Kartunet - Pursuing studies abroad is a dream for many, including people with disabilities. But what if all preparations are complete, yet just before departure, the visa for the person who was supposed to be your companion is denied? This was the daunting situation experienced by Dean, a student with Low Vision (visual impairment) who bravely embarked on and successfully completed his Master's studies in the UK all by himself.
Embarking with Sheer Determination and Courage
Dean is a graduate of the Bachelor's (S1) program in Literature from the University of Indonesia. His deep interest in societal interactions motivated him to pursue a Master's (S2) program in Sociology at a university in Manchester, England. This dream almost fell apart when his companion's visa (sighted guide) was rejected by the embassy.
Instead of giving up, Dean chose to go alone. This "daring" decision led him on an adventure of independence that opened his eyes to the differences in disability support systems between developed and developing countries.
The Importance of Standard Canes and Orientation & Mobility
Upon arriving in the UK, Dean's independence was immediately put to the test. He was reprimanded by the local disability services because the white cane he was using was made of PVC pipe and was deemed not to meet the safety standards of a long cane. He was then advised to undergo Orientation and Mobility (O&M) training.
Mastering Orientation and Mobility techniques using a standard cane is indeed crucial for visually impaired individuals to recognize their surroundings and move independently. Unfortunately, due to long waiting lists in the UK, Dean had to wait up to 13 months to receive this training slot.
Pavement Infrastructure That Changed Everything
Although he hadn't yet received formal mobility training there, Dean felt greatly assisted by Manchester's physical infrastructure. Unlike in Indonesia, where pavements are often occupied by street vendors or vehicles, pavements in the UK are designed to be highly accessible and pedestrian-friendly.
The importance of such barrier-free environments should also be implemented in Indonesia, in line with the mandate of Government Regulation Number 42 Year 2020, which emphasizes that the improvement of road infrastructure and public facilities with universal design is absolutely necessary for people with disabilities to be able to move independently. This accessibility is what makes local residents in the UK accustomed to seeing people with disabilities moving freely in public spaces, allowing social interactions to proceed equally without any condescending (patronizing) treatment.
Exceptional Educational Accommodation Support
In the academic realm, Dean experienced the true implementation of inclusion. His university had a very mature system of Reasonable Accommodation. All materials, documents, and reading books were digitized so they could be read using screen reader applications (screen reader). In Indonesia, the obligation to adapt learning media formats is also beginning to be legally encouraged through Government Regulation Number 13 Year 2020.
Not only that, but the university also provided a special budget to hire a companion (sighted guide) to assist him with campus mobility. Even when Dean was writing his qualitative thesis on "People with Disabilities and Work in Jakarta" and faced obstacles because his data analysis software (software) was not accessible to visually impaired individuals, the Disability Support Team responded quickly. They granted an extension (extra time) of 2 to 3 weeks so Dean could process his data manually.
Inspirational Message: "Just Go For It!"
Dean's experience proves that physical limitations are not the end of everything when combined with perseverance and the availability of a supportive ecosystem. For fellow individuals with disabilities who wish to pursue scholarships and study abroad, Dean advises never to be afraid to dream.
"Just go for it! If you have a desire, nurture it and pursue it," Dean exclaimed. The key is to proactively seek information and not be ashamed to ask (reach out) to senior disabled individuals who have already successfully navigated the world of international education.
References:
"Companion Visa Denied, This Visually Impaired Person Dared to Study Master's Alone in the UK! | Pertuni Media" (YouTube).
Manduchi, R., & Kurniawan, S. Assistive Technology for Blindness and Low Vision.
Government Regulation Number 13 Year 2020 concerning Reasonable Accommodation for Students with Disabilities.
Government Regulation Number 42 Year 2020 concerning Accessibility to Settlements, Public Services, and Protection from Disasters for Persons with Disabilities.