Andayani, a lecturer in the Social Welfare Study Program (IKS) at UIN Sunan Kalijaga’s Faculty of Da’wah and Communication in Yogyakarta, served as a facilitator for ENGAGE 2024, an Australian-funded initiative to strengthen political participation among young people with disabilities. Supported by the Australian government through its Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, or DFAT, the program focuses on leadership and advocacy skills to help participants press for more inclusive, accessible elections.

ENGAGE — short for Engaging a New Generation for Accessible Governance and Elections — was developed by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, or IFES. In Indonesia, it is carried out in partnership with the Indonesian Disabled People’s Association, known as PPDI. Australian funding supports training that helps young people with disabilities understand their political rights, build confidence and communicate their priorities to policymakers.

The 2024 training schedule included two online cohorts, meeting on Aug. 28–29 and Aug. 30–31, followed by an in-person component on Sept. 23–24. The curriculum linked personal leadership development with an understanding of democratic institutions and the practical work of policy advocacy.

As a facilitator, Andayani led sessions on democracy, human rights, civic responsibilities and the electoral cycle. On the second day, she also facilitated sessions on influencing decision-makers through advocacy and speaking effectively in public.

The first day emphasized leadership, confidence and teamwork. Participants examined their rights as citizens and their role in democratic life before turning to the stages of an election and the barriers that can prevent people with disabilities from taking part.

Accessibility was a central concern throughout the training. Exercising political rights requires access to information, procedures that accommodate different needs and equal opportunities to be heard. Those conditions matter at every stage of an election.

On the second day, the focus shifted to inclusive advocacy, building a persuasive case and communicating with public audiences. Through group discussions, simulations and presentation exercises, participants worked to translate their experiences of exclusion into proposals for policy reform. They also practiced presenting recommendations clearly, maintaining constructive conversations and preparing for meetings with decision-makers.

One intended outcome was a policy document for submission to Indonesia’s General Elections Commission, known as the KPU. Participants were tasked with identifying their concerns, explaining the case for action and proposing measures to make elections more inclusive and accessible. The approach placed their experiences at the center of recommendations intended to address their needs.

Andayani’s involvement reflects the contribution that social welfare educators can make to disability rights advocacy and leadership development. The sessions she facilitated drew on concerns central to the field: empowerment, participation, policy advocacy and social justice.

Australia’s financial support for ENGAGE illustrates how international cooperation can expand opportunities for young people with disabilities to develop as leaders. Working with IFES, PPDI and the program’s facilitators, participants were encouraged to strengthen their ability to advocate for their political rights and help shape a more inclusive democracy.