Orbit Reader to First Class: The Story of Susan Akuya

How Digital Inclusion Paved the Way to First Class Honors at Egerton University, Nakuru, Kenya.

Growing up in a quiet village in Laikipia County, Susan Akuya was a curious and hardworking girl who dreamed of becoming something greater. But just before joining Grade 6, she lost her sight, a moment that could have ended her education entirely. Instead, it marked the beginning of a new chapter, shaped by resilience, innovation, and the power of inclusive support.

Susan confidently using a laptop

When Susan joined St. Lucy’s Primary School for the Visually Impaired in Meru county, she was introduced to a digital assistive device that would change the course of her academic journey: the Orbit Reader 20. Through the support of Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa’s Digital Inclusion education program, Susan received the Orbit Reader 20 (a multi-functional, digital Braille assistive device) that allowed her to access textbooks, revise independently, and actively participate in the classroom and her studies.  For the first time, she was able to learn without barriers.

The Orbit Reader became even more crucial during the COVID-19 school closures, when thousands of students struggled to continue learning from home. For Susan, access to digital Braille meant continuity. She could prepare for her national exams independently, stay motivated, and keep pace despite the uncertainty around her. This foundation of accessible learning followed her through high school and into university. At Egerton University, where she pursued a bachelor’s degree in Gender and Development Studies, the assistive technology she had mastered continued to give her an equal chance to excel. And she did more than excel. She graduated with First Class Honours.  

Susan demonstrating the use of Orbit Reader 20 during the COVID-19 pandemic

And she did more than excel. She graduated with First Class Honours.  

Her achievement is not just a personal milestone; it serves as proof that when learners with visual impairments have access to the right tools early on, they can compete, perform, and thrive at the highest academic level.

As an alumnus of KBTA’s Cohort 9 Employability Skills Training Program, Susan is stepping into the next chapter of her life with the same focus and determination that fueled her academic success. She continues to grow in confidence, strengthen her employability skills, and define her path toward a meaningful career.

Susan’s journey shows what is possible when commitment meets opportunity. She is paving the way for thousands of other learners with visual impairments who have been supported by KBTAs digital literacy & skills program, from Education to Employment. It is a reminder that disability is not inability, it is a call for inclusion.

Citizen digital feature; Mwanamke Bomba series: https://youtu.be/D_ntsaX7oNw?si=02uAQAun5qOR_Y7N

Susan and her colleagues in the employability skills training program