Government Implementation of the Standard Rules
As Seen By Member Organizations of
Rehabilitation International - RI

Malaysia

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© Dimitris Michailakis 1997

Malaysian Leprosy Relief Association, Malaysia
No reply was received from the Government of Malaysia.
Compare with the following Country Report(s): WBU, WFD

General policy

The officially recognized disability policy in Malaysia is expressed in guidelines, adopted by the government. The emphasis in the disability policy - in descending scale - is on individual support, rehabilitation, prevention, accessibility measures and anti-discrimination law.

The Association states that the government has initiated and supported information campaigns, conveying the message of full participation, failing, however, to specify what these campaigns included.

Legislation

The rights of persons with disabilities are protected by general legislation.

None of the following benefits are guaranteed by law to persons with disabilities: health and medical care, training, rehabilitation, and counselling, financial security, independent living or participation in decisions affecting themselves. Regarding the benefit of employment, 1% of persons with disabilities is being guaranteed employment in the public sector.

Accessibility

There are laws and regulation to ensure the accessibility of the built environment requiring that public places are made accessible. Accessibility in the built environment is observed by local governments. The following measures have been promoted by the government to facilitate accessibility in the built environment: levelling off pavements, installing automatic doors, lifts, accessible toilets, ensuring access to public places, improving accessibility in housing and installing special lighting for the visually impaired. There are special transport arrangements - no specification is provided - for persons with disabilities available for recreational purpose. Special transport is not available for medical treatment, education or work. The most difficult obstacles, when planning to build accessible environments, are attitudinal factors and economic/budgetary factors.

Sign language for deaf people has no officially recognized status, is not used as the first language in education of deaf people or recognized as the main means of communication between deaf persons and others. There are government measures to encourage media to make their information services accessible for persons with disabilities. The following services are provided in order to facilitate information and communication between persons with disabilities and other persons: literature in Braille/tape and sign language being available for any purpose.

Organizations of persons with disabilities

There is a national umbrella organization. There are no legal provisions mandating the representatives of persons with disabilities to participate in policy-making or to work with governmental institutions. Disability organizations are often consulted, when laws and regulations with a disability aspect are being prepared. Consultations occur at the national level. Persons with disabilities participate to a very limited extent in government but to a great extent in NGOs. The role of organizations of persons with disabilities is to advocate rights and improved services, mobilize persons with disabilities, contribute to public awareness and provide services.

Co-ordination of work

The co-ordinating committee is reporting to a particular Ministry. No specification is given. The committee includes representatives of the Ministries of Employment, and Education, as well as of organizations of persons with disabilities, of other NGOs and from the private sector. The co-ordinating committee is expected to perform other tasks, for instance, to organize seminars, exhibitions etc. The establishment of the co-ordinating committee has had the following effects: improved co-ordination of measures/programmes, improved legislation, a better dialogue in the disability field and improved promotion of public awareness.

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Contents of the RI Report | Compare with the following Country Report(s): WBU, WFD