The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.
– Pablo Picasso, Spanish painter
As our society progresses, are we leaving the most disadvantaged in our society behind?
How a nation and its people care for and treat minorities and those with special needs shows its humanitarian nature and characteristics. Indeed, it is one of the indicators of a matured civilisation.
Since time immemorial, the disadvantaged in our society have either been looked down upon or brought out our sympathetic nature. Some of those who fall into this disadvantaged category are people with disabilities (PwD) and the homeless.
As we become more aware of our civic and moral duties, the authorities have realised over the years that these people require more societal protection and attention.
One additional and critical outlook we also need is to treat them with respect and afford them the dignity they deserve as humans.
It was precisely these values that the United Nations had in mind when they passed the landmark Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) resolution on December 13 2006 in the 61st session of the General Assembly.
As of May 6 2022, 185 countries have ratified the CRPD and 164 have become signatories. Malaysia became a signatory to the CRPD on April 8 2008 and ratified it on July 19 2010.
To put into effect the obligations under the United Nations CPRD, Malaysia’s Parliament enacted the People with Disabilities Act 2008. It legally recognises the rights of people with disabilities.
The objective of the People with Disabilities Act 2008 recognises the human rights of people with disabilities. It also lays the foundation for implementing their rights and facilitating their full integration into our communities and society.
Specifically, the PwD Act 2008 is a law “to provide for the registration, protection, rehabilitation, development and wellbeing of persons with disabilities, the establishment of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, and for matters connected therewith.”
While there are many different forms of disabilities, I would like to touch on a programme specifically related to helping children.
This topic came to mind because I recently attended a fundraising dinner by Pertubuhan Pemulihan Dalam Komuniti (PPDK) Mosjaya (a Community-based rehabilitation centre) in Miri City. It brought back memories of when I served two terms as chairman of PPDK Sunflower several years ago.
My time as chairman was an eye opener on the many aspects related to the children with disabilities, such as Down Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder, who attended the centre.
The sacrifices and challenges the parents faced were also another side of the situation. It is heart breaking to hear about the many challenges faced by them. Emotional turmoil is ever present for them. They worry about who will take care of their children once they, as parents, pass on.
To summarise, PPDK is an initiative under the Social Welfare Department’s (JKM’s) Community-based Rehabilitation Programme. This scheme focuses on providing facilities for rehabilitation, education, activities and specific training to integrate PwD into society.
This community-based programme is mainly carried out via collaboration with NGOs. I would say that this is one of the successful outcomes of ratifying the United Nations CPRD and enacting the PwD Act 2008.
Over many years, I have, at one time or another, either directly or indirectly interacted with parents and children who attend these PPDKs. I can assure you that these centres have certainly positively impacted the lives of the parents and the children.
The assistance by JKM via financial, expert guidance and many training programmes have been much appreciated by the affected families. The presence of the PPDKs has greatly help to alleviate some of the challenges faced by them.
Very importantly, the many activities of these community-based programmes have brought about a positive change in attitudes towards the children in these centres.
In the past, many parents felt there was stigma attached to having a child with a disability. However, now more parents have started registering their children who have disabilities with JKM. This also enables the child to receive early intervention to help mitigate some of the disabilities.
Although there has been significant progress in legislation, policies and practices, more work still needs to be done.
A recent announcement by Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, the Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister, was most welcome. She plans to set up a Special Needs Council, an initiative above those required by legislation. She has led this ministry well with progressive and innovative solutions.
Particularly important was her statement that “the council would be holistic and integrated in looking after the welfare of special needs individuals from childhood to adulthood”.
The Sarawak government, via its current policies, is making significant efforts to level the playing field and provide more for people with disabilities.
The journey towards a developed Sarawak by 2030 is an inclusive one for all Sarawakians.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
