S1: From Vision Australia. This is talking vision. And now here's
S1: your host, Sam Coley.
S2: Hello everyone. It's great to be here with you. And
S2: for the next half hour we talk matters of blindness
S2: and low vision.
S3: I was at a point where I'd been looking for
S3: a job for probably about two years, and I was
S3: getting a bit fed up and I just had another rejection.
S3: So this sounded very interesting and it just sounded really
S3: great to upskill. And yeah, so just decided to do
S3: it and got accepted. Luckilly. And yeah, it's been great.
S2: Welcome to the program. This week I speak with three
S2: participants in the Career Visions program, a Queensland based program
S2: through Vision Australia to build job readiness and help participants
S2: scale themselves up for a place in the workforce. This
S2: week you'll hear from Sarah, Serena and Michael alongside the
S2: program coordinator, Harmony downs, who will join us later in
S2: the interview. That's coming up very soon, so make sure
S2: to stay tuned. After that conversation, we are hearing from
S2: Deb Deshaies. She's celebrated six months as CEO of Blind
S2: Citizens Australia and to celebrate the milestone, she joined me
S2: to give us an overview of the past six months
S2: at BCA. I hope you'll enjoy this week's episode of
S2: Talking Vision. I began my interview with the Career Visions
S2: participants by asking them to give an overview of the
S2: Career Visions program from their point of view. I started
S2: off by asking Sara and then moved on to Serena
S2: and finally Michael.
S3: Yeah, so from my point of view, it's split up
S3: into three clear parts. The first part is we go
S3: to TAFE to get a certificate that will have at
S3: the end of the program. Then there's the part of
S3: computer training. And then towards the end of the week
S3: we do career development sessions. So we have workshops on
S3: things like how to advocate for yourself in the workplace.
S3: But then we also have people like business owners, small
S3: business owners, or had a lady who worked for a
S3: not for profit organisation and they come in and talk
S3: to us about their different areas of expertise, all in
S3: an effort to get us career ready.
S2: And Serena, what's your understanding of the program?
S4: What I've seen so far is that we do a
S4: fair bit of basic computer knowledge, because obviously in the
S4: workforce today, you can't avoid it. Followed up, as we
S4: learn those computer techniques, we get more and more into
S4: those things. And then we have various workshops giving us
S4: the skills that we need for the workplace, giving us
S4: what we don't already have or maybe haven't experienced recently,
S4: and making sure that we're ready for those situations, and
S4: also showing us pathways that we might actually be able
S4: to take.
S2: And lastly, Michael, we'll come to you. What's your overview?
S5: The holistic sort of outcome that I think they're trying
S5: to achieve is that we all get employment at the
S5: end of the day, but also but the program involves,
S5: as lady said, you know, the TAFE and the PC
S5: skills and the presentations, but also amongst that we're moving.
S5: We're not in one place all the time. So we
S5: move from room to room. So we got to get
S5: used to, you know, breaking down the computer and setting
S5: it up in a new room. And also, we've been
S5: involved in a real live project with Vision Australia is
S5: having an open day in June, and we've all been
S5: assigned roles there as well. So apart from the practical
S5: skills we're learning, we're also being thrown into a real
S5: life situation as well. So it's just a the whole
S5: program is designed to get us back into, um, you know,
S5: into a working situation.
S2: With the three of you. Are you comfortable chatting about
S2: your vision conditions? Would you be okay going into detail
S2: about that? Sarah, we'll come to you.
S3: I'm sorry. I have hypoplasia of the optic nerve as
S3: well as nystagmus. And I was born with both conditions.
S3: So basically the hypoplasia makes me very short sighted. The
S3: optic nerve is too thin, so I have to look
S3: very closely at things. And I've only just started using
S3: a cane to get around areas that I don't know well.
S3: But I still have a bit of vision so can
S3: get around by myself in areas that I know quite well.
S2: I've also got a bit of nystagmus myself, so I
S2: can totally get where you're coming from with that. And
S2: you know, the impact that can have on the focus
S2: and the balance and all that thing. So yeah, totally,
S2: totally get where you're coming from there. So, Serena, how
S2: about you?
S4: Yep. So I lost my vision at a very young age.
S4: I don't actually remember having vision. So probably a good
S4: thing in a way that was due to a tumour
S4: on the brain, which damaged the optic nerve, to the
S4: point where I have only a little bit of light
S4: perception left in my right eye, but everything else is
S4: completely gone as a result, though, I grew up using
S4: mobility techniques, cane predominantly, but other aides as they got integrated.
S4: Over the years, people have told me that my mobility
S4: is quite good. I have been using it since I
S4: think I was in Darwin and using buses on my
S4: own at the age of eight I think. So, yeah,
S4: a lot. Lots of experience with it. And uh, my
S4: field is technology, so I like to play around with
S4: the new mobility tech that comes out. So it just
S4: gives you an idea of what it can be if
S4: you start early.
S2: Great to hear you got some positive feedback over the years.
S2: That's always wonderful to boost your confidence a little bit and,
S2: you know, give you that feeling that you're definitely on
S2: the right track and you're doing something right. So that's
S2: always a wonderful feeling. Now Michael will, um, come to you.
S5: Yeah. So I, uh, have retinitis pigmentosa. I got diagnosed
S5: around about 2005 or so, but I think I had
S5: it a long time before that. But I was working
S5: in sport, and I finished up at the end of
S5: 2019 because my work involved, inside and outside work and
S5: outside work got a bit difficult with people trying to
S5: fend footys away from me and that sort of thing.
S5: But I have a cane and I have a torch,
S5: the retinitis pigmentosa, basically. I've got ten degrees of vision
S5: and I'm not blind as well. So I have a
S5: cane and a torch to help me out when I
S5: get into situations where I'm not familiar. And yeah, that's
S5: about where I am at the moment.
S2: I'm keen to hear about how you found out about
S2: career visions and what sort of motivated you to get involved.
S2: You have spoken about this a little bit already, the
S2: three of you, but I'm interested to go into a
S2: bit more detail. So, Sarah, I'll come back to you.
S3: Yeah. So I saw an email saying that. Was closing soon.
S3: Obviously don't read my emails properly because I missed all
S3: the other ones about it, and I was at a
S3: point where I'd been looking for a job for probably
S3: about two years, and I was getting a bit fed
S3: up and I just had another rejection. So this sounded
S3: very interesting, and then spoke to Harmony and came in
S3: for an interview with some others in the employment services team,
S3: and it just sounded really great to upskill and further
S3: the computer skills and everything that I already had. Yeah,
S3: so just decided to do it and got accepted. Luckilly
S3: and yeah, it's been great.
S2: And Serena, we'll come to you. Now, I know you've
S2: talked about your technology background a bit. Did that have
S2: much of a bearing on your choice to get involved
S2: in the Career Visions program to further that or what
S2: sort of, um, your motivation?
S4: Yeah. So I haven't had any employment for a long time. Many,
S4: many years. I've only ever done voluntary work briefly, and
S4: I attempted to do a TAFE course a year or
S4: two ago, and that didn't go so well. So I
S4: kind of got a little bit burnt from that. But
S4: then through Job club here at Vision Australia and through
S4: a friend that I have that is in Job Club,
S4: I found out about this program and I also saw
S4: it on the website when I was browsing the website,
S4: and I decided there and then, yep, I'm going to
S4: go for this and give it a go. And uh, again,
S4: I came in for an interview and got accepted. I
S4: was kind of surprised. On the technology front, yes, I
S4: do use technology quite a lot in my life. Fortunately
S4: for me, I have used computers for a long time.
S4: That's given me a lot of experience with them, but
S4: what I lacked was experience using things like office. So
S4: if I was going to get a job, that would
S4: be my major downfall, and I needed to find a
S4: way to learn what I needed to know for that stuff.
S4: And this seemed to be one of the better ways
S4: to do that, because just going through TAFE really didn't
S4: do things for me too well. They didn't know how
S4: to help me. Whereas Vision Australia does have that process happening.
S2: Some unfortunate, all too common to hear that sort of
S2: thing happening with various courses that they just don't really understand, um,
S2: what the needs are for people who are blind or
S2: have low vision. And that's an ongoing conversation. We can
S2: certainly have another time. That's, uh, that's hours long one there.
S2: So certainly, certainly can, um, have a long chat about that.
S2: But Michael, I'm going to come to you. We've spoken
S2: already a little bit about your desire to get back
S2: into the workforce after being retired for a few years now,
S2: but tell us a little bit about some other motivations
S2: behind getting involved in career visions on top of that.
S5: Oh yeah. Well, I've been a client of Vision Australia
S5: for about since I retired, and, um, I was encouraged
S5: by Robert Terry to apply for this, but I was
S5: always I was keen to get into some sort of work,
S5: some sort of part time work, because I live alone
S5: and I miss I just miss the whole camaraderie and
S5: the going into work and having that social interaction. And, um,
S5: I know people, you know, dream about being retired, but
S5: I think retirement is sort of overrated unless you got
S5: really lots of things to do. So the biggest motivation
S5: was to get him back to the social interaction and
S5: that camaraderie of a workplace.
S2: Yeah, exactly. It does give a lot of purpose to
S2: people as well, and it's always handy to have a
S2: bit of extra money floating around. That's always a fantastic
S2: little side effect from that. But what I'm interested to
S2: do now is hear about what you've all enjoyed the
S2: most about being in touch with career visions and taking
S2: part in the program. So, Sarah, what I'll do is
S2: I'll come back to you.
S3: I've enjoyed a few things, but probably the standout for
S3: me has been computer classes with Lee Jones here at
S3: Vision Australia. Just learning the keyboard commands and everything because
S3: as I said, like I had a bit of computer
S3: knowledge with Microsoft programs, but even just these few weeks
S3: of learning has helped me to go a lot quicker
S3: in putting spreadsheets together and documents just with the keyboard commands.
S3: So that's been so invaluable to me. And then, yeah,
S3: just getting to meet a bunch of awesome people has
S3: been really cool.
S2: And Sarina, how about you? What's been the most enjoyable part?
S4: Probably for me, ironically, as strange as it might sound,
S4: not so much the computer side of things, but just
S4: seeing how internally business is run. Because that's not something
S4: I've got any experience with, uh, in any real sense.
S4: So seeing some of this and learning how this works,
S4: that's going to be invaluable, because again, it's like I've
S4: volunteered for Coast Guard. You don't really have any of
S4: this in that environment. So this is kind of a
S4: bit of a culture shock in a way. The computer
S4: side of things. Yeah, that's easy. It's the other stuff
S4: that I'm liking finding out about.
S2: Yeah. It's always fantastic to come up with new skills
S2: and learn something new. Michael, has that been something you've
S2: enjoyed as well? What sort have been the best part
S2: for you?
S5: Well, just enjoy meeting the other participants in the program
S5: because we've all. Got their own little own separate stories
S5: we've all got here, you know, different ways. But we're
S5: all here trying to, um, you know, end with a
S5: positive outcome. But also coming into Vision Australia, it's a positive. The,
S5: you know, the vibe of the place. It's a positive
S5: place to come to. Everyone seems to be, um, you know,
S5: working towards a, um, a good result for everyone. So
S5: it's a pleasure coming in here every day.
S2: And joining me finally is the coordinator of the Career
S2: Visions program. One of the people making it all happen.
S2: Harmony down. So harmony, welcome to the show.
S6: Thanks.
S3: It's great to be.
S6: Here, Sam.
S2: So quickly, harmony, just give us a little bit of
S2: a final bit of info about the program, how people
S2: can get involved and how it's all happened.
S6: Sure. So Career Visions is a funded program through the
S6: Skilling Queenslanders for work initiative, which is a grant application
S6: process that we do to the Queensland Government, and it's
S6: administered by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training.
S6: So when we're looking to put in these applications, we
S6: have between an 18 to 24 week funded traineeship program.
S6: So this one is running for 22 weeks and has
S6: a focus on work skills development. The first 12 weeks
S6: they're working with us at Vision Australia and they do
S6: their accredited training at TAFE and their certificate one in
S6: work skills, followed by a range of computer based training
S6: and professional development activities for the first 12 weeks. In
S6: this process, we identify their strengths and their career aspirations,
S6: and they head off to a work placement for ten
S6: weeks where they can further flex all their awesome superpowers
S6: that they gain throughout the 22 weeks that they have
S6: with us. This is an annual funded grant program, and
S6: so we were really lucky this year to include the
S6: Open Day event, which is held on the 8th of June,
S6: and it's being run with the children's and young people's
S6: team and has a lot of investment from the local community,
S6: as well as local and state federal government. The other
S6: aspects of the Career Visions program is that it leverages
S6: a lot of our staff with lived experience of low
S6: vision and blindness, so we know what it takes, and
S6: we know what it's like to feel like you're trying
S6: to carve out where you want to go. So it's
S6: a big investment by Vision Australia as well as the government.
S6: And it's a great partnership and it's a really great
S6: program that each year we run, if we're successful and
S6: hopefully next year in 2025, we'll have the Eoi's out
S6: again in February next year. So yeah, that's it.
S2: It's been great to chat with you all. I've been
S2: speaking today with Sarah, Serena and Michael, as well as
S2: Harmony downs, all involved in the Career Visions program at
S2: Vision Australia. On Sam Corley and you're listening to Talking
S2: Vision on Vision Australia Radio, Associated Stations of Reading Radio
S2: and the Community Radio Network. I hope you enjoyed that
S2: conversation there with Sarah, Serena and Michael alongside Harmony. If
S2: you missed any part of that conversation or you'd love
S2: to hear it again. Talking vision is available on the
S2: Vision Australia Radio website VA radio.org. That's VA radio.org. You
S2: can also find the program on the podcast app of
S2: your choice or through the Vision Australia library. Coming up next,
S2: I speak with Chief Executive Officer of Blind Citizens Australia,
S2: Deb Deshaies, who recently celebrated six months in the role
S2: as CEO. I began my interview with Deb by asking
S2: her to have a look back over the past six
S2: months and give us her thoughts and feelings on what's
S2: no doubt been quite a whirlwind that's rolled around super quick.
S7: Well, Sam, I think you just said it yourself that
S7: it has been a whirlwind and it has gone extremely fast.
S7: In fact, when I got to the six month mark,
S7: I thought, gosh, it actually feels like I've been here
S7: a couple of years. So definitely very busy. But I've
S7: thoroughly enjoyed returning to BCA and settling into a different seat,
S7: and was previously general Manager of Projects and Engagement for
S7: those listeners who weren't aware, and then left the organisation
S7: for probably about three months to apply for this role
S7: and then have returned. But look, yeah, probably extremely busy
S7: is the only way that I could describe it, particularly
S7: because I entered in the midst of an audit and
S7: some really critical grant applications were due for consideration and submission,
S7: and then that all led into our annual general meeting.
S7: So I think from mid October to pretty much Christmas Eve,
S7: it was just rapid trying to ensure that the team
S7: was supported throughout those processes, the board as well, and
S7: preparation for the AGM, you know, and that all ran
S7: parallel to just the day to day operational needs. And
S7: of course, most importantly, and something that I value very
S7: much is forming those relationships with our members, with our
S7: team of staff and directors, you know, partner organisations such
S7: as Vision Australia and our disability representative organisations in the community.
S7: You know, we have many connections and it's for me
S7: it was about just trying to understand who's who, you know,
S7: where's the roadmap as such around the other disability organisations.
S7: You know, the key people in those organisations that we've
S7: been collaborating with, people in the community. What are some
S7: other options for us to broaden the work and educate
S7: others on the whole purpose of BCA and the work
S7: that we do? So extremely busy. Yes, I think I
S7: saw a few times.
S2: Yeah, absolutely. And Deb, you mentioned those connections there, which have,
S2: you know, no doubt stood you in very good stead, including,
S2: of course, your time with Vision Australia and other blindness
S2: and low vision organisations alongside Blind Citizens Australia, where of
S2: course you find yourself. Now, what sort of advantage has
S2: that given you to have those sort of experiences in
S2: other parts of the blindness and low vision sector, as
S2: you do head into this role as CEO?
S7: Um, I think just an appreciation for the differences in
S7: the organisation, you know, service delivery versus advocacy, appreciation for
S7: all the work that's done, obviously, having an existing relationship
S7: with Ron Horton. So it's been really great to connect
S7: him with Ron and his team again and Bill jolly,
S7: as well as now the president, because we've got the
S7: memorandum of understanding with Vision Australia. So I've certainly found
S7: that a really smooth transition and great just to already
S7: have that understanding, as I say, of service delivery of
S7: a lot of the people in the organisation not having
S7: to then I suppose go back and go, oh, what
S7: do Vision Australia do? What do Guide Dogs do? What
S7: do some of the other disability organisations do? Great to
S7: connect in with Dan Stubbs again to in his role
S7: I think pretty sure that was in my first week.
S7: Actually went to a roundtable there led by Dan, which
S7: was fantastic. So I think, you know, I feel very
S7: fortunate to have had those previous experiences and knowledge of
S7: what each organisation and leadership styles, and we're all striving
S7: for the same thing. Sam. It's just we provide our
S7: purpose at BCA and service delivery. It's just obviously done
S7: in different ways, but as much as we can collaborate
S7: as possible, then that's definitely what I subscribe to and
S7: look forward to that. Continue.
S2: And no doubt, in those past six months there have
S2: been quite a few challenges and things to overcome. But
S2: what's that been like for blind citizens? Australia going into
S2: a world post Covid, changes to the NDIS and other
S2: such things like that? What have sort of been the
S2: biggest things to deal with I guess over the past
S2: six months?
S7: I mean, for Covid obviously pretty I think we've all
S7: the whole world's got pretty familiar, haven't we? Yeah for sure.
S7: Accepting of the way in which our lives are now.
S7: And in fact, sometimes, you know, when you, you know,
S7: you walk around the streets, you think, did we actually
S7: ever have Covid? Because it's just like we never did.
S7: It's so busy, you know, rare. Will you perhaps be
S7: offered a mask or or notice someone wearing a mask?
S7: But for BCA, we were already working remotely, which was
S7: under Emma's leadership. So we didn't need to really adapt
S7: ourselves in terms of where's everyone working? Do we have offices?
S7: That type of scenario that a lot of other organisations
S7: went through? So we were a little bit more prepared,
S7: which was great, but particularly changed in terms of how
S7: our staff operate getting out and about now and then.
S7: There's probably still more relating to my role. I probably
S7: am away from the home desk on average two days
S7: a week, and that's fantastic because it's going out and
S7: connecting with, as you mentioned, the Ndia, building those relationships
S7: and understanding more about what their intentions are moving forward
S7: for disability representative organisations. I think also, well, one of
S7: our biggest challenges and one thing that certainly kept me
S7: very busy, and one of the things that I'm very
S7: much looking forward to is knowing the outcome of our
S7: grant applications. It's made now and a significant amount of
S7: our team's contracts finishing 30th of June of this year.
S7: We've been doing a lot of work to submit some applications,
S7: so that's kept us very busy in terms of applying
S7: for some critical grants to keep our advocacy work going,
S7: to keep some of our projects going, such as our
S7: own area for employment, and that as soon as we know,
S7: Sam will hopefully continue to keep us busy. If we
S7: are successful, I'm going to be positive and see it
S7: as you know, very likely. But it's just that not knowing.
S7: So that's something that we're looking forward to hearing more about.
S2: And staying on that positive note, Deb, I think it's
S2: also worth looking back over some highlights, some of the
S2: really exciting things that have taken place over the past
S2: six months. So what have you really been able to
S2: look back and enjoy and think? You know, that was
S2: really great. We were part of such and such or,
S2: you know, this was a great sort of instance where
S2: something really fantastic happened within or outside of the organisation.
S7: I think one of the main things is building our
S7: relationships outside the four walls of BCA so that we
S7: are more heard, known, seen out in the community and
S7: with other disability organisations internally. We've contracted a fundraising manager
S7: to work on a range of fundraising activities to increase
S7: our support for BCA and the Geoffrey Blyth Foundation, we've
S7: got our upcoming national volunteer celebrations. It's just the second
S7: year that we're actually running that, and I was involved
S7: in it last year, so I'm really pleased to see
S7: that we're doing that again. I just feel like there's
S7: so many things. Sam, you know, from an advocacy point
S7: of view, there's been so many areas and writing policies
S7: in so many areas that we just continue to do.
S7: And when we do our annual report, I know you're
S7: only asking me six months, but when we do do
S7: the year and review, it's so full, it's like, oh,
S7: I think over 40 pages of all the different things
S7: that BCA has been able to contribute to collaborate on influence,
S7: you know, change the way in which our members receive
S7: a service or supports. So I can't really pick one highlight.
S7: I do also want to be.
S2: Impossible to pick just one. Absolutely, yeah.
S7: But just want to acknowledge the board as well. And
S7: I came back to BCA, spent a lot of time
S7: with the owner would. So I feel very fortunate that
S7: we've been able to actually even be in person a
S7: few times. And one of those occasions was at the
S7: Mastercard event that BCA was selected to receive the profits
S7: from the ticket sales, but it was great to work
S7: on that alongside Fiona, and just to spend more time
S7: with her, having her perspective on the organisation, you know,
S7: and her her leadership as our president as well. But
S7: the rest of the board have been fantastic. I've thoroughly
S7: enjoyed getting to know them at a much deeper level. Um,
S7: we welcomed Robin and Neil as two newer directors. Unfortunately,
S7: we farewelled Pru and Joanne. I mean, change happens all
S7: the time, but you know, it was great even just
S7: to have that short period of time working alongside them
S7: as well.
S2: Looking forward to the rest of the year. Deb. And
S2: the uncertainty notwithstanding, there is quite a lot of things,
S2: no doubt. To look forward to for the rest of 2024.
S2: So what are some really exciting things coming up for
S2: BCA over the rest of the year that you and
S2: the team, and all the clients and BCA members out
S2: there can look forward to.
S7: Well, Sam, as I said earlier, it does hinge on
S7: the outcome of our grant applications. I do want to
S7: acknowledge the team, though, right now are very much doing
S7: their absolute best to continue to provide the peer connect
S7: programs to all of our members, you know, continuing to
S7: advocate in all the necessary, you know, necessary areas, whether
S7: they be individual or for systemic related matters. We hope
S7: to continue all of that work. Can't really say how
S7: much or what that will look like, but we certainly
S7: will hope and have our fingers crossed that we'll be
S7: able to continue to extend on some of our peer
S7: connect programs, hopefully continue our An Eye to the future
S7: employment program. We also have the scholarships. We'll continue to
S7: do those, which is really fantastic to be able to
S7: acknowledge those who want to go out and do some study,
S7: and to be able to assist them to purchase a
S7: much needed items that they need for their studies. But yeah,
S7: I'm just being honest and transparent. Sam, it's really tricky
S7: to say what we'll look like from 1st of July onwards.
S7: We are just doing what we can now with what
S7: we have and are very hopeful for the future.
S2: That's very good to have that, um, positive outlook. But
S2: we do appreciate your honesty and being realistic about things
S2: that are going on in the space and the nature
S2: of not for profit and all those sort of things.
S2: So absolutely, a lot of people out there would perfectly
S2: understand that for sure. A lot of people very familiar
S2: with that. But we do keep our fingers crossed as
S2: well and look forward to hearing about some hopefully positive
S2: news in the not too distant future. So thank you
S2: very much for your time today. I've been speaking today
S2: with Deb Deshaies, chief executive Officer of Blind Citizens Australia,
S2: just past the six month mark as CEO of BCA,
S2: and it's been an absolute pleasure to chat with you today. Deb,
S2: thank you very much for your time.
S7: Oh no, thank you, Sam. Appreciate the invitation and just
S7: engaging and I'm sure we'll speak again shortly hopefully.
S8: Yeah, absolutely. One of our grants for sure. I can give.
S7: You a little bit more around what do we look
S7: like moving forward.
S2: Excellent. Thank you so much. And that's all the time
S2: we have for today. You've been listening to Talking Vision.
S2: Talking vision is a Vision Australia radio production. Thanks to
S2: all involved with putting the show together every week. And remember,
S2: we love hearing from you. So please get in touch
S2: any time on our email at Talking Vision. At Vision australia.org.
S2: That's talking vision all one word at Vision australia.org. But
S2: until next week it's Sam Colly saying bye for now.
S1: You can contact Vision Australia by phoning us any time
S1: during business hours on one 308 4746. That's one (300) 847-4106
S1: or by visiting Vision Australia. Org that's Vision australia.org.