Parents of children with disabilities who face discrimination in relation to their right to education can take their case to the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam), said commissioner Prof Chiam Heng Keng.

"If there is a violation of human rights, please point it out to us. We will ask the education ministry to investigate the matter," she told a press conference after a roundtable discussion between Suhakam and parents today.

"To date, there have been no complaints. If there are, we must have all the facts."

Chiam ( centre ) said the government is giving attention to the needs of children with disabilities and "is moving in the right direction", although much more could be done.

As one response, the education ministry is now preparing a blueprint for special education from pre-school to secondary school level.

Special education department deputy director Siti Zaharah Mat Akib could not say when the document would be ready.

"The ministry would like to get more input from several quarters to come up with a good blueprint," she said.

'Protect rights'

Helen Chin, a parent with a 16-year-old autistic son, said she is frustrated with the limited opportunities available to children with disabilities.

Chin, a lawyer and member of the Bar Council law reform committee, added that she is disappointed there is no legislation to protect the needs of such children.

"We cannot send our children to government schools as teachers are not willing to give them a chance. We can't do anything as they are not protected by law," she told malaysiakini.

In 2000, the Bar Council had drawn up a memorandum on the need to legislate the right to education of individuals with special needs.

One recommendation was to remove the terms 'educable' and 'non-educable' from the Education Regulations 1997.

The admission of disabled children into schools is subject to their being deemed 'educable' by officers processing the applications. On that basis, many children are denied their right to an education.

Since the 1980s, government schools have only opened their doors to children with such disabilities as Down Syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, dyslexia and physical disabilities.