Being a witness to the injustice and discrimination faced by people with disabilities, including a bullying incident that affected one of his family members, became the turning point that motivated Muh Rachmat Hidayat, known as Ical, to pursue a Special Education major at the Makassar State University. By specializing in special education, Ical aims to advocate for the rights of marginalized individuals with disabilities and facilitate the optimization of their potential for future careers.
In addition to being a part of disability communities and actively participating in activities within the Makassar State University student organi- zation, Ical regularly engages in social service and public education campaigns related to disability issues. Examples of his involvement include creating educational videos, podcasts, posters, and online content. His skills in writing and interviewing were nurtured during an internship as a journalist with one of the media outlets in Makassar.
Ical has also been involved in several research projects on environmental pollution in his area. Drawing from these experiences, he recognizes the strong link between long-term environmental pollution and its impact on human health. For instance, the consumption of contaminated water by pregnant women can lead to infant mortality or the birth of children with disabilities.
