Blog

Ralph Musiime ,

If I had to describe what it is like being a blind assistive technology and training officer I would say, it takes a lot of time and brains because it involves a lot of learning, reading, training and research. It also requires someone to be more innovative and passionate.

My job involves training the use of different assistive technologies both software and devices like fusion, ZoomText, JAWS, DBT and devices like computers, iPhone, daisy players, clear readers, braille note takers, Embossers etc.

Training in Braille literacy which involves training people how to read and write braille both pre UEB and UEB. Designing accessible books in different formats including audio, daisy, html, E-pub, electronic braille etc. Designing teaching aids for learners with visual impairment using the local materials training mobility and orientation including activities of daily living

How Do I Do My Job Then?

The key tool enabling me to access my work is screen-reading software. It is a software that reads out what is on a computer screen. So, my software reads out the relevant documents, emails and webpages to me. Quick tip:  if using screen reading software make sure to use headphones rather than speakers if you don’t want your colleagues to keep on wondering … In a similar respect, when I’m typing, the screen reader reads aloud to me what I am typing and will help me to review my work. There are several leading screen readers out there. The one I use is called JAWS.

Office Space: I’m generally located in an office which is easily accessible with a route least likely to present any tripping hazards. My desk tends to be closer to the office entrance for the same reason. Similarly, when I joined the team, and on return following the pandemic I had multiple familiarization trips round the office, so I knew the layout of where everything generally is.

My Desk set up: I have a keyboard, headsets and a CPU on my desk. Because literally I don’t use a mouse and a monitor since it only supports sighted people. In addition to that I also have an iPhone. The iPhone comes with its inbuilt Voiceover function which acts as a screen reader on the iPhone. Voiceover is built into every iPhone – yes even yours – you can give it a go by tapping on Settings>Accessibility>Voiceover.  

My colleagues at work; All of, human resource, Production, ICT/Marketing, Administration and catering are aware of my disability and are around if I have specific issues that need addressing.

Food; To avoid crowding in the kitchen, the chef brings lunch to my desk (usually accompanied with a glass of water) After eating I take back the plates in the kitchen for washing.

Hopefully from the above, you’ll see there is much more that goes into making my job accessible than giving me the screen reading kit and telling me to get on with it.

It’s an incorrect, all be it extremely common, assumption that reasonable adjustments such as mine reverse the effects of being blind. This is completely wrong, and I CAN’T REITERRATE THIS ENOUGH. The above adjustments enable me to access my work despite my sight impairment. They do not however get rid of the challenges my sight impairment causes; and they do not therefore mean I can work as someone who is fully sighted. Reasonable adjustments are not a cure all for a colleague’s disability.

I set out below some common challenges I face despite having these adjustments. These may not be immediately obvious. However, I also set out some suggestions as to what you could do to help a sight impaired colleague mitigate these challenges. Even the smallest reduction in challenges is beneficial!

Document formats; for screen readers, poorly structured documents are difficult to access so it’s advisable for document to be well structured.

Furthermore, handwritten comments (in hard copy or digitally) are unreadable and it is hard for images to be seen. I constantly ask a colleague to read for me and also describe the images for me.

Navigating Documents: Navigating through 100+ page documents by ear is time consuming. I can’t “skim listen”. I can’t find a sentence in the middle of a paragraph without listening to everything in that paragraph before the section I want to read. It inevitably takes longer to run through a document or locate a specific clause than it does for my sighted colleagues.

Final Thoughts

If there is one message, I’d like you to take away from this post it is that people and colleagues are just as important for enabling colleagues with disabilities to access their job as the adjustments themselves.

The more awareness there is amongst individuals the greater chance there is for these challenges to be overcome together. I can tell you from experience when colleagues are supportive and help in this way, being a blind technology instructor is certainly more rewarding, fulfilling and fun than it is frustrating, demoralizing and relentless, and that applies not only for me, but also the colleagues who are working with me too!