KUCHING: The federal government has been urged to amend the Persons With Disabilities Act 2009 to enable disabled persons to enforce their rights as spelt out in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities (CRPD).
Sarawak Cheshire Home For the Disabled President Datuk Seri Ang Lai Soon said the Act needs to be amended to provide for the setting up of a National Disability Rights Tribunal with powers to investigate complaints on alleged breach or violation into rights of disabled persons, as mentioned by many disabled and observers.
Also to recommend or impose penalties or appropriate remedies or practicable solutions for non-compliance on rights of disabled persons, which appear to becoming rampant.
“Related to that is lack of access for disabled persons to public buildings and public facilities, including government buildings and offices,” he said in a statement.
“This is one area where the government and local authorities can, and could, take the lead.
“It is noted that most of the old government buildings have not been modified or renovated to provide public access, and use of other accessible facilities such as lifts, public toilets, accessible ramps, etc to disabled persons especially to those on wheelchairs.
“I therefore call on local authorities throughout the country to consider implementing , in order to enforce more strictly the relevant Buildings By-Laws which require access facilities to be provided to, and for the use of, disabled persons.”
Ang added that the implementation of the law is important to enable disabled persons to make use of and enter such public buildings safely and with ease and convenience, like people with no physical disabilities, for employment and other purposes.
“There is also apparent lack of access for disabled persons to public buses and other modes of public transport, especially those on wheelchairs, for them to go to clinic, hospitals and places of work.
“I therefore suggest local authorities consider providing subsidised accessible van transport services for disabled persons.
“I understand that Kuching South City Council (MBKS) would want to consider and take up my proposal to provide accessible van transport services for disabled persons in Kuching (as a pilot project), and to charge reasonable fares.
“MBKS must be congratulated for being thoughtful and caring,” he added.
He pointed out that disabled doesn’t necessarily mean being deformed at birth, without a hand or armless.
“The victim of an accident on the road or factory may end up in the wheelchair for life, or any senior member of the family who has become frail and needs assistance.
“These are all disabled. We must all do our part to make life more bearable for these unfortunate people so they can take the rightful place in our rather challenging society,” he added.
