Physical limitations did not dampen Angela Electra Vega Suseno's spirit in pursuing higher education. The 17-year-old girl from Yogyakarta achieved a proud milestone after passing the entrance selection for the Sociology study program at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) through this year's National Selection Based on Tests (SNBT).
For Angel, as she is affectionately called, this success is the realization of a dream she built since junior high school. This achievement also continues her extended family's tradition of pursuing education at the prestigious state university.
During her studies at SMA BOPKRI 2 Yogyakarta, Angel was known as an independent individual. She relied on screen reader technology on her cell phone to support her learning process. In addition to excelling academically, she was also active in various extracurricular activities such as musical arts and public speaking skills.
Angel revealed that the inclusive school environment helped her immensely in adapting. According to her, the openness of her schoolmates made her learning process easier and more enjoyable until she successfully completed her secondary education.
Facing challenges during the SNBT exam, Angel admitted she had to adapt to a new computer setup. However, by taking advantage of intensive practice using special shortcuts and disability-friendly audio material support, she managed to pass the exam calmly and confidently.
Looking ahead to her future in university, Angel plans to contribute more broadly by joining UGM's Disability Services Unit (ULD) and actively participating in various research communities. She hopes her story can serve as an inspiration for other people with disabilities to keep fighting for their dreams regardless of their limitations.
