Gary has a way with computers and technology. He volunteers his time to various organizations on Salt Spring Island, including as a computer literacy instructor and with a library program helping people access books and assistive technology.

He is also looking to get back into the workforce, having enrolled in WorkBC Employment Services. He has been doing contract work as a computer technician with local businesses in the area, and WorkBC has been helping him work towards his self-employment goal.

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We were thrilled to welcome MLA, Brenda Bailey, Parliamentary Secretary for Technology and Innovation, to our head office yesterday in Burnaby. Ms. Bailey received a hearing evaluation in our fully accessible Hearing Solutions lab, demoed some assistive technology in our Solutions lab, and visited our Makers Making Change lab to learn about affordable open source assistive technologies.

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About five years ago, Anwar was working more than 50 hours per week in senior management at a large national organization, plus volunteering at an executive level at another 10 hours per week.

“One day, I could not rise from my bed, it took me over two hours to get up and out of bed, my vision was partially lost in one eye, and my entire body was in severe chronic pain,” they explain.

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Darren works as a transportation planner, writing reports for cities, analyzing data, and preparing conceptual drawings.

“I have a profound hearing impairment. It means that it is difficult for me to follow group conversations,” he shares.

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Marcie is a senior working full time in telephone sales. She works hard to sell appliance parts to both retail and wholesale markets, and follows up on requests for replacement parts.

“Hearing loss has limited my ability to interact with both customers and co-workers. It became necessary for me to ask people to repeat themselves several times in order to understand [them],” she explains. “Many times I would be unaware that I was being spoken to, especially if the person was behind me. It is easy to misunderstand instructions when you do not hear clearly.”

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Marlene is a certified education assistant at an elementary school in Salmon Arm. She works with students with articulation delays, behavioural needs, and in gym and music.

She has hearing loss and needs hearing aids.

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Kim is an office administrator and safety coordinator for a steel company in Vernon. Her duties are wide ranging, including sales, receiving inventory, customer service, billing, and accounting.

Severe ear aches as a child left Kim with hearing loss in both ears.

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Kevin is a business development manager for a manufacturing company. Based in Abbotsford, he works to provide architects throughout Western Canada with products for their projects, and is always looking for new opportunities for the company to sell their products.

Communication is an important aspect of Kevin’s job. However, he has hearing loss, which can sometimes make that difficult.

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Melanie is a specialized employment counsellor based in Campbell River. She helps people with disabilities and mental health impacts find sustainable employment.

“I believe with the right fit, technology, and natural supports comes great opportunities for meaningful employment for all people with disabilities,” she explains.

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Dawn recently started a writing business from her home in Vernon, writing complaint letters for clients and focusing on dispute resolution.

She has hand tremors, as well as bipolar disorder, which makes a typical workplace difficult for her.

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