Access to coursework and written material is being made easier for tertiary students who are blind or have low vision thanks to technology grants available each year from Vision Australia.
Vision Australia Further Education Bursaries have been providing adaptive technology to students who are blind or have low for almost 20 years so they can fully participate and succeed in their chosen studies
Each year, these bursaries, which are funded by members of the public or companies, give students who are blind or have low vision better access their degree’s written material and coursework.
More than 265 bursaries have been awarded since 1996.
Students like Kate Begley recently completed her graduate diploma with the help of a Vision Australia bursary.
“My bursary has allowed me to buy a laptop that runs zoom text magnification software with speech output, a high speed scanner and software to convert standard print texts,” she said.
“It is fantastic to have this equipment because before it was very time consuming for me to read all of the material required for university, she said.
Adaptive technology is software and hardware that helps a person who is blind or has low vision access reading material in a format of their choice, whether this is audio, large print,braille or electronic information.
Applications close 31 October, 2014
If you would like to apply, visit the Further Education page