TAPPING TECHNOLOGY
"A quarterly publication of the Maryland Technology Assistance Program"
Summer 2009
Martin O’Malley, Governor - Anthony G. Brown, Lt. Governor
Catherine Raggio, Secretary - George P. Failla, Jr., Deputy Secretary
To build a better life, you need the right tools
PROVIDING INDEPENDENCE AND OPPORTUNITY THROUGH ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
In This Issue:
Director’s Message - Employers Hire Solutions, Not Problems
For most employers, technology is a mystery. That's why they hire competent IT staff. When it comes to Assistive Technology for people with disabilities, it is still, more often than not, viewed as miraculous or at the very least complicated. Most employers like simplicity, not complication.
If you need assistive technology to do your job, you must overcome the hurdle in your employer's mind that you represent a complication. So, below are some rules for handling those assistive technology inquiries, whether during the interview, on the job, or from your boss.
- If the issue of technology solutions comes up during your interview, ask for the name of the IT Department head and tell your would-be boss that you'll get with IT and work out the details. Mostly, bosses don't want to know about, nor will they understand, the complexities of interfacing your equipment with what the company already has. Don't bother them with it. They'll thank you.
- If you have portable technology and use it quickly and competently, take it to the interview with you. Pull it out at the right time to jot down a note or make a point. Be casual about it. It's just another part of what you do as a professional. When you demonstrate competence and casualness with your technology your future boss will relax about it.
- Know everything you can about your technology. Like a plumber with a pipe wrench or an electrician with a volt meter, your technology is your professional tool. You should be the "go to" person for questions about it. Wield your tools with speed and confidence. Others will be impressed.
- When there is a need to bring in job placement or IT specialists for worksite assessments, you should take the initiative to make those contacts. Help worksite-assessment staff understand the situation, the key personnel, and your desire to be part of all decisions made. Too often the person with a disability becomes a passive actor in on-the-job technology solutions. You need to be an involved professional, managing your technology solutions.
- Become good friends with the IT Department staff. You'll need them when your computer doesn't do what it's supposed to do. And when your technology doesn't work, find other useful things to do.
Your job is an asset and your technology a tool. By integrating the two seamlessly, you can set the tone for a solution-driven workplace.
In Pursuit of Employment
Working as a nurse has always been a dream for Leah Alexander. But with significant hearing loss, Leah was unsure how she would excel in the nursing program in which she was enrolled. Through the support and guidance of her instructors, Leah has been able to pursue her dream via a few helpful assistive devices.
Utilizing the WorkABILITY Loan Program, a low-interest financial program available to help cover the cost of work-related machinery, Leah recently purchased an amplified stethoscope and an extra for back-up (a vital choice for completing her clinical rounds). "Getting the amplified stethoscope was critical to me making my decision about staying in the nursing program. I applied for an MDTAP loan on the chance they'd feel it would be important to help me so I could pursue a career and my dream of being a nurse. The low interest rate they secured for me was the bonus."
For many individuals with disabilities, employment is the challenge and the blessing that holds the key to self-sufficiency. And in Maryland, many agencies and organizations have been working to address this very issue. With programs such as the Employed Individuals with Disabilities (EID) program, which enables individuals with disabilities to both work and maintain health insurance to the WorkABILITY Loan Program, Maryland has been at the forefront of delivering programs for economic and financial sustainability.
Marylanders across the state, and many like Leah, have been recipients of these groundbreaking programs. And for Leah, the WorkABILITY Loan Program has made all the difference. "It helped me decide if a nursing career was possible for me and it makes me feel more efficient in my work and caring for patients. So if and when I graduate from the program, potential employers will see me as capable as any other applicant for the nursing job. It levels out my hearing disadvantage."
With Maryland government and non-profits working to ensure that all citizens have the resources available to find and maintain employment, programs such as the Maryland Technology Assistance Program are delivering on this promise. The WorkABILITY Loan Program offers low-interest financial loans with flexible lending criteria to individuals with disabilities for the purchase of work-related machinery, home modifications, vehicles, computers and other equipment. The program was designed for individuals who may not receive financing through traditional lending institutions, or who do not have the immediate resources to purchase the equipment out-right. From truck drivers to teachers, farmers to graphic designers, nurses to lawyers "Our loans can support the equipment needs of current businesses or provide the equipment to achieve or maintain employment," said Tony Rice, Director of the WorkABILITY Loan and Assistive Technology Loan programs.
For Leah Alexander, the key to successful employment rests in her determination to find the right programs to support her dream and the persistence to make it happen. And what's Leah's advice to other individuals with disabilities pursuing employment? "Don't overwhelm yourself. Write down your process, take small steps, and keep moving forward. And surround yourself with people who will support you."
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Your Questions & Your Answers
Assistive technology questions come into the MD TAP office on a daily basis. Here are some answers to the most commonly asked questions.
Q: I have a disability that limits my ability to work in an office. I'm now considering working from home. How do I begin to find legitimate work-from-home employment?
A: Work-from-home employment can often raise many questions and concerns. But there are legitimate companies that offer employment opportunities from home.
MDTAP manages a list of current companies across the country that offer work-from-home opportunities. However, it's important to ask a few key questions when considering any home-based employment.
Does the company require you to pay an initial fee? Some questionable practices, such as requiring initial payments from potential employees can cost a consumer $500 or more and in some instances not ensure employment.
What equipment and software do you need, such as a computer, high-speed Internet, hands-free telephone, etc?
What are the time requirements for pre-employment training?
What is the pay-scale, commission, etc?
It's important to do your research before applying or pursuing employment with a work-from-home company. Some tips for making sure you're making the right choice include:
Research the company and its website. Consider researching the company through the Better Business Bureau.
Fully understand the equipment and time requirements. Become familiar with any technical language specific to the equipment requirements and the work.
Be aware of any trial-period employment terms and make sure that you adhere to all rules and requirements for this.
Be comfortable with the job and required skills-set.
Make sure you understand what the company expects from the employee.
In addition to a comprehensive company listing, MDTAP offers low-interest loans through the WorkABILITY Loan Program. These loans can be used to purchase needed equipment to work from home. MD TAP can also provide additional information on organizations that provide low-cost and free, recycled computers.
Remember, the key to employment is knowing one's strengths, qualifications, and limitations and putting that knowledge to work with the right technologies in place.
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AT Spotlight – Tools for Employment
Assistive technology can make employment a reality for many individuals with disabilities. But what many people don't realize is that most of us use some form of "assistive" technology everyday at work, regardless of disability. From hands-free telephones to keyboard wrist supports, we're surrounded with low and high tech solutions to make our work environments productive and comfortable.
A few assistive technology standards include:
- Ergonomic keyboards
- Trackball mouse
- High contrast keyboard stickers
- Computer screen glare filters
- Screen magnification software
Making a workplace accessible doesn't have to be a complicated process. With simple fixes, such as activating accessibility features built into a computer's operating system (offered in both PCs and Macs), employees can begin to take charge of making their work environments more comfortable. And by utilizing a state rehabilitation program such as the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) here in Maryland, a worksite assessment can provide thorough insight into what specific technologies and peripherals would make the worksite most usable.
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Other Maryland News… Web Accessibility Training DaySave the Date - Web Accessibility Training Day - September 22, 2009
The Maryland Technology Assistance Program and the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, with support from the Department of Information Technology, will team up on September 22nd to present a day-long, in-depth look at how to create accessible web content that complies with Federal and State regulations.
The conference will feature:
Training in how to use web evaluation tools
Creating accessible PDFs (portable document format)
How to liven up your website with graphical content and make it accessible
Side-by-side evaluations of web content creation and evaluation tools so participants can decide what works best for them
Opportunities to network with developers, vendors, web accessibility consultants and experts in non-visual access technology
The keynote speaker will be Shawn Lawton Henry, Outreach Coordinator for the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI).
Session topics will include:
New developments in Access Technology
Accessibility regulations and standards (e.g. Section 508 and WCAG)
PDF Tagging and Accessibility
Media applications - including Flash
Web Authoring Packages - Activating Accessibility Features and Using them
Web Accessibility validation tools
DHTML (Java, Ajax, ARIA, Web 2.0)
Captioning Solutions
For more information, or to register, please visit www.nfb.org/webaccessibility or contact Clara Van Gerven at the NFB (cvangerven@nfb.org, 410-659-9314 ext.2410) or contact MDTAP at 1-800-832-4827 or at mbullis@mdtap.org The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) in consultation with the Maryland Department of Veterans.
Reduced Cost Hearing Tests
Get Tested!
The Hearing and Speech Agency
June and July 2009
5900 Metro Drive
Baltimore, Maryland 21215
Every weekday in June and July and one special Saturday, HASA is offering their standard hearing test at a dramatically reduced cost. For just $10 (normally $245) one of their audiologists will give you or your child a hearing test that lasts up to an hour. Tests are being offered between the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Registration is required. Call 410-318-6780 to make your appointment to get tested today!
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Upcoming Events
You can find MD TAP staff out in the community this Spring. Look for our booth and AT at the following events:
- Annual ADA Celebration - July 26, Annapolis
- Web Accessibility Conference - September 22, Baltimore
Please contact us to schedule a presentation or program speaker to discuss the Maryland Technology Assistance Program and Assistive Technology (AT) services. Topics include:
- AT overviews
- AT Demonstrations onsite and in the MD TAP AT Lab
- Funding Assistive Technology, including grant and loan resources
- And more
Email lmarkland@mdtap.org to request a presentation.
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Alternate formats are available upon request
(disk, Braille, audio cassette, email,large print).
Contact Lori Markland at lmarkland@mdtap.org for additional requests or information.
MARYLAND TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
2301 ARGONNE DRIVE, ROOM T-17, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21218
VOICE 1-800-832-4827 TTY 1-866-881-7488 FAX 410-554-9237 WEBSITE www.mdtap.org . Visit us online for up-to-date information on trainings, events, and newly posted publications.
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