Mr. Bennet Ha lost his sight to illness at the age of two. He shared his life experience with the mentees at his alma mater Ebenezer School for the Visually Impaired where he also met the current students of the school. Bennet works very hard not just to prove that he can excel but also to change public perception and show that persons with visual impairment can also lead a productive life. He urged the students of the Ebenezer School to work hard and took the opportunity to encourage others to give more chance to those with visual impairment.

According to Bennet, standard of living in Hong Kong during the 60s was relatively low. Although he and his schoolmates did not always get sufficient food, they got enough scolding and beating. When he looks back, he believes that those treatments were to strengthen his will so that he would not be easily defeated by setbacks.

Bennet is glad to have studied in two mainstream schools— St Paul’s College and St Stephen’s Girls’ College—where he could study together with the normal sighted classmates. With the support and encouragement from teachers and fellow classmates, he studied hard and was admitted to the University of Hong Kong. After graduation, he worked for the Hong Kong Government as an Executive Officer II and retired after 25 years from the position of Chief Executive Officer.

Students with visual impairment are grateful to Bennet for developing the Windows Light Screen Reading Software which helps them in writing and reading by using computer and in accessing the Internet. According to Bennet, employment opportunities for persons with visual impairment were limited in the era when computer technology was not as popular. With the aid of computer software, persons with visual impairment can now handle paper work independently. They can take up clerical or administrative jobs and even teaching posts. He encourages students to make good use of technology to learn continuously and pursue their dreams.