Could you introduce yourself and share your role at the university?

My name is Bima Kurniawan, a lecturer at the University of Trunojoyo Madura. I have a vision disability. Aside from being an academic, I am active in several communities particularly disability communities and at this time I am pioneering an inclusive education activist community whose orientation is the promotion of inclusive education.

Could you describe your limitations?

There are two model concepts in viewing disability from an individual standpoint. The first is the social model, and the second is the medical model. If we look at it from the medical model, as a visual disability it is clear that my impediment is in the context of vision. First, I have barriers in mobility moving from one point to another. Second, in navigation or using technology such as a laptop or smartphone, I also face obstacles there.

What inspired you to pursue an academic career path?

The academic field is a very noble task. We have three main areas: education, research, and devotion. If we look at the purpose of this nation first, to educate the life of the nation, and second, to ensure the welfare of the nation these can be achieved through education, research, and devotion. This is what we call Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi. From that, I developed my interest in becoming an academic.

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

My personal experience, as I mentioned earlier, is that being in academia does have its own challenges especially for people with disabilities, especially when we face an environment that is less accommodating. When the environment is less accommodating, that is where obstacles start to appear and where I begin to feel the weight of being a person with disability. But when the environment is accommodating, it becomes a solution for me personally to work and carry out academic assignments such as education, research, and devotion.

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

This is something very positive — because for people with disabilities there is a special law, namely Law Number 8 of 2016, where Article 11 states that people with disabilities must be provided with accommodation, must be placed fairly, proportionally, and with dignity.

Could you share your biggest achievement, and why?

My outstanding academic achievement is that I graduated cum laude and was named the best graduate of the Applied Linguistics Study Program at Jakarta State University. This is one form of proof that people with disabilities can achieve. Second, as an academic, my achievement is passing the selection as a Civil Servant candidate and now as a Civil Servant. I think that is a remarkable achievement.

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

The first is motivation, and the second is confidence. Motivation is very important, especially for individuals with disabilities, because with motivation we can reach what we dream of. Confidence is also very important when a person with disability is confident, a power and effort to work begins to emerge.

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

First, my parents, then my wife, son, younger sibling, relatives, and collegial colleagues. They are all very supportive and accommodating they encouraged me, especially when they provided accommodation in areas where I do feel I have trouble interacting with the environment or with others.

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

There are some things to fix. First, we must strengthen awareness and preparation starting with cultural awareness. This is very important for universities, because a university is actually a container of diversity. We find space where diversity truly lives in college. From that environment of diversity, when we meet people with different religions and different ethnic backgrounds, we should appreciate that so it is no longer a challenge, but something that gives us diverse values. The second is regulation. Regulation is very important because without it we are without guidance. If we look at Law Number 8 of 2016, in Article 10, it states that people with disabilities have the right to education, and in chapter b, they have the same opportunity to become educators.

What advice would you give to other disabled staff pursuing an academic career?

The first is motivation because with motivation we will find a way. Motivation is the path to success. If there is no motivation, there is no way forward, let alone the success that we hope to achieve. The second is confidence do not be insecure, because many friends with disabilities have already achieved success. So with motivation and confidence, let us move together toward success.