[humanser] Comments on Accessibility Issues Involving Software

Mon Sep 2 05:16:47 UTC 2013

I think there will probably have to be some litigation on this with several 
people winning their cases before these companies change.

Jan

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mary Ann Robinson" <brightsmile1953 at comcast.net>
To: "MARY CHAPPELL" <MTC5 at COX.NET>
Cc: "Human Services Mailing List" <humanser at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, August 31, 2013 5:01 PM
Subject: Re: [humanser] Comments on Accessibility Issues Involving Software

> 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
>> _______________________________________________
>> humanser mailing list
>> humanser at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/humanser_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> humanser:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/humanser_nfbnet.org/43210%40bellsouth.net
>>
>> JD Townsend LCSW
>> Helping the light dependent to see.
>> Daytona Beach, Earth, Sol System
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> humanser mailing list
>> humanser at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/humanser_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> humanser:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/humanser_nfbnet.org/mtc5%40cox.net
>>
>>
>>
>> -----
>> No virus found in this message.
>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>> Version: 2013.0.3392 / Virus Database: 3222/6626 - Release Date: 08/31/13
>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> humanser mailing list
> humanser at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/humanser_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> humanser:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/humanser_nfbnet.org/jlb021951%40gmail.com
> 