ULM Promotes an Inclusive Paradigm for Children with Special Needs in Banjarbaru
Banjarbaru – A team of lecturers from the Department of Special Education, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP), Lambung Mangkurat University, is working to shift society’s paradigm toward Children with Special Needs (ABK) by holding a socialization campaign on inclusive communities in Landasan Ulin Timur Village, Banjarbaru City, on Thursday (August 21, 2025).
The head of the ULM FKIP Lecturers in Service Team, Rona Wulandari, explained that the challenges facing children with special needs remain significant. This is evident in the lack of parental acceptance, the negative societal stigma surrounding the unique behaviors of children with disabilities, limited knowledge about disabilities, and the fact that many children with disabilities still do not attend school.
“Through this socialization, we want to change society’s perspective. Every individual deserves to be valued and respected, regardless of their differences,” said Rona.
In the event, attended by 57 participants from neighborhood associations (RT), community associations (RW), integrated health post (Posyandu) cadres, and Family Welfare Movement (PKK) members, speakers from ULM explained the important role of the community in building an inclusive environment.
The team also introduced various applications to support children with special needs, such as the Disability Information System (Sidabel), the Ajak Mobilitas application for blind people, and the Sinori application to help children with intellectual disabilities learn self-help.
The Head of East Landasan Ulin, Nina Marlina, expressed her appreciation for ULM’s contribution, which she considered to be broadening the community’s perspective. “The participants seemed enthusiastic, and some even immediately asked about the causes of speech delays in children,” she said.
Suwartiningsih, a representative of the Landasan Ulin Family Welfare Movement (PKK), echoed this sentiment. She considered the activity very beneficial because almost every neighborhood has children with special needs who need attention. She hopes that ULM Special Education students will also participate through Community Service Programs (KKN) to support families and the community.
The ULM teaching team involved in this activity consisted of Rona Wulandari as the chair, accompanied by Dr. Utomo and Hayatun Thaibah, and assisted by two students, Ayu Linda Frastya and Mawarni Nurhidayah.
Through this community service, ULM affirms its commitment to providing academic solutions to social issues, particularly in building an inclusive paradigm so that children with special needs have equal opportunities in education and everyday life.
