Perhaps unsurprisingly, non-communicable diseases (NCD) — namely long-term health conditions that are not caused by acute infection — tend to affect PWDs at a disproportionately higher rate compared to abled individuals. This is a significant concern, given that such vulnerabilities in health can worsen the unique challenges that PWDs tend to face. In a bid...

There’s no denying that the accessibility of public transportation in Malaysia, specifically rail-based transportation, has improved significantly across several decades. For example, local PWDs – or more specifically, OKU card holders – have been able to enjoy access to LRT, MRT and Rapid Bus services around the Klang Valley, all without having to pay a...

Many PWDs can relate to the difficulty of dealing with people who lack empathy toward their disability. The consequences of lacking empathy extend far beyond simply hurting someone’s feelings. It can isolate and demotivate people, including those with disabilities, potentially hindering them from excelling at various aspects of their lives. By contrast, having the ability...

Despite being well into the age of digital technology, there is still much to be done in order to make digital content – particularly online accessibility – more accessible for people with disabilities. In Malaysia specifically, the push for disability-inclusive digitalisation exists, though its impact is somewhat limited, resulting in many local PWDs not having...

Access to affordable, healthy food – regardless of cultural, social and economic status – is of tantamount importance for the wellbeing of any society. Yet access to this basic need — in other words, having food security — is unequal across different demographics. PWDs in particular have a significantly greater likelihood of suffering from food...

While everyone should adopt a healthy diet, it is particularly important for people with disabilities (PWD). Generally speaking, PWDs have a higher chance of suffering from chronic health conditions compared to their abled counterparts. Healthy eating can help an individual manage their disability more effectively. By contrast, eating the wrong foods regularly can worsen one’s...

Ironically, people have learnt plenty of misconceptions surrounding learning disabilities. These assumptions can be rather harmful, not just to someone with a learning disability, but also to those that are close to them, such as friends and family. A misguided opinion, even with the best intentions, can easily lead to improper treatment or responses when...

Both physical and learning disabilities may be more common than many people realise. Yet despite its commonality – not just within Malaysia but around the world – there are millions of us that remain unaware about the risks, challenges and other facts surrounding disability. In a bid to make this topic become more common knowledge, here...

A child’s potential learning disabilities should never be ignored. Negligence or lack of treatment in this regard can compromise a child’s well-being, whether it be socially, emotionally or intellectually. It’s estimated that approximately 10% of all Malaysians have some form of learning disability, with a third of that percentage being children younger than 15 years...

Phantom limb pain is a type of phantom limb sensation (PLS). It is the perception of pain or discomfort in a limb, even if that limb is actually missing. Because this phenomenon is still considered somewhat mysterious outside the medical field, many laymen have misconceptions on what’s true about phantom limb pain. Here are some...