Accessible tourism

Dateline: Bangkok, 22 – 24 November 2007
International Conference on Accessible Tourism

Disable Peoples’ International Asia Pacific region (DPI-AP) to organise the International Conference on Accessible Tourism.

Date : 22 – 24 November 2007

Venue : Bangkok, Thailand

Co-organisers:  Ministry of Tourism and Sport, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).

Accessible tourism to meet the social needs of the elderly and persons with disabilities.

Tourism is a big money-spinner in most countries in Asia-Pacific. However, to successfully implement accessible tourism that develops the nation’s economy, yet meet social needs and preserve natural and cultural heritage requires an integrated global approach.

Disability Travel on the Rise
The US-based Open Doors Organization (ODO) in cooperation with the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA)  research findings revealed that the numbers of American travelers with disabilities have been increasing 50 percent since year 2005.The numbers of European travelers with disabilities increase from 134 to 267.9 million.
 However, these travelers face many barriers in traveling, from planning, to getting information on accessible accommodation to problems getting around at their destinations.

This conference is indeed timely to  help Asian countries including Malaysia to promote barrier-free tourism by developing a favourable environment to attract tourists and travelers with disabilities and retired, ageing people to our shores.

For more information and registration form, click here:

Vote for the top 5 Accessible Shopping Malls in your area.

  One of Malaysians’ favourite leisure activities is going to the shopping malls. And I have to admit: I am a true-blue Malaysian when it comes to Hanging out at the Malls. 

It is the best place to be on a burning hot day. I get my regular dose of exercise, walking around its corridors.

 I fill my stomach, fill my ‘fridge, and fill my senses as I absorbed the sights, sounds and smells that are uniquely different as shopping malls here take on distinct identities to match the visitors they target,

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Dear friends 

Thank you for visiting us . But do drop us a line before you leave so that we know who you are …. 

And inform you about the exciting things we have planned for CHALLENGES on-lineYou may also like to drop by regularly to check us out and to chat.   

CHALLENGES Journalism Workshop for Persons with Disabilities

CHALLENGES held its first public event on Sunday, 23 September 2007. The half-day Journalism workshop was held with the support of MBPJ, Local Agenda 21 Petaling Jaya, at one of the seminar rooms at the MBPJ headoffice in Jalan Yong Shook Lin, Petaling Jaya.

 The 14 participants coming with different needs and diverse background were introduced to Basics in Journalism by Daniel Chan, ex-NST news editor.

Graphic designer Kevin Thomas added some colour to the session with Basic Principles in Design and Layout.

Petra Gimbad, Sun Columnist then shared her experience on Writing for the media. 

This was followed by a practical writing session facilitated by Kevin Thomas, Petra Gimbad, Yasmin Masidi and Janatharni Arumugam.

Joanne Cheah, a supporting friend volunteered her services as deaf interpreter for the deaf participants. 

Based on the outcome of this workshop, I can safely say, we have writing talents amongst our disability community just waiting to be revealed!

So to all you participants, carry on writing . Don’t let the words stop flowing… 

To the speakers, facilitators, volunteers; to Mr Lee Lih Shyan and his staff at MBPJ; to my emcee Cheryl Mohan – Thank you to all of you who had helped to make this workshop a reality and success for the participants.  

 Sorry, can’t reveal more than this. You canlook forward to reading about the event in CHALLENGES, the magazine soon!!   

For Feedback from participants and supporting friends:, click here

What has Amber Chia and Jackie Chan got to do with CHALLENGES?

What has Amber Chia and Jackie Chan got to do with CHALLENGES? 

Sorry guys, no scoop story here regarding Malaysia’s top model*  and superstar Jackie Chan**. 

oN THE ROLL

October is going to be a busy month as CHALLENGES takes its first form online.

So keep checking up on us and give us your comments as we  rolll.. out our stuff.

And if you would like to be on our mailing list, drop us a comment.

Wanna chat with  our Editor, then pop over to our CHALLENGES Weblog : www.challengeseditor.wordpress.com