Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana (UKDW) Yogyakarta, in collaboration with the Indonesian National Design Center (PDIN), organized Step Out 2024 as part of the Jogja Design Session 2024 series. Building on the momentum of its inaugural event in 2023, Step Out reflects UKDW’s commitment, through the Center for Disability and Inclusive Design Studies (PSDDI), to addressing accessibility challenges for individuals with disabilities.
“Step Out stems from the concerns of UKDW’s academic community regarding the physical and social barriers faced by individuals with disabilities when navigating their surroundings,” explained Winta Tridhatu Satwikasanti, Ph.D., one of the event organizers and the Head of the Product Design Program at UKDW.
This year, Step Out adopted the theme Accessible Kotabaru, focusing on improving accessibility in one of Yogyakarta’s iconic neighborhoods. The initiative assessed pedestrian pathways, crosswalks, and other public facilities, specifically along Jalan Jenderal Sudirman. Participants included members of the Mardiwuto community for the visually impaired, the Bangkit Bersama wheelchair user group, university students, and the general public.
Promoting Awareness and Inclusion
Suharti, a representative from Mardiwuto, praised the event for raising public awareness about the importance of inclusive urban spaces. Similarly, Winta Adhita Guspara, S.T., MSn., highlighted the lack of emphasis on inclusivity within many campuses and design discussions. “This collaboration aims to bring inclusivity to the forefront, creating safe and comfortable public spaces for everyone. The route for Step Out Kotabaru was deliberately short, considering weather conditions, accessibility, and the stamina of participants with disabilities,” she noted.
Dr.-Ing. Sita Yuliastuti Amijaya, Coordinator of PSDDI, emphasized the valuable insights gained during the pedestrian accessibility assessment in Kotabaru. Sunthy Suwono, representing CODA (Community of Design and Architecture) and PDIN, commended the interactive and friendly atmosphere between participants and volunteers throughout the event.
Findings and Challenges
Despite existing efforts to design accessible public spaces, the Step Out initiative uncovered significant areas for improvement. For example, while the pedestrian route from the PDIN building to Gramedia Bookstore included guiding blocks, their inconsistent installation at several points posed challenges for users. Crosswalks lacked operational push-button signals, undermining pedestrian safety, and pedestrian ramps were inconsistent in placement and usability.
Dena, a visually impaired participant from Mardiwuto, shared her mixed feelings. “I enjoyed the event but felt uneasy, especially while crossing the street. I’m used to quieter environments and rarely venture into busy roadways,” she explained. Another participant expressed dissatisfaction with uneven, slippery sidewalks and hazardous materials, which required heightened caution.
Additionally, broken or poorly maintained guiding blocks and damaged pedestrian facilities highlighted a pressing need for improved accessibility standards. While efforts to provide accessible infrastructure have been made, inadequate maintenance diminishes their effectiveness.
Moving Forward
The feedback gathered from Step Out 2024 will be shared with local authorities to advocate for more functional and well-maintained urban infrastructure. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, this initiative underscores the importance of inclusivity in urban design, paving the way for a more accessible Yogyakarta. [Steffany/trans.drr]