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Disabled Indonesians rally for equal opportunity, not pity
Problem lies with the fact that disabled people are often too dependent on parents or families as a result of being sheltered for most of their lives
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ith unemployment among people with disabilities running high, activists are calling for the development of a more inclusive workplace and fairer employment practices.
In a virtual national conference held by the United States Agency for International Development's (USAID) Mitra Kunci program earlier this month, Sri Setyaningsih, who heads the Boyolali Communication Forum for People with Disabilities (FKDB), a disability community in Boyolali, Central Java, spoke about the problems facing disabled people under her care. Her community works in partnership with the local social affairs agency.
According to Sri, the problem lies with the fact that disabled people are often too dependent on parents or families as a result of being sheltered for most of their lives, meaning they lack the skills for employment.
“This is because [some parents] are embarrassed. Some parents will go to the extent of ‘hiding’ their disabled [children]. They’re not allowed to go outside,” she said. “Parents still feel disability is a shameful thing, and this is a common occurrence.”
Law No. 8/2016 on people with disabilities mandates a minimum quota of employment for people with disabilities: 2 percent for government institutions and 1 percent for private institutions.
Data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS) published in August of last year showed there were 7.6 million disabled people in the country in the productive age range of 15 to 59. Only 4.1 million disabled people in this age group, 54 percent, were working.
In contrast, in a survey published in February this year, also by BPS, 139 million people were recorded as being of productive age. Of this number, 131 million, 94 percent, were working.
The lack of employment for people with disabilities is what led Sri to develop an entrepreneurship program, geared toward educating people with disabilities to create their own work opportunities.
As a result, out of the 20 disabled people enlisted in her entrepreneurship program, half are currently employed by private companies, while the other half have set up their own micro enterprises.
Sri urged the government to initiate more public-private partnerships to facilitate more opportunities for the disabled community.
“As long as [disabled people] are given the chance, guidance and education, the results will be great. We have proven that,” she said.
Muhammad Hilal Huda Fadhlullah, who leads Semarang Friends of People with Disabilities (KSD Semarang), a disabled-friendly community in Semarang, Central Java, also called for workplaces to be more inclusive of disabled people like himself.
Although he is treated equally by coworkers, Hilal, who works at state railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), said that he still encountered problems working in the office because most facilities were not disabled-friendly.
In light of this, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) said that companies throughout the country needed to be aware of these problems in order to make workplaces inclusive for disabled people.
“My experience with Hilal has raised my awareness […] These are the kinds of adjustments that we need to make to ensure access for disabled people,” Ganjar said during the webinar.
According to Ganjar, the Central Java administration has been trying to provide more employment opportunities for disabled people in the province, including by identifying and developing skills necessary for various lines of work.
“They don’t need pity. They need equal opportunities, they need equal access, and it is the responsibility of the government [and local administrations] to provide that,” he said.
Central Java Manpower and Transmigration Agency head Sakina Rosellasari said the E-Makaryo, a platform developed by the administration to match job seekers and employers, could be considered part of the province’s local wisdom because of its ease of use across many segments of society.
“We really hope that the people of Central Java can fully optimize and utilize E-Makaryo, as even people outside the province have used the platform,” she said.
According to Sakina, companies are becoming increasingly aware of the 1 percent employment quota for people with disabilities.
“Together we can build the country and end discrimination,” said Sakina.
