Disabled persons demand public access<\/p>\n
Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The government has ignored the rights of the disabled despite
\nregulations assuring them of public access, Indonesian Disabled
\nFoundation (YPCI) chairman Siswadi said Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Speaking on the sidelines of the International Disabled Day
\ngathering in Jakarta, Siswadi said the government's poor
\ntreatment of the disabled was evidenced by the disabled's lack of
\naccess to public places, education and job opportunities.<\/p>\n
Government Regulation No. 43\/1998 stipulates that by the end
\nof 2003, all government buildings must provide access for the
\ndisabled.<\/p>\n
"But it remains a big question as to whether the regulation
\nwill work," Siswadi said. "The lack of access has made it
\ndifficult for the disabled to use public transportation and
\nbuildings, and to follow religious rituals."<\/p>\n
Education was another grave concern as only 4 percent of the
\ndisabled population enjoyed a proper education, he said.<\/p>\n
"Based on an Asia-Pacific agreement, 75 percent of the
\ndisabled should receive proper education. It means that we'll
\nneed 600 years to fulfill the requirements if only we can
\nincrease the figure to 10 percent per year.".<\/p>\n
The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that the
\ndisabled account for 10 percent of the total population in
\nIndonesia. The Ministry of Health, however, puts its figure as
\nhalf that of the WHO's estimate, while the Ministry of Social
\nAffairs says the disabled represent only 3.11 percent. President
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri recently claimed that only 1.7 percent of
\nthe total population were disabled.<\/p>\n
Siswadi said most of the disabled had had their career
\nopportunities restricted.<\/p>\n
"The government has set a 1 percent quota in the workplace for
\nthe disabled. But that figure remains far from attainable as the
\nunemployment rate overall is still high," he said.<\/p>\n
In the political field, Law No. 12\/2003 on elections secures
\nthe right of the disabled to participate in the upcoming polls,
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
"But we'll keep on fighting to make sure that the elections
\nwill indeed provide access for the disabled."<\/p>\n
Minister of Social Affairs Bachtiar Chamsyah admitted the
\ngovernment's failure to satisfy the demands of the disabled.<\/p>\n
"We are still unable to thoroughly comply with the law, but we
\nhope that in the coming years, as the economy recovers, we'll get
\neverything back on the right track," he said.<\/p>\n
The head of the Election Committee for the Disabled, Ariani
\nAbdul Mun'im, said the government had shown concern by providing
\nthe disabled with charity instead of protecting their rights.<\/p>\n
"In the previous elections, the disabled did not have the
\nchance to exercise their right to vote. But now, there's already
\naccess to polling booths for them," said Ariani, who is blind.<\/p>\n
Now the law must be implemented, she said.<\/p>\n
Held in the Indonesia in Miniature Park (TMII), the gathering
\nwas marked by award presentations to Mary Lisiano, a disabled
\nwoman, for her lifetime work and efforts in fighting for disabled
\nrights; Siti Adiningrum W. Adiwoso for her work in providing
\ndental care for the disabled; and four institutions, including
\nMitra Netra Foundation, garment company PT Mataram Tunggal
\nGarmen, and Agung At-tin Mosque, for their efforts in providing
\naccess for disabled worshipers.<\/p>\n
Attendants also watched a Bali dance performance involving 15
\ndisabled people and viewed exhibitions by disabled artists,
\nincluding from a man whose arms and legs are impaired.<\/p>",
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