[nabop] Advice on performing general office tasks
Stephanie Pieck
themusicsuite at verizon.net
Fri May 8 21:25:27 UTC 2015
Hi,
One thing you might want to use is an inexpensive set of earbuds so you can
hear JAWS but all your officemates don't. These are much easier than the
full over-ear headphones which often block out so much environmental noise
that it's not really practical for a blind person to use them (I want to
know if someone is trying to get my attention, or people are standing nearby
talking ... not foreavesdropping, just to know about the world outside my
cubicle!).
Best of luck!
Stephanie
-----Original Message-----
From: nabop [mailto:nabop-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of minh ha via nabop
Sent: Thursday, May 07, 2015 11:16 PM
To: National Association of Blind Office Professionals
Cc: minh ha
Subject: Re: [nabop] Advice on performing general office tasks
Hello ladies,
Wow, thank you so much for all the great suggestions! I brain stormed a lot
of these ideas on my own as well, but it's good for me to hear how they are
actually implemented in the workplace. I had my interview today and it went
incredibly well; it's down to me and another student, so keep your fingers
crossed that I get it. The interviewers didn't specifically ask how I could
accomplish these tasks, but I volunteered that I use a screen reader so the
biggest accommodation they would have to provide is installing Jaws on one
of their computers. They were very open to the idea.
I am a braille user and I couldn't imagine how I could even try to do some
of the duties outlined if I didn't know how to read it. I'm fascinated by
the opticon; I had vision up until the age of seven so I know what print
letters look like. I would love to get my hands on one of these devices and
see it in action for myself. I work pretty closely with the Mass. Commission
for the Blind, and if I need any equipment for the job, they will provide
them for me. I already have a laptop with Jaws, braille note apex, scanner
with kurzweil 1000 and a victor reader stream for recording.
Again, thank you a lot for the feedback. I will update on the status of my
application.
Cheers,
Minh
On 5/7/15, Judy Jones via nabop <nabop at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Ashley, see below, I answer your questions within your message.
>
> Judy
>
> -----Original Message-----
> rom: AshleyBramlett via nabop
> Sent: Thursday, May 7, 2015 4:42 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Office Professionals
> Cc: Ashley Bramlett
> Subject: Re: [nabop] Advice on performing general office tasks
>
> Judy,
>
> Good advice.
> I would use accomodations such as jaws as well with openbook.
> I agree with the perkins too so you can write notes on the spot and
label.
> slate and stylus works as well if you are efficient at it.
>
> Slate and stylus is invaluable backup. I failed to mention that I
> also use the Hims Braille U2 Mini as a note taker. The main file I am
> in is my office log, where I record messages, bills paid, tasks that
> need doing, authorizations created, and new referrals. Once I have
> completed a task, issued an auth, or delivered a message, I place a
> braille cell in front of that task, letting me know it is a done deal.
> I also use it's calculator for the store and managing budgets, and
> definitely the calendar. Other files I keep are inventories, staff
> lists, price list, record of receipts, rolodex file, and my case load
> files, to name the most commonly used. From time to time, I still
> need to go to the office procedures file to remind myself of something.
>
> But its unlikely Min's school has openbook. I hope they are willing to
> buy it for her if she needs it.
> These accomodations are expensive. Her school likely has jaws already
> for students to use on school computers such as the library or
> computer labs. So it's a matter of getting a copy to place on the
> office pc, but openbook, well, is another ball game.
> Its also unlikely
> that Min can get an optican because they are not manufactured anymore;
> so unless a nfb member has one she can borrow, this idea will not work.
>
> There is an open source screen reader that can be downloaded called
> NVDA and works quite well, being very similar to Jaws. One can also
> download other voice profiles to use with it.
>
> One does need a way to get at printed information, so I can't see how
> to get away from the need for OCR camera or scanner and software.
> Could she check with her state's assistive technology bank since she
> is a student? Many times they have items that can be loaned to students.
>
> You're right about the Optacon. The only reason I brought it up is
> because it is an integral part of my workplace access, but only those
> who have had the training and can get hold of one can use it. Since
> you are reading print, cursive, whatever, one needs to know how to
> read these. I knew my letters as a kid although I was a braille user,
> so fell quite easily into Optacon use.
>
> Can you expand more on how you file?
>
> For instance, someone puts a hard copy on my desk. I can either scan
> it in or use the Optacon to figure out what it is. I find it much
> faster to use the Optacon, then, if I need to do more detailed
> reading, such as a letter or report, I scan with OpenBook. I take
> care of the bill paying with the Optacon, as there is no way the best
> OCR can handle the graphics. It can only give you its best guess.
>
> Anyway, once I have identified this piece of paper, I braille on the
> bottom
> 2 lines of the page, usually the date received, what it is, and who
> from. I also have developed a paper flow, very important with items
> to tackle on my left, moving to my right and front of my desk. I have
> this big L-shaped executive desk, so have plenty of room.
>
> How can you identify what the papers are to file?
> Is the optican so useful and accurate?
> I've known older nfb members who use them.
> Wouldn't you need a reader for that so you can label it first?
> Are you labeling the papers as well as the files?
>
> Your answer to the above questions. Yes, the Optacon is that
> accurate. A better way of putting that is that, yes, the Optacon
> gives me accurate feedback. The Optacon is not an app that
> interprets. It shows you what you are scanning with the hand camera,
> and you are actually "seeing" with the camera what is on the paper.
>
> All folders have braille labels I have affixed either with clear
> laminate cut into strips or with dimo tape. I label the backside of
> the file or folder tab, leaving the print label alone in the front for
> sighted colleagues. Yes, one can see through the clear material, but
> the braille dots do distort. Plus, it's quicker to "walk" through a
> drawer of files with my fingertips reading the backs of the tabs as I go.
>
> Sure we can do many tasks such as database cleanup, faxing and
> printing, answering phones, routing calls to personnel, and organizing
> tasks like booking meeting rooms and ordering supplies. All tasks are
> common to admin assistant jobs.
>
> That said, I think there are a number of significant challenges to
> being an admin assistant in this increasing digital touch screen world.
>
> I would agree with you there, but there may be the possibility of
> job-trading if everyone is willing.
>
> I also fail to see how we can electronically index and file documents.
> I wanted a volunteer position in a county office requiring me to do
> just that! They said I would not know what the files were once
> scanned. So how on earth could I file or index them?
> How could I properly scan them as well? They did not think the
> software was compatible.
> I was not even allowed to try because I was told they had enough admin
> volunteers in that job by the time they got back to me.
> I understand their concerns, and I honestly had the same ones.
>
> I think you are right about the scanning systems in place nowadays,
> although there are accessible systems out there. Personally I do not
> know what they are, but I know our agency is working toward that
> system, and they have found an accessible system that will work for
> everyone. The hold-up is the money to implement it to all the offices
statewide.
>
> Administrative assistant jobs strike me as visual.
> I've been seeking such a job as an entry level job and cannot even
> find a volunteer position to practice.
> I need experience before someone will hire me!
>
> My barrier is that many office volunteer jobs require you to scan,
> copy, file, and most of all data entry and more data entry.
> I cannot see the papers to perform data entry.
>
> Are there places that use a dictation type system. I worked for a
> place a long time ago where the case workers phoned in their
> dictations to a main steno pool. Like I said, this was a long time ago,
so just curious.
>
> My concern with copying is we cannot put the copies in order or
> visually check if everything copied.
> Sure someone can show us the copier and what buttons to press, but it
> copies in print, and wouldn't you get copies mixed up if you had a lot of
them?
>
> The Optacon solves that problem, but again, maybe you could take on
> more of the tasks you can do. A matter of assigning workflow for the
> supervisor to assign, or to work out with coworkers.
>
> Anyway, more ideas would be welcome.
> I have a bit of central vision but cannot see standard print. I'm
> thinking maybe different colors of file folders would assist me in
organization.
>
> My daughter worked for a place that used the color system with their
> files, starting with the A group being one color, then the e through H
> group another color, the I through N being a third color. The
> dividing lines were the vowels, so that system only had to use five
colors.
>
> Thanks.
> Ashley
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Judy Jones via nabop
> Sent: Wednesday, May 06, 2015 9:54 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Office Professionals
> Cc: Judy Jones
> Subject: Re: [nabop] Advice on performing general office tasks
>
> Hello, Min,
>
> Part of my job is that of being an administrative assistant. The most
> important thing I do is to use a Perkins brailler to braille on the
> bottom of any paper that comes across my desk, since I am responsible
> for all office communications and ordering, filing, billing etc. One
> of my colleagues in Lewiston said it, every hard-copy the office deals
> with lands on our desks, and we make the final decision what happens
> to that paper and where it goes and how quickly.
>
> I use a typewriter to address envelopes, make individual labels as
> needed, write sticky-notes to colleagues, and fill in occasional text
> on a hard-copy document. I use an Optacon to help with this, about
> the Optacon in a minute.
>
> Most definitely I use a computer with Jaws that is totally accessible
> with the work sites. I could use the computer to print labels, but is
> time consuming for the individual label. I also use the typewriter to
> write deposit slips, since I am in charge of our supplies store. I
> had a reader for the first month on the job to help me get set up in
> the office and store, and she helped me map out how many lines down
> from the top, spaces from the left, backspaces from the right, lines down,
etc.
>
> I have a scanner with OpenBook, plus I use Epson Scan to create image
> docs for colleagues if they are needed. Our agency is not yet
> scanning directly into any online database yet, but are getting there.
>
> Now for the Optacon. It is a piece of older technology that is still
> around that allows the blind person to directly read printed material
> through use of a hand camera and a display that raises the print
> letter. As you scan the camera across the page, you can read what is
> on that page. It will tackle things that a camera and app can't
> touch. If I need to sign my name, I mark the signature line with a
> stylus dot, make a crease straight on the line, and know where to sign
> or use my signature stamp. I also make this crease so I know where to
fill out with typewriter when I need to.
>
> I use the Optacon for spot-checking and disseminating mail, paying
> bills, proofing layout of a newly created document, and sometimes have
> used it on my computer screen when Jaws hasn't been working properly.
> If it were not for the Optacon, I would be needing reader hours. I
> can even read cursive as long as it is neat and not over anything else on
the document.
>
> I have my own case load but manage a second case load as well, and all
> those files have braille labels on the back of each folder tab.
>
> The first thing I would say is that braille skills are essential! I
> could find ways of doing the job if I didn't know braille, but my
> productivity would be way down. It has been said that although 70% of
> blind people are unemployed, approximately 90% of those employed use
> braille. Those stats speak for themselves.
>
> You must also have good written and communication skills.
>
> About scanning. You will want to investigate whether or not the
> office uses image scanning, or if their system will be accessible to
> you. As you need to scan in, you will also more than likely be
> needing to retrieve documents as well.
>
> You will also want to make sure your screen reader interfaces properly
> with their system.
>
> One part of the issue is having the skills to do the job. The other
> part is having the systems and software in place that will allow you to do
the job.
> One thing that can help is job trading. For instance, if there is a
> certain task that is not accessible to you, maybe you can take on
> someone elses work that is accessible, freeing them up to do your
inaccessible task.
>
> My productivity equals that of my sighted counterparts, and this is
> what you will want to strive for.
>
> Let me know if you have any further questions, and best wishes.
>
> Judy
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: minh ha via nabop
> Sent: Tuesday, May 5, 2015 10:12 PM
> To: nabop at nfbnet.org
> Cc: minh ha
> Subject: [nabop] Advice on performing general office tasks
>
> Hello everyone,
>
> I hope you are all doing well. I subscribed to this list in order to
> get some tips and tricks on how you all perform office tasks as a
> totally blind person. A little bit about me: I am currently a junior
> at Boston College double majoring in Applied Psychology and Sociology.
> I am also from the Central Massachusetts area. I have an interview for
> an administrative assistant position in my university's Corporate and
> Foundations Relations office coming up this week and I want to be
> prepared to answer questions they might have regarding how I can
> perform the outlined tasks. I've pasted the job description below:
>
> And a basic job description for our position is: Provide
> administrative support to the Corporate and Foundation Relations team
> in University Advancement.
> Responsibilities will include updating alumni database; uploading and
> indexing electronic filing system; scanning and copying; online
> research/projects; monitoring and reporting on CFR twitter account;
> working with Development Assistants for data reports and clean-up;
> conducting on-campus errands, proofreading documents, and other
> general office projects. The position is 15 hours a week.
>
> Most of the tasks described I can do with ease, but stuff like
> scanning, copying, indexing electronic files and general office tasks,
> I've never had any experience with. If I could get some suggestions on
> how you all go about doing these jobs, I would greatly appreciate it.
>
> Best,
> Minh
>
>
> --
> Minh Ha
> Boston College | Lynch School of Education '16 minh.ha927 at gmail.com
>
> "All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty
> recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity:
> but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on
> their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible." T. E. Lawrence
>
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--
Minh Ha
Boston College | Lynch School of Education '16 minh.ha927 at gmail.com
"All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty
recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity:
but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their
dreams with open eyes, to make them possible." T. E. Lawrence
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