Kota Kita has partnered with the Banjarmasin City Government and the Network of Mayors for Inclusive Cities to promote accessibility and mobility to public facilities and services, stimulate economic empowerment and open more employment opportunities, and increase people’s awareness of disabilities issues in everyday life. Following the development of a disability-inclusive City Profile of Banjarmasin with UNESCO in 2018, we organized a focus group discussion (FGD) with relevant stakeholders in April 2019 to explore ideas and potential programs in building a disability-inclusive city. The event was attended by city governments, academics, disabled people organizations (DPOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), and persons with disabilities. 

The discussion completed a series of participatory data collection processes, which includes field surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, data analysis, and mapping. As a result, relevant stakeholders were able to gain a greater understanding of persons with disabilities living in Banjarmasin and accessibility in the city.

We also published findings from the participatory data collection process in a joint production of a comprehensive disability profile of the city and toolbox of practice and program ideas, available on Kota Kita’s website. The reports were launched at the High-Level Meeting of Mayors for Inclusive Cities, co-organized by UNESCO, APEKSI (Association of Indonesia Municipalities), and the City of Banjarmasin from October 3rd to October 4th, 2019.