This study aims to explore the role of sensitivity and openness in overcoming the burdens of a family with disabled children. Families with disabled children face bigger challenges than the typical family. For a common family, it takes a village to raise a child'; however, for a family with disabled members, it needs a country since disability is closely related to poverty. This research tries to explore the perspectives of family members of disabled students at SLBN 2 Gunung Kidul Yogyakarta. While Gunung Kidul has around 6000 disabled people, there are not many supporting facilities around.

This is qualitative research. Data were collected through interviews. Interviews were conducted with families of children with various disabilities that were physical, intellectual, and sensory. Data were analysed by identifying experience, challenges and potential factors related to disability costs for the family with disabled children.

The results showed that the hardest challenge among parents with disabled children comes from the environment surrounding them. It reveals that sensitivity, specifically disability sensitivity that involves empathy and emotional responsiveness, plays an important role in promoting a healthy environment for the growth of disabled children. Furthermore, sensitivity, also closely related to openness, consisting of effective communication, mutual support, and willingness to seek external resources, is another key factor in overcoming the burdens associated with raising disabled children. In the future, this disability sensitivity and openness will be supported and integrated into government policy in the poverty alleviation programme.