Disability in Bali

In developing countries like Indonesia, people with physical disabilities, for example, those who are either paralysed, blind or deaf, are a lot worse off than disabled people living in developed nations. Of course, one of the problems is that developing countries have less funds available for programmes to aid people with disabilities. However, the larger issue is the way these societies treat the disabled. In many developing countries, attitudes towards the disabled are often a result of religious beliefs or fatalism.

Balinese Hindus believe in karma and reincarnation. Giving birth to a handicapped child is often seen as a punishment for a sin from a previous life or the result of black magic.

The physically handicapped frequently live in deplorable conditions, are neglected and kept hidden from the community out of shame by their embarrassed families. Not surprisingly, the disabled suffer from very low self esteem, are despondent and feel hopeless.

Please read about some of the members of the Senang Hati Foundation.