Don’t be shy to register your disabled children, parents told

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Rohani (fourth right) and Norah (third left) exchange greetings with the villagers on their arrival.

Rohani riding pillion to SK Kampung Tekajong after the function.

Rohani explains to the villagers the meaning of intellectual disability.

A section of the villagers who attended the function.

Women folk of Kampung Tekajong pose for the camera.

Villagers pray for the victims who died in the Daro longboat tragedy.

PULAU BRUIT: Parents must not let shyness stop them from reporting or registering their disabled children with the Welfare Department.

In giving this advice, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim said being registered with the department would ensure the disabled children receive special privileges.

“Parents often shy away from registering their disabled children out of unduly shame.

“There is nothing to be ashamed of when you have disabled persons in the family because they are a gift from God to test us,” she said before presenting cash aid to the Jan 18 Daro longboat tragedy victims and their families at Kampung Tekajong community hall here on Monday.

Sixteen victims who survived the tragedy each received RM300 to RM500 while the families of the 11 drowned victims received RM1,500 each.

The aid was from National Welfare Foundation.

Tanjong Manis MP Datuk Norah Tun Rahman and Assistant Minister of Welfare Robert Lawson Chuat accompanied Rohani.

Rohani also said some families did not know that they had disabled people among them because they misunderstood the term ‘disabilities’.

She said before she joined the ministry, she too had misconstrued that people with disabilities were only those physically disabled, mute, blind and deaf.

“In fact, those with learning problem or autism and hyperactive are also categorised as people with intellectual disabilities.

“So if your children show any of the signs, do not wait to report to the Welfare Department or school authority.

“They will be assessed by doctors and if confirmed, will be provided with OKU card which entitles them to many privileges,” she explained.

She said registered OKU (people with disabilities) were eligible for financial assistance, free medical treatment at government hospitals or clinics, discounted air tickets and many others.

Furthermore, she said special education classes could be set up in schools if there was sufficient number of disabled pupils reported there.

Earlier, Norah requested for a special school to be set up in Kampung Tekajong.