Gana PrakashATLAS Vending, in collaboration with OKU Sentral rolled out Malaysia’s first series of Accessible Vending Machines with KPJ Healthcare Berhad as an exclusive hospital partner for the launch.
The partnership will see the Accessible machines available at selected KPJ hospitals, Pusat Daya Klang and Pusat Latihan Perindustrian dan Pemulihan Bangi.
Launched in conjunction with International Wheelchair Day on 1st March, the Accessible Vending Machines are custom fit with special features such as wheelchair and height accessibility, electronic payment features as well as larger 26 cm coin tray instead of ordinary coin slot for those with limited motor control.
It includes buttons that are located 60 and 95 centimetres from ground level and dispensing tray that is about 60 cm from the ground level as approved by OKU Sentral.
OKU Sentral was chosen as a fellow collaborator in providing advice and reviewing the machines to ensure that they cater to the special needs of individuals with disabilities.
Speaking at the launch of the Accessible Vending Machines, Senator and co-founder of OKU Sentral YB Datuk Ras Adiba Radzi said, “We are heartened with the thoughtful business plan demonstrated by ATLAS Vending. This is a good example of woke corporatisation in which organisations think about lowering the barrier of inclusion of individuals with disabilities in their business models and inventions”.
Datuk Ras Adiba also commented that all aspects of human rights and fundamental freedoms including the special needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups must be respected.
“According to a UNICEF report, there are about 4.5 million individuals with disabilities in Malaysia. With greater accessibility, we would enable millions more Keluarga Malaysia to be more efficient economic contributors. It creates independence, social integration and enables individuals with disabilities the opportunity for independent living within the community besides improving quality of life,” said Datuk Ras Adiba.
“In an accessible Keluarga Malaysia, people can care for themselves and live independently. This will also support active ageing. Thus, reducing the burden of cost for special care, which will benefit all levels of society,” added Datuk Ras Adiba.
Speaking about ATLAS Vending’s commitment to dispense delights through innovations ATLAS Vending Head of Marketing & Ancillary Business Amy Gan said, “The brand aims to progressively create better accessibility for members of community with special needs by enabling them to gain access and improve their purchase experience.”
With the roll-out of the Accessible Vending Machine together with the Braille-enabled vending machines last year, ATLAS Vending innovations is now capable of making retail points accessible to 41.4% of persons with disabilities in Malaysia.
“In line with our social responsibility pillar of creating accessibility with our innovations, we hope to be able to continuously contribute to the retail sector by bridging the gap of disabilities in Malaysia. Last year, the brand collaborated with Malaysian Association for the Blind to roll out 10 Braille-enabled vending machines at LRT stations close to Brickfields, Klang Valley,” added Amy Gan.
Meanwhile, KPJ Healthcare’s Chief Corporate Officer, Ariesza Noor said, “As a private healthcare service provider, our ultimate goal is to help patients to return to healthy and independent lifestyles. We believe that by placing the accessible machines at our selected hospitals, not only are we enabling purchasing of beverages for patients with physical disabilities more convenience, but we are also moving one step ahead in our journey towards encouraging patients to returning to independent living”.
“Vending machines are typically used to enable consumers to purchase goods 24 hours a day and eliminate queues at retail outlets. Our involvement in this pilot is with hope that we can inspire other brands to consider making their products more accessible to this group of Keluarga Malaysia with such innovations,” added Ariesza.
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