Vision Without Sight by Amelia

Vision Without Sight by Amelia - May 2026 Scholarship Essay

I was diagnosed with bilaterial retinoblastoma, eye cancer in both eyes, when I was three months old and am blind as a result. Tools I use to access the world include a long white cane, braille, screen readers for my computer/iPhone, a Perkins braille writer, and a refreshable braille display that pairs with my laptop.

Every day, I arrive at school over an hour before the first bell rings, so I can access my education. I use accommodations to be successful in school, one of which is to receive classwork in an accessible format. However, sometimes teachers don’t know which online programs are accessible to me, so they mistakenly don’t provide me with materials that are accessible. Other times, a teacher sends me classwork which I should be able to access, but for whatever reason, the assignment or application isn’t functioning correctly with the software I use. My teachers have been great about collaborating with me to make sure I am able to complete the classwork. Even so, I still need to arrive at school early to work with teachers when they don’t give me my schoolwork in a form I can complete. I taught myself to use the screen reader software I require to read anything online because there was no teacher who knew this software well enough to teach it to me. That was three years ago, and even now I oftentimes google questions like, “Why won’t my screen reader read a PowerPoint in a web browser?” Having to teach myself skills like this while trying to complete a history assignment takes at least double the time it would take if I had to complete the assignment without the additional access barriers. I’ve taken on more responsibility and initiative when it comes to accessing my education than most students do.

I haven’t fully overcome this challenge of accessing my education because issues come up all the time. However, my willingness to work hard and collaborate with my teachers has made accessing my education easier than it was previously. I am now better able to advocate for myself and my needs, which has helped me overcome some of these difficulties.

Next fall, I will attend Wellesley College to study chemistry and then work on a PhD to be a chemist, researcher, and go into academia after getting my doctorate. I’m going to be a blind woman in STEM and I want to continue to make it easier for others coming after me. In continuing my education, I’ll help to ensure that future people with disabilities and other marginalized communities are able to have an easier time with fewer access barriers by taking on leadership roles. I have a unique viewpoint, and I will use it to help increase access for people with disabilities throughout my life.