We can do better for people with disabilities

LETTERS: Here is a candid review of the recent International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2021 celebration in Kuala Lumpur, which I watched 'live' on Facebook.

Firstly, it is good the government honoured the occasion by holding a full day of events. Secondly, children with disabilities were included, though I hardly saw any in wheelchairs or the elderly.

Thirdly, people with disabilities were among the performers and emcees — albeit the same faces — while the band of blind folks was simply awesome.

However, the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry should focus on ordinary people with disabilities — those who are poor and struggle to survive each day.

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is about participation but I saw very little of non-Malays. Only one Indian amputee in a wheelchair participated in the wheelchair dance. This is sad, especially as one event was meant to be a "Keluarga OKU" occasion.

Another point is that 'Covid-19 and the disabled' is one of the United Nations' recommended global themes this year.

However, it was disappointing that the ministry chose a non-disabled doctor to talk about basic Covid-19 prevention measures, which many people with disabilities already know, instead of what the UN wanted.

What should have been showcased was how disabled people have been struggling with the pandemic in their personal lives and families. They should have been invited to speak in the forum.

Also, having a committee of people with disabilities is always a good thing. But what's the point of having able-bodied doctors and specialists and disabled academics make critical decisions over the lives of the disabled who are struggling daily to maintain their quality of life.

That is why the ministry must organise at least once in every three months a consultation meeting with disabled stakeholders to find out if it has been hearing right about the needs of the diabled.

The prime minister's Keluarga Malaysia vision is an extremely good thing. Therefore, we must be absolutely serious when we talk about it.

Anthony Thanasayan

Disabled activist, Petaling Jaya, Selangor


The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times

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