Up until five years ago, Mark Res was working as a labourer until decreasing vision meant he could no longer continue.
Mark was diagnosed with an eye condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) in 1986. RP is a degenerative eye disease that causes severe vision impairment and often blindness.
With his career in manual labour behind him, Mark turned to Vision Australia for help.
He decided to go to computer classes at Vision Australia, and with the support of an adaptive technology trainer, learned how to use special software for people who are blind.
Adaptive technology is a term that refers to a variety of special technology designed and available to people who are blind or have low vision so they can continue to participate in their daily life.
For Mark Res, the adaptive technology he uses is computer software called Jaws.
Jaws is a computer program that assists the user by reading text from the screen out loud. Many Jaws users wear headphones and are able to listen to their computer read them information from websites, word documents, emails and even scanned bills.
Mark found his training in Jaws at Vision Australia useful to access his address book and bills.
“I’d like to learn skills that will help me get work, I’m not the most technologically minded person,” he said.
Mark intends to continue to learn more about adaptive technology through Vision Australia so he can live as independently as possible.
On October 10 and 11, Vision Australia will open its doors to Texpo, the organisation’s open days.
Texpo is a free event, which is open to the general public, people who are blind or have low vision, their friends and family, and industry professionals.
It’s an opportunity to experience first-hand the range of services and technology that are available to the 90,000 Victorians who are blind or have low vision.
The latest technology for people who are blind or have low vision will also be on display with exhibitors travelling from around the country and internationally to attend the open days.
For more information, visit www.visionaustralia.org/texpo
Mark was diagnosed with an eye condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) in 1986. RP is a degenerative eye disease that causes severe vision impairment and often blindness.
With his career in manual labour behind him, Mark turned to Vision Australia for help.
He decided to go to computer classes at Vision Australia, and with the support of an adaptive technology trainer, learned how to use special software for people who are blind.
Adaptive technology is a term that refers to a variety of special technology designed and available to people who are blind or have low vision so they can continue to participate in their daily life.
For Mark Res, the adaptive technology he uses is computer software called Jaws.
Jaws is a computer program that assists the user by reading text from the screen out loud. Many Jaws users wear headphones and are able to listen to their computer read them information from websites, word documents, emails and even scanned bills.
Mark found his training in Jaws at Vision Australia useful to access his address book and bills.
“I’d like to learn skills that will help me get work, I’m not the most technologically minded person,” he said.
Mark intends to continue to learn more about adaptive technology through Vision Australia so he can live as independently as possible.
On October 10 and 11, Vision Australia will open its doors to Texpo, the organisation’s open days.
Texpo is a free event, which is open to the general public, people who are blind or have low vision, their friends and family, and industry professionals.
It’s an opportunity to experience first-hand the range of services and technology that are available to the 90,000 Victorians who are blind or have low vision.
The latest technology for people who are blind or have low vision will also be on display with exhibitors travelling from around the country and internationally to attend the open days.
For more information, visit www.visionaustralia.org/texpo