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Isabella's on her way to becoming a barrister. And if anything, being blind has fuelled the criminology graduate’s desire to seek justice for others.

While her time at university was positive because staff ensured she had an equitable education experience, transitioning to employment was very different. 

"I spent about six months looking for work after finishing my degree. I was submitting about 50 applications a day and still getting nowhere," said Isabella.  

Listen to the full interview in the player below:

For the policy advisor, volunteering changed the narrative of constant rejection from employers, eventually opening the door to starting her career.

Her former employer, the Gold Coast University Hospital, not only regarded Isabella's volunteer experience in social work, they fundamentally focused on her potential, not her disability.

 "They were really supportive because they knew that I couldn't see. So, they came to me and asked me, what can we do to help you in the interview?

"And I just needed them to email me the interview questions.

"In the past, I'd get as far as the interview, and then they'd realise I was blind. I would be asked if I had a driver's licence and when I said I didn’t, they used that as a way of getting rid of me,” she said.  

Since starting her career, Isabella has received different job opportunities. She proves a lot of good can happen when an employer values workplace diversity. 

To find out Isabella’s advice to jobseekers and how easy it was for her employer to support Isabella, listen to her interview.  

Isabella is part of Career Path, a podcast series that supports jobseekers who are blind or have low vision, those who have found meaningful employment and recruiters who recognise the strengths of blind and low vision candidates.