People with disabilities are part of Indonesian society and are equal to other Indonesian citizens. Social Affairs Minister Khofifah Indra Parawansa, together with West Java Deputy Governor Deddy Mizwar, attended the 2016 Arts and Design Olympics for People with Disabilities at Widyatama University in Bandung. The event, which opened on May 8, 2016, is a step forward in providing a space for people with disabilities that is supported by the government. Several attractions, such as percussion performances from the Tatalu Musik Sentra community and dances, accompanied the arrival of the two officials.
Social Affairs Minister Khofifah Indar Parawansa greatly appreciated the event, which was held for the first time in Indonesia, but she reminded all parties to help bridge the gap for people with disabilities in their businesses or works so that they can be properly publicized. “This is the first art and design Olympics for people with disabilities, and the products are truly spectacular. Now we must maximize connectivity with the industrial world, including creative economy and tourism agencies, because their products require optimal connectivity,” she said at Widyatama University, Bandung, on Sunday (May 8, 2016).
The same thing was expressed by West Java Deputy Governor Deddy Mizwar, who said that people with disabilities need more attention from all elements of society. “We hope that there will be growing awareness from the community, both from the private sector, academics, entrepreneurs and others, including local governments, because local governments have not yet fully facilitated people with disabilities. Because people with disabilities have the same rights, whether in terms of culture, social life, education, health, and others,” he said. He added that it is interesting how a private university has specialized in Art Therapy Center. So, it provides special education for people with disabilities. Other (state universities) do not have this yet, and this is an example that needs to be emulated! Art Therapy Center is expected to continue to expand its activities. Not only in West Java, but it is hoped that it can expand to the national level, he continued.
In the new discourse on democracy, one important point is that democracy must provide a place for marginalized groups in society to articulate their existence. Among the groups considered marginalized are people with disabilities.
People with disabilities have long been marginalized because their condition has given rise to a negative perception that they are imperfect beings. There are nine competition categories in this Olympics, namely poster design, comic strips, photography, painting, and crafts. Meanwhile, in the field of music, there are songwriting, solo vocal, and band competitions.
There is also a competition for the creative dance category. This event is held in collaboration with the Art Therapy Center (ATC) of Widyatama University, Radio Republik Indonesia, and the West Java Social Service.
