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Bengkel #1: Design Thinking for Democracy
iterative problem-solving process aiming for human-centric policies
*Sila zoom ke atas mural tersebut untuk pandangan yang lebih baik.
Bengkel #2: Foundations of Storytelling
the story of now, us, and self
Empowering the Disabled Community
Equality is ensuring all parties receive a similar number of resources. Equity, on the other hand, tops equality as it understands that different parties have experiences unique to their environments which then create differing requirements and needs, and equity responds to the specific need accordingly. Justice stands above all, as it recognises those barriers faced by all parties, tackling them in order to ensure level playing field.
Current tally of people with disabilities (PwD) in Malaysia is recorded at 581000 people, and this might still be an underestimation. That translates into 1 in 50 Malaysians living with a disability. Statistically speaking, we can find at least 2 PwDs per 1 kilometer square in Malaysia. Despite the fact that PwD is very integral in our community, they are still, unfortunately, are at greater risk of being marginalised than peers without disabilities and confront a variety of challenges in their daily lives including stigma, discrimination and societal barriers, preventing them from full participation in society.
As true-blue Malaysians, PwDs wish to offer their strengths and skills to the community and in return gain sufficiently to live an independent, comfortable life. This seems to be too much to ask for, considering how rampant ableism is in Malaysia. It is an open secret that most employers would almost always prefer those without disabilities, given the choice. Workforce participation is still low - approximately 4,500 workers in public and private sectors as of the latest data in 2018, mainly due to a lack of an accessible environment in the workplace and negative employer perceptions of people with disabilities. The 1% PWD employment policy in the public sector has been unchanged for the past 2 decades and despite that, the government has been struggling to meet this. Majority do not have a fixed income, many receive just RM400 monthly if they are working, or RM300 a month if they are physically restricted.
If we are serious in moving forward as a solid nation, growing equally in terms of moral, social and economic aspects, PwD would be one of the groups that we have to strengthen. Paradigm shift upon PwD and what they can bring to the table is required, clearly and quickly. This is not a longshot. Time and again, PwDs have shown that they can, and will thrive, given the appropriate support and opportunities. Very recently, our Paralympic athletes have shown their values in representing Malaysia on a global scale. Agriculturist Dr Billy Tang of PwD Smart Farmability proved that hard labour is not only for the able-bodied. Dr Lee Thiam Wah had put 99 Speedmarts across the nation to such an extent that almost all of us had stepped into the minimarket chain at least once in our life. Prof Dr Ismail Salleh and Pn Ras Adiba Mohd Ali have shown their charisma in political avenues. These several examples out of thousands of other PwDs are the epitomes of PwD true potential uncovered with proper assistance and room for them to perform.
If one has had a bad experience of being treated differently, that would be what the PwDs have to face almost every day. We know that they are stronger than us, and we cannot even imagine the ordeals that the PwDs have to face. But in reality, our sympathy by itself does not benefit them as much as we might want to. Giving them the proper platform and supporting them to achieve their potential would be literally the least we can do. Officially addressing PwDs concern, converting them into structured policies to address the barriers hindering their day-to-day requirements would be the ultimate goal. People with disabilities represent 1.5% of our country’s population. Their welfare, needs and inclusivity can no longer be considered as optional as it carries economic and social consequences. The economic and social contributions of PWDs are often underestimated and disregarded because of our ableist perceptions.
For the environment to improve in Malaysia, a systemic revamp is mandatory. Inclusivity should stop being rhetoric and instead be executed in terms of tangible policies and regulations. For a large scale of change to occur, power must be given to those experiencing the hardship first-hand, and able to understand the structural obstacles faced by the PwDs. Formation of a statutory body in form of a commission for PwDs, led and managed by a significant portion of administrative and staff consisting of PwDs would be befitting for this role. The statutory body can expedite solutions necessary in addressing concerns by PwDs with a more reasonable amount of allocated budget. The statutory body can also become a nucleus for the multiple distinct organisations for PwDs across the nation, leading to a more centralised and coordinated welfare for PwDs. Better access to legislative authority, precise root-problem identification by PwDs themselves, along with a more orderly organisational structure would be a great start for PwD empowerment in Malaysia.
We are all in this. It could simply be us in their shoes. All it takes is one unfortunate twist to our fate. Another take on this matter is to not look at the PwDs as being less fortunate than us, but rather we are spared from the challenges they had to face. This way, the burdens are shifted to our shoulders. We owe it to them for their voice to be substantially heard and taken seriously.
Dewan Muda Malaysia
Ministry of Health
September 2021
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