How much do employers know about how blind people perform specific job tasks?
In 2013, we conducted a survey with 160 businesses that included questions about how legally blind people can perform five specific job tasks. The respondents, who were all in hiring positions, were from randomly selected businesses across four states. They were asked if they knew how legally blind people could perform certain job tasks, and if so, to describe how. We rated the accuracy of their “how” responses. We found that most employers do not know much about how blind people perform work-related tasks. Although some employers thought they knew the correct answers, few actually did.
Can you correctly describe how blind people perform the following tasks?
1. Access pre-printed material, such as a document already in regular print
[7.2% of employers answered correctly]
Low vision adaptations include using a photocopier to enlarge the print, low vision aids like a magnifying glass, or an electronic video magnifier. Someone with more limited or no sight can use a scanner to turn the document into a digital form, allowing the computer to read the text aloud or send it to a refreshable braille display or take a picture using a camera on a smartphone or tablet and use mobile apps like Seeing AI to have it read aloud. There are also glasses with AI technology that can read aloud what is on the paper.
2. Access a computer to use the internet or email, or utilize standard computer software
[11.4% of employers answered correctly]
Low vision options include getting a larger computer monitor or using the built-in screen magnifier in the computer operating system or screen magnification software (like ZoomText or Dolphin) to enlarge the size of what appears onscreen. People who have little or no usable vision would use either a built-in screen reader or screen reader software, both of which read the words on the screen aloud. Screen reader software include JAWS and NVDA, and built-in screen readers are Narrator for a PC and VoiceOver for a Mac. Some people may use a refreshable braille display in addition to the screen reader to access the computer. This allows for more detailed editing and proofreading. In addition, the use of a refreshable braille display makes a computer accessible to someone who is both deaf and blind.
3. Use general office equipment, such as a copier or multi-line telephone system
[9.6% of employers answered correctly]
People with low vision can use a magnifying glass or a portable electronic video magnifier. Non-visual ways to access these devices include memorizing buttons and locations, using bump dots, braille, or other added tactile markings. Some office devices offer large print settings for their displays, and a more are offering speech output and command options. In general, devices with physical buttons are more accessible than those with touch screens. When possible, choose devices with high contrast buttons that are not flush to the surface.
4. Utilize standard industrial equipment or machinery (like sewing machines or production equipment)
[4% of employers answered correctly]
Low vision adaptations include task lighting, use of contrast, and use of low vision aids like magnifiers or portable electronic video magnifiers. Non-visual adaptations include tactile markings such as bump dots or guides to indicate alignment or spacing. These do not have to be high-tech; they can be as simple as taping a piece of cardboard to the work surface for guidance.
5. Handle a cashier position (including taking money, making change, and managing a cash register)
[2.7% of employers answered correctly]
People with low vision could use a tool like a task lamp or turn bills over to see the larger print on the back. The most common non-visual technique for cashiers is the use of a talking device or a mobile app to identify bills. Coins can be identified by touch, and some people use different folding techniques to differentiate bill denominations. The keys of the cash register keypad can be memorized, and talking cash registers for people who are blind are available. Mental math or a talking calculator can be used to make change if a talking cash register is not available. In addition, some accessible apps provide point of sale functions for iDevices.
