No limits For Scholarship Holder With Visual Impairment

Many students struggle to achieve a GPA of 6.5 out of a possible 7 but UQ scholar Amanda Acutt has done so while overcoming an even greater challenge: a total visual impairment.

The Arts/Law dual degree student is the inaugural holder of the Kym Broadhurst Scholarship, which was set up through a donation from James Broadhurst, whose late daughter Kym also had a visual impairment.

Ms Acutt, who lives at St John's College on St Lucia campus and navigates with the aid of a cane, said her impairment made her studies labour-intensive at times.

She types notes into her computer and has a special screen-reading software program called JAWS for Windows that reads text aloud.

Similarly, all her readings need to be converted into Microsoft Word format, which can be time-consuming, but she proudly points out she has never had an extension on an assignment.

Ms Acutt said her scholarship relieved financial pressure and allowed her to focus on her studies.

“I am encouraged by the fact that there are people out there who believe I can succeed. I appreciate the financial support provided by this scholarship,” Ms Acutt said.

“It's a lot of work but I really enjoy my course because I can see where it's taking me.”

But simply excelling in her studies isn't enough for Ms Acutt, who is applying to go on exchange to the University of Nottingham in England next year.

Mr Broadhurst, who along with his wife established the scholarship in his daughter's memory, is pleased his gift is helping a student like Ms Acutt.

“Amanda sounds like a very exceptional young lady and I am really thrilled the scholarship is helping someone like that,” he said.