employment opportunities for disabled people in Indonesia can be hard to find. But nonprofit DNetwork proves that people with disabilities have equal rights in all professional environments.
Often disabled people in Indonesia are mistreated and misunderstood, with many still believe that jobs should be for disabled people. However, many people with disabilities are able to graduate from universities and work in the formal sector. Despite these successes, disabled people in Indonesia are still struggling to make their way into a career path. Not only people with physical or mental disabilities lack of accessibility and opportunities, they are still considered by many as a burden.
As Suri Filan, project coordinator for DNetwork laments: "Today, the working environment for people with disabilities is still far from the word" friendly ". People with disabilities are still widely regarded as a cost, not an asset. "
In 2013, the number of disabled people in Indonesia who were unemployed reached about 13 million. They were not given enough opportunities to work, partly because there was no platform to provide employment information specifically for people with disabilities. for this reason, DNetwork was created to support disabled jobseekers.
Based in Bali, World employment network liaises with potential employers and job seekers. "We act as a consultant to employers and disabled job hunter should they want to learn more about disabilities and the workplace "says Suri.
to participate in DNetwork, candidates must simply register on their website and fill in all the necessary details. once received and confirmed, DNetwork approve their account. Then, job seekers allowed access to all job information presented on the website and have the opportunity to apply directly to employers.
The basic training in sign language | Photo by DNetwork
The nonprofit organization educates employers to work with disabled people; the proper way to conduct an interview; provide basic training in sign language; and making business assessment visits to identify appropriate locations for potential job seekers. DNetwork also help candidates who are less familiar with the use of the Internet, making a resume and other application procedures. In this way, they are supported with all the knowledge required to apply for a job and employers are aware of disability rights as professionals.
DNetwork seeks to educate persons with disabilities have equal rights to work opportunities that non-disabled people. They deserve to be treated with respect and belong to a positive environment - and this also applies in the workplace. "They have the right to obtain the friendly place to work [ sic ], at least if you can not provide a room or access facilities you can build a great team who have sensitivity to disabilities "says Suri.
Besides work opportunities, they also have the right to a good education, an inclusive school and care of the government, which should lead the provision of public facilities such as toilets, disabled parking spaces, ramps for wheelchairs and more.
to put things in perspective, the main problem here is twofold. First of first, the lack of company support obviously stifles access to employment for disabled people. Second, although not in all cases, people with disabilities learn that disability is a constraint for them to succeed. Suri, however, refutes this idea, but also can see that negative stereotypes plays a role.
"Disabled people are the barriers is only in our minds and it depends on how we see and understand what disability is. What is happening in our country and society today is a misunderstanding about disability that causes negative stereotypes, "says Suri.
Suri also noted that last year Indonesia has improved its support for people with disabilities, especially by the government. It found that, in 2015, the government paid more contributions to disability issues, particularly those related to employment. "They began to collaborate with NGOs and also with DNetwork to discuss how to solve the problem and began to organize events related to disability issues," said Suri.
Although Suri think the fight for the rights of disabled people continues in other aspects that work opportunities, DNetwork has shown tremendous progress in the deconstruction of negative stereotypes about people with disabilities. the organization teaches public they not only share the same rights as those who are able to work in a workplace, but also that they are entitled to a fulfilling life.
an interview with sign language | Photo by DNetwork
as equals, Suri sees no need specific advice for people with disabilities who could be confident when choosing the path of employment or career right. She said: "There is still that people with able-body; just choose what they want or are happy to do and be confident! "
For more information please visit the website at DNetwork www.dnetwork.net