MALAYSIA

Therapeutic music, healing through the arts

Biography

The Aseana Percussion Unit (APU) is Malaysia's pioneer music group which works with disabled children. Formed in 1998, one of the band's core roles is to use music to assist the special needs community. In September 2000, Rhythm Support in cooperation with the Spastic Children's Association of Selangor piloted a Rhythm Interactive programme for a group of disabled children called the Rhythm Interactive Spastic Enabler's (RISE) programme.

The programme revolves around the idea of having fun in the making of music using percussive instruments such as the congas, shakers, bells, hand drums, etc.

The programme is held on a weekly basis with each session lasting about 60 minutes. Within a period of a month, incredible results were archieved.

Due to the positive response received from the pupils, teachers and paretns, extra classes were added on for the programme in January 2001. Currently about 60% of the CP children in the school are involved in the programme.

Objectives of the RISE programme
The initial objectives of the programme are to:

• Create an alternative method for muscular exercises
• Assist in physical movement coordination
• Instill a sense of discipline
• Enhance creative abilities
• Improve Self esteem and confidence
• Develop a sense of musical appreciation
• Initiate a Team working environment

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Biography

Beautiful Gate Disabled Performing Arts Troupe was launched by Deputy Culture, Arts and Tourism Minister Datuk Fu Ah Kiow on August 13, 2003. It consists of 25 disabled performers and 5 volunteers. We believes that disabilities do not prevent experiencing in beauty of arts, and aspired to bring to the disabled community, despite their disabilities, an aspiration to experience the beauty of Arts in this era.

Beautiful Gate hopes to provide an opportunity to the disabled community the joy of Performing Arts and allow it to be the media of communication with the society. It hopes to offer the disabled a future and hope of their own beside being an element of motivation of life to the able-body.

Objectives of Beautiful Gate Performing Arts Troupe are as follow:

• To demonstrate the determination of learning and self development of persons with disabilities and transmit the message of determination effort to the public.
• To increase accessibility, interest and understanding of the potential of people with disabilities.
• To create job opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
• To integrate people with disabilities with society.
• To promote the greatness of loving and caring spirit

Beautiful Gate Performing Arts Troupe have been invited to perform in most of the big cities in Malaysia, including Sabah and Sarawak, and been to Thailand and Singapore for Performance Tour. There is a new invitation from Manila in May 2009.

Year of establishing : 2003

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Traditional Lion Dance

Biography

This dance and Kunfu school started to integrate deaf students since 2006. Around 20 deaf persons are now part of the classes. They are performing during different events in Vietnam.

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Biography

United Voice is a self-advocacy society that is led by people with learning disabilities. This is the first society in Malaysia that is led by people with learning disabilities.

United Voice has an Employment Project for members who are unemployed. There are currently 22 members with learning disabilities working in this project.

United Voices is in the process of renovating our premise to create more space to set up a gift shop and an art gallery cum art workshop. Some of our members are very talented artists. The purpose of our gallery is to promote their paintings and art pieces and to help them develop a career with their talents. The consultant of our art gallery is Pn Wairah Marzuki who was formerly the director of Malaysia National Art Gallery.

By Tan Seng Kit

By Clement Ooi

Meanwhile, please visit two of our member's website:
http://www.clementooi.net
http://tansengkit.com

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