Building bridges, breaking barriers

Kelly Jin, Co-President of NUS Enablers

Stepping onto a new campus can be an exciting yet dizzying experience. This was indeed true for Kelly Jin, a Singaporean who grew up overseas. Thankfully, amidst the hustle of the NUS Student Life Fair, she found her footing. Drawn to a passionate speech about sign language, Kelly discovered NUS Enablers, a student group dedicated to raising disability awareness and empowering individuals with accessibility needs on campus.

“I felt like I found a cause I belonged to,” Kelly says. Now, as Co-President of NUS Enablers, she is channelling that same passion into tangible change, proving that student-led initiatives can create a ripple effect across a university campus.

Kelly’s journey in advocacy began even before she joined NUS. In high school, she founded her school’s medical club, an experience that taught her the power of student-led initiatives. But NUS Enablers, she said, is different. “It feels like a constellation,” she says. “Each member shines with their own cause but we’re united by the same spark: the drive to advocate with empathy.”

Kelly and the NUS Enablers in action at The Purple Parade 2024 (Image Credit: The Purple Parade)

Making history, one step at a time

Under Kelly’s leadership, NUS Enablers has achieved significant milestones. “One of our proudest milestones was representing NUS at The Purple Parade Marching Contingent for the first time in the University’s history,” she says. 

This was not just about showing up at Singapore’s largest disability awareness event. NUS Enablers engaged over 200 members of the NUS community through campus-wide events in the lead-up, bringing the spirit of the parade directly to students.

“For NUS to march at The Purple Parade sent a strong message – that the university recognises accessibility and disability inclusion as important, not just within our campus, but as part of our role in the wider community,” Kelly says.

Looking forward, NUS Enablers is mapping out new initiatives: inclusive design workshops, a University Survival Guide for freshmen with disabilities and plans to bring boccia – a precision ball sport designed to be inclusive of athletes with neurological or physical conditions that affect motor control—to campus.

Kelly at the NUS Student Life Fair 2024

A shared commitment to accessibility

Kelly sees the university’s commitment to inclusion growing steadily. This momentum is supported by the Office of Student Affairs, which has doubled the manpower in its Student Accessibility Unit (SAU) to provide more responsive support.

A prime example of this commitment is the newly renovated Yusof Ishak House (YIH). As Kelly points out, the building is more than just a new space; it is a testament to thoughtful, universal design. With wide ramps, spacious walkways and open terraces, YIH is intentionally built to be welcoming to everyone. The presence of PitStop@YIH, a wellness corner with a dedicated calm room, is especially encouraging for Kelly.

“It’s a reminder that accessibility isn’t only about infrastructure. It’s also about creating an environment where everyone feels safe, supported and seen,” she says.

For Kelly, advocacy is about creating long-term, systemic change. It is a message she hopes to pass on to new students. “If you’re someone who believes in empathy, inclusion, and making even a small difference, NUS Enablers is the place for you,” she says. “All you need is an open heart and a willingness to learn.”

Credit: Office of Student Affairs