Theodore Tsolakis (17) isn’t quite sure what he wants to do after finishing uni, but he does know a Vision Australia Further Education Bursary has made life at uni much easier.
Theodore is legally blind as a result of Microphthalmia and is part-way through his first semester of a Bachelor of Art/Bachelor of Advanced Studies at The University of Sydney.
Theodore is one of 18 tertiary students from across Australia to receive a 2019 bursary from Vision Australia, which has provided him with a range of assistive technology to support his studies.
“For people who are blind, assistive technology can make a huge difference but it can be quite expensive,” Theodore said.
“I didn’t think I’d be able to access this sort of equipment through the NDIS, so the bursary program seemed a good way to be able to access it and get some advice about the sorts of technology that would be right for me,” he said.
Through the bursary, Theodore received equipment and software such as OpenBook that converts written text to speech, as well as an iPhone XS which contains a number of inbuilt accessibility features..
“We’re five weeks into the semester and the technology is definitely making a difference for me, I’m definitely grateful for the bursary.
“I’ve been using OpenBook quite a bit, it’s great that I can pull out one of my text books, scan it and be able to read it that way. I don’t think I’d go as far to say that I wouldn’t be able to do uni without the bursary, but I do know that it’s made life a lot easier for me.”
Along with the technology he’s received through the bursary, Theodore also uses other devices like a refreshable braille display, which he said sighted students often take an interest in.
“People are naturally curious, so when I’m using my braille display or scanning a book I’ll often get questions about what the technology does or how it helps me.”
Vision Australia has been providing bursaries to people who are blind or have low vision and are undertaking further education for nearly 25 years. To date, more than 350 students have been supported by Vision Australia through a bursary.
The bursary allows students to access assistive technology such as specialist computer software and braille displays, helping students like Theodore study alongside their sighted peers.
Find out more about the Vision Australia Further Education Bursary program here.