Disabled people demand equality

Disabled people demand equality

YOGYAKARTA: Dozens of disabled people in Yogyakarta staged a
protest on Monday to demand equal treatment and an end to
discrimination by the authorities, and the enactment of special
legislation to ensure their rights were protected.

The protesters met with several members of the local council,
and complained about a lack of employment opportunities and
public facilities for them.

"We don't ask for pity. We are just demanding fair and equal
treatment. For how long will we continue to be treated like
this?" said coordinator Nuning Setyaningsih, who is also the
director of the Center for Improving Qualified Activity in the
Lives of People with Disabilities (CIQAL).

She said that the main cause of discriminatory treatment
against disabled people was the lack of legislation to protect
their rights. -- JP