Brazil - City Initiatives

While waiting to transfer to the Congonhas Airport of Sao Paolo, Brazil on 13 June, I took a casual morning walk along the streets within the vicinity of San Raphael Hotel. I saw some of the most talked about initiatives of sustainable city or liveability city or low carbon city or whatever we call on a city people prefer to live are in practice. I saw majority of the buses are operating without the exhaust pipe because buses are running on gas. I took picture about bus special dedicated lane at both site and the centre of road for passengers on board from both directions. The bus platform is on higher ground, same level with the landing platform of the bus. And with that level, ramp is built as part of the universal design concept. I noticed that textile symbolising stop are placed at the road junction and crossing as well as surrounding the phone booth. No textiles along the whole street are built and I wonder why? After some observation, I presume this is possible because no other obstructions including the signboard, flower pots, rubbish bins and commercial products are placed on the pedestrian walkways. Even at one of the street I walked by in which automobile services centres are located. To my surprise if compared with those service centres back home, no car waiting to be service, no machinery and no unwanted flat tyres are put on the pedestrian walkway as well as no bins for illegal reserving of parking lot in front of the shops are seen. It is free of any obstructions. Perhaps these are some small, but meaningful gestures toward sustainability should be practiced. I think I know too little about cities in Brazil.

Barrier Free City

Congratulation to Petaling Jaya City Council for being shortlisted amongst the top 40 entries for the Commonwealth Association of Public Administration and Management, or in short CAPAM Innovation Award. The entries will be further considered for the final round to be held in Delhk, India in September this year. It is indeed a good news considering that 120 entries have been submitted. It is also good cause for celebration after the entry of Mobilising Elderly for Community Development by the Council was voted the best 10 in Year 2002. The entry of Barrier Free City has reinforced again efforts by the Council more than a decade ago is the right move and way forward. I could recall when the idea of incorporating barrier free features into the infrastructure development, many were skeptical and worried about the cost. Many said that incurring extra cost for minorities convenience is not cost effectiveness and waste of public fund after all not many were seen on the road. This proven wrong after the first barrier free pedestrian walkway with traffic light intervention and ramp was built in SS2 town centre. The disabled friends used the facility to the fullest and enjlyed going outing in the park. Subsequently more barrier free facilities are built. It is becoming a common norm in Petaling Jaya that barrier free is a must requirement for all development. The Council has been recognised as the leading local authority in the field of creating barier free environment. Hence, I think the Council deserves such recognition. Hopefully the practice will be given wider opportunity tobe shared wit h others.

Inspiring

My friend sent me a video clip last week. It is so inspiring that some of those who viewed the clip cannot withstand their tear. It is a ballet dance performance by two disabled dancers. One will never imagine that such a high standard show was performed by the people with disabilities. I understand what my disabled friend told me once, "we, the disabled person are multi tasking and talented to live normal way, but unable to do so as the environment has failed us." Providing a universal design environment and platform will see more inspiring stories to blossom, I believe. We always take for granted that for someone to excel in his field; he must be physically fit to do that. For example, for an athlete of sprint run, we presume he must have long legs. Similarly, for an artist, she must have a good looking and charming face. Our frame of mind is confined to the set value we have through our experience along the upbringing process. Some time we tend to concur with what have imposed on us without having second thought. That's why media playing an important role on "fine tuning" on how we think and perceive something. That explain why companies are spending millions for advertising of products and services. That explain why sometime media are frequently used for propaganda purpose. Tat explain why nowadays social media is getting very popular because it is handy for disseminating news and receiving all kind of information we want to have, or most of the time receiving junk that we do not want to have. Of course, this is nothing to do to inspire others. Inspiring can only happen if the person has excellence performance in life or in work to share with others and the one who need inspiration is very distress but open to take stories that will inspire him to improve and relearn. It must be a two way communication at the right time and right forum. You cannot expect much if asking a spoon feed man, even though he is successful to tell an unemployed man how to make it in life through hard work. It is simply will not work as the unemployed person will have already framed up his mind how this man can come through with the family support. However, if a successful man with similar previous experiences or background will have better persuasion power as he will be able to share how he has gone through the hardship of unemployed and push through. The chances for positive impact of inspiring is definitely greater. Inspiring is a required continual process to motivate people to do better. Inspiration can be in different form. Most people will be inspired because of the remuneration or cash reward. For example, receiving bonus or getting promotion for job well done. Some might have the feel good factor. For example, be recognised for carrying out charity activities. Whatever it is, I presume nobody can resist from inspiring by something, it is only a matter of identifying the right form, forum, timing and people.

People With Different Abilities

Person with disabilities or person with different abilities? This is the question asked when it comes to the Malay Language acronym of OKU or either Orang Kurang Upaya Orang Kelainan Upaya. For commoners, Orang Kurang Upaya is more familiar with and used more often in relation to people with physical disabilities such as blindness, deaf, down syndrome etc. However, in order not to upset people with disabilities and also not creating bias and discrimination, nowadays, it is commonly accepted that Orang Kelainan Upaya be applied. It is always an argument that OKU cannot perform their rights as provided for under the Human Right Charter and Constitution simply because the physical environment fails them from doing so. For example, they would like to visit the park but the level of connectivity and accessibility is not conducive for that to happen. They would like to have an independent living but cannot do that as going out from the house to attend to work place is always a challenge. Although the physically disabled person is not a major group, the inclusion of older people and minor or even those temporary immobile, then the number can be huge and hence providing such facilities friendly to the OKU is not something "luxury" as claimed by some people.

I presume in this respect universal design is more appropriate. All facilities, built environment and even the natural environment should be design for the use of all, be it able or disable people. If we have done it at the stage of planning instead of management stage, then the overall construction cost can be very marginal and manageable. Hence, providing facilities complying with the requirement for universal design at the planning and construction stage will be a determining factor for greater acceptance by general public and the project proponents. It will help to expedite the process of creating an universal design environment.

Having said this, greater enforcement and efficient in maintenance is equally important to ensure that universal design is there to stay and use. Very often we see the facilities lacked of maintenance is in dilapidated stage and of no use to the OKU.

The concept and need for doing so can only be done with greater understanding and knowledge of those designers and people in power. No point of advocating doing universal design without knowing the head and tail or inside out. Hence, the move by MBPJ and MIP in organising the Conference on OKU last Thursday is commendable. It is a good forum for those in city planning and management to get to know the update of universal design first, and then thinking what to do next. For creating an inclusive society, we must incorporate the OKU into our Society at large, and we have no choice if sustainable is what it meant. For PJ, it is timely to move forward with the celebration of 5th Anniversary as the City.

Accessibility vs Maintenance

For creating a barrier free environment, use of lift for accessibility in a multi storey building is essential. Many office complexes big and small do provide this facility. This, however does not guarantee full accessibility if the lift is not in good condition. For example, if there is only one lift in an office block and unfortunately the lift was out of service and waiting for repair, how are we going to ensure free mobility for the people with disabilities? I do not realise the extend of this possibility until yesterday evening.

We were having a meeting in the second floor of MBPJ HQ and waiting patiently for a disabled member to attend the meeting. We wondered why was he so late knowing that he is always puncture for meeting. We only realised that he was unable to reach us from ground floor as the lift was out of service minutes ago. We cannot do anything to make the lift function again in short period or neither to shift the meeting venue to ground floor. At the end of the day, the disabled member has to leave the meeting before even able to participate in the discussion.

I realise that providing facilities alone is not sufficient if maintenance culture is not upkeep. No point of having wonderful and thoughtful planning without sustaining its usefulness when it is needed the most. In this respect, good maintenance culture is not only about cost saving and keeping good visual, but also to protect the interest of users. And in this case, the basic right of underprivileged group.

Responsible Recycling Player

I presented the souvenir to Mr Kunaka, Plant Manager for the Corporation Recycle Tech, a company specialising in office automation recycling and witnessed by Mr Yamaguchi, our program coordinator at the KitaKyushu Eco Town last Friday. The Company established in year 1998 is owned majority by Ricoh Company Ltd, the copier company. While copier recycling is not that urgent in Malaysia as many copier companies is offering the renting scheme, the recycling of printers and fax machines is important as prices for these equipments are getting cheaper now and with that the tendency of replacement is getting higher. The recycling process is manually done and my observation is it is not that complicated. I think Malaysian companies can handle that process with ease.

Although small in size and simple in process, what amazing me the most about this company is its efficiency and social responsibility. With a staffing of 41 people in which 26 of them are disabled people, the plant output is 500 tonnes a month. A total of 50 copiers, 50 fax machine or printers and 150 computers are dismantled everyday. It showed trustworthiness of disabled people to deliver with efficient. Apart from that, the company also organised summer environmental education training class and factory visits for the children. I wish to have similar company in Malaysia for displaying high responsibility not only towards environmental conservation, but with social care in creating an inclusive society. Can we? Yes, but Sooner? Hope not that long...

Catch 22@PJ: Effective Marketing and Sensitivity

Nowadays, raising public awareness is a difficult task as people are distracting by many other means of publicity and promotion. In order to get attention from general public for a particular cause is a pre-requisite for public awareness raising. It is no point of running a public awareness campaign if we are unable to attract the interest of them first. Many public campaigns failed due to the dullness of the marketing strategies. While developing an innovative publicity strategy is a must, some time the content of the visual aids can cause some disturbance. For example, we might advocate some value by putting a visual that cause uneasiness to some quarters, and this might attract critics although it is for a good intention.

In raising public awareness on challenges facing the people with disabilities, numerous attractive slogans and visual aids have been used to attract the public attention. While the impact was great, the negative responses from some quarters were equally big. For example, placing the notice board with the phrase of "Since you are occupying my car park lot, please bring along my disabilities with you" at the dedicated car park lot for disabled people raised some objections whom saying that it is tantamount to cursing people. Another incidence of getting able guests to sit on the wheelchair was criticised too for being disrespectful to the guests. It is understood that while some people are sensitive due to superlative believe, the people with disabilities themselves felt nothing wrong about this.

We are in the Catch 22 situation now. While it is important to get message across, careful considerations on sensitivity has to be observed as well. We must accept that various stakeholders have different value and believe, and hence accommodating to as many of them is crucial or else public awareness campaign can be failed miserably. Having said this, if a visual aid is fundamentally needed, then it is the duty of project proponents to educate and to convince the objectors on the necessity of having such. Here, consultation is important.

The 7th Annual Blind Leading The Blind Charity Walk

It is on again. A walk for community member to experience the blindness and feel so helpless under such circumstances. The Blind Leading the Blind Charity Walk will allow people to donate while making a casual walk partnering with a blind folded people. MBPJ, as a pioneer in championing the creating of Barrier Free City of Petaling Jaya is honour to be partner with the Lions Club of Petaling Jaya in organising this event for the past 7 years. It is an event to raise public awareness on challenges facing by the people with disability. Many of us sympathise with our friends with disabilities and want to provide assistance, but withdraw the intention for fearing to do it wrongly. Hence, forums to raise awareness and capacity building is essential so that the society of all for one and one for all is achievable. By participating in the walk, the participants will be learning how to help the people with visual impaired. For example, how to lead and provide instruction to the people with visual impaired during a walk. If not properly done, it is not uncommon for the people with visual impaired to knock on the lamp post.

Money collected from the charity walk will be channelled to charitable organisations such as the Tun Hussein Onn Eye Hospital for sight rectification projects, especially for the needy.

So, why don't join the walk on 19th April 2009 at Dewan Sivik MBPJ, Petaling Jaya? Enhancing your good conscience while helping others.

Catch 22@PJ: Park vs Path

MBPJ spent almost RM 450,000 to construct a barrier free walkway in the vicinity of SS2 Town Centre. The path is meant for people with disabilities to have easy accessibility and connectivity from place to place. This passage will enable all walk of life for easy movement, without fail and obstruction. We have, however facing the problem of parking at the same time. People are complaining about lack of parking space. Most of the time cars are parked on the road shoulders or even the walkway, thus blocking the pedestrian flow. The barrier free walkway in SS2 does not escape from this problem. The problem was aggravated with the mushrooming and presence of bridal shops along Jalan SS2/24. While parking is a concern for the shop operators and customers, they should have refrained from parking on the path way and victimised the pedestrian especially people with disabilities. It is a social responsibility for making an inclusive society by being more considerate. I will prefer path over the park, after all we can find a legitimate parking lot some where, may be with some distance instead of taking the right away from some one.

Covered Parking for PWD

Another milestone was achieved by MBPJ yesterday with the launching of the first covered parking for people with disabilities in the office of MBPJ. It signals the start of providing 150 disabled friendly covered car park in PJ. The effort is part of the MBPJ's plan in converting the city into a barrier free city. In mid this year, MBPJ became the first local authority in Malaysia to provide free of charge transit service for the people with disabilities. It is a service for PWD to commute within Petaling Jaya for essential services.

The launching by YB Ronnie Liu is part of the celebration programme for this year International Day for Persons with Disabilities. It must be a new year gift for the community at large. It is made possible with the persistence of Mr Anthony, MBPJ's councillor who himself a disabled person. While MBPJ is pioneering the efforts in providing users friendly facilities and services for all, the efforts can only achieve its desired target with the participation and commitment from all sectors especially the building owners and service providers. Perhaps with amble awareness, knowledge and skills as well as passion, barrier free environment of PJ is not too far the distance. I subscribe to that.

International Day for Persons with Disabilities

Happy celebrating the International Day for Persons with Disabilities. The theme for 2008 is: "Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Dignity and justice for all of us".

Every year today the 3rd of December is celebrated worldwide by the able and disabled community over the achievement made for creating an universal design and barrier free environment. Every year, however the same challenge of meeting the above is raised up again and again. We have not coming into a common ground and understanding.

Dignity and justice is a basic human right. Every individual has the right to be respected, the right to be served and the right to be treated equally as any other individual. Nobody anticipates to be given inferior treatment after all everyone is sharing the same responsibilities. Hence, treating persons with disabilities with dignity and justice is not something abnormal and beyond ordinary, it is a common act that supposed to be done by anybody.

LA21 PJ has tried to bridge the gap and interaction between both the divides of the society by organising various activities. Creating a common forum for them to meet and interact with each others, and in the process to create mutual understanding and respect. For example, building barrier free infrastructure and facilities, incorporating friends from disabled groups into the community groups, providing opportunity for business trading, encouraging community interaction and promoting their plights. It is a small, but critical step in breaking the social and physical barrier. I am glad to see that this year, Selayang and Subang Jaya are having programmes for celebrating the Day. We certainly need more local authorities to do so.

We have to try and try again until an inclusive society and a barrier free city is created. Once again, Wishing us all the best for celebrating this Day.

Transit OKU (2)

For the past one month, I have Mr Yap Peng San, a retiree who volunteer himself to coordinate the running of MBPJ's Transit OKU. Mr Yap came forward after reading about the free service provided by MBPJ to the underprivileged disabled people in Petaling Jaya. The service is to provide commuting facilities to the disabled people for essential services during day time.

He conveyed to me some of the grouses and improvement that need to be done. Chief amongst them is the tendency of some quarters to abuse the use of this service. Although some are well to do and can afford to have their own transport, they prefer to call for the free service. Although some might not need the service to go for leisure activities, they prefer to have chauffeur to ferry them. Although it is understood that the service is to send the passenger to destination without waiting, some demand to have the driver to wait for them. While it is the right of the PWD to enjoy this free service, it is right for MBPJ to prioritise the service for the needy.

Until more vehicles are available, rules on restricting the use of this service shall be exercised, i presume.

Mr Yap left for Taiwan last week to build up his skills and knowledge on voluntary services. I wish him the best. Thank you.