KUALA LUMPUR: The disabled community hopes the government, under the 2020 Budget, will provide funding to
institutions of higher learning for research and development for people with developmental disabilities, learning disorders, dyslexia, autism and Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder .
Malaysian Chinese Handicapped People secretary-general Sia Siew Chin said the allocation was for the production of innovative products for such facilities.
She said additional funding should be given to the development of new technologies specifically for the disabled, especially information and communications technology, mobility assistance and assistive tools.
“Examples include the use of smartphones for the visually- or hearing impaired, as well as advanced wheelchairs to facilitate their daily activities,
“We urge the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, through the Persons with Disabilities Development Department, to focus on empowering the disabled.”
Sia also hoped special provisions or subsidies would be provided to non-governmental organisations to train the disabled.
“This is to give exposure to volunteers who want to help the disabled and the elderly to ensure that they serve the group professionally.”
Malaysian Association of Malay Disabled Persons president Suhairi Abdullah hoped the government would raise the special aid rate from RM400 to RM500 in the 2020 Budget as this was inadequate especially for those who were not working.
“The increase is necessary given that some of the disabled are paid salaries on a daily or contractual basis of between RM1,200 and RM2,000.
“The amount is insufficient, especially in urban areas,” Suhairi said.
“Besides the high cost of living, the movement of people with disabilities is limited and we sometimes have to spend more to move around.”
