Accessibility Infrastructure for Person with Disabilities in Public Higher Education Buildings in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Abstract
2
The rights for the Persons with Disabilities (PWD) are gradually considered in Malaysia which includes the rights for accessibility within these facilities and infrastructure for education and employment. Malaysia has established several acts, policies and guidelines to ensure the rights of the PWD are adhered to in order to create a barrier-free and universal design creating equal accessibility for all communities. Although these policies and acts are established, facilities and infrastructure for PWD in the public universities in Malaysia are still lacking. This paper is analysed in a structured observation of the PWD accessibility and facilities at two (2) public universities in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia. The data collected are then verified to its adherence to the existing regulation provided in Malaysia. It aims to assess whether the facilities provided for PWD comply with the relevant policies and design guidelines established in Malaysia. The findings of the study show a lack of compliance for accessibility on some facilities and infrastructures. Therefore, the research delineates areas and actions to improve the PWD facilities in higher education buildings.
References
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Abdul Rahim, Asiah, Abd Samad, N. A., Said, I., & Seman, W. M. A. (2017). Malaysian Plan of Action for People with Disabilities 2016-2022: Way forward. Presented at UIA 2017 Seoul World Architects Congress, Seoul, South Korea.
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Tan, C., Abdullah, M. N. L. Y., & Shuib, M. (2019). Policies and practices governing disability in Malaysia’s higher education: A comparison with England and Australia. Journal of International Cooperation in Education, 8(2), 85-101
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Watchorn, V., Hitch, D., Tucker, R., Frawley, P., Aedy, K., & Grant, C. (2022). Evaluating universal design of built environments: an empirical study of stakeholder practice and perceptions. Journal of Housing and the Built Environment, 38(3), 1491–1510. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10901-022-09981-x
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Yusof et al, 2014, Universal Design Practice in Malaysia: Architect’s Perceptions of its Terminology, https://www.ud2014.se/wpcontent/uploads/submissions/ud2014_submission_70.pdf
Abdul Rahim, Asiah, Abd Samad, N. A., Said, I., & Seman, W. M. A. (2017). Malaysian Plan of Action for People with Disabilities 2016-2022: Way forward. Presented at UIA 2017 Seoul World Architects Congress, Seoul, South Korea.
Ahmed, A., & Zakaria, A. (2014). The response of accessibility infrastructures for PWD to national disability policies in higher institutions of developing countries: Case study of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. Journal of Social Change and Policy, 5(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.22452/jscp/vol5no1.1
Amin, A. S., Md Zuki, S. Z., & Md Akhir, N. (2019). Accessibility to facilities for persons with disabilities at public institutes of higher learning. International Journal of Recent Technology and Engineering (IJRTE), 8(2S10), 2277-3878.
Bila, G. C., & Lawal, U. S. (2023). BARRIER AND ACCESS ENHANCEMENT STRATEGIES FOR DISABILITY INCLUSION. SPECIAL NEEDS EDUCATION FROM THE LENS OF INTERDISCIPLINARY DIALOGUE, 2(1). https://journals.ezenwaohaetorc.org/index.php/AFHOPEO/article/view/2481
Fossey, E., Chaffey, L., Venville, A., Ennals, P., Douglas, J., & Bigby, C. (2015). Supporting Tertiary Students with Disabilities: Individualised and Institution-Level Approaches in Practice. Research Report. National Centre for Vocational Education Research. http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED561748.pdf
Gayle-Geddes, A. (2015). The globality of disability, human rights, and development disability and inequality. New York: Springer.
Hussein, H., & Yaacob, N. (2014). Development of accessible design in Malaysia. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 68, 121-133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.12.212
Maidin, A.J. (2012, January 26). Legal Framework Regulating for Improving Accessibility to Built Environment for Disabled Persons in Malaysia.
Malaysia Standard MS 1331: Code of Practice for Access of Disabled Persons Outside Buildings (2003). Minister of International Trade and Industry, Standards of Malaysia Act 1996 [Act 549]. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Department of Standards Malaysia.
Malaysia Standard MS 1184: Universal Design and Accessibility in the Built Environment (2014). Minister of International Trade and Industry, Standards of Malaysia Act 1996 [Act 549]. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Department of Standards Malaysia.
Malaysia. (2022). Uniform Building By-Laws, 1984 [G.N. 5178/85]: As at 20th August 2022. In International Law Book Services.
Okurightsmatter. (2022). Tertiary education for persons with disabilities. Retrieved July 17, 2024, from https://okurightsmatter.com/tertiary-education/
Persons with Disabilities Act, 2008 (Act 685). (2008). Persons with Disabilities Act, page 9. Government of Malaysia.
Persson, H., Åhman, H., Yngling, A. A., & Gulliksen, J. (2014). Universal design, inclusive design, accessible design, design for all: Different concepts—one goal? On the concept of accessibility—historical, methodological and philosophical aspects. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.
Tan, C., Abdullah, M. N. L. Y., & Shuib, M. (2019). Policies and practices governing disability in Malaysia’s higher education: A comparison with England and Australia. Journal of International Cooperation in Education, 8(2), 85-101
United Nations. (2006). Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Treaty Series, 2515, 3.
Watchorn, V., Hitch, D., Tucker, R., Frawley, P., Aedy, K., & Grant, C. (2022). Evaluating universal design of built environments: an empirical study of stakeholder practice and perceptions. Journal of Housing and the Built Environment, 38(3), 1491–1510. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10901-022-09981-x
We need an integrated approach to inclusion in higher education. (2024, February 14). THE Campus Learn, Share, Connect. https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/we-need-integrated-approach-inclusion-higher-education
Yusof et al, 2014, Universal Design Practice in Malaysia: Architect’s Perceptions of its Terminology, https://www.ud2014.se/wpcontent/uploads/submissions/ud2014_submission_70.pdf
Published
2024-09-30
How to Cite
GLORY ALBERT, Merrylove; HUSAINI, Nur Atiqah; AHMAD, Afiqah.
Accessibility Infrastructure for Person with Disabilities in Public Higher Education Buildings in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
International Journal of Business and Technology Management, [S.l.], v. 6, n. S1, p. 16-24, sep. 2024.
ISSN 2682-7646.
Available at: <https://myjms.mohe.gov.my/index.php/ijbtm/article/view/27665>. Date accessed: 19 may 2025.
Section
English Section
