More facilities for the disabled needed<\/p>\n
By Martina Tobing<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Theresia Ariswari, cried out for recognition as
\na member of this society in this paper's May 26, 1996 issue.
\nTheresia is disabled. She wants to live and love and work, just
\nlike all of us. However, as we take for granted the way we fill
\nour daily life with activities, love, study, work and play, for
\nTheresia each day is a struggle to overcome the most simple tasks
\nfrom the moment she gets up in the morning till the day is over.<\/p>\n
The problem is not just one of recognition but also one of
\nacceptance. Many of us from western societies are aware that the
\nphysically and mentally challenged may have such problems, but
\naccept their being different, and their needs, and at the same
\ntime value them for what they are able to do.<\/p>\n
People must be judged not for their disabilities but for their
\nabilities. As a result many have been able to establish their
\nplace in society, living a full and satisfying life, they
\ncontribute to their society, rather than being a burden to it.<\/p>\n
But Theresia lives in Indonesia where the disabled are not as
\nvisible, or if they are it may be on a street corner, holding up
\na begging hand. We seldom see people in wheelchairs rolling up
\nand down the street, or on crutches catching a bus. Few who get
\naround with difficulty are able to hold down a job, as so many
\nbuildings are inaccessible. In addition, most facilities are not
\nequipped with adapted toilets and many a door is too narrow to
\nget through with a wheelchair.<\/p>\n
In addition to this, there is the problem of public opinion.
\nMany people have an undefined fear of the disabled, which is
\nmostly fed by ignorance. They do not understand what is wrong
\nwith the person, and automatically assume that being wheelchair-
\nbound makes one also mentally incompetent, maybe contagious or
\nunable to do desk or computer job.<\/p>\n
We don't have to be disabled to know how it feels not to be
\naccepted, or to be laughed at, or having a back turned on us.
\nFear of not being accepted or of being pitied, jeered or laughed
\nat, keeps a handicapped person, as independent and capable as he
\nmay be, from getting out in society and trying to contribute to
\nit. This may very well mean a wasted human being, and a loss of
\nhuman resources in many cases.<\/p>\n
It is time for Indonesia to pay a whole lot more attention to
\nthe care of its disabled. Theresia is absolutely right: disabled
\npeople can be valuable and contributing members of this society,
\nand so they should be.<\/p>\n
And a first step to remedy the situation would be to establish
\nmany more facilities to provide rehabilitation for those who need
\nit, and staff them with professionals who are trained to give
\nquality services. In the United States, for example, almost every
\nhospital has a rehabilitation department with at least physical,
\noccupational, and speech therapists. Larger medical facilities
\nrun the entire gamut of rehabilitation services, and from there a
\npatient may move on to a long-term rehabilitation setting.<\/p>\n
Jakarta has several hospitals with rehabilitation units, but
\nnot all these have all of the necessary services available, or
\nelse are staffed with partially trained professionals. The reason
\nis a lack of training programs for rehabilitation specialists, as
\nthere are only a few academic programs for physical and speech
\ntherapist, and only one newly opened occupational training school
\nwhich will produce its first graduates in July 1997. Many more
\nprofessional training programs throughout the country are needed,
\nand should be a priority for improving the future of the
\ndisabled.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, public buildings must be made accessible. In
\nAmerica all buildings are made accessible, and sidewalks have
\nsmall ramps to allow people in wheelchairs to travel along the
\nstreet. Special \"kneeling\" busses are available for wheelchairs
\nand contractors here could take a look at these and make good use
\nof these already developed ideas and plans. Europe in some ways
\nis even farther ahead with these issues.<\/p>\n
One of the most difficult changes to make is that in public
\nopinion. In addition to a strong effort by the disabled
\nthemselves to be more visible while demonstrating their value and
\nability to participate in society, efforts should be made to
\neducate the public about disability and rehabilitation.
\nTelevision has introduced us at times via short news flashes to
\nchildren's hospitals, or rehabilitation of the elderly, or a
\nspecific disease. Doing this on a regular basis through
\nrehabilitation units or centers, explaining what disease causes
\nwhich type of disability and how therapy can improve this, may be
\na manner in which to educate the general public.<\/p>\n
In addition, employers should be encouraged to hire the
\ndisabled; in the United States the policy of equal opportunity
\nforces places of work to hire a certain number of handicapped
\npeople, giving them in this manner a fair opportunity. We should
\nnot forget that the average disabled makes an excellent
\nemployee, as most of them will work very hard to prove their
\nworth.<\/p>\n
We should all take example from people such as Theresia
\nAriswari, for whom we should tip our hat for the courage to write
\nher article.<\/p>\n
\"What will the future hold for the disabled in Indonesia?\" she
\nasked at the end of her story.<\/p>\n
That, I feel, is up to a drastic change in attitude of the
\nnon-disabled and an opening up of opportunities for those less
\nfortunate.<\/p>\n
The writer is a rehabilitation specialist and has a Masters
\nDegree in Health Education.<\/p>",
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