On May 5, AGENDA partner Perkumpulan Penyandang Disabilitas Indonesia (PPDI) conducted a second virtual focus group discussion (FGD) on the elimination of stigma and discrimination for persons with disabilities in the workplace. The discussion aimed to increase awareness and understanding of the implementation of the Enabling Masterplan and to encourage the fulfilment of the requirement to employ persons with disabilities as outlined in Indonesian Law No. 8/2016. The FGD was attended by 54 participants, including 33 women and 8 participants with disabilities. The participants represented government institutions, state-owned companies and private sector businesses. The FGD resulted in 13 recommendations which include:

  1. Disseminating information and resources regarding employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and creating inclusive work environments.
  2. Ensuring that Disability Service Units (DSUs) are effective in local governments. DSUs are regional agencies that provide equipment for disabled workers at their sites of employment. DSUs also provide information to government offices and private businesses on non-discriminatory recruitment practices.
  3. Encouraging regional governments to adopt local policies which regulate inclusive spatial planning for all public buildings.
  4. The provision of education and training opportunities for persons with disabilities on hard skills, soft skills, technical knowledge, increasing job opportunities and mapping what types of job opportunities are suitable for different types of disabilities.
  5. Incorporating special education materials at vocational colleges to ensure a more inclusive curriculum at private institutions
  6. Encouraging the inclusion of disability empowerment programs in the strategic plan, code of ethics and/or the company/government agency’s standard of operating procedures.
  7. Internships for persons with disabilities to collaborate with the Kampus Merdeka program.
  8. The need for a policy to adapt to the pandemic conditions on the flexibility of time and place of work.
  9. Communication/negotiation to advocate accessible and universal design on infrastructures such as buildings and their surrounding facilities.
  10. Encouraging industries and government agencies to increase the number of workers with disabilities and facilities provided based on the provisions of the law.
  11. Encouraging the application of flexible age limits for persons with disabilities in job requirements.
  12. Reviewing and reinterpreting the function and use of a certificate of physical and mental health as the work requirements for persons with disabilities.
  13. Developing entrepreneurship programs for persons with disabilities.

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