There are still gaps in facilities that are given to the disabled groups between developed and developing nations. For Universitas Gadjah Mada, it is still seen as giving care to the disabled groups.
This was said by Budi Guntoro, S.Pt., M.Sc., Ph.D, Deputy Dean of Faculty of Animal Sciences UGM in a Seminar themed Realising Accessibility and Services for Disabled Groups to Form an Inclusive University in Grha Sabha Pramana hall on Friday (17/2). The Seminar is held by UGM graduate students association that invites a speaker as well as a disabled person, M. Zulfikar Rahmat, MA., Ph.D, doctoral candidate from University of Manchester, UK.
UGM has opened opportunities for disabled people to study at UGM since 2015. Budi Guntoro does not deny that some field work and lab work at some science faculties still make it difficult for the disabled to study there. So, he hoped these faculties gradually increase the number of disbaled students. Hence, the lecturers and managers will have more experience dealing with them.
M. Zulfikar Rahmat said he did not expect too high things for disabled people. Improved basic education for them is enough for him.
"My childhood was painful enough when schools refused me to be their student. I could not walk and talk properly, I couldn’t write. After meeting the Mayor of Semarang, finally I got to study at Al Azhar," said Zulfikar.
Having his high school in Qatar, Zulfikar said it was very different for him. He no longer was bullied by his peers, and got support instead. “No one dared to bully me anymore, so my grades were improving. I concluded that friendship condition makes impact to one’s academic achivements,” he said.
Event committee chairman, Mukhanif Yasin Yusuf, S.S., hoped this seminar would give a picture on how to accepting and facilitating the disabled students at the university. "This event also serves as a stepping stone for the preparation ahead of the national symposium for inclusive university that will also involve the Higher Learning Ministry,” said Mukhanif.