'Disabled people need special facilities'

'Disabled people need special facilities'

The government figure shows that 3.11 percent of the country's
220 million population are people with disabilities. Small in
number perhaps, but access for the disabled to public places and
facilities are often neglected. The Jakarta Post talked to some
people about the issue.

Sunarya, 25, works at a newspaper company in Central Jakarta.
She resides with her family in Mampang, South Jakarta:

The discrimination of disabled people can be seen from the
lack of public facilities built for them.

They are definitely different than 'normal' people, they need
special facilities that will enable them to access public areas
so they too can go about their daily activities.

Once I saw a disabled person who was having trouble getting on
a public bus which has a high step at its entrance door and when
he finally could get in the bus, he had to be stand in the middle
of crowded bus.

In other countries, like Malaysia, they really give attention
to the disabled by providing accessible public facilities, such
as in the airport mosque.

In the mosque they have provided special benches for the
disabled so they can pray easier. A similar bench is also put in
the place where Muslim people do their ablution ritual before
praying.

Devy, 30, a senior consultant in a public relations agency in
Jakarta. She lives with her family in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta:

I actually do not have any relatives or close friends who are
disabled or have to use wheelchairs. But sometimes I see other
people who are using wheelchairs and I worry about them because
there are not proper facilities in public places for them.

I personally think shopping malls have to provide access and
restrooms for disabled folks. What I see now in Jakarta, there
are only a few malls that provide such facilities.

Except for hospitals, of course they provide such facilities
because they have a lot of people who use wheelchairs.

I know it is a big investment for the building management to
construct facilities for the disabled, but I think all public
places are required to provide them.

--The Jakarta Post