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Give equal opportunities to citizens with disabilities
The majority of Indonesians with a disability do not have access to basic aid to assist them to learn, work and participate.
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The majority of Indonesians with a disability do not have access to basic aid to assist them to learn, work and participate. (Shutterstock/File)
I
mproving people’s welfare is among President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s areas to focus on in his third year in office. The mark of a developed country is how well it takes care of its poor, sick and most vulnerable citizens. In Indonesia, much more can be done to support people with disabilities to work, learn and contribute to our diverse nation.
There are at least 10 million people with disabilities in Indonesia, representing 4.3 percent of the population, based on the 2010 census. This is almost certainly an underestimate. Disability touches many lives: one in 10 households in Indonesia have a person with a disability.
People with disabilities in Indonesia have worse health, lower educational attainment, fewer economic opportunities and worse access to public services than people without disabilities. Addressing these challenges is part of the government’s plan to tackle inequality.
Law No. 8/2016 on Disability protects the rights of people with disabilities and ensures equal opportunities for all. They are entitled to be officials at the local and national level, and access better quality education and employment. This should ultimately lead to Indonesia’s disabled community being able to lead prosperous and independent lives free from discrimination.
