WorkBC Assistive Technology Services In the Spotlight
As part of National AccessAbility Week, WorkBC Assistive Technology Services was featured in the most recent edition of WorkBC’s “In the Spotlight” feature.
You can also read an article by WorkBC on National AccessAbility Week and WorkBC Assistive Technology Services.
“I Honestly Feel Like It’s Been Life Changing,” New Hearing Aids Make a Big Difference at Work for Katherine
Katherine works in human resources with a non-profit in the Fraser Valley. Her job involves a lot of communicating with co-workers and attending meetings, as well as taking meeting minutes.
She has hearing loss and needs to use hearing aids. However, her hearing aids were getting rather old, and she was worried they might break and couldn’t be repaired. Her audiologist referred her to WorkBC Assistive Technology Services for funding. She applied and was quickly approved.
Jo-Ann Performs Better at Work With New Hearing Aids
Jo-Ann works as a Specialized Education Assistant for a school district on Vancouver Island. She works with students with behavioural issues, helping them learn self regulation tools and life skills while supporting their academics.
“I have significant hearing loss in both ears,” she shares. “To successfully and safely fulfill my job requirements I need to hear conversations in the school yard, participate in class discussions, and be attentive to speech nuances.”
New Orthotics Help Andrew Feel Much Less Pain at Work
Andrew works full-time at a grocery store in Victoria, where his tasks include pulling skids, loading milk trays, stocking fridges, as well as directing other employees. He has post-surgery right arm weakness, as well as right foot drop, making his job difficult at times.
His orthotics provider referred him to WorkBC Assistive Technology Services for funding.
“I received a right foot orthosis, that was much better than my previous one,” he shares.
40 Years of Impact: Come Celebrate With Us This June
We are thrilled to announce that our organization is celebrating its 40th anniversary this coming June.
Four decades of technology, knowledge, and passion. From humble beginnings to impactful programs, we’ve come a long way, thanks to your unwavering support.
Please join us in commemorating this milestone throughout the month of June by celebrating with us at one of our free regional events across Canada taking place in Burnaby, Regina, Ottawa, Fredericton, and Calgary. Details are below for each event.
New Hearing Aids Puts Cass on the Right Path in Her Job Search
Cass is a professional musician, who recently trained to become a technical animator in the film industry. She is currently looking for work as a technical animator, and she is also doing paid gigs as a musician.
“When the pandemic hit and folks were wearing masks, I realized that I had been relying on my ability to read lips to understand people. I was tested in August of 2023, and diagnosed with genetic hearing loss in the lower-to-mid frequencies. It affects my ability to distinguish speech and pitch,” she shares.
WorkBC Assistive Technology Services Helps Alfred Excel at His Job
Alfred works as a media producer for a supplement company, in charge of all aspects of media production for the company from the concept to filming to post-production. Working with a creative team, as well as liaising with a variety of stakeholders, communication is vital. However, Alfred has sensorineural hearing loss in both ears.
“The hearing loss impacts my ability to communicate with the members of my team,” he shares. “I would often struggle to hear discussions which directly affects my active participation in conversations at the workplace.”
WorkBC Assistive Technology Services Helps David Purchase Hearing Aids
David is a teacher on Vancouver Island, and he has hearing loss.
Through WorkBC Assistive Technology Services, he received funding for the hearing aids he needs for work.
“The assistance in buying my new hearing aids is a great gift I received, and I wish to express my gratitude,” he shares.
New Hearing Aids Help Jim Communicate With His Clients
Jim is self-employed, working online and in-person with clients who require mediation, as well as psychological safety training. He has hearing loss.
“When I’m unable to hear my clients clearly it limits my ability to communicate in a role that is based entirely on effective communication,” he says. “If I miss or mishear what is being shared, this can have a serious outcome.”
“These Accommodations Have Turned out to Be Life Savers”
Tracy works as a diagnostic technician at an eye clinic in Salmon Arm. Every day in a fast-paced busy clinic, her job includes performing retinal scans, fundus photography, medical billing, and assisting patients with their ophthalmic concerns.
She has hearing loss, as well as pain in her feet from pes planus (flat feet) and a hallux rigidus (stiff big toe).
“[It] was impacting my everyday work life,” she shares. “I was experiencing foot pain while on my feet all day, also I was facing challenges of hearing patients correctly in such a busy working environment.”