Discrimination among persons with disability (2)

The Housing Authority's reply is beyond belief after people who requested information from its customer care unit were told that assistance for capital works covering the installation of lifts and vertical lifting platforms for disabled persons in private homes was non-existent.

I had been hoping for EU standards and for increased social support without too much hassle, only to be dismayed by the situation we are facing today on this matter. There are persons who cannot sit unsupported, let alone stand. Can anyone from the authority tell me how we can place these children on a stair lift to take them upstairs safely?

The authorities are using the excuse that the country is tight on finances and is taking advantage of the public's generosity. Families in private residences having persons with a disability have to rely quite heavily on the Community Chest Fund, which is trying as best as it can to relieve social problems.

The means testing in Scheme 7 is such that to benefit the owner of a house cannot have assets exceeding Lm10,000. Why can't families with disabled persons have assets and also be entitled to assistance? Right now they are being excluded and hence penalised if they have a garage, an inherited property or a summerhouse in addition to investments like other people.

Entitlement to the relatively minor assistance proposed should be mainly based on extra costs and needs due to the nature of the certified, relatively serious, disability.

It is strange that the government provides funds for VAT grants on musical instruments, electrical cars and solar heaters to all without any means testing.

God forbid that people lose their sense of charity. It is important because at some time or another we will all need the love and help of others. This perspective is important but the authorities are using this situation to try to rid themselves of responsibility.