Testimonials

Here you can find references and testimonies concerning my work and character.

What inspires you?

At a recent workplace meeting I was asked ‘What inspires you?’. Reflecting on this question; it is the perseverance, grit & determination of students with vision impairment that inspires me in my workplace. Almost a decade ago I was introduced to Maxima, Computer Algebra System (CAS) calculator software, by a Victorian Yr.12 brailling student. The following year, I briefly sat in on a session where the said student introduced Maxima to Nathaniel Schmidt, who also wanted to operate a CAS calculator independently in Yr.12. I was unsure whether Nathaniel would have the support needed to successfully follow this path. His story inspired me. When I decided that the ‘EduVis Pat Roberts Accessible Calculator Benefit’ would include materials to support students operating accessible calculators independently, I contacted Nathaniel for his input.

– Charlie Roberts, mathematics teacher and visiting teacher for students with vision impairment (VI)

ADCET Accessibility in Action Award

In 2022, the Students With Assistive Technology (SWAT) wing of Deakin University’s Students as Partners projects and peer support network, of which I am a member, was nominated and became a winner of an Australian Disability Clearinghouse on Education and Training (ADCET) Accessibility in Action award for “Sharing & Advocating Accessibility”. We were awarded for our work in: undertaking unit site testing; developing podcast interviews with other students with a disability; and advising and supporting a range of students with assistive technology workarounds and knowledge.

You can see both the Deakin Life and DTeach Teaching and Learning Innovation Hub blog posts, announcing the award.