Minister Nancy Shukri highlights RM1.4 billion PwD support in Budget 2026, job coach services and disability equality training for inclusion
KUCHING: Every individual with disabilities deserves equal opportunities in education, employment, healthcare and entrepreneurship according to Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
She emphasised this ensures their full participation in the nation’s development while officiating the Disability Equality Training Seminar and Job Coach Services.
The MADANI government has allocated nearly RM1.4 billion for PwD assistance in Budget 2026.
This includes provisions for care assistance, work incapacity allowances and the allowance for working disabled persons.
Nancy highlighted additional employment initiatives through the OKU Business Incentive Scheme to help PwDs start and expand businesses.
The Ministry of Higher Education also provides financial assistance to PwD students in tertiary education.
“These efforts demonstrate the government’s comprehensive approach from education to employment and from basic support to fostering independence,” she said.
Disability Equality Training helps the public understand disability issues through the Social Model.
This model emphasises that real challenges stem from unresponsive attitudes, structures and environments rather than individual limitations.
Between 2010 and 2024, a total of 7,426 participants have attended the DET programme.
The expansion of this initiative emphasises building a more inclusive society equipped to plan effective interventions.
Job Coach Service guides PwDs into the workforce with appropriate support.
To date, 976 PwDs have been mentored and employed by 664 employers nationwide.
In Sarawak alone, 3,477 recipients have benefited from EPOKU allowances as of October.
This amounts to RM15.28 million in expenditure providing critical support to low-income PwD individuals.
Nancy noted that Job Coach services remain underutilised partly due to limited awareness. – Bernama
