USM-MAIK PwD Transformation Centre Assists In Empowering Disabled

KOTA BHARU, Feb 18 (Bernama) -- The Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)-Kelantan Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIK) People with Disabilities (PwD) Transformation Centre is the first one-stop service centre set up in Malaysia to help empower the disabled.

The centre’s head, Dr Mohd Zulkifli Abdul Rahim said over 5,000 PwDs have obtained various services here since it was set up in 2022 through funds from MAIK, and that the centre solves issues faced by the disabled using USM expertise.

"The transformation centre was set up through partnership between USM and MAIK with almost 1 million in funds, and provides various services to the disabled, including registration and renewal of their disability card as well as driving assessments.

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"We also offer consultation services such as business aid grants and commercial agricultural projects for the intellectually disabled,” he told reporters at a wheelchair presentation ceremony at the centre here today, where MAIK donated 110 modified wheelchairs to disabled asnaf in Kelantan, costing RM340,000.

Mohd Zulkifli also shared that 120 disabled individuals have managed to secure jobs such as cafe assistants, gardeners, shop assistance and conducting their own businesses through the Intellectually Disabled Job Training programme.

"Jobs for trainees at the transformation centre have been identified beforehand prior to an evaluation by work therapist, matching the individual’s abilities with job needs, pratical training before transitioning to a permanent appointment phase.

"We hope when they are exposed to working situations, they will be more independent and can resolve the issue of unemployed disabled individuals. Also, feedback from their employers have been very positive,” he added.

-- BERNAMA