It’s easy to tell when Kylie Rogers is around. It’s not just that she wears pink all day, every day — though that certainly helps. She also stands out through her sunny disposition and her determination to conquer any challenges arising from her blindness.

Ms. Rogers first came to Seneca in 2022 through the Dual Credit Program, which allows students to earn credits toward both high school and postsecondary education. She later moved to Seneca full-time, enrolling in the Fashion Arts diploma program and more recently transferring into the Fashion Business diploma program.

She discusses what she’s learned about herself during her studies, what it’s like to live in residence, and, yes, why she always wears pink.

I couldn’t wait to see what Seneca had to offer. I wanted to check out the fashion programs here because they seemed very intriguing. I started to come here for the fashion dual credit program and found that it was a very pleasant experience with a lot of hands-on activities.

Fashion allows me to be creative and expressive. It allows me to use my creative skills and my interpersonal skills, because fashion is a career that allows you to be hands-on but also to collaborate with people — two things I really do well with.

People probably know me for wearing pink head to toe and having platinum blonde hair. I’m really easy to spot on campus because I’m super bright! Pink is my favourite colour — it was my grandmother’s favourite colour and it has helped me embrace my albinism. My whole life is pink and Barbie.

I am legally blind and I also have autism spectrum disorder. Both of my disabilities have helped me overcome barriers with a positive, determined and resilient attitude towards life and people. I don’t view my disabilities as a sign of weakness. I view my disabilities as a strength that has helped and guided me toward success, learning and growth.

The people at Accessible Learning Services work hard every single day to ensure that students do well in school and get the support they need. I have been very well supported by a team full of amazing people who encourage me to be the best that I can be.

I’ve been a part of the Residence Council here this year. It’s been a great experience because it has allowed me to develop my leadership skills and be a voice for those with visual impairments and disabilities.

Residence has been a really great experience because it has helped me develop some of my independent life skills. Residence has allowed me to make a bunch of connections outside of my own home and the classroom. I’m very thankful that I get to build great bonds.

I’ve learned a lot about how determined, passionate and resilient I am; about what I’m good at and what I’m not good at, especially through the course switch from Fashion Arts to Fashion Business. I’ve gotten a lot better at being able to handle and overcome setbacks. I’m just very glad I’m surrounded by great people who motivate and inspire me every day.

Living with my mom has shaped me into the resilient, determined woman that I am today. My mom is a very passionate, hard-working woman and I love her a lot.

My dream job would be working as a personal stylist — I would like to help people find their own styles. I also would like to design clothing for people with disabilities, most notably for people who are blind or low vision. I want to be able to ensure that people with visual impairments and disabilities get the spotlight in fashion, because we don’t see a lot of that.

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