Andi Aisyah Alqumairah, The Third Most Outstanding Student at Universitas Hasanuddin in 2018, plays an active role in voicing out anti-discrimination for people with disabilities. Aisyah, an alumnus of the Psychology study program at the Faculty of Medicine in 2015, was concerned about ableism in Indonesian. Therefore, she established Komunitas Satu Atap, in which ‘satu atap’ is ‘one roof’ in English, meaning an organization that offers protection and advocation for people with disabilities under one roof organozation.
Aisyah found the organization with her partners when they were chosen for Student Creativity in Community Service Program (Kreativitas Mahasiswa Bidang Pengabdian Masyarakat). This educational organization aims to erase discrimination, especially towards children with disabilities. The children with disabilities are invited to elementary school for normal children, and vice versa.
In the interview on Monday (02/08), Aisyah explained the organization is a part of personal observation and experience. It turns out that there are still many people who do not respect the existence or feel strange to people with disabilities. Thus, there is a tendency to behave less well or not be open to them.
“At that time, my colleagues and I thought that we needed a more massive movement to voice out anti-discrimination against people with disabilities. This community was then present with approximately 250 volunteers and 300 students spread across several branches,” explained Aisyah.
Initially, this organization targeted elementary school (SD) students with special needs. However, over time the organization spread its wings to several age segments in other organizations. For adults, the activities are training, socialization, and education.
As a community that is engaged in the humanitarian field, the vision of Komunitas Satu Atap is to become the initiator of the anti-discrimination movement and support the development of people with disabilities. With the basis of humanity, this community still exists to maintain its existence even with limited resources and finances.
“We hope that Komunitas Satu Atap can further expand its wings to other areas. We believe that the issue of disability is sensitive. Perhaps many cases are not yet known by the younger generation. We can increase social awareness, sensitivity, and empathy for others. Maybe many other issues can be a concern and require the participation of the youth,” added Aisyah.
Komunitas Satu Atap was found on March 21, 2017. Since then, this community still exists by involving many volunteers. This organization is currently working with Special Service Education (Pendidikan Layanan Khusus/PLK), which oversees special schools. In addition, it also collaborates with several other elements, such as Komunitas Kata Dia, Komunitas Tuna Rungu, and the Psychology Student Association.
Kumara Tungga Dewa, S.S.
Editor: Ishaq Rahman, AMIPR
