From Aspiration to Action: KDK Prapatan Drives Accessible Public Services
Accessible entrance facilities at the Prapatan Village Office, including ramps and gentler pathways, to support wheelchair users, older persons, and other community members.
Balikpapan, East Kalimantan — For most people, visiting a village office to handle administrative matters is straightforward. But for persons with disabilities in Prapatan Village, Balikpapan, it was anything but. Steep stairs, counters set too high, and toilets that were not wheelchair-friendly made accessing basic services a daily challenge.
That is slowly changing. The Prapatan Village Office is becoming a more accessible public service space for all residents, thanks to collaboration between the Village Disability Group (Kelompok Difabel Kelurahan/KDK), the village administration, and Sasana Inklusi dan Gerakan Advokasi Difabel (SIGAB) Indonesia together with its local partner, Perkumpulan Penyandang Disabilitas Indonesia (PPDI) East Kalimantan, supported by the Australia–Indonesia Partnership for an Inclusive Society (INKLUSI).
The previous entrance to the Prapatan Village Office, which was only accessible via steep stairs.
Since late 2022, Prapatan has been one of SIGAB Indonesia’s programme areas. KDKs were established here and in five other villages across Balikpapan as spaces for persons with disabilities to organise, build their capacities, and raise their aspirations in local development processes.
The physical changes began with a proposal from the KDK at the 2023 Musrenbang (village development planning forum), which was realised in 2024 with support from the village, sub-district, and city governments. Improvements included wheelchair ramps, safer staircases, lowered service counters, and accessible toilet renovations.
Untung Slamet, a person with a physical disability, using the newly installed ramp at the Prapatan Village Office.
Untung Slamet, Chair of KDK Prapatan and a person with a physical disability, felt the difference immediately.
“Before, I had to climb quite a high flight of stairs just to enter the village office. Now access is much easier. It really helps my fellow persons with disabilities,” he said.
A dedicated wheelchair waiting area to support the comfort and mobility of visitors.
Prapatan Village Head Reza Dipa Pradeka acknowledged that the KDK had opened new perspectives for the village administration.
“Before the KDK existed, the aspirations of persons with disabilities weren’t very visible. Now we have a much better understanding of their needs,” he said.
Changes are being made progressively within budget capacity, guided by the principle that accessibility is the right of all residents — including older people, pregnant women, and others with limited mobility.
A lower administrative service desk designed to provide more accessible and comfortable services for wheelchair users, older persons, pregnant women, and other community members.The Head of Prapatan Village, together with the KDK Chair, Untung Slamet, and representatives from PPDI East Kalimantan, during advocacy efforts for more accessible public services before improvements were made to the village office facilities.
Beyond public service advocacy, KDK Prapatan also serves as a space for empowerment through skills training in Kalimantan beadwork, ecoprint, culinary arts, public speaking, and content creation. The group currently has around 50 members with a diversity of disabilities.
Building the group was not without its challenges. Untung recalls that many families were initially reluctant to let their relatives join due to persistent stigma. “We had to visit people’s homes multiple times and speak patiently with their families. Gradually, they began to open up,” he said.
“We want persons with disabilities to be independent and confident — not just included, but given the opportunity to grow,” Untung added.
Through the INKLUSI Programme, SIGAB Indonesia and its partners will continue to strengthen Village Disability Groups as spaces for persons with disabilities to participate in development — promoting more accessible public services, more equitable participation, and more responsive policies.
