Supporting the Paralympic Athletes at the XI 2022 APG Event, the Minister of Social Affairs is Ready to Help with Smart Guide Sticks

SURAKARTA (26 July 26 2022) - During the working visit to Surakarta, the Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini had the opportunity to attend the inauguration of the XI 2022 ASEAN Para Games (APG) Indonesian athletes. The presence of the Minister at Pendopo Gede Solo City Hall immediately received a warm welcome from the athletes.

The Minister patiently served requests for group photos. Several times the Minister was also involved in warm conversations with the athletes. Present at the occasion were Minister of Sports and Youth Zainudin Amali, Chairperson of the Indonesia ASEAN Para Games Organizing Committee (INASPOC) Gibran Rakabuming Raka and Chairperson of the Indonesian National Paralympic Committee (NPC) Senny Marbun.

The Minister expressed her pride for the athletes, and persons with disabilities who are struggling to make Indonesia proud. As a form of support, the Minister intended to help paralympic athletes who have visual disabilities by providing smart guide sticks.

The Ministry of Social Affairs has developed innovations in this smart guide stick by adding various features that are very helpful to its users. "I'll help you with the smart guide stick. With this stick, paralympic athletes who have limited vision can find out if there is a critical or emergency around them," said the Minister of Social Affairs (25/07).

This smart guide stick which is made by persons with disabilities can issue a warning with vibration and sound. “For example, if there is a fire, this stick will say that there is fire, then if there is a flood, it will also say if there is water in front. If there are objects in front of you, such as trees or electricity poles, they can also be detected," said the Minister.

The stick is also equipped with a siren that will give an alert if there is an earthquake or other disaster. “This stick is also equipped with GPS. So if for example it is lost, the family can track it via the GPS on the stick," explained the Minister.

She hopes that the help of the stick will further improve the achievements of the athletes. "You have to achieve more, you know. I'm sure you can be the overall champion. Keep up the good work," she said. The 2022 APG in Solo will start July 30th to August 6th. Indonesia as the host of the event aims to become the overall champion.

In front of the athletes, the Minister expressed her admiration. Amid limitations, they competed for achievements. "However I can't bear to see when you guys compete," she said.

The Ministry of Social Affairs will first collect data on how many athletes will receive the smart guide stick assistance. "There are 18 sticks for now. And, we are waiting for the data collection," said Risma. The Ministry of Social Affairs planned to distribute the assistance through the Chief Executive of INASPOC Gibran Rakabuming Raka before being passed on to athletes.

Public Relations Bureau Ministry of Social Affairs