Asrorul Mais, Budiyanto, Sujarwanto
The Indonesian National Education System emphasizes that the purpose of education is to develop students’ potential so that they become individuals who are faithful, pious, of noble character, healthy, knowledgeable, capable, creative, and independent, as well as democratic and responsible citizens. The national education system must accommodate the diverse needs of students, including those with disabilities. Therefore, a good education system must not only guarantee access to education but also ensure quality and equity for all students, including persons with disabilities. Despite global and national commitments to the implementation of inclusive higher education, in practice, students with disabilities still face numerous obstacles in accessing and participating equally in university environments. These include limited physical accessibility, such as the lack of disability-friendly facilities. This research aims to examine the policies and services universities implement to support students with disabilities. Overall, the findings confirm that inclusion in higher education must be built through a systematic, collaborative, and participatory approach that directly involves people with disabilities in policy formulation, capacity building for lecturers and staff, and the use of adaptive technologies. An institution’s commitment to the principles of equity and the removal of structural barriers is a crucial step toward ensuring that all students, without exception, have equal opportunities to succeed in higher education. Future research should prioritize the development of participatory policy frameworks that engage students with disabilities at all stages of higher education planning. Broader comparative studies are necessary to examine inclusion across diverse contexts. Practical implementation may be enhanced by establishing unified accessibility standards and initiating co-created pilot programs. © 2026, Malque Publishing. All rights reserved.
Universitas Negeri Surabaya, East Java, Surabaya, Indonesia; Universitas PGRI Argopuro Jember, East Java, Jember, Indonesia
