Disabled persons fight hard to get decent jobs<\/p>\n
Indra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya<\/p>\n
Without hesitation, Sigit, whose legs have been paralyzed since
\nhe was small, immediately set about filling in the survey form to
\nevaluate the status of disabled persons in Surabaya. He hopes
\nthat after filling out the form, he will be accorded the same
\nrights as able-bodied persons in obtaining decent jobs.<\/p>\n
After the form was filled, it was handed over to Wuri
\nHandayani, a champion of the disabled in Surabaya, who recently
\nwon a lawsuit against Surabaya Mayor Bambang DH in the Surabaya
\nAdministrative Court on May 25 after the Surabaya municipal
\nadministration had rejected her application to become a civil
\nservant. Since winning the case, Wuri has been telling other
\ndisabled people in the city that they can also win if they
\npersevere in fighting for their rights.<\/p>\n
During a gathering with other disabled persons in Surabaya
\ntwo weeks ago, Wuri promised that she would help her fellow
\ndisabled persons to get descent jobs. Her listeners were ecstatic
\nand overwhelmed Wuri with job application forms.<\/p>\n
For Sigit, and thousands of other disabled persons in
\nSurabaya, filling out the forms is an initial step toward
\norganizing disabled people in Surabaya. The resulting data will
\nbe used as a reference by the government in assessing the
\ncondition of people suffering from disabilities, and, it is
\nhoped, eventually persuade the authorities to pay greater
\nattention to their rights.<\/p>\n
Most of the 700 people who filled out the forms provided by
\nWuri expressed excitement about the possibility of being accorded
\nequal rights, especially as regards education and employment.<\/p>\n
\"I really hope that the government will review my case as I've
\nnever been offered a suitable job,\" Sigit said.<\/p>\n
Sigit said that his applications had frequently been rejected
\nby private sector firms that claimed disabled applicants did not
\nsatisfy their requirements.<\/p>\n
After having been so many times rejected, Sigit gave up on
\nseeking employment and decided to rely on his own efforts to
\nsupport his family.<\/p>\n
\"Even though I don't earn much, at least I can provide a
\nliving for my family,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Adi Subroto, a custodian at the No. 99 Special School for
\nDisabled Persons in Surabaya, said that Wuri's case had inspired
\nhis students, and encouraged them to pursue their education.<\/p>\n
Ali, a student at the school, has displayed a newfound
\ninterest in learning ever since his teacher told him and has
\nclassmates about Wuri's case. Ali said he now wanted to become a
\nteacher after finishing school.<\/p>\n
Adi said that due to the limited employment opportunities
\navailable to disabled people, many special schools in Surabaya
\ntaught massage to disabled children, especially the sight-
\nimpaired, in the hope that this would provide them with
\nlivelihoods.<\/p>\n
\"Although many of them don't like the job, they eventually
\nhave to accept it because there are apparently no other jobs
\nwhere they will be accepted,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Adi hopes that Wuri's much-publicized case will lead to more
\nemployment opportunities for the disabled so that they will no
\nlonger be confined to working as masseurs or masseuses, but will
\nalso have other employment opportunities available to them, such
\nas working in offices.<\/p>\n
Adi said that the government should pay attention to and help
\nthe disabled, not just by providing money and material
\nassistance, but also by seeking a long-term solution to their
\nemployment needs.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Wuri said that the struggle for the rights of
\ndisabled people would continue, including providing the disabled
\nabout more information on their rights.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/disabled-persons-fight-hard-to-get-decent-jobs-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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