Digital Multisensory Learning: UMI Empowers People with Disabilities at SLB Negeri 1 Makassar through HarakaTouch

Makassar, September 2025– Indonesian Muslim University (UMI) through the Faculty of Computer Science (FIKOM) is implementing the programCommunity Service (PKM) 2025by title"Digital Multisensory Learning: Empowering Disabled People in Harakat Hijaiyah Learning Based on Tactile and Auditory Communication at SLB Negeri 1 Makassar."

This activity was carried out thanks to supportDirectorate of Research, Technology and Community Service, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbudristek)throughMinistry of Education and Technology DPPM Grant 2025which is a national competitive funding program.

The UMI service team is chaired byIr. St. Hajrah Mansyur, S.Kom., M.Cs., MTA.(FIKOM UMI Information Systems Study Program lecturer), with lecturer membersLutfi Budi Ilmawan, S.Kom., M.Cs., MTA.(FIKOM Informatics Engineering Study Program) andDr. Ratika Nengsi, S.Pd.I., M.Pd.I.(Faculty of Islamic Religion). This program also involves four students, namelyMeydil Eka Syah PutraAndMoh. Fathur Rahmansyah(Information Engineering), as well asNurul HidayahAndSuryati(Information Systems), which plays an active role in technology development, assistance and field documentation.

Through this PKM, a team of lecturers and students present innovative interactive digital learning mediaHarakaTouch, a multisensory-based device (tactile, auditory and visual) designed to help blind, deaf and mentally retarded students recognize the letters and hijaiyah characters. This media emphasizes an inclusive learning experience through letter–pronunciation buttons, automatic sounds, as well as Braille and transliteration labels, which are adapted to the characteristics of each disability.

PKM Team Leader, Ir. St. Hajrah Mansyur, explained that the main aim of this program is to present inclusive religious learning innovations."We developed digital media based on tactile and auditory communication called HarakaTouch. This technology is designed to make it easier for disabled students to learn hijaiyah letters and harakat in a fun, independent and adaptive way to their special needs,"he said.

Apart from that, SLB teachers also receive intensive training to increase competence in using technology-based learning media."HarakaTouch is not only a medium for students, but also a means for teachers to implement more effective and inclusive religious learning methods,"he added.

This program not only focuses on students, but also empowers teachers and schools as pilot project centers. Makassar State SLB 1 teachers were given intensive training in using HarakaTouch, while students took part in direct learning trials. At the end of the activity, the team handed over assets in the form of1 HarakaTouch unit and 10 guide modulesthrough the Minutes of Handover (BAST) and formingcommunityInclusive Hijaiyah Teacheras a forum for sharing good practices and sustainable innovation.

Head of SLB Negeri 1 Makassar,Andi Hamjan, S.Pd., M.Pd., giving positive appreciation:"We are very proud that the PKM-UMI team has succeeded in creating HarakaTouch hijaiyah letter learning media. This tool provides real convenience for our disabled students, and is very likely to be used by other disabled children in learning hijaiyah letters and harakat. HarakaTouch is an innovation that suits the needs of our children, while making our school the first multisensory technology-based religious learning center in this area."

With this program, UMI shows its role as a university that not only focuses on research, but also presents real solutions for society. HarakaTouch is expected to become an inclusive edtech model that can be replicated in other special schools in South Sulawesi and throughout Indonesia.