Govt programs benefit few disabled people
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)