Entrepreneurs are growing by leaps and bounds in our society. Among them are many from the blind and visually impaired community. Though hard, it has more opportunities for success than normal employment.
For me, learning one computer program was hard enough. Memorizing a ton of keyboard commands without seeing has been even harder. I don’t understand how computer techs know what you’ve done wrong when they can’t see. Talk about impressive.
Equally amazing, is the amount of blind and visually impaired people who work in this industry. Casey Matthews is one of them. He started his business, “Web-friendly Help” in September 2019, and I began utilizing his services that December.
You see, after college I used a computer with magnification software. When Windows came out, my computer usage went out the window. Icons were too blurry to identify and I never could locate the enlarged mouse.
Years later, my husband discovered affordable screen reader software. It was super user friendly. I finally had email.
My needs changed, though, when choosing to become an author. There were competent technicians, but finding a trainer or teacher was rare. It was then Patty Fletcher, a blind author and podcast host introduced me to Casey, who I now fondly call my tech tutor because he does both. What a blessing!
Casey’s Background
Casey’s poor eyesight at birth went to no eyesight after many failed surgeries as a teen. An unexpected benefit was the passion he developed for technology after discovering a printer that scanned all text and read text aloud to him. From there, he chose to get a degree in Information Technology (IT) and accessible technology certifications from Microsoft professional, NVDA, Jaws, and ZoomText.
For those who are unaware of the difference between Information Technology (IT) and Access technology Services, Casey explains it this way. “IT is general tech support and troubleshooting a computer to fix problems or to make it run better. Access technology helps someone with a disability use technology. For the blind and visually impaired, this consists of screen magnifiers, and screen readers that verbally announce what is on the screen of a computer.”
From Idea to Reality
During Casey’s employment for Lighthouse Central Florida, he noticed a large need for more support. “I noticed that many people in the blind and visually impaired communities had a hard time finding quality support for their computers for one reason or another. I felt my experience and skillset, could solve this problem to a large extent by providing quality support, along with training.”
Having been an entrepreneur myself, I knew there was more to starting a business than just possessing a skill, so I asked Casey, “What all did you have to still learn?”
“I had to learn how to form a company, build a website, collect payments and so on. I’ve always enjoyed research, so it was just a matter of time.”
Services Offered
Casey provides three main services:
- Training and troubleshooting
- researching hard to find topics, gifts, or people (VA)
- audio editing services.
Casey chose a membership model for the pricing of all of his services. “For individuals, I wanted affordable pricing, so I chose subscription plans. I do offer hourly rates for companies,” he said.
No entrepreneur is successful without support. Casey gives credit to his wife and to Jesus Christ who encouraged him every step of the way. He also is grateful for those like Patty Fletcher who experienced his services and spread the word.
It took some time working two jobs to build his business before going full-time, but Casey is thankful he made this choice.
He shared how one client was going through physical therapy. Because of a web site that wasn’t too accessible she was considering quitting. Casey was able to help her navigate the website enough that she could continue her physical therapy.
While there are many rewarding experiences in this job, Casey finds he also enjoys the challenges clients can bring. “Customers regularly provide me with plenty of problems and computer system issues to fix that I have never seen before. Even then, I am generally able to repair or fix the issue for them.”
I know, for myself, Casey has been a “God-send.” Not only has he instructed me on how to use a free screen reader called NVDA and a new email program, but when a blind author’s computer quits talking, it is great to know help is a phone call away. No matter what the issue, Casey greets every problem with a calm and kind voice, and eager to help attitude.
Using a slow computer for years, Casey was able to set up many accessible features on my new computer that my husband didn’t know even existed. With my new computer and Casey’s assistance in training and repairing anything I undo, my writing takes less time than before.
One thing Casey points out that applies to everyone, and not just entrepreneurs, is this. “Every problem does have a solution if you keep digging for it. Sometimes the answer comes quick and sometimes it takes a while you just have to hang in there and not give up.”
Learn More About Casey
Casey Mathews is the founder of WebFriendlyHelp.com, a company designed to help people get the most out of their technology. He has worked in the Access Technology field since the mid 1990’s. He holds an MCP certification (Microsoft Certified Professional) as well as a BS in Information Technology from the University of Phoenix. He has introduced new software and training/support ideas from Freedom scientific, the NVDA (Non Visual Desktop Access) screen reader, and of course Apple iDevices to his customers world-wide. Casey enjoys testing new technology and software and is highly committed to remaining informed of developments in technology.
QUESTION: Is there anything you are passionate enough about to turn into a business? If yes, let me know in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you!
Please share this inspiring story, especially if you know someone who is blind or visually impaired. Don’t forget if you enjoy stories like these, you can donate as a way of saying thank you. May the Lord bless you richly.
© 2021, Jena Fellers. All rights reserved.
michael says
I’m Michael from Malta Europe, the above article remind me when I start the hard way in using computers, here in malta we don’t have any assistance in using it for the blind so I was the first one that I start in this erea, In fact my first speech synthesizer at that time was the Votrax Type’N Talk and the asap screen reader, nowadays I’m using jaws2021 and windows10 and looking forward for windows 11. being totally blind, I’m consider mycomputer as my regular eyes because thanks to the computer I can read books, write emails, research, buying products live everyone else.One thing I never succeed for various reasons, and this is to learnprogramming, actually I tried because about 25 years ago I learned how programm using GWBasic but then windows 3.1 come and accessibility went out of the windows because I had to wait until I found my first windows based screen reader which it was the Slimware windows bridge. nowadays at the age of 57 I’m feeling old to try to study programming you the reader what do you thing? here in Malta I’m totally on my own because the other blind computer users start behind me. Currently I’m working with the Foundation Information Technology Accessibility (FITA Malta) http://www.fitamalta.eu.
have a nice day.
michael
malta europe.