Page 7 - Mainstreamer e-Magazine Volume 1, Issue 3 - August 2023

GROUND TO COVER

and enable an accessible environment to
help PWDs be more active citizens and be
keen to be engaged in the political life of
their communities. More importantly, the
critical issue that needs to be addressed
at the early stage is increasing awareness
towards the right of PWDs to participate in
political life.
• In short, political engagement should be
considered an essential right of PWDs.
Empowering PWDs to participate in
political life will play a crucial role in
boosting their social inclusion strongly and
comprehensively. When PWDs contribute
to decision-making, their community’s
needs are represented truly and deeply. To
realise this desire, PWDs need to overcome
themselves, especially self-confidence,
gain trust from society, and improve their
knowledge; relevant parties need to facilitate
favourable conditions for PWDs to get
involved in political activities; an accessible
environment and materials must be enabled;
the flexible adjustments and access audit
need to be implemented frequently and
continuously. Last but not least, the legal
framework needs to be reformed to ensure
that the political engagement rights of PWDs
are exercised fully and seriously.

The author is currently working on a family-oriented
project, where he works with parents caring for a child
with disability. He facilitates these families on ways to
help and form an inclusive life for their children. He enjoys
reading domestic and international materials, be it books
or journal articles.

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