Breaking the Stigma: Building Inclusive Universities Together
On Friday, 26 September 2025, the research team co-organised a joint international webinar entitled “Breaking the Stigma of Disability: Shaping Inclusive University Cultures in the UK and Indonesia.
Participants joined us from 177 institutions across Indonesia, representing universities, NGOs, Islamic education institutions, government agencies, and community organisations. The virtual space was vibrant with educators, researchers, disability advocates and students, all with an interest in advancing inclusion in higher education.
Our speakers offered valuable insights from both the UK and Indonesian contexts. Dr. Zubaidah Ningsih A.S. the head of Disability Services Center, at Universitas Brawijaya opened the session with a reflection on the evolving role of disability service centres within Indonesian universities. From the University of Exeter’s EDI team, Rachel Griffiths, a Senior Educator Developer, highlighted how staff training and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) can transform institutional cultures to be more inclusive. Reflecting on the event, Rachel noted:
“It was great to be part of this transnational inclusive education event. It was particularly meaningful to experience a carefully designed, accessible online webinar with signed and spoken language interpretation. It modelled the care and attention we need to bring to all aspects of education.”
Jessica Rourke, Wellbeing Operations Manager at the University of Exeter, emphasised the importance of cross-departmental collaboration and wellbeing support in fostering inclusion, reminding us that “inclusion is everyone’s responsibility.” She added:
“The webinar was a fantastic opportunity to meet peers and students alike, united in our efforts in designing inclusive learning environments. It was a great and accessible way of hearing first-hand experiences and celebrating progression in this sector across countries. I welcomed the chance to better understand the challenges that remain how we can best approach these together.”
A particularly moving contribution came from Hafid Gustian M., a Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta alumnus and disabled student, who shared his personal journey navigating stigma and structural barriers in higher education:
“Universities in Indonesia can build inclusive higher education standards for students with disabilities. Through these efforts, students with disabilities can thrive and contribute to the intellectual development of the Indonesian nation. Nothing is impossible — everything is achievable.”
Participants engaged actively throughout the session, and feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Reflections from attendees further underscored the value of international dialogue on disability inclusion:
“This was an extraordinary collaboration between two international campuses that support inclusive education.”
“The discussions helped us understand campus stigma toward disabled people, the importance of appropriate accommodation, and the practical solutions available.”
Whilst the UK and Indonesian contexts might differ, the experiences of disabled students often resonate across borders.
Looking ahead, participants expressed enthusiasm for follow-up workshops, training modules, and the development of a Memorandum of Understanding between UNY and the University of Exeter to sustain this collaboration.
This webinar was a reaffirmation of our collective mission to break barriers, challenge stigma, and reimagine universities as inclusive spaces that celebrate diversity in all its forms.
Dr Tamara Al Khalili
On behalf of the research team Webinar Recording: YouTube Link
