Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Workplace accommodations (self.Blind)
submitted by picture_a_vacuum
Working as a software developer in an office environment is tough for me. The lights in the office are too damn bright, and the white desks are very reflective and contribute a huge amount of glare. I think my difficulty in reading my screen is greatly increased by incompatible lighting.
I have an ultimatum. Either I leave or try to solve this issue.
I have a metric tonne of debt that could be paid off with just a few paycheques from this job. It’s strongly motivating me to stay with the job for as long as possible, so if I fall back on welfare again, I will be able to afford food.
I have a few options I can think of. I could tell the manager and see what they come up with. I could request lights to be removed from above me. I could request to work from home for most of the day, and just show up for daily team meetings. The one thing holding me back is feeling that my accommodations are unreasonable, impossible, and could piss off management.
Sorry I’ve been spamming this subreddit with this stuff, but it helps a lot with getting my thoughts out there, and could potentially help someone Googling similar topics in the future.
I have an ultimatum. Either I leave or try to solve this issue.
I have a metric tonne of debt that could be paid off with just a few paycheques from this job. It’s strongly motivating me to stay with the job for as long as possible, so if I fall back on welfare again, I will be able to afford food.
I have a few options I can think of. I could tell the manager and see what they come up with. I could request lights to be removed from above me. I could request to work from home for most of the day, and just show up for daily team meetings. The one thing holding me back is feeling that my accommodations are unreasonable, impossible, and could piss off management.
Sorry I’ve been spamming this subreddit with this stuff, but it helps a lot with getting my thoughts out there, and could potentially help someone Googling similar topics in the future.
jrs12 5 points 4y ago
There are magnetic covers you can put over the lights that lessens the glare significantly. The work from home accommodation might be a bit much, but why not ask for it? The worst they can do is say no.
Hellsacomin94 3 points 4y ago
I think you owe it to yourself and your employer to ask for accommodations before quitting. It seems to meet that nothing you’re asking them to do is as expensive as finding a new coder, so if you’re productivity is good they should be OK with it. Either way, I think you should keep the job until you find another one. It’s easier to find a job when you have one.
[deleted] 2 points 4y ago
[deleted]
Hellsacomin94 2 points 4y ago
That’s fantastic!!! Great work!
FrankenGretchen 2 points 4y ago
A solution for desk glare could be a felt cover or the big mouse pad like a someone else said. I like the light cover idea, too. Try reducing the resolution and or brightness of your screen. It doesn't help the surroundings but it might help a little while you're dealing with mgmt. A visor helps me with glare but might be an issue for you depending on how you interact with your screen. Even polarized untinted lenses can cut out some of the ambient torture.
Definitely ask for help. These fixes are cheap compared to remodeling a washroom or installing a ramp. Don't sell yourself short before you've tried.
Definitely ask for help. These fixes are cheap compared to remodeling a washroom or installing a ramp. Don't sell yourself short before you've tried.
princesspooball 2 points 4y ago
I used to deal with glare from cataracts and I found that dark polarised sunglasses helped me
Sommiel 2 points 4y ago
I have honestly found that asking for accommodations reaps a kind of feeling that they are helping you, help them and most people are really nice about it.
bscross32 2 points 4y ago
Yeah finding jobs is damn tough when you have a disability, do everything you can first, and only quit if its literally the last resort when nothing else worked.
Drop9Reddit 1 points 4y ago
To reduce desk glare could get one of those giant mousepads
gelema5 1 points 4y ago
That sounds smart. I get the impression that many people decorate their work space for aesthetic reasons because it helps them work better.
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