Committee.
January/February 2005 - the fifth session of theAd Hoc Committee held informal consultations on specific draft articles. Civil society organisations. national human rights institutions and inter-governmental organisations were allowed to attend the informal consultations although only States had the right to intervene.
August/September 2004 - fourth session of the Ad Hoc Committee. The Committee completed the first reading of the draft text and started the second reading. The participation of civil society organisations and national human rights institutions in the sessions of the Committee was confirmed although the right to intervene was limited.
May/June 2004 - third session of the Ad Hoc Committee. The Committee conducted a first reading of the working group draft. The Ad Hoc Committe discussed whether it should meet in closed session in the future or in the presence of civil society organisations and national human rights institutions.
January 2004 - the working group met and produced a working draft of the convention text, taking into account the numerous drat texts submitted by States and others.
August 2003 - second session of the Ad Hoc Committee which established a working group to prepare a draft text. Twenty-seven government representatives designated by regional groups, twelve representatives from NGOs and one representative of National Human Rights Institutions comprisd the working group.
August 2002 - first session of the Ad Hoc Committee meets and sets our procedures for participation of civil society.
December 2001 - Mexican proposal in the General Assembly to establish an Ad Hoc Committee to consider proposals for a comprehensive and integral international convention to promote and protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.
What a humiliating defeat! (Or did its save Argentina from a greater humiliation having to see Maradona parade the streets in the nude??). The Germans displayed a sterling performance. An early goal by Miroslav Klose within the third minute spurred them on. They had splendid teamwork. The German defence was impenetrable! Was there an added umph provided by their Chancellor Angela Merkel, I wonder. The goal difference 4-0 was unbelievable for a country that had hoisted the World Cup trophy twice before. Having the world's best player in striker Lionel Messi did not make a difference to Argentina as a team. The team's sluggishness and weak defence cost them the game. A Germany-Holland Finals looming? If it happens it will be deja vu 1974. For me it brings memories of a huge framed poster of the 1974 World Cup Champions Germany which my younger sister Thana , an ardent football fan then, hung on the wall of our house. I can now only recall Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Mueller from that team.
The German team celebrate their 4-0 victory over Argentina
About 250 disabled children and adults from 12 disability organisations took part in a Sports Carnival "Sukaneka Muhibbah" organised by Tanjong Plc. The prime mover of this annual event was Tanjong Plc Senior Manager Ms Ranjit Kaur who was there with her 35 - strong team of volunteers and officials who co-ordinated and managed the various sports.
Among the participants were members from the Malaysian Spinal Injuries Association (MASIA), Association of Women with Disabilities Malaysia, POCAM, Society of the Blind, Perwira K9, Bangi Training Centre (PLPP), and the Community Based Rehabilitation Centres of Selayang and Bentong, Pahang. They competed in wheelchair basketball, table tennis, petanque, congkak and also telematches. The was also a wheelchair rugby demonstration.
About a third of the total participants comprised children and teenagers with learning disabilities who took part in telematches with a helping hand from volunteers.
The venue for this year's Carnival was Rumah Insaniah Dr. Siti Hasmah, Taman Kanagapuram, Petaling Jaya. The VIP in attendance was Dato Dr. Mahmood Merican,President of the Society for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled, Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan, who gave away prizes to the winners.
Children with learning disabilities awaiting their match to begin
On the go..........
Basketball game between PLPP and Perwira K9
Team event - Petanque
Karthik from MASIA having a go at Petanque
Balloon race takes off
Pairs in sarong - telematch
Azila and Clancy from Assoc of Women with Disabilities
Me (representing MASIA) playing Saodah from PLPP
Foo Kok Jun representing MASIA meeting opponent from PLPP
Winners of Women's Table Tennis : 1st - Clancy Chung; 2nd - Bathma; 3rd - Azila Alias
Men's Table Tennis Winner (2nd place) Liew Yoke Fan from MASIA receiving prize
NOSTALGIC MOMENT .......
It was a recount of years gone by. Dr. Mahmood Merican was as excited as I was upon meeting after so many years. I initially met him during my very first involvement with a disability organisation in 1978, where I was the only disabled committee member of the Society for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled, Wilayah and Selangor where he was President, and Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah the Patron. That was when we were at the planning stage for the then yet to be built Rumah Insaniah Dr. Siti Hasmah !
It was a super match. Netherlands triumphed over Brazil 2-1 in the first match of the World Cup 2010 Quarterfinals . Did overconfidence cost Brazil the game? Nah... I concur with Johan Cruyff, Dutch World Cup player from the '70s who said Brazil's playing style is getting old.
Although the first half saw Brazil dominating, it was Netherlands who put in the first goal through Wesley Sneijder's fantastic long shot from outside the box . As the excitement increased after an equalizer by Robinho for Brazil in the second half, so did the tempo of the game. The Dutch began to show their prowess, particularly through speed and Sneijder scored again - this time the ball lightly grazed the top of Brazilian defender Felipe Melo's head before landing in the net. Again, there was no dazzling display by any one player; Kaka failed to shine.
It is becoming apparent that between talent, skill and speed, it is SPEED which is paramount for field games like soccer, hockey and rugby.
The Dutch deserved the win. Brazil lost the opportunity to the Finals but the real losers are all the PUNTERS who had banked on favourites Brazil !!
Brazil's Felipe Melo (L) fights for the ball against Netherlands' Wesley Sneijder during the 2010 World Cup quarter-final soccer match in Port Elizabeth July 2, 2010. (Courtesy:REUTERS/Eddie Keogh)
Wesley Sneijder of Netherlands celebrates after scoring first goal (Photo: Courtesy Yahoo)
