Blind student Jack picks up degree and wants to inspire others
A man who has been blind for virtually all of his life has graduated from Keele University with a degree in computer science and music production – and hopes his success will inspire others not to let barriers get in their way.
Jack Marshall said he felt ‘proud’ to collect his degree at Keele’s Winter Graduation ceremony in front of his family and was now looking forward to the next chapter in his life.
The 25-year-old said: “When my name was called out in the ceremony and it was my turn to walk up and shake hands, it was a bit of a ‘wow’ moment for me. I feel proud to have got through the course and completed my degree and it’s something I’ll have now for the rest of my life.”
Jack, who is also moderately hearing impaired, was not born blind but lost his vision when he was a few weeks old due to a condition called retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) after being born three months premature.
Prior to joining Keele, Jack’s journey through education has taken him from local schools in Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme to The Royal National College for the Blind (RNC), a specialist college based in Hereford for visually impaired students.
Over the years, Jack has completed a wide range of qualifications, including GCSEs and A-levels in subjects such as music and German, as well as vocational and specialist qualifications. These included BTEC Level 3 courses in IT and business, alongside Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications in Braille. The RNC also provided training in mobility, independent living skills and transitional support to prepare students for further study and adulthood.
As part of his degree at Keele, Jack completed a placement at Cross Rhythms radio station in Hanley, where he continues to volunteer on a weekly basis. His work has included audio editing and the creation of on-air jingles, building practical experience. During his time at Keele, Jack also composed the introductory music for the University’s Language Centre podcast, further showcasing his creative and technical skills.
Throughout his studies at Keele, Jack was supported by a comprehensive package of reasonable adjustments designed to ensure equal access to learning and assessment. Jack was also assigned with a disability adviser for the duration of his course, who escorted him to his graduation ceremony.
“I’ve been through school, college and now university and today is the start of a new chapter for me. I am not entirely sure what comes next, but I am keeping my options open and looking for work and opportunities, and that feels quite exciting right now,” Jack said.
“I enjoyed my degree and the variety it gave me, and I’m very thankful to the staff at Keele who have helped and assisted me along the way. I have been in a pretty good selection of educational backgrounds, both mainstream and specialist, and the support that I have received throughout my education has been amazing and it definitely plays a part in where I am today, picking up my degree at Keele.
“I hope that my graduation inspires other people to dream big, work hard, stay positive and to not let barriers get in your way or stop you. You can achieve whatever you want if you put your mind to it, and there is always light at the end of the tunnel.”
