Mitra Netra Visits SLD UB to Create Collaboration in Employment Sectors

Mitra Netra Foundation visited the Subdirectorate of Disability Services of Universitas Brawijaya on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. Mitra Netra's visit this time scheduled cooperation in the field of employment, especially those targeting the capacity of individuals with visual disabilities.

Aria Indrawati, a representative of Yayasan Mitra Netra along with two of her colleagues, first explained the actions of their presence at Brawijaya University. Aria, as a disabled activist who has been involved in disability-inclusion advocacy and activism, told the story of how the PSLD, the initial name of SLDPI UB, was established, which also involved many disabled people's organizations.

"I remember a long time ago, when PSLD was about to be established, we had a lot of communication with Mr. Amex, as one of the co-founders of disability services," she said. "We were very impressed with this idea (organizing disability services in universities, ed.)," she continued.

Present to meet the group from Mitra Netra was the Head of SLDPI UB Zubaidah Ningsih AS, Ph.D., public relations coordinator Lutfi Amiruddin, and several other SLDPI staff.

Responding to this cooperation plan, Zubaidah revealed that Mitra Netra's plan is very strategic to connect the role of universities in disability issues.

"On campus, we are very focused on academic activities. With the planned cooperation in the field of employment from Mitra Netra, this is like a dipper," she said.

Other representatives of the Mitra Netra Foundation also explored the potential involvement of SLDPI UB in providing training presenters and also appealed to students with disabilities at UB to take part in the training later.

This agenda, according to Aria, who is the Head of Public Relations of Mitra Netra, is the umpteenth agenda together with UB to encourage disability inclusion in various sectors. Previously, Aria told me that Mitra Netra and UB had held training on EPUB a few years ago.

This time, Mitra Netra considers the need to target the employment sector which has a significant impact on the welfare and quality of life of people with disabilities.