Blind at 12, high-scorer at 15, she wants to be in IAS
When seven-year-old G V Oviya had difficulty in reading what was written on the school blackboard, little did she and her parents realise it was the beginning of a journey into the dark.
Representative imageCUDDALORE: When seven-year-old G V Oviya had difficulty in reading what was written on the school blackboard, little did she and her parents realise it was the beginning of a journey into the dark.
When reading became harder, they went to a specialist who diagnosed her condition as retinitis pigmentosa, the loss of cells in the retina due to a rare genetic disorder that results in diminishing eyesight over years and eventual blindness. At the age of 12, when she was in Class VII, Oviya went completely blind. But she didn't lose sight of her goal to succeed in academics.
When the Class X results were out, the student of Jawahar Higher Secondary School (CBSE) had scored 447 marks of the maximum 500. She is one of a the few across the country to take the exam using a laptop with a screen reading software (non-visual desktop access).
Oviya is also among the few visually challenged students to study in a general school. Generally, visually challenged students are referred to special schools as most of the other schools have neither special teachers nor special learning aids.
Her parents and teachers say Oviya's academic success is a testimony to her ability to adapt and take on challenges. "When she started losing vision, we started introducing her to learning aids such as screen reading software and tactile devices (that use touch) to help her study," said her father A Vijayaraj, who works as a deputy chief engineer at Neyveli Lignite Corporation India Limited. Vijayaraj said Oviya's teachers and her mother M Gokila, a homemaker, were equally committed to the girl's education. "While in a higher class, the family bought tactile geometry sets from a London-based society to help Oviya work on mathematical concepts.
Oviya said the screen reading software helps her in using the laptop without external help. "I can perform most of the computer operations with the help of the software. The software guides me through synthesized voice for each command and the keys pressed," she said. With support from well-wishers and technology, Oviya is confident of doing higher studies to fulfil her dream of being in the civil services.
When reading became harder, they went to a specialist who diagnosed her condition as retinitis pigmentosa, the loss of cells in the retina due to a rare genetic disorder that results in diminishing eyesight over years and eventual blindness. At the age of 12, when she was in Class VII, Oviya went completely blind. But she didn't lose sight of her goal to succeed in academics.
When the Class X results were out, the student of Jawahar Higher Secondary School (CBSE) had scored 447 marks of the maximum 500. She is one of a the few across the country to take the exam using a laptop with a screen reading software (non-visual desktop access).
Oviya is also among the few visually challenged students to study in a general school. Generally, visually challenged students are referred to special schools as most of the other schools have neither special teachers nor special learning aids.
Her parents and teachers say Oviya's academic success is a testimony to her ability to adapt and take on challenges. "When she started losing vision, we started introducing her to learning aids such as screen reading software and tactile devices (that use touch) to help her study," said her father A Vijayaraj, who works as a deputy chief engineer at Neyveli Lignite Corporation India Limited. Vijayaraj said Oviya's teachers and her mother M Gokila, a homemaker, were equally committed to the girl's education. "While in a higher class, the family bought tactile geometry sets from a London-based society to help Oviya work on mathematical concepts.
Oviya said the screen reading software helps her in using the laptop without external help. "I can perform most of the computer operations with the help of the software. The software guides me through synthesized voice for each command and the keys pressed," she said. With support from well-wishers and technology, Oviya is confident of doing higher studies to fulfil her dream of being in the civil services.
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