[nfbcs] Assistance needed from Programmers
Charles E. Black
charleseblack at att.net
Sat Apr 26 17:52:26 UTC 2014
I am indeed a part of this list. I agree with having accessible text on
images. I agree that there should be accomidations. How do you get a company
that has been practicing the way they have for at least 40 years to change
there ways of doing things. While I am a good programmer, graduated with a
3.68 GPA in Information Technology, I do not think I should be expected to
remember every thing about a vast mainframe system. I am aware of what
happens in what regions. What the problem is is that people don't want to
change the way they have been doing things for years. They have been living
in a sighted world and are only going to change when h3ll freezes over.
Charles E. Black
Kershaw County Area Chapter, President,
19 Coach Hill Rd.
Camden, SC 29020
Phone: (803) 463-0040
-----Original Message-----
From: nfbcs [mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of John G. Heim
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2014 11:25 AM
To: NFB in Computer Science Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nfbcs] Assistance needed from Programmers
You know, if you read the list of "problems" below, it could almost be
the first draft of a document for guidelines on making an accessible
workplace. All images in power point presentations must have textual
explanations. Alternatives must be found for inaccessible web apps.
Blind employees should be given soft copies of documents before
meetings. These are not "problems", they are just normal accomodations
every blind employee would need.
What we need is to get this guy on this list so we can support him. I
doubt there is much that can be done at this point. It sounds to me as
if the company is expecting miracles. Yeah, a blind employee is not
going to be able to interpret images in a power point presentation. He
is not going to be able to use an inaccessible web app. Do they think
that those of us on this list are going to be able to change those
things? There is some stuff in there thatmight be about the blind
technologist just not being very good at his job, like the suggestion
that he struggles with the thousands of lines of code in the system.
Well, first of all, everybody does that, But I suspect that even this
problem is as much the company expecting miracles than it is inadequacy
on the part of the technologist.
At the risk of being redundant, this is why we created the International
Association Of Visually Impaired Technologists. I've seen this same
thing happen too many times. It depnds on the job but in most cases,
you have to be twice as good, work twice as hard, and take half the pay
to succeed in this business. And if you're not capable of being twice as
good or working twice as hard, well, then you are screwed. I don't think
there is really much to be done about that but I don't want to go down
without a fight.
On 04/21/14 16:36, 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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--
---
John G. Heim, 608-263-4189, jheim at math.wisc.edu
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