Hasanuddin University, through its Disability Center (Pusdis), received a visit from the National Commission on Disability (KND) of the Republic of Indonesia, led by Commissioner Eka Prastama Widiyanta. The meeting took place in the Rector’s Meeting Room on the 8th floor of the Unhas Rectorate Building on Tuesday (3 February).
Head of the Unhas Disability Center Dr. Ishak Salim, S.IP., M.A., explained that Pusdis Unhas is designed as the most comfortable and safe space for students with disabilities to develop independently. Some Pusdis staff are students who serve as assistants and partners for students with disabilities.
“Our Pusdis staff come from among students whom we believe can assist students with disabilities well. We also have volunteer Sign Language Interpreters who have been officially recognized as JBI. We direct Pusdis to be a space that encourages students with disabilities to be able to self-advocate to lecturers, so that the stigma that they must always be helped can be removed,” explained Ishak.
Pusdis Unhas seeks to foster the independence and self-confidence of students with disabilities by preparing modules and inclusive learning guidebooks that directly involve students with disabilities.
KND RI Commissioner Eka Prastama Widiyanta said the visit aimed to gather information and see for themselves the implementation of an inclusive university at Hasanuddin University.
“We want to look more closely at the role of the Disability Center in supporting the learning process. KND provides reinforcement and understanding while also encouraging assistive technology innovation, such as access facilities and learning aids, so that students with disabilities can learn independently and lecturers are also better supported,” said Eka.
Hasanuddin University Rector Prof. Dr. Ir. Jamaluddin Jompa, M.Sc. stressed that building the Unhas Disability Center is a strategic step to improve the institution’s understanding of the dimensions of disability in various aspects of campus life.
“We built Pusdis so that the university better understands the dimensions of disability in various aspects while also delivering more professional services. The university must be a good example in education, services, and inclusive human resource development,” stressed the Rector.
The Rector also said that Pusdis Unhas has entered its third year and still needs continued support for developing services and facilities, especially in every faculty, particularly in multi-story buildings.
Going forward, Hasanuddin University hopes to see stronger communities and cross-faculty collaboration, including with the Faculty of Engineering, in creating assistive technology that strengthens the inclusive campus ecosystem. (*/dhs)
Editor : Ishaq Rahman
This article is an English translation of the original Indonesian report.