Victory for the disabled

Monday, 06 October 2008

Victory for the disabled

Sheila Sri Priya

Siow using a ramp with railings for disabled people at Prima Sixteen Phase II Condominiums. — Picture by ROSDAN WAHID

PETALING JAYA: Can you believe that? Some residents of an apartment block rejected the pleas of the disabled on supernatural grounds.

They claimed that it is a bad omen to see disabled people early in the morning.

For more than a year, disabled people living in Prima Sixteen Phase II Condominiums had appealed for ramps and railings to be installed there.

But the fear that disabled people bring bad luck had led to some residents initially objecting to plans to have disabled friendly facilities at an apartments block here.

Petaling Jaya councillor Anthony Sivabalan Thanasayan said the initial response from the residents was uncalled for.

"Most of them felt that such facilities will encourage more disabled people to live in their building."Some also said that it was a bad omen to see a disabled in the morning," he added.

He said the residents were also against the developer building the ramp and railings as it would ruin the beauty of the building.

"Their reasons was unacceptable," he said.

But after a year of talks between the developer, joint management committee and Petaling Jaya Municipal Council, the residents finally gave in and agreed.

The disabled living in the building are now happy that kindness won at the end of the day.

Peter Siow Kok Yen, 71, said he is overjoyed with the facilities at the apartments.

He uses a wheelchair and since his wife fell ill, he had no one to help him with his daily chores.

"I cannot depend on her now for assistance. I want to be independent and the ramps are a great help for me," he said.

Before the rams and railings were built, Siow and the other handicapped people felt "trapped" in the condominiums as they could not move easily.

With the aid of the ramps and railings, the disabled can attend social gatherings and medical check-ups on their own. "I'm not asking for much. Just some facilities to make our lives easier."

He hopes that the ramps can be further improved with cement for the flooring instead of the present granite marble which is slippery.

He also hopes for railings on both sides of the walls to allow those who are paralysed to fully utilise the facilities.

Zainuddin Aziz, the property manager for the developer, Glomac Property Services, said the apartments were built in 1994 and there were no requirements then to make the building disabled friendly.

He agreed with the views of the disabled that there is a need to build ramps, railings and lifts with Braille numbering in high rise buildings.

Zainuddin said: "The disabled like Siow should fight for their rights." He sad he was saddened by the initial response of the residents who did not want ramps and railings in the condominiums.

"While I was temporarily wheelchair-bound after an accident, my movements were limited.

I know what it's like being disabled," he said.

Zainuddin said the ramps and railings cost RM4,000. The ramps are made of metal while the stainless steal railings are L shaped to Petaling Jaya City Council's specification.

Developers are required to submit floor plans of their projects to the city council. Upon completion of their buildings, developers will have to consult a special committee headed by Thanasayan.

"I will personally go and check the facilities to ensure they are suitable for disabled like me," said Thanasayan.