Aid must be given to the needy

In our annual celebrations, we do remember and observe Children's Day, Labour Day and Women's Day but not the International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPwD).
The IDPwD is held every Dec 3, with the aim to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disabilities and celebrate their achievements and contributions.
However, since it was celebrated in 1992, we have rarely seen any big or prominent celebration being held officially to ignite awareness of the predicament of those who are disabled.
I believe that the International Day of People with Disabilities is oblivious. Months ago, the ruling government was talking about amending provisions of laws to reflect the contemporary social requirements of the community.
Therefore, it is high time it looked into the necessity of amending provisions to benefit the disabled.
The law provisions of non-categorisation or non-classification of grouping of disabled people need to be revised. The present laws have not categorically differentiated physical disabilities of those registered as disabled.
Whether they are bed-ridden, have had a hand or a leg amputated, or are able to walk with a walking stick, they are all grouped together and receive the same and equal amount of monetary assistance from the Welfare Department without any difference in rate of payment.
Therefore, only with a clear classification of disabled people, be they handicapped, bed-ridden or using a walking stick, can the basis for the distribution of the monthly grant be fairly matched.
Apparently, a monthly grant of about RM400 may be sufficient for a cripple but not for an elderly disabled person who constantly requires diapers for changing, especially for the physically disabled and handicapped.
Hopefully, the marginalisation and inequality of the disabled can be gradually reduced. People with disabilities may prove positively productive if given due attention and assistance.