Photo by Wuan.

There is always a big question mark whenever I need to visit unfamiliar places. My main concern was whether those places were accessible or otherwise. The wheelchair is efficient on level surfaces but fails on bumpy surfaces and steps. There is only so much of the environment that can be paved for wheelchair access. Anywhere beyond that is out of bound. Wheelchair users usually have to grudgingly give those less beaten track a pass most of the time. There are hundreds of places that I want to visit but those are just dreams for now as they are mostly not accessible to wheelchairs.

Photo by Wuan.

Where the wheelchair fails, the biped robots looks like a promising solution. Although, these robots are still in various developmental stages, I look forward to the day when I can get onto one and traipse across the great outdoors with nary a worry. I saw how Honda’s ASIMO walked and ran during the robot’s roadshow at 1 Utama last Sunday. Searching around the Internet revealed a wealth of information on biped robots that are currently being development by various entities.

Photo by Wuan.

The main advantages of biped robots are that with further development these machines can traverse across uneven terrain and climb steps - both task which would stop conventional wheelchairs cold on their tracks. These two functions alone will greatly increase the independence of people who depend on wheelchairs for mobility. For someone who has had to view the world within the confines of my wheelchair, the freedom that such robots provides is incalculable. This is no longer the realm of science fiction. It is a matter of how soon it will be commercially available at a price that is affordable to people who need one.

Peter Tan speaking at the 2nd Malaysian Conference on Rehabilitation.
Photo by Wuan.

My second presentation for the 2nd Malaysian Conference on Rehabilitation at the Pusat Latihan Perindustrian dan Pemulihan Bangi (PLPP Bangi) was titled “Rights-Based Advocacy on Disability in Malaysia: An Overview and the Way Forward.” It was for the Special Interest Groups concurrent session on “Social Advocacy on Disability Issues.”

In advocating for equality, the first issue that we need to resolve is to redefine disability. I asked if disability is caused by the condition of the person or is it caused by the environment? At the same time, I challenged the use of the term “persons with disability” and its Malaysian Language equivalent “orang kurang upaya” to refer to disabled people. “Orang kurang upaya” means persons with lesser abilities. To the general public, it is just a matter of terminology but it matters a lot to me as the person who is being referred to.

The other matters that I brought up were that there is a need for a paradigm shift from charity-based to rights-based advocacy, inclusion of disabled people as stake holder in all levels of decision making and resolving issues using a holistic approach rather than on a piecemeal basis. The following is the abstract of my presentation:

Abstract
Rights-Based Advocacy on Disability In Malaysia:
An Overview And The Way Forward

The disability advocacy movement in Malaysia has a tattered history of modest victories and great failures. Three decades or so of advocacy and activism have not succeeded in ensuring the equalization of opportunities for disabled people. Disability is considered a problem of the minority and other people’s problems. Resolving disability-related problems are deemed extras that need money and do not benefit the majority. This essay explores the reasons behind those perceptions and how we can learn from past mistakes to effectively move the government, corporations and society to change their mindsets and create an inclusive environment that benefits everyone.

Below were the topics that my fellow speakers presented:

The Need for “Bottom-Up” Approach in the Implementation of Policies Related to Persons with Disabilities in Malaysia
Associate Professor Dr. Tiun Ling Ta
Universiti Sains Malaysia

Empowering People with Intellectual Disabilities
Ms. Khor Ai-Na
Executive Director of Asia Community Service

Media - Friend or Foe
Ms. Mary Chen
Editor, Challenges

JICA Project on Support for Persons with Disabilities in Malaysia
Mr. Hideo Tsukamoto
Assistant Resident Represnetative, JICA Malaysia

Self-Advocacy: Towards an Interdependent and Inclusive Community
Ms. Teh Hooi Ting and Ms. Yeo Swee Lan
United Voice

Promoting Accessible Public Transport - Meeting the Needs of Disabled People and All
Ms. Christine Lee
BEAT

Challenges and Success Stories of Advocacy in Diverse Communities in Sarawak
Mr. Francis Johen Adam

The Star Metro
Thursday November 13, 2008
Getting in and out of buses a breeze for the disabled
Story and photos by CHARLES FERNANDEZ

FIFTEEN new Nadi Putra buses fitted with special lifters for the disabled or orang kurang upaya (OKU) were recently added to the current fleet of 55 buses servicing Putrajaya.

The newly-introduced buses will display the OKU sticker for easy identification and they come in four colours.

Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique received the buses on behalf of the Putrajaya Corporation (PJC), witnessed by PJC president Tan Sri Samsuddin Osman, FT Deputy Minister Datuk M. Saravanan and FT Ministry secretary-general Datuk Ahmad Phesal Talib.

Boost for disabled: A passenger is being lifted onto the bus.

The lifter is placed at the back door and is controlled by the driver and the whole proceeding is viewed via a CCTV network fitted in the bus.

“Before the delivery of the new buses, Nadi Putra had 55 buses with 51 powered by NGV and four diesel-driven ones. Since June 2006 we use NGV for all buses operating here,’’ said Zulhasnan.

He said the 15 buses would service new housing areas in Precincts 5, 6, 15 and 18 to complement the current fleet of buses running the routes in Precincts 9 and 14.

“However, the numbers are still not enough to satisfy the needs of the residents and working community here who are encouraged to use the ‘Park and Ride’ system already in place,’’ added Zulhasnan.

As for long-term plans, Zulhasnan said the government had approved RM70mil for the purchase of another 104 buses which would be introduced in stages within the next two years.

When asked if the disabled community could use the services for free, Samsuddin said for the moment it was free.

“The fare is already subsided. It is only 50 sen,’’ he said.

Samsuddin added that the number of passengers using the Nadi Putra services had also increased from 100,000 in May last year to 230,000 until the end of October this year.

Right after my presentation at the 2nd Malaysian Conference on Rehabilitation in Bangi on Saturday, Wuan and I went to the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac) in Sentul. My good friend Victor Chin and his wife Numpueng were exhibiting their acrylic on canvas paintings there. I also got the opportunity to meet some of Victor’s friends. One of them was photographer and fellow blogger Paul Choo. Paul was there to shoot the event.

Victor and Numpueng hosted a picnic for guests outside KLPac just by the lake. The blue sky was partially shrouded by fluffly white clouds. It was breezy too. I enjoyed myself thoroughly just by taking in the serene sights of the lake and the greenery, and listening to Victor sharing with us the processes involved in the creation of the paintings.

Both exhibitions are opened daily from 10am to 10pm and will end on November 30. For more information, contact Victor at 016 2680258 or email him at vicchin[at]gmail[dot]com.

The art of Victor Chin and Numpueng on exhibit at KLPac.
Photo by Wuan.

Numpueng’s Happy Shapes and Parental Love acrylic on canvas paintings.
These brightly coloured pieces are perfect to brighten up any room.
Photo by Wuan.

Peter Tan posing with Victor Chin’s Perhentian Island acrylic on canvas abstract paintings.
These two paintings reminded me of tuna fillet.
Photo by Wuan.

(L-R) Victor Chin, Paul Choo and Peter Tan.
Photo by Wuan.

The artists - Victor Chin and Numpueng.
Photo by Wuan.

Serenity by the lake at Sentul Park.
Photo by Wuan.