I’m Neve, an Exeter Law grad who went on to do my LPC and Master of Laws on the Exeter campus before moving down to Cornwall, where I’m now a trainee solicitor. I also happen to be blind, which has meant figuring things, like university, out with a bit of creativity and a lot of determination.

Starting university is overwhelming for most people but doing it as a blind student can feel like stepping into a world that wasn’t built with you in mind. You’re juggling the same academic pressures as everyone else while also learning to navigate a campus you can’t see. You memorise routes like your life depends on it, rehearse the layout of buildings in your head and occasionally swallow your pride to ask a stranger where on earth you’ve ended up. It’s exhausting in a way that goes far beyond coursework.

And then there’s the classroom. Lecturers forget you can’t see the board. Activities rely on visuals you can’t access. After the fiftieth reminder that you can’t join the Kahoot quiz, you start to feel like a broken record. But despite all of this, succeeding at university as a blind student is possible, and for me, these were the things that made the difference.

The Tech That Changed Everything

1. JAWS  screen reader became my academic lifeline. Through Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), I was able to access it fully funded. It read my seminar prep, lecture slides, and every essay I wrote.
2. Dictation tools were a game‑changer. I write by speaking, feeding a word document a stream of consciousness that I later prune into something coherent. Dictation meant I wasn’t constantly correcting spelling mistakes my screen reader didn’t catch. Honestly, I’d recommend it to sighted students too.
3. Otter AI helped in small seminars where recording was allowed. It’s not perfect for big lecture halls, and you always need consent, but it filled gaps when I couldn’t take notes myself.
4. A  human note‑taker in my Masters year eased the pressure of keeping up in fast-paced classes. They weren’t subject experts, so their notes weren’t always flawless, but having someone capture the essentials  meant I could focus on listening and engaging in my classes.‍
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5. Accessible reading formats were essential. I mostly used screen readers, but many textbooks are available as e‑books or braille. ‍
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6. My Orcam camera, a tiny AI device clipped to my glasses, it recognised faces, read signs, and helped with printed materials. The DSA version is excellent; I upgraded mine, but you don’t need the premium model for it to be life changing.

This tech didn’t just help me study, it gave me autonomy and allowed me to achieve academically. The right technology becomes your foundation of independence

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Finding Your People

University is as much about who you meet as what you study. I was lucky, I found friends who made everything easier. They walked with me across campus, helped me learn new routes, sent me notes when I couldn’t access a class, and made sure I never missed out on the fun stuff. I joined societies, ended up on committees, and spent more nights in Cavern than I can count. Being blind didn’t stop me from having a full student life, because the right people made space for me without making me feel like a burden.

Academically, a few lecturers stood out as genuinely supportive. They listened, adapted, and helped me problem‑solve. But they can’t guess what you need. Speaking up can be uncomfortable, but it is essential. When you advocate for yourself, most staff will meet you halfway.

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Settling In and Setting Yourself Up

Arriving at university is chaotic for everyone, but when you can’t see your surroundings, it’s a different level of disorienting. Orientation support can make a huge difference. A staff member guiding you around the buildings you’ll actually use. Not the whole campus, just the parts that matter to you.

Getting my access arrangements sorted early was crucial. Mine included:

• Extra exam time
• Early access to lecture and seminar materials
• Recorded  lectures
• Classes scheduled in a small number of buildings
• Longer gaps between classes so I wasn’t sprinting across campus

These adjustments weren’t special treatment, they were what allowed me to participate on equal footing and achieve academically.

Accessible housing also helped. In my last two years a studio flat meant I could live independently without relying on flatmates to consider my needs. Shared accommodation in second year was harder; unless people truly care, your access needs won’t always be their priority.

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What I Learned

Being a blind student at university is hard. Some days it feels impossible. But it’s also character‑building and full of moments that remind you you’re capable of more than you think.

With the right tech, the right people, and the right support, you can not only survive university, but you can also thrive in it.

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