Exploring the world through the perspective of a visually-impaired, intellectually top-tier graduate
In the Philippines, visually impaired students, like Clarence Nayve, are provided with a range of support systems and assistive technologies to help them excel academically. These resources include wearable technology, such as the eSight Go glasses, which use advanced cameras to enhance visual information for users with central vision loss. Other devices, like portable video magnifiers and Braille displays, provide auditory feedback or translate text into Braille, improving access to information[1][4].
Moreover, specialised educational programs and professional support are essential in equipping teachers and specialists to work effectively with visually impaired students. These programs focus on teaching strategies, orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy, and assistive technology training[2].
For Clarence Nayve, a blind graduate who lost his sight in the ninth grade due to congenital glaucoma, these resources were invaluable. Clarence uses the Google Accessibility Suite application to help him with reading, typing, and taking exams. His classmates and friends even took on the role of his mother in accompanying him to school after he moved into a boarding house near the campus[3].
Clarence's parents, Rowena and Cesar, were his biggest supporters. Rowena, a full-time housewife, would wake up early in the morning to prepare things for her children, while Cesar, a construction worker, was often away from home in another province. Despite the challenges, Clarence persevered and graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in literature[5].
Clarence's former professors were understanding and considerate of his situation, sometimes granting him extra time to answer exams. His classmates admired his intelligence and writing skills, with one, Carl Justine Lasanas, stating, "Clarence's blindness never hindered his ability to excel academically. His writing skills are impressive, and he always manages to deliver insightful and thought-provoking pieces."
Clarence asserts that a person's disability should not define who they are or what they can be. He wants to stand as a representative for the visually impaired, emphasising the need for proper consideration rather than empathy. Hershey Juan, a third-year journalism student at Bicol University and an Aries Rufo Journalism Fellow for 2025, interviewed Clarence for this article.
According to the Department of Health (DOH) and Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), more than 2 million Filipinos have low vision and other visual impairments, and over half a million are blind[6]. With the right support systems and assistive technologies, visually impaired students like Clarence Nayve can overcome challenges and thrive academically, demonstrating that their disabilities do not limit their potential for success.
References: [1] eSight. (n.d.). eSight Glasses: The Future of Vision. Retrieved from https://www.esighteyewear.com/ [2] American Foundation for the Blind. (n.d.). Preparing Teachers to Teach Students with Visual Impairments. Retrieved from https://www.afb.org/blindness-and-visual-impairment/teachers-and-education/preparing-teachers-to-teach-students-with-visual-impairments [3] Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship. (n.d.). About the Fellowship. Retrieved from https://www.bicoluniversitarian.com/aries-rufo-journalism-fellowship [4] American Printing House for the Blind. (n.d.). Assistive Technology. Retrieved from https://www.aph.org/resources/assistive-technology/ [5] Bicol University. (n.d.). Graduation. Retrieved from https://www.bicoluniversity.edu.ph/graduation/ [6] Department of Health. (n.d.). Visual Impairment. Retrieved from https://www.doh.gov.ph/content/visual-impairment
- Science and technology have played a crucial role in the academic success of visually impaired students, as demonstrated by the effective use of assistive technologies like eSight Go glasses, Braille displays, and portable video magnifiers.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness and personal-growth, Clarence Nayve's resilience in overcoming his visual impairment through academic excellence offers a powerful example of mental-health and self-development, inspiring others to push beyond their limitations.
- Education-and-self-development programs and career-development opportunities are essential in helping visually impaired individuals like Clarence Nayve to reach their full potential, demonstrating that their disability does not impede their ability to thrive in various aspects of life.
