Julia's story

A real Vision – where contributions from one thoroughly enjoyable Vision Ball led to so much - Opening a Scientific Career.  This is a very personal story by Dr. Julia Schofield MBE

Coming from a unique school, Chorleywood College in Hertfordshire, Julia, with the specialist staff support, was studying computer science and maths, which meant lots of reading of ever rapidly changing books.

Julia went on to take an honours degree and took up a research post at the National Physical Laboratory (Teddington).

To start at the beginning:

In the 1970's there were no talking computers, no print scanners or electric Braille displays, as there are now.

However, in California there were two professors, at Stanford University, who had devised a very clever reading system, a little camera-like device which you scanned across a page of text and the characters under it appeared as vibrating pins in box, accessed by my index finger of my other hand – this was the very first OPTICON.

The Opticon cost over one thousand pounds, well outside the reach of a mere student!

The first Vision Ball, in 1975, raised the money for one of these machines, so that those without sight, and me specifically, who were studying scientific subjects at Chorleywood College, would have access to up-to-date articles, books and papers without having to find someone who could put those documents into Braille. I was actually there on the night of the first Vision Ball, to receive this incredible device.

The Opticon was formally 'loaned' to me at Hertfordshire College, whilst I was working for my computer science degree and I was also starting a PhD – which was awarded to me in 1981.

For me, the Vision Ball was the first time I had ever been to such a glittering occasion it was a wonderful experience.

I was invited again in 1987.I had just been presented with the 'Frink Woman of the Year' Award at the Savoy Hotel, London for my contribution to the computer industry. At that time I had a small team working on innovative computer interfaces for organisations including Price Waterhouse and Volvo.

Later I was honoured to receive the MBE from the Queen for this work, which evolved into some of the accessibility advice given to large companies, to broaden out the use of touch screen devices – and to look at how organisations like the Post Office could make their 'Chip and Pin' technology as usable as possible.

Since then, I have worked in Government, the private sector and overseas, particularly in Australia.

In November 2007 the University of Hertfordshire is to present me with a Doctorate of Science, further recognising my contributions and perhaps it is this award that takes Vision Charity full circle.

The Opticon made my life so much easier and for others who followed me at Chorleywood, and certainly helped me on my path into a competitive world.

A real Vision – where contributions from one thoroughly enjoyable Vision Ball led to so much!

Written by Julia in October 2007 especially for the Vision Charity website. Our picture shows Julia relaxing with her adorable guide dog in Australia recently.