SYABAS to Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil for playing an instrumental role last week in persuading the Cabinet to take a very positive move in the interest of the disabled community throughout the country.
The Minister succeeded in getting her top gun colleagues to strategically push for the appointment of people with disabilities (PWDs) into special committees in each and every local council.
This is to ensure that basic issues such as accessibility in and outside buildings for wheelchairs, and the blind will no longer be overlooked and neglected by city and town council planners and engineers.
The move follows a similar directive given by Selangor Chairman of the Local Government, Study and Research Committee Ronnie Liu for the same purpose to all 12 local councils in the state earlier in the year.
I think it is absolutely brilliant that both these top politicians have put aside their party’s differences momentarily in such an exemplary way in order to focus on the handicapped community who are still struggling with basic bread-and-butter issues.
They have effectively pointed out that if disabled people are ever going to catch up with the rest of the nation, it must start with the local councils first.
To put it in a nutshell, unless disabled Malaysians (the elderly, pregnant mothers, little people, etc) are able to use the pavements, or be able to enter in and out of buildings with their wheelchairs, etc, only then will they be able to find jobs, take care of their lives and live like the rest of the public.
No amount of admonition from politicians is going to make a difference for the more than 10% of the population, coupled with the growing elderly numbers, if local councils don’t get into the act.
As chairman of Petaling Jaya City Council’s technical committee on disability, here are some tips and success stories from MBPJ that I hope will prove helpful for those who are not sure on how to get a committee going or, what to do after that:
· Choose your PWDs wisely. Although it is imperative to have people with handicaps in the meetings, make sure the ones you pick will be able to contribute. There is just no time to lose by getting people who just warm the seats. They must be serious, dedicated and knowledgeable. This may require some helpful orientation and exposure of how councils operate to give each PWD an idea of what is expected of them.
· Have the meetings once a month or don’t bother having anything at all: There is so much to catch up on and monthly meetings will help to get things going.
· Have a wide and varied representation: Don’t only think of those on wheelchairs. It’s vital to get others like the blind, Deaf, people with learning disabilities, little people and even the elderly with physical problems. Don’t forget parents of PWDs too. They often have great ideas but don’t have the opportunity to voice them.
· Invite active NGOs: Think of support groups for people with stroke, Parkinson’s and even epilepsy, not just people with physical disabilities or wheelchairs. People with walking disabilities have a lot to contribute especially in the way pavements are designed. Having said that, don’t forget some individuals with disabilities as well. Because many of them may have been locked away in their homes because councils had forgotten about their needs, they may present the best ideas.
· Provide or pay for their transport: This is the least councils can do for their invaluable input.
· Approve new buildings only when they get the blessing from the committee. The PWDs views should go hand in hand with the local councils’ engineering and planning department.
· Organise regular access audit site visits: Each local councils should organise regular visits to the new buildings during its construction to make sure that everything is in order.
· Hold social awareness programmes: International days for the disabled on December 3rd and other special days such as Parkinson’s Day, World Mental Health, Older Persons Day, White Cane Day are all excellent opportunities for local councils to highlight and involve the public.
· Exemplary Certificates as recognition: Identifying buildings, restaurants and even disabled and elderly homes that provide disabled friendly facilities and appreciating them for their deeds is a very effective method to get more and more outfits to create a better world for PWDs.
· Slow and steady will get you there: Don’t be in an awful rush to get everyone on board. You can invite them over the weeks and months. Starting small will also help you to make sure that you have the right people on board who can help you reach your target.
So to all the local councils everywhere: Good luck!
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