KUALA LUMPUR – For more than a decade, the visually impaired community in Brickfields has grappled with a multitude of challenges exacerbated by the growing traffic congestion, deteriorating tactile pavements and other infrastructure.
Despite many complaints over the years, the individuals are still encountering difficulties when attempting to traverse the streets and sidewalks, significantly impeding their mobility and overall safety.
Among the main concerns raised is the evident neglect of the tactile pavements, which hold paramount importance in facilitating their movement.
Mohammad Hsoberi, a resident who is visually impaired, is among those who expressed frustration over the matter, as Brickfields has a high concentration of inhabitants from his community.
“The constant obstruction by parked motorcycles makes it nearly impossible for us to navigate safely. It puts our lives at risk,” the 60-year-old said.
“It’s sad to see that motorcyclists are not bothered or compassionate about our situation. The pavement is meant for us to use, not for random motorcyclists and food trucks to trespass.”
Kamarul Idwan, another resident who is visually impaired, highlighted that the tactile pavements in the area are severely mismanaged, exhibiting signs of damage and neglect.
“Sometimes I end up putting my walking stick into the wrong side of the road due to the bad pavement, and I tend to fall sometimes while trying to walk along it,” Kamarul said.
John Lee, a Brickfields resident who is also a tissue seller, said heavy traffic congestion gives him anxiety whenever he attempts to cross the road.
“The chaotic streets make me feel scared whenever I leave my home. Brickfields is full of cars, and I get nervous hearing car honks when crossing the roads,” John said.
“I usually try to get help from people around me to cross the road, and I must say that pedestrians are very helpful and kind compared to all the reckless drivers out there.”
In addition to the challenges faced by pedestrians with special needs, Adrian Tan criticised the insufficient time provided for crossing the road.
“We only have a mere 19-second countdown at traffic lights. The short crossing time makes it incredibly challenging for us to reach the other side of the road,” Adrian said.
“It’s not enough to ensure our safety, especially when drivers and riders are often unsympathetic and impatient. We prefer the old system where there was a 30-second countdown at traffic lights.”
Speaking with Scoop, Malaysian Association For The Blind (MAB) Public Affairs & International Relations chief, Irfan Ghazali reiterated that the association is committed to working closely with relevant authorities to address the challenges faced by visually impaired residents in Brickfields.
“We will continue to engage in discussions and meetings with authorities to push for the maintenance and improvement of the pavements, increase awareness among motorcyclists, and recommend the implementation of accessible features like audible crossing signals and tactile paving,” Irfan said.
Meanwhile, Vani Jayaram, a clinic assistant who works at Klinik Cheah in Jalan Tun Sambanthan, highlighted the fact that a number of elderly citizens and members from the blind community were inconvenienced by the inoperative elevator at a pedestrian bridge at a busy stretch of the road.
The bridge, which was constructed by Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) in 2013, has been a source of frustration for those who are affected, Vani said.
“I often receive complaints from senior citizens and patients from the blind community regarding the non-functional bridge, and it truly saddens me. The elevator has not been operational since 2016, leading to seven years of inconvenience. I sincerely hope that DBKL will reconsider their stance and take action to fix and restart the lift service, as it would greatly benefit these individuals,” Vani said.
Scoop has reached out to DBKL to gain comments on the condition of infrastructure for the blind community in Brickfields. – August 25, 2023