Azizah (front centre) and Chin (standing left) visiting Taska Mesra Cheshire classroom after the launching.
KOTA KINABALU: Taska Mesra Cheshire (Taska), the first care centre for children with disabilities (OKU) in Malaysia, was officially launched yesterday by Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun.
Located at Likas Chesire Home, the Taska which started its operation since November 2013, currently has seven children below four years old and five staff.
“The capacity of Taska Mesra Cheshire is 30 children below four years old, and it is open from Mondays to Saturdays, except public holidays. Fees are RM250 for half day and RM350 for full day services. There are a lot of space for new children who need special attention.
“However, those parents who are having problem with payment would not have to worry because they can discuss with the management of Taska Mesra Cheshire to allow them to get financial assistance,” said Azizah in a press conference after launching of the building.
Azizah also said the government had allocated RM240,000 for operational cost of Taska Mesra Cheshire this year.
With the financial aid from federal government, Azizah said Taska Mesra Cheshire would be able to arrange some amount for parents who cannot afford to register their disabled children.
“This Taska not only focuses on physical therapy but also encourages children to improve their speaking skills, to ensure they will have a better special pre-schooling experience.
“We are hoping this Taska will promote, support and protect the rights of children with disabilities, besides empowering them with the level of awareness on all disability issues in education, employment, rehabilitation, access to healthcare, equality and non-discrimination,” she added.
Earlier in her speech, Azizah said the ministry wanted to see equal opportunities and full participation of people with disabilities in the community and to include ‘disability’ as a theme in all development works of the government, civil society and humanitarian agencies.
She was also confident that the Taska’s establishment would facilitate growth and development of children with disabilities through proper guidance and early education.
Apart from Sabah Cheshire Home, five other establishments were also given mandate to run the programme nationwide, namely Malaysia Down’s Syndrome Association, Society for the Deaf Malaysia, Society for People With Intellectual Disability Perak, Sibu Autistic Association Sarawak and St Nicholas Home Penang.
Also present yesterday was the president cum advisor of Taska, Datuk Rowland Chin.