Empowering 40 adults with disabilities toward independence
Bali Hotels Association has committed Rp 20,000,000 in corporate social responsibility funding to the Cahaya Mutiara Ubud Foundation, announced on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. The donation was formally presented by Patrick Farrell, Board Member & Head of Community Relations & Charity at BHA, in a ceremony that underscored the association's ongoing commitment to inclusive community development across Bali. "This grant reflects our belief that access to technology and education is a right, not a privilege and that disability is no barrier to ambition"
The funding will be channeled into three key initiatives: the development of a professional website for the foundation, enabling it to reach a wider audience and attract future support; ongoing English language classes to improve communication and employability for its residents; and computer literacy training designed to open doors to the digital economy.
Founded by individuals with disabilities and governed entirely from within, the Cahaya Mutiara Ubud Foundation is home to 40 adults, all of whom use wheelchairs. What makes this institution remarkable is its structure: rather than being administered by outside parties, the foundation's board of directors is drawn exclusively from its own community of residents. This model of self-governance places decision-making power firmly in the hands of those it serves, centering independence not just as an aspiration, but as an operating principle.
The BHA grant represents a meaningful investment in a foundation that is already leading by example proving that with the right tools and resources, people with disabilities can build, manage, and grow institutions that truly reflect their needs and values.