'Disabled people need special facilities'<\/p>\n
The government figure shows that 3.11 percent of the country's
\n220 million population are people with disabilities. Small in
\nnumber perhaps, but access for the disabled to public places and
\nfacilities are often neglected. The Jakarta Post talked to some
\npeople about the issue.<\/p>\n
Sunarya, 25, works at a newspaper company in Central Jakarta.
\nShe resides with her family in Mampang, South Jakarta:<\/p>\n
The discrimination of disabled people can be seen from the
\nlack of public facilities built for them.<\/p>\n
They are definitely different than 'normal' people, they need
\nspecial facilities that will enable them to access public areas
\nso they too can go about their daily activities.<\/p>\n
Once I saw a disabled person who was having trouble getting on
\na public bus which has a high step at its entrance door and when
\nhe finally could get in the bus, he had to be stand in the middle
\nof crowded bus.<\/p>\n
In other countries, like Malaysia, they really give attention
\nto the disabled by providing accessible public facilities, such
\nas in the airport mosque.<\/p>\n
In the mosque they have provided special benches for the
\ndisabled so they can pray easier. A similar bench is also put in
\nthe place where Muslim people do their ablution ritual before
\npraying.<\/p>\n
Devy, 30, a senior consultant in a public relations agency in
\nJakarta. She lives with her family in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta:<\/p>\n
I actually do not have any relatives or close friends who are
\ndisabled or have to use wheelchairs. But sometimes I see other
\npeople who are using wheelchairs and I worry about them because
\nthere are not proper facilities in public places for them.<\/p>\n
I personally think shopping malls have to provide access and
\nrestrooms for disabled folks. What I see now in Jakarta, there
\nare only a few malls that provide such facilities.<\/p>\n
Except for hospitals, of course they provide such facilities
\nbecause they have a lot of people who use wheelchairs.<\/p>\n
I know it is a big investment for the building management to
\nconstruct facilities for the disabled, but I think all public
\nplaces are required to provide them.<\/p>\n
--The Jakarta Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/disabled-people-need-special-facilities-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }