Disabled People: Active or passive citizens - reflections from the Malaysian experience

Abstract

The concept of citizenship has once again entered centre-stage in the debate among political philosophers, welfare theorists and activists. Marginalised groups, including disabled people around the world, are making a claim for their inclusion, rights and equal opportunities on the basis of citizenship rights. The Malaysian experience of disabled people within a newly-industrialising country draws lessons on how a disadvantaged section of Malaysian society struggle to enhance their rights as citizens of the nation and a share of the nations wealth. While there are difficult challenges, there are also positive indicators for the active citizenship participation of disabled people among fellow Malaysians.