Joining the workforce

Thursday, August 21, 2008

The Star - Lifestyle

Joining the workforce
WHEEL POWER WITH ANTHONY THANASAYAN

There’s more to the issue than simply providing employment for the disabled.

I READ in The Star last week that the problem of getting disabled persons to take up employment sadly continues to plague our society. It was revealed that despite there being 10,000 jobs openings for the handicapped, only 50 persons with disabilities had applied for them through the government.

The findings, I worry, might give the wrong impression about people with disabilities. Some might think that the disabled are unappreciative of the help that is being offered to them. Others may assume that they prefer to be unemployed – or, worse, are lazy.

All these assumptions cannot be further from the truth.

First, why would the disabled want to be unemployed when they have no source of income? Without financial independence, how would they be able to participate in all the wonderful things that most of us enjoy?

Being disabled is also an extremely costly affair. For example, long-lasting wheelchairs cost about RM5,000 while electric wheelchairs cost more than double that. (Batteries alone cost about RM1,000 and they need to be replaced every two years.)

Medical cushions, which most wheelchair users need in order to prevent potentially deadly pressure sores, cost about RM2,000. These need to be promptly replaced when they expire.

The disabled who were previously employed may be somewhat lucky. They can obtain such equipment from the Social Security Organisation.

But what about the majority of disabled persons who are unemployed?

Some might be able to get charitable organisations to sponsor these aids for them. But again, for the majority of disabled Malaysians, life is a perennial struggle.

It really does not have to be this way, but it is.

Finding jobs may be easier now thanks to the government’s latest efforts. But it is still virtually impossible to get to work.

A big chunk of one’s salary would often be swallowed up by transport costs. And after deducting the cost of travelling to and from work, what is left for the disabled worker to take home?

What if they are married or wish to get married? Or what if they now have to care for their elderly parents?

Would employers consider covering transport costs of disabled workers? Such a move would be a great help – at least until the day the handicapped in Malaysia can have full access to public transport.

It is for these and many other reasons that many disabled organisations are unanimously calling for a monthly allowance of RM500, at least, for all disabled Malaysians – whether they have jobs or not. The financial aid will be a godsend and offer immediate relief.

And what better time for such a gift for the handicapped than next month at our upcoming budget speech.

As for the job application forms offered by the government, it is certainly an encouraging move – one that the disabled community has been waiting for.

I am glad to see that special assistive devices like ramps to wheelchair-friendly car parks and even tactile guiding blocks (for the blind) are mentioned in the form.

However, I also think that there are other things that ought to be considered before we can expect success in this worthy effort.

One of them is to keep on disseminating the forms everywhere.

I have already received feedback from several disabled persons and their caregivers that they are unaware of these forms. Even in their recent visits to their nearest local welfare departments they drew only blank stares from the staff when they enquired about job opportunities.

And finally, let’s not forget that because our disabled have been shut out of society for so long, many lack not only training but also self-confidence.

It would be most unrealistic to expect such persons to rush out immediately for application forms. They will need a counsellor whom they can approach to give them the proper advice and encouragement.

And the best person to understand their needs would naturally be a disabled person himself, who should also coordinate this effort by the government. This way another job will be created.

The disabled person should rightfully be the person to head a special long-term task force to get our Malaysian disabled citizens employed.

After all, it is the human touch – delivered from someone who is able to empathise – which in the end will be far more effective than any piece of paper.