Bashir Ebrahim

Manager, Rehabilitation Services - Guide Dogs for the Blind Association of QLD

Graduated in:

1987

Course completed:

Bachelor of Arts majoring in disability studies

Currently working for:

Guide Dogs for the Blind Association of QLD.

How long have you been working for this organisation?

20 years.

Position title and short job description:

Manager, Rehabilitation Services. This role includes the development of a variety of creative and innovative (domiciliary and residential) intensive training programs which teach people with vision impairment the necessary skills and strategies to travel independently, along with the application of various low vision techniques, and/or mobility equipment ranging from white canes (long cane, ID cane, telescopic and support canes) to advanced mobility travel aids, such as:

• the MiniGuide,
• UltraCane,
• Laser Cane and
• GPS devices – Trekker Maestro, Trekker Solo and Trekker Breeze.

What are the things you enjoy most about your job?

Working with people, the outdoor nature of independent travel training and the application of technology to assist blind and vision impaired people to navigate their home, local and global environments.

An area in which you have needed assistance:

Work-life balance is important, so sometimes it's good to be reminded to keep my feet on the ground.

What do you intend to do in the future?

Complete a PhD in permissibility of Guide Dog Mobility travel in regard to Muslim blind and vision impaired travellers - culture vs religion.

Also to help develop an Orientation and Mobility Instructor training program for trainers in East Timor and surrounding areas in the field of mobility for those people who are blind or vision impaired in the region. 

#1 tip for current students studying your course:

Embrace the differences and celebrate similarities we have in common.