Disabled group wants council to do more

Wednesday January 20, 2010

Disabled group wants council to do more
By STUART MICHAEL

THE Independent Living and Training Centre (ILTC) in Rawang handed over a memorandum to the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) recently to build disabled-friendly facilities.

The memorandum asked the council to implement and enforce Local Building By-Laws to make the environment friendly to the disabled.
Speaking out: ILTC members gathering outside the council before handing over the memorandum.

According to ILTC president Francis Siva, people with disabilities do not want a welfare-based approach but prefer initiatives based on individual rights.

“In Malaysia, we urgently need significant improvement in our quality of life.

“We are part of the community and deserve equal treatment.

“We are disappointed with the council as there has been no progress and development in the infrastructure for the disabled in Rawang and Selayang.

“They should have taken into account proper accessible walkway pavements, elevators and toilets for the disabled and the elderly,” Siva said.

Siva added that last year, at a MPS full board meeting, the council decided that a lift and a ramp would be built for the disabled at the old MPS building and a Technical Working Committee For The Disabled’s Facilities would be set-up.

“Despite many promises made by the MPS there has been no progress.

“We demand to know if the needs of the disabled will henceforth be included in the planning.

“We will be speaking out on our struggle, plight and challenges and against prejudice of the disabled,” he added.

Twelve disabled members from ILTC were present at the MPS building to hand over the memorandum and voice out their concerns.