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Goals I ' ve achieved
I ’ m a person that works hard and strives to achieve my goals . My time in education wasn ’ t without its challenges . I ’ m proud of the grades that I achieved despite the uphill battle it was . These grades were the steppingstone to what was next .
Following my time at school , I went onto university . Receiving my degree is something that I ’ m extremely proud of . After university , it was naturally time to enter the world of work . I ’ d done some work for a charity and extensive volunteering , so that I was fully prepared for the world of work . I knew that getting a job as a disabled person was going to be difficult , but perhaps I wasn ’ t fully prepared for how hard it was actually going to be . Less than 6 months after finishing university , I was offered a job as an Assistive Technology Advisor – a role that I did for four years . I ’ m proud of the determination I showed whilst job searching , and the professional goals I achieved throughout my time in the role .
Most recently , I started working within the charity sector . When I think about my achievements , this would probably be at the top of the list .
It ’ s a job that I had my sights set on for years , but I thought it would just be a goal , rather than a reality . It ’ s certainly one of my proudest achievements . Aside from professional goals and looking more from a personal perspective , when I was younger I had inner conflict in using my long cane . I always thought it made me stand out , when all I wanted to do was fit in . I made it my mission to change my attitudes towards my cane , and make my thought processes something positive rather than negative . It took a long time , but I eventually started to see my cane as an extension of me which transformed everything for me .
My disability does not make me brave
To put it simply , I ’ m basically your average girl in her 20s who just happens to be blind . Honestly , I don ’ t think that makes me brave . To be brave is to do something heroic . My disability doesn ’ t make me a hero .
Being blind is my normal , it ’ s my reality , it ’ s my life . I don ’ t let my disability stop me from living the life I want to . I don ’ t think that makes me brave , it just makes me human .
I can understand why nondisabled people may see us as brave – they can only begin to imagine what it must be like . When they try to put themselves in my shoes , they ’ re filled with fear . This fear brings out their assumption of bravery . But I promise you being disabled is not like that . Being disabled is wonderful .
Technology
I truly believe that technology can transform many aspects of our lives , in a good way of course . Technology plays a pivotal role in my life , I ’ d be lost without it .
Accessibility is a big factor . When something is accessible , it makes us feel included and valued . Disabled people should have the same access as everyone else . Accessibility has come a long way in recent years , but there ’ s still work to be done .
Technology enables and empowers us . For example , I wouldn ’ t be able to use a computer , phone or tablet if it wasn ’ t for screen reading technology . My screen reader gives me the ability to do my job , my freelance writing and online activism work , keep in contact with family and friends , browse the internet and so much more . The fact that a lot of mainstream technology is accessible straight out of the box gives disabled people so much independence and freedom . We need more of this ! There are always advances in technology , and things are being developed all the time , so who knows what ’ s in store . I ’ m excited to see what ’ s next in the world of technology .