Electronic Theses and Dissertation

Penyandang disabilitas merupakan kelompok rentan yang memiliki keterbatasan fisik, mental, intelektual, atau sensorik, yang berimplikasi pada terbatasnya akses terhadap kehidupan sosial, ekonomi, dan pendidikan. Di Kota Banda Aceh, jumlah penyandang disabilitas mencapai 876 jiwa pada tahun 2024, menunjukkan urgensi intervensi kebijakan yang konkret untuk menjamin pemenuhan hak-hak mereka. Salah satu upaya strategis pemerintah adalah melalui pemberdayaan yang dilaksanakan oleh Dinas Sosial melalui program bantuan sosial. Pemberdayaan di sini tidak hanya mencakup pemberian bantuan, tetapi juga peningkatan kapasitas agar penyandang disabilitas mampu mandiri secara ekonomi dan sosial. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui dan menjelaskan peran Dinas Sosial Kota Banda Aceh dalam pemberdayaan penyandang disabilitas melalui bantuan sosial serta menganalisis hambatan-hambatan yang dihadapi. Penelitian ini menggunakan teori peran Ralph H. Turner (dengan indikator diferensiasi peran, pengambilan peran, sudut pandang peran, dan perilaku kelompok referensi) serta teori pembangunan sosial yang menempatkan pemerintah sebagai fasilitator, edukator, teknisi, dan representatif. Metode yang digunakan adalah kualitatif deskriptif, dengan teknik pengumpulan data melalui wawancara mendalam, observasi, dan dokumentasi. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Dinas Sosial telah menjalankan peran pemberdayaan melalui pemberian alat bantu (seperti kursi roda, alat bantu dengar, dan tongkat adaptif), bantuan tunai, serta pelatihan keterampilan seperti barista, menjahit, dan pengolahan makanan laut. Namun, efektivitas pemberdayaan masih menghadapi tantangan, seperti keterbatasan anggaran, rendahnya partisipasi penyandang disabilitas, keterbatasan data yang akurat, dan aksesibilitas program yang belum menyeluruh. Kesimpulan dari penelitian ini adalah bahwa Dinas Sosial Kota Banda Aceh berperan penting dalam pemberdayaan penyandang disabilitas, namun peran tersebut belum optimal karena berbagai kendala struktural dan partisipatif. Disarankan agar pemerintah memperkuat pendataan terpadu, memperluas jangkauan pelatihan yang sesuai dengan kebutuhan penyandang disabilitas, serta meningkatkan kolaborasi lintas sektor agar pemberdayaan benar- benar berdampak pada kemandirian dan kesejahteraan sosial penyandang disabilitas di Banda Aceh.
Kata kunci: pemberdayaan masyarakat, penyandang disabilitas, kesejahteraan sosial

People with disabilities are a vulnerable group who have physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory limitations, which have implications for limited access to social, economic, and educational life. In Banda Aceh City, the number of people with disabilities reached 876 people in 2024, indicating the urgency of concrete policy interventions to ensure the fulfillment of their rights. One of the government's strategic efforts is through empowerment carried out by the Social Service through social assistance programs. Empowerment here does not only include providing assistance, but also increasing capacity so that people with disabilities are able to be economically and socially independent. This study aims to determine and explain the role of the Banda Aceh City Social Service in empowering people with disabilities through social assistance and to analyze the obstacles faced. This study uses Ralph H. Turner's role theory (with indicators of role differentiation, role taking, role perspective, and reference group behavior) and social development theory that positions the government as a facilitator, educator, technician, and representative. The method used is descriptive qualitative, with data collection techniques through in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation. The results of the study indicate that the Social Service has carried out an empowerment role through the provision of assistive devices (such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, and adaptive canes), cash assistance, and skills training such as barista, sewing, and seafood processing. However, the effectiveness of empowerment still faces challenges, such as budget constraints, low participation of people with disabilities, limited accurate data, and program accessibility that is not yet comprehensive. The conclusion of this study is that the Banda Aceh City Social Service plays an important role in empowering people with disabilities, but this role is not yet optimal due to various structural and participatory obstacles. It is recommended that the government strengthen integrated data collection, expand the reach of training that is in accordance with the needs of people with disabilities, and increase cross-sector collaboration so that empowerment truly has an impact on the independence and social welfare of people with disabilities in Banda Aceh. Keywords: community empowerment, persons with disabilities, social welfare