Published on: Wednesday, August 15, 2007 |
Papar: Voices of the intellectually disabled who account for the highest number of special people in the country are still too small to be heard.
Hence there is still a lack of awareness among the public to understand their rights and needs, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin. To address this problem he said there was a need, as difficult as it may be, for the intellectually disabled to stand up and be counted.
"Based on Welfare Department records in 2005, there were a total of 66,130 intellectually disabled people in the country compared to 16,302 visually impaired and 26,294 hearing impaired people.
"One reason (they are not heard from) is probably because they are seldom given the opportunity to be heard or even defend their rights. The public including those who are very close to you may not realise that you have feelings, opinions, needs and hopes. So when this happens, nobody will know and attention is not given to this group of special people," Yahya said.
Yahya, who is also Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister, said this when opening the National level 2nd Self Advocacy Conference at the Outward Bound School (OBS) in Kinarut, Tuesday.
The four-day conference is organised by the Kangaroo Club that is set up for intellectually disabled people above 18 and founded by ex-students of the Seri Mengasih Centre.
A total of 72 intellectually special people from Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Sarawak and Sabah are attending the conference.
Among those present were Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Janet Chee, Sabah Director of Welfare Services Department Datuk Mastor Samin, OBS Board Chairman, Tengku Datuk Dr. Zainal Adlin, Chairman of Management Board Seri Mengasih Centre, Datuk Haji Safari Manan and Kangaroo Club Chairman, Andrew Lee.
"The best person to advocate for the intellectually disabled has to be among them to enhance the awareness and understanding of the public including the private sector on their mission, rights and interest.
"When this is done, eventually the community will realise their misconception on this group of people and finally believe that you (intellectual disabled people) can be independent and defend your own rights," Yahya said.
"Do not be shy to show people what you can do É bear in mind that nobody is perfect and everybody has his own capabilities, weaknesses and shortcomings.
"Show to people that you are mature, capable and responsible enough to make contributions to the society.
For example look at Sue Rickell who has cerebral palsy and yet she is a renowned self-advocacy expert with an outstanding record of success unbeatable by special and normal people," Yahya said.
