Lecturer of Sociology at Universitas Brawijaya, Lutfi Amiruddin S.Sos., M.Sc has succeeded in making Indonesia proud by participating in the prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) 2024 which had run throughout August 2024.
The program, which is organized and fully funded by the United States Department of State, aims to bring together professionals from various countries to share experiences and knowledge related to advocacy for people with disabilities.
The theme of IVLP 2024 is “Improving Access to Community Spaces”, which focuses on developing accessibility for people with disabilities in various sectors. The participation of UB lecturers in this program is the result of a nomination from the United States Embassy without going through an open registration process, making it a special honor.
In this program, participants from Indonesia who come from various professions, such as Indonesian presidential staff, journalists, NGO activists and government employees have the opportunity to visit four major cities in the United States, namely Washington DC, Florida, Milwaukee, and Seattle. They network with various organizations, both governmental such as the US Department of State and the Department of Justice, as well as private institutions, campuses, and NGOs.
This alumnus of Undergraduate of Sociology UB revealed that the disability advocacy approach in the United States has gone far beyond the charity-based approach.
“In the United States, groups of people with disabilities have been recognized as an integral part of society with the ability to actively participate, including in the world of work. For example, many blind people work as telemarketers for amusement parks such as Disneyland and Universal Studio,” he said.
In addition, services on campuses in the United States have been well integrated to meet the needs of students, lecturers, and staff with disabilities. In fact, tertiary needs such as entertainment are also a concern.
“We had the opportunity to visit the Fiserv Forum Stadium in Milwaukee and the opera house in Seattle, all of which are disability-friendly. In Indonesia, advocacy is only limited to primary needs such as education and health, while in the US it already covers various strategic sectors,” he added.
Through this program, participants also learned about the legal approach in the US, where every citizen has the right to sue the government if public accessibility is not met. Discussions on intersectional issues, such as the intersection of disability with race, gender, and religion, were an important focus in this forum.
As an IVLP alumni, Lutfi will be involved in various activities initiated by the United States Department of State through its embassies and consulates. This program is a strategic step to strengthen advocacy for people with disabilities in Indonesia and provide a positive impact on the wider community.
“My participation in this program not only provides new insights, but also expands my network to fight for inclusivity in Indonesia. Hopefully this experience can inspire more parties to contribute to advocacy for people with disabilities,” he concluded. (UB PR/ Trans. Iir)
