The place of people with intellectual disabilities in Bandung, Indonesia

This report is an attempt to 'make visible' people with intellectual disabilities in Bandung, Indonesia, who have been rendered invisible due the stigmatization of disabled bodies in Indonesian society. The Western concept of deinstitutionalization is not appropriate to the contemporary culture of Indonesia. Returning to the 'special schools' following completion of secondary education resolves some of the problems of social exclusion, while reinforcing other exclusionary aspects of Indonesian society. Institutionalization is seen as a privilege in the Indonesian context, as only the better off can afford the cost of placing people with intellectual disabilities in institutions.