Facilitating family-based care for Indonesian children with disabilities

March 13, 2015

Every child has a right to enjoy a full and decent life in conditions which insure dignity, promote self-reliance and facilitate the child’s active participation in the community.

Unfortunately, today there are still children with disabilities who are experiencing violence, neglect or exploitation in their communities and homes. Inclusive schools are often inaccessible for them and do not have a special expertise to work with children with disabilities.

The government of Indonesia’s Central Bureau of Statistics estimates there are 70,000 children with disabilities in West Java alone. Today we saw one of Save the Children projects in Cimahi district where there are 381 children with disabilities.

The goal of facilitating family-based care for Indonesian children is “to mobilise and provide rehabilitation support services for children with disabilities”. This will include building caretaker capacity and linking children to schools that are better prepared to provide them with high-quality education. Children and youth will have more interaction with children with disabilities, and they will in turn lead efforts to reduce stigma and promote the rights of children with disabilities. (Source: Save the Children)

With the support of his father, Rizal entered the programme to learn how he could stand up and walk. Now can do it himself! - by Slava Leonov, IKEA Novosibirsk — With the support of his father, Rizal entered the programme to learn how he could stand up and walk. Now can do it himself! – by Slava Leonov, IKEA Novosibirsk

The programme provides physical therapy that helps Rizal to develop his motor skills - by Slava Leonov, IKEA Novosibirsk — The programme provides physical therapy that helps Rizal to develop his motor skills – by Slava Leonov, IKEA Novosibirsk

Dewi, who was shy and had difficulties communicating properly, is now able to share her experience of participating in the programme in front many people with cameras - by Nina Widyastuti, IKEA Jakarta — Dewi, who was shy and had difficulties communicating properly, is now able to share her experience of participating in the programme in front many people with cameras – by Nina Widyastuti, IKEA Jakarta

Local authorities are fully committed to the programme, and the next step will be to inspire public schools to accept children with disabilities along with other children. Save the Children will share their expertise with the teachers to help them develop the right skills and working methods. The parents are happy to see their children learn and play, but the public needs to become more aware that children with disabilities are not only the responsibility of their families, but also their communities.

Written by

Nina Widyastuti