GEORGETOWN, Aug 1 – The launched ceremony of the Audio Descriptive Walk of Georgetown’s Heritage for the Visually Impaired was present by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and YB Danny Law. The was the first ever Audio Descriptive heritage walk in the country with hopefully many more of such programmes targeted at addressing the needs of our “Orang Lain Upaya” or people with different abilities.
This event was combined organised by Georgetown World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) and the National Council for the Blind Malaysia (NCBM) for not only achieving another historic milestone for Georgetown, but also for Malaysia. UNESCO world Heritage Site, Georgetown is famous for our beautiful heritage building and unique culture fabric which may makes this city exceptional with its colour, character and distinctiveness.
“For the past 7 years since 2008, the Penang State Government has delivered a Cleaner, Greener, Safer and Healthier and more Caring Penang. In the same time, we also increased annual allocations for Chinese, Tamil and religious school in Penang,” said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
Besides that, we did not take collaborations for granted but we take the collaborations which have been given by communities and organisations to GTWHI certainly contribute and support the State Government’s goal making Penang an international an d intelligent city,” CM Lim added.
General Manager of GTWHI Ms Lim Chooi Ping said GTWHI was the first of the interactive models which through a tactile experience that would enable persons with visual impairment to gain a better idea of the heritage building found in our World Heritage Site. I also believe that we may make Georgetown an even more liveable and friendly city for all our residents and visitors.
“In Malaysia, the Jabatan Pembangunan Orang Kurang Upaya also has registered close to 30,000 citizens who are blind or have other forms of visual impairment,” said Council Member of the National Council for the Blind Malaysia (NCBM), Assistant Bishop to the Diocese of West Malaysia, Chairman of St. Nicholas’ Home Penang.
“In its effort to provide a better life for people with disabilities, the Malaysia law has passed the Persons With Disabilities Act 2008 Articles 31(2)which outlines the right and equality given to persons with disabilities in terms of access to culture life,” he added.
National Centre for the Blind Malaysia’s manager for Advocacy, Research and Empowerment for the Blind, Paul Wong and his wife Christina have been visiting many countries for work related matter. They have experienced audio description either pre-recorded or live in cinemas, museums and tourist sites.
Besides that, NCBM also will keep promoting audio description, not only to other part of Malaysia but also among the ASEAN countries which also have already had a very fruitful discussion with the Sarawak State Museum, Sarawak Tourism, Friends of Sarawak Museum and the Sarawak Heritage Society. Besides that, NCBM also looking forward to meet with some organisations in Kuala Lumpur in the next few months.
