KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 – The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry has proposed the setting up of seven independent living centres for the disabled to be included in the 2016 Budget. Its minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said the need for such centres was deemed vital as an avenue for the disabled to get proper guidance and knowledge to face the outside world.
Rohani said such the facilities will enable them not to be dependent on others to conduct their daily lives. She told reporters after opening the 5th ASEAN Disability Conference 2015 being attended by 350 participants from the region. She said an allocation of RM4.55 million was being sought from the government to build the centres across the country. She added that there was two such facilities were already in operation, one in Rawang and the other in Petaling Jaya.
Rohani said the ministry had also proposed that the government build 14 additional Anjung Kasih as temporary accommodation for families taking care of their family members in hospital. Seven Anjung Kasih have been set up at hospitals in Ipoh, Selayang, Kuantan, Seremban, Temerloh, Miri and Kuching but more are needed as the response from users has been overwhelming. The two-day event includes plenary sessions and concurrent workshops that touch on various aspects concerning persons with disability.
