The Bar Council Malaysia is organising a public forum to discuss a Memorandum on Legislation for Education of Individuals with Disabilities. It will be held on Saturday, 14th October 2000 8.30 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. at the Bar Council Auditorium, No. 4, Ground Floor, Loke Yew Building, Jalan Mahkamah Persekutuan, Kuala Lumpur.
Its objective is to garner the views of concerned parents, therapists, social welfare workers, educationists, the disabled and others on the educational needs of individuals with disabilities. If education is important for the well being of normal children, it is even more important for individuals with disabilities for their rehabilitation and to promote some dignity in their lives. “Education” is referred to in a therapeutic context and may not be confined to academic teaching thus requiring trained teachers who are interested in challenges to the profession. It is towards this end that the Law Reform Sub–committee of the Bar Council has proposed changes to the Education Act and the Federal Constitution to provide specifically for individuals with disabilities as is done in Japan, Korea, Thailand and other countries in Asia.
The speakers at the public forum are well known in the respective areas. Dr. Zasmani Shafiee is a child psychiatrist in Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia with extensive experience with autistic children in UK and Malaysia. Dr. Richard Logan with Ph.d. degrees in Speech and Special Education will be presenting a paper based on his experience with similar legislation in United States of America. Mr William Brohier the Coordinator of Education and Rehabilitation of Persons with Visual Impairment is representing Christoffel–Blindenmission (CBM International). Having taught the blind as a teacher and at supervisory level for over 18 years, Mr Brohier is now a voluntary member of UN Escap Working Committee. Mr Sebastian Sandiyao is a lecturer of the Department of Psychology, Universiti Malaya – has extensive experience in the training of individuals with disabilities. Other speakers include representatives from Malaysian Association of Speech–Language and Hearing; National Autistic Society of Malaysia; (Society of Persons with Learning Difficulties) PERKOPB, Society of Disabled Persons, Penang and Kiwanis Down’s Syndrome Foundation. To provide for the needs of the deaf, there will be a sign language interpreter as well.
A copy of the programme of the Forum is annexed hereto.
Registration fee is only RM20.00 per person inclusive of tea and lunch. For further enquiries, please contact Felix Wilson / Ms Thoo/ Irene at 2911366/367 ext 115/106/130 or email: cateu@po.jaring.my.
Dated 2nd October 2000
Haji Sulaiman Abdullah
Chairman
Bar Council Malaysia