KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 — The blind community is not too excited by a proposal to call Brickfields a Blind City.

They said the plight of the community went beyond just a name change. 

What was also important was improvement to facilities so they are kept safe.

Visually impaired couple Kenny Eg, 62, and Genny Ooi, 52, said they still faced difficulties walking around the area.

“Some of the places are not suitable for the blind because the roads are uneven and full of holes and there is too much traffic,”   Eg said.

“Sometimes when we follow the yellow track, we cannot cross at the pedestrian crossing.”

He said there were cars that did not stop when the pedestrian light turned green.

“When the light turns green, there is a sound which means that we can cross but sometimes there are cars that stop directly on the pedestrian crossing,” he said.

“When that happens, we lose our sense of direction, and by the time we try to avoid walking into the car, the light turns red, and we don’t know whether to continue crossing or turn back.”

Alvin Loh said the public needed to be more considerate towards the needs of the visually impaired.

“I think it is a good name but improvements need to be done first,” he said.

“Don’t simply block the yellow line on the sidewalk. A lot of motorcycles are parked there and we knock into them.”

He said the yellow  line was not complete in some areas.

“Some of the lines are uneven and we have trouble walking over them,” he said.

However, Loh said he received help from courteous people every day.

“I think we are ready to be called Blind City so we can get the recognition we deserve.”

Long-time residents said the name may be too sensitive and may offend the blind community.

Eg and Ooi walk along the yellow track. They say they still face difficulties despite using the facilities for the visually impaired.

A stall owner, who asked to be identified as Atiqah, said the ministry should come up with a “more positive sounding and unique name”.

“Ultimately, it is up to the blind community but I think a less direct and more creative name could be given instead,” she said.

“The name Blind City gives the wrong impression.”

Another shop owner, Backer Malimar, 60, said local tourism may be affected if the name was changed.

“People know this place as Brickfields. We have Little India and KL Sentral ... adding another name may confuse people.”

He said the blind community did not make up the majority of the people there.

“They make up about five per cent of the community. It does not reflect entirely on the community as a whole,” Backer said.