I’m a graduate from Leeds Beckett University and have just studied BSc (Hons) Computing for Business. Before I moved to Leeds, I lived in Northern Ireland where I participated in several charitable and volunteering activities which have led me to receive the prestigious Princess Diana Award (2018) and Young Person of the Year of East Belfast (2019).
I have not had any assistive technology barriers myself or have used assistive tech, however, I have witnessed fellow students struggle without this. Leaving them limited in options compared to other students around them that didn’t need assistive technology.
I’ve witnessed students leave higher education due to the lack of support from their educators. Some students giving up hopes and dreams, and changing to alternative more reachable dreams regardless of whether they desired these or not.
Moving from Northern Ireland to Leeds has caused many changes to my everyday life due to the lack of knowledge of volunteering in a new area.
When the opportunity to join AAA arised I believed it was best to put the knowledge I gathered during my Bachelors Degree to greater use and help spread awareness. I wanted to help in spreading not just how important technology is becoming to everybody’s everyday life, but those who need support in using this new tool for development; with the additional impact of assistive tech in not only our careers but ourselves as individuals.