Innovation

Thisable Enterprise is a social enterprise in Jakarta, Indonesia that has mission to empower person with disabilities. The initial step of empowerment was started by Thisable Foundation in 2011 that focused on Corporate Social Responsibility Program. For the greater benefit and independent funding rather than relying on company's philanthropy, the owner established Thisable Enterprise in 2017. Their mission is embedded to the business model. Their business model comprises of:

1. Learning Centre providing informal education;

2. Employment Services managing persons with disabilities with to the prospective employer;

3. Micro Enterprise creating beauty products made by people with disabilities.

Thisable Enterprise does not only provide work opportunity for person with disabilities but also preparing them to be ready in the work environment. They also create comprehensive scheme for professional jobs (Telemarketing, Call Centre, Admin Support, Hospitality, Design Graphics) and vocational job (Cleaning Services, Automotive, Massage and Beauty Therapist). There are 6 steps for professional: (i) finding the sources, (ii) competence-mapping, (iii) company requirement, (iv) initial screening, (v) users interview, and (iv) on job training. For vocational, there are also 6 steps: (i) recruitment, (ii) assessment, (iii) training, (iv) product installment, (v) on boarding, and (iv) field supervision.

Thisable Enterprise wants to create livelihood of persons with disabilities because with the opportunity and appropriate preparation, they have ability to do the job and deserve to be hired and get their independent financial.

Inspiration

First, the founder, lost her hearing abililty when she was 10 years old. She experienced the difficulty to seek a job even though she had graduated with a master's degree in marketing communication. She was hired by several companies, but finally got fired due to the company's efficiency. When she was unemployed, her teacher encouraged her to create work opportunities rather than just seeking for job opportunities.

Second, the founder found that more than 28 millions of people with disabilities in Indonesia are scattered in exclusive communities among themselves and facing difficulties finding work, even though they have skills and in productive age. Having law in place does not mean that opportunity will follow. Therefore, she created Thisable Enterprise as a platform that providing work opportunities for persons with disabilities. This is reflected in her quote:

"Thisable Enteprise can be sustained because we have a belief and we are responsible of what we do and have courage to take action, not only ideas or visions."

Overall impact

Thisable Enterprise is giving impact not only to the business itself, but also for the society. The impact from their business lines are as follows:

1. Learning Center, more than 4800 persons with disabilities and non disabilities have been empowered by informal education
2. Employment Services, more than 200 persons with disabilities and non disabilities have worked in several industries.
   
3. Micro Enterprise, more than 100 hundred of products sold per month in several modern markets and digital marketplaces.

The short term effects of Thisable Enterprise are shaping mindset of the persons with disabilities that they can change their weakness into advantage, not giving up with their limited conditions and can have independent financial resources. The long term effects are providing work opportunities for persons with disabilities in Indonesia and around the world, decreasing the unemployment rate, reducing the inequality treatment, and finally creating inclusive work environment for persons with disabilities.

Business benefit

Profit is a must in order to run and expand the business. With the small team, Thisable Enterprise can run the company and gaining profit. Thisable Enterprise has a B to B agreement with the business partners hiring person with disabilities and gaining commission from the business partners. Profit also come from the micro enterprise sector that sells many products every month.

Thisable Enterprise has won Social Enterpreneur of the Year 2014 by Ernst&Young for Community Development.

Thisable Enterprise is starting to expand to Jogja, Solo, Surabaya and Bali. Expansion to Java and Bali island become their short term goal. For the long term goal, they want to expand to all area in Indonesia.

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Social and environmental benefit

First, providing work opportunities for persons with disabilities means that they can be productive and gain independent financial resources and does not depend on charity. In another point of view, this action can reduce the unemployment rate and it will lead to the economic growth.

Second, Thisable Enterprise changes the mindset that persons with disabilities is excluded in the working environment. If many person with disabilities work in the working environment, it will become an ordinary thing and they can have an equal treatment. They can change their weaknesses into advantages.

Third, gain more and more awareness from the companies, business leader, and everyone in the society to do the positive thing for the society.

Interview

Angkie Yudistia, Founder&Managing Director

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