When thinking about sustainability as a strategic pillar, THC firmly believes that technology can be a valuable tool for helping us evolve as an organisation, but also in providing quality of life and opportunity to the people we support.
The Tech Guru program has become very popular because of the way it empowers people with disability to live more independently through assistive technologies and devices, such as smartphones and iPads.
Take Raphael for example. Raphael is visually impaired, having lost much of his vision due to a stroke. He’s been meeting with Tech Guru, Joseph, twice a week for the past few months to learn how technology can help him navigate the world.
“Raphael has a wide range of interests and enjoys discussions, often asking many questions. Initially, it might be misunderstood as blunt or straightforward, but it is only his way to lead questions and understand things better,” Tech Guru, Joseph says.
“Our sessions are primarily focused on addressing Raphael’s questions, solving issues, and practicing until he becomes independent and comfortable on his own.”
“Our sessions often involve solving IT-related problems such as using the TAFE online student portal, library access, and password setup for the TAFE system. He scans TAFE documents using his iPad app, converts them to PDFs, and prints them in large print on A3 paper for studying,” Joseph said.
“He needs assistance and practice to use the Plant Recognition App more freely for his TAFE course.
While he currently finds it difficult to do all these things independently, he always expresses a desire to practice more until he can do them on his own.”
Raphael’s curiosity, determination and perseverance have paid off–he recently received certification II in Horticulture from TAFE. He’s also enhancing his communication abilities through social media apps like WhatsApp and Facebook so he can connect with his extended family in France.
The Tech Guru program has also helped Raphael manage his own finances through the Commonwealth Bank app. He’s able to put money into his savings account for better interest, and in the checking account for immediate money. This setup helps him manage his finances, aiming for more savings for his children and his retirement.
“Raphael has an interest in cooking and enjoys learning more about the food that he can cook. He practices online shopping on his MacBook and paying with PayPal for items like salami and sausages.” Joseph said.
With the right resources and guidance, individuals with disabilities can acquire the skills needed to live independently in today's digital age. Therefore, it's crucial to educate our participants about technology, empowering them to expand their knowledge, just like Raphael.
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