By Amirul Syafiq Yusri
GOMBAK, 29 September 2021: Three panelists shared their respective insights on challenges faced by the disabled community in conjunction with the Ta’aruf Week on Tuesday (28 September).
The panelists were Ridzwan Warisi and Zaim Nur, both students from Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws (AIKOL), and Dr. Nor Azizan Che Embi, a lecturer from Kulliyyah of Economic and Management Sciences (KENMS).
The one-hour panel discussion focused on three different perspectives of disability and the challenges faced by people with disability.
Moderated by Head of IIUM Disability Services Unit (DSU), Prof. Dr. Ruzita Mohd Amin, the panel discussion was aimed to introduce the unit’s vision in providing support services for the disabled community to the new intake students.
As a person with visual impairment, Ridzwan Warisi shared his experience in dealing with his own disability where he said he had to accept the challenge he frequently faced being a disabled.
Ridwan shared that it is difficult for someone who is detached from disability to really connect with the community.
He said many people assumed that he is normal as his disability is not apparent. Because of this, it is hard for people around him to understand and accept him as a person with disability, he added.
Meanwhile, Zaim Nur who was a DSU volunteer for four years, said that being engaged in the discussion on disability is a challenge in its own. He said the lack of awareness among society has also made the process of accommodating people with disability difficult.
According to him, with little to no effort from the majority to genuinely address disability issues, there will be a lack of responsibility shown towards them, and the tendency to use them as props to sell the idea of inclusivity.
As a parent to a child with multiple disabilities, Dr. Nor Azizan expressed her concern about bullying. She said her daughter was teased despite the school’s initiative to create a conducive environment for students with disabilities.
All three panelists shared their hopes to create a better understanding among the community towards people with disability, and a better environment for their education.
Ridzwan expressed the hope for change to happen within individuals themselves and for regulations to be improved as well. He added that those who needed help to not be afraid to reach out to DSU.
Dr. Nor Azizan encouraged the audience especially the new-intake students to be kind to everyone regardless of their abilities. She said, “If you want others to treat you well, that is also what you need to do.”
The session, streamed live on YouTube, was informative and had addressed various issues regarding disability.
Prof. Dr. Ruzita welcomed students who are interested to become volunteers for DSU where applications can be made through email to dsu@iium.edu.my. ***