As a form of actualization of freedom, people with disabilities released around a thousand birds at the Alun-alun Tugu roundabout in Malang City, Monday (03/12). This was done as a symbol of the desire for freedom like humans in general, because so far people with disabilities have often received discriminatory treatment. People with disabilities in Malang City reach 300 thousand people from the population of the educational city which reaches more than 900 thousand people.
People with disabilities have felt that their rights have not been fulfilled properly due to their physical limitations, including receiving good public services. Therefore, on this day which also coincides with International Day of Persons with Disabilities, they release birds as a symbol of the freedom they have wanted to achieve all this time.
Slamet Thorai, coordinator of the action and representative of the Center for Disability Studies and Services of Brawijaya University, when met at the location of the bird release said that so far people with disabilities have always been discriminated against. "By releasing these birds, we also want to gain freedom. So far we have been locked in a cage, like birds," he said.
"Public service rights that have not been obtained by people with disabilities include the right to obtain proper education, the right to obtain good public services, and adequate access to transportation. When there are people with disabilities who want to obtain public services, public service institutions including the government still discriminate against us," added Slamet.
Regarding some of the treatments they have received so far, these people with disabilities always campaign for the importance of being given opportunities and accessibility to public facilities for people with disabilities. "We also want freedom, just like other normal people. So there should be no differentiation with us in any field," he said.
In addition to being a symbol of freedom, he said, the release of a thousand birds was also carried out as a form of environmental rescue in Malang City. "Malang City is a cool area and has many city forests, but the number of flying birds is decreasing because of human exploitation," concluded Slamet. (say/dmb)
