At school, we are taught that we are diverse. If we are taught that humans are diverse from an early age, I believe that when they grow up, they will still respect people, who are different from them, including people with disabilitiesJakarta (ANTARA) - Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini pressed for imparting early education to children to not bully people with disabilities since the group is still often discriminated.
"At school, we are taught that we are diverse. If we are taught that humans are diverse from an early age, I believe that when they grow up, they will still respect people, who are different from them, including people with disabilities," the minister stated at a press conference at the Aneka Bhakti Building on Wednesday.
Rismaharini believed that if anti-bullying and anti-discrimination values were instilled in children since an early age, then their respect for others will continue until they reach adulthood.
The Social Affairs Ministry will also continue to assist people with disabilities by facilitating them with devices that suit their needs. In 2021, some six thousand devices of assistance were distributed to people with disabilities across Indonesia.
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"We also sought data from the regional government, so that people with disabilities can receive assistance from the Family Hope Program. We have provided all of those that have been registered. If anyone has not (received it), please send us the data," she remarked.
The minister confirmed that she will distribute more assistive devices to people with disabilities in 2022. To this end, she requested all social affairs offices in all regions to keep a detailed record of people with disabilities, comprising details, such as their names, addresses, and needs.
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The government has budgeted Rp1 trillion for social assistance in 2022, through the Social Affairs Ministry. The ministry will then allocate around Rp400 billion to help people with disabilities.
"Hence, we divide the Rp1 trillion into five, but the largest chunk for (people with) disabilities reaches Rp 400 billion. This is outside the Family Hope Program. Actually, this is still small as compared to the needs," Rismaharini remarked.
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Translator: Mecca Yumna Ning Prisie
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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