Full project title:
Promoting inclusive and enabling environments for persons affected by leprosy and with other disabilities in Indonesia

Project coordination
NLR Indonesia

Partners
CBR Development and Training Centre (Solo, Indonesia)
Universitas PancaSakti (Tegal, Indonesia)
Difabel Slawi Mandiri (Slawi, Indonesia)

Aim: This research aimed to produce knowledge on barriers and facilitators in disabled people’s lives, and develop solutions and recommendations to support decision-makers in developing adequate policies.

Final project summary
Indonesia has a disability prevalence of 10-15%, which suggest that it is home of 20-30 million of persons with disabilities, including those disabled by leprosy. Not one single sector of the government can be responsible for their well-being, but disability is the shared responsibility of all sectors and stakeholders. Data on disability however are missing, and thus it is difficult to advocate for a multi-sector approach towards inclusive and enabling environments.

This research aimed to produce knowledge on barriers and facilitators in disabled people’s lives, and develop solutions and recommendations to support decision-makers in developing adequate policies. The research was conducted in the district Tegal, Province Central Java, in Indonesia. Persons with disabilities were trained as researchers and were actovely involved in the data collection tools designing, the data collection and interpretation of data.

The research team conducted numerous activities, including weekly meetings and data analysis using Open Code software, which required multiple trials for proficiency. The team identified gaps in the initial data, leading to five Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) on Education, Health, Economics, Socio-Culture, and Politics, each involving 9-12 participants. These discussions provided diverse perspectives that enriched the research findings.

Key findings include:

• Economy: A significant number of respondents were entrepreneurs, but many lacked necessary skills or found training insufficient for employment.
• Health: Most respondents could access free government health insurance and good treatment, but infrastructure improvements were needed, particularly for persons with disabilities.
• Education: While financial support was available for children of disabled parents, accessibility and teacher training issues persisted.
• Politics: Participation in elections was high, but involvement in political organisations was limited.
• Socio-Culture and Religion: Participation in community activities was common, but physical accessibility remained a challenge.

A dissemination workshop was organised in Tegal to present the research findings to relevant stakeholders. This event was attended by various stakeholders from the Tegal district, including local government institutions, non-governmental organisations, local Disabled People's Organizations (DPOs), universities, and national-level ministries including the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Welfare, Ministry of Education, Ministry of National Development Planning, and the Executive Office of the President. Participants raised numerous questions, suggestions, comments, and expressions of appreciation. The dissemination workshop marked the beginning of a long journey toward achieving inclusive development and society in the Tegal district and Indonesia.

Impact 

Presentation at the LRI Spring Meeting 2018 and 2019
Dissemination workshop in Tegal