[BlindTlk] The Unemployment Rate of the Blind

[Judy Jones]

Hi, Mike and All,

The way we get through our mail is by using the optacon to sort through, then scan the larger pieces we're interested in.  I used the optacon at work to do this very thing to disseminate mail among the colleagues and it was fast and worked great.

I do agree with you, to try to sort through using OCR would bring everything down to a snail's pace.

You are right that there are times when  a reader is most efficient.  One could also use a job developer to help with applications, also Aira services.

I would be careful, though, with your sensitive information, like your bank information.  I do understand that Aira employees have to sign a confidentiality form, but that Aira is not HIPAA compliant.

Judy


-----Original Message-----
From: BlindTlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Walker (US), Michael E via BlindTlk
Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2019 6:18 AM
To: Devin Prater; Blind Talk Mailing List
Cc: Walker (US), Michael E
Subject: Re: [BlindTlk] The Unemployment Rate of the Blind

It sounded like what you really needed was a reader. I am not sure OCR can help well with graphs.

Keep in mind that Gary Wunder on this list even wrote an article for the Braille Monitor on when to use a reader. One example he discusses in that article is going through a stack of mail and that even though theoretically you could use technology to scan and read it to you, it is going to take much longer than if you used a reader to help you sort through what is relevant versus what is not, as scanning all your mail would mean you would likely scan what is irrelevant. I am trying to use Google to find the link to that article. I am not having any luck.

Overall, even though independence is great, remember that sighted people need help too. Everybody needs help sometimes. What I would do is look for a family member or trusted friend to act as a reader first, before getting hired help though. My Employee Assistance Program talks about the need to build a support network, and it is not targeted at blind people, but makes sense for everyone.

I certainly would not have given up the job, just because of an inaccessible part of a website.

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: Devin Prater [mailto:r.d.t.prater at gmail.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2019 8:08 AM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Walker (US), Michael E <michael.e.walker3 at boeing.com>
Subject: Re: [BlindTlk] The Unemployment Rate of the Blind

Recently, I filled out an application on Indeed. The employer wanted me to take an assessment on Indeed to see if I was good enough. The “assessment” was full of graphs and images, so I gave up there. OCR may have helped, but I was on the Mac at that point, where I prefer to do all my work-related things.

> On Jan 16, 2019, at 7:57 AM, Walker (US), Michael E via BlindTlk <blindtlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi,
> 
> For emulated image files that you are referring to, keep in mind that as you update JAWS, Convenient OCR will continue to improve. Other areas like working with PDFs are improving too. In JAWS 2019's documentation, it says that if you receive a scanned PDF, JAWS will ask you if you want to perform OCR on it. In general, when you get stuck, you should join online mailing lists related to technology for the blind and ask, as well as talking to your rehabilitation counselor.
> 
> For inaccessible job applications, see what the company says about accommodations on the job application's page. Furthermore, you may just have to get help from a friend or family member when applying for the job, or your state rehabilitation counselor. I have had to ask for sighted assistance before. When I underwent my background check, parts of the website were not accessible. I got help from a family member who acted as my reader. I am afraid this is just how it is when you are blind. We do not live in a perfect world, so some things require sighted assistance. However, still continue to advocate for accessibility, even though you are receiving sighted assistance.
> 
> As for vocational technical school versus college, also think about what it is that you are trying to accomplish i.e. what are your passions? What do you want to do for a living? Also, make sure it is accredited as others have said. Additionally, if you are looking into a programming career, think about www.freecodecamp.org<http://www.freecodecamp.org>.
> 
> Mike
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