Involving the disabled in social, economic life

Inge Komardjaja, Research Institute for Human Settlements, Bandung, West Java

The recent seminar on "Income generation through the inclusion of people with disabilities in the community" was conducted by the Belgian non-governmental organization, the Platform for Disability and Development Cooperation (PHOS), in Brussels between Nov. 4 and Nov. 6. The topic was related to the upcoming International Day of the Disabled on Dec. 3, whose main theme for 2002 is accessibility.

Accessibility is the condition of using facilities and infrastructures without negotiating barriers. In the context of inclusion, accessibility means to have access to various resources according to one's personal needs. The general mission of the international day is the prevention of disability, rehabilitation, full participation and equality of the disabled. The last two aspects are definitely about inclusion.

Attended by people with physical impairments from Asia, Africa and Belgium, as well as those who are not disabled, the meeting discussed empowerment and networking, two inexorable elements of inclusion. Notwithstanding, inclusion in society must begin within the disabled themselves. An expert wrote that a person who is disabled is first and foremost his or her own redeemer. Nobody can help them, if they do not change internally or do not begin to take real action.

They have to be self-motivated to be part of a group. Others are only capable of counseling, providing information and giving encouragement. It is far more essential to raise the awareness of their potential among the disabled than the nondisabled.

The disabled must realize their abilities or qualities to become useful for themselves and society. Parents are the foremost persons to develop self-motivation within their children. But not all parents understand the inherent potential of a disabled child, specifically those overwhelmed by shame or self-pity. In such cases, NGOs may be influential in raising the awareness of these potentials through meetings and by taking a personal approach. School teachers are also competent in helping disabled students develop self-confidence.

Empowerment is about the authority or power a disabled person possesses to accomplish something, and information refers to facts about someone or something. Hence, information has an empowering effect on people as well.

Networking, the process of establishing contacts, is a key factor in getting access to information. Through the Internet, for example, those who are limited in physical mobility can have a wider range of contacts which may lead to meaningful and useful inclusion in a particular community. The many barriers in physical life make this impossible, but in cyberspace and in light of their condition, those who are disabled can get access to various resources.

Internet communication goes beyond borders and happens instantaneously. In the physical world, those who are disabled experience marginalization in social and economic activities, but in cyberspace, they are challenged to take part in many occasions offered by various Internet fora.

While Internet may only be compatible for middle and higher- income people, low-income groups are able to collect information to access resources through frequent gatherings. In a collective culture, which is a feature of a low-income community, meeting people face-to-face is necessary. It is a chance to establish personal connections and develop education, health and job information networks. Empowerment and networking are thus of considerable importance and may enable the disabled to gain insight into the kind of goals they are capable of achieving.

PHOS' praiseworthy act of including a person with a disability to hold a primary role in the international exchange was assigning a young woman to be the convener. She has cerebral palsy, which was caused by a lack of oxygen at birth. In spite of weak limbs and muscles, she was absolutely essential in the seminar. She was respected as one of the key individuals entrusted to make crucial decisions and to announce them publicly. In this manner, participants, visitors, and those not directly related to the seminar would be aware of her existence and potential, which in turn increased her self-confidence. The point was the recognition of her capabilities.

Through opportunities and trust, the disabled can adjust their limited physical capabilities to barriers, so that they can anticipate their tasks.

The nondisabled often deem the disabled as passive, weak, dependent, useless and harboring self-pity. Hardly do they consider them to be individuals with capabilities and needs or social beings who are eager to be included in social and economic activities. The assignment of the above woman to become convenor stems from positive attitudes toward the disabled and nondisabled, and surely from this woman. When internal changes occur, inclusion in society will materialize.

Incorporating the inclusion of the disabled into official instructions of accessibility is one thing, putting it into effect is another. For Indonesia the vexed question is then: "How can the government enact strict accessibility laws when in truth the enforcement of all laws is weak and inconsistent?"

This provokes reflection on the future of the disabled. Finally, the central mission of the disabled's full participation and equality is the UN's catchphrase. It reminds us to include the disabled in all areas of life, not only once a year. They should be firmly entrenched in our thoughts and actions.