[Nfbc-info] problem solving about online job applications

Mon Mar 7 22:51:48 UTC 2016

Hi Lisa,

I wish you the bast of luck in landing that job. 

Best,
Eileen

Sent from my iPhone

> On Mar 7, 2016, at 2:45 PM, Lisa Irving via Nfbc-info <nfbc-info at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hello Justin, Ted and all others,
> 
> 
> This afternoon I was invited to interview for the position I recently
> applied for online. For now, my bottom line is selling my experience; my
> talents and my willingness to learn and contribute to the mission of the
> agency. When I get the job and after I'm no longer the new kid on the block
> then will begin to respectfully address some of the challenges with the
> company's web environment. 
> 
> I'm inclined to agree with Ted. I have to be in the huddle and not on the
> periphery . 
> 
> Lisa Irving 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nfbc-info [mailto:nfbc-info-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Clark,
> Ted A at DOT via Nfbc-info
> Sent: Monday, March 07, 2016 11:16 AM
> To: NFB of California List <nfbc-info at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Clark, Ted A at DOT <ted.clark at dot.ca.gov>
> Subject: Re: [Nfbc-info] problem solving about online job applications
> 
> I have to respectfully disagree
> 
> if you get hired then you can be the one to ensure they meet the
> accessibility standards.
> 
> I know at my work I am the accessibility expert. Different units will send
> me their documents and webpages to make sure that they are accessible before
> they are sent live to the public.
> 
> If I came upon something that was not accessible I would let that division
> no. And also inform them that I would be glad to check their materials
> before it went live.
> 
> After that they would send me their materials in advance to ensure that they
> were accessible. Fortunately I was on the inside and able to work with them
> and let them know if their documents were in compliance. But it was because
> I was working with this company that I was able to make these changes.
> Everyone that I worked with has been quite receptive and thankful for my
> assistance.
> 
> If we are to make change we need to get involved. And not Monday morning
> quarterback.
> 
> 
> Cc: Justin Harford
> Subject: Re: [Nfbc-info] problem solving about online job applications
> 
> I would not want a sighted friend to spend time helping me apply to an
> employer who clearly does not want me to apply. 
> 
>>> On Mar 5, 2016, at 7:39 PM, Chela Robles via Nfbc-info
>> <nfbc-info at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Well said Chuck because I know when looking for a job there are bound to
> be some online job applications not screen reader friendly at all and I've
> had sighted people I know and fully trust to help me when it comes to for
> example drop down lists in which you must select a state and country and
> county and the app doesn't have a combo box, just an inaccessible drop down
> menu where JAWS can read the items but once you select them, it says for
> example California clickable doesn't even say whether or not it is selected,
> or worse, they will have a hash-tag symbol or a # and say it is a link but
> when clicking on it, it doesn't work in order to select the item in
> question.
>> When in doubt see about scheduling a time to have sighted assistance or at
> least if you are able to do so, have someone remotely access your computer
> and have them help you that way as you are talking to them.
>> 
>> --
>> You can live the life you want. your disability is not what holds you
> back. Use your disability to break down common barriers and misconceptions.
> You can do this!
>> --
>> Chela Robles
>> E-mail: cdrobles693 at gmail.com
>> Skype: jazzytrumpet
>> I volunteer for Bookshare, to find out more and to volunteer with
>> us,visit: http://www.bookshare.org/ Need more space, come join dropbox 
>> and start with two gigs of free space and 500 Megabytes as is this is 
>> my referral link to you: http://db.tt/XpUTe0E
>> --
>> 
>>> On 3/5/2016 6:56 PM, Charles Krugman via Nfbc-info wrote:
>>> Hi Lisa and all. I understand what you are trying to do here to bring
> about improvements in accessibility of on line applications for employment.
> While I haven't experienced this with an on line application there have been
> a couple of times I have experienced accessibility or confusion when
> purchasing a product or registering on a site. As I was concerned about
> spending as little time possible dealing with the issue I resorted on one
> occasion to having a sighted person who I knew complete a purchase to join
> an organization as there was an accessibility issue. This involved giving
> him my information and having him complete the process for me using his
> computer. Some times the most expedient way is to revert to sighted help to
> complete a task in a timely manner and save the problem solving for after
> the immediate situation is resolved.
>>> Chuck
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message----- From: Lisa Irving via Nfbc-info
>>> Sent: Tuesday, March 1, 2016 1:44 PM
>>> To: 'NFB of California List'
>>> Cc: Lisa Irving
>>> Subject: [Nfbc-info] problem solving about online job applications
>>> 
>>> Hello Federation Family,
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> I would like to begin a discussion about problem solving at multiple 
>>> levels when it comes to web access barriers and online job 
>>> applications. I will now share why I am writing this message.
>>> Basically, I encountered a semi accessible online job application. 
>>> Now, I'll try to succinctly describe my efforts to problem solve and 
>>> some of those results. Finally, I will open a secondary discussion 
>>> about what can we do collectively to change things within the State of
> California.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> To begin with, an acquaintance urged me to apply for a position where 
>>> he works. The agency is in essence a satellite office. It's 
>>> headquarters are out of state. Uploading my tailored resume wasn't a 
>>> problem, however, the organization's online job application is not 
>>> tagged in various areas and parts of it could be laid out 
>>> differently. When I discovered that current online form wouldn't 
>>> interface with JAWS I tried another approach. I pressed my nose to 
>>> the screen using a magnifier and managed, after six hours, to 
>>> complete probably 3/4ths of the form, however, all of that work went into
> cyber space. There's more to this story.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Over the past three days I contacted a couple of sighted friends to 
>>> see if they could help me; they can't, at least not now. I sent a 
>>> short email to the person who encouraged me to apply for the 
>>> position. This person had good intentions when he sent my message to 
>>> headquarters. Someone from headquarters sent me an email. She 
>>> forwarded my resume to the Hiring Manager; a free pass to the head of 
>>> the line that I would prefer not to have. I asked Sweetman Systems to 
>>> go online with me to look at the form; they did. They agree that 
>>> there's room for improvement. I contacted  Mike Hingson and followed 
>>> through with his suggestions to contact local agencies providing services
> to blind persons; I did. Here's where I'm at.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> I'm working with my DOR counselor. There's additional lag time, in 
>>> part, because her office isn't in the area. I left a message for the 
>>> Director of Client Services at the local Center for the Blind and I 
>>> contacted the local Braille Institute Volunteer Coordinator. The 
>>> volunteer coordinator brought up some points I had not thought about.
>>> Her volunteers cannot help blind clients with paperwork which requires
> disclosure of personal information.
>>> This is to protect both individuals. Additionally, she worried that 
>>> her volunteers would be liable if they made an error on the 
>>> application. She made some suggestions that weren't particular useful 
>>> for me. I was invited to use screen magnification equipment and she 
>>> suggested that I work with their technology instructor. The last 
>>> suggestion would have been great had I not already worked with highly 
>>> qualified adaptive technology trainers. For now, I'm stuck at pretty 
>>> near square one. This brings me to the last part of my message.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> I think it's safe to say that most of us want to drastically reduce 
>>> the rate of unemployment for blind individuals. I think it's also 
>>> safe to say that some of us would agree that even with the Department 
>>> of Rehabilitation's addition of team case management and designated 
>>> job developers the system is substantially flawed. I ask the question
> that some of you may be asking.
>>> Collectively, what can the NFBC do to evoke change; preferably, to 
>>> completely separate DOR services for the blind and visually impaired 
>>> from other DOR services. Also, what can we collectively do to create 
>>> employer incentives to make online environments universally 
>>> inclusive? It goes without saying, none of this happens overnight.
>>> But, things need to change and I would like to see the affiliate act 
>>> on Brian Bashan's resolution which was adopted two years ago. Your
> thoughts and suggestions?
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Warmly,
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Lisa Irving
>>> 
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>> 
>> 
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