Yogyakarta celebrates UN Disability Day with festive gathering

SIGAB, one of Indonesia's leading advocacy groups for people with disabilities hosted a dynamic celebration with performances and activities to commemorate the United Nations International Disability Day in Yogyakarta on 3 December 2012.

AIPJ supported the program, which kicked off with a 3-wheeled motorcycle rally through the city centre. The day was celebrated with live music, creative displays by disabled artists, speeches addressing various issues in justice and disability rights, quizzes, door prizes and a writing competition themed ‘Disability, Law and Justice.’

Over 400 people participated in the celebrations, including representatives from the government and justice sector, disabled persons organisations, activists and community members. The day's activities raised awareness of discrimination and limitations to the legal protection for people with disabilities in Indonesia. It promoted the United Nation’s official theme for the day ‘Removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all.’

Supporting Indonesian civil society and disability organisations to advance law and justice sector reform is a key focus of AIPJ's Realising Rights strategy. AIPJ works with partners in government institutions and non-government organisations on a range of activities to enhance access to justice and legal information for people with disabilities.