Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), was awarded as the Second Runner-up in the UNS Inclusion Metric Competition among the faculties and schools in UNS, which was held as part of the 47th UNS Anniversary Celebration in 2023.

The handover ceremony of the Winner’s Letter of Decree, Certificate, and Trophy was held on April 3, 2023, in the Press Room, on the 1st Floor of the UNS Research and Community Service Institute (LPPM).

The winner is determined through the Decree of the Head of the Center for Disability Study LPPM UNS No. 28/UN27.22.2.12/TU.00/2023 dated March 9, 2023. The decision was made by taking into account the documents and field visits assessment for the UNS Inclusion Metric Competition that has been carried out by the organizing committee throughout February-March 2023.

FEB has provided various supporting facilities for people with disabilities including parking lots, ramps, and toilets. However, there are still some things that need to be improved.

This year, to facilitate the learning process for deaf and speech-impaired students in FEB, the Dean has also assigned three Signal Spokesmen (JPI). In addition, the lecturers are also very supportive of these students through assistance and guidance.

Dra. Y. Anni Aryani, M.Proff., Acc., Ph.D., Ak, CSRS., CSRA., one of the FEB Lecturers also serving as a manager at the Center for Disability Studies (PSD) said that the construction of facilities has been regulated and must include facilities that support inclusion. In this case, in the UNS environment, there needs to be additions and improvements.

“To build a restroom must be in accordance with the standards, it needs to be accessible to people with disabilities, it is not enough to be wheelchair-accessible but need to have a handle, and sliding door. Likewise, for ramps, it must be in accordance with standards, not too steep, some facilities in FEB need to be fixed,” she said.

Additionally, FEB UNS has not put supporting facilities for the blind, there is no guiding block including no braille marking on other facilities. Further, it was revealed that the learning process standards in FEB need improvement.

“As it happens, there are students with hearing impairments in FEB. The lecturers should understand the standard for teaching students with disabilities, if the lecturer cannot use sign language, they shall ask for assistance from PSD UNS. There should be tools that can be used to help students with disabilities in attending lectures, faculty members can ask for guidance from PSD UNS.”

The tool in question is a type of software installed on the students’ laptops. Additionally, the students must sit at the front, and the lecturer must also understand that this way their voices will be more audible with clear articulation.

Therefore, to support disabled students during lectures, not only supporting tools, FEB UNS academic members also need to understand the special needs of disabled students.

The main psychological support from the leadership is crucial for the development of FEB UNS to be a highly inclusive faculty.

It needs the support and involvement of all parties to make FEB UNS an inclusive campus, not only lecturers, employees, and students, but also the support from the faculty leaders. Particularly in terms of budget to optimize and build disability facilities that are not yet available.