Could you introduce yourself and share your field of study at the university?

My name is Stella Rosita Anggraini, from the University of Darul Ulum Jombang, Faculty of Psychology, graduated 2024.

Could you describe your limitations?

I am a person with a physical disability (daksa), using a wheelchair as an aid. I actually have a condition called bone fragility disease — it attacks the nerves in my bones, resulting in fragility in my limbs. So if my body receives any impact, my bones break easily.

What inspired you to pursue this field of study?

My inspiration is learning the science of psychology. There is learning about the science of the human body, and it can be applied in my daily life to know myself better, and also to later be useful for my friends out there, including friends with disabilities.

Can you describe your experience studying at the university as a person with a disability?

My experience of learning at my campus I was one of the disabled students in the class of 2024. A lot of challenges I faced as a person with disability, starting from introducing disability issues to the academic community, to how to interact with friends with disabilities, and how students with disabilities begin asserting their rights as students at the university. It was not easy, but I think it was a journey that I started from the advocacy process within my own university.

Can you share a positive moment when you felt genuinely supported or included?

A valuable experience for me, particularly in the city of Jombang I am a disability activist and also a writer. A positive thing was when I built a community in Jombang called the Volunteer Class at the Factory Jombang, which moves young non-disabled friends to get to know friends with disabilities in the community environment. Starting from the volunteer class, getting to know how to interact with people with disabilities and disability culture it was a fun thing for me, even though not every young non-disabled person was interested. But that was the challenge for me, and it was an experience I carried through during my time as a student. I was also part of the student executive body (BEM) at the Faculty of Psychology, and I used that platform to campaign for friends with disabilities in the campus environment. The journey was not easy especially moving friends without disabilities in the community. That was our challenge, as there was no material benefit to be obtained; it was a purely voluntary activity connecting people with and without disabilities, building a more inclusive community culture in the city of Jombang.

Could you share your biggest achievement, and why?

My greatest achievement is that, as a student with disability which is certainly not easy, as many friends with disabilities do not even have the chance to go to college I want to keep learning and implement the knowledge I gained for friends with disabilities. And in particular, I want to be able to fight for the rights of persons with disabilities wherever I will be.

What personal strengths or strategies help you navigate challenges in university life?

My personal strength came into play when I entered the University of Darul Ulum, where there were many rules that did not specifically side with friends with disabilities. That was when the process of being a student with disability who still voices their rights began even though it did not change the system entirely, at least it changed people’s point of view, and the university’s perspective on disability on campus.

Who or what has played the biggest role in supporting your journey?

Those who especially supported my university journey were my parents, my extended family and relatives, and also activist friends within the disability activist network. That is what made me even more excited when facing the challenges of discrimination experienced by friends with disabilities in educational and university environments.

What changes would make universities more accessible and inclusive for disabled individuals?

I feel that changes at my campus have not yet happened specifically. Starting from accommodation there are no accessible buildings yet, and regulations are not yet designed for friends with disabilities. But what I have done at least is change the paradigm of society toward friends with disabilities, and show how to provide decent accommodation according to the needs of people with disabilities in the campus environment.

What advice would you give to other disabled students entering higher education?

I hope that people with disabilities who are about to enter university will be more spirited and prepare the best mental readiness to face lectures. Because it is not easy for friends with disabilities when they have to study at university, with various challenges from decent accommodation, to regulations that of course differ between universities, to voicing their rights as a person with a disability in college.