KONSEP DAN PENUBUHAN PUSAT KEHIDUPAN BERDIKARI DI MALAYSIA: SUATU SOROTAN AWAL

Abstract

The purpose of writing this paper is to explain the establishment, objectives, role, and concept of the Independent Living Centre (ILC) service programme in Malaysia. The ILC service programme is a special programme introduced by the Malaysian Government to the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) community as a basis for independent life. Japan’s ILC services inspired this programme, and then JICA Malaysia implemented the model to benefit, empower, and develop the disabled community life. Since its establishment, ILC has been under the supervision of the Department of Social Welfare, an agency under the Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development. Since its introduction in 2019, this programme has operated in seven locations. This article uses a qualitative approach through library methods, websites, and interviews. The findings illustrate that the ILC service programme in Malaysia is effective in strengthening social relationships between the disabled community and the community as well as being a first step for the disabled community to train themselves to start an independent living, emancipating them from their family, caregivers, and institutional restraints.