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

My name is Abdul Majid, a person with a blind sensory disability. I am currently pursuing a Master of Public Policy at Airlangga University, Surabaya.

Could you describe your limitations?

As a person with a blind sensory disability, I have limited mobility. To move from one point to another, I have to use a stick or white cane as a guide. And to access a new place that is far or has high complexity, I used to have to be accompanied by a chaperone or carer. Other than mobility, there are other barriers particularly vision. So in the presence of vision limitations, I operate gadgets that have been installed with screen reader applications, to communicate, to browse, to look for information on social media, on YouTube, and in today’s digital age.

What inspired you to pursue this field of study?

I have a passion for advocacy. My undergraduate studies were also spent as a student activist. After I became a person with disability, I got to know many friends who need mentoring or advocacy with various cases in the world of education, in the world of employment, bullying in society, and discrimination. That is what then made me feel motivated and compelled to be present, to help friends and to provide advocacy services. The advocacy services I can provide are usually in the form of policy advocacy related to regulation and mainstreaming of disability issues, then service advocacy, and also litigation usually related to people with disabilities who are in trouble with the law, for example cases of sexual assault, physical violence, and discrimination in society. Beyond that, I also give appreciation in the field of research and innovation for instance, how policy-making can be based on research from grassroots communities of people with disabilities.

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

As a blind disability student at Airlangga University, I received treatment that was on equal footing with fellow students. But indeed, there is reasonable accommodation provided for students with special needs or students with disabilities. At Unair, there is something called AIL — Airlangga Inclusive Learning — which involves campus representatives, engineering lecturers, and also elements of students who are willing to volunteer in AIL. During lectures, I did not face many obstacles, because the material provided by the lecturers was already in PDF, MS Word, and PowerPoint formats, which are already accessible to a screen reader.

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

When this ecosystem is supportive when our environment supports our existence as people with disabilities it creates an inclusive public space. This is what then raises the motivation of friends with disabilities, from students and beyond, to a high enough level. And this is what then enables people with disabilities to reach their desired goals or achievements. For example, when I was supported to move forward in the world of education, alhamdulillah I have also received scholarships abroad — including a scholarship from the Australian government, and also a scholarship from the Asian University Network.

Could you share your biggest achievement, and why?

One of the greatest non-academic achievements of my life is when I dared to declare myself as a person with disability. This took quite a long time it required strength and determination, with all the consequences. After I was able to declare my disability, I had to determine which direction I should go, what I must achieve, and what I should be addressing including targets and achievements in the field of advocacy. For instance, I should be able to help resolve various problems faced by friends with disabilities who are dealing with the law, dealing with discrimination at work, struggling to access training, capital aid, social assistance, and mobility aids that should have been given by the government or the state.

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

What is definitely needed is self-motivation and spirit. Without self-motivation and a strong spirit a spirit to keep fighting it is going to be very hard. That is why the power of spirit, and the level of confidence that I have as a person with disability, has been quite helpful in completing my studies in the field of public policy.

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

What is definitely foundational is family my parents and siblings. Then friends in my neighborhood, and then friends and representatives of disability organizations. This forms one supportive ecosystem that supports me in achieving the goals and career I have set up from the very start.

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

It must start from the side of human resources. The rectorate, the deanery, educators, and all student elements should have an inclusive and understanding perspective on mainstreaming disability issues. They must understand the issue of human rights the rights that should be granted to students with disabilities when they are studying at a university. This is to ensure that students are protected under a strong legal umbrella. This would normally give rise to inclusive programs, an inclusive learning center, and inclusive facilities for students with disabilities. This supportive and inclusive ecosystem is what is then important and should be present on every campus.

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

A student, other than having the spirit, motivation, and strong willingness to pursue and complete education at university, must also have a clear purpose what expertise they want to develop. For example, I want to have expertise in the field of inclusive public policy, as a means to support the mainstreaming of disability issues. So every day I have to learn about public policy issues, inclusive issues, and issues related to disability mainstreaming. I have also learned a lot from policies abroad good things that we can adapt and apply here in Indonesia.