A CRITICAL REVIEW OF THE RIGHTS, ACCESSIBILITY, AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR PERSONS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS IN MALAYSIA

Abstract

Malaysia possesses a policy framework that reflects a commitment to the principles of equality, inclusivity, and justice. However, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) continue to face various constraints, ranging from physical barriers and the built environment to social and bureaucratic dimensions, which collectively create a state of persistent marginalization. Limitations in accessing knowledge resources, justice services, mainstream education systems, and equal economic opportunities have resulted in PWDs remaining sidelined from the nation's development mainstream. Therefore, the need to re-evaluate the effectiveness of policy implementation, legal instruments, and administrative practices has become a vital agenda in the discourse of national inclusivity. This study aims to analyze knowledge gaps, structural flaws, and institutional constraints that still limit the achievement of rights and the well-being of the visually impaired. This research also proposes that more progressive and sustainable systemic reforms must be established to align with Malaysia's aspiration to build a society that is truly inclusive, responsive, and capable of embracing the diverse needs of all its citizens. To achieve these objectives, a qualitative approach was employed, utilizing document analysis of both primary and secondary data. The document search covered the period from 2015 to 2025 and was conducted through Google Scholar, MyJurnal, Scopus, official Malaysian government portals, the Department of Social Welfare website, and relevant legal databases. The collected data were then analyzed thematically and organized according to the research sub-themes. Thematic analysis involved coding and categorizing relevant documents to identify key themes, recurring patterns, and gaps in policy implementation. The findings indicate that access to education, employment, the legal system, and public infrastructure remains limited and inconsistent. A lack of institutional support, societal stereotypes, weak law enforcement, and the inadequacy of assistive technology have hindered the true potential of PWDs to participate equitably in society. Consequently, a new, holistic, and cross-disciplinary approach guided by empirical methodology is urgently required to build an inclusive society that is genuinely responsive to the needs of PWDs.

Malaysia memiliki rangka dasar yang menzahirkan komitmen terhadap prinsip kesaksamaan, inklusiviti dan keadilan. Namun begitu golongan Orang Kurang Upaya (OKU) terus berhadapan dengan pelbagai bentuk kekangan iaitu daripada halangan fizikal dan persekitaran binaan, hinggalah kepada dimensi sosial dan birokratik, yang secara kolektif mewujudkan keadaan marginalisasi berterusan. Keterbatasan dalam mengakses sumber ilmu pengetahuan, perkhidmatan keadilan, sistem pendidikan arus perdana serta peluang ekonomi yang setara mengakibatkan golongan OKU terus terpinggir daripada arus pembangunan negara. Oleh itu, keperluan untuk menilai semula keberkesanan pelaksanaan dasar, instrumen perundangan, dan amalan pentadbiran menjadi agenda penting dalam wacana inklusiviti nasional amat diperlukan. Kajian ini bertujuan menganalisis jurang pengetahuan, kecacatan struktur, serta kekangan institusi yang masih membataskan pencapaian hak dan kesejahteraan OKU penglihatan.  Kajian ini turut mencadangkan reformasi sistemik yang lebih progresif dan lestari perlu diwujudkan agar sejajar dengan aspirasi Malaysia untuk membina sebuah masyarakat yang benar-benar inklusif, responsif dan berkeupayaan merangkum kepelbagaian keperluan setiap warganya. Bagi mencapai objektif tersebut, pendekatan kualitatif, iaitu analisis dokumen terhadap data primer dan sekunder digunakan. Carian dokumen meliputi tempoh 2015 hingga 2025 melalui Google Scholar, MyJurnal, Scopus, portal rasmi kerajaan Malaysia, laman sesawang Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat serta pangkalan data perundangan yang berkaitan. Data yang dikumpulkan kemudiannya dianalisis secara tematik dan disusun mengikut subtema kajian. Analisis tematik melibatkan pengekodan dan pengkategorian dokumen yang berkaitan bagi mengenal pasti tema utama, pola berulang dan jurang pelaksanaan dasar. Hasil kajian menunjukkan bahawa akses kepada pendidikan, pekerjaan, sistem perundangan, dan prasarana awam masih terhad dan tidak konsisten. Kekurangan sokongan institusi, stereotaip masyarakat, kelemahan penguatkuasaan undang-undang, serta ketidakcukupan teknologi bantu telah mengekang potensi sebenar golongan OKU untuk berpartisipasi secara saksama dalam masyarakat. Justeru, pendekatan baharu yang holistik, rentas bidang, dan berpandukan metodologi empirikal adalah amat diperlukan bagi membina masyarakat inklusif yang benar-benar responsif terhadap keperluan OKU.