Introduction:

You’re listening to a podcast from Media Access Australia. Inclusion through technology.

Philip:

I’m speaking with Jack Tyrrell, an accessible solutions profiler, at Media Access Australia; and he’s legally blind. Jack’s story is one of ability in action, overcoming obstacles and actively advocating to make a real difference in the lives of people with a disability, thanks to accessible technology and the support of Media Access Australia. On Melbourne Cup weekend, in 2012, Jack Tyrrell, a Melbourne lad born and bred, suddenly lost his sight, literally overnight. Jack, you were an active sportsman, you worked at a gold club part-time, and you were half-way through a Commerce degree at Swinburne University. Can you tell us what happened?

Jack:

Yeah. So, as I normally did after work, Philip, I went and played nine holes of golf. I really loved my golf then and I hit the first ball off the tee and I couldn’t see it. And I really lost it in the air and it was a really scary moment for myself, and I thought, “What’s going on?” And my dad had glasses, so I thought, you know, might be time, or it might be something in the family there. And then I went to go check it out and it turns out, after a couple of months of testing, it was something more serious than that.

Continue reading Transcript of Philip Jenkinson interviews Jack Tyrrell

Introduction:

You’re listening to a podcast from Media Access Australia. Inclusion through technology.

Philip:

I’m speaking with Dr Scott Hollier, senior lecturer of Australia’s only university accredited online access course, The Professional Certificate in Web Accessibility, the PCWA, which is enrolling right now for the next course intake. Over 350 people have graduated from the course since it began in 2011. My first question, Scott, is have you noticed any increase or decrease in the number of students gaining a distinction or HD?

Scott:

Yes, it’s been encouraging to see the way that students have really embraced the course and whilst the marks are always different from student to student, what we have noticed is that students consistently, once they start the course, find it really relevant and directly important to their roles. So generally we see a trend towards high marks and that’s because people understand the relevance when they’re in the course and ultimately strive to incorporate accessibility into their work practices.

Continue reading Transcript of Uni-accredited web access course now enrolling