Perspectives from a wheelchair user
From thestar.com.my (13 Dec 2007):
… valuable lessons for the able-bodied, especially when it comes to organising programmes for the disabled.
Here are some of the jottings from my notebook:
Set up a disabled/elderly hospitality committee: This is the first thing that needs to be done considering the specific needs of the handicapped. Invite a disabled or elderly person you know to offer input. If one is not available, try putting yourself into the shoes of a wheelchair user, or a blind or deaf person. Consider each and every angle from their point of view.
The show starts at the car park, not at the event hall: Even though we had arranged for our able-bodied volunteers to accompany us to the concert, some inevitably couldn’t turn up on time or were caught in traffic. At Sunway, some of us were stuck in our cars for some time. Fortunately, friendly university security staff or students passing by came to our rescue. Although the organisers had done the right thing by alerting the security about our arrival and providing them with our car number plates, contingency plans can save the day. A standby team armed with mobile phones should be posted. They should remain there until all the disabled guests have arrived.
Meanwhile, I was delighted to see wheelchair ramps at Sunway. However, some of them were a little steep. This would make it difficult for students with disabilities to manage on their own.
Another feature for the university to consider is voice-activated doors. This would be of great benefit to physically disabled persons with profound disabilities.
Reserved disabled parking a must: St Andrew’s initially told us that they couldn’t guarantee reserved parking lots for us at the church’s entrance for fear that their able-bodied members might get upset that their spaces had been taken. But in the end the church decided to get tough with its parishioners by blocking three parking spots for us.
