Persons with disabilities (PWD) in Malaysia continue to be marginalised, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) said today.

The watchdog said that discrimination and inequality faced by the disabled are taking place despite Malaysia’s enactment of the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 (Act 685) and the ratification of the Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2010.

It took three hours to clear up nearly four tonnes of garbage from a senior citizen’s house, who had been living among the mountains of trash for the past several years.

Au Yang Sui Hong, 76, who is visually impaired, and his daughter and only child, Au Yang Kar Yan, 31, who is also an OKU (disabled person), have had no choice but to endure the squalid conditions of their house located at Jalan Han Hui Foong in Temiang, for the past 13 years after the passing of the former’s wife.

Family support and the opportunity to learn things at his own pace have helped build his confidence and subsequently enabled Donovan Choo (pic), who has Asperger’s Syndrome, to work.

Choo, 28, said that his parents played a big role in guiding him and helping him to be as independent as possible.

Microsoft’s Saqib Shaikh’s app for the visually impaired promises to make the world more accessible. To those yet unfamiliar, through his Seeing-AI app, the visual world has become an audible experience to blind people.

Nor Zaidah Ab Rahman, 42, became handicapped after a road accident in 2010 but was determined not to let the disability defeat her.

“WHILE I cannot do things that many people can do, it is not an excuse … my dream is to have my own design studio and to become an entrepreneur. It’s easy to say, and not impossible to make it happen. One thing is certain, I have to work harder than everyone else.”

These are the words of Ainaa Farhannah, 22, who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy, which progressively affects her muscle control. While she struggles with simple tasks many of us take for granted, Ainaa is not hampered by what she cannot do — instead she fights harder than anyone else, for her right to a full life.

They say love is blind. And in the case of Norazliza Mohd Resident, she has gone through various ups and downs and made plenty of sacrifices to marry Mohammad Syukrie Sahmad, who is visually-impaired.

Norazliza, 38, says, their journey towards building a life together has not always been easy.

The first dental conference for people with disabilities was launched on Saturday (Nov 25).

Women, Family and Community Development minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said it was an important conference for one of the Ministry’s target groups.

Like any other children, Brenda Anellia Larry can wash, cook and do all sorts of house chores on her own.

The only difference for Brenda is that she does all these things, and many more, without arms.

Often times, in the excitement of the announcements of exam results like the Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR), it is the high scorers who get the limelight.

But for school teachers, there is a sense of accomplishment to be had from the students on the periphery who exceed expectations.