Reduced Inequalities

UNESA provides reasonable accommodation for students and staff with disabilities

10.6.10 Disability Accommodation Policy

UNESA demonstrates its continued commitment to disability inclusion through institutional policies, reasonable accommodation strategies, accessible infrastructure, and dedicated support services. Aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities), UNESA integrates disability inclusion into university governance, student admissions, academic services, and campus development to promote equitable participation for students and staff with disabilities.

UNESA's disability accommodation framework is coordinated through the Pusat Unggulan Iptek Disabilitas (PUI Disabilitas), also known as the Disability Innovation Center (DIC). Its institutional mandate was reinforced through a Rector's Decree issued on 17 April 2025, establishing an implementing team responsible for disability-related programmes. In 2026, this commitment was further strengthened through the review of disability service Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), covering information services, counselling, student assistance, and specialised assessment services. These measures support the development of a more consistent and accountable institutional accommodation system.

In academic year 2026/2027, UNESA strengthened the implementation of individualised reasonable accommodations. On 31 August 2026, university leaders, programme coordinators, and disability service representatives convened to improve academic readiness for students with disabilities. The initiatives included early identification of accommodation needs, accessible classroom arrangements, academic assistance, counselling, and student support mechanisms. On 25 September 2026, UNESA also conducted assistive technology training and individual needs profiling for incoming students with disabilities, enabling support services to be better aligned with students' learning and participation requirements.

UNESA also continued to improve the accessibility of its physical and digital environments. In June 2026, accessibility assessments were conducted at the Dr. Moestopo and Magetan campuses, followed by an evaluation meeting in August. On 10 September 2026, PUI Disabilitas organised a university-wide accessibility mapping initiative covering all five UNESA campuses. The assessment addressed ramps, tactile guiding blocks, accessible entrances, pedestrian circulation, and campus navigation systems, providing an evidence base for infrastructure improvements and future accessibility planning.

Financial accessibility and institutional resource mobilisation also form important components of UNESA's disability inclusion strategy. The university maintained its dedicated disability admission pathway in 2026, with 51 applicants participating in the selection process on 4 June 2026. This initiative builds upon previous financial assistance measures, including tuition and institutional development fee exemptions granted to 29 students admitted through the disability pathway in 2024. In addition, UNESA continued to mobilise personnel, trained volunteers, assistive technologies, counselling services, and specialised facilities to support disability accommodation. These programmes demonstrate ongoing institutional investment. The national government also funds UNESA’s disability service unit: on 22 June 2025 the Directorate General of Higher Education of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology named Universitas Negeri Surabaya, in Category 2, among the universities receiving its 2025 grant for establishing and strengthening disability service units (Unit Layanan Disabilitas, ULD), in letter 1782/B2/DT.00.03/2025 (Direktorat Jenderal Pendidikan Tinggi, 2025).

At the institutional level, UNESA further strengthened disability inclusion through the development of UNESA-DIMETRIC (UNESA Disability Inclusion Metric). In August 2026, UNESA introduced its updated disability inclusion assessment within the UNESA Tri Metrics initiative, evaluating universities across six dimensions: leadership and regulation; education and student affairs; research and innovation; staff development; facilities and infrastructure; and collaboration and partnerships. This initiative extends UNESA's contribution beyond institutional accommodation services by encouraging systematic evaluation and improvement of disability-inclusive higher education.

Through these continued efforts, UNESA demonstrates an operational approach to disability accommodation, combining institutional governance, individualised academic support, accessibility assessment, specialised services, and resource mobilisation. The university's 2026 initiatives provide further evidence of its commitment to reducing educational inequalities and strengthening equitable access, participation, and independence for persons with disabilities.

Key Evidence