[Journalists] Getting Hired

Sat Jul 7 21:38:54 UTC 2012

Hello all,

Sorry to weigh in rather late on this topic. I just returned from the NFB 
convention yesterday. For those who missed it, I felt the topics during the 
general sessions as well as the meetings of divisions and committees gave us 
a wealth of information in terms of accessibility and legislative issues of 
importance. Why not focus on these for freelance opportunities. For 
instance, find out if the Goodwill organization in your community pays its 
disabled workers subminimum wage.
Before the convention, I forwarded a press release written by Chris 
Danielsen to our managing editor and said I felt that our newspaper needed 
to report on this unfair practice.
My editor asked me to check on whether Goodwill in Fort Worth pays 
subminimum wage,and unfortunately, that is the case.

I did not write the article since I am the local chapter president, but I 
was able to pass along valuable information to my colleagues.

Also, think about stories on access to polling places and blind people 
organizing voter registration drives as we approach an important national 
election.

Many of you already know that I am a totally blind person working full time 
at a major regional daily paper, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. I realize the 
importance of wearing many hats as newspapers are shifting to the digital 
platform, but I also think you are spending too much time worrying about the 
tasks that you cannot do rather than those that you can easily accomplish.

Yes, it is true that reporters are expected to shoot video, take pictures 
and compose stories,and the expectations are for us to accomplish all of 
those tasks while using our smart phones out in the field.
I can't take pictures or shoot video, but I can record and edit audio to 
accompany my stories which is something that many of my colleagues are not 
doing. I also post to Facebook and Twitter quite oftenand have given my 
sighted colleagues hints on how to use the social networking sites as well 
as some tips on creating calendars and so forth on their smart phones. They 
are appreciative of that, just as I am appreciative of their assistance when 
I need it
Because we have been through round after round of layoffs, we are doing more 
with less. Currently, I am covering one of our larger school districts and 
civil courts, a job I began about a month ago. After learning how to search 
our district clerk's online database, I've been able to write several 
interesting stories including one on former employees of BNSF Railway suing 
the company after they developed lung disease because of years of asbestos 
exposure.
I've also written about a widow suing a beer delivery company for wrongful 
death after her husband died because he was shot in the head while 
delivering beer in a high crime area. The suit accuses the company of 
failing to give employees adequate safety training and for failing to post 
signs on delivery trucks saying drivers do not carry cash.

I'm saying all of this because we can provide valuable resources and 
stories. If you can take video and pictures, certainly do that, but don't 
discount other skills that you have.

Please feel free to ask other questions,and I will do my best to answer 
them.

Sincerely,

Liz Campbell

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Watson, Katherine M." <watsonkm05 at gmail.com>
To: <journalists at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2012 5:35 PM
Subject: [Journalists] Getting Hired

> Hello Fellow Journalists,
>     My name is Katie Watson, and in May, I graduated from The University 
> of
> Wisconsin-Whitewater with a degree in print journalism. While searching
> through job listings, I've noticed that newspapers are looking for people
> who can do as many things as possible--write, edit, take photos, create
> video, lay out pages, etc. I am totally blind, and although I write and 
> edit
> well--I served as a copy editor and reporter for my student newspaper--I'm
> not sure how I can present myself in a favorable light despite my lack of
> physical ability to do everything in the job description. What can I say 
> to
> potential employers to bring out the benefits of my blindness so they 
> don't
> focus on the things I can't do?
>     I'm proud of the degree I've earned, and of myself as a blind
> journalist, and I know that my disability has given me a unique 
> perspective.
> I wrote an article in my student newspaper suggesting improvements to
> accessibility on campus, and then received an email from The Office of
> Residence Life saying they purchased a Braille labeler and requested my 
> help
> in labeling the washers and dryers in my dorm. However, in the tough
> economic times of today--not to mention the troubles newspapers are facing
> with the rise of the Internet--it is hard to believe an employer would 
> give
> me a chance when hiring me would require the newspaper to spend money to
> also hire drivers and people to assist with formatting and layout,
> especially when they could hire another candidate who can do all the tasks
> themselves. I would appreciate any advice/assistance you could give. Thank
> you for your time.
>
> --Katie Watson
>
>
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