Profiles
- Focus on employment
- Oppenheim Trust
- Vodafone 'buddy' experience"was a huge confidence builder"
- Youngest adaptive technology graduate
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Focus on employment
For Rhonda Comins teaching piano to children and adults is not only a job but something she is passionate about. For the past ten years, since her daughter Natalie was one, Rhonda has felt lucky to be able to have a job that she enjoys doing.
"It's so rewarding and my satisfaction comes from my student's enjoyment and sense of achievement," says Rhonda, "I couldn't imagine not teaching piano."
For almost three months now in addition to her piano tutoring, the 37-year-old has also been working as a receptionist/secretary one day a week for a financial investments company. Despite having only 15% central vision depending on the light, Rhonda is still able to successfully carry out her role which includes filing, answering the phone and computer work.
"Office work is part of the adult world which opens up new horizons for me," says Rhonda, "I'm enjoying being part of that work environment but it would never replace my teaching."
The Foundation is currently working with Rhonda to ensure she has the necessary equipment and support to carry out her job. "The Foundation has introduced me to technological possibilities and more creative options for getting around situations and making my jobs easier," says Rhonda.
Vocational Placement Co-ordinators:
Auckland – Emma Carreon ph 09 355 6909;
Hamilton - Bob Wicks ph 07 838 7516;
Wellington - Shirley Hampton ph 04 380 2149;
Christchurch – Stephanie Lange ph 03 375 4319;
Dunedin - Paula Waby ph 03 466 4250.
Oppenheim Trust
Every year the Oppenheim Tertiary Education Trust gives grants to Foundation members to help them start or continue tertiary education.
The trust was established in 1989 to commemorate the Oppenheim's 50th wedding anniversary and this year, 26 members received grants of between $400 and $4,000. We talked to Rose Rowan, Tarryn Wallace and Alex Voss about their studies.
Rose Rowan
Rose Rowan says she is very grateful to the Oppenheim Trust for receiving another grant this year. Rose was featured in last year's profiles and says she feels "really lucky to live in NZ" and to have access to all the help the Foundation offers. When she lost some of her sight at the end of her seventh-form year she didn't know if she would be able to do anything any more. She is in her second year at Auckland University studying towards a Bachelor of Visual Arts. One
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example of how she deals with her disability is by utilising the auto focus on her camera for taking shots, although she occasionally needs others help when it comes to post production work such as focusing and for developing the film in the darkroom. Her loss of central vision has hindered her technically but it can often provide a different perspective when it comes to idea generation. Rose uses the money from the grant towards her fees and also has two part-time jobs to cover other costs.
Tarryn Wallace
Tarryn Wallace is in her first year at the Western Institute of Technology, studying towards the Certificate in Advanced Radio Programme. She is really enjoying her studies and is one of only nine students enrolled in the course. At 18 she is still looking into what she wants to do when she finishes her course, but would like it to be something in radio. Tarryn has had nystagmus and displasia all her life. She completed a Gateway course last year while still in her final year at high school. This is the first time she has received an Oppenheim grant and says the money will go towards paying off some of her student loan.
Alex Voss
Alex Voss is another first-time recipient of an Oppenheim grant. He says the grant has helped out a lot. He is using the money to buy a camera and for materials, such as photographic film and art supplies, for his Bachelor of Design degree at Massey University in Wellington. He's not sure exactly where he wants to work when he finishes his degree, but would like to use his industrial design skills (which will be his major) for something like white-wear or transport design. Alex is in his first year of study and is enjoying living in one of the university hostels. He was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa at the age of 11.
If you would like to know more about contributing to the Oppenheim Tertiary Education Trust or creating a trust of your own, contact a member of the Fundraising team on 0800 DONATE (0800 366 283).
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Vodafone 'buddy' experience"was a huge confidence builder"
Confidence goes a long way in job-hunting, especially if you are blind, deafblind or vision impaired.
As part of the last Blind Week (October 2004), 23 Foundation members from across New Zealand were paired with Vodafone staff in Auckland, including the managing director, for a full business day.
Whatever their buddies did - meetings, strategy, marketing, media interviews or client visits – our members did too! The 'buddy' day followed several days of Blindness Awareness activities held by the Foundation at Vodafone.
And months later, participants are still singing its praises.
"It was a huge confidence builder," says member Johanne Froggatt.
"It really gave me a kick start to get out there and start looking for work."
Mother of two, Johanne has retinitis pigmentosa and has been gradually losing her sight over the past 15 to 20 years.
"It's very easy to get into a rut when you're job hunting," says Johanne.
"99 percent of employers have no idea of the needs or worries that blind people have - How do I find a spare seat in the cafeteria? Or what if they don't know how to guide me if it was necessary?
"It was great to know that the staff at Vodafone had been trained in sighted guide and were also aware of issues that concern blind people.
"On one hand the day really got me out of my comfort zone but then I still knew that people had the skills to assist me if I needed it."
Since participating in the Vodafone ‘buddy' experience Johanne has gained some casual part-time phone canvassing work for The Red Cross that fits well around her family commitments.
"Having time for the children is the most important thing at the moment," says Johanne.
"While I haven't found my ideal job yet, phone canvassing means I can work during school hours and around the holidays."
Cheryl Wright also believes the 'buddy' day was a great experience.
"While I had already done a call centre course, the day at Vodafone was a good insight into the going-ons of an actual workplace," says Cheryl, who has retinitis pigmentosa.
"It gave me more confidence to go and work somewhere new and different because it was no longer the unknown.
"I knew what to expect."
For more information about Blindness Awareness training ph: 0800 24 33 33 or email: bap
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Youngest adaptive technology graduate
Ten weeks of hard work and commitment has paid off for Marzbina Irani who has just finished the Foundation's Adaptive Technology course, and she couldn't be happier.
The course, supported by the Vodafone New Zealand Foundation and the Tertiary Education Commission, taught the seven members who participated how to use the internet, email, windows applications and adaptive technology.
"I'm really glad I did the course - I've learnt so much and met lots of nice people too," says Marzbina.
The bubbly 20-year-old who graduated from the course in April, says that it has really helped boost her confidence and given her the skills needed to go on to study and ultimately work.
"It was challenging but now I know my way around a computer and how to use the keys instead of a mouse which is going to be a big help."
Marzbina has been attending the Kickstart program at Homai for the past two years and will finish this year with the hope of going on to study massage or call centre training.
The Adaptive Technology course has been running in Auckland since April 2002 and has seen 74 students graduate, while the Wellington course has graduated approximately 30 since it began in July 2003.
"The course is designed to simulate a working or classroom environment," says Maria Williams, RNZFB Adaptive Communications Instructor.
"Its aim is to educate members such as Marzbina so that they can confidently use basic computer programmes which will enable them to work or study successfully."
Marzbina says the graduation was special to her and her family as it was the first time she had graduated from something.
"It felt so good to graduate and I feel like I've really achieved something," says Marzbina," I can't wait to start studying."
Members who have basic keyboard skills and would like to find out more about the Adaptive Technology courses in Auckland and Wellington should contact their local Adaptive Communications Instructor or ph: 0800 24 33 33.