Raymond’s journey began with a diagnosis that could have defined his life, but he refused to let it. From overcoming stigma in Vietnam to leading inclusion initiatives at Flinders, his story is about courage, advocacy, and creating spaces where every student belongs. Featured in the lead-up to Be Fearless, Be Me – Inclusive Celebration Day.
When Raymond Minh Hoang was three years old, doctors told his parents he had Retinitis Pigmentosa, a degenerative eye condition that would gradually take away his sight. Growing up in Vietnam in the early 2000s, where disability was often met with silence and stigma, Raymond’s childhood was anything but easy.
“I spent my kindergarten and primary school years in mainstream schools without any support,” he recalls. “Back then, inclusion wasn’t even a word people used.”
His parents struggled to find a path forward. It wasn’t until they finally accepted his condition that they moved him to a special school, giving him access to a more supportive environment. But Raymond’s spirit refused to be confined. He returned to an inclusive high school, determined to prove that vision loss could not limit his potential.
After finishing high school, Raymond applied to five universities. Four rejected him outright because of his low vision. The fifth – RMIT University Vietnam – looked beyond his disability. They saw his potential, his passion, and his commitment to community work. RMIT offered him a fully funded scholarship to study Professional Communication, a decision that changed his life.
At university, Raymond found his purpose. He learned about accessibility, universal design, and disability awareness, and began to realise that his experiences could help others. He worked as an Accessibility Consultant, helping his peers navigate learning barriers, and volunteered with Special Olympics Vietnam. Those experiences sparked something in him, namely a belief that inclusion could only happen when people with lived experience led the way.
After graduation, Raymond joined Saigon Children’s Charity, where he managed a cross-country Online Safety Project. He developed accessible educational materials – comic books, lesson plans, parent handbooks, even an animated series – all designed to help children and families stay safe online. His work also supported the organisation’s Special Needs Education Programme, translating research and coordinating autism-related projects.
At the same time, Raymond continued one of his earliest passions: Aikido. Since he was sixteen, he has coached students with Down Syndrome, teaching them self-defence, confidence, and balance. “Aikido is not just a martial art,” he says. “It’s about harmony and awareness, values that guide everything I do.”
In 2024, Raymond achieved what few ever do: he was awarded two prestigious government scholarships – the Australia Awards and the Fulbright Foreign Student Program. He chose Flinders University in Australia, drawn to its reputation for inclusion and its supportive learning community. “Flinders is a land of opportunity,” he says. “Here, inclusion isn’t just talked about, it is lived.”
Today, studying on an Australia Awards Scholarship, Raymond serves as President of the Flinders University Students with Disabilities Association (FUSDA). His vision is to rebuild the club around inclusion, career development, and community outreach. He also the one who came up with “Be Fearless, Be Me,” a campaign to celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (2025) and Neurodiversity Week (2026) – creating spaces where every student can belong and be proud of who they are. With his deep passion for inclusion, and the support of The International Student’s Service (ISS), Career Team, New Venture Institute and stakeholders, he hope to maximise all of Flinders’ strengths in disability supports and accessibility, so students and staff within the inclusive community can thrive to the fullest.
Raymond’s journey is a story of courage, resilience, and leadership. From a young boy who was once told “no” by four universities, he has become a voice for inclusion, reminding everyone that disability does not define what we can achieve.
Raymond’s journey is a powerful reminder that inclusion transforms lives and that every student deserves the chance to thrive. On Be Fearless, Be Me – Inclusive Celebration Day, we invite you to stand with us in celebrating diversity, breaking down barriers, and creating a campus where everyone belongs.
Event Details:
📅 Date: 3rd December, 2025
📍 Location: Plaza/Student Hub, Bedford Park Campus
🎉 Hosted by: International Student Services (ISS), Flinders University Students with Disabilities Association (FUSDA) and the Career Readiness team
Want to read more inspiring journeys? Explore Ken’s, Maria’s and Faith’s story as part of our Be Fearless, Be Me series.