National Action Plan For The Disabled In The Pipeline

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 14 (Bernama) -- The government will come up with a National Action Plan to ensure smooth implementation and coordination of programmes, services and facilities for the disabled, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Tuesday.
The main thrust of the plan was to ensure the rights and full and fair participation of the disabled in all aspects of life, he said.
"This assurance is the basis to realise the objectives of national development and to create the concept of a "society for all'," the deputy prime minister said at the launch of the national-level Day for the Disabled celebration here.
His speech was delivered by Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.
Najib said the plan would focus on seven areas vital to developing the disabled and safeguarding their rights.
They were the development of self-help organisations, women and the disabled, detection and early intervention, education, training and employment, access to buildings and public transportation, information and communication and eradication of poverty among the disabled.
"If the programmes, services and facilities that meet their needs can be fully implemented, I believe that the status and quality of life of the disabled will be more assured and secure," he said.
He said government agencies responsible for preparing special programmes and services for the disabled must play their role more effectively to meet the needs of this group.
"In this context, I want to call on the Housing and Local Government Ministry, city halls and the local authorities to create a truly disabled-friendly or barrier-free environment so that they can move around freely, become more self-reliant and go about their daily lives like ordinary people," he said.
Najib said there were still many physical obstructions for the disabled in the country that needed immediate action by the relevant agencies.
He also said that Malaysia had been given the honour to host the Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled (Fespic Games), the second biggest sporting event for this group, after the Paralimpiad, in November.