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Assistive technology a game changer for people with disabilities
The development of these technologies is not only about creating tools but also about opening opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in society.
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Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 Olympics organizing committee, poses with Olympic and Paralympic Games medals on the Eiffel Tower in Paris on Feb. 1, 2024 (Reuters/Benoit Tessier)
N
i Nengah Widiasih, Indonesia's first (silver) medalist at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, has proven that people with disabilities can achieve remarkable success when receiving the right support. However, as we approach the 2024 Paris Paralympics, which will kick off on Aug. 28, significant concerns remain about the lack of assistive technology development in Indonesia.
With 22.97 million people with disabilities in the country, many of them still do not have access to opportunities to develop their potential, let alone compete on the global stage. The lack of government support in providing adequate assistive technology threatens the chances of people with disabilities to excel and limits their dreams of achieving a better life.
The government's role is crucial in ensuring that every citizen, including people with disabilities, has equal access to participate and succeed in various fields, including sports.
Assistive technology is a key enabler for people with disabilities to lead more independent and empowered lives. Devices and technologies such as hearing aids, electric wheelchairs and artificial intelligence-based applications help them access education, employment and daily activities more easily.
The development of these technologies is not only about creating tools but also about opening opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in society. Unfortunately, in Indonesia, the development and use of assistive technology are still facing numerous challenges.
One of the main issues is the lack of government support. Although policies exist, their implementation is often ineffective. Many people with disabilities still do not have access to the technologies that should be supporting them.
Limited infrastructures and the lack of disability-friendly environments exacerbate this situation, making public facilities difficult for people with disabilities to access.
