How AI is Empowering People with Disability to Achieve Their Goals

By Robert Heyward

In a world increasingly dominated by digital visuals, images, and videos, advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) are helping bridge accessibility gaps for the more than 453,000 Australians living with vision impairments. Though AI is still evolving, its early applications are already making significant impacts, particularly for people with disabilities who find it an empowering tool for independence and career development.

John Zambelli, who has a vision impairment, exemplifies this impact. A Supported Employee at Summerland Farm in the Ballina-Byron hinterland, John leverages AI technology to enhance both his professional and personal life. “I use AI to assist me at work, and it’s amazing,” John shares. “When doing data entry, I can snap a photo of a document, and the AI program extracts the information I need, like the invoice number, date, or total, and reads it to me. It’s faster and less straining on my eyes.”

Over the years, John has experimented with various technologies, yet AI and smartphone apps have proven to be the most accessible and reliable. His favorited, the ‘Seeing AI’ app, has transformed tasks both at work and while out in the community. “If I need to read a menu or sign, I simply take a photo, and it reads it aloud. I’ve used the app for years, and it keeps improving, making my life easier.”

When asked if he would recommend technology to others with low vision, John said, “I always encourage others to explore new tech. It has been an invaluable tool in my life, providing support in ways I never imagined.”

Celebrating nearly 14 years at Summerland Farm, operated by Aruma—one of Australia’s largest disability service providers and charities—John works with more than 100 other Supported Employees, all contributing to what he proudly calls the “farm with heart.” Reflecting on his journey, John remarked, “When I started, I mostly handled reception duties, but now I work on a range of technology and IT tasks. Technology, especially AI, has been a game-changer, helping me build a fulfilling career.”

John’s experience is a testament to how AI and assistive technology can empower people with disabilities, opening doors to independence and meaningful employment. As AI continues to evolve, the potential for more inclusive and accessible opportunities grows, offering individuals like John the chance to achieve their goals and thrive in both work and life.

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Experts Shine a Spotlight on ‘Dyslexia for Maths’

By Ian Roberts

Dyscalculia: The Overlooked Learning Disability

While many Australians are familiar with dyslexia, fewer have heard of dyscalculia, a learning disability that impacts an individual’s ability to process numbers and mathematical concepts. This condition, which affects up to one in seven Australians, disrupts areas of the brain associated with numerical understanding, often going undiagnosed or misunderstood.

Dyscalculia can significantly affect an individual’s ability to perform basic arithmetic, comprehend number sequences, and understand mathematical symbols. Like dyslexia, its severity varies widely, from mild challenges to profound difficulties.

A Personal Perspective

Tasmanian artist Alfie Barker is one of many living with dyscalculia. He explains how it affects his everyday life: “People find it odd that I can’t even visualise two centimetres. It impacts my social interactions in ways most wouldn’t imagine.”

Similarly, Chris Long, from Queensland, shared his struggles: “I’ll be looking at the number four, but my brain registers it as a six. I also have trouble interpreting tables or graphs—it’s hard to connect values to numbers.”

The Science and Stigma of Dyscalculia

Despite its prevalence, dyscalculia remains under-researched and often misunderstood. Jodi Clements, President of the Australian Dyslexia Association (ADA), highlighted the broader consequences of undiagnosed learning disabilities, which can persist from childhood into adulthood. “Unidentified dyscalculia eroded my confidence in school,” she said. “Even today, there are no clear guidelines for screening, and public awareness remains limited.”

Neuroscientist Brian Butterworth, who has spent two decades studying dyscalculia, emphasized that it is distinct from simply being “bad at maths.” He explained: “Even the simplest numerical tasks can be challenging for someone with dyscalculia. For instance, if you show them four dots on a screen, they may need to stop and count them instead of instantly recognising the quantity.”

Understanding Dyscalculia

What is Dyscalculia?

Dyscalculia is a lifelong condition that often begins in childhood, although it may go unnoticed for years. Many individuals develop coping mechanisms or avoid situations involving numbers, delaying diagnosis well into adulthood—or even old age.

People with dyscalculia may struggle with:

• Understanding numbers and their relationships.
• Performing basic arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division).
• Estimating quantities or grasping concepts of time and money.
• Following multi-step problem-solving sequences.
• Retaining mathematical facts, such as multiplication tables.

Causes of Dyscalculia

While research is ongoing, potential causes include:

• Genetics: The condition often runs in families.
• Brain Development: Atypical neurological development may play a role.
• Environmental Factors: Prenatal exposure to toxins or malnutrition may increase risk.
• Neurological Injury: Children who experience brain trauma are more susceptible.

Although dyscalculia is increasingly diagnosed in school-aged children, adults often remain undiagnosed.

Overcoming Dyscalculia

Author and academic Paul Moorcraft didn’t confront his dyscalculia until his 50s. In his memoir, It Just Doesn’t Add Up, he coined the phrase: “Just because you can’t count doesn’t mean you don’t count.” Reflecting on his school years, he shared:
“Maths teachers would throw chalk dusters at me. I was in detention daily, struggling to keep up. Mental arithmetic felt like facing a firing squad. As an adult, I’d discreetly count on my fingers under the table. But I found success—I’ve written 50 books.”

Raising Awareness

As experts like Brian Butterworth and Jodi Clements call for better screening tools and public education, it’s clear that dyscalculia deserves greater attention. With increased awareness and support, individuals with dyscalculia can navigate their challenges and unlock their full potential.

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Harwood monsters Tucabia with bat and ball

By Tim Howard

It’s doubtful anyone involved in Clarence Valley cricket has seen a team as brutally dismantled as were Tucabia Copmanhurst at the hands of Harwood on Saturday.

In a few balls over 53 overs Harwood Oval witnessed a torture session as the home side eviscerated the Tucabia bowling attack, scoring 7dec/343.

With the ball Harwood strapped the Tucabia batting lineup to the rack and turned the screws to have them 7/27 at stumps.

The star of the innings was first drop Coby Tabor, who scored his second century of the season, smashing 153 from 94 balls – that’s a strike rate of 162.75 – with 19 fours and five sixes.

Tabor was not the only one to tee off.

Skipper Ben McMahon pounded 42 from 29 balls and Josh Lane went better than a run a ball with 35 from 29.

Second top score was opening bat Maison Simmons, whose 62 came from a relatively sedate 101 deliveries, with eight boundaries.

Bizarrely century maker from the previous game, Troy Turner, fell for a golden duck, bowled by Matt Pigg on the last ball of the innings.

To be fair, Tucabia’s attack was threadbare with veteran speedster Brad Chard and exciting newcomer Myles Adamson both absent for day one.

But Harwood were ruthless exploiting that advantage and only one of the eight bowlers tried went for less than a run a ball.

Tim Bultitude’s canny finger spinners fared best, taking 3/67 from 15 overs and Matt Pigg took 2/38 from 4.4 overs with his wickets coming from final two balls of the innings.

Harwood skipper Ben McMahon’s declaration denied him a shot at a hat trick and given the scores, it’s unlikely he’ll get one next week.

Harwood’s bowlers were as ruthless as their batters.

In just 16.2 overs they routed the Tucabia line up with leg spinner Jacob McMahon gutting the middle order.

Brought on close to stumps he snared 3/1 in 2.2 overs and his brother Ben picked up two as Tucabia lost five wickets in a chaotic end to the day’s play that included three ducks.

Only Pigg, 10, reached double figures. Veteran Derek Woods is not out on 2, having faced 28 balls – the most of any Tucabia batter.

GDSC opening bowler Shannon Connor put in a marathon spell for his team at Lower Fisher Turf, Grafton, but it could not stop his team conceding first innings points on day 1 of the game.

Ellem Oval. Grafton, hosted a more typical day of first grade cricket with visitors Lawrence batting for most of the day to score 180 against a determined Coutts Crossing attack.

The visitors batted for 68.1 overs for their runs in the face of tight bowling.

No.4 Doug Harris was the best for Lawrence with 43 and skipper Nathan Ensbey, making a rare return to the opening spot, was next best with 41.

A couple of cameo 20s from Chris Townson, 21 and Nathan Williams, 23, helped Lawrence to a competitive, but not commanding total.

Dylan Lucas was easily the pick of the Coutts’ bowlers, taking 4/26 from 15 frugal overs.

Fellow opening bowler Hayden Woods was also handy, snaring 3/22 from the same number of over.

Andrew McLachlan got a couple and Jamie Firth finished with a 100% record, taking a wicket with the only ball he bowled.

Coutts weathered a nasty couple of overs to finish at 0/9.

Competition leaders Souths/Westlawn have dominated the first day of its game with GDSC Easts at Lower Fisher Turf in Grafton to secure first innings points.

South/Westlawn welcomed opening bowler Adrian Boyd back to the crease and he responded in devastating fashion, taking 5/22 in 13 overs.

Another newcomer, Scott Avard, picked up 3/18 and Dylan Cleaver took 2/8.

Shannon Connor’s 19 was the best of a dismal Easts’ effort where extras with 13, was the next best score in a total of 74.

Souths/Westlawn marched to first innings points in emphatic fashion.

Openers, Cleaver 36, and Brenden Cotten, 31, piled on a 53-run opening stand.

The second wicket, Brendan Dunn, 10, fell just three short of taking first innings points.

Cotten was third out with the score on 103 and the fourth wicket fell at 142 when Eli Jones was run out for 17.

Pigg and Forwell will be back at the crease on Saturday with the scoreline reading 4/152.

Top score for the innings, Joe Pigg, is 49no and Max Forwell will resume on 2no as Souths/Westlawn hunt for outright points next week.

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