Celebrating International Disability Days: Improving Concern for People with Disabilities in Indonesia.

Abstract

Disability is defined as a person's interaction with the limitations they have in their ability to participate in their
environment and society. Consequently, Disability can also be defined as a functional limitation to activity daily
living. These limitations for people with disabilities often resulted in difficulties in adapting, which making them
difficult to fully participate in their daily life. These limitations further supported by the number of people with
disabilities in Indonesia that is keep increasing over the years. Statistics Indonesia (BPS) data from 2023 shows that
there are approximately 22.97 million people with disabilities, or about 8.5% of the Indonesian population. This
increase in numbers resulted in an increased obligation for the state to provide educational and health facilities, as
well as employment opportunities that are accessible to these people with disabilities.
The main problems faced by people with disabilities in Indonesia, especially for children, are including physical
disabilities, cognitive impairments, and emotional regulation. Firstly, physical disabilities are including hearing
impairment, low vision to blindness, and mobility issues that on most cases would needs a walking aid, whilst high
prevalence of undetected hearing and vision problems might hinder children's learning ability and disrupt growth and
development. Secondly, cognitive and emotional regulation is followed by these issues, such as intellectual
disabilities, autism, and language disorders that are all quite prevalent, further complicating learning problems during
the developmental period. Another crucial issue is the lack of literacy among parents and caregivers of people with
disabilities regarding their children's growth and development, including their acceptance of children with special
needs. In many cases, parents would, intentionally or unintentionally, mistreat their children with special needs with
inequality. This phenomenon is particularly evident in school opportunities. Furthermore, with the growing stigma in
society about having a child with a disability is often associated to a curse and punishment from God. Thereby, this
kind of believes often leads many to feel ashamed and disregarded, pushing through the phenomenon of inequality for
many households with disabled children.
As an act to reduce discrimination for people with disabilities, the Indonesian government has enacted laws and
regulations to increase their participation in education, employment, and social settings. Government Law No. 8 of
2016 establishes the government's obligation to provide the widest possible access for people with disabilities to school
and pursue equal education. However, this is not enough; it requires collaboration from all levels of society with social
media plays a crucial role in educating people about the equality of people with disabilities and promoting activities
for people with disabilities, thereby reducing societal stigma.
In conclusion, let us work together to raise awareness of people with disabilities so that no one in Indonesia, especially
those with disabilities, feels left behind. Together, we can make Indonesia Golden 2050 a success.