Education Support Officer Aaron continues teaching high school students, thanks to new specialised tools
Aaron is a carpenter by trade and works as an Education Support Officer in the woodworking department of a high school. Aaron is blind and the lack of adequate tools in the classroom made it difficult for him to be able to do his work efficiently. Until a specialised talking panel saw arrived, thanks to support from JobAccess.
Making a difference by mentoring students
Aaron passes on his knowledge and mentors woodwork students in Years 7 to 12. He works three days a week at Nathalia Secondary College in Victoria. He is a carpenter by trade.
Aaron transitioned to the Victorian Education system 16 years ago, when he started losing his vision. He has Leber’s disease, a rare genetic eye condition that can cause sudden and irreversible vision loss leading to complete blindness.
In his role as an Education Support Officer, Aaron enjoys supporting students to develop their skills in woodworking and grow their confidence. He also supports students in a Vocational Education and Training (V.E.T.) course, who want to start their trade, and are studying Certificate Two in Building and Construction.
Aaron said, “I am lucky enough to get to work with keen and eager students and see them succeed in the subject.”
In 2023, Aaron won an award from the Design and Technology Teachers’ Association of Victoria (DATTA), acknowledging Aaron’s support of his students.
Lack of appropriate tools creates barriers at work
To assist students in the class, Aaron cuts and prepares different types of timbers for students to use in their projects. He educates students on woodwork and carpentry, alongside safe practices with tool and equipment use more broadly.
Aaron was using a talking tape measure to measure and set the wood, to then cut it with a panel saw. However, Aaron found that his existing tools were making it difficult to cut the wood accurately. This impacted his students’ projects as he would often have to cut the wood again, which resulted in wastage of materials.
Aaron was also having to rely on students to tell him the measurements, in the hope that it was correct, to then cut the timber. This lack of equipment disrupted the flow of the class, and at times, distracted students from their work.
“It was hard to get materials accurate. I wasn’t quick enough for the students, and often they didn’t have the patience,” Aaron shared.
Due to the lack of appropriate equipment, Aaron was unable to work as effectively and efficiently as he could.
During an event on woodworking, Aaron connected with Vision Australia, who then introduced him to JobAccess. That’s how he learnt about the support JobAccess provides with workplace adjustments.
Aaron lodged an application for the Employment Assistance Fund (EAF) through the JobAccess website. Soon after that, a JobAccess Professional Adviser organised a free workplace assessment to see what modifications could help Aaron work with greater safety, accuracy and efficiency.
JobAccess offers a tailored solution
Shortly after receiving Aaron’s application, JobAccess organised an independent assessor to recommend tailored solutions for Aaron. These included a talking panel saw, a talking tape measure and a talking thicknesser. The customised talking saw includes audible sensors. The tools required collaboration with the US-based saw manufacturers, and a Melbourne company, Tecsol, who designed and built the audible sensors.
Aaron also received a Document Reader, which makes reading documents and marking assessments quicker and easier.
Innovative tools help Aaron continue his job
Aaron now simply puts the timber on the bed of the saw, lines up the slide rulers, presses a button and the two ruler measurements are read out via speakers.
Without this talking saw, Aaron’s job prospects would have been negatively impacted. His safety at work could have been at risk too.
“This new equipment has meant I could stay in a role. I can continue helping students and being hands-on.“
– Aaron, Education Support Officer
Aaron finds the equipment received through JobAccess very useful. It makes his daily tasks much easier and allows him to continue in his impactful work.
“The talking panel saw makes my workday much easier. I can now use the equipment to cut the timber accurately for the students, giving them the correct material for their projects. Without that, students will not get the correct result.”
“This new equipment has meant I could stay in a role. I can continue helping students and being hands-on,” concluded Aaron.
Are you looking for advice and support with workplace adjustments? Get in touch with JobAccess
JobAccess is the go-to expert for disability employment matters. It helps remove barriers to sustainable employment for people with disability.
JobAccess has a team of allied health professionals who provide expert, confidential and tailored advice on workplace adjustments from the first point of contact.
For expert advice and tailored support, reach out to JobAccess on 1800 464 800 or submit an online enquiry. You can also visit our website for more information.
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