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©The Sun (Used by permission)
by Bathmavathi Krishnan

If the last half century is anything to go by, I dare not predict what would be in store when Malaysia turns 100!

The nation has certainly done well so far - sailing smoothly in the name of development and progress, fuelled by a robust economy.

But along the way, a section of her population has been lagging behind, struggling to beat the odds, to survive in a system and an environment that has forgotten to take their needs into consideration.

Over the past 20 years, disability groups have tirelessly lobbied for their inclusion into mainstream society.

However, government efforts to address the issues have so far been sporadic and piecemeal, resulting in attempts that have yet to improve the quality of life of disabled persons in Malaysia.

Given the current scenario, is there hope for a truly disabled-friendly Malaysia by 2057?

Dreaming doesn’t hurt. And if I dare dream, this is what I envision.

Fifty years from now, the disabled in Malaysia would be a part of society rather than “apart” from it. The self-worth of the disabled would be restored and they would live with dignity; proud to belong to a nation that knows how to treat and care for its disabled citizens.

“Inclusion” would be an obsolete word by then as all community and government programmes would naturally encompass the needs of the disabled and the elderly.

Being a disabled person or having a disabled person in the family would not be an economic burden. There would be state financial support in the form of a sustainable allowance that would pay for carers and for equipment used in daily living.

Disabled people would have equal access in all aspects of life. All disabled children would have access to education. Schools, colleges and universities would be barrier-free and accessible. Disabled job seekers would be employed on the basis of merit, while supported employment would be available for the learning disabled. Telemedicine will become a common feature in health service delivery.

Article 8(2) of the Federal Constitution would have been amended to include the provision that there should be no discrimination on the grounds of disability.

The rights of the disabled would also be protected by the Persons with Disabilities Act Malaysia. There would be a disabled person appointed as Minister for the Disabled, as Senator in the Dewan Negara, and there would also be disabled persons elected to the Dewan Rakyat.

All Members of Parliament, local authorities, residents associations and local village committees would be aware of the number of disabled members in their respective constituencies and communities and would serve them accordingly.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) would have been in force for 50 years. Malaysia would have set many examples of good practice and this would be reported in the periodic monitoring reports of the UNCRPD.

All issues pertaining to the disabled would be coordinated by one ministry under the direct purview of the Prime Minister. There would be comprehensive statistics on the disabled, and adequate funds allocated annually for the development of the disabled in the national budget.

The five-year development plans would have incorporated the needs of the disabled population in all sectors.

All forms of public and privately owned transport services would be fully accessible to the disabled, including those serving outstation destinations. Door-to-door transport services would also be available.

Recreation parks and sports facilities would be open to the disabled. Zoos, museums and tourist spots would have facilities for the disabled. Public walkways and buildings all over Malaysia would be accessible to wheelchair users, with facilities for the blind and signages for the deaf.

Houses would be built to include features catering for the needs of the disabled. Multi-storey buildings would have lifts and ramps.

Malaysia, with a strong political commitment to social justice, can make this dream a reality.

Bathmavathi Krishnan, 53, a disability advocate, is secretary of the Malaysian Confederation of the Disabled. A paraplegic from a spinal injury, she has been using a wheelchair for the past 32 years.
 

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