The Master’s Program in Social Welfare, Faculty of Da’wah and Communication, held a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) as part of a Participatory Action Research (PAR) activity on Thursday, August 20, 2026. The activity was conducted from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Room 112, Faculty of Da’wah and Communication. The FGD was attended by 13 parents and children with cerebral palsy from the WKCP community, as well as representatives of the WKCP management team.

The FGD was part of a collaborative research process involving lecturers and students. The activity was led by Rofah, Ph.D., with the participation of students Ulil Albab, Mafaza Azzahra, and Dirga Wahyuri. This collaboration reflects the participatory nature of PAR, which positions community members and groups directly experiencing the issues as active participants in the process of identifying, understanding, and addressing the challenges they face. The FGD used a participatory approach to provide participants with an opportunity to share their experiences, needs, and challenges in their daily lives. Through an open and interactive discussion, participants were encouraged to identify difficulties and barriers encountered when children with cerebral palsy and their families need to access various services.

One of the main focuses of the discussion was participants’ experiences in accessing healthcare services. Participants shared various challenges they encounter, including difficulties in obtaining appropriate services, accessing relevant information, and ensuring that available services meet the specific needs of children with cerebral palsy. These experiences provided valuable insights into the realities faced by families from their own perspectives.

In addition to healthcare services, the FGD also explored barriers to accessing social assistance and educational services. Participants shared their experiences and perspectives regarding their needs, challenges, and the conditions that require greater attention to ensure that available services are more accessible and responsive to the needs of children and their families. These experiences provide an important basis for developing a more comprehensive understanding of the issues faced by the community.

The findings from the FGD will become an important part of the PAR process in identifying priority issues, mapping needs, and developing follow-up actions collaboratively with the WKCP community. Through this approach, the research is not only expected to contribute to academic knowledge but also to serve as a collaborative process for strengthening access to and improving the quality of services for children with cerebral palsy and their families.