KOTA KINABALU: The number of persons with disabilities (PWD) registered in Sabah increased from 25,830 in 2013 to 32,258 last year.
Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid said it was important to raise awareness in registering disabled children to ensure that they got all the assistance allocated by the government.
“We cannot stop here, but continue our efforts to have more awareness programmes, especially in the rural areas.
“Registered PWDs will have their own special cards where they can use them for several facilities and assistance from various government departments in the country,” she told reporters after handing over certificates to participants of the Cheshire Home pastry course at Likas Square Apartment yesterday.
She said in Budget 2015, many working PWDs would be getting additional allocations from the government, especially with the announcement to increase the monthly working allowance to RM350, from RM300.
The RM350 allowance is given to PWDs earning below RM1,200.
Jainab also said the Education Ministry had also allocated a monthly aid of RM150 for PWDs in primary and secondary schools, and RM300 for students in higher learning institutions.