Semarang, September 2024 — Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) continues to solidify its leadership in inclusive education through the implementation of a reasonable accommodation policy and strategy that ensures accessibility and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities. This initiative is part of UNNES’s broader institutional effort to fulfill its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goals 4 (Quality Education) and 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
Reasonable Accommodation and Inclusive Policy Framework
A Ramp for Disabilities Students, Source: UNNES Documentation
UNNES’s inclusion strategy is guided by an Inclusive Education Policy that integrates accessibility and equality principles into teaching, learning, and campus life. The policy ensures that students with disabilities receive appropriate accommodations, including assistive technology, accessible facilities, and individualized academic support.
These principles are reinforced in UNNES’s broader SDG commitment to inclusive and equitable education for all, emphasizing that no student should face barriers to learning due to disability or socio-economic background.
Funding Support for Disability Service Units
PLBPP Building, Source: UNNES Documentation
To implement this policy effectively, UNNES has established and strengthened its Disability Service Units under the Language, Education, Training, Career, Counseling, and Disability Service Center (PLBPP). These units coordinate and deliver disability-related services, including counseling, mentoring, and accessibility support.
In 2024, UNNES received 28 million rupiahs in third-party funding from the Directorate General of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, under Legal Contract Number 22/E2/PPK/SPK/ULD/2024. This grant supported the enhancement of inclusive infrastructure and service delivery for students with disabilities.
These funds are allocated to strengthen the university’s disability units by improving assistive facilities, training personnel, and expanding accessibility initiatives across campus.
Support and Scholarships for Students with Disabilities
Students with Disabilities Graduate, Source: UNNES Documentation
UNNES’s inclusive approach extends beyond physical infrastructure to financial and academic empowerment. The university provides scholarships for students with disabilities, ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder access to higher education.
Data on recipients of these scholarships demonstrate UNNES’s commitment to equitable educational access and continuous monitoring of inclusion outcomes.
Through these scholarships and mentorship programs, UNNES continues to foster an inclusive learning environment where all students, regardless of their abilities, can excel academically and socially.
Institutional Commitment to an Inclusive Future
“UNNES views inclusion not as a special program but as a fundamental value that defines who we are as a university,” said the Rector of UNNES. “These policies and funding initiatives ensure that accessibility is embedded in every layer of our academic and operational systems.”
As a Conservation University with a Global Reputation, UNNES remains committed to promoting diversity, accessibility, and empowerment through policies, infrastructure, and partnerships that support a more equitable higher education landscape.
