My name is Kushal Solanki, and I am blind. I’ve been working for the NSW Government since May 2022 as a test analyst. That is, I test lots of digital products to make sure they’re accessible. In this blog, I want to share my journey with you.
I was born in India, and my vision condition is retinopathy of prematurity. I have light perception, which means I can distinguish between light and dark.
I learned braille while studying in India and became familiar with technology after moving to New Zealand in 2005 where I started school. Braille and technology have been integral parts of my life. In school, I learned how to touch type and use a computer with a screen reader. A screen reader is software that allows my computer to audibly convey what is displayed on the screen. I was always fascinated and amazed by technology. I still remember the first time I used the internet on my computer with a screen reader. This made me feel on par with my sighted peers.
In 2012, after year 7, my family and I moved to Australia. Throughout my schooling, I faced numerous challenges. During years 11 and 12, I aspired to study information technology. The school was not making reasonable adjustments, and though Vision Australia intervened, the situation did not improve. What this did teach me though, was how to advocate for myself.
After high school, I studied Cert 3 in IT and Diploma of IT Networking at TAFE. For the networking courses, there was an application that simulated device connectivity, such as routers. Unfortunately, the ap was not accessible for screen reader users, so we had to find alternative solutions. I had to work with the actual equipment for a hands-on learning experience.
Additionally, setting up a virtual machine was a time-consuming process, as another application we used was not very accessible. Despite the challenges, I successfully completed my courses – thanks to the one-to-one support I received due to the lack of accessibility in so many of the applications we used.
After TAFE, it was time to search for employment. Blind and low-vision individuals worldwide face high unemployment rates, often due to employers failing to recognise our capabilities. Employers sometimes perceive blindness as a liability or risk to an organisation. However, with the right training, we can perform at the same level as our sighted peers.
While actively seeking work, I also volunteered my time to assist other visually impaired individuals with assistive technology. I even beta tested one of the big international digital products operating system. For eight months I was part of a team of testers through a website that provides blind and low-vision individuals with discussion forums, blogs, and podcasts to learn about various products.
Now, as a test analyst with Government Technology Platforms at the Department of Customer Service, I help to make sure that the products (including aps) we build can be used by everyone.
My team at DCS is great. I have been fortunate to receive support not only from management but also from my colleagues. Accessibility issues can be challenging as it's not always easy to explain the problem. However, my team has been really understanding. They take the time to listen, and instead of just describing a problem on the phone, I can show them by sharing my screen during calls. This collaborative and caring approach from my colleagues and managers has made a big difference to my work environment.
Here are some simple tips to help your colleagues who are blind or visually impaired
- Ensure that your web page has a well-structured heading and that elements such as checkboxes, buttons, and links are properly labeled.
- If images are on your webpage, provide Alt text.
- During Microsoft Teams or in-person meetings, announce your name when speaking, so that the vision impaired person can identify the speaker.
For more information on ensuring your workplace is inclusive, check out the Accessibility and Inclusivity Toolkit. Within it, you can find the resources, tools, and training needed to help you meet accessibility guidelines and ensure that your products and services are accessible to everyone, regardless of abilities.