John
Lee B. Bus. (KCAE / UTS)
Humane Technologist
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Vision Australia
Directors Election 2010 |
I was not successful in becoming a Director of Vision Australia in the
2010 election. I strongly believe that
changes are very necessary to the way Vision Australia operates, as I stated
in the ‘Brief description about me’ that I put forward for this
election. This ‘Brief description
about me’ is below. Below is a brief description about me for
the election of Directors for Vision Australia for 2010, including approaches
to make improvements. John Lee B.Bus.
(KCAE / UTS)
I have a very strong desire and belief of giving to others as well as
receiving from others, and this needs to be done with understanding and sensitivity. I think we all need to give as well as
received to be able to feel a sense of value. This is the major reason I am
putting myself forward for election as a Director.
I completed a Bachelor of Business Degree in 1981 and have used the
knowledge and understanding from this degree to observe, when organisations
are meeting the needs of their customers or clients, and when they're failing
to do so, and I believe Vision Australia fails to do so in many ways. Completing my degree was a challenging
experience, as a mature age student with a vision impairment I had to rely
mostly on audio cassette recordings of my text books and other reading
materials.
For over 20 years I worked in the area of Information Technology as a
computer analyst and have been involved in electronics and technology for
about 40 years.
Having both a Sight and Hearing Impairment (SHI) as a result of Usher
Syndrome, one of my main objectives is continuing the work facilitated by my
late wife Trish (formerly Trish James), which consists of improving the
quality of life for people who have both a Sight and Hearing Impairment
(SHI). People with a SHI make up about half of all people who have vision
impairment.
If I am elected as a Director of Vision Australia I will make great
efforts to create opportunities for people who have vision impairment as well
as further developing a sense of inclusiveness, humanity and sensitivity
within Vision Australia. I intend on facilitating this, sensitively and
gradually through the following approaches: 1.
Change the strategic plans of Vision Australia based on what we as
clients really want and need. This will be based on quantitative as well as
qualitative information, and not based on ill-informed assumptions. 2.
To have evidence based services where possible. That is the type of services and the way to
deliver them are base on rigorous and independent research. That is not based on so-called research
which is made up of market type surveys that are kept secret if they are not
good. 3.
To have Vision Australia become more of a fair, open, resilient,
responsible and responsive organisation.
By such means, as having a sensitive, transparent and accountable feedback
and complaints system. 4.
Change the strategic plans to include people who have both a Sight and
Hearing Impairment (SHI), which on estimates is half of all people who have
no vision or low vision. 5.
Increase the staff levels of people who have vision impairment in
Vision Australia, so it can have significantly more understanding of its
clients. 6.
Improve the communication skills in Vision Australia to its clients,
staff, volunteers and the public. Such as the use of clear English, not
double-speak, weasel-words, jargon and the
inappropriate use of slogans. 7.
Move towards a co-operative structure in the way Vision Australia
operates. By empowerment and
collaboration of staff, volunteers and clients. Also by working towards removing
top-down approaches and micro-management, amongst other things. 8.
Make real improvements, not just talk about it, in reducing the
estimated 60 percent unemployment rate of people with vision impairment. 9.
Develop strategies and approaches, to reduce negative attitudes, about
people with vision impairment. Using
such approaches as changing the way advertising and fundraising is carried
out. 10.
Obtain better accessibility for us, who have vision impairment, from a
financial, knowledge and sensory point of view. That is make accessibility affordable,
provide the skills to use it and substantially improve access to reading
material we otherwise could not access.
11.
Create an appropriate social and emotional support system for us who
have vision impairment, to improve our resilience and quality of life.
I believe my strong concern for dignity,
sensitivity and fairness together with my business and technical training and
knowledge, as well as my personal experiences will greatly contribute to
making practical and real improvements in the way Vision Australia operates.
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