MAKASSAR (October 12, 2023) - The delegates and invited guests appreciated hundreds of high-quality products made by persons with disabilities from all over Indonesia which were exhibited at Wirajaya Center Makassar. This exhibition ends the series of the ASEAN High-Level Forum (AHLF) on Disability-Inclusive Development and Partnership beyond 2025.

"We want to show the ASEAN High-Level Forum (AHLF) delegation the various works of persons with disabilities from all over Indonesia," said Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini at Wirajaya Center Makassar, Thursday (12/10/2023). The Minister was grateful that the works of persons with disabilities received appreciation and praise from the ASEAN countries delegation.

Previously, the Minister said, persons with disabilities had gone through a series of training and were guided by the companions to be able to create products or works with economic value.

"After seeing the empowerment efforts that Indonesia has made towards persons with disabilities, yesterday the Cambodia delegation asked us to provide empowerment training and dance training," said the Minister.

In order to be able to create these products and works, persons with disabilities must continue to be given training and maintain quality so that they can advance to the upper middle class.

For brands and designs, the Ministry of Social Affairs collaborates with students and universities to create attractive designs. This collaboration is not only beneficial for persons with disabilities, but also brings experience to students so that students will later develop an entrepreneurial attitude.

Products on display include Adaptive Walking Sticks (TPA), Hearing and Speech Disabilities Bracelet (GRUWI) and Intellectual Disabilities Bracelet (GRITA), adaptive wheelchairs, three wheeled motorbikes and various other products.

Especially for innovative products from the Ministry of Social Affairs, mobility aids for persons with disabilities were apparently requested by foreigners. "Earlier, a delegation wanted to buy these tools. However, the tools had not been mass produced and were not commercial in nature, so they were just given to the delegation," said the Minister.

Lim Puay Tiak, Chair of the ASEAN Disability Forum (ADF) assessed that Indonesia's policy to help the mobility of persons with disabilities such as wheelchairs, adaptive walking sticks and GRUWI/GRITA is a very interesting product innovation that combines with technology.

“The contribution by allocating a budget to fulfill the needs of persons with disabilities should be appreciated. Certainly, I am very proud of Indonesia and I am here to learn from ASEAN countries and exchange experiences in helping persons with disabilities," said Lim.

On that occasion, an exhibition of products and various works produced by persons with disabilities from Ministry of Social Affairs’ centers throughout the country was also held, which was neatly arranged and very attractive to visitors.

The product exhibition was held at the Sports Center of Wirajaya, including various charming hand paintings, t-shirts with various messages conveyed, wooden crafts such as miniature ships and motorbikes, splashed batik and various clothes with regional motifs, various bags in diverse shapes and sizes, as well as snack products.