However, he noted that such centres must be manned by personnel who are properly trained to understand problems faced by the disabled community, in order to be effective.
Elaborating, he said most front-line civil servants are not properly trained to serve the disabled community because they have the mindset of an able-bodied person.
Nevertheless, Anthony said he considers the establishment of such centres as the way forward towards addressing the needs of the increasing disabled population. “Currently, persons with disabilities are made to run here and there for various government-related services, despite having problems with mobility,” said Anthony, who is the president of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association.
According to the 10MP document, the one-stop service centres will replace existing community-based rehabilitation centres.
The centres will house facilities to register persons with disabilities, and provide disability screening and detection, referral services, vocational training, job placements and dissemination of information on disabilities.
Barrier-free access
Anthony also lauded the government's recognition that public transport, buildings and public spaces must be made barrier-free to ensure access by the mobility challenged.
He said this is crucial in ensuring that the persons with disabilities are able to be independent and have access to job opportunities.
“Some bureaucrats have called the disabled community lazy when they fail to see that employment opportunities are in fact located in inaccessible buildings,” said Anthony, who is one of two disabled municipal councillors in Selangor.
Anthony said that, although plans for the disabled community are limited to one page of the 350-page 10MP document, there appear to be some progress in government efforts to integrate the disabled community into society. This includes the 10MP pledge to “actively pursue” the government's target of 1 percent disabled employment in the civil service, which has been frequently discussed over the past two decades.
Anthony said that the 10MP document bears some reflection of the outcome of discussions between disabled community pressure groups and the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.
Note: This story appeared on June 15.
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