Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) continues to expand its inclusive education initiatives through a series of programs that support people with disabilities in both academic and social aspects of their lives. These initiatives are coordinated by the Language, Education, Training, Career, Counseling, and Disability Service Center (PLBPP), which plays a central role in ensuring that every member of the UNNES community enjoys equal access to learning opportunities.
The PLBPP provides comprehensive support services for students with disabilities, including mentoring programs where student buddies assist newly admitted students in adjusting to the university environment. This approach ensures smoother transitions, promotes independence, and strengthens peer solidarity among students. As part of its ongoing advocacy for inclusion, UNNES regularly organizes seminars and workshops designed to enhance digital literacy, communication, and volunteer capacity for people with disabilities.
Empowerment Through Training and Collaborative Learning
Digital Literacy Workshop for People with Disabilities, Source: UNNES’ Documentation
One notable event, the Digital Literacy Workshop for Persons with Disabilities, held by the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, focused on empowering individuals with disabilities through inclusive digital transformation. The workshop encouraged participants to utilize digital platforms to build independence, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
UNNES also held a Volunteer Training Program for Disabilities, where students were trained to assist individuals with disabilities in academic and campus activities. The event provided hands-on experience in empathetic communication, accessibility support, and inclusive service principles.
Promoting Inclusive Communication Through Sign Language
Sign Language Training from the UNNES Disability Services Unit (ULD) UNNES, Source: Instagram Post from bkdisabilitas.unnes
Recognizing the importance of communication accessibility, UNNES also promotes sign language training for students, staff, and volunteers. Through these sessions, participants learn the fundamentals of Indonesian Sign Language (BISINDO) to enhance interaction and inclusion for the deaf community on campus. This initiative underscores UNNES’s dedication to nurturing a socially conscious academic culture where inclusion is not only institutional but also personal, reflected in daily communication, learning, and community engagement.
Inclusive Workshops and Media-Based Advocacy
Webinar of “Akomodasi yang Layak dalam Pembelajaran bagi Mahasiswa Disabilitas”, Source: The Photo from LP3 UNNES
UNNES extends its inclusive mission to the wider community through online workshops and webinars that focus on equality, accessibility, and inclusive education. A recent Inclusion Workshop, available via YouTube Live, brought together educators, experts, and activists to discuss best practices in supporting learners with disabilities.
These public sessions aim to build understanding, reduce stigma, and equip educators with the skills to foster inclusive learning environments in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goals 4 (Quality Education) and 10 (Reduced Inequalities). UNNES’s approach combining mentoring, training, and public engagement reflects its strong commitment to being a Conservation University with a Global Reputation that values equality and social justice.
“UNNES believes that inclusion must be built through empathy, education, and empowerment,” said the Head of the PLBPP. “Our programs ensure that every student, regardless of ability, can participate fully and proudly in the academic community.”
