Be inspired. VI art student Millie-Jayne’s digital art
Image description: A high contrast digital image. The background image is an abstract photo that has been flooded with colour - bright pink and dark grey, a person is just visible in the centre of the image. In the top-right corner a white flower is overlaid over the other image with transparency allowing the background colours to show through. In the bottom-left there is a blue image overlaid of a tulip with bright yellow accents. Braille dots have been overlaid over the image reading: 'Better to be blind and see with your heart than have two [...]
New opportunity – TPT online events to help you with transitions
Thomas Pocklington Trust have launched a series of online events to support you in approaching the key transitional stages of your education as a blind or partially sighted student Whether you’re in secondary school, attending college or sixth form, starting university or thinking about employability, they can provide you with the information, advice and support you need to move through mainstream education. The online events that will address three key topics to aid you in transitioning to the next stage of your education: #SocialEyes – socialising and social wellbeing #FutureVision – forward and future [...]
New opportunity – Raise awareness with The Macular Society
The Macular Society is reaching out to find students passionate about raising awareness about the macular condition and how it also occurs in young people. They are looking for university students and/or prospective students who have a macular condition (mainly has central vision loss, such as Stargardts) and are willing/comfortable to share a little bit about their eye condition and their experiences. They'd like to share with other young people your experiences of being a student or preparing to be a university student, for example, applying for the DSA grant, getting orientated and living in [...]
UCAS Deadline Day 2023
With UCAS deadline day approaching on 25 January 2023 it's the perfect time to visit the University resources on the Student Portal! You'll find links to help with everything from choosing your course, writing personal statements, clearing and disability support. You can also hear first hand from students studying at university who have vision impairments themselves. Visit the university resources for 14 to 17s Visit the university resources for 18 plus You Can Succeed; UCAS and Starting University By Natalia Foster "UCAS and University, two small but quite [...]
Opportunity focus – PhD scholarship opportunity
Scholarship opportunity from the Lady Margaret Skiffington Trust In July 2022, the Sir James Mackenzie Institute for Early Diagnosis, which is part of the School of Medicine at the University of St. Andrews, was granted approximately £99,000.00 to offer a PhD opportunity to an individual with sight loss. The PhD will be a four year, fully funded opportunity with student stipend, and offers a fantastic opportunity to join a world leading Research Institute at the University of St. Andrews. The Institute has asked us to share this unique opportunity with you. Please read their information below [...]
STRiVE: My route to employment
by George Upfield I should warn you, my route to employment is quite a long and convoluted story, so get comfy! I suppose the first time I realised where I wanted to work was not long after I started volunteering with Guide Dogs at their Regional Centre in Leamington Spa. I was 16. I sensed there was a real ‘family atmosphere’ throughout the organisation. And in addition to this, I knew that I’d need a guide dog to help me navigate when I left school for university. Somehow, I felt that I wanted to return the favour in [...]
STRiVE: Is university for me?
by Ruqaiya Asim After finishing college this year (2021), decided I wanted to go to university to carry on doing Fine Art. However, I kept asking myself, did I really want to go to university or not. I had several questions floating around in my head. How did I know university was the right choice for me? What else could I do if not a degree? What other options are out there? It took me awhile to decide what I wanted to do. I’m going to share with you what I did and why I made the choice [...]
Finding work after uni
By Megan Fernandes Hi, my name is Megan. I am 24 years old and I work as a student adviser for a Student’s Union at a London University. I have been working in this role for 3 years and this was the first job I have ever had. Much of what made me pursue this job came from experiences I had at University. At University I studied Criminology and Sociology, and although at the time I didn’t know what job I wanted or could get with this degree, I knew I wanted to work in a job alongside supporting [...]
My university experience during lockdown
By Ibraheem Iqbal A stressful storm Hi, I’m Ibraheem. Currently a first year university student studying Psychology at the University of Liverpool. Well, I should be in my second year, but COVID happened. Let me take you back to the beginning, March 2020. All university students were told that studies would continue at home. To some this brought joy, to others confusion and although I can’t speak on behalf of everyone, from my encounters, most were pretty stressed out. Most students I spoke to adjusted to this ‘online’ method pretty fast. I mean attending a lecture while lying in [...]
Accessing the ‘true’ university experience by Idil Serce
Deciding to go to university can be a daunting thought for all students but especially for those of us who are visually impaired. From the process of applying to university to balancing the demands of student life and study, it can be a roller coaster for all but none more than the VI student. And on occasions I was overwhelmed. But I found ways of coping and put strategies in place that allowed me to enjoy my time at university and graduate with a first class honours degree. Take my advice, make the most of all of your experiences [...]
