‘People with disability’ – putting the person first

THE population of people with disabilities (PWDs) has long been under-recognised, underserved and often generalised as a universal figure in a wheelchair.

The latest statistics from Malaysia’s Department of Social Welfare indicate the country had 548,195 individuals who registered a disability in 2019; this figure is expected to rise in tandem with the global trend of instilling disability awareness among the public. There is improved access to care for PWDs, enabling this cohort to live longer while facing a lower risk of comorbidities.