Even though Bindi Bailey of Melbourne lost her sight at the age of 7, it hasn’t stopped the mother-of-two from using saws and sanding machines to make her loved ones wooden creations such as tables, chairs and park benches.
Bindi attends Vision Australia's ASSIST program with other people who are blind or have low vision to gain confidence in using power tools and machinery, whilst also enabling skill development for future employment or training opportunities.
The Reservoir resident lost her sight to Bell’s Palsy, a paralysis or weakness of the muscles on one side of the face. Although she is legally blind, she can still tell the difference between daylight and darkness, and knows the difference between colours from when she was a child, something she is grateful to have.
“My woodwork creations are in high demand from my family; I’ve got a waiting list. The piece I’m most proud of is the rocking horse I made for my granddaughter, she loves it,” she says.
The course is so popular that some travel to the Kensington workshop from Ballarat and Bendigo to attend the program.
A person who is blind operating a huge panel saw or belt sander may seem unlikely, but to Industrial Skills Instructor Brett Behan, it's all in a day’s work.
"It basically comes down to training, once people know how to use the machines properly, there's no reason they can't use them."
Brett says the program provides valuable confidence-building skills and social interaction.
“There’s a perception that people who are blind can’t use these ‘dangerous’ machines, but it’s all about the training. You don’t need sight because they use their senses to navigate their way around a machine safely.
It’s incredible to see the change from someone who doesn’t want to get out of bed in the beginning, to someone who’s confident in using public transport independently because they love coming into the workshop,” Brett says.
The machines are the same as what you'd find in any other workshop - they are simply equipped with adaptive technology which "speaks" the measurements to the user. Similarly, talking tape measures are another tool which ensures accuracy.
Offering metal work and wood working lessons, ASSIST operates out of Vision Australia's centre in Kensington, Victoria.
Participants can complete a level 1 or 2 course in metalwork or woodwork. Open access is also offered to wood work students who have completed both level 1 and 2, enabling them to come into the workshop and create something of their own liking while also having guidance and assistance if needed.
The courses commence at the start of each term. Find out more about the courses on the Learning Wood and Metal Work skills page.
Bindi attends Vision Australia's ASSIST program with other people who are blind or have low vision to gain confidence in using power tools and machinery, whilst also enabling skill development for future employment or training opportunities.The Reservoir resident lost her sight to Bell’s Palsy, a paralysis or weakness of the muscles on one side of the face. Although she is legally blind, she can still tell the difference between daylight and darkness, and knows the difference between colours from when she was a child, something she is grateful to have.
“My woodwork creations are in high demand from my family; I’ve got a waiting list. The piece I’m most proud of is the rocking horse I made for my granddaughter, she loves it,” she says.
The course is so popular that some travel to the Kensington workshop from Ballarat and Bendigo to attend the program.
A person who is blind operating a huge panel saw or belt sander may seem unlikely, but to Industrial Skills Instructor Brett Behan, it's all in a day’s work.
"It basically comes down to training, once people know how to use the machines properly, there's no reason they can't use them."
Brett says the program provides valuable confidence-building skills and social interaction.
“There’s a perception that people who are blind can’t use these ‘dangerous’ machines, but it’s all about the training. You don’t need sight because they use their senses to navigate their way around a machine safely.
It’s incredible to see the change from someone who doesn’t want to get out of bed in the beginning, to someone who’s confident in using public transport independently because they love coming into the workshop,” Brett says.
The machines are the same as what you'd find in any other workshop - they are simply equipped with adaptive technology which "speaks" the measurements to the user. Similarly, talking tape measures are another tool which ensures accuracy.
Offering metal work and wood working lessons, ASSIST operates out of Vision Australia's centre in Kensington, Victoria.
Participants can complete a level 1 or 2 course in metalwork or woodwork. Open access is also offered to wood work students who have completed both level 1 and 2, enabling them to come into the workshop and create something of their own liking while also having guidance and assistance if needed.
The courses commence at the start of each term. Find out more about the courses on the Learning Wood and Metal Work skills page.