Building an Inclusive Workforce

Inclusive employment has become an increasingly important issue in Indonesia. With growing awareness and stronger government policies, more organizations are realizing that hiring people with disabilities is not only a social responsibility but also a smart business move.
Creating an inclusive workplace leads to innovation, productivity, and a stronger sense of community.

Here are five key facts about how disability inclusion is shaping the future of work in Indonesia.

1. 1% Job Quota for Private Companies

According to Law No. 8 of 2016 on Persons with Disabilities, private companies with more than 100 employees are required to allocate at least 1% of their job positions for people with disabilities.
This regulation aims to ensure equal opportunity and demonstrate corporate commitment to diversity and inclusion.

2. 2% Job Quota for Government Institutions and State-Owned Enterprises

Public institutions and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) have a higher quota — they are required to provide at least 2% of job positions for people with disabilities.
This policy ensures that the public sector sets an example in promoting equality and inclusion in the workplace.

3. Employees with Disabilities Are Equally Productive and Loyal

Studies show that employees with disabilities are just as productive and loyal — if not more so — than their non-disabled peers.
Their resilience, problem-solving skills, and strong work ethic make them valuable assets for any inclusive organization.

4. Interviews Can Be More Flexible

Inclusion starts at recruitment. Job interviews can be conducted in different formats — written, via video, or with an assistant — as part of reasonable accommodation.
This ensures that every candidate has a fair opportunity to present their skills and potential.

5. Career Opportunities Across All Fields

People with disabilities can pursue careers in a wide range of industries, from hospitality and design to data analytics and information technology.
This shows that ability, not disability, defines one’s potential to succeed in the workplace.

Moving Toward a More Inclusive Future

Inclusive employment is not just a legal obligation — it’s a strategy for building a stronger, more empathetic, and sustainable workplace.
By creating opportunities for people with disabilities, companies can drive innovation, boost morale, and strengthen their social impact.

Let’s continue working together to build a future where everyone has the opportunity to grow, contribute, and succeed. 

 

Creating an inclusive work environment for persons with disabilities is not just about providing additional facilities—it requires a comprehensive understanding of their diverse and specific needs. Practical accommodations impact not only comfort but also productivity and employee loyalty.

Here are several comprehensive strategies companies can implement to provide appropriate workplace accommodations:

1. Understand the Legal Framework as a Foundation

The first step is understanding the regulations that serve as both a legal and ethical guide. Indonesia’s Law No. 8 of 2016 on Persons with Disabilities, along with relevant guidelines from the Ministry of Manpower, requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations. This includes physical accessibility, accessible information, and reasonable adjustments to the job process. These legal frameworks serve as the foundation for internal policies.

2. Increase Literacy on Types of Disabilities and Their Implications at Work

Each type of disability has different needs. Understanding these differences is key to providing the right accommodations. Some examples include:

  • Blind/Low Vision: screen readers, accessible digital documents or applications, and tactile indicators like guiding blocks in the workplace.

  • Physical disabilities: adjustable desks, ramps, and accessible elevators.

  • Deaf/Hard of Hearing: sign language interpreters, written texts, or visual aids.

  • Intellectual or psychosocial disabilities: clear communication, structured routines, and social support from colleagues.

This knowledge helps prevent generic solutions and ensures accommodations are tailored and effective.

3. Engage in Open Communication with Employees with Disabilities

Avoid making assumptions. Instead, have open conversations with employees about what they need to work optimally. Consistent communication builds trust and fosters a responsive workplace. Often, the best solutions come from simply listening to employees’ lived experiences.

4. Conduct Individual and Structured Accessibility Assessments

Each person has unique needs. Personalized assessments can be conducted through:

  • One-on-one interviews

  • Needs surveys

  • Workplace observation

The results should be well-documented and analyzed as a foundation for designing targeted and effective accommodations.

5. Invest in Inclusion Training for HR and Management

Workshops and training on disability inclusion can equip HR teams and managers with practical skills, such as designing inclusive recruitment processes, providing sensitive feedback, and building diverse teams. These efforts help foster a more adaptive and non-exclusive organizational culture.

6. Pilot and Validate Accommodations

Before applying accommodations on a larger scale, test them with the intended users. Gather direct feedback: Does the tool or facility truly help? Are there any challenges?

For example, an application designed to be accessible might not yet work well with screen readers due to technical barriers. Testing helps avoid waste and ensures efficiency.

7. Conduct Regular Evaluation and Adjustment

Employee needs can change over time due to advancements in technology, shifts in job roles, or changes in individual health. Conduct regular evaluations (e.g., every six months) to ensure accommodations remain relevant and effective. Involve employees with disabilities in the process to keep their voices central to every decision.

Workplace accommodation is not about giving special treatment, but about ensuring equal access for everyone to perform at their best. Companies that implement accommodations effectively not only comply with the law but also demonstrate leadership in promoting diversity, innovation, and employee well-being.

Join DNetwork in creating a more inclusive work environment through educational programs on how to provide appropriate accommodations for employees with disabilities.

Together, let’s build a fairer, more adaptive, and inclusive workplace.

#WorkplaceInclusion #AccommodationStrategies #DisabilityInclusion #DNetworkForCompanies

READY TO WORK: GREEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Turning Ideas into Marketable Products and Services

 

The Training

In collaboration with Yayasan Plan International Indonesia (Plan Indonesia) and Citi Foundation, DNetwork has successfully conducted an entrepreneurship program in 2023 called Ready to Work: Green Entrepreneurship. This entrepreneurial program aimed to assist young entrepreneurs with disability to realise their business ideas into marketable products and services.

 

Ready to Work: Green Entrepreneurship started on the 22nd of February 2021 with 20 selected youth with disability who had diverse business ideas and came from different regencies in Bali. Participants received eight sessions of entrepreneurial training from February to May. This entrepreneurial training included an introduction to green entrepreneurship, planning for business strategy, financial planning, business implementation, and how to create a pitch deck.

 

 

The Mentorship

These 20 participants were then required to create a business proposal (individually or as a group) and compete for grant funds of as much as 2 million Rupiahs per business idea and one month of mentoring sessions to establish their businesses. In the end, 13 people from 10 business ideas could successfully launch their businesses. From the mentorship sessions, participants focused more on researching and developing their products & services, building branding and marketing strategies, and preparing their pitch decks for the market day.

 

 

Business Owners and Their Businesses

After five months of training and mentoring, the participants had successfully established their products and services. On the 14th of July 2023, 13 participants had the opportunity to showcase their businesses at the Annika Linden Centre.

 

Sunar Sanggita by Wiguna

Wiguna is a person with blindness and reduced function of hearing. He established Sunar Sanggita based on his interest in music. Sunar Sanggita offers music courses, a self-recording studio and entertainment for events. During the showcasing day, three people signed up for Sunar Sanggita’s music courses. Moreover, Sunar Sanggita gained some new networks for future potential events.

Wiguna and his team are presenting Sunar Sanggita to the guests.

 

Bali Mahasadu by Aditya and Ari

Gus Adit established Bali Mahasadu in 2018 as a massage clinic specialising in ‘blind massage therapy’. However, this year, Gus Adit finally made his dream come true to create his herbal products: herbal incense sticks, hot and aromatic massage oil, and red ginger powder. Ari, who is also a massage therapist (also recently married to Gus Adit), decided to be fully involved in Bali Mahasadu product development, from prototyping to brand development. During the showcasing day, Bali Mahasadu sold almost 100% of the products they prepared and received nearly IDR 1,500,000. Moreover, Bali Mahasadu received several invitations from the guests to get involved in a podcast and film, become speakers at a business event, and participate in product collaboration.

 

Gus Adit (left) and Ari (right) are posing behind their products.

 

Yuki Camilan by Yuki

From her enjoyment of cooking food, Yuki established a culinary business called Yuki Camilan. Yuki is a young, energetic lady with low vision who loves cooking fried Indonesian snacks. Her specialty is lumpia (spring rolls), pisang goreng (fried bananas), and tahu isi (fried tofu filled with vegetables). On the showcasing day, Yuki could earn over IDR 900,000 and invitations as an event snack vendor.

 

Yuki explains her snacks to the guests.

 

Dupa Kartika by Kartika

Because of the high demand for incense sticks for Balinese rituals, Kartika took the opportunity to create her incense stick business called Dupa Kartika. Dupa Kartika is available in three fragrances: Mawar (rose), teratai (lotus), and cempaka (magnolia). During the showcasing, Kartika sold 58 boxes of her incense sticks and received IDR 1,160,000. Moreover, Kartika also received an opportunity to collaborate with an investor to produce her incense sticks in a big batch. With support from her teachers and classmates at YPK Bali, Kartika received many online orders that should be delivered within a week. Kartika can also empower her classmates to help her market Dupa Kartika.

Kartika poses with her teacher and the head of organisation of YPK Bali

 

Indah Dewi Make Up by Indah

Indah is a student from Special Needs School Number 2 of Denpasar. She has a high interest in make-up and a hairdo and has been voluntarily helping her school do make-up and a hairstyle for events and graduation. Because her friends requested make-up and a hairdo, Indah turned this demand into an Indah Dewi Make-Up business. Indah received much appreciation from the guests for her beautiful techniques in applying make-up and styling hair. Although she is a person with deafness, she can communicate well with her clients.

Indah (right) showing off her makeup and hairdo she did on her model (left).

Crystal Foo Perfume by Crystal

Crystal is an energetic student and has a high interest in fragrance. Assisted by her parents, she created her perfume brand using her name, Crystal Foo Perfume.  Crystal Foo Perfume has 26 male, female, and unisex aromas packaged in 30 ml bottles. During the showcasing day, assisted by her teacher as a sign language interpreter, she sold 47 perfume bottles and obtained IDR 2,350,000 in one day. Crystal had the highest revenue on the showcasing day compared to other businesses.

Crystal and her products before the showcasing started.

 

Annora PAS by Prima

Prima is a youth with physical disability with plenty of creative ideas. She created Annora PAS, which focuses on a craft made from popsicle sticks, such as coasters, bookshelves, and wall decorations. Prima sold seven products of arts and received IDR 112,000. Moreover, Prima received an offer from the Women with Disability Association in Bali as a tenant during their events.

Prima explains her businesses and products to the guests.

 

Kopi Bayang by Gus De and Jery

Kopi Bayang became the most visited booth during the showcasing day. Initiated by Gus De and Jery, two best friends with blindness who are also fascinated with coffee, Kopi Bayang wanted to show people how baristas with blindness can brew coffee for their customers. Available in three ways of brewing: Aeropress, V60 and Vietnam drip, the Kopi Bayang team could sell their product for as much as IDR 935,000. Kopi Bayang also received several opportunities to get involved in a short film and to sell their products during several events, including an event created by the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs of the Republic of Indonesia.

The Kopi Bayang team (left to right: Jery, Mudra, Gus De, and Iwan)

 

Netra Bali Merchandise by Juli and Rivan

Netra Bali Merchandise (NBM) is a business that focuses on environmentally friendly fashion from their materials and the printing process. Juli and Rivan also wanted to promote Balinese culture and scenery through the images printed on their t-shirts. NBM received IDR 600,000 from their sales on the showcasing day. Moreover, they also received some orders for custom-made t-shirts for groups, organisations, and companies.

 

The Annika Linden Centre staff introduces Bali Netra Merchandise before NBM’s pitch deck.

 

TAS by Namira by Namira

Namira learnt how to use a sewing machine from her school, one of the special needs schools in Denpasar, and proceeded to make fashion products for her school project. She made bags of calico fabric for her business and added colourful drawings using a hand-print method. The guests bought as many as 40 bags, allowing TAS by Namira to receive a total revenue of IDR 1,020,000. Moreover, some guests planned to order hundreds of Namira’s products to be rebranded using their guests’ company branding.

A photo of Namira's bag

The guests are looking at TAS by Namira.

 

Thank you to Yayasan Plan International Indonesia (Plan Indonesia) and Citi Foundation for creating an impactful program for people with disability in Bali!