[humanser] Comments on Accessibility Issues Involving Software

Sat Aug 31 19:58:59 UTC 2013

I sure do like and agree with the words to the song about freedom.  It is so 
sad
that things are so often done when there is a threat of litigation instead 
of for the right reasons.  Changing attitudes and misconceptions are also 
critical to removing barriers and locking doors for us.

Mary Ann

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "JD Townsend" <43210 at Bellsouth.net>
To: "Mary Ann Robinson" <brightsmile1953 at comcast.net>; "Human Services 
Mailing List" <humanser at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, August 31, 2013 2:54 PM
Subject: Re: [humanser] Comments on Accessibility Issues Involving Software

>
> Ahhh ... I am not alone.
>
> After much advocacy my hospital's electronic records are becoming, 
> grudgingly, accessable.
>
> The newest document to go on-line is our psychosocial.  Wonder of wonders 
> they are asking me to review it prior to bringing it on-line for all 
> workers.  Of course it was totally not with Window-Eyes or with JFW, so 
> with the assistance of the state's blind services and their sub-contractor 
> who programs JFW the work to bringing it into full access is being 
> completed. The programming is complex and taking days due to the lack of 
> built-in access features.  Had I not contact an attorney last year this 
> understanding by the hospital would not be.  They are more worried with 
> legal suit than with providing access to all, how about that?
>
> As the song goes:
> Freedom doesn't come like a bird on the wing,
> Freedom doesn't come like the evening rain,
> You've got to fight for it,
> Day and night for it,
> And, every generation has got to win it again.
>
> Together we can force this issue.
>
>
> -----Original Message----- 
>
>
> JD
> From: Mary Ann Robinson
> Sent: Thursday, August 29, 2013 10:04 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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>
> JD Townsend LCSW
> Helping the light dependent to see.
> Daytona Beach, Earth, Sol System
>
>
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