48. Disability issues and policy: power not pity

The disabled community in Malaysia has been an overlooked community in Malaysia for a long time. Their plights often go unnoticed and they would have to help themselves due to a lack of support. However, even with all the struggles that they face, members of the community remain proud of themselves. For this episode of Youthphoria, we spoke with Yeong Moh Foong of United Voice and Murugeswaran Veerasamy of Damai Disabled Person Association Malaysia on ableism, the differences between disabilities, and what the public can do to help improve the rights of the disabled community. Yeong Moh Foong is the current Lead Coordinator of United Voice, a Self-advocacy Society of Persons with Learning Disabilities. She is a senior Job Coach trainer under Job Coach Network Malaysia (a unit set up under Jabatan Pembangunan OKU, JKM Malaysia) and has conducted many trainings and TOT (Training of Trainers) for participants from Malaysia. Whereas as a wheelchair user himself, Murugeswaran has been leading a rights-based advocacy movement that has brought positive changes in the landscapes of public transportation, aviation, universal designs and more to the OKU Community of Malaysia. Follow us on our social media to keep up with current affairs and inspiring content: Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: @youthphoriamk