Like a stroll in the park

Thursday May 28, 2009

Like a stroll in the park
WHEEL POWERBy ANTHONY THANASAYAN

Local councils step up drive to provide access for the disabled.

HAVE you noticed the increasing number of disabled-friendly facilities in Selangor?

This clearly demonstrates that the local governments – in the Klang Valley for a start – are beginning to view with seriousness, building by-laws gazetted years ago to ensure access for the disabled.

I was delighted when I visited my hometown in Klang last week and discovered a number of disabled-friendly car parks in town. At the Klang City Council, there was one situated at the entrance of the building. And not far away were several wheelchairs awaiting disabled visitors.

What a positive change this is compared to a few years ago when it would have been impossible to find even one car park – or wheelchair – in public view in the royal town.

The provision of wheelchair ramps and special car parks by our local councils sends a strong and encouraging message to all disabled Malaysians that they do not need to feel shy or afraid about going out in their wheelchairs.

Like our non-disabled counterparts, we too can now enjoy the experience of being able to interact with society.

Disabled residents in Subang Jaya, and particularly in Shah Alam, can look forward to seeing more disabled-friendly car parks in the area.

This was revealed to Wheel Power recently during a conversation with Rodziah Ismail, the Selangor State Welfare, Women Affairs, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman.

She pointed out that the car parks would be provided free of charge, and reserved only for the disabled.

The Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) is going one step further in its commitment to provide access for the disabled.

The MBPJ is presently expanding its disabled car parks which will all be fully covered to protect the handicapped from the sun and rain.

These car parks will be accessible to disabled drivers and caregivers. This will make it easier for parents of disabled children, and those with elderly disabled parents who wish to take their loved ones out. The Selayang Municipal Council (MPS), one of the pioneer local councils to introduce disabled-friendly parking lots, is taking its social responsibility to a higher level.

The MPS is working on setting up a special disability technical team over the next few weeks.

The team will be headed by disabled councillor Gurdip Kaur who mooted the idea.

The council will handpick persons with various handicapping conditions as well as those from non-governmental organisations for the disabled, to sit in a committee as expert advisers. The team of experts will include heads of the various departments of the MPS and other relevant bodies.

The MPS disability technical committee will be tasked with looking into the needs of disabled residents, and ways in which they can have a better quality of life.

The committee will look into accessibility issues in buildings before they are approved by the main council. The committee will also set out to raise the standard of services provided by homes for the disabled and the elderly in Selayang.