In the era of globalization, Malaysia's ability to remain economically competitive depends on the skills of its workforce. The policies and practices of Malaysia's vocational education system must be revised to do more to give the country's disabled citizens the training they need to find employment and become taxpayers. More concerted efforts are needed to uphold the rights of Malaysia's estimated 100,000 disabled adults, only 4,175 of whom were employed in the private sector in 1990-2001. Appropriate legislation is needed to defend the rights of special populations as outlined by United Nations resolution 3447 (Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons). These rights include the right to economic and social security, the right to a decent standard of living, and the right to have their special needs considered at all stages of economic and social planning. Malaysia needs a holistic and systematic approach to improving the quality of life of its special needs population. The following legislative acts must be passed: (1) the Vocational Education and Training for Special Need Population Act; (2) the Job Partnership and Employment for Disabled Act; and (3) the Building Accessibility Act. The Vocational Education and Training for Special Need Population Act should emphasize making vocational education and training accessible to everyone and eliminating gender bias and stereotyping. (MN)