Group demand for disabled-friendly facilities

Saturday October 16, 2010

Group demand for disabled-friendly facilities

By CHOONG MEK ZHIN

A GROUP of Ampang’s physically disabled residents are demanding for disabled-friendly facilities such as special parking lots and ramps at banks in the area.

Though the banks provide priority counters for the disabled, those who are in wheelchairs are not able to get to it due to the lack of ramps.

Due to this the group is unable to collect their monthly disability allowance from the government, which is put directly into their bank accounts. In dire need: (Back row, from right) Tnew, Lee and Lee’s assistant Ba Lee with the disabled residents.

“We usually wait outside while someone from the bank help us withdraw our money,” 40-year-old Wan Siew Ming said, adding that it was also difficult to access public facilities such as transport and playgrounds.

“When I take my 11-year-old child to the playground, I have to wait at the side of the field due to some metal barriers that is built to prevent motorcycles,” Wan said.

He also said that installing disabled friendly facilities were provided for under both the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ) and Uniform Building by laws.

“I wonder how the local council approved the construction of these business and commercial areas that do not follow the given guidelines particularly when it comes to the disabled?” Wan said.

Most of them have also experienced at one time or another, inconsiderate members of the public who misuse the limited disabled parking facilities and car stickers.

Another resident Tan Lay Har wrote in to one of the local banks in a letter on Aug 6 but he has not received any reply so far.

As a last resort, the group approached Teratai assemblyman Jenice Lee for assistance.

Lee said that she would contact the banks and assist in applying for disabled parking lots to be made available in front of the banks.

“I will also contact MPAJ and ask for better enforcement on the laws that provide for the disabled. I also urge people to think of others and be more sensitive to the needs of the disabled by not misusing facilities meant for them,” she said, adding that some people needed to be more civic-minded.

Councillor Jennifer Tnew said that she will refer the matter to the Building and Architecture Department and expediate matters of modifying business premises to make it more disabled friendly.