The Inclusive Fun Fest officially launched on Sunday at the Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas, Bandar Seri Begawan, in conjunction with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD) celebrated annually on December 3.
Officiating the launch was the Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Nazmi bin Haji Awang Mohamad as the guest of honour.
Themed “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future”, the event aims to celebrate the participation and progress of persons with disabilities (PWD) in society, highlight key issues, promote awareness and education regarding the needs of PWD.
It also seeks to foster positive perceptions towards the community.
The event began with a mass aerobics session led by HSN Fitness, followed by the official launch of the Inclusive Fun Fest by the guest of honor.
A “Fun Walk” covering a distance of 1.40 kilometers was attended by more than 200 participants, including persons with disabilities. The public also had the opportunity to visit exhibitions and participate in activities organized by various PWD associations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and private sectors.
The guest of honour and senior government officials learned and experienced using wheelchairs by participating in a wheelchair course activity organised by PJSC led by Rehabilitation Medicine Consultant and Head of the Rehabilitation Department Dr Abang Muhammad Fahmy bin Awang Hj Hepnie.
The recreational activity aimed to raise 4 awareness of the experiences of PWDs using wheelchairs through several directions and obstacles.
Also present were Permanent Secretaries of the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports; President of the National Council on the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities Malai Sharifah Adilah Surya binti Malai Haji Abdullah; President of the Paralympic Council of Brunei Darussalam Awang Haji Ali Yusri bin Haji Abdul Ghafor, senior government officials; and strategic partners from private agencies, including NGOs.
The IDPWD celebration was organised by the Department of Community Development (JAPEM) in collaboration with the Department of Special Education, Ministry of Education, Child Development Center (CDC) Ministry of Health, Special Olympics Brunei Darussalam Association (SOBD) and SMARTER Association under the Council of the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities (MKOKU), Paralympic Council of Brunei Darussalam (PCBD), Persatuan Bahasa Isyarat-Jurualih Kitani (BI-JAK), UnikLearn, La Vida, Pantai Jerudong Specialist Center (PJSC) and Ar Rafi Archery Sports Academy Center (PASMA). – James Kon
Mohamad and spouse Datin Hajah Binanun binti Haji Bungsu. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI
The guest of honour participating in the wheelchair activity. PHOTO: RAFI ROSLI