“Every barrier I faced became a reason to fight harder for students like me.” – Jaya

Determination has a name, and it’s Jaya Durga!

As the saying goes, at just 25, she’s turned her challenges into triumphs, earning her Bachelor of Education from UNITAR International University and a dream to become a teacher who will open doors for the next generation of children with special needs. Born visually impaired, she has spent her entire life navigating an education system not built for students like her. 

Growing up in Klang, Jaya often found herself struggling with learning materials that were not designed for the visually impaired. Most of the textbooks in primary and secondary school used regular print, making them difficult to read. Even the computer labs lacked facilities that could support her learning needs. But Jaya refused to let these challenges hold her back.

She remembers the patience, kindness, and dedication of her own teachers. They became her strength and her inspiration; the reason she chose to pursue education as her future career. She wants to be the teacher she once needed, someone who sees beyond limitations and believes in every child’s potential.

“My teachers believed in me when the system didn’t. That belief is what I want to give to my students.” – Jaya

Her journey through university came with its own hurdles. As lectures moved online, she had to learn to navigate digital platforms that were not always friendly to visually impaired students. Her father was her first guide, patiently helping her understand the learning system during her first semester. Before long, she became comfortable with online learning and began relying on assistive technologies such as TalkBack, NVDA, and Voice Over. These tools helped her access materials, though visual content without text remained a challenge.

Fortunately, she also had the support of a close friend, Rinisha, who consistently helped her understand difficult lecture topics. Together with her family’s love and support, these moments strengthened Jaya’s resolve to keep going. Tell us about this kind of friendship, indeed one in a million!

Despite the obstacles, Jaya excelled. She worked hard, pushed through every limitation, and earned a place on the Dean’s List, an achievement she dedicates to her parents, who have stood by her every step of the way.

Now, as she steps into the next chapter of her life, Jaya hopes to serve as a special education teacher in the public sector. She wants to make sure no student feels left out simply because learning materials or facilities are not built with them in mind. Having experienced discrimination during her STPM days, she wants to prove that students with special needs can achieve just as much as anyone else.

“We are not weak because we are different. We are strong because we survive challenges others never have to think abo,” says Jaya. 

To young people facing similar struggles, Jaya shares a message from the heart: do not give up. She believes that every individual carries unique strengths, and challenges should never be seen as barriers to success. With support, hard work, and courage, dreams are within reach.

True success is not the lack of obstacles, but the courage to rise above them. Jaya’s commitment to inclusive education and her relentless spirit is set to inspire countless young lives in the years ahead.