MoSA Empowers Persons with Disabilities through “Baris Ditebas”

JAKARTA (29 JUNE 2023) – No one ever thought that a person with low vision could be a barista. But if you have a chance to drink coffee at the Café More in Bandung, you will get surprised by an interesting fact.

The cafe which is located in Wyata Guna Center Bandung is hosted by well-trained baristas who have low vision. More than 1 million persons with disabilities are registered in Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS). Among them were 340,483 persons with visual disabilities. 

Conventionally, persons with visual disabilities are given massage training because they have a sharp sense of touch. However, the stereotype was intended to be changed by the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) through the innovation “Baris Ditebas'' which means Baristas with Disabilities Breaking Stigma of Inability. Persons with low vision are now able to improve their skills not only as massage therapists but also baristas.

Baris Ditebas was selected as the Top 99 Public Service Innovation in the field of Social Inclusion organized by the Ministry of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reforms (Kemenpan RB). Head of Wyata Guna Center Iri Sapria in his presentation before the Independent Panel Team of the Public Service Innovation Competition (KIPP) said the innovation has succeeded in training 22 persons with low vision.

“We have administered the training three times since 2019. Now there are 3 persons with low vision who work as baristas at Café More,” he said.

According to Iri, the barista training initiated in 2019 has some novelties including a comprehensive curriculum, face-to-face learning and fieldwork practice, and experienced instructors. Barista training promises new hopes that persons with low vision can have varied professions. 

Customers who want to have a sip of coffee made by baristas with disabilities could come to the Café More of ATENSI Center in Wyata Guna which is located in Jalan Pajajaran Bandung. “The customers at Café More are mainly some communities and housewives who take their children to school. By 2023, Café More managed to get revenue up to IDR 62 million. This is all given to the baristas,” Iri said.

One of the persons with low vision named Sri Ayu Astuti succeeded in becoming a barista. Sri Ayu Astuti or Cici previously worked as a massage therapist with an income of IDR 300,000 per week. She then attended the barista training at Sentra Wyata Guna Bandung and managed Cafe More along with two other baristas. As a barista Cici's income currently reaches IDR 500,000 - IDR 700,000 per week.

A member of the KIPP Independent Panel Team who is also the Managing Director of Grab Indonesia Neneng Goenadi, appreciates the Innovation of Baris Ditebas. “I am very excited about this. This is great,” she said. 

As a panel team, Neneng suggested that Baris Ditebas should analyze sales growth and ensure that marketing can reach more consumers, especially Bandung citizens. According to her, Café More can be an attraction for tourists who visit Bandung City. That is why marketing is a very important thing. In addition, Neneng is interested in helping with training and education in terms of finance, marketing, and content.