Chapter Two: Internal Analysis

(i) Dyslexia Association

2.1 History

The Rotary Club of Gombak, as part of its community service activities, and the institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS), jointly organize a one-day public seminar on “Dyslexia Awareness in Malaysia” on 18 April 1993. 

At the end of the seminar the participants decided to form an association and an applicant was made for the registration and on due compliance with all statutory requirements, the Registra of Societies Wilayah Persekutuan, on 23 March 1995, registered the Perstauan Kesukaran Pembelanjaran Spesifik, Wilayah Persekutuan (Specific Learning Disabilities Association of Willayah Persekutuan). The official address of the Association was Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Pahang, and Kuala Lumpur. 

At the Annual General Meeting in 1999, the members present passed resolution to change the name of the association to Persatuan Dyslexia, Wilayah Persekutuan, and to change the official address to no.6, Persiaran Kuantan, Setapak, Kuala Lumpur. Since March 1999, the Association has used these premises for its various activities, such as seminars for teachers and parents, counseling and special classes for dyslexic children.

2.2 Objectives:

•   Advance the education and general welfare of the children and others who are affected by dyslexia and other specific learning disabilities.

•   To promote a general awareness and understanding of the problems and needs of children and others with specific learning disabilities and thereby to assist them to obtain specialized diagnosis and treatment so that their disabilities maybe remedied as early as possible.

•   To persuade appropriate authorities to include in teacher training courses such instruction as would serve to qualify teachers to recognized children what maybe specific learning disabilities requiring special treatment.

•   To promote the establishment of special courses for remedial teacher training and remedial teacher services in places where such facilities do not exist.

•   To adopt such measures and take such steps and do all such things as may, in the opinion of the Association, be conductive to the promotion of cordial relations between the Association and kindred associations or persons (whether in Malaysia or otherwise) interested in any aspect of specific learning disabilities.

•  To establish, subscribe or donate to promote, become member of, support or co-operate or amalgamate with any kindred association or body (whether incorporated or not) whose objectives are altogether or in part similar to those of this Association.

2.3 2011 Exco Members:

•    President: Puan Sariah Amirin ( 017 ) 6182416
 

•    Vice President: Dr Aziz Abu Hassan ( 012 ) 3078058
 

•    Hon Secretary: Puan Faezah Sallah ( 013 ) 3631542
 

•    Asst Secretary: Mdm Coralie Leong ( 012 ) 3343269
 

•    Hon Treasurer: En. Wan Zefri Bin Wan Zahari ( 019 ) 2865868

•    Ordinary Member:-

•    Puan Siti Aishah ( 012 ) 3229738

•    Ms Poongkody ( 012 ) 2407841

•    Mr. K. H. Chang ( 012 ) 2071677

•    En. Harunasir Bin Atan ( 012 ) 2143034

•    Puan. Azreen Bt Abu Noh ( 012 ) 2988534

•    En. Syukran Fadzli Bin Mazlan ( 013 ) 3643295

2.4 Dyslexia Association Malaysia Centres

Ampang Centre

JKR 3488, Jalan Ampang Hilir 4,

55000 Kuala Lumpur

Tel : 03-4251-5618

Co-ordinator: En. Hafez

Titiwangsa Centre

6, Persiaran Kuantan, Off Jalan Setapak,

53200 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 03-4025-5109

Co-ordinator: Puan. Hajjah Paryaton 

USJ Centre

2, Jalan USJ 4/4B, UEP Subang Jaya,

Selangor

Tel: 03-8023-0919

Co-ordinator: Madam Lillie

Shah Alam Centre

No 1, Jalan Nikel 1 7/26A

Seksyen 7, Shah Alam

Selangor Darul Ehsan

Tel: 012-669-1963

Co-ordinator: Puan Tijah

Penang Centre

No 9, Jalan Bunga Tanjung

11200 Tanjong Bungah

Pulau Pinang

Tel: 012-374-3077

Co-ordinator: Miss Sahrina

Ipoh Centre

No.8, Jalan Abdullah Liew

Taman Canning

34100 Ipoh

Perak

Tel: 05-545-1791

Co-ordinator: En. Siafulazrin

Kuantan Centre

No.58, Lorong IM 15/29,

Bandar Indera Mahkota,

25200 Kuantan,

Pahang

Tel: 09-573-7905

Co-ordinator : En. Mohd Sallem

Taiping Centre

No.102, Jagaranda Avenue,

Thomson Road,

34000 Taiping, Perak

Tel: 017-555-1559

Co-ordinator: En. Hafizi

Langkawi Centre

No.54, Lorong Intan 2,

Taman Intan,

Langkawi

Kedah

Tel: 012-433-3629

Co-ordinator: Miss Yong

(ii) Previous/Current Campaigns

2.5 My Way Campaign:

“My Way” is a campaign that took a place in January 2010 with the star of Happy Days. First News launched their My Way campaign at 10 Downing Street hosted by Sarah Brown, with Henry ‘The Fonz’ Winkler and Children’s Secretary, Ed Balls.

Happy Days star Henry Winkler has spoken of his struggle with dyslexia. The actor aged 64, who was not diagnosed with dyslexia until he was 30, agreed to front the campaign because of his own experiences. The campaign aims to help boost the confidence of youngsters with special educational needs.

The star told GMTV that he struggled to learn scripts for his famous screen role. “I had to go over it and over it so I didn’t make a fool of myself. I cannot read out loud.”

He added: “Children learn differently and every child has got something good in them and there’s a tremendous prejudice between intellect and the child who is really good at vocational.

“A society needs every citizen, every child to be at the top of their potential.

My Way! Aims to raise awareness of the learning challenges that some children face at school. They want to dispel the myth that these children are less intelligent and show that every child can succeed.

2.6 KIPCO Dyslexia Campaign:

KIPCO's initiative for public awareness about Dyslexia

KIPCO “Kuwait Project Company (Holding)” Has organized a campaign that aims to raise awareness among parents, doctors, teachers and the general public so that people with the condition get the help they need. The campaign attempts to enlighten people with the fact that dyslexia is not a disease, but a condition and it can be significantly reduced through proper treatment.

2.7 “The Gift of Learning” Campaign – in Malaysia

In a bid to generate awareness on the importance of early intervention in dyslexia, Procter & Gamble Malaysia (P&G), Giant Hypermarkets and Guardian collaborate on “The Gift of Learning” campaign to enable caring consumers to contribute towards the educational needs of dyslexic children. The campaign ran from April 2011 up until the 19th May 2011, and aims to raise RM100, 000 to provide free remedial education for dyslexic children at Dyslexia Association of Malaysia (DAM) centers nationwide.

In a bright and cheerful mock-classroom setting, the DAM students ranging from seven to 12 years old treated Saturday shoppers and curious onlookers to an entertaining musical performance. A special appearance by the bubbly TV personality Baki Zainal sent waves of excitement through the gathered audience, who listened attentively to Baki’s presentation on his own struggle of living with dyslexia.