Seeking Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities

Jakarta (ANTARA) – A man’s frail hands steadily pushed his daughter’s wheelchair along corridor after corridor at a job fair in the Smesco Building in Jakarta.

With every push came a father’s determination to see his only daughter have a future and the chance to stand on her own feet. He knows, however, that the world of work does not always make room for her.

Armed with a degree in communications, internship experience at RRI and a stint working at a private bank, his daughter had sent more than 10 applications since graduating in 2024.

But she had yet to find the job she hoped for. Her father was not asking for special treatment; he simply wanted opportunities to be open to her, so that she would not be ruled out before she had a chance to demonstrate her abilities.

“If it can be for people with disabilities, it’s not that we’re asking for special treatment. There should be opportunities, so they’re not at a disadvantage compared with able-bodied people,” said the father, Ami.

His voice shook and he was unable to hold back tears as he expressed this hope.

He had travelled from Tanjung Duren by TransJakarta, hoping his daughter, who has a disability, would find work soon after graduating in 2024.

Amid the crowds at the job fair, Ami said he was still unsure which companies offered jobs to people with disabilities, particularly positions suited to his daughter’s communications background.

“I’ve already asked whether there are vacancies specifically for people with disabilities. They said they can apply for everything, but we don’t know which ones,” he said.

Ami said he and his daughter, 24-year-old Amelia Zuhalmi, had visited several company stands. They were also advised to attend counselling or training, but had yet to receive clear information about suitable vacancies.

Technical problems also hindered their efforts. When they tried to apply to a retail company, they could not proceed with registration because a poor internet connection prevented the barcode from being scanned.

For Ami, attending the job fair was one way to help his daughter secure a steady income.

After graduating, Amelia completed an internship but had not found a job with a reliable monthly salary.

Asked what she hoped the government would do, Ami said he wanted a dedicated pathway to make it easier for people with disabilities to access employment opportunities.

Amelia, meanwhile, continues to look for work that matches her abilities. A graduate in communications from Dian Nusantara University, she is interested in communications, particularly working as a radio presenter.

She also enjoys writing and is interested in producing podcasts. Despite this experience, Amelia said she had yet to find work.

Since graduating, she has applied to more than 10 companies and attended interviews, but has not been hired.

“Perhaps it’s because of the limitations. Not every company is willing to hire people with disabilities, so it’s still quite difficult,” Amelia said.

Amelia, who has used a wheelchair since birth, admitted that she sometimes feels self-conscious when she sees other applicants moving around more freely.

But she tries not to let that feeling stop her from continuing to look for work.

“I do feel self-conscious sometimes. But then again, if I keep feeling that way, I’ll never move forward,” Amelia said.

In her view, employment opportunities for people with disabilities need to be expanded. She hopes more companies will offer accessible vacancies, including roles suited to applicants’ skills and educational backgrounds.

“I hope that in the future some companies will set aside positions for people with disabilities and be willing to hire disabled workers,” she said.