Property developers rarely focus on the needs of society’s most vulnerable groups when designing and constructing buildings.
They seldom incorporate accepted universal design principles and accessible features. Such features would ensure that buildings are compatible and safe for everyone, regardless of their physical or perceptive capabilities.
Many have raised increasing concerns about the needs of people with disabilities when planning, designing, and constructing public buildings in Malaysia.
As of June 2024, there were 707,242 registered people with various categories of disabilities in Malaysia.
Despite clear requirements under the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008, we continue to witness deficiencies in public infrastructure projects across the country.
Malaysia is also a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, signed on 8 April 2008 and ratified on 19 July 2010.
The Department of Social Welfare Malaysia lists disabilities into seven categories: hearing, visual, speaking, physical, learning, mental and multiple disabilities.
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Mandatory key amenities
Accessible entries: Ramps with proper gradients and automatic doors are important for wheelchair users, especially at transport hubs and light rail transit stations like the one in Bangsar.
Clear pathways: Space along walkways must be sufficient to accommodate wheelchairs. Elevators and platform lifts should be available for whelchair users to access different levels of the building.
User-friendly restrooms: Restrooms must have solid iron grab bars, roll-in showers and adequate space for wheelchairs.
Sensory features: Buildings must contain disabled-friendly features like controlled lighting, sound reduction and different signages for those facing challenges with visual or acoustic impairments.
Clear and consistent signages, both visual and auditory, help people facing such challenges find the way through buildings independently.
Kitchen accessories: Buildings should contain accessible sinks and suitable places for appliances to cater to individuals with mobility limitations.
Safety precautions: Integrating fire safety measures that are accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities, is crucial.
Community engagement: Consulting accessibility experts and user groups during the design process can help identify and address potential challenges.
Handrail campaign
Handrails in public places and private buildings are my passion. My hope is that legislation will be passed one day making it mandatory for all public and private buildings to have handrails. Any building with three steps or more should have handrails.
I was pleased to note that handrails were immediately installed after I complained to Maybank Bangsar Baru. Kuala Lumpur City Hall followed suit at the steps in front of CIMB Bank, Lucky Garden after my complaint. Again, only after my feedback, the KL Sentral management installed handrails at the entrance to the building from Tun Sambanthan Road in Brickfields. I am appreciative of their actions.
Recently, I complained to the management of two buildings, one in Bangsar and the other in KL Sentral, about the need for handrails. They promised me they would look into my request. I was glad about the positive response I received from both places.
A deplorable sight I often witness is when I see parking bays reserved for people with disabilities being occupied by other motorists in places like Bangsar and Brickfields. These motorists have no consideration whatsoever for disabled people. It is appalling and disgraceful to witness such blatantly selfish and heartless motorists. Enforcement officers should come down hard on these senseless motorists.
Creative inclusive spaces
Designing with accessibility in mind promotes a more inclusive society where everyone has equal access to public spaces, housing and amenities. Accessible features can improve safety for all users. For individuals with disabilities, they can increase their independence and reduce reliance on others.
Integrating universal design principles means creating spaces that are usable by people of all ages and abilities from the outset, rather than retrofitting for specific needs later.
Pathways should be smooth and well-maintained with gentle slopes, and seating areas should be provided.
Any shortcomings not only create daily obstacles for people with disabilities but also reinforce systemic exclusion, hindering their full participation in social, educational, economic and civic life. This is not just a matter of inconvenience – it is a matter of dignity, equality and rights.
Call for accountability
The media should highlight this pressing issue. Relevant authorities and agencies, including city planners, architects, contractors and municipal councils, must be held accountable.
Accessibility must not be treated as an afterthought but as an essential and non-negotiable component of any public development.
There needs to be transparent audits of public infrastructure to ensure that new facilities cater to the needs of people with disabilities.
Public reporting mechanisms must be available for individuals where accessibility issues can be raised and addressed promptly. Such complaints will trigger serious reflection and prompt proactive measures. In this way, Malaysia can truly be a country that upholds inclusiveness for all its people.
If we don’t incorporate such measures, we will remain a divided society – one for ordinary abled people and the other for more vulnerable groups.
A country’s real character is revealed by its kindness, care, compassion, humanity and support for those who are most in need, such as the poor, people with disabilities, older adults and other marginalised groups.
Mahatma Gandhi once said “The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.”
People with disabilities have the same rights as anyone else. They deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. I always tell a friend with a disability about the importance of his job.
If we neglect the needs of people with disabilities, we cannot consider ourselves caring, civilised and decent human beings.
Any country which neglects its vulnerable people is a country which has lost its moral compass.
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Designing buildings and infrastructure to include the disabled and the aged is a mark of a developed mature society. Malaysia and Malaysians remain under developed in this area.
USA President FDR was wheelchair bound and it was during his Presidency that laws were passed and more importantly enforced that all Buildings are other Infrastructure was OKU friendly. Some Malaysian Local Authorities do have and enforce laws relating to blind pedestrians but the facilities may be perceived to be minimal. However it is important that not only Government and it’s Authorities but also the relevant Technical Professionals should play their part in ensuring that the Buildings and Infrastructure Facilities provide for suitable facilities for OKUs in private sectors such toilets in restaurant and other businesses catering for public.
Bless all