The OKU (persons with different abilities) Card is in the works, said Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad in a message in conjunction with International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD) 2023.
The minister said according to the Community Development Department (JAPEM), 5,617 individuals receive the disability allowance and 1,090 with the care provider allowance.
With the implementation of the Persons with Disabilities Act 2021, JAPEM and the Ministry of Health set up a National Registration for Persons with Disabilities which attracted 1,536 individuals to register.
Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi said preparations for the OKU Card are on going, including discussions with government agencies and the Council for the Welfare of Persons with Different Abilities over the card design and benefits for cardholders.
The minister said this year’s IDPWD focuses on United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and how the community can work to make the world more equitable for all individuals, including OKU, by the year 2030.
Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi said this year’s celebration is highlighted by the Inclusive Fun Fest at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien held yesterday.
The minister also listed recent achievements including an increase in OKU’s participation in the job market due to efforts by government agencies, particularly the Manpower Planning and Employment Council. Mostly notably, he added, 66 private sector jobs were offered to OKU at the Career Expo 2023.
The Ministry of Education’s Department of Special Education launched a special education framework and a Guidebook for Parents and Teachers on Special Education on February 2, while Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam was certified as the first private school to offer special education to children with different abilities at kindergarten and primary school levels.
Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi called on the community to reinforce passion and determination to help OKU achieve a high quality of life, particularly in planning and implementing education, health, social, digital, economic and sport initiatives.
“Let us all come together and strive to enhance their quality of life, and ensure that they continue to contribute to nation building thus help us get closer to realising Brunei Vision 2035,” said the minister. – James Kon
