In September we were delighted to launch 2 guides, one for lecturers and tutors and one for disability officers. It was written based on the lived experience of blind and visually impaired students.
There is no telling just how much potential is lost due to the lack of inclusion for those with visual impairments. Why should they have to settle for whatever the outcome of situations might be just because a NECESSARY decision or action wasn’t made?!
One student shared, “If I get scanned or photographed materials, I just leave them out, I can’t read them. It means I don’t have all the material for the assignment, but I usually muddle through. It probably does affect my grade.”
With more inclusion, they could achieve better grades and, in the long run, have access to better opportunities. It is hard to quantify the impact the world has missed by unintentionally sidelining these students through a lack of deliberate accommodation for their needs.
Another student shared, “I felt I should be grateful for any adjustment that was made for me.” We’ve all had moments when we felt overlooked, but imagine carrying those feelings daily through most of your experiences. This is the reality for many visually impaired people.
As Maya Angelou said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” If you are in a position to make life-altering decisions for people with VI or any disability at all, please do so.
One student shared, “If I get scanned or photographed materials, I just leave them out, I can’t read them. It means I don’t have all the material for the assignment, but I usually muddle through. It probably does affect my grade.”
With more inclusion, they could achieve better grades and, in the long run, have access to better opportunities. It is hard to quantify the impact the world has missed by unintentionally sidelining these students through a lack of deliberate accommodation for their needs.
Another student shared, “I felt I should be grateful for any adjustment that was made for me.” We’ve all had moments when we felt overlooked, but imagine carrying those feelings daily through most of your experiences. This is the reality for many visually impaired people.
As Maya Angelou said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” If you are in a position to make life-altering decisions for people with VI or any disability at all, please do so.
