The World Of Tzu Chi(Vol.128)

TZU CHI 128 11 there is no way teachers can teach each student effectively.” Oftentimes, PWDs are already behind right from the start. As such, they are unable to compete with able-bodied students. There was once a father who brought his disabled kid to Beautiful Gate for help. Ivy recalled, “The child was eight and had not attended school. He could only speak his dialect. After attentive teaching and training, he managed to gain knowledge and is now independent.” Ivy hopes that the public can treat PWDs as equals because everyone is equal. Although she has not experienced difficulties in getting a job, she often ran into difficulties when assisting other PWDs. “Although there were vacancies, some companies rejected the applications upon learning that the applicants were PWDs. We are all Malaysians and deserve the same treatment and opportunities for jobs.” Although the government set aside 1% of employment opportunities in the public sector for PWDs, this has not been met until today, while there is no such requirement for the private sector. Ivy informed that in Japan, the government requires the private sector to reserve employment opportunities for PWDs and provide disabled-friendly facilities for them. As such, PWDs in Japan do not face as much difficulty. “PWDs are often disabled from fully integrating into society because of inadequate disabled-friendly facilities in the general environment and also due to people’s attitude that lacks understanding and tolerance,” remarked Ivy. Ivy had seen many parents who could not accept their children’s disability and did not know where to seek help, hence missed the opportunity for their children to learn to be independent. This also causes the family atmosphere to be filled with self-blame, guilt and shame. “I hope the public realize that we can contribute to society. We just need their fair treatment and trust. For PWDs who are unable to walk out of their homes, they must take the first step and never give up on themselves. We can integrate into the society and contribute to the progress of Malaysia and share the honour,” shared Ivy. PWDs are a part of our society. If we can create a disabled-friendly environment and change various misconceptions, they may not need to fall in the “vulnerable” group or become a burden to society. Remember, the next time you pass by a PWD, offer the person a gentle smile and a nod. It will be more powerful than a sympathetic look. Ivy Pua was appointed as the City Councillor of Petaling Jaya in 2018. Picture shows her and the then Petaling Jaya mayor, Datuk Mohd Azizi. She stepped down later due to health issues. From Disabled to Able