3rd December, Kuala Lumpur – Building on the United Nations declaration that 3^rd December is International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), Malaysia Foundation for the Blind (MFB) and Yayasan Salam Malaysia (SALAM) are jointly holding a Press Conference on the day to ensure the meaning gets through to Malaysians. This event corresponds with the current U.N. theme on ‘Inclusion matters: access and empowerment for people of all abilities’.

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities has been commemorated since 1992 to promote awareness and mobilize support for critical issues relating to the inclusion of persons with disabilities in society. Persons with disabilities often encounter attitudes based on stigma and discrimination, which are traditionally the greatest barrier to their full and equal participation in society. This day draws attention to the benefits of an inclusive and accessible society for all.

The objective of the Press Conference is to enhance public awareness of persons with disabilities and the importance of volunteerism, with the emphasis on the visually impaired community. The Press Conference will start with a panel discussion. Panel topics include:

• critical issues and everyday challenges
• education for employability
• how volunteers and public can help
• making cities more accessible
• promoting work-life balance for the disabled community

A few grassroots initiatives will also be highlighted during the press conference.

The panel for this press conference include MFB Executive Chairman Colonel (H) Dato’ Sheikh Shahwaluddin Yusof, JP, MFB Chief Executive Officer Mr. Silatul Rahim Dahman, SALAM Chairman Datuk Ahmad A. Talib, JP, SEAMEO SEN Director YBhg. Datin Dr. Hjh. Yasmin Hussain and eHomemakers Executive Director Miss Chong Sheau Ching.

Participants can expect to be treated to a short opening video describing how the volunteers and public can help disabled people, and will also witness the launch of comics created exclusively for this event. These comics are a series of 5 stories that employ an appealing style to illustrate the correct way to help a blind person. An accompanying exhibition for the event showcases an interesting assortment of assistive tools such as talking watches, Braille writers, and navigating aids used by blind members of society.

Malaysian Foundation for the Blind is a national nonprofit foundation that works to make life better for blind and visually impaired communities in Malaysia and ASEAN countries. SALAM regards positive change can be brought about by volunteer work, which helps to build strong communities by cultivating an ethic of sharing, helping and caring.

written by Yeo Lee Chin, edited by Dr. Richard Clint Penny

TV and Radio Interviews:

TV1 Selamat Pagi Malaysia on 2nd December 2015 from 8.30am to 8.45am  

Malaysian Foundation for the Blind (Yayasan Orang Buta Malaysia) and Yayasan Salam Malaysia are proud to have been invited by RTM as one of the speakers during Selamat Pagi Malaysia program. The live interview took place on 2nd December 2015 between 8.30am and 8.45am, with MFB represented by CEO Silatul Rahim Dahman and Salam represented by COO Mr. Md. Ghani Ibrahim.

Traxx FM on 27 November 2015 from 11:15am to 11.45am

Nasional FM on 28 November 2015 from 9:30am to 9.40am

Tentative Agenda IDPD 2015

Public donations are welcomed