[nfbcs] Assistance needed from Programmers
John G. Heim
jheim at math.wisc.edu
Mon Apr 28 16:00:01 UTC 2014
Can we speak freely on this list? From what you say below, I take it
you're not afraid of this getting back to your employer. But I thought
a representative of the company sent that original list of "problems".
On 04/26/14 12:52, Charles E. Black wrote:
> 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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