Accommodating Productivity: Allstate and Assistive Technology
By Kendrick, Deborah; Access World, Vol. 2, No. 1Publication Date: January 2001
Article discusses accommodations for employees at Allstate Insurance who are blind or have low vision. One computer programmer with macular degeneration started out using screen magnification and synthesized speech, both of which were provided by the company. As his condition progressed, he switched to JAWS for Windows 3.7 and OpenBook for scanning print documents. Another employee, who has a visual impairment due to retinopathy, uses MAGIC software for screen enlargement. As the number of assistive technology (AT) accommodations for their employees grew, Allstate formed a team dedicated to providing AT solutions in 1999. Team members frequently attend conferences such as Closing the Gap and CSUN’s Assistive Technology Certification Program. The team has purchased, trained, and configured such solutions for employees as voice recognition software, ergonomic keyboards, head-mounted mouse pointers, and a variety of switches and alternative keyboards for people with conditions such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, carpal tunnel syndrome, and paralysis.
Assistive Products Discussed: OPENBOOK
MAGIC STANDARD EDITION & MAGIC PROFESSIONAL EDITION
JAWS FOR WINDOWS
Published by: AFB Press (Website:http://www.afb.org/Section.asp?SectionID=46)
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) (Web Site: http://www.afb.org )
Link to text: http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw020105
