Blind and Visually Impaired Community
↑
13
↓
Recently received a job offer from consulting firm - few thoughts (self.Blind)
submitted by albertopalu
Hey everybody. I recently received - and accepted - a job offer from a consulting firm I wanted to get hired from. It has been a little bit of a rollercoaster to get this job, but I am really glad I've made it.
Now, the reason I am writing this is that I suffer from severe XLRS, I am legally blind from one eye, and the other is getting worse and worse. The company is aware of my condition, and actually saw this as a strong reason to hire me, since I showed motivation, determination, and resilience.
However, at this stage (2 weeks to start) I am afraid of some things that I will love to receive advice on:
* I will have to stay in front of a screen for 10+ hours a day, this strains a lot my vision
* I am going to be reading long documents, same effect as above
* I will participate both in physical as well as remote meetings in which everyone will draft presentations with microscopic font sizes. I do not feel comfortable in telling a board of directors of a multinational company to provide me with bigger fonts presentations.
​
I am really afraid that all the efforts I put on to get this job will vanish because the circumstances are indeed too unfavorable for a visually impaired to work in certain industries.
I hope you guys can give me some advice on this. Appreciate a lot every input you may have.
Bests
Now, the reason I am writing this is that I suffer from severe XLRS, I am legally blind from one eye, and the other is getting worse and worse. The company is aware of my condition, and actually saw this as a strong reason to hire me, since I showed motivation, determination, and resilience.
However, at this stage (2 weeks to start) I am afraid of some things that I will love to receive advice on:
* I will have to stay in front of a screen for 10+ hours a day, this strains a lot my vision
* I am going to be reading long documents, same effect as above
* I will participate both in physical as well as remote meetings in which everyone will draft presentations with microscopic font sizes. I do not feel comfortable in telling a board of directors of a multinational company to provide me with bigger fonts presentations.
​
I am really afraid that all the efforts I put on to get this job will vanish because the circumstances are indeed too unfavorable for a visually impaired to work in certain industries.
I hope you guys can give me some advice on this. Appreciate a lot every input you may have.
Bests
DogsSureAreSwell 11 points 2y ago
Some thoughts...
- consider getting a big-ass monitor. 43" 4k monitors are startlingly cheap, and nothing is small on a 43 monitor.
- if you haven't already, start playing with magnification software. E.g., Macs can natively enlarge any subsection of the screen, even a Zoom tile.
- if you haven't already, start learning a screen reader. Even if you don't *need* it, you might appreciate having long documents read to you.
- maybe focus less on getting people to not use small fonts and more on getting them to send you .docx files instead of .pdf. They play better with assistive devices and let you change font size.
- you can train your teammates to read text on their slides as they present. For people on the other end, maybe see if you can get a teammate to have Slack or something open to slip you notes on points they don't read off, or see if your company would spot you the cost of dialing in an audio description service, or have your finger on a screenshot hotkey...
- consider getting a big-ass monitor. 43" 4k monitors are startlingly cheap, and nothing is small on a 43 monitor.
- if you haven't already, start playing with magnification software. E.g., Macs can natively enlarge any subsection of the screen, even a Zoom tile.
- if you haven't already, start learning a screen reader. Even if you don't *need* it, you might appreciate having long documents read to you.
- maybe focus less on getting people to not use small fonts and more on getting them to send you .docx files instead of .pdf. They play better with assistive devices and let you change font size.
- you can train your teammates to read text on their slides as they present. For people on the other end, maybe see if you can get a teammate to have Slack or something open to slip you notes on points they don't read off, or see if your company would spot you the cost of dialing in an audio description service, or have your finger on a screenshot hotkey...
gumbygirly 5 points 2y ago
This is a lot of great advice! I just wanted to expound on a couple things.
Get that big monitor, but ask your company to provide it as an accommodation in addition to your laptop. It is a one time purchase that will have a major impact and reduce the need to ask for additional accommodations in the future. If your company can already see all of the positive traits of someone who is resiliently pursing a career, show them you are a confident self-advocate who knows how to ask for what they need.
Asking for files to be sent to you in an accessible format so that you can view with ZoomText or explore with a screen reader (and learning how to use these tools in advance) will help save you from feeling lost during presentations or straining you eyes by trying to read small font. Having a laptop is important because it will allow you to utilize assistive tech during meetings, when traveling, etc. By the way, it took me a few months to feel fluent with using a screen reader, so be prepared to a learning curve - but it will definitely allow you to take some of the burden off your eyes!
Lastly, don’t forget basic eye health tips for working on a screen. Re-wetting drops, blue light blocking glasses, and setting a reminder to step away from the screen periodically are three things I do to avoid eye strain and headaches.
Good luck at your new job!
Get that big monitor, but ask your company to provide it as an accommodation in addition to your laptop. It is a one time purchase that will have a major impact and reduce the need to ask for additional accommodations in the future. If your company can already see all of the positive traits of someone who is resiliently pursing a career, show them you are a confident self-advocate who knows how to ask for what they need.
Asking for files to be sent to you in an accessible format so that you can view with ZoomText or explore with a screen reader (and learning how to use these tools in advance) will help save you from feeling lost during presentations or straining you eyes by trying to read small font. Having a laptop is important because it will allow you to utilize assistive tech during meetings, when traveling, etc. By the way, it took me a few months to feel fluent with using a screen reader, so be prepared to a learning curve - but it will definitely allow you to take some of the burden off your eyes!
Lastly, don’t forget basic eye health tips for working on a screen. Re-wetting drops, blue light blocking glasses, and setting a reminder to step away from the screen periodically are three things I do to avoid eye strain and headaches.
Good luck at your new job!
vwlsmssng 3 points 2y ago
In addition to this two bundles excellent advice I would encourage OP to get on top of the accessibility features of their phone, and to consider the accessibility features of iPhones in particular.
OP will have to learn yet another set of shortcuts and actions to control the phone (multiple taps and swipes) but these shouldn't collide mentally with the keyboard shortcuts needed for the laptop.
This will add to the height of OP's learning curve but will give some powerful features like being able to listen to a document being read out loud while stood away from the desk without having to lug the laptop around. Another powerful feature is the screen curtain. Once you have mastered using the phone without looking at the screen you can blank the screen thus preventing any shoulder surfing while in public places, and with ear-buds keeping the sound private to you. Thirdly, voice recognition for dictation will also help rest your eyes.
OP will have to learn yet another set of shortcuts and actions to control the phone (multiple taps and swipes) but these shouldn't collide mentally with the keyboard shortcuts needed for the laptop.
This will add to the height of OP's learning curve but will give some powerful features like being able to listen to a document being read out loud while stood away from the desk without having to lug the laptop around. Another powerful feature is the screen curtain. Once you have mastered using the phone without looking at the screen you can blank the screen thus preventing any shoulder surfing while in public places, and with ear-buds keeping the sound private to you. Thirdly, voice recognition for dictation will also help rest your eyes.
zachrip 2 points 2y ago
43" is big, but 4k will just make everything quarter sized so OP will still need a way to enlarge text.
DogsSureAreSwell 2 points 2y ago
Agreed, but even just out of the box Mac and Windows let you run scaled. Most folks I've set up use them at 1.5x or 2x enlargement.
albertopalu [OP] 1 points 2y ago
I agree on every single point, and let me thank you for taking some time to put those advice down.
I especially appreciate the idea of having long docs read to me. In this regard, which are the go-to software? I've tried apple's voiceover on docs, but wasn't satisfied on pages turns and other small things that lead me dropping it.
I especially appreciate the idea of having long docs read to me. In this regard, which are the go-to software? I've tried apple's voiceover on docs, but wasn't satisfied on pages turns and other small things that lead me dropping it.
bradley22 2 points 2y ago
What kind of PC/laptop do you use, if it's mac you'll have to use voiceover, if it's windows you have NVDA, it's free you can change the synthesizer if you don't like it by going to NVDA/preferences/settings and arrowing down to speech then tabbing to change, pressing enter and arrowing down and pressing enteron the speech engine you want to use.
I'd highly recommend looking at the documents for your screen reader, if you're going to use one.
There's also Narrator for windows 10, and JAWS, I'd not recommend JAWS as it's pricy and you'd probably not be using the screen reader for much.
I'd highly recommend looking at the documents for your screen reader, if you're going to use one.
There's also Narrator for windows 10, and JAWS, I'd not recommend JAWS as it's pricy and you'd probably not be using the screen reader for much.
DogsSureAreSwell 2 points 2y ago
Aww shucks.
I'm going to plead ignorance here so that you find someone who can really answer your question. I stink at navigating documents, but only because I haven't taken the time to learn all the key commands. I use VoiceOver on a Mac and NVDA on Windows. I have heard (but cannot confirm) that the experience might be a bit better on Windows, because NVDA and Acrobat play nicely together. And people seem to swear by Abby Fine reader for OCR.
$1 survey
A recent discussion here that mentions a $1
I'm going to plead ignorance here so that you find someone who can really answer your question. I stink at navigating documents, but only because I haven't taken the time to learn all the key commands. I use VoiceOver on a Mac and NVDA on Windows. I have heard (but cannot confirm) that the experience might be a bit better on Windows, because NVDA and Acrobat play nicely together. And people seem to swear by Abby Fine reader for OCR.
$1 survey
A recent discussion here that mentions a $1
BlueRock956 3 points 2y ago
Learn how to use a screen reader. NVDA is free. Your visual impairment will hinder your ability to be looking at the screen for 10 hours whatever the screen size may be.
siriuslylupin6 2 points 2y ago
How is it going?
I recommend you learn screen reading software and/or mostly and zoomtext screen reading is a probably you should learn.
I recommend you learn screen reading software and/or mostly and zoomtext screen reading is a probably you should learn.
albertopalu [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Unfortunately I've been laid off. I can't help but thinking that imparity was somehow a part of the reason.
Still, it was going quite good only by using larger monitors and don'ts when possible.
Getting my hands on a new Mac soon. Then I think I'll start make myself comfortable using a screen reader.
Still, it was going quite good only by using larger monitors and don'ts when possible.
Getting my hands on a new Mac soon. Then I think I'll start make myself comfortable using a screen reader.
siriuslylupin6 1 points 2y ago
Yes very important skil.. learn voice over. Also use it on your phone. If you need help let me know. Android has talk back and iphones has voice over.
And I am sorry to hear. It’s been hard either way so don’t blame yourself too much and it may or may not. Learn skills to cope and compensate and things will work. Also let your new employers know at some point probably during the interview you’re low vision. So that way they know and if they hire you they can acomodate. And if they won’t work with you at least they and you will know then. You will have to explain how you cope and adjust which is a learning process.
And I am sorry to hear. It’s been hard either way so don’t blame yourself too much and it may or may not. Learn skills to cope and compensate and things will work. Also let your new employers know at some point probably during the interview you’re low vision. So that way they know and if they hire you they can acomodate. And if they won’t work with you at least they and you will know then. You will have to explain how you cope and adjust which is a learning process.
albertopalu [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Hello everyone.
It is really nice that all of you participated in this answer. It means a lot to me. I'll answer individual contributions asap.
It is really nice that all of you participated in this answer. It means a lot to me. I'll answer individual contributions asap.
SPN-hunter 2 points 2y ago
Accessible documents and screen readers are going to be your best friend. Good luck!
without_nap 2 points 2y ago
I so hear you about presentations with small fonts. I have to deal with that all the time and it drives me crazy.
In addition to your company providing accommodations, do you have a Commission for the Blind (or similar org) in your state? When I was first registered as legally blind, they were GREAT about helping me out and giving me product recommendations.
In addition to your company providing accommodations, do you have a Commission for the Blind (or similar org) in your state? When I was first registered as legally blind, they were GREAT about helping me out and giving me product recommendations.
ojosnobueno 2 points 2y ago
I had similar issues working for an aerospace company. Reading emails and test plans all day on a computer killed my eyes. Things I did to help:
Invert colors- this helped drastically with "burning out" my eyes. alt+shift+prntscrn on windows makes background black and text white but has a host of peculiarities youll find over time. Also make sure youre sending your email with the font set to white text....I learned that one
Screen magnification is obviously helpful but also can be used in zoom type meeting on other peoples slideshow to enlarge their presentation.
When I went to slide show style meetings Id either ask for or be given the presentation before hand so I could "prepare" no one thinks twice about it and just shows your work ethic/insert corporate buzzword here/ . I would also then use my Surface tablet to follow along and zoom in on figures and drawings.
Invert colors- this helped drastically with "burning out" my eyes. alt+shift+prntscrn on windows makes background black and text white but has a host of peculiarities youll find over time. Also make sure youre sending your email with the font set to white text....I learned that one
Screen magnification is obviously helpful but also can be used in zoom type meeting on other peoples slideshow to enlarge their presentation.
When I went to slide show style meetings Id either ask for or be given the presentation before hand so I could "prepare" no one thinks twice about it and just shows your work ethic/insert corporate buzzword here/ . I would also then use my Surface tablet to follow along and zoom in on figures and drawings.
SecTrono 2 points 2y ago
I keep a mirror by my monitor. I look into it every once in a while to focus my eyes on something distant.
-
I would ask for advanced copies of presentations giving the reason that the font is too small for you. An advanced copy will allow you to review it before the meeting. In general presentations shouldn't use small fonts because the audience shouldn't have to be reading while they listing to the speaker, but I wouldn't tell them that until you are well established.
-
I would ask for advanced copies of presentations giving the reason that the font is too small for you. An advanced copy will allow you to review it before the meeting. In general presentations shouldn't use small fonts because the audience shouldn't have to be reading while they listing to the speaker, but I wouldn't tell them that until you are well established.
This nonprofit website is run by volunteers.
Please contribute if you can. Thank you!
Our mission is to provide everyone with access to large-
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
©2023 HumbleCat Inc • HumbleCat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Michigan, USA.