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SPEKIX (Neurodiversity Expo) 2026 officially opened on Saturday (10/10), 2026 at JICC Senayan. Since its debut as the “Special Kids Expo” in 2019, SPEKIX has evolved from a community-led awareness initiative into a national inclusive platform by 2024.
Speaking at the opening ceremony at the Jakarta International Convention Center, Dr. Sri Hartati said that with the theme “Sustaining Inclusion, Empowering the Future,” SPEKIX is entering a new phase this year: acting as a driving force to actively advocate for policy changes benefiting individuals with special needs in Indonesia.
“SPEKIX began in 2019 as a small exhibition aimed at ensuring families felt they were not alone. Today, we stand here not only to celebrate that journey but to affirm that the journey is far from over,” she said.
She explained that SPEKIX is more than just a two-day event; it is a movement that continues to push forward until policies supporting individuals with special needs become a reality—not just in Jakarta, but across all of Indonesia. In line with this mission, SPEKIX regularly engages in discussions with the Jakarta Regional Development Planning Agency and holds audiences with the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection.
“Over these two days, SPEKIX 2026 features 35 seminars and workshops—including sessions designed to help educators identify and support individuals with special needs in the classroom—alongside more than 129 exhibition and bazaar booths, a performance stage, free consultation areas with psychologists and therapists, and an Inclusive Career Program that connects adults with special needs to companies offering employment opportunities. Admission to the entire event is free,” she affirmed.
Dr. Sri Hartati added that SPEKIX 2026 continues tomorrow, Sunday, October 11, with a series of sessions and additional stage performances running until 6:00 PM WIB. More than just a two-day exhibition, SPEKIX is an ongoing movement alongside individuals with special needs and their families, working toward a truly neurodiversity-friendly Indonesia—not just in Jakarta, but across the entire country.
Meanwhile, Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung stated that the Jakarta Provincial Government fully supports the hosting of SPEKIX 2026 as part of its commitment to creating a friendly and inclusive Jakarta for all citizens, including individuals with special needs. We hope this collaboration with SPEKIX continues, fostering a better Jakarta for everyone.
“As a tangible form of support, the Jakarta Provincial Government has opened an official booth at the event venue, invited early childhood and elementary school teachers from across Jakarta to attend educator workshops as part of the SPEKIX 2026 program, and reached out to communities supported by the provincial government to encourage their participation,” Pramono noted.
Likewise, the Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), Arifatul Choiri Fauzi, said that both the Ministry and Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung support the Special Kids Expo (SPEKIX) 2026 to promote the fulfillment of the rights of children with disabilities.
“Fulfilling the rights of children with disabilities requires the involvement of various parties. Since this is a shared responsibility, collaboration must be concrete—going beyond mere meetings,” she added.
She elaborated that she has also proposed the formation of a team involving the SPEKIX organizers, the Jakarta Provincial Government, and the Ministry of PPPA. This team is expected to map out children’s needs, identify challenges, formulate strategies, and determine the division of responsibilities and follow-up actions.
“It is not easy to be a parent to a child with special needs. Yet, God has His own reasons for entrusting these children to us. This is something to be grateful for, and please know that you are not alone; we will work together,” Arifatul remarked.
This collaboration opens up a broader vision: establishing DKI Jakarta as a model city whose policy framework can be replicated in other cities across Indonesia. This aligns with the hope expressed by the Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), that the knowledge, experience, and networks fostered through SPEKIX will be carried forward into homes, schools, communities, workplaces, and public spaces in various environments.
Arifatul concluded that children with disabilities have equal rights to life, access to healthcare and nutrition, assistive devices, personal development, protection, and participation in community life. SPEKIX is a movement that stands alongside individuals with special needs and their families until a neurodiversity-friendly Indonesia becomes a reality—not just in Jakarta, but across the entire nation. [traveltext.id]
