The Ministry of Social Affairs Ensures that the PwD's Need for Wheelchairs is Fulfilled

SURAKARTA (26 February 2023) – Since the leadership of the Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini, innovations in accessibility tools for persons with disabilities (PwD) have been continuously developed. The Minister directs all Centers/Integrated Centers to involve PwD in the production process of assistive devices as part of empowerment efforts.

Some of the assistive devices developed are adaptive wheelchairs, electric wheelchairs, multipurpose wheelchairs, smart guide sticks, and three-wheeled motorbikes. These devices have been produced in centers/integrated centers throughout Indonesia, one of which is in the Integrated Center of Prof. Dr. Soeharso Surakarta.

To support the development of wheelchairs for beneficiaries, the Director General of Social Rehabilitation, Pepen Nazaruddin made a working visit by observing the Assistive Devices Installation at the Integrated Center of Prof. Dr. Soeharso Surakarta.

"Integrated Center of Prof. Dr. Soeharso Surakarta is known to have produced assistive devices for PwD in the form of prostheses and orthoses or prosthetic limbs. Now, under the direction of the Minister, it is being developed by producing wheelchairs, smart guide sticks, and three-wheeled motorbikes," said Pepen Nazaruddin, Saturday (25/2/2023).

The Assistive Devices Installation is currently increasing its capacity for wheelchair and smart guide stick assembly and supply of three-wheeled motorbikes. The wheelchairs assembled by the Assistive Devices Installation include electric wheelchairs, adaptive wheelchairs, and multipurpose wheelchairs.

"While implementing a multi-service policy in each Center/Integrated Center, service specifications continue to be developed so that the assembly of wheelchairs in the Integrated Center of Prof. Dr. Soeharso continues to be developed considering the need for this tool is still high," said Pepen.

Wheelchair assembly is one of the specific social rehabilitation services at the Integrated Center of Prof. Dr. Soeharso Surakarta. Pepen Nazaruddin directly saw and appreciated the assembly of wheelchairs by Surya and Anton, two persons with physical disabilities.

On that occasion, Pepen tried the multipurpose wheelchair assembled by Anton and Surya.

ATENSI assistance for wheelchairs for PwD is a real effort by the Ministry of Social Affairs together with integrated centers to support beneficiaries so that they can be empowered and not depend on others. Moreover, they can live independently. 

Public Relations Bureau

Ministry of Social Affairs