Some of Our Parts

How to Avoid Eyestrain and Dry Eyes When Staring at a Screen All Day

*By Optometrist and Dry Eye Clinician (and former Monash student) Dr Leigh Plowman

Do you stare at a screen all day?

When you’re trying to apply yourself for study, screen time is important to help you succeed.

You may be using assistive devices, electronic text or software to make seeing easier.

You may even be spending some of your recreation time looking at a screen.

Increased screen time can lead to Computer Vision Syndrome. This may cause symptoms like:

• Tired eyes
• Sore eyes
• Dry Eyes
• Watery Eyes
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Light sensitivity

When you stare at a screen, your eyes have to do three things.

They have to focus or adjust to what you’re looking at. Like a camera on your smartphone.

Secondly, both eyes need to point at the same thing smoothly and comfortably.

Thirdly, your eyes need to keep an even layer of tears across them.

The longer we stare at a screen, the more potential strain on each of these parts of our eyesight.

Whether you use a laptop, smartphone or tablet, your eyes tend to blink less often and less fully. This may be because you don’t want to miss a detail in what you’re looking at. Your brain subconsciously tells you not to blink.

Studying and screen time go together. But what if you could reduce screen time even while studying all day?

9 Tips to Avoid Eyestrain and Dry Eyes

• Put your most addictive devices in another room

When you’re studying, put your phone on a bench or desk in another room. Or put it in a drawer that’s a few metres away from you. Separate your working space from your sleeping space, if possible.

• Add a simple blink app on your laptop

Eyeblink is a simple app that you can put on your laptop or desktop. It works for Mac or Windows. It’s like a blink coach for your laptop. It monitors your blinking. The app reminds you to have regular breaks, or do blinking exercises. I use it myself and love it for writing articles.

• Use more printed material

Studies show that our blink rate improves when reading printed material, compared to staring at a screen. Be environmentally friendly. Print on both sides of paper. Use recycled paper where possible. Give your eyes a break from staring at a screen. Read from a paper copy instead.

• Switch to more comfortable contact lenses

If you wear contact lenses, screen time can make them feel uncomfortable or gritty. Your eyes can appear blurry or filmy. Look for contact lenses that have the best built-in moisture. Talk to your optometrist about daily disposable lenses. If you need special contact lenses, these can also be tailored to staying moist and comfortable.

• Don’t use screen time as a reward

Looking for a mini-reward? Indulge in a one-minute mindfulness break. One example is a smartwatch apps called ‘Breathe’. After you come back to your task, you’ll feel great and come back to your task refreshed.

For bigger rewards, avoid using Youtube or Netflix as a reward. Put on your favourite music. Go for a walk, ride or run. Buy yourself a coffee at your favourite café.

• Boost your non- screen time activities

Love getting a mental boost from exercise? Book exercise three times per week. You may find that exercise in the morning or afternoon is more energising for you. You’ll benefit mentally, physically and your eyes will feel better too.

• Define roles for your device

Do you rely on your laptop for study? Minimise activities on your device that are leisure related. Keep those activities for a separate device. Use your main device for purposeful, interactive study uses. Avoid passive scrolling or incidental chores.

• Track your smartphone usage

Your smartphone can help you to track your usage of your phone. It’s easy to setup. You can view your daily or weekly statistics. See which apps you spend the most time in.

• Book an eye test

Ever had an eye test? Are you due to get your eyes checked? Your Optometrist looks in-depth at your eyes. They assess how well your eyes to focus and work together. If it’s been more than one year, you might want to consider making an appointment.

If you’re looking to apply yourself in your study, these tips can help you to avoid eyestrain or dry eyes.

Add the easiest tip first. Then add more tips to help you to build momentum.

For more information about Monash Disability Support Services, including assistive technologies, visit this link .

Bullied, belittled and dumped for having cerebral palsy, Dale wouldn’t change a thing about herself

*From abc.net.au/news

Dale Weller has had to fight, figuratively and literally, to be treated just like everyone else.

She wants others with disability to know they can still embrace themselves when others won’t.

“How can you value yourself when others go out of their way to tell you you’re not worth anything? My life with cerebral palsy (CP) hasn’t been easy. Not so much because of the CP, but because of how others treat me when they see I’m disabled.” – Dale Weller

• Read more about Dale’s story fighting discrimination and learning to value herself as a person with disability (cerebral palsy) at ABC online.

Join the GradWISE Industry AccessAbility Week!

Monday 8th of February to Friday 12th of February

Would you like the inside scoop from leading industry employers in preparation for your 2021 Graduate applications?

If you are a university student living with a disability, mental illness or injury, we would like to invite you to join GradWISE’s Industry AccessABILITY Week!

This is a jam packed week, showcasing a wide variety of industry partners who will share information about their organisation, the application process, and tips to help you stand out in your application.

Presenters include:

• Deloitte
• Telstra
• Coles
• Department of Defence
• Victorian Government
• Accenture
• EY
• NBN
• Red Cross
• And Many More!

*To join GradWISE’s Industry Accessibility Week, Register Here!

Study: Impact of Face Masks on Communication

The Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology at the University of Melbourne is undertaking research into the impact of face masks on communication.

Face Masks Can Make Communication Difficult

This study seeks to know more about the impact of face masks on spoken communication for adult listeners.

The aim is to understand what helps to make communication easier.

They want to hear from any adult, with or without hearing difficulties.

• If you’re interested, take the online survey: University of Melbourne survey – Impact of face masks on communication

*From: Australian Network on Disability

Including Accessibility Checks in Your Return to Work Preparations

For many of us it has been a while since we’ve had the busy morning commute, face to face meetings, and experienced the buzz of activity that we were once used to.

With a majority of people still working from home, now is the perfect time for organisations to review building accessibility and make changes that will increase accessibility and enhance user experiences.

Here are a few tips to get you thinking about how to include accessibility checks in your return to work preparations.

Eye to The Future of Work

Accessibility and Inclusion Beyond 2020

Blind Citizens Australia will deliver an online interactive workshop that showcases inclusion strategy with real life examples.

Join Blind Citizens Australia to hear what has and hasn’t worked well in developing and delivering an accessible workplace, particularly in light of remote working environments, and participate in a forum where you can ask those questions you’ve always wanted to in a ‘You Can’t Ask That!’ style session.

The Forum Panel

Tuesday, 24^th November 2020. 11:00am – 12:30pm

• Matt O’Kane MBA, Director, Notion Digital Forensics
• Pam Spelling, Service Coordinator-Capacity Building, Brisbane South Disability Service, Uniting Care.
• Jonathon Craig, Policy and Advocacy Intern, Vision 2020
• Janine Sherrard, General Manager Policy, Advocacy and Engagement, Vision 2020

Wednesday, 25th November 2020. 2:00pm – 3:30pm

• Jaci Armstrong, Non-Executive Director at Accessible Arts
• Doug McGinn, Disability Liaison Officer , University of Tasmania
• Colin Clark, Head Student Accessibility and Wellbeing, University of Tasmania

Register NOW!

Register now to obtain new insights and tips to promote positive change within your recruitment process and employee engagement strategy.

Be a part of the inclusion change and generate a new talent pipeline for your organisations continued success.

“Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance.”  Verna Myers

This event is funded by the National Disability Insurance Agency, Information, Linkages and Capacity Building program.

• Register today, this event is FREE but limited tickets are available!
• Go to the Registration Page
• If you have any queries, please contact Blind Citizens Australia directly on bca@bca.org.au or 1800 033 660

Special Careers Event for Students Finalising Their Study

From December 7 to 11, Career Connect have arranged a special careers event for students finalising their study.

Monash Career Launch is a week of masterclasses specially designed to help final-year students acquire the skills, knowledge and self-assurance to secure their ideal role.

Featuring a wide range of bespoke workshops and industry panels, this week provides practical advice to students on how to navigate their own employability and job readiness, as well as provide clarity and build confidence when transitioning from education into professional employment.

• For more information about this great student opportunity, go to https://tinyurl.com/y65uf2p5

Good Food, Good Access, Great Results!

*Article reproduced with permission from the Access Institute

The Comfort of Social Distancing

With cafes and restaurants opening up again after the long hibernation it’s time to celebrate with a night out at our favourite eatery.

With social distancing in place it may mean that people will be more comfortable at the dining table without the elbows of the diner next to them prodding them in the ribs and the person opposite spraying them with food every time they laugh. It also gives savvy eatery owners an opportunity to reflect and reset the elements in their spaces that they may have previously ignored or been unaware of before lockdown that deterred patrons from visiting.

Eateries need to implement strategies that will get people back to their establishments. They need to consider new and effective ways to keep patrons there.

We have all had many months of home delivery, for many a new but convenient concept. We have a new understanding of how comfortable it can be.

Why Change Back to Going Out for Dinner?

At home we can order what we want without leaving the couch.

We can choose from 100s of restaurants and menus, experiment with a variety of cuisines, choose where we eat – the couch or the table. We can choose how we eat – cutlery or hands – we can create quite intimate spaces for a romantic dinner or have the Game on the TV loudly and cheer between bites.

We can now of course also invite others over to join us in the comfort of our own space.

Eateries Need to Consider Options for Eating

Eateries need to consider how to compete not just with other eateries but with other options for eating

So, what are some of the issues that eateries need to focus on to get as many diners as possible back?

According to The Age, October 27, 2020 Good Food Guide,

‘The most common complaint about restaurants is not about prices or the food, but about noise levels, or ease of access for those with physical challenges.’

These issues are not new, but the impact is overwhelmingly underestimated and ignored by many eatery operators. If people can’t hold a conversation easily and hear each other without yelling, and they can’t move around easily and use facilities such as a bathroom they won’t come to the eatery regardless of how good the food is.

People won’t necessarily tell the eatery operator that these are issues, they will just go somewhere else that provides better access, Good access and comfort are not just about a person using a wheelchair. However, if we use a wheelchair as a minimum template for space requirements, we will inevitably cater for more people including those using mobility aids such as prams and delivery trolleys.

Hearing, vision, sensory sensitivity are all important considerations for people when they choose an eatery, Often, they will be there for an extended period of time with the aim of enjoying a meal with family and friends.

• If the noise level is reduced by use of softer floor surfaces, noise reducing furniture such as rubber tips on chair legs, and ceilings and walls that have been treated with noise reduction materials, it is more comfortable for everyone.
• If colour contrasts are used to highlight tables from floors so that it is easy to see where to place a glass on the table rather than it falling on the floor, or the menu is provided in a font size large enough for Baby Boomers to read without having to ask someone to help or straining to see the menu, more people will come.

In addition, with the move to more outdoor dining it is essential that ease of access is considered for everyone and that uneven surfaces that create trip hazards, which create risks for everyone, particularly those who have had a few drinks, should be modified. Effective shade and shelter will be critical for eateries who want to attract more patrons.

If Apple and Nike can consider Universal Design in their products and services to appeal to the widest market possible so too can all small businesses, including eateries.

Good Access is Good Business

Access Institute has a range of Good Access is Good Business Handbooks, including those targeted to Cafes and Restaurants and Retail, with loads of hints and tips to make your business more accessible to more people more of the time. We can also provide advice with Parklets for outdoor dining and footpath trading.

• For further details of our services go to http://accessinstitute.com.au or contact us at admin@accessinstitute.com.au

You’re Invited: Webinar on Career Start Graduate Program at Vision Australia

Vision Australia invites students, tertiary education providers, disability liaison officers and career advisors to our Virtual Careers Information Webinar to better understand their  Career Start Graduate program and long-term career offerings.

The webinar on Monday November 16 from 12.30-1.30pm AEDT will be a chance to hear from previous participants and ask any questions to the program organiser Melissa Rattle and Vision Australia CEO Ron Hooton.

Career Start Program

The 12-month Career Start program is for people who are blind or have low vision and allows for an internal placement within a division of Vision Australia and a paid placement (up to three months) with an external employer.

Some of the previous participants have completed paid cadetships and internships at organisations such as Medibank, Channel 31, Seek, Urban List and Bupa – all of which were chosen to match the graduates’ own interests.

• Applications are now open for the 2021 program.
• Please register for the webinar by emailing: careerstart@visionaustralia.org.

2021 Career Start Graduate Program Eligibility

The program is a 12-month opportunity for people who are blind or have low vision and begins in March 2021.

Graduates can expect:

1. An internal placement within a division of Vision Australia; and
2. A paid placement (up to three months) with an external employer

• Candidates must have completed a diploma level or higher in the last four years to be eligible.
• Applications can be found online.
• Candidates will need to complete the application and submit their resume and a cover letter.
• Applications close November 27, 2020.

Vision Australia job opportunities and in-house assistance

For people who are blind or have low vision that don’t meet the qualifications requirements for the program, other opportunities are available at Vision Australia.

Approximately 15 per cent of the Vision Australia workforce is blind or has low vision.

We see it as hugely important to have people with lived experience helping people who are blind, have low vision or are caring for people with eye conditions.

In fact, Vision Australia helps more than 26,000 people each year.

Some of the ways Vision Australia can help:

• Explore suitable career options and create a professional development plan;
• Develop an effective resume, write application letters and address key selection criteria;
• Training to travel independently to and from work;
• Use computers with assistive technology;
• Advocate for job redesign; and
• Identify appropriate employers to directly target (reverse marketing).

Vision Australia also has a vast volunteer program that has allowed people to help and get an idea of potential jobs.

For current job vacancies please visit the Vision Australia website.

For more information please visit: https://www.visionaustralia.org/services/employment-assistance or call 1300 84 74 66.

Ace Your Assessments

Monash has a range of resources and current online sessions to support you in your final assessments or exams.

• Learn how to beat procrastination, ace your take home or open book exams or chat with other students to hear their strategies for assessment success.
• Learn how to study and prepare a study timetable, understand exam questions and view sample questions.
• Improve your study skills, such as reading, note-taking and time management.
• Find out where to get help and what programs and resources are available.

*Please go to the Preparing For Your Exams webpage to register or join in an online session now.