I REFER to the story 'Thumbs up for these disabled staff' (my paper, Jan 21).

I am very pleased that quite a number of employers are beginning to open up to the idea of employing the physically disabled.

It encourages them to start a new journey in their lives.

I agree with the story that people with disabilities are no different from others except for their handicap.

The disabled, too, have families to feed and household bills to pay, and some of them do not want to depend on the self-help groups for assistance.

I understand that the self-help groups are trying their best to help the physically disabled, such as holding job fairs.

The self-help groups also provide financial assistance to those who are unable to work.

It is heartening to see that there are people who care for the unfortunate.

But I hope that Singaporeans can also be more understanding to those with disabilities, such as when they are served by one of them.

Let's put ourselves in their shoes and imagine how it would be like to be one of them.

I hope more employers will be open to hiring people with disabilities.

It would encourage them and make them feel that they, too, can live a normal life like the rest of us.

Mr Nur Suhardi Mohamed