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April 06, 2007
Seminar on Self-Adovocacy in the Lives of Persons with Learning Disabilities
Ms. Yeo Swee Lan, a former participant of Vocational Rehab. Course 2006 sent us the following information about the seminar, which was held on this February.
Good turnout for Seminar on Self-Advocacy
UNIMAS - A seminar on “Self-Advocacy in the Lives of Persons with Learning Disabilities” received an overwhelming response from participants from various government departments, NGOs, academicians, students and parents of children with learning disabilities held at the Crowne Plaza Riverside on February 8, 2007.
The one-day seminar was jointly organised by Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and the State Social Welfare Department, with the collaboration of several local NGOs.
The seminar in Kuching was one of a series of programmes on the same topic initiated and sponsored by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Malaysian Social Welfare Department and United Voice (UV), a self-advocacy group of persons with learning disabilities based in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.
The Self-Advocacy movement started in Europe and the US in the late 60’s. It has proven to be an effective approach for assisting persons with learning disabilities to be independent. The components of Self-Advocacy include: speaking up for oneself; standing up for one’s rights; making choices; and taking responsibility for oneself.
The Self-Advocacy Movement of Persons with Learning Disabilities in Malaysia was established in 1993 by Dignity and Services, a non-governmental organisation. To date, there are only eight self-advocacy groups throughout Malaysia. Lack of awareness about the importance and impact of self-advocacy in improving the quality of life of persons with learning disabilities is one of the key reasons for the small number of such groups in Malaysia.
The speakers of the seminars were Dr Dan Goodley from Sheffield University, Dr Kenji Kuno from JICA, Esther Moo and Yeo Swee Lan from United Voice.
In his keynote address, Dr Dan urged participants to promote self advocacy of person with learning disabilities in order to challenge prevalent views of disability to work towards an inclusive society.
Dr Ling How Kee, the co-organising chairperson of the seminar in her opening address said that the seminar would go a long way in facilitating the formation of self-advocacy groups not just for people with learning disabilities but also groups that are excluded in the mainstream society.
Date: 8th February 2007
Venue: Crown Plaza Riverside Kuching
Jointly Organized By:
Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University Malaysia Sarawak.
The State Social Welfare Department.
Several Local NGOs.
Guest Speakers: Dr. Dan Goodley (Sheffield University, UK), Dr. Kenji Kuno (JICA, Malaysia), Ms. Yeo Swee Lan and Ms. Esther Moo (United Voice).
Source: University Malaysia Sarawak
http://www.fss.unimas.my/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=119&Itemid=43
Posted by jicafriends at April 6, 2007 10:58 AM