THE PENANG Island City Council (MBPP) plans to undertake various initiatives to turn the sprawling township to be more disabled and aged-friendly.
This represents part of MBPP’s plans to become a smart city by 2030 where access to those with limited mobility would be expanded.
MBPP Lord Mayor Datuk Anthony Rajendran said that the council will allow access to open spaces for the disabled, including lanes for wheelchair access, visual signages and audio-visual systems at public buildings and facilities.
"Other efforts include ensuring all visual applications and public announcements are accompanied by captions; better visual displays and accessways to enable the disable to move easily while those who are deaf are able to understand."
There would also be programmes for community empowerment through cooperation with local civil society groups," said Rajendran at the national seminar on sign language instructors here.
He encouraged the disabled to offer their feedback when the council holds its forum on the budget for next year.
Among the future plans by MBPP is to incorporate sign language interpreters at official events and community outreach programmes.
He also called for the National Sign Language Interpreters Association to play a bigger role in grooming more interpreters to assist in community outreach programmes. - May 15, 2025
