She made the call during a discussion titled "Managing People with Disabilities in an Inclusive, Holistic, and Integrative Manner" at the Surabaya State University (Unesa) in Surabaya, East Java, on Monday.
"It is necessary for us to provide everyone in this world with the same opportunities. Only then will we actualize fairness," she said in a statement received from her office in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Rismaharini criticized the continued practice of labeling disabled people as only capable of specific skills.
She emphasized that all disabled people, regardless of their disabilities, must be given the same opportunities to grow and participate in training activities that align with their interests and capabilities.
"We should not see those with disabilities as people with limited capacity," she said. "For instance, we should not view people with visual disabilities as those capable of only playing music or massaging."
Rismaharini also underscored that everyone shares the responsibility to assist people with disabilities.
It is vital that one and all, especially officials at the Ministry of Social Affairs, continue to learn about the proper handling of persons with disabilities, she added.
On the same occasion, Unesa Deputy Rector IV Dr. Martadi praised the minister for her speech while noting that the university is ready to support and help the government take care of disabled citizens.
"We are ready to encourage our students to enroll in an internship at social welfare homes or social centers under the Ministry of Social Affairs for four to five months through the MBKM program," he said, referring to the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (Freedom to Learn, Independent Campus).
Translator: Hana D, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Anton Santoso
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