NARELLE GATTI
Nominee for what Award/s
Everyday Legend Award (People's Choice)
Empowered Online Award
Brave in Business Award
Everyday Legend Award (People's Choice)
Everyday Legend Award (People's Choice)
What small daily actions have defined who you are?
What small daily actions define who I am? That is a hard one. I consider myself to be a caring, curious person that likes to find solutions for myself. So when I think about the actions that define me, I had to give it a lot of thought. After all, most actions that a person does are done without thinking.
So, what actions define me? I get up and get on with it, even if I don’t feel like doing it. Even when I don’t feel like talking, I contact the people who are going through a difficult time to just listen. Sometimes that is all that is needed. I don’t provide answers if I can avoid it. My answers may not suit the person. I try to encourage them to find their answers through asking questions that get them thinking.
I might know of someone that can help the person. I have a good network and may know someone that I can connect them with. After all, I definitely don’t have all the answers.
Being a curious person aids me to assist others. I listen to podcasts, learn different techniques and love finding answers to technical problems. Being able to share that information with others who can benefit from it, is part of my daily actions.
The qualities of caring and curiosity have led me to the work that I do now. Teaching people how to use assistive technology tools such as screen readers and mobile phones, opens up their world to information. It provides them with the ability to have control and independence. Ensuring that businesses, including NDIS providers, make their information digitally accessible. This not only helps business owners reach a wider audience, but also ensures that people with disability can access and understand the information. A win win solution.
So the daily action is really sharing what I know or who I know, with others.
How do you support others without seeking recognition?
I don’t require recognition to help others. It is never about recognition. It is about ensuring that the other person gets the help that they need. I love celebrating other people’s achievements, whether that is meeting the Australian Digital Accessibility Standard through our training programs or a person learning how to use a phone using assistive technology. Those are the achievements that need to be celebrated. I love creating posts that highlight their achievements. I love telling people about their work and why it is important. I don’t require recognition for this.
I am part of a group of ladies who crochet beanies and rugs for those who are in need, to keep warm. Again, I don’t need or want recognition. It is the people who need beanies and rugs that should be recognised.
Caring and helping others helps me to grow as a person. I don’t want recognition for that.
Tell us about a moment when your quiet leadership made a big difference.
I’m not sure that anyone could describe me as quiet. I do have quiet times but, in a crowd, no. So when did I show, quiet leadership? In my actions.
I have created a group, Blind Ones, for vision impaired people that is not aligned with any support network such as Vision Australia or Guide Dogs. It filled a social need for many. It filled a learning need. Whilst covid was happening, it became particularly important. Many people with vision impairment became locked in. We couldn’t meet as we didn’t have the spatial knowledge to be able to judge the minimum distances. We didn’t have as much support as it wasn’t available to us. This group became an online group. It became a way to support each other via Facebook. It has become the start of firm friendships that are ongoing even though the group is no longer meeting. People have joined community events after finding out information via this group. It made a big difference to many people.
What fuels your consistent care for others?
What fuels my consistent care for others? The knowledge that I am lucky. I have a roof over my head, food in the fridge and a good group of friends who support each other through thick and thin. Not everyone has that.
What does being an "Everyday Legend" mean to you?
An “Everyday Legend” is a person who steps up to help others without needing or requiring a pat on the back. They recognise a need in others at that moment in time. It could be just a listening ear or requiring space from people and ensuring that need is met. It could be something like ensuring that people can read information. That they can be independent and have control. It could be buying them a cuppa or a sandwich.
I don’t consider myself an Everyday Legend. I miss cues and at times I just need to be left alone. An everyday legend is a person that doesn’t miss the cues. I look at my Mum, who has done a lot for her community over the years. From cooking meals for people that were sick, to raising money for the elderly so they can stay in the community. The little things. I am in training by following Mum’s example
Empowered Online Award
Empowered Online Award
What inspired you to step into the online space?
I have a severe vision impairment which means that I struggle to read online documents that aren’t accessible. I use assistive technology tools such as screen readers. When I was looking into solutions I found Australia’s Digital Accessibility Standard. The Digital Accessibility Standard sets the guidelines for how information should be presented online and in the digital environment generally. I have been working in the information technology sector for over 35 years and was very surprised to find out about the standard as it applied to all work that I have done during my career. Even more surprising was how simple it was and how it will ensure that everyone with a disability and the elderly can access information when applied.
The realisation that the standard existed became a turning point in my work. It led me to create an online business that works with businesses to implement the standard. All of our work can be done from home. Our online platform is based on a website and social media marketing. We have created a podcast, The Digital Access Show, to talk all things communication, disability and digital accessibility. After all, the online platform is all about good communication for everyone.
What were your biggest fears or challenges going digital?
My biggest fear was not getting any clients. However, that is a fear that all businesses have. I knew the problem that people with disability and the elderly were having. After all, I live it. However, that didn’t mean that we would get the clients. Going digital was a challenge in and of itself. I had to work out how to create videos and podcasts that were interesting. It was particularly difficult as I am not sure if I am looking directly at the camera, as I can’t see properly. I worked out strategies and problem solved each part of the process to where I am now doing well.
My second biggest fear was not having the knowledge to find the clients. Learning from others and how they have created online platforms has been a big part of my learnings. I know how to create a LinkedIn profile that meets other people’s needs. I know how to create a podcast that is gaining traction each day. I have mastered social media marketing - I have a lot to learn here however it is also getting traction. This has led to me becoming known for digital accessibility, which has led to gaining more clients.
My third biggest fear was that I didn’t have enough knowledge of the online platform space. However, as I have worked in the IT field for many years, I figured out that if I didn’t know how to create an online platform, I know how to find out.
I have turned each of my fears into challenges which I had to master. I have learnt so much over the last 3 years, and I am continuing to learn and expand our online business.
How has your online presence created impact or change?
Creating an online presence has put the problem of communicating in written form and how people with disability can access information front and centre for NDIS providers and the community at large.
We have had a big impact on NDIS providers through our online presence. They are learning about digital accessibility, the associated legal framework, the benefits to business and people with disability. The results? Businesses throughout Australia are asking how to implement the standard. They are attending webinars and training.
I have expanded my social media network to reach thousands of people. I post daily to educate the community about the barriers and the solution. Education is the key to improving digital accessibility.
By combining a podcast, a website, a newsletter, social media, an annual conference and online training, we are creating the Digital Accessibility Movement to improve access for people with disability and the elderly across Australia. As a person with a disability, I can talk with conviction and have lived through the barriers of not being able to access information and what that brings. We are building change by educating people with disability and the elderly of their rights to access information.
What platforms, tools, or strategies helped you own your digital voice?
Getting the attention of NDIS Providers and people with disability has been hard. The solution has been to create a podcast highlighting the barriers that digital accessibility creates. I have combined it with a social media presence in Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. Add a newsletter that gives the latest news along with tips and tricks each month. Then add a DASAT website. There is the AUCUA Conference (Accessibility, Usability, Communication) which is held annually to bring experts together online. All (Digital Accessibility and Assistive Technology) training is done via Zoom. This gives the trainees the ability to train without travel. To access their documents to check for accessibility while they learn. Combining these different media platforms has allowed me to create an online platform to market the business and train people in the Digital Accessibility Standard.
What lessons would you share with women hesitant to embrace technology?
The best lesson that I learnt is to be curious. Work out how you want to spread the message or share the product - then learn. Find the people who are experts in the areas that you need to master. Attend webinars and research.
Brave in Business Award
Brave in Business Award
Tell us about a major setback and how you recovered.
Like anyone of my age, I have had many setbacks in my life. The biggest problem that occurred was the day that I was told that I was going to lose my sight. I love cars and driving. I loved being outside. I loved spending time with my sister on her cattle property. I loved working cattle. And the most important factor that would be impacted, my husband and children.
I remember being driven back home and not really thinking about the fact that I could never drive again or the other changes that would happen in my life. All I was worried about was the fact that I had to get dinner, make sure homework was done and ensure everyone was ready for work and school the next day. Me included. Then it was to tell my sons what was happening.
I remember sitting down after dinner and thinking about footy practice - How would I get the boys there? I had to get to work. That wasn’t going to happen without help. Grocery shopping had to be done. Life had to go on.
Two of my sons are on the autistic spectrum. I had always taught them that just because they couldn’t do it one way, doesn’t mean that it can’t be done another way. In hindsight, it was the best piece of advice that I could have told them. I had to follow my own advice.
Recovery meant understanding that it would never be completely solved. My sight was going and was not coming back. My life was going to be very different.
There were going to be physical, mental and emotional problems that were not evident at the time. I didn’t know what problems were coming.
As a computer analyst I was taught to break the problem down into its smallest pieces. Solve each of the smallest pieces. These skills were the basis for managing the problems.
Look at the immediate and long-term problems. What needed to be solved straight away and what could be put aside for another day. To be honest I didn’t know what they were going to be.
Recovery is a day by day, sometimes an hour by hour, process. I will never fully recover. Life becomes easier as I learn to live with vision impairment (blindness). I have setbacks where the problems seem insurmountable such as how to find a way to a place that I haven’t been before or dealing with the NDIS. Other problems are simple to solve such as how to pay a bill that arrives in the post. My marriage breaking down due to sight loss, a common problem for women who lose their sight later in life, was a problem that felt insurmountable. The solution was also a day-by-day process. I have the support of family, friends and vison impairment specialists. I am still recovering.
Applying analysis skills to solve the practical problems along with breathing techniques and timeout strategies have made all the difference in the world. Life is good now and I will keep looking forwards and laughing.
What mindset helped you keep going when quitting seemed easier?
When a setback happens a person has only two options. Sit in the corner and cry or stand up and find a solution. I have always been a problem solver and a stubborn person. My parents taught me that quitting was also never an option. The two characteristics together with my upbringing made me want to solve the problem.
I am a positive person that knows that the best way to solve a problem is to find a solution. I look outside the square to find a unique answer. Sometimes the answer is simple and sometimes, the answer isn’t found straight away. I may not know the answer however someone else will. This mindset means that I can solve most problems. The days where it is overwhelming are the days where I go to my support network. Oftentimes, being able to sit for a while and take my mind off the problem gives me a solution. A positive mindset, the want to solve the problem and the knowledge that problems mostly can be solved, prevents me from quitting.
How did your vision evolve because of adversity?
My vision is to have a community where everyone can access information regardless of ability. It is important to me as a person with vision impairment that I can access the information that everyone with good sight can access. Doing that will give me control of and independence in my life.
This vision came about as the more sight that I lost, the more that I couldn’t access. The more information that I couldn’t access the more dependent I became on others. I felt like I was losing control of my life along with my independence.
The problems that I have had in trying to read documents using various technologies has been frustrating and often not solvable by me. I have done things such as using tools that try to use optical character recognition (OCR) to read documents. I have had people read information out to me. What happens if there is no one around. I must wait for someone and this is not always practical.
This issue is experienced by many - from people with disability to the elderly. It can be a temporary problem for some, when due to illness they can’t do something. It can be a momentary problem, where a person can’t read a document on a mobile phone due to glare. It affects everyone.
So my vision evolved from trying to work out what I could do using the tools that I have to teaching people how to create documents that are accessible from the start. I then added website auditing as that is a major problem for people with disability. The more I struggle with accessing information, the more solutions that I find, the more my vision evolves.
Imagine a day where I could easily read the information using assistive technology and not have to worry about whether the document is accessible in the first place. That is my vision for myself and every person with a disability.
How did your vision evolve because of adversity?
My vision is to have a community where everyone can access information regardless of ability. It is important to me as a person with vision impairment that I can access the information that everyone with good sight can access. Doing that will give me control of and independence in my life.
This vision came about as the more sight that I lost, the more that I couldn’t access. The more information that I couldn’t access the more dependent I became on others. I felt like I was losing control of my life along with my independence.
The problems that I have had in trying to read documents using various technologies has been frustrating and often not solvable by me. I have done things such as using tools that try to use optical character recognition (OCR) to read documents. I have had people read information out to me. What happens if there is no one around. I must wait for someone and this is not always practical.
This issue is experienced by many - from people with disability to the elderly. It can be a temporary problem for some, when due to illness they can’t do something. It can be a momentary problem, where a person can’t read a document on a mobile phone due to glare. It affects everyone.
So my vision evolved from trying to work out what I could do using the tools that I have to teaching people how to create documents that are accessible from the start. I then added website auditing as that is a major problem for people with disability. The more I struggle with accessing information, the more solutions that I find, the more my vision evolves.
Imagine a day where I could easily read the information using assistive technology and not have to worry about whether the document is accessible in the first place. That is my vision for myself and every person with a disability.
What keeps you motivated in business and/or life today?
Keeping me motivated is not a problem. I meet people with disability all the time. I am inspired with the way they are managing life so that they can have as much independence and control as possible. When I meet people that are excited that they can read a document, I know that it is because someone has cared enough to ensure that it is accessible. This is also motivation for me. When I read a document myself and it is easy to read, I get inspired to keep telling people about the Digital Accessibility Standards in Australia and what is possible.
When I find a document that is not accessible for me, I get inspired. After all, it won’t just be me that is having the issue. If I can help one person, other than myself, to access the information by teaching the business - that is motivation. If I can help a business to get more clients because they are accessible to more people, that is even better. Motivation is easy.