Little Joy For The Disabled

By Jeswan Kaur

KUALA LUMPUR, April 12 (Bernama) -- As Malaysia celebrates half a century of nationhood, there is still a group of people who feel left out from the mainstream of development.

They, the disabled, have never failed to voice out their grievances, albeit not much is being done to assist them.

"We too want to celebrate the country's 50th independence anniversary but there is really not much for us to enjoy," says Sia Siew Chin, the executive director for Beautiful Gate Foundation, an organisation that helps the disabled to get on with their lives.

Speaking to Bernama recently, she says that for the disabled in the country, life is tough from all aspects, be it employment, education or housing.

"Because we are less able to move about swiftly, we have lost out on the opportunities to earn a decent living and have access to good housing.

Many of the disabled do not attend school because these premises are not disabled-friendly, making it cumbersome for us to move about," she points out.

Sia states that one percent of the population suffer from some form of disability.

"To-date, 170,000 disabled people have registered with the Social Welfare Department but we believe a big number have yet to do so."

HOPING FOR POSITIVE CHANGE

Sia, herself wheelchair bound, feels the country's infra structure, be it the roads, offices, parks, restaurants and schools do not cater to the needs of the disabled, making it hard for them to go anywhere or get anything done.

The disabled, says Sia, are constantly hoping for a positive change that take their needs into account.

"The present transportation system does not fit in with our requirement. Buses have steep and high stairs while trains are a nightmare to board, especially during peak hours. So, the disabled have very limited chances to venture out. Many of us prefer to remain at home, which is not a healthy practice," she adds.

Sia says most often the disabled have to forgo the job offers that came their way because many a times, the offices are not disabled-friendly.

"We are expected to struggle with the able bodied, on the way to our offices. This not only very frustrating but also annoying because it makes us feel less important and neglected," laments Sia.

She says some of the disabled opted to work in factories. Sia visits these factories to ensure that the premises are disabled friendly before recommending the jobs there to her fellow friends.

DO NOT FORGET THE DISABLED

Sia wants the Government to consider providing some form of grant to the disabled to help them start small businesses.

"At Beautiful Gate, we provide job placement services to this group. Mobility for these people is our biggest challenge and concern. We help them acquire customised motorcycles or arrange for transportation to their workplace. It can be very taxing as we receive very little support from the public."

"Housing is also a problem for the disabled as they have little savings to buy a house. Many rent a house and often stay together. But I am sure they too dream of owning a house of their own.

It would really help if housing developers build houses that cater to our needs and sell them to us at a discounted price. I believe we are not asking for much here," pleas Sia.

-- BERNAMA

Source : http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=256278