KOTA KINABALU: A group of physically and mentally challenged individuals who are trying to earn a living by making furniture are appealing to the public to think it through before deciding to engage their services.

       This was because they could not complete orders as quickly as able-bodied individuals due to their disabilities, especially when their stress levels rose or they fell sick, said the group's leader, Azman Saidin.

       "Of late, some of our staff at Pusat Latihan dan Amali Tuaran have fallen ill, and there have been delays in completing several orders," he told The Star on Tuesday (Nov 2).

       He said some customers who had been told of the longer wait times and potential delays when placing their orders suddenly became belligerent and threatened to lodge police reports if their goods were not delivered or their deposits were not refunded.

       A staff doing woodworks.

       "Why is it when you order, you say you understand that it might take longer to get your orders done, but after two weeks or so of waiting, you come back with threatening words?" he asked.

       Azman said if this was the case, the customers should not have placed their orders with the centre in the first place.

       He said those who refused to understand or believe that those making the furniture had disabilities should come and see for themselves.

       "If you expect the same results as from (able-bodied) people, please don’t even consider giving us your business because we cannot do things as fast," he said.

       Azman added that the purpose of setting up the training centre was to help the disabled earn a living for themselves, without having to depend on their families.

       "We just need your understanding, patience and willingness to accept imperfection as we try our best," said Azman, who has a minor physical and mental disability.

       Some of the wood works done at the centre.

       He explained that smaller and simpler items such as stools could be made in a week if there were not too many orders, and if all the workers were at their best.

       However, larger items such as bed frames could take over a month or even up to two months to complete.

       "This depends on how many people are working, the weather, the workers' overall mental state and many other factors," Azman said.

       He said with every deposit paid, the next course of action was to get the materials needed.

       "So if a customer comes back and asks for their deposit back, we have no choice but to try to get it from whatever money is left over, or from funds set aside for rent and other expenses," he said.

       "This training centre was never meant to make anyone rich. It is barely surviving and now we are dealing with customers pushing us to get their deposits back, and cancelling orders because we are just 'too slow and inefficient’," he said.