We are a small group of disability activists united by our passion for advancing disability rights, to achieve acceptance and inclusion of persons with disabilities on an equal basis with others in society.
We aspire to contribute to better understanding of barriers that disable - at all levels, in diverse manifestations and in all spheres of life, towards full realization of Malaysia’s vision of being an empathic, integrated inclusive society.
We share stories and resources that reflect the lived experiences of children, young persons, adults and older persons with disabilities, as well as their families and others who are closely associated with their well-being.
We welcome engagement among all persons --- those with and without visible disabilities --- to find practical ways of overcoming barriers that are faced by persons with diverse disabilities in Malaysia, whether emotional, conceptual, attitudinal, behavioural, systemic, institutional, physical and digital.
Yuenwah is Honorary Senior Advisor, Disability Inclusion, Social Development Division, United Nations ESCAP. She also serves as Honorary Advisor, NCBM. Yuenwah’s involvement in the Asian and Pacific disability movement is rooted in the genesis of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, 1993-2002, the world’s first such regional initiative. She was an active member of the ESCAP team that supported the intergovernmental process in the drafting and adoption of the Incheon Strategy to ‘Make the Right Real’ for Persons with Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific, with the world’s first set of regionally-agreed disability-inclusive development goals.
Cert Theology (Aust, Hons), MBBS (Mal), MRCP (UK), FRCP (Glasg), MSc Community Paediatrics (Ldn, distinction)
Amar is a Consultant Paediatrician who served the Malaysian health service for 35 years, including in heading a regional Paediatric and Research Department. He helped strengthen child health services and introduce national programmes for children. Amar has established civil society organizations and family support groups. Amar’s work involves the provision of health care to disadvantaged and marginalised children, indigenous communities, support for family self-help groups, with a focus on education and other disability-related issues. A highly experienced researcher, counsellor, trainer and active child advocate, Amar is recipient of the Outstanding Asian Paediatrician Award 2012 and SENIA Advocacy Award 2016. Amar is also the advisor to the National Early Childhood Intervention Council (NECIC) and National Family Support Group for Children and People with Special Needs.
Lai-Thin is the project officer for the National Early Childhood Intervention Council (NECIC). She holds a master’s degree in Special and Inclusive Education (Erasmus Mundus) and a bachelor’s degree in psychology (HELP). Lai-Thin’s passion for advocacy, education and inclusion of persons with disabilities comes from supporting a neurodivergent sibling and caring for a parent with dementia. Through the NECIC, she has developed an inclusive education course for pre-school teachers.
Yoon-Loong is the Executive Director for the National Council for the Blind, Malaysia (NCBM). He is also appointed as a member of the National Council for People with Disability (MKBOKU) under the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM). A person with visual impairment, he understands intimately the needs of the disabled and has been advocating for many years for improvement in the services and rights for the disabled in Malaysia.
Alvin is one of the leading parent advocates for disability in Malaysia. He worked tirelessly to include his visually impaired son in mainstream education from the pre-school to the university level. He is a founder member of the National Family Support Group for Children and People with Special Needs and also the International Association of Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (IAPVI). He has been instrumental in working with many governmental agencies to improve inclusion as well as directly with parents to advocate for their children.
Anit is a legal practitioner, litigator and trained Mediator. She graduated from the University of Bristol, United Kingdom. Her career path was enriched when researching the law on disability while advocating for her own child and is passionate about law reform. She is currently the co-chair of the Law Reform Harapan OKU group, EXCO member of the Medico-Legal Society of Malaysia (MLSM) and member of the Association of Women Lawyers (AWL).