S1E10 - Interview with Nikita 'Nikki' Van Dijk

Nikita 'Nikki' Van Dijk

Nikki has been involved in disability advocacy since intermediate, when she was advocating for autistic students in school due to the experiences of their brother within Aotearoa's education system. This continued as she transitioned into secondary school as a foundation student of Hobsonville Point Secondary School. Nikki sat on one of the school's first student councils, and then sat on one of the first 'Wellbeing Habitats' (specialised councils), advocating for the needs of disabled and chronically ill students.

Following a diagnosis of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in 2020 in their first year of university, Nikki's passion for disability advocacy and disability rights skyrocketed. Alongside another disabled student, she founded the University of Waikato Disabled Students Association (WDSA) in June of 2021, and shortly after this, became a member of the National Disabled Students Association (NDSA). Throughout their Bachelors degree and other diagnoses, she joined Ehlers Danlos Syndromes New Zealand as a committee member, continued as president of WDSA, conducted two research scholarship opportunities - one of which became part of the basis for the University of Waikato Disability Action Plan. Nikki also sat on the Disability Action Plan Steering Group at the University of Waikato to bring the voices of WDSA, spoke to UNESCO about the challenges of youth living with a rare disorder, helped to develop the Student Disability and Impairment Policy at the University of Waikato, and guest lectures at multiple institutions regarding the experiences of and support for the disabled community. All while maintaining high grades and a high quality of work.

Their work in disability advocacy continued as she started a Masters degree in Disability and Inclusion Studies. Alongside continuing to be president of WDSA until 2024, she became the Relations Officer for NDSA and represents students with disabilities across NZ, became a member of the Te Mahau Advisory for Young Persons with Disabilities in the Ministry of Education, and spoke at conferences such as Student Voices Australasia in Brisbane, Australia in October of 2023, Learnfest in November of 2023 and 2024, and Brightstar 2024, amongst several others.

Currently, Nikki is one of the Co-Presidents of NDSA for 2025. Nikki aspires to continue their work in advocacy wherever that work takes them, whether it is in the education sector, health sector, the public sector or politically. Whatever makes the biggest difference for those who live with a disability within Aotearoa.

00:00 Introduction - Disability Disrupters Podcast 00:21 Introduction to Podcast Guest 01:14 Advert - Disability Responsiveness new Zealand (DRNZ) 01:37 Interview with Nikita Van Dijk 31:08 Ask Dr Pam 36:42 Dr Pam's farewell 37:02 Podcast Donations request

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Podcast audio and transcript editor : Britta Offergeld

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