By Derek Schlennstedt
In 2002 Martin Stewart, a then 39-year old blind advocate was on his way to work when he stepped into what he thought was an open carriage doorway of a train that had just arrived at Richmond Station.
Instead, he fell into a void between carriages and on to the tracks.
Despite the desperate attempts of an onlooker to inform the driver, the train left and dragged him 200 metres resulting in the loss of his arm, leg and part of his ear. The train had no guard, meaning nobody could assist him or alert the driver when he fell between the train and platform.
Rather than be consumed by self-pity Mr Stewart has worked doggedly to improve the lifestyle of visually impaired people everywhere.
From inclusive apps to accessible live cricketing feeds for the blind, he has ensured that the blind community is not shunned to the back and that visually impaired people are able to have the same luxuries as any other individual.
For those contributions the 55-year-old from Upwey was named the 2018 Blind Australian of the Year and always moving forward, days later he helped prevent the New South Wales Government from removing train guards from their public transport system.
He told the mail he felt he had a duty of care and responsibility to ensure that the New South Wales Government did not abolish train guards.
“The heart of my passion is the health and safety of our community, to ensu8re it doesn’t happen again
“For our community we have a lot of obstacle that can be made better or worse depending on responses, whether it be public transport or inclusive software or more simple everyday needs.”
“Who knows my accident could have been so I could go to NSW and prevent there government from removing guards on Monday as they fully intended too.”
“I realised that I was in a uniquely placed position to provide the consequential evidence.”
“I have the knowledge of what’s happened, and what would have happened if the guards had been removed.”
Blind from birth, Mr Stewart said he has always been passionate about improving the conditions of people with visually impaired and has worked with the AFL and Cricket Australia in designing apps to help the visually impaired listen to their favourite sport.
He said he was humbled to receive the award and that the retaining of train guards in New South Wale was the cherry on top of the cake.
“This award brings blindness and achievement together and I think that’s a very good message to send out.”
“While I’m here for this short time I want to leave behind improvements, make a difference and that’s what I’ve moved forward to do ever since I was around 18-years-old.”
