Award Recipient
Ms. Sia Siew Cnin(Malaysia; age: 41)
■　 Current Occupation
	Executive Director Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled
■　 Education and Work History
1993 Commenced activities of Beautiful Gate (BG) 1995 Established the first center for“Beautiful Gate,”a group-home based on Independent Living (IL) at Petaling Jaya. Since then, established 6 more group-home-type of IL centers in Malaysia. 2003 “Beautiful Gate” obtained foundation status.
■　Major Accomplishments
・ Ms. Sia contributed to changing the perspective of disability assistance, from one that emphasizes traditional residential care and rehabilitation to one whose aim is to help people with disability (PWD) live independently on their own in various fields in their communities, with the objectives of “social participation,” “social inclusion,” and “independent living.” For the first time in Malaysia, she pioneered the implementation of direct support programs for PWDs in concrete matters and from all aspects. Ms. Sia chaired the meeting of comprehensive recommendations for the National Economic Development Plan (Malaysia Plan) and advocated recommendations for PWDs from the viewpoint of PWDs in the year 2000. The result has been published as “Beyond 2000; Equal Opportunities and Rights for the People with Disabilities,”which is still referred to as the guidelines for any PWD-related effort by various government organizations. Ms. Sia has thus contributed greatly to the protection of the PWD rights. As the leader, Ms. Sia initiated various advocacy activities and contributed greatly to the issue of employment, which is seen by PWDs as one of the key issues, by chairing the committee for coordinating meetings between Disabled People’s Organizations (DPOs) and NPOs. In 2001, recommendations regarding PWD employment were submitted to the government and her activities and recommendations caused the Ministry of Human Resources to organize annual awareness-raising seminars and job-matching programs, thereby contributing to the expansion of PWD employment. As part of awareness-raising on disability issues, Ms. Sia conducts artistic activities throughout Malaysia, promoting PWD rights and equality. ・ ・ ・
■　Future Projects
・ At present it is crucial to reflect the ideas and opinions of PWDs in developing laws, policies and plans related to PWDs. Under the circumstances in which the social participation of PWDs is being developed, it is essential to have contributions from PWDs, such as those of Ms. Sia, who has the experience and professional and local knowledge needed to support PWD independence. It is hoped that Ms. Sia, the leader of Beautiful Gate, will play a vital role in developing down-to-earth programs.