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.

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

2) Yayasan Orang Kurang Upaya Kelantan (YOKUK)

Disable Friendly Staircase

Is there a possibility that O.K.U. (Orang Kurang Upaya) who intend to purchase a new vehicle be given a special discount?

To be fair, I have given priority to articles specially written for the O.K.U. or “disabled”. This short article is intended for them.

A frequent user of the L.R.T. (Light Rail Transport) system, you’ll surely observe, seats which are specially reserved for the O.K.U.

Most passengers of the L.R.T. do help or assist “blind” people using the transport system. Likewise in transport systems as buses and other transport facilities such as lifts and public escalators. The public do lend a hand in helping the unfortunate.

Do you know that in our hospitals, O.K.U.s are actually accorded special treatment?

Observe the sign boards hanging all over. One says with absolute clarity. “Special treatment is to be given to the O.K.U., the disabled or the orang cacat”.

If you’re over 70 or an infant below 1 year old, preference is also accorded to you.

So much for our “masyarakat penyayang” or caring society. Especially for our O.K.U. or disabled brethren.

In case you’re unaware, there are special lifts to cater for the O.K.U. Large hotels and buildings nowadays do have these amenities for the disabled.

More and more buildings and establishments are beginning to have toilet facilities and bathrooms specially meant for the less unfortunate. This definitely augers well for the O.K.U.

With regards to parking areas, those blue coloured areas with a wheel chair emblem on it are in actual fact meant specially for the disabled people.

So dear readers, kindly do not ever encroach into such areas.

By doing so, you’ll be causing extreme difficulty or suffering to some less fortunate folks.

So have a heart the next time around. Please let me implore you on the O.K.U.’s behalf, do not take their place reserved for them.

By now, you must be wondering, what I am trying to imply with all these examples and O.K.U. stories. Actually, I have am important message to convey to you!

Some O.K.U. have written in to ask of me. Can disabled people request for a special discount when they wish to buy a new car?

I am not in the Barisan or P.K.R. government, actually have no idea over such things.

As said much earlier in this blog, “all things asked must have an answer”. Confucius, the famous philosopher said that, I think.

Although not in the government, I have enough experience to comment on such question asked.

From experience, friends of mine who possess driving school establishment, used to inform me, driving schools then were normally able to get a special discount of RM1000 –RM2000 whenever they decide to buy a new car.

So, there you have it O.K.U. folks, take heart. Don’t feel too disheartened.

The only problem seems to be, I don’t know which department you have to ask.

Maybe there are some good Samaritan readers who may know the answer. So what about chipping in to provide the answer. Give a comment or two.

The little I know of the tax procedures, I shall share with you. If incorrect, please kindly excuse me for it.

You see, the government is suppose to impose a levy on all new cars. Imported and locally assembled vehicle both face this tax.

In case of the O.K.U. people, this tax can be waived. Thus making it cheaper for the disabled people to purchase a new car.

To all those O.K.U., who feel they ought to be given special treatment, especially with regards to purchasing cars, you can definitely put in your request to the relevant authorities!

But remember, please refrain from quoting me. I may be very well be inaccurate. I am just voicing out my opinion only. Anyway, good luck!