Daniel, of Kelowna, works in the industrial supply sector, filling compressed gases and inspecting materials for welding supplies, also filling from time to time as a relief driver.

The difference for Daniel since getting hearing aids with the help of WorkBC Assistive Technology Services has been enormous.

“It’s really surprising what I was missing out on not being able to hear at a proper level,” he says. “It was as if I have been walking around with hands over my ears all this time and with the hearing aids I can hear people clearly, my communication level at work is greater, and I spend less time trying to guess what people are saying and more time doing things right.”

Hearing has been a longtime struggle for Daniel.

“It has prevented me from being able to communicate with management, coworkers, and customers. There have been times where I had not heard the directions properly and was unable to do my job safely and properly. I was also mired down with the stigma of being unable to hear, as this issue has been with me since I was very young.”

Daniel had discovered the WorkBC Assistive Technology Services program while he was looking for work, having been unexpectedly let go from his previous job.

“[I] decided to apply as I felt I needed all the help I could get to find work,” he shares.

With financial assistance received from the WorkBC Assistive Technology Services program, Daniel was able to get much needed hearing aids.

“[They] helped me get hearing aids which are extremely expensive,” he says.

During that time, Daniel also found new work. Now, he says he “definitely would” recommend WorkBC Assistive Technology Services to others.

“The whole process was very straightforward and within a month I was fitted with hearing aids,” he explains. “The program and staff treated me with respect and dignity, I did not feel I was a lesser person because I could not afford the devices I needed.”

Daniel gives the staff credit, saying they were “a pleasure to work with,” and that they “made me feel like I am a person and [their] professionalism and humanity shined through. [They] made the process clear and made sure to be there with any concerns or questions I had.”

WorkBC Assistive Technology Services is operated by Neil Squire. Assistive Technology Services are available to individuals who have a work-related barrier due to a disability or a functional limitation. This may include barriers related to traveling to and from the workplace.

Questions about WorkBC Assistive Technology Services? Need help applying? Contact us: 1-844-453-5506 or info-ats@workbc.ca

Please visit www.workbc-ats.ca for more information about WorkBC Assistive Technology Services.

Tags: assistive technology, BC, WorkBC Assistive Technology Services