- In observance of the United Nations’ World Autism Awareness Day this week, Imagine Cup participants and Microsoft volunteers guided children on the autism spectrum through the Hour of Code Minecraft tutorial, at We Rock the Spectrum Gym in Ara Damansara
- We Rock the Spectrum Gym announced a long-term partnership with Microsoft Malaysia which will see the inclusion of Hour of Code as part of the gym’s program
Kuala Lumpur, 5 April 2018 – To commemorate World Autism Awareness Day 2018, Microsoft Malaysia today organised an Hour of Code in collaboration with We Rock the Spectrum Gym. The event saw student participants from the recent Imagine Cup 2018 Regional Finals, employees and volunteers from Microsoft, and youth from the National Autism Society of Malaysia come together to guide children on the autism spectrum through the Hour of Code Minecraft tutorial.
This year’s World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) is themed “Empowering Women and Girls with Autism”, in recognition of the United Nations General Assembly adopting a resolution drawing attention to the challenges women and girls with disabilities face in the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
In observance of WAAD 2018, and in an effort to create STEM learning opportunities, children with different abilities learnt computational thinking through Minecraft, at We Rock the Spectrum Gym. The gym itself is unique in that it is an autism-focused, indoor playground and kid’s gym that prides itself in being a sensory-safe environment that is ideal for children with autism.
Marking the occasion, K. Raman, Microsoft Malaysia’s Managing Director said, “We are proud to be partnering We Rock the Spectrum Gym in observing World Autism Awareness Day as we work to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Our long-term partnership with the Gym to include the Hour of Code as part of their program is in line with Microsoft’s efforts to democratise technology and bridge the opportunity divide. Empowerment begins with inclusion, and we firmly believe that the joys of technology should be shared with everyone, especially youth, as today’s digital natives are tomorrow’s digital workforce. Our efforts are also in line with Malaysia’s Year for Women Empowerment, as we try to tackle the challenges faced by women with disabilities.”
In addition to hosting the event, We Rock the Spectrum Gym announced a partnership with Microsoft Malaysia. The partnership will see the inclusion of Hour of Code as part of the Gym’s program, thus enabling children who play at the gym to get a chance to learn and experience coding. To ensure that the children receive proper guidance, Microsoft will work closely with the gym trainers to ensure they are well equipped to conduct the Hour of Code sessions independently in the future.
Initially founded in Tarzana, Los Angeles by Dina Kimmel, We Rock the Spectrum Gym has expanded across the United States. In December 2016, Nori Abdullah – the wife of Youth and Sports Minister YB Brig Jen Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar – Hana Jamaluddin and Rahmah Mahmood decided to bring the Gym to Ara Damansara, Malaysia. Stemming from personal experiences as mothers with special needs children, the decision to bring the gym to Malaysia was a labour of love to provide children of all abilities with a safe place to play and have fun.
“As we approach an age where technology is all around us and as the nation braces itself for the 4th Industrial Revolution, we are constantly seeking methods to educate our young ones to be ready for a digital future,” said Nori Abdullah, Co-owner, We Rock the Spectrum Gym Malaysia.
“With that in mind, it warms my heart to see Microsoft bring digital skills to the children here at We Rock the Spectrum Gym, enabling them to learn through the Hour of Code. Children with disabilities are less likely to complete primary school and more likely to be marginalized or denied access to education. This is even more true for girls and women with disabilities. With the partnership of Microsoft, we intend to shatter this stereotype and show the world how inclusion, diversity, and equal opportunity, can truly make a difference.”
Also present during the event was Microsoft’s M-Powered ambassador, advocate for the autism cause, and founder of Serena’s Secret, Serena Zara Taufiq. Alongside Serena was Dr Wan Himratul Azliza, accessibility advocate, internal medicine consultant and lifestyle physician, and mother to Serena.