[Trainer-Talk] FW: TAVIP Career Talk: Developing A Career in Assistive Technology. Monday 15th December at 7.30pm

[Matthew Horspool]

Hi everyone,
I'm participating in a Zoom discussion on Monday about how to become an assistive technology trainer. I thought I'd share the link here in case you are interested in joining yourself, or in case you know anyone who wants to become a trainer.
It's at 7:30 PM UK time which is:

  *   2:30 PM Eastern
  *   1:30 PM Central
  *   12:30 PM Mountain
  *   11:30 AM Pacific
Please feel free to share the original announcement below with your networks.
Best wishes,
Matthew

From: TAVIP <info at tavip.org.uk>
Sent: 10 December 2025 13:19
To: TAVIP <info at tavip.org.uk>
Subject: TAVIP Career Talk: Developing A Career in Assistive Technology. Monday 15th December at 7.30pm

Dear all,

I'm delighted to bring you details of the next TAVIP Career Talk this coming Monday 15th December at 7.30pm.

I will be joined by Sydney May and Matthew Horspool who have both been working in the field of Assistive Technology for visually impaired people for many years, and in many different roles.

Sydney has 25 years of real-life experience and has spent 15 years training others in the use of assistive technology. She now works for Thomas Pocklington Trust in their Education Information and Technology team, as well as doing some freelance training and access testing. Sydney also travels regularly all over the country as a comedian and musician. She is passionate about the importance of assistive technology to her independence, and the difference it can make to the lives of blind and partially sighted people.

Matthew is a self-employed assistive technology trainer with a focus on supporting people in the workplace. His two particular specialisms are braille technology and screen reader compatibility with bespoke or complex workplace systems. Blind since birth, Matthew spent his teenage years listening to online assistive technology programmes such as ACB Radio's Main Menu, dabbling in JAWS scripting and website development, and engaging prolifically with technology-based email discussion lists. He went on to study Computer Science at Coventry University and then spent several years at Exhall Grange School, primarily looking after their braille transcription, but also helping to teach assistive technology to their visually impaired pupils. Alongside this, he became an RNIB Technology Support Volunteer and occasionally worked with Coventry Resource Centre for the Blind. In addition to his 1:1 training work, he is now a private beta tester for JAWS, VoiceOver for iOS and the Brailliant line of refreshable braille displays, General Manager of the Braillists Foundation, and a regular presenter of assistive technology training webinars. He can also still be found on the mailing lists and in the Facebook and WhatsApp groups!

Sydney and Matthew will share their own career journey's, why they chose to work in Assistive Tech, the good bits and the challenging bits of the role, and what a typical week looks like for them.

We will then discuss what people can do to develop a career as an Assistive Technology specialist including volunteering opportunities, work experience, informal learning, formal training and what job roles exist within the sight loss sector.

Whether you are considering a career in Assistive Technology, work in Assistive Tech and want to share your own experience, or are just interested in people's life journey, do join us for what will be a really varied and interesting conversation.

The zoom details for the session are as follows:

If you are already logged in you can enter our ID 2222 397 064, or Connect to the TAVIP Zoom Room by clicking or tapping this link<https://zoom.us/j/2222397064>.

If you'd prefer, you can dial in on 0203 695 0088 and enter our meeting ID 2222 397 064. You don't need to enter a participant ID.

I look forward to seeing you there,

Julian.

Julian Garner. Chief Executive
M: 07790 000198 E: jgarner at tavip.org.uk<mailto:jgarner at tavip.org.uk>
www.tavip.org.uk<http://www.tavip.org.uk/>

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--
TAVIP.
Technology Association of Visually impaired People (TAVIP)

Technology Association of Visually Impaired People is a charity registered in Scotland (SC023234) and a company limited by guarantee (SC155406). Registered office c/o Lindsays LLP, Caledonian Exchange, 19a Canning Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8HE.
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