People with disabilities are underrepresented. On average, people with disabilities make up 15% of the world’s population, meaning more than one billion people live with some kind of disability, which is diverse and widespread. According to data from Susenas, there are 38.8 million people in Indonesia who are classified as disabled in various ways, including visual, hearing, thinking, and emotional disabilities. Disability can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or socio-economic status.
On December 3, the world celebrates the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. It is a United Nations day dedicated to promoting the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all sectors of society and development. People with disabilities are positive change agents who make valuable contributions to the development of their communities and countries. They have diverse skills, talents and abilities and are entitled to the same opportunities and freedoms as all others.
The theme of this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities is “Acting in solidarity to save and achieve the SDGs for, with and by persons with disabilities”, reflecting the urgent need to accelerate and intensify our efforts to ensure that no one is left behind in the pursuit of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Disability inclusion is a priority for the UN and is crucial to realizing the vision of a better world for all. In 2019, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres launched the Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS) to embed disability inclusion in all operations and core functions of the UN system. Under this strategy, UN in Indonesia has been running disability inclusion campaigns for the past few years. The latest campaign is “Disability Inclusion Matters: Leave No One Behind, Strengthen Unity, Achieve More”. UN in Indonesia has made great strides in being more disability inclusive in its operations and program activities (please see our initiatives and campaigns in the list below).
“Policies, rules and mindsets have to change.
“Not only the government but also the United Nations must lead by example,” said Valérie Julien, Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Syria.
The UN coordinator for Indonesia said: “Therefore,
People with disabilities, representing the geographic diversity of countries
team.”
Various UN agencies in Indonesia, with the support of the Indonesian government, are also leading campaigns and projects aimed at improving the lives of people with disabilities across Indonesia, such as water and sanitation access programs for all, sign language dance competitions, and entrepreneurship. Next, the UN in Indonesia will hold an event celebrating the potential of people with disabilities, “Patriot Adalah Kita” (Celebrating Resilience and Diversity of Expression), or “The Heroes are Us” (Celebrating Resilience and Diversity of Expression). From December 6 to 10, 2023, the event will feature art exhibitions by people with disabilities, talk shows, and workshops aimed at empowering people with disabilities in Jakarta. Let us celebrate the potential and capabilities of people with disabilities and reaffirm our commitment to work together to ensure full and equal rights, inclusion, and empowerment for people with disabilities.
To further our disability inclusion campaign,
Inclusion of people with disabilities is important
Training Module for Capacity Building on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in UN Monitoring and Evaluation Activities
UN report highlights Indonesia’s disability data gaps
Access to Water and Sanitation for All: Comprehensive Water and Sanitation Transformation in Puskesmas, Lampung
ILO support for disability-owned businesses
United Nations participates in Indonesia’s first sign language dance choreography competition
Young entrepreneurs answer the challenges of Industrial Revolution 4.0
Learn Indonesian Sign Language from a barista at the UN Sunyi Coffee cafe in Indonesia
Indonesia’s visit to the United Nations: Soon-Yi Coffee, a cafe where all employees are disabled
The United Nations and disability support activities
Workshop on the participation of disability organizations in policy-making
United Nations Joint Diversity Training Programme in Indonesia
Assistive Technology
“Show me your sign”, International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2021