City Holds Workshop to Increase Participation of People with Disabilities in Developing Jakarta

Jakarta Governor, Anies Baswedan opens workshop to commemorate 25 years sister city relationship of Jakarta-Berlin with theme 'Continuous Information Exchange on Educational Opportunities and Increased Participation of People with Disabilities in and/or with Civil Society in Jakarta and Berlin' at City Hall, Tuesday (9/3).

Thus we hope this workshop can lead us to realize a friendly city

This workshop is attended by Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany for Republic of Indonesia, Hendrik Barkeling; Humbolt University's Institute of Art and Social Science Head, Michael Wahl; Chairperson of Movement for the Deaf Welfare of Indonesia, Irdanelly DJ; Social Ministry representatives; Universitas Indonesia's Faculty of Humanities; and Ministry of Manpower.

"We are in Jakarta has a quite substantial homework in facilitating all the citizens. It means to prioritize needy communities. We want to create a friendly city that is friendly to people with disabilities, children, and elderly. Thus we hope this workshop can lead us to realize a friendly city," he said as quoted from Jakarta PPID Press Conference.

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In order to be a friendly city, he continues, government should start to change its mindset or perspective which is oriented towards equality of opportunity.

He also asserted that Jakarta Government's function is not only to enforce regulations, but also to make regulations. Thus all regulations should be reviewed to ensure it is in accordance with the equality principle, starts from hard infrastructure facilities, such as road, building, and transport, and soft infrastructure such as equality and opportunity to study and work.

"Governor Regulation No.1/2018 is made to equalize the opportunity between citizens. Every time we recruit new employees, we always give opportunity for people with disabilities to be a part of Jakarta Government. Our purpose is to equalize the opportunity. Sometimes, they can work better than other normal colleagues," he mentioned.

He assessed, it takes a long time to encourage people to be equal to people with disabilities. Thus he hopes, regulations and policies that are oriented towards equality and partiality to disabled people to be implemented not only inside the government but also outside of it thus this movement can be applied in all life aspects.

"Thus I hope we can share our experiences through this workshop. We are lucky that today our special speaker from Germany, Prof. dr. Michael Wahl can be here with us to share his experience. I want you to use this chance well. It is called a workshop because we are not only discussing ideas in here, but we will create a work as the result," he expressed.

He expects all participants and speakers in this workshop can create ideas, innovations, experiences, and alternative solutions that can be done continuously.

"I remind civil officials for not to be close-minded. I want you to be open-minded and receive all the ideas. Insya Allah, Jakarta can be a friendly city to disabled people, children, and elderly," he stated.

For information, this workshop is expected to build collaboration between government and citizens to develop Jakarta as a friendly city to all, especially people with disabilities.