[Nfbc-info] problem solving about online job applications

[David Andrews]

Lisa:

I am begtinning to think this is a bigger problem than we have 
previously thought. While it won't help you with the current problem, 
you should contact Valerie Yingling at our National Office. They are 
collecting info on inaccessible job sites.

Secondly I think the Rehab agency needs to work on this problem on 
two fronts. They need to work with other state agencies and others to 
make sites more accessible. Secondly, they need to directly assist 
disabled job applicants to fill out applications, until the situation 
gets better.

Dave

At 03:44 PM 3/1/2016, you wrote:
>Hello Federation Family,
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>I would like to begin a discussion about problem solving at multiple levels
>when it comes to web access barriers and online job applications. I will now
>share why I am writing this message. Basically, I encountered a semi
>accessible online job application. Now, I'll try to succinctly describe my
>efforts to problem solve and some of those results. Finally, I will open a
>secondary discussion about what can we do collectively to change things
>within the State of California.
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>To begin with, an acquaintance urged me to apply for a position where he
>works. The agency is in essence a satellite office. It's headquarters are
>out of state. Uploading my tailored resume wasn't a problem, however, the
>organization's online job application is not tagged in various areas and
>parts of it could be laid out differently. When I discovered that current
>online form wouldn't interface with JAWS I tried another approach. I pressed
>my nose to the screen using a magnifier and managed, after six hours, to
>complete probably 3/4ths of the form, however, all of that work went into
>cyber space. There's more to this story.
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>Over the past three days I contacted a couple of sighted friends to see if
>they could help me; they can't, at least not now. I sent a short email to
>the person who encouraged me to apply for the position. This person had good
>intentions when he sent my message to headquarters. Someone from
>headquarters sent me an email. She forwarded my resume to the Hiring
>Manager; a free pass to the head of the line that I would prefer not to
>have. I asked Sweetman Systems to go online with me to look at the form;
>they did. They agree that there's room for improvement. I contacted  Mike
>Hingson and followed through with his suggestions to contact local agencies
>providing services to blind persons; I did. Here's where I'm at.
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>I'm working with my DOR counselor. There's additional lag time, in part,
>because her office isn't in the area. I left a message for the Director of
>Client Services at the local Center for the Blind and I contacted the local
>Braille Institute Volunteer Coordinator. The volunteer coordinator brought
>up some points I had not thought about. Her volunteers cannot help blind
>clients with paperwork which requires disclosure of personal information.
>This is to protect both individuals. Additionally, she worried  that her
>volunteers would be liable if they made an error on the application. She
>made some suggestions that weren't particular useful for me. I was invited
>to use screen magnification equipment and she suggested that I work with
>their technology instructor. The last suggestion would have been great had I
>not already worked with highly qualified adaptive technology trainers. For
>now, I'm stuck at pretty near square one. This brings me to the last part of
>my message.
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>I think it's safe to say that most of us want to drastically reduce the rate
>of unemployment for blind individuals. I think it's also safe to say that
>some of us would agree that even with the Department of Rehabilitation's
>addition of team case management and designated job developers the system is
>substantially flawed. I ask the question that some of you may be asking.
>Collectively, what can the NFBC do to evoke change; preferably, to
>completely separate DOR services for the blind and visually impaired from
>other DOR services. Also, what can we collectively do to create employer
>incentives to make online environments universally inclusive? It goes
>without saying, none of this happens overnight. But, things need to change
>and I would like to see the affiliate act on Brian Bashan's resolution which
>was adopted two years ago. Your thoughts and suggestions?
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>Warmly,
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>Lisa Irving

         David Andrews and long white cane Harry.
E-Mail:  dandrews at visi.com or david.andrews at nfbnet.org