[nfbcs] Helping a software engineer keep his job

[Brian Buhrow]

	Hello.  Depending on the Linux environment he's using, there are
several access options available, including a choice of screen reading
technologies and a braille display driver.  I too will be on vacation for a
week or so, but if Graham wants to describe, as much as possible, what his
usual operating environment looks like, it might be helpful in giving us
ideas for him to use to help him keep his job.
	Graham, as a reference, I am a Unix/Linux system programmer who has
been working in that environment as a blind professional for over 20
years.  I've used a variety of screen access technologies during that time.
Today I work almost exclusively outside of the Windows environment and use
a screen reader that runs on the native Unix OS on my workstations.  The
key to success is being flexible, willing to learn and willing to use a
variety of tools and resources, including human readers, in order to meet
the demands of the job.

	I look forward to helping Graham in any way I can since I'm interested
in assuring all blind folks who have employment or want employment and are
willing to work for it, keep their employment.

Sincerely,

-Brian

On Oct 17, 10:47am, Gary Wunder via nfbcs wrote:
} Subject: [nfbcs] Helping a software engineer keep his job
} Several days ago I was contacted by a software engineer who is going blind.
} He uses the Linux operating system, and what he really needs is a way to
} efficiently do the things that are required of him as a programmer for
} Lockheed Martin. His employer seems to be willing to get him any equipment
} that might help him in his job, so they have gotten him Zoom text, the
} K1000, and I think they have even purchased several copies of JAWS for
} Windows for him to use on several computers. Of course all of these are
} based on Microsoft Windows, and what he really needs to interact with is a
} Linux box. He has figured out a way to do some terminal emulation that lets
} him use screen reading technology, but all of the workarounds really make it
} difficult for him to do what once was efficient.
} 
}  
} 
} Do any of you have ideas about how to help him? My impression is that he is
} smart, motivated, well regarded by his employer, but at his wits in as to
} how to do his job and to meet the deadlines that are being offered. He is
} monitoring this list and will appreciate any comments that people care to
} give. I will be monitoring the list, but I will be on vacation and rather
} out of touch for the next ten days or so. I thank all of you for thinking
} about this and giving him your best ideas. His name is Graham Mehl.
} 
}  
} 
} Warmly,
} 
}  
} 
} Gary
} 
} Linix operating system
} 
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>-- End of excerpt from Gary Wunder via nfbcs