Access to assistive devices for people with disabilities in Indonesia remains a major challenge. Dependence on imports, lack of local production, and high prices make assistive devices such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, and communication devices difficult to afford. This is exacerbated by tax policies that classify assistive devices as luxury goods, resulting in high cost burdens for individuals and organizations of people with disabilities.
Complicated import processes, inflated taxes, and unfriendly bureaucracy cause delays in distribution even for donated goods. The absence of clear HS Code classifications, minimal socialization, and weak coordination between institutions prolong the import process of assistive devices. As a result, people with disabilities are hampered in fulfilling other basic rights such as education, employment, and social participation, which further deepens inequality and the risk of poverty.
To address these challenges, OHANA and PRAKARSA recommends tax policy reforms, including exemption of import duties and VAT for assistive devices, and incentives for local manufacturers. Read the full Policy Brief volume 52 entitled “High Import Taxes: The Crisis of Assistive Devices for People with Disabilities in Indonesia” below: