As someone with sight loss, my career teaching computer science could have posed a lot of difficulties.

But thanks to the hardware and software I use, chiefly Apple’s VoiceOver screen reader, I am able to thrive.

The feature, built in to all Apple devices, simply works by reading out loud any text based information on my phone. 

I navigate the app with hand gestures it can recognise, while on my Mac I use keyboard shortcuts. When it comes to other tasks like setting timers, making calls and managing my calendar I often rely on Siri.

I lost my sight at a young age, through a degenerative eye disorder known as retinitis pigmentosa. 

This meant my sight deteriorated through the years, and the struggles I had with communication were made harder by touch screens and instant messaging becoming the dominant means of interaction.

I still had my eyesight when the first iPhone came out so I was able to use it as usual and as my eyesight deteriorated, I was grateful that VoiceOver was able to pick up the slack. 

As things got worse, I still wanted to remain active so relied on apps like RunKeeper, which has good accessibility functions, to help me be able to start running.

As my condition is degenerative, I went from being able to run freely and detect obstacles on the route, to not being able to see in front of me, only being able to see light.

Running became increasingly important to me, and I didn’t want to face giving it up, so I relied more heavily on apps to try and better navigate running outdoors and create GPS running routes with audio prompts to keep me on the right track. 

It was then when I realised that technology could enable me to be independent.

From running training, to my role in the classroom, software like VoiceOver allows me, as a blind person, to no longer see technology as another way that my life would be limited by my sight loss, another black screen I couldn’t access, but someone who can be an award-winning educator and take on endurance adventures.

Technology is so integrated into my daily life it’s hard for others to understand just how much of an impact it has. There’s no way I’d be able to impart knowledge on my pupils in school without the technological solutions I now use. 

Advances in tech have helped me deliver my lessons like any other teacher. My audio-based approach means I can really bring things to life for my students, who are so accepting and are now so used to my teaching methods that they don’t even notice my vision issues. 

I rely on technology to enable me to do my job and deliver lessons seamlessly. To do that I use a Mac computer, bone conducting in-ear headphones to help me hear via VoiceOver, a mini keyboard and a few custom pieces of software such as one I made myself that announces random names of pupils to answer questions. 

I then access all the software other teachers rely on everyday, I just navigate it using audio.

In my lessons, as the students see educational content come onto the screen, I have a screen reader narrating it into my ear so I can keep track of where we are.

I also like to freely walk around the room controlling the presentation to pupils wirelessly with my mini keyboard – I know where the buttons are from years of practice so I can navigate the keyboard easily. 

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Software I wrote knows the lesson I am teaching, who is in the room, their ability level and even keeps track of correct responses. 

I have programmed it so that I can press a button on my keyboard, it then selects a person, tells the class who that is and then I listen to their response before pressing another button on my keyboard to log the quality of their response.

My obsession with technology even extends to rewarding pupils – if they get answers right I give them the chance to win a little 3D printed robot!

While I try to keep my hardware as discreet as possible, every now and again I will disconnect my headphones so I can demonstrate the screen reader to students. 

They are always amazed that I can listen to a little voice at 370 words a minute while walking around the room.

In terms of marking their work, I just use VoiceOver to read out what the work is if it has been submitted via Google docs, for example..

I’ve even been recognised for my innovation – winning the National Teaching Award for outstanding new teacher last year. This was a wonderful experience and was a chance for my students to showcase in a little film what they thought of me. 

One of the most rewarding things is how pupils respond to me – they always enjoy stressing that I am just like any other teacher, educating them to a high standard as any other teacher.

And it’s technology that has enabled me to do just that.

The Tech I Can’t Live Without

Welcome to The Tech I Can’t Live Without, Metro.co.uk’s new weekly series where readers share the bit of kit that has proved indispensable for them.

From gadgets to software, apps to websites,  you’ll read about all manner of innovations that people truly rely on.If you have a bit of tech you can’t live without, email [email protected] to take part in the series

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