How Inconsiderate Malaysians Are Treating The Disabled
Nevertheless, about a year ago, the authorities, that is, the Road Transport Department did cause quite a “storm”, when it announced that driving schools and institutes in Malaysia would very soon be allowed to use “automatic” cars for both purposes of “learning” as well as for “tests”. But, like everything else, this proposal very soon was put into the “cold storage” and nothing more was again heard about it.
Inspite of the fact that driving schools and institutes use only manual geared vehicles to teach potential students in Malaysia today, many people may not be aware of the fact that automatic cars can in reality be used and is being used.
There is in fact a group of people, the disabled or orang-orang yang kurang berupaya (O.K.U.) or if translated into English language, the “less unfortunate members of our society”, can both learn and test in an automatic car. This fact is I believe, not known by many people, even the O.K.U. themselves.
Talking a little bit more about the O.K.U., let me tell you a few things about them that you may not know. O.K.U.s need not wait in line at clinics and hospitals in our country. They are infact given special or preferential treatment, especially when getting medication.
Certain municipal councils like Kajang, Petaling Jaya and even Klang, of I’m not mistaken, provide special “passes” for parking to O.K.U. people. In LRT or light rail transit trains such as those operated by the Rapid Transport Company in Kuala Lumpur, the management advise people to provide O.K.U. folks seats should they encounter O.K.U. people.
Many establishments, such as supermarkets and banks for example, do provide parking spaces for those who belong to the O.K.U. category. In fact, these spaces are reserved for O.K.U. by the local councils themselves. For this, we should infact convey our gratitude and thanks to the “majlis perbandaran” or local council people.
Even though special parking places for the O.K.U. are reserved for the less unfortunate people, nevertheless, I feel that the numbers of such parking areas are still insufficient enough. Take Klang, the royal town of Selangor Darul Ehsan for example.
Around the Malayan Banking premises at Jalan Sireh, opposite Jalan Meru, one can see only one or two parking spaces reserved for O.K.U.s around its vicinity and clinics therein. The local councils, all throughout our nation, should infact see to it this anomaly be corrected as soon as possible.
But what is more important is that, normal people, and those who are abled bodied should not continue to go on “robbing” or “depriving” our so called less unfortunate brethren of the O.K.U. group of their rightful places to park their vehicles.
I believe, if only you are an O.K.U. person yourself, will you then know how a disabled person feels when he or she discovers that their places to park has been taken over by abled bodied members of our so called “caring” society.
Do think about what I am attempting to convey. Do not in future, ever attempt to park in the special blue coloured parking spaces with a wheel chair in it. It is meant for disabled person only!
In an article entitled “Parking Bay For the Disabled Taken Up” appearing in the Star newspaper dated 17th January 2011, the article went on to highlight that parking bays reserved for the “disabled” are being taken up by abled bodied motorists, leaving the O.K.U. frustrated and helpless.
One disabled resident from Petaling Jaya, Mr. Balasubramaniam, for example, expressed his frustration that parking bays which are reserved for the handicapped near Maybank in P.J Newtown, are often occupied by others.
Mr. Balasubramaniam reiterates motorcycles are parked all over the place, even on the five foot ways or verandahs where pedestrians walk. Are you aware that disabled people cannot park their vehicles if there are motorcycles all over the place? O.K.Us are unable to push the motorcycles away, said Mr. Balasubramaniam.
Mr. Balasubramaniam says he realizes that P.J Newtown area is a very busy area, nonetheless, he hopes that the abled bodied members of our society will accord more consideration, especially to the less unfortunate disabled people of our society!
Even though “cones” are sometimes placed in parking bays specially designated for the disabled people, they are nevertheless removed by abled bodied motorists, to park their cars there. How selfish can some people get!
A signboard put up specifically by the Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya in front of such parking bay says it’s strictly for disabled people, but sadly, not many motorists choose to heed it.
What should be done to solve this difficult by sad situation as faced by our disabled brethren and O.K.Us people? I can only suggest:-
1) Throughout the country, send their enforcement officers to such places and take strict against those motorists who violate this important directive.
2) The police can likewise do the same and summon motorists who have chosen to ignore these directives, thereby causing so much despair to the disabled community.
3) Even J.P.J officers on the rounds in their patrol cars are also requested to do their bit for the “O.K.Us” and disabled people too.
With this article, it is hoped that the problem of parking bays for the disabled being taken up” by abled bodied motorists will no longer exist.
Types of Vehicle For Disabled Person In Malaysia
The question with regards to whether a disabled person can learn driving or not was posed in after the article titled “Can a Disable Person Drive a Vehicle” was published.
The answer was in the “affirmative”.
The earlier article however mentioned a disabled person learning in an automatic car only. It should be kept in mind tutoring a disabled driver should be done only by a qualified driving instructor who possesses the certificate to instruct or the S.M.2 certificate.
Permission to teach should also be obtained from the J.P.J. authorities.
Prior to commencing practical lessons in the student’s automatic vehicle, all documents, approval letters etc should be in proper order. J.P.J. vehicles on their round will certainly stop you should your come across them
The disabled student vehicle to be used for driving tuition could be either:
1) Be registered under the student’s name.
2) Be a borrowed vehicle. In such cases, a letter of consent should be obtained.
Insurance coverage particulars have already been explained earlier. Get insurance cover for:
i) The instructor.
ii) The student learning.
iii) The tester who will be conducting the test on test day.
There is a second type of vehicle that can be used for teaching disabled or the O.K.U. (Orang Kurang Upaya).
I admit having forgotten to mention this in my earlier article. This category of vehicle pertains to vehicles to which modifications have been made to the vehicles.
Some disabled people cannot make full use of their legs. They cannot control the brakes and accelerator units. Such cases requires modifications be made to the vehicles.
Although automatic cars have only brakes and accelerator, these have to be modified and placed near the steering stalk to allow operation by hands.
Such modified vehicles should be forwarded for certification of Registration under the student’s name and endorsed by the Department’s Registrar of Vehicles (R.O.V).
Of course again, the normal insurance requirements will have to follow.
Having describe the 2 types of vehicles that are normally used to teach and tests disabled students i.e. the automatic vehicles and the modified automatic vehicles, it is hoped those readers who may be in the disabled category may no longer deem it necessary to raise any further questions in this blog.
Parking Discount For Disabled Persons In Selangor
Special Stickers For The Disabled In Selangor
O.K.U. in Bahasa Malaysia means “Orang Kurang Upaya”, the disabled person of our society. Even though they possesses license to drive, their biggest headache is actually finding parking lots.
There are reserved parking spaces near banks, government offices, supermarkets and other busy areas. Those blue coloured areas with the emblem of a man sitting in a wheel chair are actually parking areas specially reserved for them.
But observe carefully. Most of the time however, very unfortunately, their parking lots are taken over by able bodied drivers.
This action without doubt, causes much miseries and problems to the O.K.U.
There is one state government, to be exact Selangor, which has taken the first step to accord the O.K.U. special parking procedures. In fact, “free parking” to our O.K.U. brethren. To this magnanimous decision and brave action, “Syabas” and thank you for it.
The decision has indeed been long time awaited, but as people say, better late than never.
Hopefully, other states and local councils, throughout Malaysia will soon follow suit.
Of special interest to many will be who are those who qualify for these special stickers?
Obviously, the answer would be, those with various forms of disabilities and nerve disorder. Those who have children with learning disabilities and other illnesses are also involved. Surprisingly, the blind and the deaf cannot qualify.
And to whom or what authorities can one approach to secure these stickers? You can approach the local council for the sticker. The sticker is valid for one year. It expires the end of 2010.
How many types of stickers are there?
Official sources say there are 2. One for display on the vehicle. The other, a mobile one to enable them to use if they wish, other vehicles.
To prevent forgery, the stickers have special anti forgery measures. You have to register in order to get this special stickers.
What is necessary for this exercise are:
i) Individual MyKad
ii) O.K.U. card issued by the welfare department.
iii) Driving license.
iv) 2 passport sized photographs.
What happens should one lose one’s stickers?
You will be fined RM30. Privileges of the member to be suspended for 3 months.
According to reliable sources, parking facilities and other privileges are meant for the disabled or O.K.U. members, not to the families and friends.
The public will most probably misuse these special stickers. The local authority will then resort to issuing parking summons.
It is reported that to date, one local authority – the Majlis Perbandaran Kajang, has issued 10 special stickers. If you are an O.K.U., contact your local authorities as soon as possible.
Related web pages:
1) Orang Kurang Upaya – MyHealth Portal
