[nfbcs] Assistance needed from Programmers

[Steve Jacobson]

David,

To really address some of these questions, it is necessary to know more about the situation.  The points raised are all valid points, and to one degree or another, we've all had to deal with them.  However, there 
is a tendency by employers and sometimes employees to assume that everything made available visually has to be made available in an alternative format.  This is often not the case, but there is still a need to 
deal with some of the visual information received.  Are we talking about a new employee, an employee who has lost his/her vision recently, or is this a long-time employee who is encountering challenges on 
his/her job.  This could make a difference as to what approach should be taken.

Best regards,

Steve Jacobson

On Mon, 21 Apr 2014 17:36:19 -0400, David W Bundy wrote:

>I have received an inquiry from an employer related to challenges being
>encountered by one of their programmers who is blind. I thought some of the
>long-time programmers on the list might have some tips that may help him
>address these issues.  Below is the information that was provided to me
>(with identifying information removed).  I have some ideas about some of
>these, but would welcome any feedback any of you may have.

> 

> 

>·        Complexity of Code  Employee needs to be able to navigate through
>thousands of lines of code, identify key components and understand how they
>relate to other parts of the system, including impacts to  other company
>systems

> 

>·        Software Limitations  Because of the JAWS software limitations,
>employee is unable to:

>§  Interpret graphical documentation, such as:

>-          Diagrams

>-          Scope and design documents

>-          Technical specifications

>-          Concept Diagrams, etc.

>The requirement for additional explanations exists when supporting text is
>not adequate for interpretation  

>§  View communications with reference to graphical documents or embedded
>information, such as:

>-          Email communication

>-          Project documentation

>-          Reference materials

>Each document must be revised for employee to be able to receive it. This
>includes technical specifications which can be in excess of a hundred pages

>§  View PowerPoint presentations 

>PowerPoint presentations have to be modified to include words on all images
>to describe the image  

>§  View Roles documentation 

>Due to the software inability to review documentation associated with roles,
>employee must schedule personal interviews with employees in specific I/S
>roles to support the understanding of those roles and the various
>responsibilities

>§  Maneuver through the Quality Center software to do research

>Unable to access this web-based application  

>§  Participate in Meetings/Training presentations that include images or
>graphics 

>Any training or meeting that employee attends must have every image
>explained and a soft copy available so he can follow along. Instances where
>computer based training would be assigned to assist with training,
>additional explanation or alternate training material must be provided  

> 

> 

>PC Hardware/Software already in place:

>Specialized software/hardware and associated licenses are required for
>employee to interpret text or screen displays.

>The following items have been purchased and installed:

>·         New PC purchased to handle specialized software (March 2013)


>·         Braille Display purchased (May 2013)

>·         Upgrade to JAWS Interpretation version of software (October 2013)

> 

> 

>Code Walk-Thru and Other Meetings

>I/S provides accommodations to assist employee in meetings by preparing a
>soft copy and sending to him via email so he can view other's changes in a
>walk through. He is also provided with a laptop/PC for his participation in
>the meeting. In order for employee to conduct a code walk through, since he
>is unable to point out his changes, he must speak to them from memory.  

> 

> 

> 

>Work Assignments

>Every project that is initiated, the first person we try to fit into an
>assignment is this employee .  He is able to do very elementary assignments
>and requires a lot of direction and guidance through the system.  While he
>is able to code from very detailed specifications, he is unable to maneuver
>well through the massive amount of code in our systems. Also, he is unable
>to do the necessary research to support an effort during systems testing.
>In I/S development, assignments are different with each project.  We are not
>in the same program elements time and time again.  This is a challenge for
>the employee .  In order for him to maneuver through a program, he pretty
>much has to memorize it.    

> 

> 

> 

>David W Bundy

>Columbia, SC

>bundy at pobox.com

>(803) 447-7629

> 

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