THE International Day of Disabled Persons falls today. I wonder how many of us are aware of this fact.

My aunt, Sariah Osman, was a quadriplegic and a wheelchair user. Until her death recently, she was unselfish and unforgiving in championing the rights of the disabled in Malaysia.

Her experiences of being a handicapped person in Malaysia was fraught with frustration, sadness and much anger. This acted as a spur to promote the disabled in society.

Malaysians treat the disabled with either disrespect or as morbid objects of curiosity. Thirty years ago, as experienced by my aunt, life was difficult. It is only recently that things have improved slightly. Malaysians have a long way to go to accept the disabled as useful contributors to society.

In the West, the disabled are taught and encouraged to live independently, with self-respect and integrity. Over here, people are more curious than helpful, with scores of nosey bystanders whenever the disabled dare venture out for everyday chores or visits.
In Malaysia, it is not often that you see a disabled wheelchair user being helped to cross the road or mount the steps. More often than not, it would be passing tourists who would offer assistance, rather than locals. We still have much to learn in empowering our disabled.

First of all, we have to heighten awareness of the plight of the disabled.

The disabled can and do make a useful contribution to society, the economy and social causes.

However, many individuals, companies and politicians still would not seriously consider extending full rights to the disabled. Legislation of laws to ease the daily life of the disabled is a slow process. The disabled are treated as second-class citizens.

For instance, few job opportunities are available to the disabled in the public and private sectors and building projects do not always incorporate disabled-friendly features.

The import of specially modified cars for wheelchair users has not been implemented.

Taxis usually refuse to take wheelchair users. Even hotels, especially those that are state- run, do not have proper facilities for the disabled.

Our society, maybe even culture, tends to exclude the disabled from normal life. Politicians only pay lip-service to helping the disabled.

Some members of parliament have made unflattering remarks about the disabled rather than showing the dignity and respect the disabled deserve.

Much like issues of mental health, disabled people are a very misunderstood and often ignored section of our community.

If we are serious about being a full-fledged developed nation, about promoting ourselves in the eyes of the international community and projecting the image of a caring and compassionate society, it is time we made a serious effort to promote the interests and well-being of the disabled.

Politicians should draw up legislation to help empower the disabled to include them in mainstream society, rather than as a marginalised section of the community.

Individuals, professionals, companies and organisations could also involve themselves in the development of ideas, or at least have the vision, to counteract the negative perception of society towards the disabled.

Schools should be encouraged to have after-school activities to educate our children that the disabled have the right to live, work and be educated alongside us.

International Day of Disabled Persons should be a time for us to show our respect, pride and admiration for the disabled in society. Please do not let them down.