Govt programs benefit few disabled people
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Social Services Inten Soeweno said yesterday that less than 10 percent of Indonesia's six million disabled people benefit from government assistance.
"The rest need a helping hand from other people," she said when addressing commemoration of the International Day for the Disabled in Bandung yesterday.
Since only a few of the disabled are under government care, public assistance would lighten the state's burden, she said.
Currently, 3.1 percent of Indonesia's 195 million people are physically or mentally disabled, according to the minister.
Inten gave credit to non-governmental organizations for playing an active role in improving the welfare of disabled people.
West Java governor R. Nuriana reported that his province has 79,874 disabled people. The local government is able to assist 3,500 of those with vocational training.
The international day is commemorated every year to remind people of their social obligation to help the disabled develop their potential like other people.
About 2,500 people attended yesterday's celebration, which was enlivened with sports attractions.
Indonesia is currently making a law on disability. The House of Representatives is expected to pass the bill into law by the end of January next year.
Khofifah Indar Parawansa of the United Development Party (PPP) said deliberation on the bill has reached the final stages.
Among the burning issues addressed by the bill is how to make education available for the disabled so that they are not discriminated against in the fields they wish to enter.
Khofifah said the government-sponsored bill does not clearly define the disabled's rights to education.
"Currently, disabled persons are discriminated against in education. They are taught at special schools. The future law will hopefully guarantee that they can study at regular schools whenever their condition allows it," she told The Jakarta Post yesterday.
Legislators have also proposed the government assume full responsibility for the care of the disabled as stated in the 1945 Constitution.
To ensure employment opportunities for disabled people, the bill threatens company directors refusing to employ disabled workers with a maximum prison sentence of five years or a fine of up to Rp 100 million (US$42,553). (ste)