March 6, 2026

Considering Models to Support University Students with Disabilities in IndonesiaComparative analysis of support at Japanese and Indonesian universities

The Nippon Foundation has commissioned the Asia Human Development Center (AHDC) to conduct a survey on the current status and challenges of support for students with disabilities in higher education institutions in Japan and Indonesia. The survey aims to identify issues in Indonesia and consider suitable support models for local circumstances based on Japan’s support frameworks, expertise in implementation, and cross-university networking experience.

Survey Overview

A review of literature related to university students with disabilities in Japan and Indonesia, together with in-person and online interviews of people involved in universities, organizations of persons with disabilities, support organizations, companies, and government organizations were conducted from July to October 2025.

Key Findings

The survey found that although principles related to the rights of persons with disabilities are reflected in both countries’ systems, major differences were seen in the support structures in place at institutions of higher education.

Status of support for students with disabilities in Japan

The enrollment status and support being received by students with disabilities can be continuously tracked using nationwide statistics
Of the 55,510 students with disabilities, more than 70% were students with mental disorder, developmental disabilities, or weak physical conditions (fiscal 2024)
More than 90% of universities, junior colleges, and technical colleges (1,169 institutions in total) had organized support systems in place led by a responsible department (fiscal 2024)
Procedures from initial consultation to the provision of reasonable accommodation are in place and are being carried out through collaboration within the educational institution
There are multilayered networks for gathering and sharing knowledge through nationwide support organizations that offer training and sharing of information and through collaboration among educational institutions

Status of support for students with disabilities in Indonesia

There is a regulatory requirement for universities to have an office to support students with disabilities, but of roughly 4,000 universities nationwide, only about 100 have them, and the operation and structure and position within the university are still being developed
Statistical information is insufficient, with the government’s information portal showing 220 students with disabilities at 71 educational institutions
Even at universities that do provide support, that support is primarily for securing opportunities for admission and creating basic environments, and highly individualized support that is essential for continued learning is insufficient
Ensuring systems’ effectiveness is an issue for reasons including a lack of specialist human resources, insufficient understanding related to the “social model of disability,” and weak structures for collaboration within the educational institution
Envisioned support structures for ongoing (employment) support after graduation are a subject for the future

Implications for support models for students with disabilities in Indonesia

The report suggests that the following are important points to consider for support models taking into account Indonesia’s systems, resources, and track record at universities.

Increasing understanding of disability: Support is not “benevolence,” but rather guaranteeing rights based on the social model of disability, and understanding should be promoted through educational activities and training for everyone at the educational institution from decision-makers to providers of support, teaching staff, and students.
Cultivation of specialist human resources: For offices that support students with disabilities to function, coordinators and other specialist human resources need to be trained, and practical expertise from Japan and educational institutions in Indonesia should be transferred as training and educational materials.
Building a practical model and resource sharing: In-school assessments and other standardized support procedures should be put in place, and a framework should be created for sharing expertise and specialization primarily from superior universities with other universities.
Inter-university and public-private collaboration, and networking: Venues that allow universities, governments, disability-related organizations, and others to work together should be created, to expand the efforts of individual universities from points to lines, and then to a plane, continuously improving the support level of the entire country.

Going forward

Based on the implications gained from this report, The Nippon Foundation will work to build support models suited to local circumstances through collaboration with university representatives, organizations of persons with disabilities, support organizations, and others.

This survey report is being made publicly available with considerations made for personal and other information. The report can be downloaded in English using the link below.