Pass laws to make nation more disabled-friendly

WITH reference to the call by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (“Employ The Disabled, says PM” – The Star, Nov 15), for more companies to show their caring side and employ disabled people, we would like the People with Disabilities Act to be passed by Parliament immediately to show that the Government really cares and support for the equal opportunities of disabled people in Malaysian society.

We would want a more strict implementation and enforcement of By-law 34A of the Uniform Building By-laws which requires all buildings to have access for disabled people.

Existing buildings should be surveyed and audited, and be upgraded to comply with the Building Regulations.

This requirement should be stressed in all government departments and policies.

We would also call upon the Malaysian Standard 1331: Access of Disabled Persons Outside Buildings (2003) to be incorporated in the Town and Country Planning Act, Highways Act and/or the Streets, Drainage and Building Act, so that the street environment will be accessible as well, and not just buildings.

Apart from that, we would want the Public Works Department to make sure that all government buildings are accessible, safe and usable for disabled people.

These must include accessible car parking, gentle ramps, accessible toilets, tactile guides, lifts and proper handrails for all existing and new government buildings.

The management and communications aspects of workplaces must also be inclusive for disabled people.

Braille lettering, tactile guides, sign language interpreters and easily read text must be available to create ease of communication and conveying of information.

The Government must lead the way for a caring society by getting all existing buildings to be accessible to the disabled.

When places of work are accessible, safe and usable for disabled people who have mobility problems, sensory impairment and learning disabilities, then they are more employable as there will be no physical and communication barriers.

Attitudes and prejudiced perceptions will be less when more disabled people are commonly seen in public and the work place.

Naziaty Mohd Yaacob, Dr Tiun Ling Ta, Francis Johen Anak Adam, Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled, Ananda Raj, Asia Community Service.

Source : http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/11/19/focus/19511676&sec=focus