IT Instructor :
" See me first as a person who is blind and not as a blind person "
Kerryn Gunness
Information Technology ( IT ) is his passion , and at his job with the Trinidad & Tobago Blind Welfare Association , Kerryn Gunness gets to do what he loves every day . He is an IT instructor , teaching the visually impaired how to use various forms of technology . Be it computers , mobile phones or tablets , Kerryn is the Assistive Technology expert on the team , teaching children and adults how their daily needs and activities can be enhanced by technology .
He is sought out to test websites and apps for accessibility and is the go-to person for the blind and visually-impaired in his community who need assistance with simple technology tasks . He sometimes also travels to other Caribbean islands to facilitate workshops with the Caribbean Telecommunications Union . Kerryn admits that helping the blind brings him joy and gives his life immense purpose .
A resident of Trinidad and Tobago , Kerryn was born with optical nerve atrophy and is legally blind . This , however , has not prevented him from pursuing his passion . Through continuous learning , he is keeping up-to-date with the constant changes in technology and using that knowledge every day to benefit the blind community in Trinidad . He fervently believes they can be productive members of society if given access to relevant technology , and he is proof of this . The Trinidad & Tobago Blind Welfare Association is the main employer of people who are blind and of low-vision . There are very few employed in the private and public sectors which Kerryn attributes to a lack of awareness among potential employers . “ A person who is blind will most likely work harder than some sighted persons ,” he said , “ because they know it will be difficult to find another job so their dedication is almost certain .”
Too many misconceptions still exist about the capabilities of people who are blind . Kerryn confidently pointed out that a blind person can effortlessly host Zoom meetings , enter and exit its breakout rooms and navigate shopping and booking websites ; can prepare PowerPoint slides from start to finish and make presentations . Admittedly , these are made possible by accessible technologies , but he believes too many people , at the outset , immediately think a person who is blind is incapable of doing things the sighted can . Kerryn shared there are times when he is typing a document and someone will ask him if he is sure it is being done correctly . He takes no offence , but instead views such a question as an opportunity to have an awareness conversation with the hope that at least one additional person will have realized that yes , a blind person can type an error-free document . He teaches his clients that they should not be afraid to make mistakes , but
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