The Role of Grassroots Innovation: Economic Inclusion and Empowerment through the Zone Yogyakarta Disabled Community in Increasing Economic Independence

People with disabilities in Indonesia must confront issues such as low enrollment rates, low employment rates, difficulty accessing health, education, and social protection facilities, and a less inclusive society. The inequality faced by people with disabilities is not only a social problem but also has an impact on economic growth and economic inclusion. This study aims to analyze and identify the efforts of the Difabel Zone Indonesia Community in Bantul to provide access to people with disabilities through empowerment programs and economic independence, particularly batik design and sewing. This community represents a grassroots innovation movement, with grassroots leaders emerging from more challenging situations and conditions, often from "below," to initiate a movement towards a specific goal. This research uses a descriptive-qualitative method. We obtained primary data through in-depth interviews with the founder of the Difabel Zone Indonesia community and obtained secondary data through literature studies. This study reveals that the emergence of this community stemmed from dissatisfaction with the inadequate employment opportunities tailored for individuals with disabilities. Difabel Zone Indonesia provides space to work. Difabel Zone Indonesia provides training and guides people with disabilities based on their interests. Cooperation with funders, job providers, and other communities is a step toward maintaining the Difabel Zone Indonesia community's consistency.