7 in 10 Indonesians with Disabilities Don't Fully Grasp Covid-19 Health Protocols

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Seven in every 10 Indonesians with disabilities do not fully understand the health protocols that are in place to control and prevent the transmission of Covid-19 in the country, according to the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection.

This is based on a quick review with the Organization of People with Disabilities Network in Response to Covid-19, said Deputy Assistant of the Ministry’s Child Protection and Emergency Situation and Pornography Division Ciput Eka Purwianti.

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“Only 30 percent of Indonesian people with disabilities understand the information on Covid-19. The other 70 percent haven’t fully grasped the Covid-19 health protocols,” Ciput said in an online discussion held on July 3. The virtual meeting with the group originally took place in April 2020.

A lack of access to information that is correct, accurate, and understandable was stated as the reason a significant portion of the community could not comprehend the new rules.

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Ciput attributed the assessment to the notion that Covid-19 media information has not been made adequately accessible to Indonesian people with disabilities.

“Seventy percent haven’t understood, let alone observe, [the health protocols],” said Ciput.

From the 70 percent, around 61 percent have stated that they have attained sufficient information about the Covid-19 virus and the health protocols.

However, they are unsure of how to implement the country’s Covid-19 health protocols.