It said for its efforts, MBPJ had received the “Most Caring City Council 2017” award.
This award was presented by the women, family and community development ministry in October in conjunction with National Welfare Month.
In a statement issued today in conjunction with International Day of Persons with Disabilities , Suhakam chairman Razali Ismail said MBPJ was given the recognition for all the measures and efforts taken to ensure the city was accessible for the disabled.
He said although there are limitations in the Act, the pro-active measures taken by MBPJ should be followed by other councils.
He said MBPJ had formed the Universal Design Unit (UDU) to ensure the developments incorporate and comply with universal building design features.
The human rights group said the care given by MBPJ to the disabled fit the theme for this year’s celebration — “Transformation towards sustainable and resilient society for all”.
He said there should be no form of discrimination against the disabled, as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
Razali said Malaysia had enacted the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 (Act 685) and ratified the Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2010.
However, Suhakam said the disabled continue to face inequalities in different aspects of life, which negatively affected their access to employment, education and health.
This resulted in them being marginalised from social participation, depriving them of their rights to contribute effectively to development.
Suhakam believes this is partly due to omissions in the Person With Disabilities Act 2008 such as the lack of comprehensive monitoring, penalties or remedy mechanisms against individuals, organisations and/or businesses which violate the Act or the rights of the disabled.
There is also a lack of legal remedies or redress mechanisms against the government for violating the rights of the disabled as Section 41 of the Act gives the government and its related agencies immunity from any form of legal action.
Razali said there was no provision in the Act to set up a body or appoint a person with powers to enquire into alleged breaches of the Act, including complaints from the disabled about discrimination and harassment.
As such, Suhakam urged the government to address the shortcomings in the Act and make the necessary amendments to ensure better protection and have effective mechanisms of enforcement.
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2013/12/11/removing-barriers-for-disabled-people/