The ILO promotes inclusivity during the Creative Week for people with disabilities

In line with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities commemoration, the ILO took part of the Creative Week for Persons with Disabilities held by the United Nations in Indonesia. The collaboration event with Bumilangit Entertainment, a leading entertainment company in Indonesia, was held in Jakarta from 6-10 December under the theme: We are able! We are capable! We are equal!

These exhibition and workshop are a clear example that by providing more specialized learning services, they are able to actively participate in the society. We are delighted that the public could witness the strengths of each other. Thus, do not only focus on the weaknesses, but focus on the potentials instead."

Arini Suwarno, Chair of YPAS

There were more than 70 objects and activities featured in the event, including an exhibition and glass painting workshop presented by the Special Child Care Foundation (YPAS), one of the ILO's partners in fostering inclusivity in Indonesia. YPAS is an institution that educates children with learning difficulties such as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Dyslexia and Dysgraphia.

"This condition of learning difficulties is due to our students experiencing perceptual disorders, both in the visual (sight), auditory (hearing) and tactile-kinesthetic (touch-movement) aspects," explained Arini Suwarno, Chair of YPAS.

One of the programmes initiated by YPAS was glass painting activities. Not just exhibiting the work of its students, YPAS also invited visitors to learn directly about making glass paintings in an interactive workshop as one of the agendas of this creative week.

"These exhibition and workshop are a clear example that by providing more specialized learning services, they are able to actively participate in the society," Arini added. “We are delighted that the public could witness the strengths of each other. Thus, do not only focus on the weaknesses, but focus on the potentials instead.”

Talkshow on accessibility and human rights

The ILO was also involved in a talkshow entitled "Accessibility for All as a Basic Human Right" as the highlight of the event and in line with the World Human Rights Day commemoration on 10 December. This talkshow presented Ramaditya Adikara, ILO Consultant for Inclusivity, along with three other speakers: Sasa Saphira Kusbandiyah, a disability influencer, Albert Santoso, a young achiever of YPAC and Keken, a Kreaby Artist.

Rama explained that he was recruited by the ILO as a consultant to help revitalize the Indonesian Business and Disability Network (IBDN), which now consists of 63 local companies, 11 multinational companies, 3 state-owned companies, 26 civil society institutions and 11 academic institutions. It is hoped that this revitalization can further increase the number of companies that open the employment opportunities for workers with disabilities.

So, never consider people with disabilities as a burden, because they were an investment that could also make a meaningful contribution to the company."

Ramaditya Adikara, ILO Consultant for Inclusivity

Rama also explained the various programmes that has been conducted by the ILO to promote inclusiveness, such as providing support to the disability employment service unit (ULD) in collaboration with the Ministry of Manpower. The ILO also strives to create reasonable accommodation within the environment of higher education institutions in four maritime polytechnics.

“Together with Sasana Inklusi dan Gerakan Advokasi Difabel or SIGAB, the ILO has supported the assessments at four state maritime polytechnics, Batam State Polytechnic (Polibatam), State Maritime Polytechnic Indonesia (Polimarin), Surabaya State Shipbuilding Polytechnic (PPNS) and Manado State Polytechnic (Polimanado), to identify study programmes that could accept people with certain disabilities and the necessary adjustments," said Rama.

When asked about what the biggest challenge in creating an inclusive work environment, Rama said that the perspective of society, both companies and prospective workers, should be change. The best approach is to use a human rights perspective.

This is in line with the UN convention regarding the rights of people with disabilities, where they are subjects who have the freedom to choose, decide and determine what work they want to pursue. "So, never consider people with disabilities as a burden, because they were an investment that could also make a meaningful contribution to the company," concluded Rama.

This talkshow received an appreciation as conveyed by Gerry, one of the participants, who hoped that this kind of event would be held more often. "Apart from increasing knowledge, it also provides encouragement for the participating audiences."

The ILO’s disability labour market indicators reveal that nearly 90 per cent of persons with disabilities in Indonesia are inactive, i.e: are not working or actively seeking employment. Many of those who are employed work in the informal sector. In addition, 80 per cent of young people with disabilities are not involved in employment, education or training.