[humanser] Comments on Accessibility Issues Involving Software

Sat Aug 31 22:01:40 UTC 2013

Hi Mary,

How sad that you have not had an
> acceptable nor appropriate manner of documenting or accessing patient
records for 2 and a half years . The ADA has been in effect now for 23
years.  I ask why should we as blind individuals not have:
1. the same accommodations as our sighted peers
2. accessible software provided in a timely manner and
3.  how discouraging it is that we are fearful
of retaliation for requesting what should be rightfully ours as American
citizens.

Mary Ann

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "MARY CHAPPELL" <MTC5 at COX.NET>
To: "'Human Services Mailing List'" <humanser at nfbnet.org>; "'Mary Ann
Robinson'" <brightsmile1953 at comcast.net>accessible software in a timely
manner
Sent: Saturday, August 31, 2013 5:04 PM
Subject: RE: [humanser] Comments on Accessibility Issues Involving Software

> JD, > In some way I am comforted to know that "I ain't the only one" In
> late
> 2010.
> my hospital announced we were going paperless. My supervisor has been a
> vocal proponent for accessibility and we began an awareness campaign to
> emphasize the need for complete accessibility. We have completely
> transitioned and, for the past 2 and a half years I have not had an
> acceptable nor appropriate manner of documenting or accessing patient
> records. Just recently, when my newest supervisor mentioned ADA and her
> suspicions of probable litigation--I refrain from asserting that option
> because my hope is that I will not make things any more uncomfortable or
> suffer some form of retaliation, the dialog reopened. I am awaiting the
> accessible upgrades... We'll see.
> Mary
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of JD
> Townsend
> Sent: Saturday, August 31, 2013 2:55 PM
> To: Mary Ann Robinson; Human Services Mailing List
> 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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>
>
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