[humanser] Comments on Accessibility Issues Involving Software

[Mary Ann Robinson]

Hello Federation Colleagues, 

The agency with whom my employer contracts, began
implementing a new electronic medical record in the fall of 2011.  I
attended introductory trainings regarding the EMR.  Early in 2012, I expressed
concerns about accessibility issues.
As quality manager, one of my job duties would be to conduct medical record
reviews.  I've been unable to do so independently because a number of
documents were hand written and unable to be scanned.
In the new EMR, there are many check boxes in all of the forms.  I can read
the text entered by clinicians, but none of the many items that are checked
are identified by my screen reader , Window-Eyes.
My employer wanted no part of the accessibility discussion ; and I was told
I would have to discuss concerns with
the agency implementing the software and its manufacturer PCE, on my own.
I consulted with GW Micro who manufactures my screen reader.  There were
several meetings that included GW micro, the agency implementing the EMR,
PCE and myself.
Several recommendations were made by the GW Micro representative in
September of 2012,that if implemented,
would result in increased accessibility for me. In the spring of this year,
I was informed that changes would be made to the assessment form to make it
accessible.  The changes went into effect on August 1st.  Lo and behold,
they didn't work.
It appears as though the software developers made a change different than
the one recommended by GW Micro.  So I am  back to square one.
If I were still a clinician,as I was until 2005,  I wouldn't be able to use the software at all
to complete paperwork.  What a nightmare that would be.  When issues like
these arise, I believe we as blind employees need to speak out appropriately
and assertively.  We shouldn't remain silent.  If we do, we will be "left in
the dust" so to speak as technology advances.
We may be able to remain employed in a private practice.  However, those of
us who work in agencies are apt to find that our jobs are in jeopardy if
software isn't  accessible as more and more agencies become paperless.
When the agencies that employ us are considering implementing new software,
we should request that the software developers take web content
accessibility guidelines into consideration.  I've been informed that these
can be found at w3.org on the web.  It is my understanding, that if these
guidelines are followed by developers, software will be accessible to people
with disabilities worldwide.
Thank you for reading this long winded post. If we don't speak up and/or take other appropriate action, I believe
that employment options for us may become worse not better.
Mary Ann Robinson, LMSW, ACSW, CAADC