As a creative person, it is important to me
that I can create my artwork and express myself in a visual
way as independently as I can
There is so much I cannot do
so being able to create art on my own means a lot to me
My name is Becky
I am an artist and a gamer
I am also a student at the University of Dundee
I have always loved painting pictures and making things
since I was very little
I used to need a lot of help
to make a picture as I can't use my hands
So it was amazing
when I got my eye gaze technology
and realised that I could be completely
independent with my digital art
The technology that I use is called eye gaze
At the bottom of my monitor
I have an eye tracker that is calibrated to my eyes
and it can tell exactly where on my screen I am looking
My eyes become like the computer mouse
so wherever I look on the screen, the cursor goes
It's not easy, especially when I need to
target a small area on the screen
and it takes a lot of practise
Some people make assumptions
about me because of my disability
my physical appearance and lack of speech
and they tell me what I cannot do
or what my limitations are.
However, I don't take any notice
when I am told things like that
because there is so much that I can do
and it is more important
to me to focus on the positive things in my life
I am very close to my mum
she provides
most of my daily
care at the moment and we spend
a lot of time together and we talk about everything
that is going on in our lives and in the world
The words
I would use to describe my mum are wonderful
kind, silly, and sometimes boring
Yeah it's probably very true
When Becky was younger
I think life was more difficult
It wasn't clear at that point in time
what Becky would be able to achieve
and it was a fight to get any support for her
And as the technology came in, I think that was
the defining thing
that changed the course of Becky's life
Becky spends hours and hours and hours
painting her pictures with her eyes
and she just amazes me with what she comes out with, you know
I couldn't do that with my hands
but for her to be able to do that with her eyes
it's incredible
I'm very excited to see where she goes next
It's been an amazing journey and I couldn't have predicted
the doors that have opened along the way
I chose this course
because I love working with computers
and seeing what I can make them do
And I have also experienced first hand
how technology benefits disabled people like me
So today we are at the University of Dundee
and we are going to meet the professor of computing
Annalu Waller
She is awesome
and is a great role model for me
who also has cerebral palsy
and she encouraged me to apply for the degree course
Hello
Hi, Becky
Well, I've been aware of Becky for a while
and then we sort of engineered to get you up here
I wondered how you were finding the course
I am enjoying my course
It will be a challenge though
and I am looking forward to learning more about it
What's your aim for your future?
What do you want to do?
I hope I will pass my degree with flying colours
and have a lot of fun along the way
I hope I will be able to use my skills and knowledge
to help other disabled people in the future
not only with eye gaze
technology and communication, but also by improving access
to creative technologies like digital art and video games
Technology has such potential, but it is
designed in created mostly by young
able men, so it is is essential
that we have people who have a lived experience
of disability being part of the whole
research and development
Annalu's work has had a big impact on my life
and it is so awesome that I am now one of her students
It means a lot to me to have Annalu
in the position she is in as I look up to her
as a great mentor and role model
Annalu shows that it is possible
to overcome the barriers
of disability and achieve at the top levels of academia
For me to
see people who use assistive technology
actually succeed in academia or whatever field
they choose
it actually makes
me believe that what I've done for the past 30 years
has been worth it and worth
all the sceptics
And seeing you in my class on a Wednesday morning
gets me up in the morning
So thank you for making the end of my teaching career
as exciting as it is
I love the architecture of the V&A Dundee it is such
an awesome building
Inside there is lots to see
and it brings together all things that I love
namely design, technology, art and video games
It is also an inclusive place because it is fully accessible
Dundee is such a great place
it is already recognised by UNESCO
as the city of design, acknowledging its history
and contemporary design culture
I think it is a place that will use design
to solve problems, to make it a more inclusive place
to live for people of all abilities and disabilities
I am very hopeful about the future
I have come through such a lot over the years
and defied the predictions of some professionals
If I could go back and talk to my younger self
I would say, at a young age
you will feel like you do not have a voice
But you will get the right support
and be able to communicate and have your own thoughts
and opinions heard
There will be amazing
equipment that will give you a voice
Don't worry
things will get easier
and you will make a huge difference
to other people in your position
and be an advocate for them
People will listen to you
so make sure you say what is
needed to be said and use your experiences to help others