The Psychodiagnostic Instrument Development Unit (UPAP) of the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), continues to provide accessible Graduate Academic Potential Test (PAPS) services for diverse participants. During the test session held on Thursday (25/6) in Room A-101, two deaf participants completed the PAPS assessment with assistance from UGM’s Disability Services Unit (ULD) and service accommodations prepared by the UPAP team.
Dewi Handayani, S.Psi., a staff member at UPAP UGM, explained that the session was a regular test administration that also included two deaf participants. To support a smooth assessment process, the UPAP team arranged a separate room so that assistance and instructions could be delivered more effectively and with greater focus.
Although the participants took the same test materials and followed the same standards as other test-takers, adjustments were made to the delivery of instructions. In regular sessions, instructions are delivered orally by the test administrator, while written instructions were provided for the deaf participants to ensure they could follow each stage of the test according to established procedures.
“The type of test is exactly the same as the regular one. The only differences are the location and the way instructions are delivered,” Dewi said during an interview on Monday (29/6).
According to Dewi, providing a separate room for deaf participants is conditional rather than a fixed policy. She noted that in previous test sessions, some deaf participants chose to take the test alongside other participants without a separate room. In this case, the decision to provide a dedicated space was made because two deaf participants attended the same session, making focused assistance from a facilitator more effective.
These service accommodations resulted from coordination between UPAP and UGM’s Disability Services Unit. Bima Indra Permana, a staff member at ULD UGM, explained that the unit’s role is to communicate the needs of participants with disabilities to organizing units or faculties so that activities can be conducted with appropriate accommodations. For this particular session, information regarding the two deaf participants was received one day before the test, allowing the team to prepare the room, assistance, and suitable support services.
“Accessibility is a right for everyone, including persons with disabilities. Therefore, as providers of tests and services, we are obliged to facilitate that accessibility,” Bima said.
One of the participants, Robertus Denyva Adibuana Wibisono, stated that the support provided during the PAPS administration enabled him to complete the entire assessment process without obstacles.
“The accessibility support has been very helpful for deaf participants; there were no barriers. The facilities included ULD and PAPS assistants. Thank you to ULD and PAPS for helping me,” Robertus said.
He also suggested that information about the availability of assistants be communicated to deaf participants before the test begins so that they understand the support mechanisms from the outset.
In addition to continuously improving services for deaf participants, ULD UGM is also promoting greater accessibility for participants with visual impairments. One initiative currently under review involves adapting test items containing images, graphs, or tables so that they can be accessed using screen readers.
Dewi added that participant feedback forms an important part of UPAP’s regular evaluation process to enhance service quality.
“We want participants with disabilities to feel that they are not being disadvantaged during the PAPS testing process,” Dewi said.
Through continuous evaluation and collaboration with ULD UGM, the Faculty of Psychology’s UPAP remains committed to developing increasingly inclusive PAPS services, ensuring that every participant has equal opportunities to take part in psychological assessment processes.
Author: Erna Tri Nofiyana