[nabs-l] interacting with the public in a customer service type role

[bcsarah.fan at gmail.com]

Hi everyone:

Recently I began a new summer position within a government
organization where I am now employed for my fourth summer. In this
particular job I am trying to help youth find employment, which is
accomplished by promoting our services at events , as well as help
youth and employers when they come into our office. I am part of a
team, my other colleagues being sighted.

Up until this coming week I have done most of my work in the back of
the office, and this has mainly been administrative things (phone
calls/e-mails to contact employers, posting jobs on the online job
bank, etc.) But I have never actually been out helping youth yet in
the front. This coming week I will be exploring how I might fit in in
that capacity, but have a few questions, and thought some of you may
have some experience and best practices regarding this.

1. How have you dealt with clients coming in and out of the office in
terms of knowing when someone approaches you without seeing them
especially if you are doing other work than just sitting at a desk?
While I wait for youth I will be doing a lot of the duties that I
would normally take on in the back.
2. Have any of you had to deal with information that changes quickly?
and How have you dealt with that? For example, we have a list of jobs
that are available for youth through our casual labour program, and
that changes rather quickly. I have a braille display hooked up to my
computer in the back office but don't want to bring it to the front as
that will not be my permanent location - I will switch off with my
colleagues frequently. I am considering brailling these jobs out each
day on my brailler, but that's the only solution I have thus far.

I think those are the main things I can think of for the moment. Any
suggestions/advice would be great. I see no wrong answer.

Patricia