Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) continues to demonstrate a strong institutional commitment to advancing inclusive education that is accessible and accommodating to individuals with disabilities. This commitment is manifested through continuous efforts to foster an academic environment that is open, equitable, and accessible to all students, regardless of their background, special needs, or socio-economic status.
As a tangible realization of this vision, UNNES provides a wide range of facilities and support systems, including services for students with disabilities, scholarship programs, and campus-wide initiatives that promote diversity and equality.
A strategic role in supporting inclusive education is held by the Center for Language Services, Educational Training, Career Development, Counseling, and Disability Services, which operates under the Institute for Educational and Professional Development (LPPP). This center offers services to students, lecturers, academic staff, and the wider community on disability-related issues. It is also responsible for conducting outreach and educational activities to socialize inclusive practices as part of the implementation of Law of the Republic of Indonesia No. 8 of 2016 on Persons with Disabilities.
At the institutional level, UNNES reinforces its support for inclusive education through the provision of disability scholarships, which are allocated to students with disabilities from the first to the eighth semester. These scholarships cover both tuition fees and living expenses. UNNES actively nominates and recommends qualified candidates for this scholarship to the Center for Educational Financing Services (Puslapdik).
As part of its efforts to strengthen disability services, LPPP UNNES organized a Disability Service Unit Socialization Program on Monday, August 5, 2024, under the theme “From Awareness to Action: Building Inclusive Education in Higher Education Institutions.”
The event was officially opened by the Head of LPPP UNNES, Prof. Dr. Rodiyah, S.Pd., S.H., M.Si., and was attended by all program coordinators across the university. The program served as an implementation of Law No. 8 of 2016 and was in line with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Circular No. 3062/E2/DT.00.03/2024, which concerns the recipients of the 2024 Assistance Program for the Establishment and Strengthening of Disability Service Units.
The session featured two distinguished speakers: Prof. Dr. Munawir, M.Psi. from Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) and Prof. Dr. Ishartiwi, M.Pd. from Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY). Prof. Munawir delivered a presentation on the fundamentals of inclusive education, strategies for raising awareness and sensitivity toward disabilities, and relevant regulatory frameworks that support inclusivity in higher education. Meanwhile, Prof. Ishartiwi presented on inclusive teaching practices in the classroom, necessary support services for students with disabilities, as well as the challenges and practical solutions for implementing inclusive education.
Both speakers emphasized that every citizen, including persons with disabilities, has the right to access quality education. Consequently, all educational institutions, particularly universities, bear the responsibility to provide inclusive systems that accommodate the diverse needs of their academic communities.
