KUCHING: The government has made available training such as in computing, hair styling, sewing and repairing electrical appliances to disabled people or OKU (orang kurang upaya) to ensure they can get jobs and be financially independent.

The government recognises that the disabled community is part of the nation’s workforce, and in Sarawak the Welfare Department has set up Samarahan Rehabilitation Centre to run these courses, said state director Kendy Edward.

“The department has also held several programmes and activities for the disabled, and their parents were taught how to take care of them.

“We have also set up 21 community rehabilitation centres throughout the state for them,” she said when closing a session on empowering the disabled here yesterday.

About 130 disabled persons and representatives of charitable bodies took part in the session held by the Ministry of Social Development and Urbanisation.

Among others, it aimed at disseminating the findings of an assessment for the civil service and training for the disabled in Kuching, and raise public awareness of the rights of the disabled to be independent.

Kendy said many disabled persons have become successful such as Amirul Sidi Abdullah and Yusuf Dewa (both from Sarawak) who won in swimming in the recent Paralympics in Beijing, China.

Some have also done very well in education and others excelled in their respective professions, she said, adding that one of the session presenters, Francis Johen Adam, who is acting deputy state attorney-general, is a fine example.

As such, she urged employers in the public and private sector to give opportunities to disabled persons to prove their worth and capabilities based on their qualifications, knowledge and skills.

She said she hoped that the law on disabled people (Akta Orang Kurang Upaya 2008) which came into force in July would enhance their quality of life based on rights rather than charity.

Kendy said the government would continue to help improve the lot of disabled people such as by providing more barrier-free public places, and assistive technology and equipment.

When the prime minister tabled the 2009 Budget recently, he announced that the allowance for disabled employees would be increased to RM300 a month and a special assistance scheme of RM300 a month had been approved for those with chronic diseases.

“The government is going to give tax exemption to employers who renovate their offices for the sake of disabled workers. This is a means to encourage more employers to hire disabled people,” she said.

To date, 19,857 disabled persons had registered with the department, of which 2,006 were blind, 2,647 deaf, 7,072 physically disabled, 7,196 with learning disabilities, and 936 with cerebral palsy.

She urged those who had yet to register with the department to do so for their needs to be monitored and assistance given.