[nabs-l] temp jobs

[Arielle Silverman]

Hi Ashley and all,

You should try asking these questions on the new Young-Professionals
list through NFBNet.
I do not know any blind people who have worked at a temp agency but it
sounds doable. I would however suggest that you make accommodations as
easy on them as possible by installing your own copy of JAWS on their
computer in demo mode if that is required, or asking if you can use
your own laptop. If you manage the accommodations yourself and it
requires absolutely no extra work or expense from them then it
shouldn't be a problem. When I worked summer internships, I was able
to get I.T. to help me install JAWS, but some companies may not have
that.
My sighted husband and his brother have both done temp work and it led
to longer-term work though it was stuff they were over-qualified for.

The entry-level jobs you mention sound like they would be accessible
except if you have to swipe credit cards as an essential job function.
I do not know if the majority of movie theaters and such use
accessible card machines or ones that can be made accessible. That
would be a good question to ask a blind vendor.

Best,
Arielle

On 10/7/13, Ashley Bramlett <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> As we know the economy is not conducive to finding much full time
> employment. I’m out of  college and trying to figure out where I may fit; I
> can be a clerical assistant but I also feel I’d fit in a communications
> field because I love writing true stories; I’m not into writing fiction.
>
> I came across a temp agency that employs qualified people to do writing
> tasks, editing, and desktop publishing, and administrative jobs.
> Has anyone done or heard of a blind person working a temp job?
> I certainly do not know of anyone getting a temp job who is blind or with
> any disability.
> I do not know if temp agencies are covered by the ADA.
>
> It seems like worth trying because if I did find a job through them and
> liked it, it would give me good experience and cash.
> I also feel working a temp job may help me get a feel for what sort of work
> I want to do.
>
> I’m concerned about the screening tests with the computer. I’m hopeful that
> if I explain my screen reader and how I need it as an accomodation, they
> will be accomodating and download a demo of jaws for me.
> Interested to hear your thoughts.
> Also, do you all feel that performing the following little jobs are doable?
> I say little as they are not full time work, but rather used to give you
> experience and money until you find a full time job. This is why there is a
> turnover of personnel.
> The jobs are:
>
> 1. selling movie tickets
> 2. working at a box office which involves answering customer questions,
> selling tickets via phone and in person, and database entry
> 3. working at a museum gallery or information desk; this mainly involves
> interacting with visitors to answer questions and some job descriptions say
> care of the galleries/exhibitions.
> 4. caring for animals and walking them at animal shelter.
>
> I am not interested in animals as a job btw  but know of friends who might
> be.
> I have not heard of blind people doing these jobs. The only  visual job is
> the museum one. But even then some textures or making labels may help one
> navigate a gallery. I also have some central vision which may help me handle
> money, although most of it is done via credit cards now.
>
> I look forward to your thoughts.
>
> Ashley
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