NGOs laud government's decision - NST

KUALA LUMPUR: April 24, 2008

Non-governmental organisations have welcomed the government's move to open up the civil workforce to the disabled.

Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Mobility Association president Anthony Arokia said it was long overdue.

"This is a good opportunity for the disabled to contribute to the nation."

He said government officials should hold a dialogue with representatives from the disabled community and NGOs.

"We would like to contribute to this programme and we could assist them by giving ideas."

Arokia said the government must look at the bigger picture and remove barriers which could impede the programme's success.

"One of the biggest challenge for a disabled person is mobility. The government must look into improving public transportation as movement to and from the workplace could be a major problem for them. The working environment must also be disabled-friendly."

Beautiful Gates Foundation For the Disabled executive director Sia Siew Chin echoed Arokia's concerns.

"The first thing the government should do is to make its offices disabled-friendly.

"There should be no discrimination in the workplace. Disabled employees must be treated fairly and paid equally just like any able-bodied person."

She added that training programmes for able-bodied employees should be carried out to teach them how to deal with colleagues with disabilities.

Sia said people should not underestimate the disabled because given the proper education and training, they could carry out their duties as well as, if not better than, their able-bodied peers.