III. Record of Services in Beautiful Gate Foundation for The Disabled  (1993-2019)

1. Major Contribution in Beautiful Gate Foundation 

a. Started “Beautiful Gate – Methodist Ministry for the Disabled” under the Chinese Methodist Churches in Malaysia (objectives of Beautiful Gate is to enhance the quality of life of people with disabilities, and assist in their total integration into mainstream Malaysian society. This is to be achieved through mutual support, advocacy, personal skill development and campaigns to raise public awareness). 

b. 1995 –  Set up Beautiful Gate Career Development Centre for the Disabled in Petaling Jaya,Selangor, to cater to the needs of the physically disabled persons. This is the first centre to implement concepts of Independent Living to train disabled trainees to live independently in Malaysia.

c. 1996 – Set up Beautiful Gate Rehabilitation Centre for the Disabled in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur, focusing on spinal cord injured persons.   

d. 1999 – Set up Beautiful Gate Educational Centre for the Disabled in Kampar,  Perak, focuses on young disabled persons who do not have formal education. 

e. 2002 – Set up Beautiful Gate Arts Centre in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan to provide handicraft training, caring & services for the local disabled community. 

f. 2003 December – Beautiful Gate Foundation for The Disabled was successfully incorporated and obtain tax exemption status in 2004.   

g. 2004  – Set up Beautiful Gate Recycling Centre & Workshop in Petaling Jaya to create job opportunities for the disabled who are jobless, which later move to Puchong and became Beautiful Gate Foundation Hope Factory for disabled.

h. 2006 April – Set up Beautiful Gate Centre in Melaka to provide bakery training, sheltered employment,  caring & services for the local disabled community.

i. 2006 August – Set up Beautiful Gate Centre in Klang, to provide job opportunity through recycling activity, provide accessible transport service,  caring & various services for the local disabled community.

j. 2009 August – Set up Beautiful Gate Centre in Manjung, to provide caring & services for the local disabled community.

k. 2013 May – Set up Beautiful Gate Foundation Hope Factory for disabled in Puchong to provide job opportunity and on-the-job training for the local disabled community.

2. Other Contribution in Beautiful Gate Foundation 

Performing Arts Troupe

a. Year 1995, formed Beautiful Gate Performing Arts Troupe, to convey the message of determination and perseverance through the performing Arts.

b. Year 2000, led disabled performers to present a wheelchair dance and was featured in the Malaysia Book of Records as “Largest Participation in Wheelchair Dance”.

c. Year 2003, officially launched the Beautiful Gate Performing Arts Troupe, the first performing arts troupe led by disabled performers. It was officiated  by the Deputy Culture, Arts and Tourism Minister Datuk Fu Ah Kiow on August 13, 2003. 

d. Year 2011, the Beautiful Gate Performing Arts Troupe was officially recognized and listed in Malaysia Book of Records as the “First Performing Arts Troupe by Persons with Disabilities”.

Throughout the years numerous performance tours have been organized  to Sabah, Sarawak, Singapore, Thailand, Manila and all the major cities in Peninsular Malaysia.

3. Public Awareness and Volunteer Training

a. Year 2000-2008, organized “Employ the Disabled Awareness Campaign” annually, aimed to create public awareness on employing persons with disabilities.

b. Year 2005, started the “Be An Angel Campaign” (which became an annual activity) in order to promote the concept of volunteerism and to disseminate correct information and attitude towards the disabled in our Malaysian society. This campaign also provides training to participants in order to equip them to be better volunteers.

c. Year 2008, initiated a weekly radio awareness program together with Ai FM, Chinese Radio Station, aimed to create public awareness on disabilities issues.

d. Year 2008, together with other NGOs, started Disabilities Equality Training and Access Audit Team. It is aimed to provide training for private companies and colleges, on how to provide services or assistance to disabled customers, classmate or employees. 

e. Year 2009, start organized annual Disability Awareness Convoy by Disabled and the Public to promote a barrier-free and inclusive society. 

4.  Promoting Accessible Tourism in Malaysia and South East Asia in order to create barrier-free society

a. Year 2011 July, organized First Asia Pacific Photo Contest on Accessible Tourism to highlight the importance of barrier-free facilities.

b. Year 2011 September, established Malaysia’s First Portal on Accessible Tourism and Accessibilities, www.inclusivemalaysia.com.my, to provide information on barrier-free places in Malaysia.

c. Year 2011 November, organized First National Conference on Accessible Tourism at Sunway hotel, aimed to change the concept towards barrier-free facilities from ‘extra cost’ to ‘future investment’ . http://www.beautifulgate.org.my/pro-icat/

d. Year 2012 July, organized First Mobile Phone Short Film Contest on Accessible Tourism.

e. Year 2012 November, organized First South East Asia Conference on Accessible Tourism at Berjaya hotel to bring bigger impact to the important of disabled friendly facilities,  www.seacat.beautifulgate.org.my 

f. Year 2014 December, organized the 5th International Conference on Accessible Tourism at MBPJ Civic Hall.

5. Sports, Seminars & Workshops 

a. Year 2000-2008, organized an annual tournament of Wheelchair Badminton and Table-tennis Open. Aimed to raise self-confidence of people with disabilities through sports, and to promote healthy social activities.

b. Year 2006 – 2011, organized seminars & workshops annually to promote the concept of Independent Living & Peer Counseling in various States; and to encourage disabled persons to live an independent life. It also aims to train the disabled to become leaders, trainers, and peer-counselors.

c. Year 2011, organized the Workshop on Access Audit for the disabled community in PJ.

d. Year 2013 & 2014, together with USM and MBPJ, organized the Workshop on Access Audit for the MBPJ staffs and public.

Job Placement 

Year 2005, set up Job Placement Unit to assist disabled persons to be gainfully employed. Throughout the years, many people with disabilities have benefited from this project and are successfully employed.

Year 2011, set up an employment portal for disabled job seekers. www.okujobs.com.my 

6. Advocacy:

August 2000 Together with 12 disabled organizations in Malaysia, Beautiful Gate submitted a memorandum entitled “Beyond 2000: Equal Participation and Opportunity” to the National Economic Consultative Council II. Sia Siew Chin was chairman of the drafting committee. 

March 2001 Together with 24 disabled organizations in Malaysia, Beautiful Gate submitted a Memorandum on Employment for People With Disabilities to the Minister of Human Resources Malaysia Datuk Dr. Fong Chan Onn. Sia Siew Chin was chairman of the drafting committee. 

May 2004 Together with 9 disabled organizations in Malaysia, Beautiful  Gate submitted a Proposal on New Policy on Low Cost Housing   for People With Disabilities to the then Minister of Housing & Local Government, Dato Sri Ong Ka Ting. Sia Siew Chin was a member of the drafting committee.

May 2005 Together with 10 disabled organizations, Beautiful Gate submitted a Memorandum On Disabilities Issues For the 9th  Malaysia Plan. Sia Siew Chin was a member of the drafting committee.

7. Successfully raised many disabled become leaders, for example:

– Ms Tan Kee Chok, polio victim, director of Beautiful Gate Foundation Kampar Centre. Awarded the best disabled worker in 2006 by Ministry of Human Resource Malaysia. 

– Ms Wong Soo Pin, polio victim, director of Beautiful Gate Foundation Seremban Centre.

– Mr Kenneth Tian, quadriplegic, superintendant of  Beautiful Gate Foundation Kepong Centre.

– Mr Boon Fu Pin, quadriplegic,  president of Miri Ability Services Association.

– Mr Lee Yew Hoe, cerebral palsy, superintendant of  Beautiful Gate Foundation Klang Centre.

– Ms Elaine Sia Ling Ling, head of Beautiful Gate Performing Arts Troupe. Awarded Outstanding Young Malaysian Award in 2011 by Junior Chamber Malaysia.

– Ms Ivy Pua, head of Beautiful Gate Job Placement Department. Ahli Jawatankuasa OKU in Ministry of Human Resource. 

– Mr. Yeoh Kee Sun, president of Society of Independent Living For the Disabled, Selangor.

– Mr Lum Kok Kiang, director of Lovely Disabled Home.