MIT student helps open opportunities

15 January 2007

MIT student helps open opportunities for visually-impaired colleague
through fresh approach to technology

From the telephone to the internet, some of the world’s most important advances were made thanks only to the determination and experimental spirit of their creators.

With this in mind, Manukau Institute of Technology student Annie Ngatutai Tearetoa has helped open opportunities for visually-impaired Manukau City Council workers when she literally went into the dark unknown to help test some software for blind users.

Bachelor of Information Systems graduand Annie, who has been working with the council’s Call Centre team, has been inspired by the plight of blind colleague Anne Harkins who wanted to move from the telephony department, which transfers calls to staff, to the call centre, which deals with requests from the public.

This required new software that can read out what is on screen. Over the past year the council has been working on developing a talking programme, known as JAWS. While the software has already been installed on one call centre computer, it has not yet been rolled out across the council’s IT system.

For her final degree project, Papatoetoe-based Annie jumped at the chance to be part of the team involved with testing and training.

This involved literally blindfolding herself or turning off the screen, and using the software as though she were blind herself. Annie also used this technique to help train Anne.

Not only did this experience teach Annie about the software, but also a lot about herself as a person. “Normally I am not very patient, but through this project I realised that not everything goes smoothly and things don’t always go according to plan.”

Despite the restraints, Annie has helped to produce an instruction manual and have it translated into Braille for future users. She is now waiting for the translated version to be printed.

“It’s great to see how IT can help people with disabilities and I’m glad I was able to help Anne out. I think she has become a lot more confident and is looking forward to changing jobs,” Annie says.

The MIT Bachelor of Information Systems degree programme provides students with the appropriate academic theory and applied skills to become professionals in the information systems field.

People already employed in the IT industry can enrol in single papers from the degree to update and expand their skills.

MIT is taking enrolments for the degree, as well as other computing and IT qualifications, with classes starting in February. For more information contact MIT on 0800 62 62 52, or visit www.manukau.ac.nz.

ENDS