Lifestyle magazine for the disabled launched

By KELVIN GOH WONG

MALAYSIA'S first and only magazine exclusively for the disabled community was launched at the 1 Utama shopping centre in Petaling Jaya recently.

The first cross-disability life-style magazine, Challenges, was published with the needs and interests of the country's disabled population.



One big step for the disabled: Chen (second from left) posing with representitives from various NGOs at the lanuch of the magazine.

Challenges founder and editor Mary Chen said the magazine was conceptualised to promote public awareness and connect all parties involved in disability.

“The main aim of the magazine is to create an environment of collaborative networks and activities to promote independence and proactive integration of Malaysians with disabilities within their communities,” said Chen.

She added that being disabled themselves, the magazine’s writers would be able to provide the public with first-person insight into how people with disabilities find solutions to living a more independent life.

“Our mission is to promote a concept of a ‘parallel lifestyle’ for people with disabilities in their communities and believe that they have the right to live a full and enriching life,” said Chen.

Besides highlighting the life-styles of the disabled, Challenges also provide people with disabilities a career choice in journalism and production.

“Our team of writers have attended a journalism workshop and are now full-fledged writers for the magazine.



Read on: Residents of the Beautiful Gate Foundation reading the inaugural issue of 'Challenges'.

“We hope there will be more of such success stories in the future,” she said.

Also at the launching were representatives from various non-governmental organisations like Beautiful Gate Foundation, Deaf Club Majudiri Y, Dignity and Services Bhd, Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Malaysian Association for the Blind.

Source : The Star