UNS – A group of students from the History Teacher Professional Education (PPG) Program at Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta organized Kibas. Kibas stands for Kilas Balik Sejarah Melalui Suara. It was an inclusive history learning initiative in collaboration with the Difalitera.org community. The event took place at Omah Buku Bahagia, Kartasura, and gathered 15 members of the Difalitera community, UNS academics, and volunteers.
Inclusive History Learning Through Audio
Kibas was specifically designed to present historical narratives in audio format. It allows visually impaired individuals to access and enjoy history education. Carrying the theme “History Speaks for All,” the event featured storytelling sessions. It introduced local Surakarta figures such as Brigadier General Ignatius Slamet Riyadi and Duke Mangkunegoro VII.
Nur Fatah Abidin, S.Pd., M.Pd., a History Education lecturer at UNS, led the interactive discussions that followed the storytelling session. Prof. Dr. Leo Agung, M.Pd., and supervising lecturer Dr. Sutiyah, M.Pd., M.Hum. also attended the event.
Raka Kumara Jati, a PPG History student and chair of the organizing committee, explained that the event aimed to promote equitable access to history learning. He emphasized that visually impaired individuals should have the opportunity to gain historical insight. They should also have access to appreciation through formats tailored to their needs.
“Through this program, we learned how to create an inclusive event. We also realized the value of making a difference through small actions. We also wanted to show that people can enjoy history not only through text but also through sound,” Raka stated. “We hope to raise awareness that history education should be accessible to everyone.”
To increase engagement, the event included a bingo quiz. The response from participants exceeded expectations. The visually impaired attendees actively asked critical questions and contributed significantly to the discussions.
Community Engagement and Lasting Impact
Indah Darmastuti, the founder of Difalitera, praised the initiative. “This event was not only a platform for learning history but also a valuable moment of connection for our community. We hope to see more inclusive activities like this in the future, covering a wider range of themes,” she said.
Kibas is part of a leadership project by PPG UNS History students. As part of the project, the students are also producing historical podcasts and will upload them to Difalitera.org. This effort has successfully promoted inclusivity while enhancing historical literacy among the visually impaired.
Hope and Sustainability
Through this initiative, the PPG History student group hopes to inspire the academic community to continue supporting inclusive education. “We want to emphasize that our friends with disabilities are equally capable of engaging in academic discussions. They can also enjoy history learning,” Raka added.
This project has made a meaningful impact with strong collaboration and effective management. It has influenced not only the Difalitera community but also society at large. The students hope to expand this initiative by covering more local historical figures and reaching broader communities across Indonesia. HUMAS UNS
