Manggarai forms disability forum for children and teenagers

Ruteng — Forum Anak dan Remaja Disabilitas Manggarai was formed at SLB Karya Murni Ruteng on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, according to Ekorantt.com.

The forum is intended to give children and teenagers with disabilities a channel to voice their rights, needs and aspirations to the government. Maria Yasinta Aso, head of Manggarai's Office for Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, said children with disabilities have the same rights as other children.

Elias Dagung, chair of the Sub Cluster Network (SCN) Program BEN Lingko Lodok Manggarai, said the forum was established to improve the dignity of children and teenagers with disabilities and promote equality. He said access to rights and services remained incomplete, including education and healthcare.

The meeting was held in the hall of the special-needs school. Organisers said the forum would also support participation by children with disabilities in development and help communicate their views to public authorities.

Why it matters to readers

The forum creates a local channel for disability issues in Manggarai, including schooling, parental support and disability-friendly healthcare. Its formation places the participation of children and teenagers with disabilities within local discussions about rights and public services.

Elias said some children and teenagers with special needs were still not attending school. He also raised concerns about how parents treat children and teenagers with disabilities, and called for attention to families through the forum.

He further identified the need for health services that are accessible to children and teenagers with disabilities, including appropriate ways to serve blind and speech-impaired patients. The forum is expected to voice these rights and have them followed up through the organisation's work programme.

Maria said the forum should communicate the children's aspirations, opinions and needs while enabling them to support one another. She also said Manggarai had received a preliminary child-friendly district designation.

Sources

• Ekorantt.com — local news report
• antarnews.net