The Star - Allan Koay (March 2004)

GIVE DISABLED MUSICIANS A CHANCE
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It is tough these days for sighted musicians, what more for the disabled ones. For blind singer-guitarist Alfred Ho, jobs are hard to come by.

Although he has four albums under his belt, Ho says he has not been able to find work for the past four months. "My wife has called up shopping complexes to ask if they would have me play my music at their premises, but when they heard that it was a blind person, they turned me down. They should as least give me a chance to prove myself. It they don't like what they hear, they can always turn me away."

Ho feels the government should be helpful to the disabled.

"What the government can do, is contact the various organisations for the disabled and ask for musicians to perform at government functions and on television," says Ho. "Rather than give them welfare aid, why not give them gainful employment? A lot has been said about employing the disabled, but nothing much has been done really. If the disabled are given jobs, they can be useful to the community and contribute to the nation too."

"I am not asking for donations. I am willing to work for the money," Ho stresses.

In 1983, Ho made the tough decision of quitting his job as a telephone operator to become a full-time musician. He had his own show on Radio 4 for a while but it was discontinued in July 2000 when a fire broke out at RTM's premises.

Ho says he has tried his hand at other jobs but that did not work out. He tried massaging for a while but due to rheumatism, he ended up with painful hands. He is thinking of setting up a small place to play his music but that again requires money.

Ho feels the government should set an example by hiring disabled musicians itself. Instead of getting disabled musicians to perform only at special occasions, the government should look into hiring them more regularly. "Auditions can be held for the musicians to see if they meet the standards," says Ho.

"If they don't and are rejected, then it is understandable. But they should be given a chance. If the government shows that it is serious about helping the disabled, then the disabled will be motivated to work hard. Right now, there is no incentive for them at all. In fact, a lot of disabled musicians may be feeling discouraged."

"There may be a lot of talented disabled musicians out there but who will hire them? It is still up to the government to make a difference."