VISUALLY impaired students from local colleges spent a day at Worcester University to find out more about the transition to higher education.
Students from New College Worcester and the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford attended the Visual Impairment (VI) Information Day.
Organised by the university’s Disability and Dyslexia Service, the day was aimed at students who are thinking of going to university and gave them the chance learn more about what university is like before they begin applications. Both colleges are specialist institutions for students with visual impairments.
The day included a mini lecture about the Disabled Students Allowance grant and how to apply for it. There was a talk from the university’s library services about the support it can offer and how students can get access to resources in a way that suits them. There were also sessions focused on higher education and what to consider from a VI perspective.
And the students had a touch tour around some of the accommodation on campus and a lecture theatre, giving them a chance to explore their surroundings.
The university’s disability adviser Catherine Williams said: “We know from feedback since we started running the event five years ago, that the day is very important in preparing visually impaired people for university life and all it has to offer. It was invaluable for the group to ask questions, like what is it like having a guide dog at university and how can I get my books in a format that I can read with a screen reader.”
Stephen Farr, vice principal at New College Worcester, added: “At New College Worcester helping students to fulfil their ambitions and be aspirational for their future is crucial to us. Our students who attended found it so insightful to learn about life after sixth form and all the opportunities that lie before them.”
