From Physiotherapy to Advocacy: Wisnu Saputra’s Mission for Equal Opportunities

When Wisnu Saputra began his career as a physiotherapist in Bali, he envisioned a future focused on healthcare. However, a conversation with a teenage client at a rehabilitation centre changed his course. This encounter sparked his deep commitment to disability inclusion and advocacy, leading him on a path that would reshape his career and impact the lives of many.

Today, Wisnu is a project manager at DNetwork, an organisation dedicated to connecting people with disabilities to employment opportunities and empowering them to overcome societal barriers.

His journey into disability advocacy was unexpected yet life-altering. Inspired by the realisation that rehabilitation alone was not enough, Wisnu sought a broader vision: to ensure that people with disabilities in Indonesia have access to education, employment, and a sense of belonging.

In 2017, he applied for the Australia Awards Scholarship, an opportunity to further his education in disability and inclusion, but was initially unsuccessful.  Undeterred, he applied again in 2018 for the third time, and that was when the defining moment came. He had a conversation with a teenage client who used a wheelchair, and the young boy asked, "What’s it like to go to school?" He revealed that he had been homeschooled his entire life due to his disability and had never experienced a classroom or made friends in school.

This question deeply affected Wisnu. "He just wanted to be treated like everyone else,” he said. It made him realise that beyond physiotherapy, he could play a pivotal role in helping individuals with disabilities access the broader opportunities that many take for granted.

The Australia Awards Scholarship

In 2020, Wisnu’s determination bore fruit when he was awarded the Australia Awards Scholarship to obtain a Masters degree in Health and Human Services Management, specialising in Disability and Inclusion at Deakin University. This new chapter came with its own challenges, especially the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the transition of classes to an online format just after his arrival.

"The education system in Australia was a revelation,” Wisnu shared. “Professors encouraged us to share our views, even if they differed from others. It wasn’t about lecturing; it was about dialogue. This fostered a culture where all perspectives were valued.”

Australia's inclusive and open learning environment shaped his understanding of disability inclusion.

“Inclusion isn’t just about providing physical access; it’s about creating a culture where everyone is supported to succeed. That was the most valuable lesson I brought back,” he said.

Building Inclusive Programs Indonesia

After returning to Indonesia in 2021, Wisnu found that securing a managerial role was not as straightforward as he had hoped. Despite his advanced qualifications, many recruiters were hesitant to view his background in physiotherapy as relevant to a leadership position. It took him eight months to land a role at DNetwork, where he immediately set to work designing programs that would upskill people with disabilities, offering them the tools to not only find employment but also to become entrepreneurs.

“We don’t just want to place people in jobs,” Wisnu explained. “Our goal is to empower them with skills that allow them to create their own opportunities.”

His first initiative was digital skills and entrepreneurship training aimed at providing individuals with disabilities the ability to thrive in a rapidly changing economy. During the pandemic, many people with disabilities, particularly in Bali’s hospitality sector, had lost their jobs. Wisnu’s team focused on providing digital training to help these individuals gain skills in areas like online marketing and e-commerce.

To further address the stigma surrounding disability in the workplace, Wisnu and his team launched a door-to-door campaign, bringing disability ambassadors to local businesses to demonstrate the capabilities of people with disabilities firsthand. This approach led to an impressive outcome, with over 80 per cent of companies in Bali opening their doors to inclusive hiring practices.

Creating Lasting Change: The Impact of DNetwork

Under Wisnu’s leadership, DNetwork has played a pivotal role in creating opportunities for people with disabilities. Since 2022, DNetwork has facilitated over 100 job placements across various sectors and empowered 155 individuals to secure meaningful employment or become self-employed.

One standout project was a collaboration with Plan Indonesia in 2023, which aimed to foster youth entrepreneurship. The program guided 20 participants—many of whom were people with vision impairment, hearing loss, or physical disability—through the process of business proposal development, marketing, and financial planning. By the end of the program, 13 participants submitted business proposals, and ten new businesses were successfully launched.

“Some participants started culinary businesses, while others explored services like make-up artistry and massage therapy. It was incredible,” Wisnu said.

Further, Wisnu worked with UNESCO to provide targeted mentorship for struggling disability-run businesses. This acceleration program helped these businesses refine their marketing strategies, improve their products, and boost their customer base.

International Collaboration and New Opportunities

In early 2024, Wisnu’s work took another significant leap forward with the support of the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). DNetwork received a grant to run digital skills and marketing training for 20 people with disabilities from Bali, Nusa Tenggara Barat, and Nusa Tenggara Timur, giving them access to real-world experience and internships with companies that had never hired people with disabilities before.

Wisnu also spearheaded the launch of an English language training program called Aku Mampu Berbahasa Inggris (I Can Speak English). It provided language instruction for 19 people with disabilities, helping them improve their communication skills and broaden their professional opportunities. Many participants reported newfound confidence, with one sharing, “I’ve never felt so included. I have friends now, and I’m even thinking about applying for scholarships.”

These collaborations exemplify the impact of international partnerships in fostering inclusive opportunities. Wisnu’s ability to leverage his networks and academic experience in Australia has led to tangible benefits for the disability community in Indonesia.

Looking ahead, Wisnu hopes to expand DNetwork’s reach across Indonesia, ensuring that people with disabilities in remote areas can access the same opportunities as those in urban centres. He also aspires to create a program that allows individuals with disabilities to study and experience life in Australia, where they can witness firsthand how inclusion functions in a society that values diversity.

Wisnu’s vision for the future is clear: to continue breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for those who have long been marginalised.

"Whether it’s through further studies or expanding our projects, I’m determined to keep improving and making a difference,” he concluded.