[humanser] Comments on Accessibility Issues Involving Software

[Merry Schoch]

Hi Mary Ann,

Do you mind if I forward your post to Meghan Sidhu at our National office?
I have been collecting from members these types of circumstances and as I
recall you have responded previously.  I believe this is a great post and
she may want to speak with you further.  If you would like to contact her
directly that would be great as well.

Unfortunately, with agency software accessibility issues and  home based
therapy with employers requiring driver's license, I am afraid that blind
people in our professions are being left behind.  Personally, my mission is
to do whatever can be done so we are not left behind!,  This was the reason
I ran for the office of President of this Division.  

I hope you will join us on the 8th.  Please let me know if you want to speak
to Meghan or if you'd be okay with me forwarding this message to her.  She
is quite aware of the challenges we are having in this regard.  

Thank you Mary Ann!!

Merry

-----Original Message-----
From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Mary Ann
Robinson
Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2013 10:05 PM
To: Human Services Mailing List
Subject: [humanser] Comments on Accessibility Issues Involving Software

Hello Federation Colleagues, 

The agency with whom my employer contracts, began implementing a new
electronic medical record in the fall of 2011.  I attended introductory
trainings regarding the EMR.  Early in 2012, I expressed concerns about
accessibility issues.
As quality manager, one of my job duties would be to conduct medical record
reviews.  I've been unable to do so independently because a number of
documents were hand written and unable to be scanned.
In the new EMR, there are many check boxes in all of the forms.  I can read
the text entered by clinicians, but none of the many items that are checked
are identified by my screen reader , Window-Eyes.
My employer wanted no part of the accessibility discussion ; and I was told
I would have to discuss concerns with the agency implementing the software
and its manufacturer PCE, on my own.
I consulted with GW Micro who manufactures my screen reader.  There were
several meetings that included GW micro, the agency implementing the EMR,
PCE and myself.
Several recommendations were made by the GW Micro representative in
September of 2012,that if implemented, would result in increased
accessibility for me. In the spring of this year, I was informed that
changes would be made to the assessment form to make it accessible.  The
changes went into effect on August 1st.  Lo and behold, they didn't work.
It appears as though the software developers made a change different than
the one recommended by GW Micro.  So I am  back to square one.
If I were still a clinician,as I was until 2005,  I wouldn't be able to use
the software at all to complete paperwork.  What a nightmare that would be.
When issues like these arise, I believe we as blind employees need to speak
out appropriately and assertively.  We shouldn't remain silent.  If we do,
we will be "left in the dust" so to speak as technology advances.
We may be able to remain employed in a private practice.  However, those of
us who work in agencies are apt to find that our jobs are in jeopardy if
software isn't  accessible as more and more agencies become paperless.
When the agencies that employ us are considering implementing new software,
we should request that the software developers take web content
accessibility guidelines into consideration.  I've been informed that these
can be found at w3.org on the web.  It is my understanding, that if these
guidelines are followed by developers, software will be accessible to people
with disabilities worldwide.
Thank you for reading this long winded post. If we don't speak up and/or
take other appropriate action, I believe that employment options for us may
become worse not better.
Mary Ann Robinson, LMSW, ACSW, CAADC
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