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Teaching Hands Speaking: Two Tasks, One Love
Between showing signs and teaching a language, there is a gap that we are rarely aware of. Continuing Teachers’ Day Discourse I am interested in Ms. Salina Mohammed Rashid’s article dated May 12, 2026 in the RTM News Portal, which is entitled “Teaching without voice, only hands speak.” Ms. Salina has opened an important space in this year’s Teachers’ Day discourse, which is highlighting the voice of Deaf teachers as teachers who are most qualified for their own language. I wa
okurightsmatterdev
3 days ago5 min read


Literary works by Deaf women signed in Malaysian Sign Language
Malaysian Deaf women and girls share experiences of challenges in six visual poems on the themes of: Aloneness Communication breakdown Fear of risks, obstacles It’s a boy’s world, a man’s world Gender inequality in all spheres of life Sexual violence Alienation: Deaf minority vs hearing majority The poems highlight aspirations towards empowerment arising from: Alienation: Deaf minority among hearing majority Power from language denied Deaf motherhood denied Deaf women’s
okurightsmatterdev
3 days ago1 min read


10 Things People Often Miss in Accessibility Compliance When Drawing Up Plans
From a quick survey of architects, designers, and accessibility users / disabled persons (including one property developer) — here are the most common oversights shared: 1. Ramp Design & Gradient Many underestimate the space needed for a proper 1:12 ratio ramp (including landings). Steeper ramps are common, but tiring and unsafe for wheelchair users — arms fatigue quickly, and there’s real risk of sliding backward. 2. Level Access & Gentle Transitions Raising lobbies or add
okurightsmatterdev
4 days ago2 min read


Disability Pride Month
The Disability Pride Flag was designed in 2019 by Ann Magill, a writer with cerebral palsy. It was updated in 2021 to feature diagonal stripes and muted colors to avoid triggering visually sensitive conditions like migraines or epilepsy on digital screens. The flag has been placed into the public domain.The flag’s current design elements and colors symbolize the following: Charcoal Gray Background: Mourning and rage for disabled victims of ableist violence, abuse, and neglect
okurightsmatterdev
Sep 21 min read


Beyond the Hashtag: What “Nothing about Us without Us” Actually Means
We see it quoted all over Malaysian social media, but what does it actually imply?Too often, organizations and policymakers use this phrase as a marketing slogan while practicing “tokenism” — like inviting a representative (of an OKU group)to a photoshoot, but giving the representative zero power to change the outcome. On a mobile screen, true inclusion can be broken down into 3 levels. Where do most Malaysian initiatives actually sit? LEVEL 1: Doing TO them (The Failure)•
okurightsmatterdev
Sep 21 min read
Reports: Advocacy for Disability Inclusion in Malaysia
Download Reports Advocacy for Disability Inclusion in Malaysia – Full report (accessible pdf) Advocacy for Disability Inclusion in Malaysia – Full report (epub) Advocacy for Disability Inclusion in Malaysia – Full report (DAISY) Advocacy for Disability Inclusion in Malaysia – Executive Summary (English) – accessible pdf in progress. Alternatively, access the executive summary in English via the full report. Advocacy for Disability Inclusion in Malaysia – Executive Summary (Ba
okurightsmatterdev
Sep 21 min read


Redesigning Life: How Todd Hanson Reframed his Race against Time
When life strips away the very things that define us, what is left? For Todd Hanson — a passionate architect and a fiercely competitive marathoner who logged over 75,000 miles in his lifetime — the answer wasn’t surrender. It was a profound reframing of his purpose.After being diagnosed with primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), a rare degenerative neuromuscular disease similar to ALS, Todd eventually could no longer walk and speak. He was forced to navigate a world that wasn’t bu
okurightsmatterdev
Sep 22 min read


Accessibility Isn’t a Favor – It’s Essential Infrastructure
To me, the right to access is often misunderstood. Many people think accessibility exists because persons with disabilities (PwDs) need it.I see it differently. Accessibility is not something that belongs exclusively to Deaf or disabled people — it is something that governments, organisations, businesses, and society need in order to effectively serve everyone. Accessibility enables duty-bearers to fulfil their responsibilities and ensures that all members of society can part
okurightsmatterdev
Sep 22 min read


International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025
Theme: Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress Some items shared by Malaysians in conjunction with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025Neuroaffirming: Real-Life Practice, Meaning & Importance with Dr. Zahilah | EP81 In this episode, we speak with Dr. Zahilah Filzah Zulkifli, a paediatrician engaged in neuroaffirming, trauma-informed, and experience-sensitive work through AT-Autism To mark International Day of Persons wit
okurightsmatterdev
Jul 33 min read


Alexandra Elaine – UK’s first Deafblind Doctor
Alexandra Elaine Adams is set to graduate in 2026, completing her medical training at Cardiff University, to become the UK’s first Deafblind doctor. Alexandra, who has less eyesight but more insight than many people, intends to pursue palliative medicine, emphasising dignity, positivity, and patient-centred care. As of 8 March 2026, Alexandra’s memoir is near completion, adding to her portfolio of writing, art, and patient advocacy. Alexandra is the Founder of Pandemic Pianos
okurightsmatterdev
Jul 21 min read


The Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia (CMCF)
NG Lai-Thin of The OKU Rights Matter Project was part of the initial working group on drafting the Disability-inclusive Language Guidelines. The drafting of the Guidelines is the initiative of The Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia (CMCF), usually referred to as The Content Forum. The Content Forum is perhaps the very first Malaysian Government entity to explicitly demonstrate, in practice, harmonization of its scope of work with the Convention on the Rig
okurightsmatterdev
Jun 31 min read


The Power of Your Words Over “OKU”: The Harm of Careless Headlines
The recent news from Batang Kali — where a young man was arrested for sexually assaulting a schoolgirl in a mosque — serves as a stark...
okurightsmatterdev
Apr 25, 20254 min read
Appeal for Sensitive Media Coverage of OKU
We are disturbed by the media focus on the OKU status of the 19-year-old man arrested on 21 February 2025 in connection with the alleged...
okurightsmatterdev
Apr 3, 20254 min read


Can Malaysian Society Move Towards Inclusion?
Can the Malaysian Society Move Towards Inclusion? The recent mob assault of a person with disability in Terengganu does not augur well...
okurightsmatterdev
Mar 25, 20252 min read


16 days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is an annual international campaign that runs from 25 November...
okurightsmatterdev
Feb 24, 20251 min read


Reference notes on women and girls with disabilities and gender-disability-ageing intersectionality
Disabled, female and proud. Harilyn Rousso, feminist, rights activist, psychotherapist and artist with cerebral palsy (1946 – ) 2025 is...
okurightsmatterdev
Feb 24, 20252 min read


Letter: Has Celebrating Disability Days Brought Any Benefit to the Disability Community?
Each year we celebrate a number of disability days, often with the involvement of the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development...
okurightsmatterdev
Nov 18, 20245 min read


Letter: We Deserve OKU Leaders Who Stand with Us, Not against Our Collective Voice
Letter Content YB Senator Isaiah Jacob, We, members of the OKU community that includes OKU advocates, disability rights activists, care...
okurightsmatterdev
Oct 10, 202419 min read


Surat Terbuka: Kami Perlukan Pemimpin OKU Yang Seiring Bersama Kami, Bukan Menentang Suara Kolektif Kami
Kandungan Surat B Senator Isaiah Jacob, Kami merupakan ahli komuniti Orang Kurang Upaya (OKU) yang terdiri daripada individu OKU, aktivis...
okurightsmatterdev
Oct 10, 202419 min read


Letter: Make Malaysia a Dementia-Inclusive and Positive Country
LETTER | Confirmation that our fifth prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, fondly known as Pak Lah, is living with dementia throws a...
okurightsmatterdev
Oct 5, 20245 min read
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