Indonesia’s cities are expanding rapidly, bringing new opportunities but also significant challenges for persons with disabilities. Urban infrastructure is often planned without fully considering accessibility, making it difficult for many to navigate sidewalks, use public transportation, or access essential public spaces. This lack of accessibility hinders persons with disabilities from participating fully in urban life.

Furthermore, disability-related issues are often treated separately from mainstream urban planning and budgeting. Although organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) are active in social support and civic participation, their contributions to the technical aspects of city development, such as the design of public spaces and infrastructure, remain limited.

To address these gaps, Kota Kita has launched the SUARA Inklusi (Sinergi untuk Aspirasi dan Aksi Inklusif) program. This initiative is designed to create more space for meaningful participation by OPDs and persons with disabilities in urban planning. Through capacity-building workshops, practical training, and collaborative forums, the program strengthens the knowledge, skills, and confidence of OPD representatives. Participants are equipped with tools for data collection and spatial mapping, as well as practical methods to support their involvement in monitoring and shaping urban development projects.

Kota Kita is working closely with a wide range of OPDs representing physical, visual, hearing, mental, and intellectual disabilities (with intellectual disabilities often represented by parents). Partnerships also include local government agencies, urban planning professionals, and civil society organizations, building a culture of collaboration and shared responsibility for inclusive cities.

The SUARA Inklusi program uses a participatory and adaptive approach. Activities and training modules are co-designed with OPD representatives to ensure relevance and practicality, focusing on participatory mapping, inclusive design, and effective communication of lived experiences. The program also encourages knowledge sharing and peer support across organizations, bridging the gap between technical urban planning and community perspectives. OPDs are engaged at every stage, from identifying challenges to monitoring outcomes, ensuring that their experiences directly inform urban solutions.

To support on-the-ground action, the project will provide seed funding to selected OPDs, enabling them to lead pilot initiatives that address specific urban challenges faced by persons with disabilities. These pilots will serve as demonstrations of effective, inclusive approaches and will be documented and evaluated to provide lessons for potential scaling and replication.

Ultimately, through SUARA Inklusi, Kota Kita hopes to build stronger, more inclusive cities where everyone has the opportunity to participate and thrive. By empowering DPOs and fostering collaboration, we aim to ensure that the voices of people with disabilities are not just heard but are central to shaping Indonesia’s urban future.