International Day of Persons with Disabilities Seminar 2024: Towards an Inclusive Campus and Disability Literacy at UIN Jakarta

Mahmud Yunus Theater, UIN News Online - UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta through the Center for Students with Special Needs (CSSN) in collaboration with the Social Welfare Study Program (FDIKOM) and Indonesian Language and Literature Education (PBSI) Faculty of Tarbiyah and Keguruan (FITK) held an International Disability Day Seminar on Monday, December 2, 2024. The event aims to educate and reflect on the rights of people with disabilities in the academic environment and the wider community.  

Rector: “Institutional Support for Inclusive Campus”  

UIN Jakarta Rector, Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, Ph.D., who also spoke as a keynote speaker, emphasized the importance of the role of parents in supporting children with special needs. “The role of the family determines how children with disabilities get equal educational and social rights,” he said.  

Responding to the aspirations of the CSSN Chairperson, Prof. Asep committed to strengthening CSSN institutions to support the creation of an inclusive campus. “We will fight for the institutional status of CSSN so that disability services at UIN can reach the entire academic community,” he added.  

The Importance of Disability Literacy  

Umar Syaroni, a Ph.D candidate from the University of Sydney, shared his life experience as a person with a disability. He revealed that there is still a negative stigma towards disability in Indonesia. “The media often presents narratives that worsen the psychology of people with disabilities,” said Umar, who called for the importance of person-centered communication training.  
According to him, social media has a big role to play in creating inclusion. “Generation Z can use technology to improve disability literacy and make social media a safe and inclusive space,” he said.  

From Old Paradigm to Human Rights  

Rayhan, an alumnus of UIN Jakarta's Faculty of Sharia and Law, presented a historical perspective on disability. He explained the journey of the disability paradigm, from the supra-natural stigma to the human rights approach. “We are now in an era where people with disabilities must be considered equal to other humans through the implementation of universal design,” Rayhan said.  

Universal Design and the Future of Accessibility  

Kenichi, a student of the Islamic Guidance and Counseling Study Program, emphasized the need for disability-friendly universal design. He cited Law No. 8/2016 on persons with disabilities, which emphasizes the right to full and effective participation. “Universal design not only facilitates people with disabilities, but also benefits the general public,” he emphasized.  

Hope for a Sustainable Movement  

This seminar is an important momentum to encourage literacy and awareness of the rights of persons with disabilities. The lecturer in charge of the Disability course at the Social Welfare Study Program, who also initiated the event, hopes that this seminar will become a sustainable movement.  
“Hopefully this reflection and education can inspire us all to realize a truly inclusive campus and community environment,” she concluded.  

Happy International Disability Day 2024!

By: Dr. Siti Napsiyah, M.SW*

* Dr. Siti Napsiyah, M.SW is a Social Welfare Lecturer at FDIKOM UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta.