Since the advent of the Internet, able-bodied people have had access to an unlimited wealth of knowledge. This is not so, however, for the visually impaired.

"Buying a computer is cheap. The blind don't even need a monitor. But even the most basic screen reader software can cost double the price of a normal computer," said Abdul Karim Stuart Russel, secretary of the Support Group Society for the Blind of Malaysia (Supporteam).

And for large amounts of text to be read, a braille display system is needed. This system, said Abdul Karim, cost about RM10,000 for a simple one.

"There is nothing we can do about software prices, unless there are subsidies (from the government or software corporations)," he added.

To his knowledge however, there are no such subsidies on offer in Malaysia.

Andul Karim was asked to comment on his organisation's outlook for International Day for the Disabled tomorrow, which bears the theme 'E-accessibility'.

Digital divide

"There exists a digital divide between the able-bodied and the disabled," said Anthony Thanasayan of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Theraphy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive).

This, he claimed, was a result of the authorities and corporate sector failing to see the need to integrate the disabled community with the mainstream.

Taking local Internet service providers (ISP) and telcos for example, he claimed that 'special' packages offered to the disabled, were in reality, a raw deal compared to the offers made to others.

For example, he said a telco agency can offer a plan at a discount to the disabled but without the sizeable amount of 'free' short-message service (SMS) included in non-discounted packages.

"[An ISP] would not even come to the house of a disabled person to assist in the installation," he claimed, adding that the kind of attitude towards the disabled in Malaysia, does not exist overseas.

Ministries on the case

Independent Living and Training Centre president G Francis Siva told malaysiakini that the government have the means of ensuring that ISPs and telcos look into the needs of the disabled.

Telekom Malaysia for example, do not charge line-rental for disabled applicants for a fixed-line phone.

"Perhaps the government can instruct [ISPs] to charge a maximum RM5 for broadband access, because the internet is so useful for medical and other information that we need," said Siva, who is a quadriplegic.

In a related development, Women and Family Development Parliamentary Secretary Chew Mei Fun said a Cabinet Committee on Local Governments had in October instructed chief ministers and menteris besar to ensure that development plans must include with the needs of the disabled.

She added that her ministry is now working closely with the Housing and Local Government Ministry in creating a barrier-free environment for the disabled.

Both ministries would be represented at the 'Access to a proper life' seminar in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday held in conjunction with International Day for the Disabled.