The second driving lesson saw the muscles in my right hand tested to their limits. I went through the rigmarole of the three tests for the Ujian Memandu Bahagian II in today’s lesson, namely the slope test, three-point turning and side parking.

The three-point turning and side parking were strenuous exercises. I needed to turn the steering wheel to the extreme right or left for both activities. The power steering was not of much help much when the steering wheel was turned while the car was stationary.

It was a great relief when Andy indicated that today’s lesson had ended. My right arm was getting feeble. The last time that I used my arm this much was when I was in Tokyo and Bangkok. Hopefully with a few more lessons, the strength in my arm will improve.

Wednesday March 28, 2007

It’s time disabled be made senator

By AUDREY EDWARDS
audee@thestar.com.my

KAJANG: The time has come for a disabled person to be an appointed senator.

And Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil has written a letter to Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi recommending it.

“Our nominees are involved in many fields. They have high qualifications and are experienced,” she told reporters after opening the National Down Syndrome seminar yesterday.

“They will be an example to Malaysians. The ministry feels the time has come to have at least one disabled person as a representative in the Dewan Negara.”

Shahrizat also said that a special counter would be opened at all district welfare offices beginning Sunday to serve people with disabilities, their family members and caregivers.

This, she said, was to make it easier for them to deal with matters such as aid, registration and equipment. The counter would be open daily during office hours.

On the access auditing being carried out by the ministry with the Housing and Local Government Ministry, Shahrizat said a report would be ready by the middle of the year.

The auditing is being done at all major towns in the country to examine the barriers in infrastructure such as buildings, roads and transportation against disabled people.

“I am not happy because I feel we have to do more. It is not difficult. It is just a question of whether to give importance to it or not,” she said.

“If we do not begin from now to make sure that all the facilities available are barrier-free, we will face trouble when we suddenly wake up and find that Malaysia is an ageing society and we are not prepared for it.”

Rapid KL Taking Disabled Persons For A Ride

On September 24, 2006, Katherine Chew, Senior Manager Corporate Communications Divisions of Rapid KL announced that “the transport company had bought 100 disabled-friendly buses with ramps. These would be delivered next month.” This was in response to the attempt by the Barrier-Free Environment and Accessible Transport Group (BEAT) members to board the new Rapid KL buses at the Bangsar LRT Station. BEAT is a coalition of sixteen NGOs of disabled persons.

When BEAT met with Rein Westra, Chief Executive Officer of Rapid KL, on October 20, 2006, we were asked to give him four weeks for him to present our issue to the government. We were also specifically warned not to go to the press during this period or he will stop all communications with us. We respected the moratorium that was unilaterally set by him. That was the last we saw of him. He never got back to us after that.

Six months later on March 10, 2007, BEAT was invited to a briefing and dialogue with Rapid KL Chief Operating Officer Mohd Ali Mohd Nor. During the briefing we were informed that the buses will be coming in stages. We were told that, to date, about forty have been delivered and are in various stages of being fitted with ramps, restraining systems and other safety features for wheelchair users.

However, we are still in the dark as to when the buses will be put on the road, the routes they will ply and how this is small number of accessible buses will fit into the bigger picture to fulfil the mobility needs of wheelchair users in the Klang Valley. BEAT has already waited for six months. We are still waiting. We cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel yet where the promised accessible buses are concerned. Apa macam Rapid KL?