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3. Current Situation of Persons with Disabilities

  1. 3.1 Definition and Classification

    The Act of the Republic of Indonesia Number 4 of 1997 concerning disabled people stipulates the definition of persons with disabilities as follows:

    "Disabled person is someone who has physical and/or mental abnormality, which could disturb or be seen as obstacle and constraint in performing normal activities, and consisted of i) physically disabled, ii) mentally disabled, iii) physically and mentally disabled."

    Disability classifications and definitions are according to national standards that were developed by the Ministry of Social Affairs. There are seven kinds of definitions for disabilities developed in surveys and census.

    Visual Disability Consists of total blind and low vision. Total blind means both eyes can not see at all, and low vision means both eyes unable to calculate hand fingers moving in one meter distant even using eyeglasses.

    Hearing Disability Means both ears, without hearing aids, can not hear a voice or speech in one meter distant.

    Intellectual Disability Means unable to speak at all or the speech could not be understood. Blind and Deaf (clear),

    Physical Disability Means abnormality at bone, muscle, or moved joint. This category includes paralytic or incomplete parts of moving body. Included in this category is also persons who are unable to clearly speak due to other reasons.

    Mental Disturbance Mans trouble on skill (sitting, standing, walking, speaking, get dressing, and eat a meal) and usually is taken place since childhood. It includes a decrease of intellectual ability. This situation becomes a handicap in social and worked activities for old ages.

    Psyche Disturbance Means as an abnormality at mental and behavior. Some one who has this kind of disability is often speaking and laughing by her/his selves and their behavior is unpredictable.

  2. 3.2 Government Policy and National Plan Towards Persons with Disabilities

    The Government was a signatory country of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons and has indicated its importance for implementation as part of the National Development Plan (Propenas). The National Development Plan aims to improve the lives and prosperity of all Indonesians. It was first implemented in 1969, when poverty levels were approximately 65% of the total population according to Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

    Under the countries Pancasila (Indonesias 5 Principles of Ideology), PWDs are an integral part of society and they enjoy the same rights and obligations as other Indonesians. They are given the same opportunities as their fellow citizens and are also expected to participate actively in and contribute to the development of the country. PWDs are also able to take part in social and political life and have rights to education, social welfare, medical care and rehabilitation, jobs and access to public facilities and services throughout the country.

    The Public Act No. 25 in 2000 for the National Development Plan stipulated policies, strategies and programs for 2000-2004, which would uplift the socio-economic condition of the population. It covered poverty, neglected children, disability, vulnerable groups in need of social protection and the social impact of natural and man-made disaster. Additionally, the National Development Plan set out objectives in the field of social welfare to promote awareness for PWDs, through the provision of job opportunities in order to improve their social welfare and to improve physical accessibility for the disabled.

    Included under The National Development Plan the following were some of the objectives of the Government:

    Building Peoples Welfare, Improving the Quality of Religious Life, and Cultural Resistance

    "the outline direction of health and social welfare of GBHN 1999-2004 includes improving human resources and the environment by adopting a new health paradigm, increasing the quality of institutional and health services, promoting a social insurance system for workers, developing social resilience, raising appreciation of senior and retired/veteran citizens, raising concern for socially disadvantaged people, improving the quality of people, combating trade and drug abuse and increasing physical and non-physical accessibility for disabled people. "

    Program objectives of basic education including pre-school guidance and for high schools

    "Improve educational opportunities for disabled children and disadvantaged groups, including those who live in remote areas, urban shanties, areas off conflict and poor communities."

    Direction of Social and Culture Development concerning Health and Social Welfare

    "Raise concern for neglected children, the disabled, the poor and needy, and social marginal groups through creating as many job opportunities as possible to increase community welfare."

    "Provide physical and non-physical accessibility for disabled people to allow them a voice in the overall decision making process."

    "Talent scouting/cadre and guidance in sports achievements should be improved systematically and comprehensively through educational organizations and central guidance under the coordination of respective sport organizations, including sport organizations for disabled people, working together with society to pursue achievements at an international level."

    Programs to promote the welfare and total integration of people with disabilities are implemented both by the government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The Welfare Development Program covers areas such as prevention, rehabilitation, social assistance and care. However, NGOs are gradually expected to play more essential roles in carrying out these programs. The government will continue to develop the basic policies, guide, counsel NGOs and create a more conducive environment for NGOs to carry out their tasks effectively.

  3. 3.3 Government System

    Steps have been taken to establish an information system on issues regarding PWDs among the Department of Social Affairs, Department of Health, Department of Education, Department of Manpower, and Department of Information. National NGOs, including the Indonesian National Council for Social Welfare, the National NGO Network, and the Indonesia Disabled Peoples Association are also in the process of establishing a data centre and information network.

    Indonesian National Council on Social Welfare NGOs and prominent volunteers in disability-related services established the Indonesian National Council on Social Welfare in 1967. The establishment of the national council was than followed by the establishment of similar autonomous councils at provincial and district levels.

    The Coordinating Board for the Welfare of Persons with Disabilities and the Indonesian National Council on Social Welfare have been very instrumental in promoting the quality of partnership among the different government and private agencies, and in promoting the quality of services to PWDs, especially in relation to training and employment.

    Ministry of Social Affairs The Ministry of Social Affairs provides social aid for the socially disadvantaged, social rehabilitation and social donation. As such the Ministry also manages rehabilitation centers throughout the country. Figure 5 highlights the organizational chart of the Ministry.

    The Department of Social Affairs estimates that a total of 50,000 people benefit from its social rehabilitation systems each year. The Department provides the follow:

    • Promote outreach services in rehabilitation
    • Promote community participation in rehabilitation
    • Develop quality facilities and infrastructure
    • Promote partnership between social institutions and corporations

    Figure 5

    Organizational Chart of the Ministry of Social Welfare

    Organization Chart of the Ministry of Social Welfare Description

    Source: JICA Country Profile on Disability, Republic of Indonesia, March 2002

    Ministry of Manpower Regarding its policy and objectives to place disabled persons in the work force include the following:

    • To synchronize Law Number 4/1997 on disabled people and Government Regulation Number 43/1998 about endeavors to improve the social welfare of disabled people
    • To impose the Decision of Ministry of Manpower on Job Training and Placement for the Disabled - Decision 205/MEN/1999
    • To increase and enhance job opportunities for the disabled in formal and informal sectors through inter-governmental cooperation and private companies
    • To facilitate placement of job seekers with disabilities in the formal sector through the job bazaar model
    • To conduct guidance for enterprise groups at national and regional levels to promote self-employment of disabled persons
    • To improve the vocational rehabilitation system through cooperation with the International Labor Organization
    • To reinforce implementation of Law Number 4/1997 on manpower supervisors in accordance with existing regulations
    • To reward companies that employ disabled persons
    • To encourage private agencies to improve job matching services for placement of job seekers with disabilities
    • Issues of training and employment strategy were derived from the 2000-2004 strategic plan of the Ministry of Manpower, which stipulated that vocational training would be implemented through partnerships and flexibility in order to fulfill the national, regional and international demand of the labor market.

    The Ministry of Manpower also manages the National Vocational Training Council, which was established in 1984 and comprises of representatives from the private sector, associations, labor unions, professionals, and line ministries. The establishment of the Council was aimed to review, monitor, and whenever required, to adjust the existing vocational training policies. The Ministry of Manpower is the largest public training provider in Indonesia. While the formal education system is under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, vocational training is under the auspices of the Ministry of Manpower.

    Ministry of Transportation Introduced mandatory regulations for transport operators to improve access for persons with disabilities and illness in 1999.

    The Department of Health Since 1995, the Department of Health has been implementing a national immunization program against poliomyelitis. The number of infants and children below five years old receiving immunizations per year in 1995 and 1996 were over 21 million.

  4. 3.4 Regional Cooperation

    The national coordinating body on the promotion of the welfare of persons with disabilities was strengthened and restructured in 1997. With the restructuring, the body consists of 12 working groups: each focusing on one of the 12 areas listed in the Agenda for Action for the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons. Such working groups are formed both at the national and provincial levels. To better meet the goals of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons, a national NGO network was established in 1994. It is the national counterpart of the Regional NGO Network for the Promotion of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons. In addition, five related national organizations have held several conferences on disability.

    Through the coordination of ESCAP, relationships among countries in Asia and the Pacific on matters concerning people with disabilities have been continuously improving. Such relationships include cooperation, exchange of experts, fellowships, assistance in technical equipment and devices, and training of rehabilitation personnel from developing countries. Since 1983 the rehabilitation centre in Surakarta has been involved in these.

    National NGOs for and of people with disabilities have become members of regional as well as international organizations such as Rehabilitation International, Disabled Peoples International, World Blind Union, and the Regional NGO Network for the Promotion of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons (RNN).

    The Community-Based Rehabilitation Development and Training Centre through managed by The Indonesian Society for the Care of Disabled Children (YPAC), has been holding various regional and international seminars, workshops, and training on community-based rehabilitation.

  5. 3.5 Statistics Data

    The WHO estimates that approximately 10% of the worlds population suffers from disabilities. In the context of Indonesia that would translate into approximately 20 million people with disabilities in 2000. Despite the national surveys conducted by the Bureau of Statistics and Susenas, the Department of Social Affairs has estimated that approximately 6 million people with disabilities, or 3.11% of the total population of Indonesia.

  6. 3.6 Law and Legislation

    There are currently 12 separate statutes which can be used as the basis to advance the welfare of PWDs in Indonesia. The most important law enacted is the Act Number 4 of 1997, Concerning Disabled People (see Appendix I for a full text of the Act). Every Governmental agency and institution is required to formulate their own policies, strategies and programs to improve and promote the welfare of disabled persons. The implementation of these activities is an integral part of each sector in the overall national development plan. Some of the other legislative acts are as follows:

    1. Presidential Decision Number 39/1983
      Coordination of Social Welfare for Disabled Persons
    2. Government Regulation Number 72/1997
      Special Education for PWDs
    3. Government Regulation Number 43/1998
      Generating Social Welfare for Disabled People

      To realize equality status, right, duty and role for disabled persons. The regulation provides that companies must follow a quota system by employing 1 disabled person for every 100 employees.

    4. Presidential Decree Number 83/1999
      Agency for Coordination and Control in Generating Social Welfare for Disabled People

      The Decree was signed in 1999 in order to support the enforcement of Government Regulation Number 43/1998 in the efforts to improve the social welfare of PWDs.

  7. 3.7 Social Services

    Social services are mostly provided and coordinated by the Ministry of Social Affairs. The Center for Social Rehabilitation Bina Grahita "Kartini", was established in 1983 and is the only national rehabilitation center that takes care and builds the capacity of persons with intellectual disability for their participation in society and self capacity.

  8. 3.8 Medical Services, Rehabilitation and Assistive Devices

    Rehabilitation From the rehabilitation centre at Surakarta in Central Java, Professor Soeharso started rehabilitation for people with disabilities in 1950. Since then, the country had witnessed tremendous growth in the development of rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities. The national development plan, and regional and international movements on rehabilitation services have aided in its growth.

    The national development plan provides the guidelines for rehabilitation work, which are carried out by NGOs and various government agencies, including the Department of Social Affairs, Department of Education and Culture, Department of Health and Department of Manpower.

    Social rehabilitation services are provided via two methods: the institutional and non-institutional care systems. Currently, there are 40 institutions for people with disabilities in Indonesia. The Dr. R. Soeharso Orthopedic Hospital is one of these institutions that was formed in 1994 and is the only national reference hospital for orthopedic cases, providing medial rehabilitation including operations, training, assistive devises, post-medical care and social rehabilitation.

    The existing structure of Institutional Social Rehabilitation Centers in Indonesia consist of the following:

    • 7 Social Rehabilitation Centers for persons with physical disabilities with a total capacity of 1,095 persons
    • 19 Social Rehabilitation Centers for persons with visual disabilities with a total capacity of 1,667 persons
    • 4 Social Rehabilitation Centers for people with speech and hearing disabilities, which has a total capacity of 300 persons
    • 9 Social Rehabilitation Centers for persons with mental disabilities and has a total capacity of 1,000 people
    • 1 Social Rehabilitation Center for people with an ex-chronicle disease/leprosy with a total capacity of approximately 80 people

    Non-institutional care systems include sheltered workshops, mobile rehabilitation units, small scheme enterprises vocational learning practices and the re-socialisation and resettlement of former leprosy patients.

    Assistive Devices Information on assistive devices has been disseminated through exhibitions, seminars, workshops, mobile rehabilitation units and community-based rehabilitation programs. The Government and a few NGOs have provided at low prices assistive devices which are adapted to local conditions. Training for assistive device technicians are carried out at hospitals and rehabilitation centers in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

    The National Rehabilitation Centre for the Physically Handicapped (NRC) makes prosthetic and orthotic devices while the Prof. Dr. Soeharso NRC workshop in Surakarta is intended for fabrication and repair of artificial limbs. Based on the data from the Department of Social Affairs and Department of Health, the units of production that have the capability of supporting production capacity are:

    • Prof. Dr. Soeharso Hospital of Orthotics and Prosthetics, Solo
    • Prof. Dr. Soeharso Rehabilitation Centre, Solo
    • Indonesian Institution for the Care of Disabled Children, Solo
    • YAKKUM Rehabilitation Centre, Yogyakarta,
    • Unit of Medical Rehabilitation, Dr. Sutomo General Hospital, Surabaya
    • Unit of Medical Rehabilitation, Navy Hospital, Surabaya
    • Unit of Medical Rehabilitation, Dr. Kariyadi General Hospital, Semarang
    • Unit of Medical Rehabilitation, General Hospital, Dr. Sardjito, Yogyakarta
    • Unit of Medical Rehabilitation, Army Hospital
    • Dr. Ciptomangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta
    • Fatmawati Hospital, Jakarta
    • Hasan Sadikan General Hospital, Jakarta
    • General Hospital, Palembang
    • General Hospital, Ujung Pandang

    The Merdeka wheelchair is manufactured by the R.S. Fatmawati Hospital, Jakarta. The wheelchairs were introduced in R.S. Fatmawati Hospital by the English-based charity MOTIVATION. Motivation specializes in designing wheelchairs for developing countries and has set up workshops in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Poland and the Russian Federation. Initial research studies were conducted to establish the needs of the disabled community, availability of equipment and local materials, skill levels of local labour, site assessment and distribution systems. The Merdeka wheelchair can be produced at a fraction of the cost of a comparable chair in a developed country and is made to suit each individual user.

  9. 3.9 Community Based Rehabilitation

    There are several organizations which support community-based rehabilitation (CBR) programs throughout the country. One such program was launched in 1979 in cooperation with the Government, UNDP and ILO. The Ministry of Social Affairs represents the Government in these initiatives and launched a series of projects on CBR focused to strengthen the capacity of the Government in developing community-based rehabilitation infrastructures and mechanisms at a grassroots level.

    The project established 4 CBR sheltered workshops and vocational training centers. By the end of 2000, there were 273 centers throughout Indonesia. A permanent training facility was established at the Prof. Dr. Soeharso Rehabilitation Center. They emphasized the empowerment of small business entities of the disabled, through the provision of inexpensive and appropriate prosthetics for rural disabled people. Additionally, the Prof Dr. Soeharso Rehabilitation Center and the Jaipur Rehabilitation Center in India developed a cooperative agreement on CBR and rehabilitation.

    The Japan Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) provided further support to the rehabilitation centers and the vocational training centers through vocational experts, in technologies, equipment and building reconstruction.

    Other Initiatives Efforts to widen the coverage of rehabilitation services to reach the rural areas have also been implemented through mobile rehabilitation units, outreach programs run by rehabilitation institutions, sheltered workshops and community-based rehabilitation. Community participation in the national development plan is stated in the national state guidelines, which include efforts to rehabilitate people with disabilities.

    The Ministry of Social Affairs provided that additional outreach services were offered from the mobile rehabilitation units which serve to disseminate early detection and rehabilitation services to PWDs in remote areas.

    Addition non-institutional services for CBR are also provided by indigenous social development workers, sub-district social officers, community-based sheltered workshops for the disabled and small business group of the disabled.

    Rehabilitation centers throughout Indonesia play a vital role in supporting CBR, while training qualified disabled resources that are ready to undertake self-help entrepreneurial activities at the community level.

  10. 3.10 Independent Living Movement

    There are currently no organizations that formally promote or practice Independent Living in Indonesia. However, there are many vocational and rehabilitation centers along with self-help organizations that promote sustainable livelihood programs and capacity-building programs.

  11. 3.11 Public Awareness

    Both government institutions and NGOs carried out nationwide public awareness campaigns through seminars, workshops, discussions, publications, television and radio programs during the first five years of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons. The Government supports the Disabled Persons International Day, which is celebrated each year in December.

  12. 3.12 Sports

    The Indonesian Body for the Promotion of Sports for the Disabled participates in the Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled (FESPIC), which was held in Indonesia in 1986, as the 4th annual event of FESPIC. There were 834 participants at these games.

    There are three primary NGOs that provide support to PWDs in sports and are as follows:

    • The Sports Building Capacity for Persons with Disabilities Board (BPOC), which is called the Badan Pembina Olahraga Cacat (BPOC) and was formed in 1962 for sports related activities and organizational rules for PWDs.
    • The Special Olympics Organization in Indonesia (SOIna), organized 2 days of National Games for PWDs in October 2002, which 586 athletes from 29 provinces attended. The event also took place in August 2003. Through SOInas participation, athletes from Indonesia also participated in the Special Olympics World Summer Games held in Dublin in June 2003.
    • The Indonesian Association for promoting sports of the hearing impaired, Persatuan Olahraga Tunarungu Indonesia (PORTURIN), is a national level organization with its core activity to promote and develop sports for the hearing impaired.
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Biwako Millennium Framework Seven Priority Areas

  1. 3.13 Self-help Organizations of persons with disabilities and related family and parent associations

    At the national, provincial, and local levels, there are over 750 organizations of PWDs, however, many still need government assistance as well as empowerment. The Indonesian Association of Women with Disabilities (see Section 3.14 - Women with Disabilities) and the Indonesian Society for Care of Disabled Children are two such organizations that provide self-help through both CBR and vocational and rehabilitation schemes. Federations have also been organized to meet the specific needs of PWDs as follows:

    The Indonesian National Federation for the Welfare of Mentally Retarded
    Federasi Nasional untuk Kesejahteraan Cacat Mental - FNKCM
    The coordinating, consultative and federation organization for all grass-root organizations in correlation with rehabilitation services for mentally retarded specifically in special school programs.
    Indonesian Federation for the Welfare of Visually Impaired
    Federasi Kesejahteraan Tunanetra Indonesia (FKTI)
    Coordination with rehabilitation services for the hearing and visually impaired. They provide special school programs.
    Indonesian Blind Association
    Persatuan Tunanetra Indonesia (PERTUNI)
    The only national level organization (over 100 branches in district areas) with its core activity to give rehabilitation services for the visually impaired.
    The Indonesian Society for Care of Disabled Children
    Yayasan Pembinaan Anak-Anak Cacat (YPAC)

    YPAC (The Indonesian Society for the Care of Disabled Children) was established by the late Prof. Dr. Soeharso in response to the polio epidemic that occurred in Indonesia in the early 1950s. Expansion of services has allowed the society to provide assistance to groups of children with physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy. YPAC currently operates 16 branches throughout Indonesia with its core activities include giving rehabilitation services for children with physical disabilities which includes special school programs.

    In 1978, YPAC developed the concept of CBR with an early detection and early intervention program for disability in young children. The CBR Development and Training Center (CBRDTC) was established in 1989 and by 191 the first international CBR workshop was held in the facilities.

    The CBR Center office and training complex is located in Solo in Central Java and a 5,000 square meter facility consisting of fully accessible guest rooms, training rooms, auditorium and office space. The Center is also equipped with audio visual equipments including 20 simultaneous translation earphones and an accessible bus for 8 wheelchairs or 18 peoples.

    The programs and other activities of the CBRDTC are directed towards solving disability issues through community development. The main objective of the Center is to develop the concepts of CBR while not providing direct service for PWDs. Other objectives include:

    • Promoting the use of CBR as the most effective way of preventing disability and improving quality of life of people with disabilities in every family, community and country
    • Improving existing methods of implementation of CBR by developing new ideas to be included to the concept of CBR
    • Develop the CBR DTC as a resource for those who are interested in CBR
  2. 3.14 Women with Disabilities

    The Indonesian Womens Congress (KOWANI), is an umbrella organization of 72 nation-wide womens organizations ranging from professional groups to religious associations. It is recognized as the accredited National Council of Women of Indonesia while maintaining formal co-operation with all government agencies and bodies. KOWANI has been a member of ASEAN Confederation of Womens Organizations (ACWO) since 1981 and the International Council of Women since 1973.

    The Indonesian Association of Women with Disabilities (HWPCI) was founded in September 1997 by ten prominent disabled women, with the purpose of rallying, uniting, and empowering all women with disabilities in Indonesia. HWPCI aims to foster a sense of togetherness among women with disabilities both nationally and internationally, promoting the physical and emotional welfare of women with disabilities.

    The HWPCI is a self-help organization that concentrates on the improvement of social and cultural environment issues regarding women with disabilities. It strives to have a strong relationship with the Indonesian National Council for Social Welfare, the Indonesian Womens Congress and the Indonesia Disabled peoples Association.

    Long term goals of HWPCI are to improve the social and cultural environment for women with disabilities, enhancing their role in all aspects of life, to promote existing laws protecting women with disabilities, and to promote equal partnership with all people through mutual respect, appreciation, help and fulfillment.

    HWPCI plans on providing educational opportunities for Indonesian women with disabilities which include training courses that culminate in a certificate of proficiency. HWPCI aims to assist in job placement and the creation of business groups for those who achieve the certificate.

  3. 3.15 Early Detection, Intervention and Education

    Early Detection / Prevention

    Health services in Indonesia have developed steadily since 1969 during the implementation of the national development plan. This development is largely due to the presence of a comprehensive health care system in Indonesia. As a result many hospitals have added rehabilitation units to their existing facilities in order to prevent disabilities caused by illness or accidents.

    An integrated health service system for villages has been effective for the early detection and identification of infants with disabilities. Community health centers that are located in every sub-district have become important links between the community and main branch hospitals. Such referral systems have enhanced the prevention of disabilities.

    Since 1995, the Department of Health has been implementing a national immunization program against poliomyelitis. The number of infants and children below five years old receiving immunizations in 1995 and 1996 alone was over 21 million per year. The Department of Health also conducts community awareness campaigns for the prevention of disabilities through print and electronic media as well as through marriage and family planning counseling services.

    Education

    Education for disabled children and youth is provided through an integrated educational system which has included PWDs into the 9 year compulsory educational system. Integrated education for children with disabilities began in 1979 and is jointly promoted through the Ministries of Social Affairs, Education, Religious Affairs and Home Affairs.

    Special education for disabled children is organized specifically for students who suffer from physical, mental and/or behavioral disability. This education is aimed at helping the physically and/or mentally disabled students to be able to develop attitude, knowledge and mutual relationship with the social, cultural and natural environment and to develop their capability to compete in the job market or continue to higher education. The types of special education consist of:

    • Special Pre-school of 1 to 3 years duration
    • Special Primary School of at least 6 years
    • Special Secondary School of at least 3 years

    Indonesia also has special schools for PWDs which include schools for the visually impaired, intellectually disabled, physically disabled, hearing impaired and persons with multiple disabilities. There are approximately 240 special schools run by the Government and 706 by NGOs. Various seminars and workshops are conducted to improve the quality and standard of those schools.

  4. 3.16 Training and Employment

    The Government, along with NGOs, has been providing vocational training to people with disabilities through institutional care, sheltered and community workshops, and vocational training centers. The Ministries of Social Affairs, Defense, and Manpower along with NGOs conduct various programs on training and employment for PWDs. The Department of Social Affairs itself employs 200 people with disabilities.

    The Ministry of Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Manpower, together with the Indonesia Business Association, has promised to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities and also to create better understanding and awareness in society toward disabled persons.

    While the formal education system is under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, vocational training is conducted and under the auspices of the Ministry of Manpower. The Ministry of Manpower is considered the largest public training provider in Indonesia. The main function of the Ministry is to improve vocational training and productivity along with employment promotion and manpower utilization.

    The Ministry of Manpower Decree No. 205 stipulated the regulations on vocational training and placement of disabled workers and included:

    Article 5
    Workers with disabilities are entitled to get vocational training provision from a vocational training institution, owned by the Government or private entities
    The training could be implemented by exclusively or jointly with the other workers
    The training institution has to follow to the established and recognized condition and training methods, and using suitable training facilities, which have been adjusted to the need of the workers with disabilities.
    Article 7
    Upon the completion of the training, the workers with disabilities are entitled to get vocational training certificate
    Article 8
    Placement of the workers with disabilities
    Upon the completion of medical, social and educational rehabilitation, workers with disabilities are entitled to have vocational rehabilitation
    Vocational rehabilitation to cover social guidance and counseling, vocational training and selective job placement
    In order to get the rehabilitation vocational opportunity, workers with disabilities have to register themselves to the job placement office

    Since its existence in 1979, Diklat Bina Swadaya, an operational working unit of Yayasan Bina Sawadaya, has developed training programs which include, the training for Promoters of Self-Supporting Groups and the Development Management of Society Self-Support. Co-operation with international institutions include:

    • GTZ: The Training for Trainers of Underdeveloped Villages
    • ILO-IPEC: Project Management Training and Training of Management Design and Program Evaluation for the Removal of Children Workers
    • Canada Fund: The Promoters of Self-Help Society Training and The Development Management of Self-Help Society
    • World Bank: Training for Development Program of the Bank and SHGS Relationship
    • Euro Consul-Holland (TOT for PPL)
    • IIRR: Management Training for Non-Benefit Organizations
    • SEACA and NDI: Citizens Advocate and Participation

    The implementation of vocational training is conducted through 155 field operational units or Vocational Training Centers. 149 vocational centers have been transferred to local district authorities while the remaining six centers remain with the Ministry of Manpower which are used mostly for advanced training for instructors and serve as a model of services delivered. The most advanced vocational center is the "Central for Educational and Vocational Extension Services Training" (CEVEST), which was developed by the Ministry of Manpower in co-operation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). CEVEST is the highest training center for vocational instructors.

    In order to provide policy guidelines, as required by the Ministry of Manpower, the "National Vocational Council" was established which is widely supported by all relevant line ministries, labor unions, employer associations, and professionals.

    The Ministry's vocational centers offer both institutional and non-institutional training. Non-institutional training is conducted outside of the vocational centers in correctional houses, Islamic boarding houses or in a vocational center operated by the Ministry of Social Affairs or any other institution outside the auspices of the Ministry of Manpower. The types of training offered by the Ministry depends on the needs of the community and the market.

    All vocational training conducted by the Ministry of Manpower and the Ministry of Education is considered institutional formal training whereby a certificate of completion is provided which is equivalent to a Diploma level 1, 2 or 3.

  5. 3.17 Access to Built Environment and Public Transportation

    During 1997, a team was established to develop the standards of accessibility in Indonesia. Members of the team included the School of Architecture from Gajah Mada University and the Institute for Research, Guidance and Development of PWDs in Yogyakarta. As a result the Ministry of Public Works issued Technical Standards of Accessibility of the Building and Environment in 1998.

  6. 3.18 Access to Information and Communication

    To break down barriers faced by disabled persons in Indonesia, several organizations have begun to take initial steps to promote accessibility. For people who are visually or hearing impaired, barriers in access to information and communication are gradually removed through the promotion of Braille and talking books, other assistive devices and sign language.

    The Mitra Netra Foundation (MNF) was founded by university graduates who were visually impaired in 1991 to provide assistive devises and a variety of rehabilitation services. MNF is a member of the Daisy Consortium, which utilizes Digital Accessible Information SYstems used in making books accessible to the visually impaired.

    The MNF provides counseling and mental rehabilitation for newly visually impaired PWDs at the Medical Rehabilitation Section of the Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo National State Hospital. It conducts Braille courses and training in orientation and mobility. The Foundation is also developing a resource center by providing special services for visually impaired students who attend integrated schools with the goal of preparing them for the inclusive educational system, such as reading and tutorial/remedial services. Courses provided include ten-finger typing, talking computer and abacus training while producing accessible reading materials for the visually impaired in the form of talking and Braille books. Additionally, the MNF is developing The Indonesian e-Braille Community by providing an On-line Braille Library Service.

    The MNF conducts research on special aids for the visually impaired in order to provide the widest possible access and to improve the quality of the visually impaired in education and employment. They are in the process of developing computer software which will convert documents in Roman characters into Braille automatically for the Indonesian Braille System. The software is call the Mitranetra Braille Converter. The Foundation is also creating an English-Indonesian and Indonesian-English electronic dictionary named MELDICT (Mitranetra Electronic Dictionary) for the visually impaired.

    Other types of products the Foundation is producing, include, Digital Talking Books in accordance with the needs of Indonesian users, books in the form of CDs, which are recorded by the use of digital technology, in order to provide convenience for the visually impaired in selecting a particular page or chapter.

    They are in the process of developing Indonesian Braille symbols for Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, and the Indonesian contractions, which have been legalized by the Department of National Education of the Republic of Indonesia.

    The Foundation produces a monthly talking magazine called Warta Suara, whose contents are selected from current news and articles taken from weeklies and information concerning visual impairment.

    MNF also conducts vocational training and apprenticeships while providing career counseling to prepare the visually impaired for job opportunities and entering the labor market.

  7. 3.19 Poverty Alleviation through capacity-building, social security and sustainable livelihood programs

    One of the Governments highest priorities is the alleviation of poverty throughout Indonesia. Its short-term goal is to reduce the level of poverty to 6% of the total number of the population. To achieve its objective, the Government implemented the policy of sectoral and regional development during the First Long-term Development Program. The Government also launched a special program by supporting the poor into becoming self sufficient to eradicate poverty.

    Policies have been directed to specific communities categorized as low income families with a limited capacity to improve the physical infrastructure and facilites which support the fulfillment of primary needs such as food, closing, housing, health and education. Other specific policies have been established to increase self-support and prepare the poor in carrying out socio-economic activities by providing them with working capital and special assistance, and to support the transition process from subsystem of life to a market oriented one.

    The 1993 Guidelines of the State Policy outlined that poverty alleviation is to close the gap between the poor and the rich. Three main programs to eradicate poverty have been carried out. The Social Welfare Program covers the IDT program coordinated by the Ministry of Home Affairs and National Development Planning Agency. The Takesra/Kukesra program is coordinated by the national Family Planning Coordinating Board along with the Social Welfare Program which is managed by the Ministry of Social Affairs. The Poverty Alleviation Program has been executed in some districts by government officials such as the National Family Planning Coordinating Board, Home Affairs Department, Trade and Industry Department, and the State Ministry for the Role of Women.

    To socialize the poverty alleviation program in the districts through "Integrated Training" is meant to optimize the programs and sectored activities as a coordinated and integrated community welfare project and controlling social welfare. Other programs include:

    Financial Assistance for Least Developed Villages (IDT)

    The IDT is a program aimed at distribution and deepening development programs. The expansion of socio-economic programs is provided through a roll-over fund which is directly granted to the poor through community groups in the least developed villages.

    Community Welfare Saving-Business Credit for Community Welfare (Takesra-Kukesra)

    This community scheme motivates savings awareness whereby each family is obliged to save a minimum of Rp2,000. For the sub-prosperous and prosperous I households are provided with a loan for their needs. The scheme currently covers 10.7 million families in 27 provinces. Besides receiving social welfare support from Takesra, families also receive a working capital loan.

    Social Welfare Program

    This program consists of social information, social guidance and motivation, consultation and skill training, depending on the size of the loan given. The guidance is given through groups of at most 10 heads of families. Those groups are called joint business group which are guided by a facilitator of social worker groups and sub-district social workers. Loans may be in the form of cattle, goats or others, which can be sold in joint business group shops. The Sub-Social Welfare Program is found in rural and urban areas. The social welfare aid for the poor is given in non-monetary form as roll-over business group capital.

    Sectoral and Regional Program

    The improvement of small-scale fishermen and farmers income project (P4K) has been operational since 1986 and covers the supporting fund program given to small scale farmers whose income is below the poverty line.

    The Community Self-Reliance Group and Bank Relations Project was established in 1989 as a pilot project by Bank Indonesia. The objective of the program is to provide the appropriate funds for the Savings and Loan Group or the Community Self-Reliance Groups in each area served. They serve small-scale farmers and small scale entrepreneurs in the rural economic sector.

    The Savings and Loan Program of Village Enterprises is a credit service pattern under the guidance of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Cooperatives and Bank Rakyat Indonesia. The scheme includes providing loans to institutions and village communities who need working capital for businesses while developing main savings, mandatory savings and volunteer savings of the members.




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