CareerConnect

Welcome to CareerConnect’s virtual office designed to show how to accommodate individuals who have very little or no useable vision. Although not every worker with vision loss will need or want every accommodation pictured, we are trying to show you the range of tools available that might benefit such workers. You may access the content by either clicking on the links embedded in the graphic or by selecting objects listed on the accompanying list. The links will take you to written information, videos, or web sites.

In addition, learn what successfully employed blind users of assistive technology have to say In Their Own Words about the devices they use on the job.

One of the great advantages of video is that you can see an actual person, in this instance a CareerConnect mentor who is blind, doing her job in an office setting. You can link here to see Jill Noble, who works for the National Aeronautics and Space Association (NASA) in Cleveland, Ohio, using technology to perform at work.

Technology That Might Be Used in an Office Worksite for Blind Users

• Digital Tape Recorder

• Dymo Labeler

  The Dymo labeler is a hand-held braille label maker. It is an inexpensive tool that makes it easy to label and organize files, materials, and just about anything else in an office. The upper rim of the dial is in braille, the lower rim identifies in standard print the braille symbols above so that someone who doesn’t know braille can use the labeler. Some braille contractions and punctuation are included.

• External Speakers and Headphones

  Accessibility will usually involve listening to information using some sort of speech access product on a computer. External speakers and headphones are important tools to consider in any office. The headphones allow for private listening without bothering coworkers who share the work space. There are no specialized products for the visually impaired in this category and personal preference will dictate what is used.

• PDA
  • Braille
  • Speech
• Perkins Brailler
• Reading/Literacy
  • Braille
  • Digital Talking Book Players (Hardware)
  • Digital Talking Book Players (Software)
  • Reading and Writing
  • Reading Books and Periodicals
  • Reading Electronic Books and Other Material
  • Reading Print
  • Talking Books
• Refreshable Braille Display

• Rolodex

  Employees who are nonprint readers may choose to keep their personal contacts in electronic files on their computer, in a portable digital assistant (PDA), or brailled on index cards in a Rolodex or similar filing system. The Rolodex system is a popular organizational tool that works without electrical power and gives instant access to important information.

• Scanner/Reading Machines
• Screen Reader
• Slate & Stylus
• Talking Calculator
• Talking Clock
• Telephone

In Their Own Words…

Learn what successfully employed blind users of assistive technology have to say about the devices they use on the job.

“I landed my first clerical job performing data entry within a company that provides support services for insurance companies, such as telephone interviews, paralegal exams, medical records requests, DNA testing, etc. This opportunity gave me important experience working in an office environment using adaptive technology. At this stage, I had lost 95% of my vision, but through the use of JAWS, Open Book, braille, and a small hand-held recorder, I was able to perform my job duties with great ease.”

John D. Lewis, Wildlife Artist

“I use several pieces of technological equipment to perform my job, including a Braille and Speak device and JAWS (Job Access With Speech) software, which actually reads computer documents back to me.”

Richard Scott, WV Division of Highways