National Commission on Disabilities Reveals Many People with Disabilities Not Registered on ID Cards

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BANDUNG - The National Commission on Disabilities (Komnas Disabilitas) states that many people with disabilities already have identity cards (KTP) but are not categorised as such. However, that identity card is very useful for distributing aid and other purposes.

Chair of Komnas Disabilitas, Dante Rigmalia, said that the number of people with disabilities registered with the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) has only reached more than 722,000. Meanwhile, the total number could be more than 28 million people.

“Earlier, Mr Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Akhmad Wiyagus) explained 722,000 (are registered). Yet, people with disabilities account for 10-15 percent; if we take 10 percent, that’s 28 million souls,” she said on the sidelines of an event at Telkom University on Monday (20/4/2026).

She stated that the figure of 722,000 is very small. One of the causes is that people with disabilities already have identity cards, but the data in the population administration has not yet been categorised as people with disabilities.

Therefore, her side is pushing and advocating for data updates. Dante mentioned that changing the data requires assessment by medical personnel.

“He has a disability, but is not registered as having a disability; it must be changed,” she said.

Her side is conducting outreach efforts on data updates to local governments, organisations of people with disabilities, and assessment personnel. She admitted to continuously pushing for such activities.

“This data update results in a single sheet of Indonesian citizen population biodata. On that, there are various types of disabilities,” she said.

She explained that changing the data is necessary for the interests of people with disabilities, such as applying for jobs and seeking scholarships. In addition, the data does not need to be changed because it is already in the population documents.

“Now it’s difficult to get a disability certificate. The institutions providing it, local governments like hospitals, not all can issue disability certificates, and some are paid, which is very burdensome,” she said.

Rector of Telkom University, Prof Suyanto, said that registration by the population authority is very important for people with disabilities, especially those who want to continue their education. Including for educational institutions.

“So that we can provide better, more convincing preparations. The types of categorisations will be clearer,” he explained.