KUALA LUMPUR – The National Council for the Blind Malaysia (NCBM) is asking the government to provide persons with disabilities (PwDs) with equal access to digital information, especially that relating to Covid-19.
In a statement released in conjunction with Global Accessibility Awareness Day 2021 today, NCBM said technology ensures the inclusion and independence of over 600,000 registered PwDs in the country.
Global Accessibility Awareness Day is observed on the third Thursday of May each year.
“The enforcement of (the various iterations of) the movement control order has pushed us to give additional emphasis and serious attention to digital technology accessibility,” said NCBM.
“Digital accessibility is not limited to ensuring faster and wider internet coverage throughout Malaysia, but it also encompasses accessibility to websites and mobile apps.
“It should also include the affordability and utilisation of technologies such as assistive devices, while ensuring that personal safety and privacy are guaranteed.”
NCBM called on Putrajaya to fulfil its duties under the Convention on the Rights of PwDs, PwDs Act 2008 and Asean Enabling Master Plan 2025 in implementing solutions to improve this group’s digital inclusion.
These include introducing and enforcing regulations relating to the design and production of inclusive technologies, providing funding for government agencies to create accessible websites and mobile apps, and encouraging tech companies to develop the human capital needed to create accessible technologies.
The council is pushing for greater engagement between the Communications and Multimedia Ministry, and PWDs and related organisations, so as to facilitate greater access to published works for the blind and provide support for PWDs to engage in the fields of science and technology.
“Ultimately, as the government and overall society embrace digitalisation in this country, we must make sure the agenda also takes into account the access, equity and inclusion of PwDs.”
It urged the government to speed up Malaysia’s accession to the Marrakesh Treaty.
The treaty, adopted in June 2013, aims to provide adequate funding and other resources to fully implement its terms through collaboration with PwDs and the organisations representing them.
Besides achieving the treaty’s terms, NCBM also wants the government to meet the key actions underlined in the Asean Enabling Master Plan by executing the following steps:
1. The Communications and Multimedia Ministry needs to work closely with PwDs and their representative organisations in the execution of the ministry’s five-year strategic plan on communications and multimedia;
2. Reviewing and amending the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, Financial Services Act 2013 and other relevant laws to be aligned with the Convention on the Rights of PwDs;
3. Introducing and implementing regulations relating to the accessibility and inclusiveness of technology for PwDs in Malaysia;
4. All relevant ministries and federal-level agencies are to be given sufficient funding to upgrade the accessibility of websites and related mobile apps;
5. Besides hiring PwDs as accessibility consultants, the government should also introduce and execute new policies that draw in local and foreign tech companies that design and produce accessible and inclusive technologies; and,
6. Introducing new policies and initiatives that encourage PwDs in Malaysia to be engaged in science and technology by providing courses, scholarships and mentorship programmes.
The council’s request follows Putrajaya’s announcement that it is establishing a dedicated unit under the Communications and Multimedia Ministry to connect PwDs with information and communications technology. – The Vibes, May 20, 2021
