Disability Studies and Inclusive Design: Advancing Accessible Environments, Technologies, and Societal Attitudes

ABSTRACT


INTRODUCTION
Indonesia, an archipelago with a rich and diverse culture, is indeed at a crossroads in development where the principles of inclusivity and accessibility are crucial.green spaces can help overcome these challenges [2].
Improving public services, such as health and education, is another important aspect of Indonesia's development [3].The quality and accessibility of these services can have a significant impact on people's wellbeing.For example, research shows that the average distance to the nearest hospital is significantly associated with maternal health service utilization6.Reducing regional disparities in access to health facilities is therefore critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) [4].
In addition to these efforts, Indonesia's rich cultural heritage, such as Islam Nusantara, demonstrates the country's cosmopolitan nature and its ability to assimilate and complement various cultural elements [5].This inclusive approach to to it, such as historical context, education system, policy framework, infrastructure, resources coordination, and a culture of inclusive education [6].Inclusive Design has evolved as a powerful approach that not only encourages physical accessibility but also embraces multiple perspectives to shape environments, technologies, and interactions that accommodate everyone [7], [8].Inclusive Design has been applied in various fields, such as e-commerce platforms [7], immersive media [8], and built environment design [9].In Indonesia, the interaction between Disability Studies and Inclusive Design has been reshaping societal norms and structures in various ways.Inclusive education is one of the areas where this interaction is evident.The Indonesian government has been working on providing inclusive schools that cater to the needs of students with disabilities [11].These schools require competent Special Guidance Teachers who can support students with special needs [11].However, the training program for these teachers has not been developed in a comprehensive and integrated manner [11].Inclusive design has also been applied to digital banking services in Indonesia, aiming to make them more accessible to people with disabilities, particularly those with visual impairments [12].A study on the inclusive design of digital banking with voice user interface (VUI) showed that the prototype developed was effective, easy to learn, helpful, and satisfying for both visually impaired and sighted users [12].Moreover, research on the diversity of protein food sources in Indonesia has shown that the consumption of animal and plant proteins varies across socio-demographic groups [13].This information can be used to

Disability Studies and its Evolution
Disability studies emerged in the second half of the 20th century as a response to the medical model of disability that viewed disability as an individual deficiency.Instead, this approach emphasizes the social construction of disability, highlighting the role of societal structures, attitudes, and policies in marginalizing people with disabilities [14]- [17].

Inclusive Design and its Implications
Inclusive Design is a multifaceted approach that prioritizes the creation of rather than tailored solutions for specific needs [18]- [21].

Accessible Environment in Indonesia
Indonesia's vast geographic and cultural diversity presents both challenges and opportunities in creating accessible environments.Urban centers like Jakarta face infrastructure barriers, while rural areas face limited resources and awareness [22], [23].The study by [24], [25] highlights the gap between laws and regulations on accessibility and their practical implementation.The findings underscore the need for a comprehensive assessment of physical space and infrastructure.

Inclusive Technology for Empowerment
Technological

Quantitative Data Collection
A structured survey was administered to a larger sample of participants to quantitatively measure community attitudes, awareness of inclusive design principles, and perceptions of accessible environments and technologies.
Likert scales and multiple-choice questions will be used to collect data on participants' opinions and experiences.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
This section presents the findings

Findings Statement
The

CONCLUSION
The Indonesia is working towards sustainable development, focusing on aspects such as preserving local ecological knowledge, improving urban design, and enhancing public services.The Nusantaraization environmental paradigm aims to maintain the biodiversity and culture of the Malay Archipelago by integrating local ecological knowledge (LEK) with sustainable practices and technologies [1].This approach recognizes the importance of indigenous knowledge and local wisdom in promoting sustainability in various landscapes, including maritime, mountainous and forest areas [1].Inclusivity and accessibility are also important in urban design, as demonstrated by efforts to provide green open spaces in Indonesia [2].Indonesia has implemented a policy to ensure the provision of green open space, as mandated by the Minister of Public Works Decree number 5 of 2008 [2].However, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the implementation of accessibility faces challenges due to physical distancing rules and operational standards [2].Innovative design solutions for public West Science Social and Humanities Studies  46 Vol.01, No. 02, August: pp.45-52 culture and religion can contribute to the development of a more harmonious and tolerant society.In summary, Indonesia's development is at a critical juncture where inclusivity and accessibility are of paramount importance.The country is making great strides in preserving local ecological knowledge, improving urban design and enhancing public services.By continuing to focus on these aspects, Indonesia can work towards a future that is more sustainable, inclusive and accessible to all its citizens.Disability Studies has indeed catalyzed a paradigm shift by viewing disability as a social construct rather than an individual shortcoming [6].This shift has led to a greater focus on inclusive education and the need to address the various aspects related

Research Question 1 :Research Question 2 :
from the research on the intersection of Disability Studies and Inclusive Design in Indonesia, with a focus on accessible environments, inclusive technologies and community attitudes.The results are organized by research question, followed by a discussion that contextualizes the findings within the broader context of disability inclusion.What are the conditions of accessible environments in different parts of Indonesia?Responses from the survey show varying levels of accessibility in different parts of Indonesia.On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being "Not Accessible" and 5 being "Very Accessible"), urban areas scored an average accessibility score of 3.8, while rural areas scored 2.6.Public spaces received an average score of 3.9, while private spaces received an average score of 3.2.These findings highlight the differences between urban and rural accessibility, with urban areas offering better access.Nevertheless, challenges remain in both areas, emphasizing the need for comprehensive accessibility assessments and policy implementation.The results also underscore the importance of focusing on both public and private spaces to ensure inclusivity in various aspects of individuals' lives.How is inclusive technology currently integrated into the lives of people with disabilities in Indonesia?The survey showed that 68% of respondents with disabilities use smartphones for various tasks.However, only 42% reported using specialized assistive technologies tailored to their needs.Among these, screen readers and voice-to-text technology were the most commonly used.In addition, 56% of respondents felt that there was a lack of awareness about available inclusive technologies.While the utilization of smartphones is promising, the limited adoption of specialized assistive technology indicates a gap between potential and implementation.West Science Social and Humanities Studies  50 Vol.01, No. 02, August: pp.45-52 The lack of awareness underscores the importance of increasing public knowledge of inclusive technologies, to ensure people with disabilities can fully utilize them to increase their independence and participation.Research Question 3: How do community attitudes affect societal inclusion of people with disabilities in Indonesia?Participants' attitudes were measured on a scale of 1 to 7 (1 being "Negative Attitude" and 7 being "Positive Attitude").The average attitude score was 4.9.Attitudes were more positive in urban areas (5.2) compared to rural areas (4.6).Younger participants and those who had personal relationships with people with disabilities showed more positive attitudes.The relatively moderate mean attitude scores suggest there is room for improvement in community attitudes.The difference between urban and rural areas may be due to increased exposure to diversity in urban centers.The influence of personal relationships suggests that familiarity and direct interaction play an important role in fostering positive attitudes.The findings underscore the importance of awareness campaigns and inclusive education to positively change people's perceptions.
confluence of Disability Studies and Inclusive Design bears significance in reshaping Indonesia's journey towards inclusivity and accessibility.The research findings underscore the multifaceted nature of this endeavor.While progress has been made in certain realms, challenges persist, necessitating collective action from diverse stakeholders.The study's insights into accessible environments, inclusive technologies, and community attitudes provide a roadmap for policy makers, advocates, and society at large.By fostering awareness, implementing targeted strategies, and valuing diverse perspectives, Indonesia can pave the way for an inclusive society where every individual, regardless of ability, enjoys equitable opportunities and participation.The amalgamation of these disciplines holds the potential to not only transform physical spaces but also reshape societal attitudes, heralding a more inclusive future for all.