Design flaw: Penang Society of Disabled Persons president Datuk Teh Lay Kuan (left) and a member showing how the improperly built pavement at the Penang International Airport’s carpark entrance makes it difficult for wheelchair users. — LO TERN CHERN/The Star
ALMOST seven months after it opened on April 1, the seven- storey carpark of Penang International Airport (PIA) in Bayan Lepas is still getting complaints.
The disabled community, especially those who are wheelchair-bound, are finding it challenging to move around the RM70mil building.
Penang Society of Disabled Persons president Datuk Teh Lay Kuan said building requirements to accommodate people with disabilities (PWD), at the carpark, were not up to standard and had failed to factor in universal design elements.
People with disabilities say building requirements of the RM70mil carpark are not up to standard and do not accommodate their needs. — Filepic
She cited as an example, the gutter drain along the path from the main entrance to parking bays for the disabled.
“Wheelchairs with small wheels might get stuck in the gap. There must be a drain cover to ensure that doesn’t happen.
“Ramps into the building, at the front and back, are too steep and such a design poses risks to wheelchair users.
“We may topple over or face difficulty going up and down safely, especially at the entrance of the building where there is oncoming traffic.”
The parking area for the disabled is obstructed by plastic road barriers.
Teh said toilets for the disabled, on certain floors of the building, were locked.
Those that were open had “heavy” swivel doors and lacked handrails inside, she said.
“There is a steep ‘drop’ into the toilets and this is not friendly for wheelchair users. If we get in, we may not be able to get out.”
Teh said she hoped that the authorities would look into the needs of the disabled community, adding that such provisions would enable more disabled persons to enjoy their rightful place in society.
Teh showing how the wheelchair wheel gets stuck in a small drain at the ground floor entrance. — Photos: LO TERN CHERN, ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
Recently, a carpark user listed on social media the issues faced by the disabled groups.
Among the problems highlighted was the small ramp in front of parking bays for the disabled, which had been blocked by barricades.
A few netizens expressed disappointment with the design flaws, while some urged PIA operator Malaysia Airport Holdings Bhd (MAHB) to resolve the issues.
Facebook user Boo Soon Yew said the demarcated PWD parking bays were close to lifts and toilets.
However, he said metal bollards, placed to prevent illegal parking, had become a hazard for the wheelchair-bound.
Consumers Association of Penang urged the state government to ensure that the universal design concept was adopted in all buildings and facilities.
The height of floor from the toilet for the disabled is uneven at the entrance and too steep despite being fitted with a small ramp.
Its president Mohideen Abdul Kader said this would ensure that the places were accessible by people of all ages and physical conditions.
“Malaysia already has the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008. It needs to extend this to buildings and facilities built before the introduction of the Act.
“This is important because 16% of Malaysia’s population are categorised as disabled, and 8.7% are over 60.
“It is heading towards a ‘super-aged nation’ by 2056, with more than 20% of its population aged 65 and above,” said Mohideen.
The ageing population has special needs, he said, and universal design could facilitate their access to public spaces.
He also urged the public to respect facilities meant for PWD, as parking bays were often occupied by cars belonging to motorists without any disability.
The handrail is located too far from the toilet seat at this lavatory for the disabled.
“There are also toilets for PWDs but their doors are hardly big enough for a wheelchair to pass through,” he said.
“Some ramps are steep, posing a great challenge to a PWD.
“There are also cases where ramps are obstructed by vehicles or goods,” he added.
Penang infrastructure and transport committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari, who sought clarification from MAHB, said facilities for the disabled had been provided at the multi-storey carpark and any shortcomings would be rectified.
“There are special paths for the disabled.
“The route that was deemed inaccessible for those with special needs was closed off because motorcyclists often used it as a shortcut to exit the carpark.
“We have since provided other routes for users with disabilities.
“We have highlighted the uneven surface issue to the contractor and developer for it to be rectified, considering that it is still within the defect liability period.
“We are also taking temporary measures to facilitate the passage way for the disabled, and working on installation of additional signage to guide them.
“Construction of the bridge linking the carpark and the airport is ongoing,” said Zairil.
He said this would improve the access for people with disabilities.
Penang social development, welfare and non-Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Lim Siew Khim said she had raised the concerns to the relevant authority and was awaiting updates.
“Infrastructure and facilities for people with disabilities should always be available to enable them to live their daily lives independently.
“Ensuring accessibility to disabled-friendly facilities promote inclusivity, so that regardless of their disabilities, they can still participate in community activities and have access to public spaces.
“It helps to reduce discrimination and promote a more equitable society,” she added.
Lim said she, too, wanted to know why the paths were blocked.
Construction work on the carpark building began in 2018 and was originally scheduled to be ready in 2019. It was part of the PIA expansion project that was mooted in 2008.
After years of delay, the carpark opened on April 1.
The carpark provides 1,742 parking bays including 22 for the disabled and another 660 bays for motorcycles.
