NEWS ARCHIVE
Taking on the World!
A Computing student from Cornwall College Saltash who lost his sight in the summer of 2002 will be flying out to take part in the International Blind Golf Association World Championships next month in Australia. Mike Mayo from Saltash started playing golf in 1985 and after losing his sight was introduced to the English Blind Golf Association. Mike has gone on to take part in many tournaments including becoming British Master Champion last year. This will be Mike's first World Championships and he is hoping to go all the way.
For the past 18 months Mike has been visiting the College and studying on a specialist computer course for the visually impaired. The course has helped Mike by teaching him the basic skills of computers and enabling him to keep in contact with friends. The College has 8 specialist computers that include unique software packages developed for the visually impaired and headphones that allow students to hear what they type. The course consists of teaching the students basic computer skills including touch-typing, word processing, E-mail and using the internet.
Mike Mayo commented: "The course has opened up new doors for me. When I first started the course I was really quite depressed and then after a while I realised that I could still enjoy life and keep in contact with people I used to work with. With my new computer skills I would like to eventually set up my own website for the visually impaired using my own experiences."
Alison Griffin, tutor, commented: "Being able to use the computer is a life line to the visually impaired. It enables independence because they can communicate through E-mail or letters while making it possible for them to meet new people and realise they are not on their own. When Mike first started the course he was very unhappy as are a lot of students, however, Mike has changed through determination and support from those around him."
