Memorandum regarding accessible buses for disabled persons

Read more here:
http://www.asiacommunityservice.org/transport20forum/memorandum_teng_hock_nan.pdf

Memorandum Regarding Accessible Buses For Disabled Persons To: YB Dato’ Dr Teng Hock Nan
From: NGOs In Penang Together With A Coalition Of 18 NGOs Under The Barrier-free Environment And Accessible Transport Group (BEAT) And Individuals
This memorandum is prepared by Peter Tan

Mobility is one of the most crucial factors in mainstreaming disabled persons into society. It contributes to their dignity and to their standard of living. It is linked to general environmental accessibility. There should not be discrimination against disabled persons in the provision of public transportation services, and there should be specific measures to enable them to move freely and access the workplace and other public places.

Generally, public transport in Malaysia, specifically buses, are not accessible to disabled persons using wheelchairs and do not have such facilities to make it convenient for blind persons and deaf persons to utilise this service conveniently.

This inaccessibility has marginalised disabled persons and those with mobility impairments. Disabled persons are unable to attend formal education in schools. Those who possess qualifications are unable to find gainful employment. They are unable to move around conveniently and therefore are not only deprived from benefiting from the progress of the nation but are also unable to contribute meaningfully to the country.

Without accessible public transport, performing basic but crucial routines that non-disabled persons take for granted are beyond the means of disabled persons. They will be unable to go to banks, post offices and government offices, and shop for groceries. The lack of an accessible public transport which is the most affordable option of mobility will affect disabled persons who are poor even more as they are unable to find alternative transport thereby marginalising them further.

The Issue

The Federal Government had allocated RM50 million for the purchase of 150 new buses by RapidPenang. This was good news to the people of Penang who had to endure the pathetic state of public transport in the island for many years now. The disabled community was even more pleased to hear that the buses would be "disabled friendly" as announced by Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop. Subsequently disabled persons in Penang and Malaysia were disappointed by news report that RapidPenang buses will not be accessible to wheelchair users and that boarding wheelchair users will delay the arrival schedule of the buses.

Disabled persons as citizens of Malaysia have the right to benefit from equal access to services and opportunities. Without accessible public transport, disabled persons have few opportunities to access other crucial services such as health care and education.

Even the Federal Government is concerned with this issue. On March 12, 2007, Minister of Transport Dato’ Seri Chan Kong Choy announced the formation of a high-level committee chaired by Deputy Secretary-General (Planning) Datuk Long See Wool. This committee will comprise of disabled persons, government agencies and major transport operators to ensure that the public transportation system in Malaysia is accessible to all.

As such, we the signatory of this memorandum call on the Penang State Government, Syarikat Prasarana Negara Berhad and RapidPenang to :-

• Recognise that disabled persons are consumers who have the right to the same services as others
• Take immediate steps to incorporate the needs of disabled persons in all planning and decision making
• Ensure that all buses are non-step buses to allow easy access to all persons
• Work with the local authorities to ensure that all bus stops be made accessible to benefit all persons
• Consult and involve disabled persons in all policies affecting them
• Make known the Short Term and Long Term Action Plans with specific time frames and goals ( e.g. 5 Year Action Plan, 10 Year Action Plan ) to achieve 100 % barrier free buses for all within the set time frame

Below, we outline the essential points we want included to make public buses accessible to all:

Basic principles
• People require access to transport in all parts of Penang to participate in economical, educational, social, cultural, religious and political activities
• The vast majority of disabled persons live throughout the island and the mainland
• Public transport must be accessible to all, not only to people who can walk

Bus stations and bus stops

Accessibility:
• All bus stations and bus stops shall be accessible to all persons including disabled persons
• Walkways leading to bus stations and bus stops shall be accessible

Safety
• Pedestrian crossings shall be provided in the vicinity of bus stations and bus stops, and shall be accessible and appropriately indicated with signs
• Shelters shall be provided at all bus stops
• All bus stops shall have sufficient lighting to ensure safety for all commuters

Signage
• Signs shall be clear, visible and easily read by people with low vision and people with learning disabilities
• Bus timetables shall be provided in large print, and at a level to ensure that all people can read the information
• Signs bus stops used by buses for several routes, buses shall use fixed stops so that people, especially the visually impaired and those with wheelchairs, can queue in advance at the correct stop
• At large bus stops, approaching buses shall be announced by number and destination, both audibly and visually
• Changes and delays in bus arrival and departure times, including information of number and destination, shall be displayed by audio and visual means

Toilets
• Bus stations shall have accessible toilets

Buses
External signs
• Buses shall be prominently labeled with the international symbol of accessibility

Accessibility
• Buses shall be of the non-step type, with ramps to allow easy access
• Ramps shall be made of strong, durable material, and be designed to ensure their safe use for both manual and electric wheelchairs
• Ramps shall not be designed in ways that obstruct the casters (small front wheels)
• Ramps shall have a maximum gradient of no more than 1:12 to ensure safe and convenient access and exit for wheelchairs
• Doors shall be wide enough for manual and electric wheelchairs

Inside buses
• There shall be sufficient space inside buses to ensure full maneuverability of manual and electric wheelchairs
• There shall be sufficient space to park wheelchairs inside the bus
• Priority seats shall be clearly labeled

Safety
• There shall be a four-point strap-type tie-down to secure wheelchairs and a restraining system for wheelchair occupants

Communication
• Bells or buzzers shall be positioned at a level to enable their use by a person in a wheelchair

• Bells and buzzers shall be placed in the same position in all buses for the convenience of people with vision impairment
• Bells and buzzers shall be lit for people with hearing impairment

• Approaching bus stops shall always be announced clearly
• Approaching bus stops shall be visually displayed.

Driver responsibilities and training
• Drivers shall insist that people move to make space to allow people in wheelchairs to move into position and to secure wheelchairs
• Drivers shall not move the bus until they are assured that the wheelchair is secured
• Drivers shall ensure that people with vision impairment, pregnant women, the elderly, and others with special needs have the opportunity to be seated
• Buses shall carry first-aid kits
• Drivers shall be trained to use first aid kits
• Proper training of drivers shall be provided with the involvement of disabled persons

This is by no means an exhaustive list. We not only want accessible buses but we also want such facilities to be safe. One point that we want to highlight is that accessible buses can be used by all, but non-accessible buses can only be used by a certain segment of society and deprive those with mobility impairments from using it.

There is no excuse not to make public transport that serves all persons. As Malaysia strives to be a developed nation by 2020, we inevitably have to ensure that our standard of living will be on par with, or better than, those currently enjoyed in developed nations.

RapidKL will be launching accessible bus service in June 1, 2007. There is no reason why RapidPenang cannot do the same. Whatever excuses to not include the needs of everyone in this new bus network is unacceptable and infringes on the rights of disabled persons to accessible public transport.

Fifty years after the Nation’s independence, disabled persons still cannot move around freely not through the fault of their impairments but because policymakers do not have the foresight and sensitivity to make public amenities inclusive and accessible to all.

The needs of disabled persons such as ramps, suitable toilets and access to public transport should not be viewed as extra facilities requiring extra costs to construct. It is not a privilege to be given as and when the government deems necessary. Such basic amenities are the fundamental rights of disabled persons. It allows them equal opportunity to live life just like non-disabled citizens have the right to a safe and comfortable environment to live in.

Disabled persons must be included in mainstream society. We are the public. We are one of you. We are you. Nevertheless, we have been left far behind for the past fifty years. The government now has the opportunity, resources and knowledge to help bridge this gap. This opportunity must be made full use of to include the needs of everyone, including disabled persons.

It is the only the right thing to do. What is a few minutes delay in bus schedule to other passengers when disabled persons have waited patiently for fifty years for an accessible public transport system that they can use?

With this we trust we have explained clearly why an accessible public transport system is so crucial to disabled persons, especially wheelchair users. We also trust that you will do the right thing by ensuring that the 150 buses that will be put into service in Penang on August 1, 2007 are fully accessible for all.

Skim Bantuan Galakan perniagaan Orang Kurang Upaya(SBGP-OKU)

Skim bantuan galakan perniagaan OKU adalah bertujuan untuk membantu mereka yang kurang bernasib baik untuk menyertai skim bantuan bagi membolehkan mereka dapat hidup seperti orang biasa...Ia juga bertujuan untuk membantu OKU dalam mendapatkan kerja. Hal ini kerana ramai majikan yang kurang mengambil golongan ini bekerja kerana keupayaan mereka untuk bergerak adalah terhad...Kami ingin berkongsi sedikit info dengan anda semua tentang skim bantuan ini.... Dengan itu anda bolehlah melayari laman web ini...http://www.mind.org.my/images/news/Skim.ppt

Masalah OKU dalam Perkhidmatan Kenderaan Awam

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gokum/message/3015



Kenderaan awam merupakan nadi kepada pembangunan negara. Sistem dan kemudahan kenderaan awam dapat menjamin kelancaran aktiviti sesebuah negara. Sekiranya kita menoleh ke negara-negara maju seperi Jepun danAmerika Syarikat, kita akan lihat betapa majunya sistem kenderaan awam mereka. Negara kita akan meraikan hari kemerdekaan genap 50 tahun beberapa hari lagi. Angka 50 tahun akan menjadi kayu ukur kepada tahap pencapaian kita. Dalam mengolak langkah sebagai sebuah negara maju pada tahun 2020, kita hanya mempunyai 13 tahun lagi. Lihatlah betapa majukita dalam kemudahan kenderaan awam pada hari ini. Namun, apakah ertinya kemajuan tersebut sekiranya terdapat golongan yang tidak dapat menikmatinya?Golongan yang saya maksudkan tidak lain tidak bukan ialah golongan orang kurang upaya (OKU).



Dalam kaitan antara OKU dengan kemudahan kenderaan awam, sudah pasti kumpulan OKU berkerusi roda merupakan kumpulan yang patut diutamakan. Mereka memerlukan satu mekanisma supaya dapat berhubung dengan dunia luar dan masyarakat umum. Bayangkan sekiranya mereka tidak memandu ataupun tidak mempunyai sanak saudara yang sudi membawa mereka keluar, bolehkah mereka menaiki LRT atau komuter kita yang serba canggih? Bas baru kita yang berhawa dingin dengan kerusi selesa yang sedang gah berlegar di kota? Kereta teksi samada yang biasa mahupun yang mewah? Saya percaya setiap langkah untuk mereka masuk mencuba kemajuan kemudahan kenderaan awam tersebut menjadi satu cabaran;cabaran yang sekiranya salah langkah mungkin akan terjatuh, tercederadan membahayakan nyawa mereka. Malah mungkin juga mereka tidak dapatmenggunakannya langsung disebabkan halangan daaripada penggunaan kerusiroda mereka.



Memang tidak dapat dinafikan bahawa ada usaha daripada syarikat yang menyediakan kemudahan kenderaan awam dalam memastikan perkhidmatan mereka mesra OKU. Terdapat kenderaan bas yang melebelkan stiker kerusi roda untuk menunjukkan bas mereka mesra OKU. Hakikatnya ketika artikel ini ditulis, pelaksanaannya belum sempurna, lebel stiker itu hanya sekadar hiasan. Projek tersebut bak kata pepatah "rumah sudah siap,tetapi pahat masih berbunyi". Saya tidak ingin memanjangkan komen disini, bagi persatuan-persatuan OKU yang terlibat dalam usaha menyempurnakannya sahaja yang faham. Bagaimanapun, usaha dan niat murni syarikat bas tersebut boleh dipuji, hanya perlaksanaannya perlu dikaji.Pada pendapat saya tanyalah pengguna kerusi roda cara terbaik untuk mereka boleh menggunakan bas tersebut sebelum melaksanakannya.Walau bagaimanapun, usaha harus dilakukan langkah demi langkah.



Kalau kita lihat antara perkhidmatan kenderaan awam di negara kita, masih terlalu banyak usaha yang harus dilakukan. Saya amat mengkagumi Group CEO syarikat AirAsia, iaitu Dato Tony Fernandes dalam tindakan beliau meningkatkan perkhidmatan penerbangannya baru-baru ini. Selepas mendapat protes daripada persatuan-persatuan OKU disebabkan perkhidmatan AirAsia yang tidak mesra OKU sebelum ini, dalam masa yang amat singkat beliau telah dapat menyelesaikannya dengan baik, malah meningkatkan perkhidmatan AirAsia walaupun memakan belanja yang amat besar. Memang syarikat yang mampu tidak ada masalah dari segi kewangan, tetapi Dato Tony Fernandes melaksanakannya dengan berhemat di mana segala pandangan OKU diambil berat dan dihormati. Syabas AirAsia.Dari segi bantuan kepada OKU pula, usaha yang dilakukan ialah untuk memastikan mereka dapat berdikari dengan sebolehnya.



Bantuan-bantuan tersebut boleh dibahagikan kepada bantuan pelajaran, bantuan pekerjaan,bantuan saraan, dan bantuan rawatan. Namun, pelaksaan setiap bantuan tersebut haruslah memastikan bahawa OKU yang disasar tidak mempunyai masalah untuk ke pusat bantuan berkenaan. Contohnya, OKU diberi diskaun istimewa untuk melanjutkan pelajaran di institusi pendidikan tinggi,namun disebabkan masalah pengangkutan awam, OKU yang berminat tidak dapat ke sana. Jadi pelaksanaannya gagal dan mungkin alasan yang dilaporkan ialah tidak mendapat sambuan daripada OKU.



Jika diselidik, kenderaan awam yang amat diperlukan oleh OKU ialah kenderaan awam yang dapat menghantar mereka "dari pintu kepintu"iaitu perkhidmatan teksi. Malangnya teksi di negara kita bukanlah yang jenis mesra OKU. Walaupun terdapat segelintir pemandu teksi yang amat bermurah hati mengambil pelanggan yang berkerusi roda,namun berapa ramaikah antara mereka? Kadang-kadang masalah yang timbul bukan disebabkan nilai perikemanusiaan mereka, tetapi disebabkan jenis kereta teksi mereka yang tidak dapat mengambil penumpang yang berkerusi roda.Kita telah lihat betapa hebatnya projek meningkat taraf perkhidmatan teksi di negara kita. Kereta-kereta mewah telah pun dijadikan teksi dengan hanya tambahan tambang yang tidak begitu tinggi, kononnya untuk keselesaan penumpang. Namun adakah jenis teksi yang boleh mengambilpenumpang berkerusi roda?



Sekiranya kita bandingkan antara pelaburan untuk membeli kereta mewah sebagai teksi eksekutif berbanding dengan kereta yang boleh dimasuki kerusi roda (wheelchair accessible taxi),yang mana memperlihatkan imej pengusaha yang lebih perihatin?Keperihatinan sesebuah negara terhadap pelaksanaan kebajikan rakyatnya juga menjadi kayu pengukur tahap tamadun dan kematangannya dalam isu kebajikan rakyat.



Berikut adalah penerangan terhadap masalah-masalah tersebut:



1. Sikap pemandu teksi yang merasakan penumpang kerusi roda amat leceh dan melambatkan. Mungkin kebanyakan pemandu teksi mengejar masa kerana bagi mereka makin cepat tindakan mereka maka makin ramailah penumbang yang dapat diangkut pada hari tersebut.



2. Sikap pemandu yang merasakan penumpang kerusi roda amat merumitkan.OKU kerusi roda memang memerlukan orang lain untuk memasukkan kerusi roda mereka di bonet kereta selepas mereka memasuki kereta. Namun,pemandu teksi merasakan penumpang tersebut hanya mendatangkan masalah kepada mereka.



3. Ruang bonet kereta yang terhad disebabkan balang gas. Kita sedia maklum bahawa kereta teksi di sekitar Lembah Klang kebanyakannya menggunakan kuasa NGV. Maka disebabkan balang gas NGV yang mengambil sebahagian ruang bonet, tiada ruang untuk memasukkan kerusi roda.



Usaha menjadikan negara kita berimej sebuah negara perihatin dan penyayang haruslah dipertingkatkan. Jangan usaha-usaha tersebut hanyalah untuk mendapat publisiti atau kepentingan peribadi. Pihak pengusaha juga perlulah melihat bahawa perkhidmatan kenderaan awam mereka sebagai satu tanggungjawab sosial, bukan hanya menitikberatkan keuntungan semata-mata. Ahli masyarakat pula perlulah memahami keperluan OKU untuk keluar bermasyarakat. Jangan salah guna kemudahan yang disediakan khas untuk mereka sebagai kemudahan diri sendiri, contohnya tempat letak kereta untuk OKU, tandas, dan lain-lain.Setiap kali apabila terlihat OKU berkerusi roda dalam kegiatan ditempat-tempat awam, saya terlihat betapa cabaran mereka dalam menempuhi hidup ini berbanding kita yang bebas bergerak. Apabila terlihat prasarana pembangunan di sesuatu tempat yang bersifat mesra OKU,terlintas di fikiran ini betapa bagusnya jika kita semua sama-sama dapat menikmati limpahan pembangunan negara yang tercinta ini, semoga Malaysiaku Mesra OKU.

Gay paksa tukang urut OKU

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gokum/message/3016

Oleh Mohd Sabran Md Sani dan Siti Fatimah Hassan KUALA LUMPUR:

Golongan gay atau homoseksual gersang sanggup membayar 'duit tip' antara RM100 hingga RM200 kepada tukang urut cacat penglihatan semata-mata untuk memuaskan nafsu seks yang sedang bergelora.

Tindakan tidak senonoh golongan terbabit mempergunakan golongan kurang upaya(OKU), menimbulkan perasaan kurang selesa pengamal perubatan tradisional dikalangan orang cacat penglihatan yang mendakwa perkhidmatan ditawar disalahertikan.

Perkara itu didedahkan sendiri seorang daripada tukang urut cacat penglihatan terbabit yang hanya dikenali sebagai Zamri, dengan mendakwa ada di antara golongan terbabit bertindak keterlaluan apabila meminta melakukan perbuatan keji termasuk beronani dan 'urut batin'.

Zamri berkata, kewujudan terlalu banyak pusat urut maksiat di sekitar ibu kota menyebabkan orang ramai turut menganggap golongan senasibnya menawarkan perkhidmatan sama apabila sanggup 'berhabis' berbanding caj urutan biasa."Tidak kira apa bangsa sekali pun, semua mempunyai niat yang satu iaitu semata-mata untuk mendapatkan 'khidmat songsang' daripada kami," katanya kepada Harian Metro, ketika ditemui di Brickfields, di sini.

Selain itu, Zamri berkata kebanyakan mereka itu tanpa segan silu meminta perkhidmatan songsang berkenaan malah yang lebih berani 'meraba-raba' tubuh badan tukang urut buta ketika mengurut golongan terbabit."Perkara seperti ini sering berlaku. Mereka hanya datang dan terus bertanyakan mengenai perkhidmatan itu. Sepatutnya kami yang mengurut mereka, tetapi bertukar sebaliknya apabila mereka pula yang 'mengurut' kami."Mungkin dia ingat orang celik biasa melakukan perkara keji lalu menganggap golongan seperti kami melakukan perbuatan sama, tetapi mereka silap kerana kami bukan tukang urut jenis itu," katanya yang mengusahakan pusat urut di Gombak.

Tindakan itu dikatakan menjadi jalan alternatif bagi mereka yang ingin memuaskan nafsu apabila pusat urut maksiat sedia ada kendalian orang normal sering diserbu pihak berkuasa selain ada pula yang mencari 'selera baru'.Harian Metro difahamkan pusat urut dimaksudkan itu banyak beroperasi di sekitar Pandan Jaya dan Pandan Indah, selain spa gay di ibu kota seperti di Bukit Bintang sering kali menjadi tumpuan golongan songsang terbabit.Malah, pendedahan Harian Metro pada 21 Februari lalu turut menyelongkar mengenai sindiket 'rumah urut gay tempatan' yang dikendalikan individu normal dikesan semakin berani menonjolkan diri dengan memancing pelanggan mewah antarabangsa menerusi panggilan telefon.

Perkhidmatan eksklusif itu ditawarkan terus ke depan pintu dan tukang urut gay idaman akan memberikan perkhidmatan berdasarkan keperluan pelanggan, manakala lokasinya terserah kepada kedua-dua pihak kerana tukang urut dihantar sindiket menggunakan pengangkutan peribadi.Sebelum transaksi bagi dwi perkhidmatan gay termasuk urutan dan teman sosial dipersetujui antara kedua-dua pihak, satu ejen khas yang dilantik sindiket ditugaskan untuk menjadi perantara bagi menerima panggilan tersebut.

Make workplace more disabled-friendly

http://iltcmalaysia.blogspot.com/2008/11/make-workplace-more-disabled-friendly.html

KUCHING: Infrastructure and an environment that is not disabled-friendly is the reason why many employers find it difficult to hire the disabled, said Sarawak Welfare Department director Kendy Edward.

She said an environment that was not disabled-friendly restricted the movement of this group of people.

“The problem is not the qualifications or job offers, but the lack of a disabled-friendly environment, which should be addressed.

“Many employers are keen to hire the disabled, but the environment is not suitable for them,” she told reporters after the closing the Bicara Bestari smart talk programme on the topic Empowering the Disabled, Outlining Success, Proving Ability here recently.

Edward urged employers to provide disabled-friendly facilities to allow them to carry out their tasks with ease, instead of only offering jobs.
She said the employers must provide facilities such as barrier-free zones, ICT facilities and support equipment to allow them to move freely and do their work well.

“I hope those in the public and private sectors will provide the disabled with suitable jobs based on their qualifications and degree of disability as well as access to the workplace,” she said.
To encourage the private sector to hire more disabled persons, Kendy said the state allowed tax reductions for renovations to make offices disabled-friendly.

There are 19,857 disabled people registered with the Sarawak Welfare Department of whom 2,006 are blind, 2,647 deaf, 7,072 physically disabled, 7,196 slow learners and 936 with cerebral palsy.

The Bicara Bestari programme will present its findings to instil care and respect and promote acceptance and openness towards the disabled. – Bernama

Penang to make public transport disabled-friendly by 2010

Penang to make public transport disabled-friendly by 2010

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/12/11/nation/20081211131950&sec=nation

GEORGE TOWN: Penang will be the first Malaysian state to conduct a full audit of its public transport facilities while it develops a comprehensive blueprint to improve the access and mobility of people with disabilities by 2010.

The initiative to boost the economic and social independence of those with disabilities, will be done through a two-year pilot project by the state’s Economic Planning Unit (UPEN) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNPD) to study how to create a barrier free public transportation in Penang.

UNPD Assistant Resident Representative James George Chacko said the ‘Transport for Persons with Disabilities - Support of the Development of Accessible Transport in Penang’ and its access audit on public buses, taxis, trains, ferries and airplanes as well as other infrastructures would lead to the development of a holistic transport improvement strategy that would in turn offer a framework for raising awareness levels in the general public.

“The audit will also look into pick-up points, road pavements and pathways emphasising on inter-connectivity. The findings of this audit will form the basis to develop an accessible public transport improvement master plan.

“The other initiatives to be undertaken in the coming months will include a demand responsive door-to-door transport service in Penang island; capacity building for disabled people in accessing public transportation; disability equality training for front line transport operators; training on access building requirements and universal design for contractors, architects and civil servants; designing a barrier-free bus stop model; and an awareness campaign,” he said at the launching ceremony of the UNPD-UPEN project at Dorsett Penang Hotel on Thursday.

Chacko also said the project was supported by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, and UNPD was confident with the project’s strong rationality, it would receive the necessary financial backing of the Federal Government.

“The project seeks to develop a ‘best practice’ model that we hope can be replicated nationwide,” he added.

State Local Government, Traffic Management and Environment Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow, who launched the project, said the state government was also studying the possibility of drawing up a transport master plan and forming a state transport commission to serve as a one-stop agency responsible for planning, implementation and management if all transport issues in Penang.

“The necessary documents are currently being prepared for submission to the state executive council.

“We hope they will be ready by the end of the month or early next month before we start work on formulating the master plan, which we estimate will take one or two years to draw up and implemented,” he said. - Bernama

Carpark at Bukit Jambul Shopping Complex building

hehehe...i took this picture at BJ sopping complex carpark. This picture has been taken at carpark at ground floor. Why i'm taking this picture.? Actually we find the carpark for disability but cannot found it. I'm interested with this area because it is near to the entrance to this building. For your information, this carpark is not for persons with disability.



So, where are the persons with disability want to park their car? What i mean is for those who have their own car? For me, why not they (the management of this building) put a sticker there and use this area for the disable? I guess this location is strategic for them. It is not only located in front of the entrance to the building but it is also at a ground floor. They don't need to go to a very high level parking area just to find a place to park their car. What do you think? Agree with me...?

What is happen here...?

Apa dah jadi ni...? Silap haribulan ada yg masuk dalam tu pula. cerita ni saya jumpa kat perhentian bas di Sungai Dua, Pulau Pinang. Kalau tak silap kawasan ni baru je "disembuh" dalam tahun lepas (2008) tapi sekarang dah macam ni pula. Apa yang jadi sebenarnya ni...besi untuk tutup lubang tu ada kaki la agaknya boleh berjalan. Yang tu masyarakat kena jawab la terutama sekali individu yang tidak bertanggungjawab kerana mengambil harta awam. Masalah ni sebenarnya masalah sosial juga...tapi apa yang saya nak tekankan kat sini sekarang ialah masalah yang akan timbul kesan daripada tindakan individu yang tidak bertanggungjawab.


Macam mana kalau OKU yang cacat penglihatan(buta) lalu kat kawasan ni. Bayangkanlah apa yang akan terjadi. Walaupun mereka ada tongkat...mereka tak akan menjangka ada lubang yang besar di hadapan mereka. Apa akan jadi kalau mereka terjatuh dalam lubang tu... dah baik orang letak besi untuk tutup lubang tu, senang-senang pula orang lain angkat ye...? Dah tu diganti pula dengan tong sampah jadi penutup.


Tengokla gambar kat bawah ni...letak ranting dengan plastik kat situ berkesan ke? Yela, kalau siang ok la kot orang boleh nampakkan. Tapi bayangkanlah waktu malam. Untuk pengetahuan semua, kawasan ni agak gelap tau. Silap-silap ada yang termasuk dalam tu kalau baru pertama kali lalu kat perhentian bas ni. Memang parah betul la... masalah ni bukan hanya mendatangkan kesusahan kepada individu OKU yang lalu kat kawasan ni malah turut memberi masalah kepada masyarakat awam yang lain.

Ok, sekarang kita tengok pula gambar kat bawah ni. Masih di tempat yang sama lagi. Apa yang saya nak tunjukkan kat sini ialah keluasan ruang . Bagi saya ruang kosong tu sangat sempit apatah lagi bila penutup lubang tu dah hilang, bertambah lagi la kesempitan lorong tersebut. Saya rasa telefon awam ni sangat tidak sesuai diletakkan di situ. Apa pendapat korang?

Lorong ni memang sah la kalau ada OKU yang guna kerusi roda memang tak dapat nak lalu. Selain itu perhentian bas ni juga memang tak mesra OKU. Pada pendapat korang la kan...macam mana la agak-agaknya perhentian bas yang boleh kitaanggap sebagai mesra OKU. Agak-agaknya apa kriteria yang perlu ditekankan dan macam mana pula reka bentuk yang sesuai. Kalau ada cadangan boleh la kita bincang2 kat sini...hehehe. Terima kasih kerana meluangkan masa untuk membaca celoteh ni.