KUCHING: More community awareness is needed to counter negative perceptions of autistic or special needs individuals.
In stating this Opar assemblyman Billy Sujang said the Bunny Run Autism programme is one of the efforts to raise awareness on autism.
“The purpose of this run is to gain support from any sponsors or non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as the Kuching Autistic Association (KAA) requires funding to run its activities.
“At the same time, it is also to spread awareness among the community who may think negatively about autistic individuals or children with disabilities and we must realise that they need to be well taken care of,” he said.
Billy said this to reporters after flagging off the 5km and 3km run held at the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) compound here, Sunday (April 30).
The run was organised by KAA in conjunction with World Autism Awareness Month.
About RM90,000 has been raised from the run, he said, adding he was committed to helping the association.
“I will discuss with the association on how they can apply for funds that I can channel to them under the Minor Rural Projects (MRP) allocations to help with their operational cost.
“This is my commitment as a ‘wakil rakyat’,” he added.
Meanwhile, KAA in a press release said the run was also aimed at raising funds for the yearly operations of KAA’s education and vocational training centre as well as to partly fund the upcoming new education block, the construction which is scheduled to begin construction in October this year.
The training centre is located at Jalan Desa Wira 15, Batu Kawa and provides individualised, special education and training for 155 children and adults with autism, aged between two and 40 with the help of 31 staff.
In addition, KAA operates the Sunshine Hub Sheltered Workshop, where adults with autism are trained on gardening skills, housekeeping skills, artwork, beadwork, simple baking and cooking.
