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February 22, 2007
Wanted: Business outlets for the blind-Malaysia
The following information was downloaded from the mailing list of "Disability and Development" with a cooperation of the publisher, Mr. Soya Mori.
We think that not only Malaysia but also most of the countries have the same problem as Dr Ismail Md Salleh mentioned in the following article. Being employed after the vocational training and getting a living is a big issue for persons with all kinds of disabilities.
The following article by SALINA KHALID
Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB) president Prof Datuk Dr Ismail
Md Salleh said most of the blind who had undergone skills training faced
the problem of finding business premises.
“We are encouraging them to go into business because it is usually
difficult for them to find jobs.
“But the problem is that there is no place for them to conduct their
business.
“This has forced some to conduct their business at odd places which
could be degrading for them,” he said.
Ismail added that this had also led some people to mistake them for
beggars, although they were offering services and products in return.
Ismail said among the vocational training offered to the visually
impaired were arts and crafts and massaging.
He said the association had opened two stalls, operated by the blind, in
Mid Valley Megamall and Berajaya Times Square.
The association is looking at opening such stalls at other venues
including at The Curve, 1 Utama and KL Sentral.
When asked to comment, Abdul Hakim said the City Hall would study the
matter and find out if there were any suitable locations for visually
impaired businessmen.
About 1,500 people attended the sixth open house held at the MAB Complex
in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur.
The open house was aimed at bringing the visually impaired community,
MAB staff and volunteers and the public closer together. The event was
also aimed at exposing MAB’s programmes to the visually impaired
community and the public.
The MAB complex, which was built in 1997, houses a pre-school programme,
low-vision services, activities for the elderly blind community, family
clinic and a gymnasium.
It is also a venue for various activities for the visually impaired
community including educational support, employment, welfare services,
sales, promotions and fundraising activities.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/1/29/central/16573276&sec=central
Posted by jicafriends at February 22, 2007 01:44 PM