CIQAL Initiates Participatory Recess with Persons with Disability in Yogyakarta

On 29 May 2018, in Gamping Sub-district, Sleman, Yogyakarta Special Region, Y. Gustan Ganda S.T, a member of the Sleman Local Parliament (DPRD), held a participatory recess with Gamping Sub-district People with Disabilities (PwDs) Community, with support from CIQAL, a MAMPU partner. Participatory Recesses are utilised by MAMPU partners to build cooperation with members of parliament so that the needs of women and other marginalized groups are included in the region’s work programs and budgets.

The Participatory Recess in Sleman with the PwDs community was aimed at bringing people with disabilities and policy makers together to explore the problems and needs of PwDs (women) and families that have children with disabilities as a mechanism for the preparation of empowerment programs for PwDs and their families in Sleman District.

The recess discussed three major problems facing PwDs in social, educational and economic terms. In the social sphere, PwDs are often bullied, experience violence and ostracization from society because they are seen as disruptive. This makes it difficult for families with members who have disabilities to establish and maintain good relations with the surrounding community. In the field of education, families with PwDs generally do not know about options of education available after Special Schools (SLB). In addition, there are many of SLB facilities and infrastructure that are not sufficient for people with disabilities. Finally, in the economic aspect, lack of skills, education and access to capital for PwDs result in their low welfare and difficulty in escaping from their situations.

There are some solutions that can address these problems, such as dissemination of information to the community about disability issues, routine meetings for family that have members with disabilities, disability-specific health insurance, provision of budgets for improvement of SLB facilities and infrastructure, improving access to business capital loans, and increasing job skills for persons with disabilities.

The results of the discussions and their conclusions were then summarized in a document providing valid reference for parliamentarians in drawing up plans and budgets for development in the region. Gustan Ganda promised that the development planning will be included in proposals for the programs and local budget of Sleman District.