Thesis tittle: The Visibility of People with Disabilities in Official Statistics: Investigation into Disability Data Collection through Population Surveys in Indonesia
Supervisors: Amos Channon and Olga Maslovskaya
Date started: January 2023
My research investigates the visibility of people with disabilities in official statistics in Indonesia. Accurate and inclusive statistics are essential, as they should reflect the lived experiences of the entire population. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) emphasises the importance of collecting disability-related data to identify and address the barriers that hinder people with disabilities from fully exercising their rights.
Through my research, I have identified significant gaps in how disability is measured through population surveys in Indonesia. These include the lack of voice of people with disabilities in the current discussion of disability measurement and the poor quality of existing survey methodologies.
During my fieldwork, I worked closely with people with disabilities and their families in Indonesia, exploring how disability is perceived by those whose perspectives matter the most. My research aims to advocate for the voice of people with disabilities in policy discussions and drive improvements in disability measurements in Indonesia. More accurate data would better capture context-specific real-life conditions, enabling the estimation of support needs in healthcare, education, and other critical areas. To summarise, my research seeks to make impactful changes that improve the quality of life of people with disabilities in Indonesia.
