9 March 2022 – A few weeks ago, a symposium about learning disability was held by the University of Derby and University of Southampton. Faculty of Psychology, University of Gadjah Mada contributed to the symposium, represented by Elga Andriana, PhD., where she utilizes the symposium as a learning enrichment for International Undergraduate students in the ‘Children and Adolescents with Special Needs’ class. The main purpose is to present students with international engagement through the international program held by the lecturers. The symposium mainly focused on the role of education in supporting social inclusion for people with learning disabilities throughout the life-span. It leads to the development of British Journal Learning Disability which heavily promotes an education for people with learning disabilities in order to help them contribute within the society. The symposium encompasses diversified subjects which complement people with learning disabilities with the pursuit of reassuring the society about the importance of education.
The editor-in-chief for the British Journal Learning Disability, Professor Melanie Nind from the University of Southampton began the presentation by demonstrating the importance of education for the social inclusion of people with learning disabilities. Followed by the first topic of the presentation written by Mhairi Beaton, Geraldene Codina and Julie Wharton from University of Winchester, the presentation talks about the challenges between disabled students and their learning process during the pandemic.
Dr. Elga Andriana from University of Gadjah Mada was also present in the symposium alongside Dr. Michelle Bonati. Their journal titled “Amplifying Children’s Voices within Photovoice: Emerging Inclusive Education Practices in Indonesia” spoke about supporting the influences of social inclusion for children with learning disabilities who have been precluded from attending regular education. Their method is by conducting photovoice where students are able to use photos to express their thoughts and feelings in perceiving social inclusion. From the symposium, it can be concluded that society has to support people with learning disabilities to embrace their social inclusion by actively participating in educational programs.