UNJ Prepares Volunteers to Assist Disabled Students in Independent Admission Pathway

Jakarta State University (UNJ) is preparing volunteers to assist prospective students with disabilities during the independent admission selection process for 2026, aiming to ensure an inclusive process and equal access to higher education. “UNJ strives to ensure every prospective student has an equal opportunity to demonstrate their academic potential. Therefore, we continue to prepare support services so that the selection process is fair and accessible,” said Vice Rector for Academic, Student, and Alumni Affairs Ifan Iskandar in a statement in Jakarta on Saturday. He added that the provision of inclusive services does not stop at the admission process but continues throughout the students’ education on campus. To ensure all participants can follow the selection process properly, UNJ provides various forms of assistance tailored to individual needs. Participants with visual impairments, autism, or ADHD receive support from UNJ Disability Volunteers (REDIS), who accompany them from arrival on campus until all selection stages are completed. Additionally, the committee places sign language interpreters in examination rooms to help participants with hearing impairments take the test without communication barriers. REDIS Coordinator for Disability Admissions, Prila Ahdanila, explained that participants’ support needs were mapped out before the examination. Participant data and service requirements were obtained from the Admissions Office and then matched with the number of available volunteers. “Volunteers assist with participant mobilisation and bridge communication between the committee and disabled participants, while administrative and verification processes remain handled by the Admissions Office,” she said. This year, REDIS deployed 65 volunteers from various cohorts and study programmes. In addition to active members, volunteers were also recruited from previous cohorts to ensure all support needs could be met during the selection process. Prila added that the volunteers have received regular training in sign language and disability assistance. They not only accompany participants during the written exam but also at the interview stage. This year, the number of participants in the independent disability admission pathway reached 138, an increase of approximately 9.6 per cent compared to 125 participants in 2025. The three most popular faculties among disability pathway participants this year are the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Education, and the Faculty of Languages and Arts. Meanwhile, the study programme with the highest number of applicants is the Applied Bachelor Programme in Culinary Arts and Food Service Management. Head of the UNJ Admissions Office, I Wayan Sugita, stated that the increase in participant numbers indicates a growing interest among persons with disabilities in pursuing higher education. On the other hand, it also reflects increased public trust in the inclusive education services provided by UNJ. “The number of participants this year reached 138. This increase shows that more persons with disabilities are interested in continuing their higher education and see UNJ as a choice for further study,” Wayan said.