In February 2026, Universitas Katolik Widya Mandala Surabaya (UKWMS), in collaboration with Cardiff University and Edinburgh Napier University, hosted a two-day disability inclusion event aimed at transforming higher education through greater awareness, collaboration, and action. The workshops formed part of the SAHABAT-ID project, which seeks to empower disabled students and staff and foster more inclusive university environments.
Day 1 brought together 62 participants, including senior university leaders, programme directors, representatives from 11 Indonesian universities, nonprofit organisations, and international guests. Participants explored research findings on disability inclusion, the social model of disability, unconscious bias, and the newly developed BOND Framework. The event featured an expert panel including representatives from the National Commission on Disability of the Republic of Indonesia, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Universitas Brawijaya, and Universitas PGRI Argopuro Jember.
Day 2 focused on students and attracted 83 participants, including 65 UKWMS students from ten different disciplines, students from nine Indonesian universities, disability advocates, and sign language interpreters.
Summer Xia, Country Director of the British Council Indonesia and Director for Southeast Asia, delivered opening remarks at the student workshop, highlighting the importance of international collaboration in advancing disability inclusion and creating more equitable higher education environments
Through panel discussions, campaign development activities, and collaborative workshops, students worked together to imagine what a truly inclusive campus could look like. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Students evaluation showed that 96% were satisfied with the workshop and reported learning something new about disability inclusion. Importantly, 96% said the workshop changed their attitudes towards the urgency and importance of disability inclusion, while 92% said they were more likely to promote disability inclusion in their universities. Concretely, 15 students signed up as volunteers for Disability Support Unit as a result of the workshop. These responses demonstrate the power of bringing students, staff, leaders, and disability advocates together to create meaningful change.
The workshops were more than a learning opportunity. They were a step towards building university communities where disabled students and staff can truly belong and thrive.
