A total of 17 new students with disabilities took part in the three-day Academic Culture and Student Orientation program (PBAK) at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, held Wednesday through Friday, August 19–21, 2026, with support from the Disability Services Center (PLD) under LPPM UIN Sunan Kalijaga. Hundreds of student volunteers from across the university were involved to make sure each student could take part in every part of the program according to their own individual needs.

Support was tailored differently for each student. Deaf students received sign language interpretation for the material presented. Blind and low-vision students received mobility assistance, while students with ADHD and autism received support adapted to their specific needs.

“We also coordinate with parents to understand each child's individual condition. Throughout PBAK, we provide support while also conducting assessments to map out their needs,” said Dwi Lestari, a PLD staff member.

This support was reinforced by the involvement of hundreds of student volunteers, who assisted with mobility, communication, and access to materials throughout PBAK.

Supporting students throughout PBAK, Dwi continued, requires a great deal of energy and attention. But seeing every student able to take part in the program smoothly brings a real sense of fulfillment. The volunteers' spirit of encouraging one another also made the process of providing support feel that much more enjoyable.

“It's incredibly rewarding to watch their journey, from the very first day all the way to graduation. It feels good to be able to accompany them and witness every step of the process they go through,” Dwi said.

Supporting new students with disabilities throughout PBAK is also part of UIN Sunan Kalijaga's effort to introduce the value of inclusivity from the very start of a student's academic life. As one of the core values UIN Sunan Kalijaga upholds, inclusivity is put into practice through various services and the involvement of the academic community, one of them being the PLD.

The message of inclusivity also found its place within the PBAK program itself. During one session, new students watched a performance by Gita Divana, a choir made up of students with disabilities and PLD volunteers. Their performance brought a distinct atmosphere to the PBAK program.

Beyond the artistic performance, PLD volunteers Rizki Dwi Rahmawati and Labib also introduced the work of the PLD to the new Kalijaga students, presenting the PLD as a service space that provides support to students with disabilities, including throughout their studies.

To strengthen their capacity to provide support, PLD volunteers also receive free sign language classes. This training has given a number of UIN Sunan Kalijaga students sign language skills they can use to support communication with Deaf students.

In this way, volunteer involvement doesn't just help students with disabilities take part in campus activities; it also builds awareness and skills among other students, helping to create a more inclusive academic environment.

Coordinator of PLD under LPPM UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, Dr. Asep Jahidin, expressed appreciation to the entire team and volunteers for their support. “Our thanks go out to the incredible PLD Team, for supporting our new students throughout these three days of PBAK, so that our new students with disabilities could also enjoy the whole program with real happiness,” he said.

For the 17 new students with disabilities, these three days of PBAK marked the beginning of their journey at UIN Sunan Kalijaga. They came not simply to be accepted, but to learn, to grow, to take part, and to reach their goals. This is where inclusivity does its work, making sure every student has an equal opportunity to grow and shape their own future. (humassk)