[nfbcs] Advice for presentation - Pair Programming for blind and low vision developers

[Louis Maher]

Hi Suzanne,

I found that pair programming worked well during bug-hunting sessions.  I
could not track what the sighted were doing during code development in pair
programming.  I am totally blind and use Braille displays.  I do not think
blind individuals can effectively participate in pair programming code
development sessions.  Our systems point at one focus point at a time.  The
blind work locally to build a global picture.  The sighted can go from
global to local because they can take in a page of code at a time especially
if the code is enhanced with colors and indentation.

If you want an accurate opinion on this issue, talk to blind individuals
that must compete with sighted programmers on a daily basis.



Regards
Louis Maher
Phone: 713-444-7838
E-mail ljmaher at swbell.net


-----Original Message-----
From: nfbcs [mailto:nfbcs-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Suzanne Germano
via nfbcs
Sent: Thursday, February 18, 2016 12:26 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>;
nfbcs at nfbnet.org
Cc: Suzanne Germano <sgermano at asu.edu>
Subject: [nfbcs] Advice for presentation - Pair Programming for blind and
low vision developers

I am legally blind and recently graduated from ASU with my BS in Computer
Science. About one month ago I started my new positions as a Software
Developer/Integrator at USAA.

They are working on making the entire company Agile and want to get into
much more pair programming.

What techniques have you used in pair programming?

I will be proposing a talk for the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in
Computing on the topic of how to effectively accommodate a blind or low
vision developer on your team. So I welcome everyone's input on what works
for you and what you would like to see implemented.

So far I have found pair programming very difficult.

I have enough vision that I use 2 27 inch monitors with ZoomText an have my
IDE span the two monitors. If I am the one running the mouse and keyboard
then it is fine. I cannot work at any of my teammates workstations as they
work in regular size. Not only that, I am extremely light sensitive so I
would not be able to read theirs even if magnified. I am currently in
training, so one solution we use at times is a 55 inch monitor but I have to
stand up right against it and still can't see the top or far side. We also
do team code reviews on a monitor mounted on a wall so I am trying to figure
out solutions for that and the fact the code review software uses color and
I am completely color blind.

Thank you for all ideas and advice!!!
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