In the last several years, inclusion has become a common rhetorical commitment within universities in Indonesia and beyond. Nevertheless, disability-related practices within higher education continue to be shaped by inconsistent interpretations and uneven institutional arrangements. Drawing on survey data from academic staff, this paper investigates how disability is perceived, structured, and enacted in everyday academic contexts. Rather than concentrating on the presence or absence of support services, the analysis foregrounds staff attitudes, teaching approaches, and the institutional assumptions that inform pedagogical responses to disability, with particular attention to the Indonesian higher education context. A total of 322 respondents participated in the study. Descriptive and comparative analyses were conducted using median scores and non-parametric tests. Overall, staff demonstrated strong positive attitudes toward students with disabilities, including high levels of respect, empathy, and professional responsibility. However, findings from the Indonesian context reveal a notable tension between positive attitudes and practical readiness. While Indonesian staff strongly endorsed inclusive values, they were more likely to perceive teaching students with disabilities as time-consuming and were less inclined to engage in active institutional advocacy compared to their counterparts in England. These findings suggest that in Indonesia, disability inclusion in higher education is primarily framed as a moral and professional commitment rather than as an institutionally supported pedagogical practice. The study highlights the need for systemic policy development, targeted professional learning, and stronger institutional accountability to translate positive attitudes into sustainable inclusive practices.

Authors:
Nur Azizah, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Pujaningsih Pujaningsih, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Eleni Dimitrelleou, University of Exeter, United Kingdom
Lauren Stentiford, University of Exeter, Indonesia
George Koutsouris, University of Exeter, United Kingdom
Zhizeng Yu, University of Exeter, united_kingdom

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Nur Azizah serves as an associate professor at the Special education Department, Faculty of Education Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Monday Schedule

Bookmark