UMP OKU Friendly Ecosystem Policy (DAMAI) is launched

KUANTAN, 3 August 2021 - The recently launched OKU Friendly Ecosystem Policy (DAMAI UMP) is a platform for Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) to share the benefits of technological expertise and extend universal brotherhood in cultivating a friendly ecosystem for disabled people (OKU) community.

It proves UMP’s commitment to implementing inclusive education for the disabled in Institutions of Higher Learning (IPT) in line with UMP’s slogan of ‘Technology for Society’.

According to the UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ir. Dr. Wan Azhar Wan Yusoff, DAMAI UMP was introduced in compliance with the MyU-OKU System Audit standards with four domains, namely governance, teaching and learning, accessibility and infrastructure, and support services in line with the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) OKU policy.

“It also aims to connect the OKU ecosystem through technology.

“The current need for a community package and a technology-friendly OKU ecosystem is no longer an option but a necessity.

“UMP activists and technologists are ready to help through various means from volunteer activities to strategic collaboration and research that aim to help enable the OKU rehabilitation in the UMP community and globally,” he said in the online Program Webinar Orang Kurang Upaya (OKU): Talian Hayat OKU Semasa Pandemik COVID-19.

The programme was jointly organised by the Pahang State Social Welfare Department and the Universiti Malaysia Pahang OKU Services Unit (OkUMP).

The Chairman of the Unity, Community Welfare, Woman Development and Family Committee, Dato’ Sri Hajah Shahaniza Shamsuddin, was present to launch DAMAI UMP.

Also present was the Director of the Pahang State Social Welfare Department, Zulkhairi Zainol Abidin.

This webinar programme also aimed to announce the government’s initiative towards OKU which features four panels covering various welfare aspects to the target group.

They are the Chief Assistant Director, Pahang State Social Welfare Department (JKMNP), Suryani Mohamad, Director of the UMP OKU Services Unit (OkUMP), Dr.  Munira Abdul Razak, Senior Principal Assistant Director of Family Health, Pahang State Health Department cum the Coordinator of the Pahang COVID-19 Immunisation Programme, Dr. Nurly Zahureen Mustapha and Branch Head of the Employment Insurance System Office of the Pahang State SOCSO, Abu Qassim Ali.

According to Suryani, JKM has provided various assistance in financial or advisory and counseling services to OKUs, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Therefore, I call on all OKUs in Pahang to contact JKM to apply for the assistance provided immediately,” she said.

Dr. Nurly Zahureen Mustapha thought that OKUs are among the five target groups to receive the vaccine in the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK).

“OKUs are among those at high risk of getting COVID-19 infection compared to other normal populations due to the functional problems they experience.

“Currently, we are conducting an outreach programme from house to house to help OKUs based on the information received.
 
“I would like to suggest to OKUs and caregivers who need vaccinations at home can update the information through Helpdesk in the MySejahtera app,” she said.
 
Meanwhile, Abu Qassim said, SOCSO provides assistance packages for those affected during this pandemic, including OKUs.

“MyFutureJobs portal is also provided to help those who need jobs,” he said.
 
The programme was joined by more than 800 viewers through Google Meet, Facebook pages for CelikOKU and UMP Malaysia.

The webinar programme was moderated by Senior Lecturer, Centre for Human Sciences, Dr. Noradilah Md Nordin and Fariza Deraman, sign language interpreter from the Pahang Deaf Association.

By: Nor Salwana Mohd Idris, Corporate Communications Unit, The Office of The Vice-Chancellor
Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, Engineering College/Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology