Jakarta, 20 June 2025: Persons with disabilities – including those with physical, intellectual, and mental conditions – make up 16% of the global population, or around 1.3 billion people. Many continue to face persistent attitudinal, environmental, institutional, and social barriers, often compounded by intersectional factors and further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In Southeast Asia, cultural biases also limit diagnosis and broader understanding of neurodiversity. These realities highlight the critical need for inclusive practices that enable meaningful socio-economic participation for all.

In response, ERIA and Steps – a social enterprise focusing on neurodiversity in ASEAN – co-hosted the Jakarta edition of the ‘HR Inclusion Tour’ on 20 June 2025. Held at the ERIA Digital Innovation and Sustainable Economy Centre (E-DISC), the event featured a panel discussion and a series of workshops aimed at promoting more inclusive work environments.

Delivering her opening remarks online, Dr Giulia Ajmone Marsan (Head of Startups and Inclusion at ERIA) emphasised how digital technology can be a game changer in creating inclusive workplaces for people with disabilities, accelerating progress toward broader inclusion and equitable economic empowerment. Lina Maulidina Sabrina (Senior Programme Officer at ERIA) provided a brief overview of E-DISC and its mission to foster inclusive digital transformation.

The event’s first session was a panel discussion led by Max Simpson (Director of Steps), which explored the real meaning of inclusion by highlighting authentic voices and lived experiences. Panellists included Marthella Rivera Roidatua (Founder and CEO of KONEKIN), Jeffry Johary (Managing Director and President Director of OCS Indonesia), Fairuz Nurul Izzah (Social Media Copywriter), and Ama Dandon (Inclusive Education Expert). They shared insights on strategies for fostering a better understanding of neurodiversity in the workforce, underscoring the importance of recognising individual strengths, the role of caregivers, and the need for a paradigm shift towards openness and empathy.

Session 2 featured mini workshops on building inclusive workplaces, facilitated by Nadhifatun Nurrur Rahma (Human Capital Business Partner at KONEKIN). Participants explored practical strategies and heard firsthand experiences on creating welcoming and supportive environments.

The third session, facilitated by Pear Chainares (Head of Inclusive Employment at Steps), explored the application of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles in Asia and introduced key concepts of neurodiversity in the workplace.

The final session addressed workplace accommodations for accessibility, offering participants tools and activities to better understand inclusive hiring practices and support neurodivergent individuals in the workforce.