Australian Ambassador Visits Balikpapan, Reaffirming Shared Commitment to Disability Inclusion
Rod Brazier was welcomed by representatives of PPDI East Kalimantan and the local government.
Balikpapan, 24 April 2026 – Australia’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Rod Brazier, today visited Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, to see firsthand the implementation of Australian Government-supported disability inclusion programmes in Indonesia.
The event was held at the Telaga Sari Village Office, Balikpapan Kota, and organised by Sasana Inklusi dan Gerakan Advokasi Difabel (SIGAB) Indonesia together with its local partner, Perkumpulan Penyandang Disabilitas Indonesia (PPDI) East Kalimantan.
The visit is part of the Australia–Indonesia Partnership Towards An Inclusive Society (INKLUSI). Through INKLUSI, the Australian Government supports SIGAB Indonesia in implementing the Strengthening Social Inclusion for Disability Equity and Rights (SOLIDER) programme across six provinces — Bengkulu, West Java, East Java, East Nusa Tenggara, Yogyakarta, and East Kalimantan. The programme promotes inclusive employment, economic recovery, and the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making.
Rod Brazier tried making handicrafts together with members of the Kelompok Difabel Kelurahan (KDK).
In East Kalimantan, SIGAB and PPDI through SOLIDER have supported the establishment of Village Disability Groups (Kelompok Difabel Kelurahan/KDK) at the neighbourhood level. These groups advocate for disability rights, facilitate participation in local development planning processes (Musrenbang) from the village to city level, and support the development of disability-responsive policies, including Regional Action Plans for Persons with Disabilities (RAD-PD). The programme has also contributed to the establishment and strengthening of Disability Employment Service Units.
Ecoprint fabric products created by the Kelompok Difabel Kelurahan (KDK), developed to support economic recovery and the independence of persons with disabilities.
To date, the programme has reached six villages and empowered 335 persons with disabilities through skills development assistance, GEDSI strengthening, and inclusive services.
“We all benefit from an inclusive society where everyone has equal opportunity. I am very keen to learn about the good practices and collaborative spirit in advancing the rights of persons with disabilities in Balikpapan,” said Ambassador Brazier, during a dialogue with KDK representatives, local government officials, and programme implementers.
A village office representative presented the transformation of accessible public services achieved through the collaboration and advocacy of the Kelompok Difabel Kelurahan (KDK) to Rod Brazier and representatives of the East Kalimantan provincial government.
The Mayor of Balikpapan, H. Rahmad Mas’ud, expressed appreciation for the support of the INKLUSI programme and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the Australia–Indonesia partnership, with Balikpapan serving as a model of good practice to be replicated elsewhere.
“Support from the Australian Government has enabled SIGAB and our partners to advance inclusive development and the realisation of disability rights across East Kalimantan and Indonesia,” said Muhammad Syamsudin, Director of SIGAB Indonesia.
Rod Brazier posed for a group photo with representatives from the local government, SIGAB Indonesia, PPDI East Kalimantan, and the Kelompok Difabel Kelurahan (KDK).
“The SOLIDER programme, supported through INKLUSI, has delivered tangible impacts in strengthening the rights, dignity, and independence of persons with disabilities in East Kalimantan. We hope this partnership will continue, so that the foundation of inclusion we have built together grows stronger and more sustainable,” added Anni Juwairiyah, Chair of PPDI East Kalimantan.
This visit reaffirms Australia’s commitment to partnering with Indonesia in building a more inclusive society for persons with disabilities.
