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I think I got it into my culture or my head, don’t
let anybody tell you, you can’t do something. If
someone says you can’t do something that’s what
you’ll focus on, that’s what you’re going to do.
Peter is not the sort of guy that has any limitations.
He suffers from Albinism, a lack of pigmentation to his eyes.
Meaning he is extremely
light sensitive and has limited eyesight.
But he cycles in Marathons, sails in ocean
races and loves life, including his work. His
condition started at birth, but wasn’t discovered
until he was 3 years old. And then the
doctors said they wanted to put me into a home.
My Mum said no bloody way. And then Mum
started getting me out, teaching me things.
Realised if I didn’t, if she didn’t help, I’d
have this protected life and live in this box basically.
So then it was out we go, horse riding,
sailing, violin playing. Today, Peter works for
the Department of Human Services, as part of a
team that produces letters for millions of customers.
It’s crucial and exacting work.
Nothing’s impossible.
You can do what you want.
It’s your ability,
don’t let your eyesight slow you down.
If you get stuck, you go why am I stuck? Oh, who
can I contact? Oh, Diversity. The department
ensures that all employees have access to what
they need to be able to perform their job.
In Peter’s case, it was an amazing program called
Zoom Text to assist in using the computer.
Zoom Text is a program that magnifies the computer screen, making it easier
for people with limited eyesight to read. Because
that’s running I can put it in the background
and I can magnify the screen in one of two ways;
Alt insert turns it to the magnification I had.
Alt-Delete takes it down.
Because it’s running in the background I can also
use the mouse to go up. And when his eyes get tired, there’s
also a speech program to help. I can
actually put the speech reader on and put
headphones on and get it to talk the text to me.
At the end of the day my eyes get tired so I
tend to use that a bit. Peter has worked in
government service delivery for over 30 years and
has seen a lot of changes in attitude towards
people with a disability as well as improvements
in assistive technology. The equipment’s
attainable, the support’s there, you’re getting
emails advising of what Diversity’s doing.
You’re getting links in those emails, ‘have a
look at these Web pages’ Updates, look at updates,
what’s available what’s changed, what’s new,
that sort of stuff. The Department of Human
Services is committed to a diverse workforce and
empowering everyone to make their mark. I’ve
got a fantastic team and great managers, National
Manager fully supports, the Director supports me.
Peter loves his job and the department has
helped to ensure he reaches his full potential
as the leader he is in his workplace. Everybody’s
understanding. I don’t think there’s any
quarter given or taken. I’m just one of the
troops; which is exactly where I want to be.