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

My name is Fira Fitria. I have cerebral palsy, and right now I am pursuing my doctoral studies at the Postgraduate Human Resource Development program at Airlangga University. I am an LPDP awardee, Batch 1, Year 2025.

Could you describe your limitations?

The limitations and barriers that Fira has Fira is a person with cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a disorder of the motor nerves or locomotor organs which results in abnormalities in brain function. Fira uses walker aids when at home, and when on the move, Fira uses a wheelchair. Fira has spastic cerebral palsy due to premature birth she was born at six months, weighing only 1.2 kg and has been following physiotherapy for life.

What inspired you to pursue this field of study?

Human Resource Development or Pengembangan Sumber Daya Manusia is one of the important indicators in the progress of a nation, and it is very much related when associated with disability issues. How people with disabilities must also have qualified human resources, so that they can become agents of change and contribute to equality of rights for people with disabilities, especially in Indonesia.

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

The experience, of course, has had its joys and sorrows throughout the journey. Especially the process when pursuing a Bachelor’s degree at that time, Fira studied at one of the private universities in Tuban district. But alhamdulillah, Fira truly felt part of the diversity of society there, because Fira was the only disabled student who studied there. Even though the university had a religious background particularly Islamic Fira felt so welcome. Then, when Fira took her Master’s degree at one of the most prestigious and large universities, the atmosphere was certainly different.

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

In terms of inclusive education, Fira hopes to be able to initiate an Inclusion Education Mentoring Program visiting kindergartens, elementary schools, junior high schools, senior high schools, and universities. Fira can also initiate connections between parents who have children with special needs or disabilities, and teachers, lecturers, or teaching staff, to bridge their needs and aspirations. Even if it is not yet possible to provide maximum assistance, at least small help as long as it is real and has an impact is already meaningful.

Could you share your biggest achievement, and why?

How Fira can reach the level of higher education especially a doctoral degree God willing, is now being processed. And Fira being one of the awardees of the most prestigious scholarship this country has from the Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan (LPDP) under the Ministry of Finance is remarkable. Fira passed the selection and was chosen as an awardee under the disability affirmation track. According to Fira, that is an amazing achievement, especially given the background of being a woman with cerebral palsy of course, the struggles and challenges are different.

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

The challenges of university life that Fira has experienced first and foremost, we have to make peace with ourselves. It means we have to accept ourselves for who we are. The self-acceptance process is important, so that we can have positive energy to transmit to one another. We can self-actualize and contribute to the maximum, especially with focus on our status as students.

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

The biggest role of course, if not for God’s blessing, Subhanahu wa Ta’ala, nothing that has happened in Fira’s life would have been possible without God’s permission. And of course, the role of her late parents how the two of them had a very important role in guiding, educating, caring for, and directing Fira until she could become who she is today. Thanks also go to the support of the extended family and the positive circles in the disability community. There is also someone Fira truly respects and looks up to, and that is Sir Eka Prastama Widiyanta, who has been part of Fira’s journey in becoming a better person up until now.

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

The first is mindset how we can form a mindset for an even more inclusive environment through socialization and contributions starting with both small and big things. The second is infrastructural changes how infrastructure could be more accessible. Infrastructure here is not just physical buildings, but also non-physical ones. What is more important is that we have to change our mindset first, so that we all share the same perspective on disability inclusivity.

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

Being a person with disability is not a choice it is the decree of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala. But that does not mean that becoming disabled is the end of everything. That is precisely the beginning for us to always be enthusiastic. And higher education is a form of how we can increase our capacity as people with disabilities.