By Syifarida Muhamad Zaki
Photo by Noor Azreen Awang
SERDANG, June 19 – The Institute of Social Science Studies (IPSAS), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), organized a workshop, Disability Equality Training, aimed at empowering the youths and to inculcate love for the disabled.IPSAS Head of Laboratory, Dr. Nor
Wahiza Abdul Wahat said there were people out there who still could not accept the handicapped whom they described as burdensome.
“There are just too many negative connotations hurled against my disabled students by people, just by looking at their physical deformities.
“The society should be supporting the handicapped so that they have more confidence in themselves and become useful.
“The disabled should be given the chance to work and they must no longer be regarded as people who are just seeking donations or selling tissue papers only,” said Dr. Nor Wahiza who is also a member of the President Advisory Council and Head of Members of Persatuan Orang Kota Bharu (POKB).
The workshop featured impaired-vision Mohd Hafiz Halim, who is OKB Deputy President, as speaker.
From the workshop, participants could understand the causes and situations which led to disability issues such as physical deterrents, social isolation, discrimination and perception. Participants could also plan how to get the involvement of the disabled into the society. – UPM.