This year, DNetwork has started to reach out not only to local companies and job seekers with disabilities but also to final-year students at special needs schools. The idea behind this is to encourage the students to try land a job or enrol in a training program directly after they graduate. It also makes them aware that DNetwork is ready to assist them with this process. It is truly wonderful to see the manifestation of this idea. Recently, six special needs school graduates were accepted as daily workers at Berlin Gastro Kitchen Bali, as well as in training programs at Courtyard Resort Seminyak and The Pavilion Hotel Sanur. The DNetwork team joined them on their first day of work and facilitated an orientation session which included an explanation on how to work with people with disabilities. Hopefully, this program can continue and will encourage more special needs schools and companies to get on board.

DNetwork’s third User Gathering Session was a rather unique one. In partnership with BEDO, Rumah Sanur, and Sanggar Menggambar Colony, DNetwork created a collaboration between people with a physical disability, deaf and blind people through painting. During this activity, participants with a physical disability described a view to the blind people who then painted the picture that was described to them. After that, the deaf people described the painting in words to be used in writing. The paintings created during the workshop will be auctioned off and the money will go towards the artists.

Held at Rumah Sanur, the event was attended by 24 persons with disabilities and some companies and partners. All participants were enthusiastic to participate in the workshop and they poured all their imagination onto the canvas. Through their teamwork, they have created a work of art and also presented their value and entrepreneurial skills.

On March 29, DNetwork held its second User Gathering event. These are regular events held across Indonesia that are designed to provide knowledge about DNetwork to job seekers and workers with disabilities, educate DNetwork users about workplaces and job expectations, and connect job seekers with workers with disabilities to discuss their experiences.

25 people with a variety of disabilities attended this User Gathering, as well as an academic representative from Udayana University and eight companies that have partnered with DNetwork. These attendees all came together to discuss how people with disabilities can enter the workplace. This was a great opportunity for all those who attended. Each person with a disability shared their experiences working or applying for jobs, to help each other have a better chance of finding work.
Additionally, several of the companies that attended held open interview sessions with some of the attendees with disabilities, and five of them were accepted for positions! DNetwork hopes that this User Gathering and others like it in the future will lead to more inclusive opportunities for persons with disabilities in workplaces around Indonesia.

DNetwork would also like to express its gratitude to the users and representatives from Amarterra Villas, Alaya Hotels, Buffalo Tours, Fairmont Hotel, Marriott Bali Seminyak Hotel, Shangri-La Resort Bali, Sintesa Hotel, Swiss Bell Hotel and Udayana University, who attended and participated in this event. Their support is greatly appreciated.