Hari Kurniawan, 44, was born with a congenital disability that took away his ability to walk. The Jakarta native is a frequent public transportation user, but his disability makes living in Indonesia a constant challenge. Cak Wawa—as he nicknames himself—often finds ojek (motorcycle taxi) declining to pick him up. 

“They don’t give me any clear reason why they don’t want [to take] me as a passenger. Although I told them I could pay, they ping-ponged me around other drivers.” 

Cak Wawa added that he had experienced this not only in Jakarta but also in other cities, including Malang and East Java. Suffice it to say getting around has become an impossible task. 

Wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAV) are still relatively hard to find in Indonesia. Many wheelchair users still have to depend on informal modes of transportation, such as small-sized vehicles that have been modified to accommodate their needs. Individuals primarily own and operate these altered taxis, sometimes leased. 

Triyono, the founder of Difa Bike, a motorcycle taxi service based in Yogyakarta for the disabled, states that despite their ojek having been modified into a wheelchair-friendly three-wheeled vehicle, they are unable to fill the demand in certain areas.

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