Raising the Bar
By Frasse, Kenneth; Access Review,Publication Date:
Article discussing workplace modifications made to accommodate a medical transcriber who is blind. The transcriber’s employer indicated a decrease in the employee’s productivity over a few years’ time, and was concerned, though willing to help rectify the problem. The Sensory Access Foundation (SAF) was employed to intervene in the situation, and subsequently found that the employee’s productivity had not fallen, as she had been performing her job at the same rate for 16 years. The rest of the employee’s non-disabled colleagues had made the transition to computers, though, while the employee in question was still using an IBM Selectric electronic typewriter. The hospital had not instituted the computer network system with access in mind, as their system was not compatible with Braille displays or speech synthesis. The employee was then given a system with ASAP screen review software with a DECTalk voice synthesis card to be used in conjunction with a bi-channel headset, allowing her to hear voice synthesis through one side of the headset, and the physician’s dictation through the other side. Once set up with this technology, the employee began performing at a production rate that pleased both her and her supervisor.
Assistive Products Discussed: DECTALK PC
ASAP: AUTOMATIC SCREEN ACCESS PROGRAM
Published by: Sensory Access Foundation (Website:http://www.sensoryaccess.com)
Link to text: http://www.sensoryaccess.com/access-review/review-6.html
