A student has defied blindness to gain a degree in English literature.

Sumaira Naseem, 22, stunned lecturers with her knowledge of classic books – despite not being able to read them for herself.

Instead, the Manchester Metropolitan University student listened to audio versions of the books and wrote essays on a computer using her touch-typing skills.

When no pre-recorded versions of her books existed, the enterprising undergraduate scanned the pages on to a computer so they could be read back using speech software.

Sumaira, from Victoria Park, near Rusholme, has had eye problems since birth but her vision deteriorated during her A-levels at Xaverian College.

She is now registered blind, although her eyesight can return for brief spells. But rather than feel sorry for herself, Sumaira has thrown herself into her coursework and is graduating this month with an English literature degree.

She said: “I didn’t realise how hard it would be to study up to degree level. But I did have the right support.”

Sumaira even found time to help out at local secondary Manchester Academy, helping students improve their reading and writing.

Her tutor Lucy Burke said she was a model student. She said: “Sumaira has absolutely refused to let her disability get in the way of her work and is a role model for other students.”

Sumaira now plans to do a post-graduate course in English, focussing on disability issues.

She added: “I’m not sure what I would like to do - perhaps work in a charity or train to be a lecturer. I enjoyed working with the students at school who needed to improve their English, we would listen to them read and help them with spelling. It was good to be able to pass on what we had learned.”

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