Pushing forward
the disabled face an uphill task in managing public ignorance
IF you move around Kuala Lumpur using public transportation, ask yourself this — how many times have you noticed a disabled person on a wheelchair facing difficulties getting into a packed train during peak hours? Haven’t you also spotted those with special needs being ignored or denied their turn in getting into the elevator despite waiting in line?
When it comes to disabled people and their access to public facilities in the country, the real issue goes beyond the practicality or efficiency of physical infrastructure; it is also the mentality and lack of understanding about the problems faced by the disabled, and the public’s ignorance and callousness concerning people with disabilities.
‘LOST’ ON PEDESTRIAN LANES
Mohd Shahir Ramli from Rembau, Negri Sembilan is blind. The 28-yearold customer service officer travels to his workplace in Kuala Lumpur by KTM Komuter and bus.
Mohd Shahir uses a white cane when walking and depends heavily on the specially-designed pedestrian lanes or pavements for the blind, be it inside or outside public buildings.
“I’m grateful because the routes that I travel every day have ample facilities like special pedestrian lanes. But, it’s a different story when I have to travel to a new place or within the city centre. Not all places are equipped with facilities for the blind.
“I have gotten lost many times because the lane that I walked on seemed to end abruptly. Once I almost hit a pole because it was located right in the middle of the lane meant for the blind. It’s strange because the lane is supposed to guide us and keep us safe,” he says.
“And this is why when I plan to visit a place I haven’t been to before, I plan ahead. I research the place to familiarise myself with it. Usually I get help from a friend to show me around first,” he adds.
While Mohd Shahir depends on special lanes, his friend, Mohd Rifaat Hussin, singles out signage boards as his dilemma. Mohd Rifaat has been partially blind since he was 14.
I have gotten lost many times because the lane that I walked on seemed to end abruptly.
Mohd Shahir Ramli
“I always take public transportation to work from my home in Cheras. For a visually-impaired person, reading signage boards at airports or on buses can be challenging.
“When I want to take the bus, for example, I usually have to ask where the bus is going. But, some people dismiss my intent as suspicious, naughty or as a joke,” says the 28-year-old government servant.
USING ELEVATORS AND TAXIS
Muhammad Faiz Anas from Lenggeng, Negri Sembilan uses a wheelchair to move around. He became paralysed from the waist down after a road accident when he was 3 years old.
The 26-year-old works as a customer service officer in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. On a working day, Muhammad Faiz takes the KTM Komuter from the Nilai station in Negri Sembilan to KL Sentral. He continues his journey by LRT and stops at the Asia Jaya station in Petaling Jaya, before taking a taxi to his office in Section 14.
Muhammad Faiz says he seldom faces difficulties when using public transportation because most of the facilities meant for people with disabilities at the Komuter or LRT stations are userfriendly, especially for those in wheelchairs.
“I’m lucky because the staff and auxiliary police stationed at such places are very friendly and helpful. Sometimes when the elevators are out of order and I have to use the escalator, they help to lift me and my wheelchair,” he says.
He says that using public facilities is not a big issue for him because he tries to adapt to the situation. “For me, the real issue is people’s attitudes towards those with special needs. For instance, it has become common for me to wait for quite some time to get into the elevator and the LRT even though I am in a queue. Some people just refuse to make way,” he says, adding that a few months ago, his difficulty in getting into an elevator was spotted by a concerned citizen who made it viral over the Internet.
He says that taking a taxi is not easy for him too, particularly at a taxi stand. “Some taxi drivers refuse to take me for reasons known only to them,” he adds.
“Before I leave home, I always anticipate these things. And because of this, I make it a habit to go out early when I want to go somewhere. Honestly, when it comes to public places and using public amenities, the challenge for people like us is really in dealing with public ignorance.”
ATM MACHINES AND PARKING WOES
Self-employed Muhamad Hairuman Miskon, 29, became a disabled person eight years ago following a tragic incident while harvesting oil palm at his village in Tanjung Karang, Selangor. He was electrocuted when his machete accidentally struck an electric cable. His right hand and left foot had to be amputated. He now wears a prosthetic hand and foot.
Muhamad Hairuman from Shah Alam, Selangor, drives when he needs to go some place because he feels more confident travelling by car. “I seldom use public transportation, especially those which the ticketing system requires coins. I had an experience where I couldn’t use my Touch ‘N’ Go card and had to use coins.
“With a prosthetic hand, it’s quite difficult to grip or hold a coin and insert it into the allocated slot. And I don’t like to make other people wait in line because I am facing difficulties.
“The same happens when I encounter an ATM machine with the keypad covered with plastic. I understand that the cover is designed to protect the user during a transaction (i.e. protect the user’s pin number being easily exposed to snoopers).
But, such a design is a big problem for people with prosthetic hands like me,” he says.
When it comes to other public amenities, his concerns are mainly parking spaces. And just like his friend Muhammad Faiz, Muhamad Hairuman’s parking woes are mainly caused by ignorant and irresponsible citizens.
“Many times I have had to park my car somewhere far because the parking spaces meant for the disabled were taken by cars without a disabled person’s (OKU) parking sticker. I was also issued a summons once because I parked my car illegally due to this problem.”
CHANGE OF MINDSET NEEDED
The experiences of Mohd Shahir, Mohd Rifaat, Muhammad Faiz and Muhamad Hairuman may be a small part of a bigger picture concerning people with disabilities.
Design-wise, there is still room for improvement when it comes to public facilities intended for people with special needs. However, a point to remember — world-class facilities will be pointless if selfishness and ignorance towards the disabled still prevails in our society.
I seldom use public transportation, especially those which the ticketing system requires coins
Muhamad Hairuman Miskon