One opportunity, limitless possibility

Bahasa Indonesia

What is needed for people with disabilities is one chance to show their abilities. An inclusive working environment opens limitless access to equal employment opportunities.

Surya Sahetapy, 22 years old, never imagined that his first working experience was in the governmental office. He also never imagined that he would be the first person with disability employed by the Provincial Government of Jakarta. 

“I could not believe that I was selected. I am still doing my college study and this was really my first working experience. I never imagined that it would be with the government."

Surya Sahetapy

He still remembered the day he applied for the first apprenticeship programme opened by the Governor of Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, or also known as Ahok, in November 2015. The first of its kind, the programme was launched by Ahok, inspiring young Indonesians to be more involved in the developmental programmes as an effort to improve the professionalism and transparency of the local governance.

Competed with other 500 applicants, Surya sent his essay about the general condition of deaf people in Jakarta. His essay also emphasized what the provincial government could do to develop and improve the educational system, particularly for deaf people.

When he was notified as one of the 20 selected apprentices to join the four-month apprenticeship programme, he was delighted but also stunned at the same time. “I could not believe that I was selected. I was still doing my college study and this was really my first working experience. I never imagined that it would be with the government,” said Surya using sign-language, adding that he was the only apprentice with disability.

In the apprenticeship programme, he was positioned in budgeting section out of 12 sections, such as infrastructure, technology and information, city planning, education, public service, and so forth. “Budgeting is new for me. I have no financial background. At the beginning, it was hard for me to follow my team, but I learnt a lot,” said Surya who is majoring in English Education at the Sampoerna University, recalling his first days. 

Tackling the challenges

One of the challenges for Surya was to be involved and understand the conversations and discussions around him. Without the assistance from a sign-language interpreter, he tried his best to read lips. 

“But, people around me talking so fast during meetings and I could not catch up. They also like to use big words or governmental terms that I did not know and understand. It was a struggle for me to keep up with my team,” he said.

After two weeks without an interpreter, Surya discussed his challenge with his team leader. Since the provincial government had never employed people with disabilities, the officials were not aware about disability issues. A sign-language interpreter was then hired to assist Surya during the apprenticeship programme.

“I used to not care about politics, but now I have different views about it. I hope more and more people with disabilities involve in this programme to promote and advocate issues about disabilities."

Surya Sahetapy

For Rastri Puspita Mine, a sign-language interpreter, it was also her first experience dealing with the governmental issues. “It was an enlightening experience as I learnt so much too from assisting Surya doing his tasks in budgeting. My difficulty was to translate the governmental terms and numerous abbreviations used,” she told her experience.

His apprenticeship experience, however, has made Surya changed his perception about the government. “I have a more positive impression for the government. I learnt that the government actually cares about disability issues. They haven’t done much because they haven’t had adequate understanding about this. Therefore, it is important for all the disability organizations and others who care about creating an inclusive environment surrounding us to continue advocating the government and the public at large about disability issues,” stated Surya who is also an active disability advocate. 

During the apprenticeship, he said that he learnt more about the role and function of the provincial government. What he cherished the most were the chance to participate in meetings conducted with the Jakarta Governor, visits to government offices at the community level and dialogues with relevant officials.  

I used to not care about politics, but now I have different views about it. I hope more and more people with disabilities involve in this programme to promote and advocate issues about disabilities,” he said.

ILO’s commitment to disability issue

With stronger support from the government at all levels (national, provincial and district levels), inclusive environments in, among others, government departments, companies, schools and public environment are more achievable. To support the inclusiveness, the ILO has a long standing commitment to promote decent work for people with disabilities. 

Disability issues are in line with the ILO’s Convention No. 111 concerning Discrimination in Respect of Employment and Occupation and was ratified by Indonesia through Act. No. 21/1999. The ILO in Indonesia has been promoting equal employment opportunity for people with disabilities through its Promoting Rights and Opportunities for People with Disabilities in Employment through Legislation in Indonesia (PROPEL-Indonesia) Project.

“Through young generation like Surya who tirelessly advocates and promotes equal opportunity and treatment for people with disabilities, it is hoped that more positive changes will happen in this country. More and more people with disabilities will have equal opportunities to employment, training, education and other social aspects of life."

Santy Otto, the ILO's Project Coordinator on Disability

Key initiatives taken by the Project include, among others, disability trainings for relevant partners, development of information materials and videos on rights of people with disabilities, and the organization of Disability Business Forums, aimed to increase awareness and understanding of companies on benefits of hiring and employing people with disabilities and to strengthen networks among companies.

“Through young generation like Surya who tirelessly advocates and promotes equal opportunity and treatment for people with disabilities, it is hoped that more positive changes will happen in this country. More and more people with disabilities will have equal opportunities to employment, training, education and other social aspects of life,” said Santy Otto, the ILO's PROPEL-Indonesia Project on Disability.

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