An often-forgotten segment of the country’s population struggles daily with what most consider simple everyday tasks. They also struggle to gain employment and by extension, financial mobility.
In 2019, over 500,000 persons with disabilities (PWD) were officially registered out of an estimated 4.86 million PWDs in Malaysia.
Locally recognised as OKUs, credit goes to the government for acknowledging and changing the term from Orang KURANG Upaya (less-abled) to Orang KELAINAN Upaya (differently-abled or specially-abled).
This subtle difference acts as a gentle reminder that many PWDs are employable and can bring great value to any business if given the chance.
Much like how you can tell a lot about a person from how they treat a stranger, you can learn a lot about an organisation by observing their level of inclusivity.
In 2018, notable initiatives like Grab Malaysia’s ‘Break the Silence’ were launched in partnership with the Malaysian Federation of the Deaf (MFD), to improve the experience for drivers who are deaf and hard-of-hearing.
In May 2021, they followed up with #TechuntukSemua to tackle underemployment challenges which included a mission on advocating for equal access for PWDs to opportunities within the digital economy.
Through the years, Grab Malaysia has remained especially focused on creating equal opportunities for those whose circumstances make it harder to find alternative or additional income, such as persons with disabilities.
Through the platform and technology, they seek to contribute to building an inclusive society, by uplifting the most vulnerable to enable them to participate economically, financially and socially in society.
One year later, FMT spoke with two PWDs, Muhammad Sidek Osman and Joey Kow, who have directly benefitted from the initiative.
Sidek, 23, from Setapak appreciates the flexibility of working whenever he wants and also from wherever he wants. Being able to participate in the gig economy has offered him an opportunity to improve his finances and is already inspiring him to look ahead into future prospects.
Sidek commented, “With the opportunity to earn an income with Grab, I look forward to saving enough to open a store someday and paying it forward by offering employment opportunities for others.”
Sabahan Joey Kow, now living in Kuala Lumpur, is hearing-impaired like her brother. They both drive for Grab as part-time driver-partners.
“The challenges we face as PWDs include facing communication barriers with other people and discrimination against our community. However, Grab has provided us equal access to income opportunities, leaving no one behind.”
She said she was proud to be a part of Grab’s initiative to create an inclusive environment for the specially-abled. “They are also very accommodating to the PWDs and strive to protect our welfare, such as providing us with appropriate licensing, OKU card and other benefits.”
With 2,100 PWDs currently on their platform across the region, Grab aims to double that number by 2025.
Mohamad Sazali Shaari, president of the Malaysia Federation of the Deaf (MFD) revealed, “We are also proud of this long-standing partnership with Grab Malaysia to ensure that Malaysia’s PWD community are able to have the knowledge, capabilities and opportunities to enter the workforce.”
Under the #TechUntukSemua banner, Grab Malaysia introduced ‘Scan To Order’ in partnership with the MFD earlier this year.
Despite support from organisations like Grab and the MFD, many challenges still remain for the PWD community.
Over the past few years, all e-hailing drivers, including the PWD community, have been facing challenges associated with fulfilling the regulatory requirements, in particular, the high cost of obtaining a PSV (e-hailing driver) licence which includes a medical check-up, training, and exam. The barrier is even higher for PWDs who may still be denied a PSV licence even if they pass all requirements.
Advocating for PWDs, head of Persatuan Pemandu E-hailing OKU Fizikal Malaysia, Niyaz Naathan pointed out, able-bodied drivers can go to any private clinic to pass their examination. For PWDs, the process to get a PSV licence is not as easy and requires a full medical check and only at a government rehabilitation hospital.”
“The government needs to look into current laws and regulations and approve the PSV licence for PWDs in order for them to be fully independent. We plan to work with Grab Malaysia’s management to resolve these PSV licence issues.”
Throughout all these challenges, Grab remains steadfast in their commitment, forming the Driver Representative Committee (DRC) made up of PWD drivers and delivery partners to act as a bridge between Grab and their community of partners to better understand their needs.
This effort continues to ensure that anyone, regardless of background or ability, is able to benefit from the digital economy by cultivating a seamless Grab experience for differently-abled driver-partners, delivery-riders, merchants and users alike.
Transportation consultant Rosli Azad Khan suggested, “PWDs should be given the chance to obtain PSV licences, with no restrictions or limitations in relation to their disabilities. Most of them have the ability to drive as normal, similar to able-bodied people. E-hailing services are not so demanding, easy to operate and do not require physical attributes to undertake the work.”
Rosli proposed, “The government could assist PWDs by offering grants or no interest loans to buy motorcycles or small cars, redesigned to incorporate their disabilities and to make it easier and safer for them to handle such vehicles. Giving them the chance to be independent and able to stand and operate independently should be the objective of this approach.”
Supporting all citizens – neighbours and strangers alike – requires more advocates to champion similar initiatives.
All levels of government have to encourage and engage organisations to continue fostering inclusive programmes that benefit the PWD community and in turn, enrich the lives of all Malaysians.
