Technological Challenges

“I can’t see my computer screen”

Example 1:
An agency employee who is blind has learned to effectively navigate a computer system using only the keyboard and a “screen reader” which speaks aloud the text and interactive elements (e.g., buttons). While trying to use one program, a row of buttons can only be accessed using a mouse. Unable to see where she's pointing, the employee cannot use those functions of the program.

Example 2:
A member of the public who is red-green color blind is filling out an on-line form to submit a request for information to the agency. The individual is prompted to click on the green button to move to the next page but he can't tell which button is green.

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“I can’t see the presentation”

An agency employee who is blind is attending a presentation in which a computer and projection system are used to display slides. The speaker does not read the content of the screens nor describe any pertinent graphics so the blind employee is not able to fully participate in the presentation.

Most people have experienced a situation similar to this one when trying to follow a presentation over the phone without the slides!

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“I can’t hear the video”

The agency distributes a public relations video to the public. A individual who is Deaf plays the video, but cannot understand anything going on since there aren't any captions.

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“I can’t hear the machine alarms”

An agency employee attempts to send a fax and cannot understand why the machine isn't responding. She doesn't hear the error beep and no visual cues like a blinking light alert her to a problem.

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“I can’t reach the controls on a copier”

An agency employee who uses a wheelchair attempts to make copies of a document, only to realize that the paper feed tray is out of reach when he is situated right next to the machine.