Special exams part of the WIA Exam Service

A teenage boy who is legally blind has been successful at a special assessment for the Foundation Licence. The Wireless Institute of Australia, through its Nominated Assessors, makes Amateur Radio licence assessments available to people who have a disability.

Nominated Assessor Eric van de Weyer VK2VE said the 13-year old sat the Foundation Licence assessment on Saturday December 17, and was found to be competent. Eric VK2VE said he had the help of two other assessors, Graheme O'Brien VK2FA and Adam Gardiner VK2YK.

The assessment included the use of several model antennae made by Adam VK2YK especially for the occasion. It also had Braille text and audio measurement devices to supplement the assessment. He said: "We did the assessment for the candidate and he was successful in both parts. He managed fine with the practical test, was quite confident on air, and also with the written paper." Eric VK2VE explained that the same level of knowledge under the relevant syllabus had to be demonstrated and assessed.

Any candidate seeking a special assessment due to a disability, needs first to produce a medical certificate that the normal assessment process poses a problem. Provided to the WIA Office, it does not have to specify the exact nature of the problem, but must come from a qualified medical practitioner. Inquiries about these assessments may be made to the WIA Exam Service or a WIA Nominated Assessor.

Eric VK2VE has posted all of the assessment paperwork and we will have a new ‘white cane’ operator with his Foundation Licence in early 2017.

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