THEY INSPIRE
Priyombodo, Kompas

Special-needs people, or those better known by their derogatory nicknames, such as disabled, are considered an anomaly in our society. They are isolated and often ignored by the public. According to the data released in 2011 by the National Health Ministry (Kemenkes) there were 6.7 million disabled people in Indonesia, or around 3.11 per cent of the total population. But according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Indonesia has over 10 million disabled people living in the country.

Even though the government has given an opportunity for disabled people to take on formal jobs, many believe the initiative is quite ineffective, considering that most disabled individuals prefer to spend their days at home or at care facilities and away from the general public.

Nevertheless, despite their limitations, plenty of disabled individuals are able to fight the stigma that being disabled equals being useless/worthless and somehow prove to the general public that they are no less capable of performing the necessary tasks—even beyond—in formal jobs.

Empowerment is striving to be better, together.