The path through higher education doesn't look the same for every student. For Oricho Delaokta, a cum laude graduate honored at the Fourth Commencement of the 2025/2026 Academic Year on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, from the Communication Studies Program at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta's Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FISHUM), completing his degree was a journey that brought together challenges, support, and valuable experience as a Deaf student.

Oricho completed his studies at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta after attending classes from 2022 through 2026. Along the way, he faced a number of challenges, particularly around language, communication, and the culture of university life.

“I had difficulties with language, then with communication, and with the culture within my studies,” Oricho said, speaking through Rifki, a volunteer sign language interpreter (JBI) from UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta's Disability Services Center (PLD).

These challenges never stopped Oricho from moving forward. Support from the campus community became an important part of his journey through his studies. He experienced firsthand how his lecturers worked to adapt their teaching so the material could be properly understood.

“When lecturers explained the material, they did it slowly, and I was able to understand the core of the lesson,” he said.

That experience became part of Oricho's path to completing his education at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta. The presence of the PLD, sign language interpreters, volunteers, and supportive lecturers together formed a learning ecosystem that helped students with disabilities take part in academic life.

That same sentiment was shared by Rianti Agustini, Oricho's mother, who traveled directly from Kutai, East Kalimantan, with her family to attend her son's graduation. She said the family's decision to choose UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta was based on the campus's reputation as being welcoming to students with disabilities, particularly because of the presence of the PLD.

“The main reason we chose UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta is because this campus is very disability-friendly and has a Disability Services Center (PLD). We felt that here, our child would get the space, support, and inclusive facilities to grow,” Rianti said.

According to Rianti, the PLD's support meant a great deal throughout Oricho's studies. The presence of sign language interpreters and volunteers helped Oricho keep up with the teaching and learning process, while lecturers were also seen as cooperative in understanding the needs of students with disabilities.

“The support from PLD has been extraordinary and incredibly helpful. Having sign language interpreters and volunteer friends at PLD allowed my child to follow the teaching and learning process smoothly. The lecturers were also very cooperative and understanding of the needs of students with disabilities,” she explained.

For the family, Oricho's success in reaching graduation was both a source of pride and an emotional moment. Rianti said she felt proud, happy, and deeply moved watching her son's struggle from the start of his studies to finally standing there in his cap and gown.

“I feel so proud, so happy, and immensely moved. Seeing my child's struggle from the start of his studies to finally standing here and graduating today,” she said.

For Oricho himself, graduation brought two feelings at once. He said he felt happy to have completed his education, but also sad to be leaving behind the many memories he built during his time as a student from 2022 to 2026.

“Of course I'm happy to be graduating today. But I also feel sad, because I still hold on to memories from my time as a student, from 2022 to 2026,” he said.

Oricho's experience shows that access to higher education is not only about the opportunity to enroll in a university, but also about how the academic environment provides the support every student needs to take part in the learning process and grow according to their own potential.

For Oricho, having a supportive environment was an essential part of that journey. He encouraged fellow students with disabilities who want to pursue higher education not to hesitate, and to enrich themselves with knowledge.

“For friends with disabilities who want to enroll at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, you can study religion, cultural studies, and more. There's really a wide range of fields to choose from,” he said.

Rianti shared a similar message for parents of children with disabilities. She hoped parents would never feel discouraged or limit their children's aspirations because of their condition.

“Never feel disheartened or insecure. Keep giving your full support, encouragement, and trust in your children's potential. With an inclusive environment and the right support, our children can absolutely achieve and reach their dreams too,” she said.

Oricho is one portrait of how student diversity and inclusivity have become part of academic life at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta. Through disability support services, an engaged academic community, and an adaptive learning environment, students of all conditions and backgrounds have the opportunity to grow, learn, and complete their higher education. (humassk)