Disability Equality Training For University Of Malaya Disability Liaison Officers

The Students Affairs Division (Bahagian Hal Ehwal Pelajar) of University of Malaya organised a 2-1/2 day Disability Equality Training (DET) workshop from 28th to 30th November for its Disability Liaison Officers (DLOs). This is a newly created position. The DLOs comprise principals and supervisors from all the residential colleges and academic staff. They are the resource persons on disability matters for students and staff of the university.

Peter Tan facilitating DET Workshop for Disability Liaison Officers (DLOs)
Peter Tan facilitating the Disability Equality Training (DET) Workshop at University of Malaya.
Photo by Wuan.

The objectives of this workshop were to identify and include good practices in their work following the Social Model of Disability and to develop a roadmap on implementation of inclusive facilities and services in campus. The fact that the participants already have a basic understanding of disability issues made my work as their facilitator easier.

UM Disability Liaison Officers at DET Workshop
University of Malaya Disability Liaison Officers at the Disability Equality Training Workshop.
Photo by Wuan.

The various DET modules reinforced and expanded the DLOs’ existing knowledge about disability in a logical and easy to understand method. We covered topics like the Social Model of Disability and Medical Model of Disability, and examined the differences between impairment and disability, disabled person and person with disabilities, and worked on paradigm-changing exercises using the open box solution to solve problems. These are the crucial knowledge that the DLOs need when they deal with disability matters.


Group 2 presenting their action plan.
Photo by Wuan.

The workshop concluded with the DLOs coming out with feasible action plans to improve on the existing services and facilities for disabled students. These include coming out with a Standard Operating Procedures for DLOs, increasing the availability of documents in accessible formats and an accessibility map of the campus. These plans are a good start in making DLOs understand their roles and at the same time provide useful information to disabled students who may need them.


Group 3 presenting their action plan.
Photo by Wuan.

It was a privilege to be a facilitator to this faculty of academics, all of whom are experts on their respective fields of study. I would like to record my gratitude to Puan Halimaton Attan, Head Assistant Registrar, and Puan Maznah Azis, Psychology Officer of the Counseling, Career & Disability Section of the Division of Student Affairs, for initiating this workshop and their support in seeing it to a successful conclusion. I hope this will be the catalyst to make University of Malaya a fully accessible campus.


Group 1 presenting their action plan.
Photo by Wuan.


Group photo with Disability Liaison Officers of University of Malaya.
Photo by Wuan.

Bengkel Disability Equality Training (DET) at Universiti Malaya

The Seksyen Kaunseling, Kerjaya dan OKU (Counselling, Career and Disabled Persons Section) of Universiti Malaya organised the Bengkel Disability Equality Training (Disability Equality Training Workshop) on December 29. This workshop at the Dewan Perdana 1 at Kompleks Perdanasiswa was to promote awareness of disability issue in the campus. The participants include students, staff from the various faculties, Student Affairs Divisons (Bahagian Hal Ehwal Pelajar), Residential College (Kolej kediaman), library, Examination Section (Seksyen Peperiksaan), security and the Counselling, Career and Disabled Persons Section.

Disability Equality Training (DET) Workshop at Universiti Malaya
Emcee opening the Disability Equality Workshop (DET) Workshop at University Malaya.
Photo by Wuan.

The two-hour session on DET was conducted using the Facilitated Participatory Learning (FPL) with modules created by Dr. Kunji Kuno and DET Trainers from the United Kingdom. Participants were led through various exercises using images and videos to deepen their understanding on disability and methods to remove barriers using the “open box solution”. Although one session is insufficient for DET, I am glad to note that the participants already had a good grasp of disability issues.

Peter Tan conducting Disability Equality Training (DET) Workshop at Universiti Malaya
Peter Tan explaining about Disability Equality Training (DET) Workshop at Universiti Malaya.
Photo by Wuan.

I was made to understand that the Seksyen Kaunseling, Kerjaya dan OKU will be organising a follow-up workshop with a longer duration some time next year. This is good news to end the year with where disability matters in Malaysia is concerned. Society is slowly making an effort to understand issues faced by disabled people and also warming up to the notion of making the built environment accessible. I hope the other universities and schools will emulate Universiti Malaya in taking this step in changing attitudes and breaking barriers to make education accessible and available to everyone in Malaysia. A big thank you to Puan Maznah Azis for coordinating this workshop and making sure that everything that I requested were provided for a smooth running of the session.

Participants in group discussion at Disability Equality Training (DET) Workshop at Universiti Malaya
Participants discussing in groups during one of the DET exercises.
Photo by Wuan.

Video analysis poster for group exercise at Disability Equality Training (DET) Workshop at Universiti Malaya
Group work poster on video analysis for DET Workshop.
Photo by Wuan.

Peter Tans haring a light moment with participants at the Disability Equality Training (DET) Workshop at Universiti Malaya
Peter Tan joining in one of the group discussions at the DET Workshop.
Photo by Wuan.