In an interview with FMT, NCBM executive director Moses Choo said it was frustrating when local banks insisted on the blind bringing along a sighted helper to sign any documents.

This, he said, was unfair to the blind who should be entitled to their right to privacy in their financial matters.

“Overseas, banks use Braille documents or have specialised hardware to read out the documents to the blind person or the bank officer will read the documents to the blind person.”

He said there was no reason why local banks could not do the same.

He also lamented the lack of automated teller machines (ATMs) in Malaysia with audio support.

“In neighbouring Singapore, there are more than 100 ATMs with audio so that the blind can use them.”

Here, he said, the blind would have to rely on a sighted peson to use an ATM machine.

Last month, Sin Chew Daily reported that a 48-year-old blind man lost his savings when the stranger he asked to help withdraw money from an ATM took the money for himself instead.

The victim, known only as Yu, ended up losing RM1,050 after being duped by the stranger he sought help from.

On a separate note, Choo also said the government should change the way disability was taught in schools to cultivate a better understanding of the challenges faced by the disabled.

He said this would also be a more effective way to prevent discrimination against the disabled.

“In school, we have Moral Studies as a subject, but more emphasis should be placed on understanding disabilities rather than just telling the students to lead a blind person across the street.”

He said it was more important for students to know why they should help the disabled rather than merely doing so out of pity.

Choo said this would help them be better leaders for the disabled community.