By: Rosidin
On February 27-28, 2025 at the Javanese Christian Church of Gondokusumo and Shantikara Yogyakarta, Srikandi Lintas Iman (SRILI), in the implementation of Participatory Grand Making (PGM) hosted or facilitated by Fahmina, strengthened the name of Diversity school for disability in Yogyakarta. In the preparation process, which was only one month, Srili was able to carry out these activities.
In terms of substance, the preparation of the curriculum still needs to be discussed in more depth, from the technical side involving the committee, facilitators who roughly meet the expected target to be an interesting discussion space for implementers, in the future it still requires the knowledge of people who understand this issue. Likewise, the recruitment of participants whose age range is young, women and people with disabilities, because it is a challenge in itself.
Working on the issue of religious freedom that involves young people and women with disabilities is an adrenaline rush. How could religious freedom not be considered a serious issue? The issue of religious freedom is considered heavy for several reasons, firstly religion is often closely related to a person’s identity and values. When freedom of religion is threatened, then identity and values are also threatened.
Second, freedom of religion is one of the fundamental human rights. Violations of this right can lead to conflict and social instability. Third, it threatens social harmony. Threatened religious freedom can trigger tension and conflict between religious groups, which can disrupt social harmony.
Fourth, violations of religious freedom can indicate the weakness of democracy and the rule of law in a country. Fifth, religious conflicts triggered by violations of religious freedom can threaten the security and stability of a country. Therefore, the issue of religious freedom is considered serious because it can have a broad and deep impact on individuals, society and the state.
Likewise, working with disabilities, there is at least an internal situation of people with disabilities, the first is about physical or mental limitations. Because of this, many people with disabilities limit themselves or withdraw from doing certain tasks. Second, the experience of trauma or stress. People with disabilities may have experienced trauma or stress that affects their ability to work. Third, dependence on assistive technology or devices. People with disabilities may require assistive technology or devices to perform tasks, which may limit their flexibility.
Besides internal situations, external situations are no less serious. These include discrimination and stigma. People with disabilities may face discrimination and stigma in the workplace, which can affect their ability to work. Then there are accessibility limitations. Workplaces may not have adequate facilities for people with disabilities, such as physical accessibility or appropriate technology. And lack of support and resources.
People with disabilities may not have access to adequate support and resources, such as training or technical assistance. Plus psychological situations such as lack of self-confidence. People with disabilities may have low self-confidence, which can affect their ability to work.
Then not a few people with disabilities may have low motivation, which can affect their ability to work. There is also a lack of social support. Due to public ignorance about people with disabilities, people with disabilities may not have adequate social support, such as family or friends, which can affect their ability to work.
The above problems affect the emergence of the problem of understanding diversity that does not reach people with disabilities. Therefore, efforts need to be made to increase awareness and understanding of disability and the needs of people with disabilities. Then what can be done or developed so that people with disabilities get equal rights and equal opportunities in development.
Therefore, the government ensures education services, schools provide inclusive education that allows children with disabilities to learn alongside other children. Accessibility, schools ensure that their education facilities are accessible to children with disabilities. Support for children with disabilities, schools can provide specialized support for children with disabilities, such as technical assistance or emotional support.
As for what can be done by the community, at least awareness campaigns, therefore organizations or communities can launch awareness campaigns to raise public awareness about issues faced by people with disabilities. It could also conduct policy advocacy to ensure that government policies support the rights of people with disabilities. And developing communities that are inclusive and supportive of people with disabilities, including providing adequate facilities and services.
Ensuring that they can access knowledge includes the development of inclusive technology, therefore companies must develop inclusive technology, such as software that is accessible to people with visual or auditory disabilities. Use of technology to improve accessibility. Organizations use technology to improve accessibility, such as using robots to assist people with disabilities.
Development of inclusive applications, companies develop inclusive applications, such as apps that are accessible to people with visual or auditory disabilities. Thus, there are many opportunities that can be developed to increase diversity and inclusion for people with disabilities. []
