SiNaR: Special Needs Community Well-being Training & Research Centre

More than one billion people in the world live with some form of disability, of whom nearly 200 million experience considerable difficulties in functioning. In the years ahead, disability will be an even more significant concern because its prevalence is rising. People with disabilities have poorer health outcomes, lower educational achievements, less economic participation, and higher poverty rates than people without disabilities. People with disabilities experience barriers to access services many of us have long taken for granted, including health, education, employment, transport, and information are partly of the issues. These disadvantages exacerbate difficulties in the community. The increasing number of people with special needs (PwSN) poses a significant physical, psychological, and economic burden to PwSN, their families, the community, and the nation.

The establishment of Special Needs Community Well-being Training & Research Centre (SiNaR) is in line with one of the four pillars of PLANETIIUM, which is health empowerment. Thus, it will share a similar agenda with the SDG for good health and well-being, addressing inequalities in accessing education, and empowering people with special needs to improve their roles, economy, and quality of life.

The establishment of this centre aims to bring a multitude of benefits to PwSN, their families, caregivers, and the broader community by providing services and support. As the first of its kind in the East Coast region, the centre will focus on training, research, and innovation specifically designed for PwSN, providing certified professional courses that cater to their unique needs and those of their caregivers. The centre aims to bridge the gap in existing training modules by enhancing them through research and innovative activities, thereby improving the quality of life and economic opportunities for this often-marginalized group. Finally, the centre seeks to integrate Islamic principles into its operations, emphasizing the concepts of Sejahtera and Rahmatan Lil’ Alamin, which reflect a commitment to holistic well-being and compassion for all.

OBJECTIVES

To develop suitable training for PwSN and caregivers to empower their living skills, economics, and sustainable well-being.
To encourage continuous rehabilitation of psychomotor skills.
To facilitate parents and caregivers of people with special needs in Kuantan city through establishment of a Special Needs Care Centre
To enrich technical and vocational education and training (TVET) with suitable training modules for PwSN and caregivers engaging with Bahagian Pendidikan dan Latihan Vokasional, Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia.
To continue PwSN research and innovation activities in producing specific demands.

HOW COMMUNITY CAN BENEFIT FROM THE PROJECT?

Caregivers with proper training will be equipped with better care quality to meet the unique needs of individuals with special needs, leading to improved care quality and better overall outcomes.
SiNaR will be a centre that strengthen the support systems among the caregivers by bringing them together, fostering a sense of community and creating networks of support. This connection can be invaluable for sharing experiences, resources, and advice. This also will help them in reducing stress and decreasing the risk of burnout, allowing them to provide care more effectively over the long term.
Educating the PwSN with technical & vocational training will help them improve their life quality in many aspects such as soft skills, personal growth, employability & social integration
Learning new skills and gaining work opportunity & experience can boost the confidence and self-esteem of PwSN, helping them develop a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Besides, this will make them become more self-reliant, allowing them to manage their own lives and contribute to their households or communities.
Teaching vocational skills to PwSN helps increase their economic productivity, benefiting the economy through increased participation in the workforce and reduced dependence on social support programs. In addition, when PwSN succeed in the workplace, it helps reduce stereotypes and discrimination, leading to greater acceptance and understanding in the broader community.