Mat Mirabella
1. Jobs/occupations held whilst being blind or vision impaired?
My past jobs have been:
My past jobs at university were primarily academic and pastoral at the college in the capacity of a tutor. My current job is in the telecommunications and HCI (Human Computer Interactions) domains. This includes Information Technology and computer systems as well as telephony, mobiles and network systems.
During my work at Telstra, I was instrumental in initiating Telstra’s Centre for Accessibility - an R&D unit focusing on the accessibility of products and services for customers with disabilities. My role has seen me lead this initiative for some years. During that time, I have become recognized as an expert in accessibility and universal design. I have participated on the W3C working groups related to the Web Accessibility guidelines in the Web Accessibility Initiative, and have had strong participation in the annual OZeWAI conference on accessibility and adaptability. My current job is Emerging Technology Specialist in Human Factors in the Telstra Chief Technology Office. This role is looking at future technologies as they may apply to products in the medium to long term future. Due to my expertise in accessibility and universal design, my role has a specialist component focusing on accessibility of future technology solutions.
My volunteer work has primarily been in the context of interest groups, radio or sound related work and, more recently, in the area of advocacy and blindness. My volunteer Work has included roles on committees including President of a BCA branch and membership of the BCA National Policy and Development Council. I have also been president of the Mannix College St Vincent De Paul branch. As a tutor at Mannix College, I was involved in the Senior Common Room activities. I did a variety of smaller projects, for example, sound for college theatre productions, coordinating activities for student clubs and societies, etc. I held a position on the Monash University Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities, and occasionally provided assistance for the Monash University Disability Awareness weeks. I also produced an FM radio broadcast on Monash Student Radio for a number of years while at University. When in secondary school, I was a member of the Westernport Secondary School Council.
One of the things I enjoy about my current role is that it allows me to work in a large corporate, but where I can maintain a real focus on doing good things for the community.