TAVIP Career Talk: Careers in Assistive Technology

Join Sydney May and Matthew Horspool who have both been working in the field of Assistive Technology for visually impaired people for many years, and in many different roles.

Sydney has 25 years of real-life experience and has spent 15 years training others in the use of assistive technology. She now works for Thomas Pocklington Trust in their Education Information and Technology team, as well as doing some freelance training and access testing. Sydney also travels regularly all over the country as a comedian and musician. She is passionate about the importance of assistive technology to her independence, and the difference it can make to the lives of blind and partially sighted people.

Matthew is a self-employed assistive technology trainer with a focus on supporting people in the workplace. His two particular specialisms are braille technology and screen reader compatibility with bespoke or complex workplace systems. Blind since birth, Matthew spent his teenage years listening to online assistive technology programmes such as ACB Radio’s Main Menu, dabbling in JAWS scripting and website development, and engaging prolifically with technology-based email discussion lists. He went on to study Computer Science at Coventry University and then spent several years at Exhall Grange School, primarily looking after their braille transcription, but also helping to teach assistive technology to their visually impaired pupils. Alongside this, he became an RNIB Technology Support Volunteer and occasionally worked with Coventry Resource Centre for the Blind. In addition to his 1:1 training work, he is now a private beta tester for JAWS, VoiceOver for iOS and the Brailliant line of refreshable braille displays, General Manager of the Braillists Foundation, and a regular presenter of assistive technology training webinars. He can also still be found on the mailing lists and in the Facebook and WhatsApp groups!

Sydney and Matthew share their own career journeys, why they chose to work in Assistive Tech, the good bits and the challenging bits of the role, and what a typical week looks like for them.

We then discuss what people can do to develop a career as an Assistive Technology specialist including volunteering opportunities, work experience, informal learning, formal training and what job roles exist within the sight loss sector.

Whether you are considering a career in Assistive Technology, work in Assistive Tech yourself, or are just interested in people’s life journey, listen in for what is a really varied and interesting conversation.