Indonesia has made strides in fostering disability inclusion, yet a stark gap remains between policy intentions and real-world outcomes.

While laws such as Law No. 8 of 2016 guarantee equal access to education and employment, implementation lags behind.

Participation rates remain worryingly low: just 2.8% of persons with disabilities were enrolled in higher education in 2022. By 2023, only 1% had secured formal employment.

Compounding these challenges, 11.42% of PWDs live below the poverty line, while 71.4% navigate the precarious informal sector, often without social protections.

The launch of the Collaborative Action Plan, spearheaded by the Pijar Foundation and the Nippon Foundation in collaboration with Tenggara Strategics, represents a pivotal move towards genuine inclusion.

The plan convened policymakers, disability advocates, business leaders, and academics to discuss meaningful, structural reforms.

Also Read: Singapore’s jobs growth incentive: Employing PWDs

A shift from charity to human rights

Recognising the limitations of a charity-based approach, the Collaborative Action Plan champions a rights-based framework, pushing for systemic change across three critical areas: education, employment, and public awareness.

1) Transforming higher education

To ensure greater access and retention of PWDs in universities, the plan proposes:

• Enforcing accessibility standards in academic institutions
• Expanding scholarships and financial aid for PWD students
• Enhancing learning tools through assistive technologies, Braille materials, and sign language interpretation
• Equipping faculty with inclusive teaching training
• Establishing disability resource centres to support students
• Launching mentorship schemes and career readiness programmes

2) Fostering inclusive employment

Employment remains a major hurdle for PWDs, necessitating both policy enforcement and cultural shifts. The plan advocates:

• Enforcing disability hiring quotas and incentivising employers
• Adapting workplaces with accessible infrastructure and assistive devices
• Promoting flexible and remote work options
• Encouraging corporate apprenticeship schemes
• Creating a centralised employment portal for PWD job seekers

3) Changing public perception

Beyond policy, societal attitudes need to evolve. The plan includes:

• Launching media campaigns to challenge stereotypes
• Strengthening enforcement of disability inclusion laws
• Organising forums and policy dialogues to showcase best practices

Also Read: China introduces policy to make disabled workers more employable

Building momentum for PWDs in Indonesia

Stakeholders underscored that true inclusion requires a collective push from the government, academia, and private sector, The Jakarta Post reported.

Aria Indrawati of Yayasan Mitra Netra and deaf activist Adhi Kusumo Bharoto highlighted the pressing need to bridge the gap between special education and mainstream schooling.

“It’s not just about [higher education institutions] accepting PWDs; it’s about providing proper accommodations and full accessibility because we are talking about delivering knowledge and fostering critical thinking for students with disabilities,” Adhi said.

Echoing this, Krishna Worotikan, CFO and diversity lead at Microsoft Indonesia, shared how Microsoft has reshaped hiring policies to accommodate neurodiverse candidates.

“Our hiring policy ensures all roles are open to everyone. For certain disabilities, we’ve adapted interview processes, including specific guidelines for neurodiverse candidates – from interviews to hiring and training, all designed to be inclusive,” Krishna said.

Government initiatives: Expanding the safety net

Beyond the Collaborative Action Plan, Indonesia is rolling out additional measures to support PWDs. The National Commission on Disabilities and the Ministry of Human Rights have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enforce disability rights in alignment with President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita vision.

Looking ahead to 2025, the government will expand social protection schemes, including:

• Providing two free meals daily to 42,000 PWDs through community-driven initiatives
• Enrolling 428,000 PWDs in the Family Hope Programme
• Extending non-cash food assistance to 588,000 beneficiaries
• Distributing assistive devices such as wheelchairs and hearing aids to 69,000 individuals through the ATENSI programme
• Launching rehabilitation and empowerment programmes to boost self-sufficiency

The Collaborative Action Plan marks a turning point in Indonesia’s journey towards a truly inclusive society.

However, success will depend on persistent monitoring, policy reinforcement, and cross-sector collaboration.

The business community plays a crucial role in transforming workplaces, not just through compliance but through leadership in fostering a culture of belonging.