Lupus and Employment: Equal Economic Access for Invisible Disability

Not all disabilities are visible. Invisible disability refers to medical condition that limit individual ability to carry out normal activities and not visible to others. One of the examples is Lupus, a systematic autoimmune disease that can attack various organs and have significant impact on individual capability. Individuals with Lupus are often considered as physically capable and experiencing “you don’t look sick”, especially in a workplace. The aim of this study is to examine experience of individuals with Lupus for equal economic access including employment and other economic resources in Indonesia. This study employs Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore the experiences of individuals with Lupus, focusing on their opportunities and challenges in accessing financial resources in both formal and informal employment sectors. As a result, individuals with Lupus who succeed in maintaining employment typically benefit from a supportive work environment bolstered by sufficient knowledge about lupus. Conversely, those who transition to the informal sector often face difficulties in accessing financial facilities commonly available to people with disabilities. Therefore, it is crucial to raise awareness about Lupus as an invisible disability to ensure equal economic access in both formal and informal employment, with adjustments made to accommodate their capacity to perform.