Slew of measures to aid disabled folk announced
BUDGET 2022 | The government will be introducing a slew of new measures intended to help the disabled, including efforts to lower living costs and ensure employment opportunities for the group.
Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz said today in his budget speech that the welfare of the disabled has never been forgotten.
“Next year...
BUDGET 2022 | The government will be introducing a slew of new measures intended to help the disabled, including efforts to lower living costs and ensure employment opportunities for the group.
Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz said today in his budget speech that the welfare of the disabled has never been forgotten.
“Next year, the government will provide a special allocation of RM30 million to upgrade the infrastructure of government buildings to make them OKU-friendly,” said Zafrul in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He said that this will provide more special routes for the use of the visually impaired, among other improvements.
“Apart from that, RM10 million has also been allocated for an Independent Learning Centre as well as a governmental Industrial Training and Rehabilitation Centre to implement training and guidance programs for the disabled,” he said.
Additionally, the government will provide a special 1 percent quota on the MyStep programme for disabled youths. The MyStep programme provides short-term training and placements in the public sector as well as government-linked companies (GLCs).
Among other initiatives included a RM10 million allocation towards the National Sports Council to increase training programmes for disabled athletes, and fully subsidised motor vehicle licences for all private vehicles owned by disabled drivers to reduce living costs for the group.
In his speech, Zafrul also highlighted the public service of sign language interpreters.
“Many may not know the deeds of Tan Lee Bee, Khairunnisa Kho Abdullah, Wan Zuraidah Abu dan Goh Soo Leng.
“They are actually the individuals who serve as sign language interpreters that we often see in the corner of our television screens.
“To increase access to the media as well as enable the disabled to keep up with the latest news and information, with the help of Bernama, all TV networks including private channels will provide sign language interpreters when delivering the news,” he said.
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