There are more than 31,000 people with disabilities (OKU) in Penang but you don't see them around as the city lacks universal access in its public spaces, said DAP assemblywoman Yap Soo Huey.

Yap was referring to a September 2014 statistic for the 31,068 people from seven categories of disabilities who are officially registered with the Penang government.

Yap, who chairs the Penang Accessibility Action Group (PAAG), said many schools and buildings, including hospitals, clinics, and shopping malls are not accessible to the OKU community.

This despite local government guidelines and standards like the 1974 Road, Drainage, and  Building Act, which requires public spaces to be accessible to OKUs, she noted.

The 1984 Uniform Building by-laws are also required to comply with Malaysian Standard (MS) but many buildings remain "not user-friendly", she further said.

"We don't see them (OKUs) much but that does not mean they do not exist but we need to make the environment friendly and inclusive to them," she said at a press conference today.

"One of the reasons why universal access is not properly implemented in Malaysia is because the authorities and the construction industry, including architects and contractors, lack understanding of the needs of OKUs," she added.

Yap is calling for suitable candidates who have expertise and knowledge in law, architecture, engineering, building and construction, and in women, family and senior citizen issues, to join PAAG.

Yap said recommendation for candidates - along with resume - for PAAG must be submitted to yapsoohueydap@gmail.com with subject heading 'PAAG nominee' by May 1.

She said by September this year, PAAG, which is under the local government council, will work with other agencies such as Public Works Department (JKR) and Land and Transport Commission (SPAD), to raise awareness and educate the public and government staff on the needs of OKUs.

Accompanying Yap at the press conference today are Jawi assemblyperson Soon Lip Chee, local councillors Chris Lee and LT Tiun, and St Nicholas School for the Blind spokesperson David Soon.