Wheelchair users protest for better accessibility to malls, public facilities

In 2008, the Malaysian government passed a law that would entitle persons with disabilities equal access to public facilities and services such as transportation, education, employment, ICT, recreation, leisure, sports and cultural life.

Prior to becoming Prime Minister of Malaysia, Najib Razak vowed to make compulsory for all buildings and facilities to be disabled-friendly, giving existing buildings to buildings under construction three years to comply by the new regulation.

Over a decade has passed with promises unfulfilled, which resulted in a group of wheelchair-bound people to gather between Mid Valley Megamall and the KTM station in protest of the lack of accessibility to basically everything the Persons of Disabilities Act (PWDA) had promised, including malls.

The protest was not directed at Mid Valley Megamall alone; however, it was used to set an example of what a handicapped person has to go through in order to enter a non-disabled friendly property.

For one, any persons of disabilities arriving to the mall using public transportation (KTM) will have to inform authorities upon arriving at the Mid Valley station that they require assistance. The person then has to navigate through busy roads, with the help of an officer, to halt traffic and lift the wheelchair up onto the sidewalk.

There is currently a pedestrian bridge connecting the mall to the KTM station (pictured above in red); however, there are no elevators for wheelchair-bound passengers to access the bridge.

The situation was highlighted by a group of more than 30 wheelchair-bound people from the Damai Disabled Persons Association Malaysia and Dual Blessing.

The solution to the problem is to build a lift at the pedestrian bridge, according to V Murugeswaran, president of Damai Disabled Persons Association Malaysia.

At the moment, auxiliary police officers are placed on standby at the mall’s north court entrance and on the sidewalk in front of the train station to assist the disabled. According to the officers, they usually help around five to six disabled persons everyday.

At the moment, auxiliary police officers are placed on standby at the mall’s north court entrance and on the sidewalk in front of the train station to assist the disabled. According to the officers, they usually help around five to six disabled persons everyday.

According to Dual Blessing executive director Danny Tan, many exhibitions and events related to the disabled group are held at Mid Valley but the lack of accessibility for wheelchair users makes it hard for them to attend.

“It’s the government’s responsibility as we are also citizens,” said Tan.

Murugeswaran said that he has been meeting with relevant government officials and ministries to highlight these issues but no changes have been brought forward in the past four years.

The protest at Mid Valley Megamall was aimed at bringing awareness to an issue the disabled community is facing, including alerting malls to build with the handicapped in mind. As Tan shared with reporters, it is his wishes to be able to move independently without having to rely on others.

“Hopefully, from today, there will be some kind of a permanent solution,” said Murugeswaran. “We contribute just as much to the country as anyone else.”

http://www.eightyquartier.com/wheelchair-users-protest-for-better-accessibility-to-malls-public-facilities/