Head of the Social Rehabilitation Division of the Kediri City Social Office, Luluk Nita Kumala, noted here on Friday that her side at the Social Office was working hard to assist people with disabilities by providing wheelchairs to enable them to conduct their activities more comfortably.
"To support the activities of people with disabilities, we provide assistance according to their needs. It should be underlined that people with disabilities have the same rights as others," she pointed out.
Kumala remarked that the wheelchairs were distributed at four points in the Kediri City area in the villages of Tinalan, Burengan, Semampir, and Tamanan.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, four residents have, so far, received wheelchair assistance, according to Kumala.
She revealed that the data on people with disabilities in need of assistance was obtained from their companions and the rapid reaction team (TRC) located in each village. On confirmation of the data, assistance will be provided to the beneficiaries.
"The process to avail social assistance entails submitting a proposal for approval by the village authorities and addressed to the mayor of Kediri. If the proposal is approved, the Social Office will distribute the assistance,” she expounded.
Samirin, a resident of Burengan Village, Kediri City, admitted that the wheelchair was immensely beneficial to him. He noted that all this time, he lived only with his son. However, he admitted to it being difficult for him to even put food on the table since his child was still sick.
Kasmudji, another recipient of the wheelchair assistance, was also pleased and through his son Tutut, expressed gratitude for the wheelchair assistance provided by the government.
"Thank you very much for the support given to my father. Hopefully, this assistance would make my father’s life easier," Tutut remarked.
Kumala noted that the Kediri city government had always prepared budgets to help residents in need, including people with disabilities. The pandemic has failed to deter the government from tending to the residents’ needs, she emphasized.
In addition to the wheelchair assistance, the Social Office offers opportunities to people with disabilities to develop their creativity, she revealed.
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Translator: Asmaul Chusna, Raka Adji
Editor: Sri Haryati
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