An interview with Leona Atkins; Software developer, transport enthusiast and budding helicopter pilot. Leona shares how her research skills, resilience and determination, along with accessing assistive tech, empowers her independence and enables her to navigate a path through her career and personal life.
Leona Atkins is a Full Stack Web & Software developer, working for the Cabinet Office. She is also a transport enthusiast and has flown a helicopter and driven an artic lorry…oh, and she also happens to have been registered blind since birth. She has some residual sight and has forged a successful career.
A glimpse into Leona’s digital life
An experienced screen reader user and technology and transport enthusiast, Leona began her career training to be a motor mechanic. It was in her first role as a motor parts manager that she discovered an aptitude for computers and programming, which led to an evening course in programming and an interesting and varied career in tech.
“So, I’ve had a sight impairment since birth. Complex microphthalmos which basically means small, deformed eye and there’s other things that go along with it as well so it’s more than one condition. It is obviously incurable, uncorrectable and, you know, all the fun stuff that goes with that…
In my work as a software developer, I use a screen reader program called JAWS, and a screen magnifier. The magnifier is a tool that magnifies the screen but means that I can only see a quarter of the screen at any one time. This can pose issues with using the Internet as often they’ll put the form on the left-hand side and the submit button on the right and I spent like half an hour trying to find the submit button, which is hidden right at the bottom of the page. It drives me absolutely insane. They do it all the time! And hyperlinks…is that the actual text or just a bold piece of text? I’ve been known to try and click on an underlined piece of text before now thinking it’s a link and it’s just an underlined piece of text!”
Mobile Tech and moving through the physical world
“I need to visit London regularly and also travel a fair bit on trains. I rely on Google Maps for the information that I need to get around independently and to find my way. However, I have found that I need to research ahead and memorise the map information when it comes to visiting London, as the height of the buildings means that I cannot access GPS to get live updates!
Where I live, in Exeter, the streetlights are often, very helpfully, switched off at night. So I have adapted a torch and attached it to my cane to illuminate the path…and I still mourn having to give up using my Blackberry, which was a perfect mobile device for me as I need a physical keyboard and cannot use or see a smartphone screen keypad. It’s not currently possible to purchase a mobile device with a physical keyboard. Perhaps I will try 3D printing my own mobile keyboard next”!
The Impact of AI on Accessibility
When asked for her thoughts on how AI might affect digital accessibility, Leona said that she could see great potential for AI to enhance this space, but that she worried about the lack of safeguards in place to protect vulnerable people from fraud – and thought that safeguards should be put in place as a matter of urgency.
“AI can be scary but it does have great potential when used as a force for good. There are some amazing apps out there. The ‘Be My Eyes’ app connects you in real time with volunteers so you can ask them to describe what is in front of you, eg ’what’s in my fridge’ etc! But I don’t like the idea of taking up another person’s time, I like to be independent. If things advance so that an AI would be the one providing the detailed descriptions, I’d be much happier taking up the bot’s time instead!”
Piloting a helicopter
“For my birthday, my partner booked me a helicopter flying lesson. When he told me, I said ‘You’ve actually found someone brave enough to take me up!”
Leona explains that the instructor has a blind partner and is experienced in teaching a blind learner pilot.
“It was absolutely amazing because he obviously gets us off the ground and gets us going and then he said ‘you have control’…So, I can see the horizon, so I can kind of see when we were banking or going forward or back obviously I couldn’t pick out buildings or he said, oh, so I’ll keep you away from the electric pylons, but everything else is up to you!
I’ve flown a glider; I’ve driven an arctic lorry. I like these kinds of challenges to sort of push the boundaries of what people consider possible. I’d like to drive a train next!”
Life advice
Leona is due to turn 50 years old at the end of 2024. We asked her what advice she might give to her 18-year-old self?
Just take every opportunity, don’t worry about how things will work out. It might be a long haul. You might think that you’re not getting anywhere and getting frustrated, but you keep your head down. Learn everything you can learn and just keep positive. I’ve had a great career…I really think I’ve really had some great opportunities.”
Leona’s journey as a blind software developer and motor transport enthusiast demonstrates that with the right inclusive opportunities and determination, achieving independence and a fulfilling career is within reach.
If you have enjoyed reading about Leona’s experiences, you might also like to check out our other accessibility profiles.