Mélange Accessibility for All Magazine April 2021 | Page 16

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" If I get the tools and . . . access , I can compete . . .
Patrick is the true embodiment of this phrase , from his natural love of technology to his competence in exploiting it as a life-changing force . Truly pivotal was his introduction to Job Access With Speech ( JAWS ), the screen-reading technology that allowed him to access the internet and communicate with others : he could now fully move in the online world . He built his own computer and bulletin board system ( BBS ) and in a short break from broadcasting , qualified himself and gained experience as an IT professional . He worked as a computer analyst at Communications Associates ( Miami – 1990- 1992 ) and then completed certifications in WordPerfect and Lotus . As a senior analyst at Chuckles Resort in Negril , Jamaica , he established the company network , organized the reservation system , and conducted staff training .
“ Like a Volcano ” video formed the inspiration for his own album Volcano ( launched in 2019 ), a collaboration with other visually impaired musicians around the world . For yet another Apple event , he demonstrated his use of the iPhone and Anchor , an accessible app for creating podcasts and doing broadcasting projects , and debuted a song from the Volcano album . For Global Accessibility Day in 2019 , he was flown to Apple Park to perform some of his music .
“ As soon as I get it , I give it .”
In the true style of a groundbreaker , Patrick has always valued giving back to his beloved Jamaica . He feels responsible for sharing the knowledge he ’ s gained , and this is exactly what he did with each new technology tool he learned . As soon as he had mastered JAWS , he returned to Jamaica to offer free classes through the Society for the Blind . He returned again on successive occasions to teach on Nokia voiceover , iPhone
technology , and podcasting tools . Several now very prominent Jamaicans attended his classes and others have been inspired to start their own podcasts . With such a track record , Patrick can comfortably claim responsibility for increasing Android and I-Phone usership in Jamaica .
In addition to his work instructing persons with visual impairment , Patrick has been involved with the boards of numerous local organizations representing other disabilities , taught students with combined disabilities how to use computer apps at the Abilities Foundation ( Kingston , Jamaica ), and mentored people in the computer industry . Understanding the destructive effects of prejudice and alienation , he has also helped to develop counselling programs to help children affected by HIV / AIDS to reestablish their lives .