Emergency Communication Device “Bell’s Buddy” as a Preventive Measure for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) Victims of Bullying in Inclusive Schools

Violence in schools is a major problem that needs to be addressed immediately. Schools, which were built to be safe and comfortable environments, have become frightening places for victims of bullying. This phenomenon is more prevalent in inclusive schools. These schools not only accommodate regular students but also individuals with special needs or Persons with Disabilities (PwD). UNESCO states that the rate of bullying against person with disabilities is higher than that of regular students. This has significant impacts on their education, health, and mental well-being. This study aims to: 1) examine the efforts that have been implemented to prevent bullying among Persons with Disabilities, 2) develop Bell's Buddy as a precautionary measure against bullying of Persons with Disabilities, and 3) analyze the effectiveness of Bell's Buddy as a preventive measure against bullying of Persons with Disabilities . Bell's Buddy features several key components, including an emergency signal, voice recorder, siren, and Global Positioning System (GPS). This study employs the Research & Development (R&D) model of Design Thinking that consists of five steps to develop Bell’s Buddy: empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test. The device has proven to be effective as a precautionary measure against bullying cases involving Persons with Disabilities in inclusive schools. Bell's Buddy can provide structured and systematic evidence of bullying through location identification, witness testimony due to the siren, and recorded audio. This study recommends that educational institutions in Indonesia become more inclusive by developing Bell’s Buddy that can operate without requiring a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) signal. Bell's Buddy reinforces the rights of Persons with Disabilities to engage in activities and interact on an equal footing with other students, providing accessibility that can prevent bullying without compromising the user's psychological wellbeing.