Recognize Our Humanity!

Friends, many of us are currently worried about our future. Due to the uncertain global economy, crises occurring in all sectors in this country—leadership crises, trust crises, and other crises—all make us, as citizens, anxious about our future. This is especially true for us, people with disabilities, who in reality still face much discriminatory treatment in various aspects of life, including in education and employment. This often makes us far more worried than the general public. And currently, we, people with disabilities, are shocked by news reports regarding discriminatory treatment against us in pursuing higher education. This discriminatory treatment in education will further marginalize us, people with disabilities. Education is one of the paths for us to improve our standard of living and enhance our well-being. However, currently, this path is very difficult for us, people with disabilities, to pursue; many stakeholders are trying to close it off. People with disabilities are often marginalized due to their physical condition combined with economic circumstances, as most belong to the lower-middle-income group. And when we try to change this condition by pursuing the highest possible education to escape this marginalized group, we are often treated unfairly. The saying 'seek knowledge even if it means traveling to China' may not yet apply to us, people with disabilities. Let alone pursuing education as far as China, even entering education in our own homeland requires a struggle for us. Even though this country guarantees all citizens the right to education, and it is even stated in the preamble of its constitution, 'to educate all people'. However, the question now is: are we considered citizens of this nation if the right to education is still applied discriminatorily to us? Oh, policymakers, remember that disability is not a choice, just like gender, skin color, ethnicity, and other existing diversities. Disability is one form of the diversity of beings created by the Creator. And as beings who acknowledge the diversity created by God, you should treat us equally without discrimination in any matter. Oh, policymakers, remember that sooner or later you too will experience what is called disability; it is a law of nature that as age increases, physical condition will decline, and the senses you currently use will slowly lose their function. Humans will only realize this when what they possess slowly diminishes or even disappears.