Level 400 UCC Students Donate Voice Recorders and White Canes to Assist Blind Peers on Campus
- Level 400 UCC students of the School of Optometry and Vision Science donated voice recorders and white canes to support visually impaired classmates
- The donation, inspired by the “Low Vision” course, aimed to equip visually impaired students with essential tools for learning and independent campus mobility
- Prof. Irene Vanderpuye praised the students, emphasising that empathy and an enabling environment, not just sympathy, are key to empowering the visually impaired
Level 400 students of the School of Optometry and Vision Science (SOVS) at the University of Cape Coast (UCC) have made a heartwarming gesture for their visually impaired peers.
Source: Facebook
In a show of compassion and solidarity, the students donated five voice recorders and several white canes to enhance accessibility and learning for students with visual challenges.
The initiative was inspired by a course titled “Low Vision,” which encourages students to engage practically with the needs of vulnerable groups in society.
According to Miss Mildred Mensah, now a Level 500 student, the donation aimed to provide tools that directly impact learning.
Voice recorders play a crucial role alongside Braille in the lives of visually impaired students. They allow them to access lectures and study materials independently. They also donated white canes so students who could not afford them could navigate the campus safely and confidently.
Prof. Irene Vanderpuye, Coordinator of the Resource Centre for Alternative Media and Assistive Technology (RCAMAT), expressed her appreciation for the thoughtful initiative. According to her, visually impaired students don’t need sympathy; they need empathy, coupled with the right tools and enabling environment to thrive.
With this donation, the SOVS students at UCC have enhanced the daily lives of their visually impaired peers while fostering a culture of empathy, collaboration, and empowerment on campus.
The gesture stands as a powerful testament to the impact of student-led initiatives in creating a supportive academic environment where every student has the opportunity to thrive.
Read the Facebook details below.
UCC fresher shares first impressions of campus
In a related story, the newly admitted students who officially reported to the University of Cape Coast (UCC) are acclimatising to their new environment.
A TikTok video showed some students opening up about life at UCC and what they had been told about the university.
The first lady who was interviewed expressed delight at having gained admission to study at one of the top universities in the country.
Source: TikTok
When asked about certain things she had been told about the school, she said with a smile that she was informed that students attend prep.
Another student who was interviewed shared her joy at becoming a UCC student, adding that she had been told that students attend lectures as early as 5:30 a.m.
The third student left the interviewer surprised after stating that she was already stressed, having been on the university campus for just two days.
At the time of writing, the video had generated over 4,000 likes and 40 comments.
Watch the TikTok videos below:
45% increase in Ghanaians studying in America
Yen.com.gh reported that the number of Ghanaian students studying in the United States of America has risen marginally in the 2023-2024 academic year.
The report indicated 45% increase in the number of Ghanaian students abroad, bringing the total to 9,394 from a total of 6,468. According to the US Embassy, Ghana ranks among the countries with the highest number of students in America.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
