Ras calls for ‘more focused’ Persons with Disabilities action plan

 

OKU Sentral president Ras Adibah Radzi has proposed 16 ways for the government to improve the lot of Persons with Disabilities.

KUALA LUMPUR: The government must draft a more focused Persons with Disabilities Action Plan for 2023-2030.

Ras Adiba Radzi, who represents persons with disabilities (PwD) in the Dewan Negara, said this is among 16 proposals the government should consider to empower the PwD community.

“I welcome the prime minister’s efforts to ensure that all ministries prove their early achievements in the first 100 days.

“To realise the government’s commitment through the Malaysian Family slogan, I hope it can redouble its efforts in empowering the Persons with Disabilities community,” she said in a statement last night.

Ras said the other proposals included the upgrading of the PwD development department to one with full functions, expediting amendments to the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 by incorporating enforcement elements, introducing special insurance for the PwD community, and establishing a Malaysian PwD development foundation.

In addition, the OKU Sentral president proposed that the government expand the PwD category by including rare diseases and albinism, establish a rare diseases trust fund and provide special allocations through Budget 2022.

She also said the Senate quota for those representing the PwD community should be increased to two, and urged the government to channel special grants to NGOs to carry out field activities, especially in rural and remote areas.

“All the proposals raised are important to ensure the welfare of the PwD community in Malaysia is well-taken care of,” she said.

“They can be implemented within 100 days if all relevant ministries show seriousness in matters concerning the development and empowerment of persons with disabilities.” - FMT