* Commentary by Mustafa K. Anuar

A COMMUNITY activist, who has a disability, nearly sustained serious injuries recently after she reprimanded a motorist for having parked his vehicle in a parking bay meant for people with disabilities.

Dr Noraishah Mydin Abd Aziz, who suffers from spina bifida, was in her wheelchair when the incident occurred in the carpark of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s medical centre.

The former lecturer said her wheelchair was hit, flanked between her car and the driver’s vehicle.

It would be an understatement to say that the alleged transgression of her right to the parking bay is outrageous.

Sadly, the incident is not an isolated case.

We’ve seen able-bodied individuals park in spots not meant for them at shopping malls and other public places, causing stress and problems to the disabled.

This would not happen if people were aware of their place in the order of things in public spaces.

Education is needed to sensitise the general public to the plight of the disabled. For instance, students in schools and colleges must be taught to have empathy and compassion for fellow members of society who are disabled.

This is not about taking pity on the disabled. It is to ensure that a section of the public understands that society has to be inclusive so that people of diverse backgrounds, in particular the disabled, can take part in nation-building.

Amenities such as parking bays, ramps and toilets for the disabled should be respected for what they are: facilities to ease the mobility of the disabled.

To be sure, such amenities are meant to allow people with disabilities to be part of everyday life and mainstream society.

This incident should be a wake-up call for the authorities to enforce, as rightly urged by people like Dr Noraishah, the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 to protect the interests and wellbeing of the disabled.

There has to be force of law to ensure that people fall in line to make life more bearable, particularly for the disabled.

Equally important, public premises in our society should be easily accessed by the disabled so as to enable them to move about and get things done.

It is disturbing that nearly 75% of public premises in the country are not disabled-friendly.

An 2011-2022 accessibility audit study conducted by KAED universal design unit of Architecture and Environmental Design Faculty of,Islamic University International revealed that only 13  of 195 premises audited were rated five stars, while 40 premises got a four-star rating.

Seventy-three per cent of the audited premises were rated three stars and below.

The places audited were public, commercial, institutional and religious premises, recreational parks, outdoor facilities, transport and health facilities.

Making these premises more user-friendly for the disabled would send a strong message to the public that the needs of the disabled must be attended to.  

People with disabilities deserve better, especially under the Madani administration. – October 5, 2023.