SARAWAK Minister for Women, Community Wellbeing and Early Childhood Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah has acknowledged the need for comprehensive upgrading of public facilities in this state to cater to the daily needs of the blind and wheelchair-bound.
The population of these needy groups have increased and more must be done to help them cope with their daily struggles, she said.
"I agree we need to urgently reform our existing local laws for public amenities that cater to the needs of our people who are visually and physically handicapped.
"Mobility in public places and accessibility into buildings and facilities is indeed a big challenge to our blind and handicapped as well as the elderly senior people throughout Sarawak.
"These shortcomings must be addressed so that we can make life better for those among us who are suffering disabilities or those with special needs," she told The Vibes.
Fatimah said her ministry is looking into these matters.
The Society for The Blind in Malaysia (Sarawak Chapter) has said that Sarawak must formulate specific policies to alleviate the daily struggles of the increasing number of blind and physically handicapped people in Sarawak.
The Society chairman for Sarawak, Isak Ngau said the Federal Government has given huge sums of money to Sarawak from the annual Budget, thus the state should enact policies and channel funds towards the needs of the visually and physically handicapped. - October 26, 2024
