Re: need input on faq
- From: "tribble" <lauraeaves@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: "bprogramming" <programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:47:49 -0500
don't forget partial sighted subscribers -- i learned programming in college
with sighted students but had enough vision to read print with a cctv and in
the case of the computer screen, with a powerful magnifier. your survey assumes
a blind person using screen reader and/or human readers.
Back in 1984 when I got my masters and started interviewing for jobs, I
received very little skepticism on the part of job interviewers. (And that was
before the ADA.) I approached interviews fully prepared to discuss upfront any
questions about how I would do the job with my vision loss. After I started
working, I tried to minimize any problems by buying a spare cctv and also
keeping up on screen reader and screen enlargement solutions for the computer.
Back then that stuff was just coming out.
I consider myself a success story as far as getting the education and working
and contributing to a variety of great projects.
As my vision disappeared and windows invaded the workplace, however, I ran
into a transition period.
I left my job after 12 years for medical reasons (not just vision) but have
tried keeping abreast of technology since using good old jaws and the internet.
I know your survey probably targets blind persons entering the field now and
not 2 decades ago, but thought this might assist. Since I have not taken a
plunge to get back into the job fray (not for money anyway) I can't consider
myself a current success, but I did work a long time with a severe visual
impairment, which I do count as a great success.
Now I'll do your survey -- see answers below:
----- Original Message -----
From: jaffar@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2008 6:54 AM
Subject: need input on faq
Hi All. I am in the process of gathering answers and questions relating to
the FAQ that potential blind or visually handicapped programmers might have
before he/she takes the plunge. I have Managed to gather quite a lot, but in
an effort to be more informative, I'd also need your personal testimonies as a
beginner programmer, particularly in a setting where you have to relate to your
sighted boss and colleagues, or even with sighted teachers and co students. I
will then compile these into a kind of a guide so that a new programmer, or a
potential student in programming who suddenly finds himself having to work,
study and relate with those sighted folks around him won't find himself/herself
too much in the deep end without a string to cling on too. This is a voluntary
effort, so as many of you who are willing are encouraged to participate. I'm
sure your experiences will go a long way in helping and supporting those who
want to take up programming and I T as a stepping stone to a more challenging
and rewarding career. Perhaps i might gthrow you some questions as pointers.
1. how did you learn programming.
a. on your own?
b. at computer school?
c, in a classroom setting with a sighted teacher and sighted co-students?
***> at the university
2. How did you take your exams?
a. using braille?
b. using the computer with the aid of a screen reader?
c. have the examiner read the questions to you and you verbally relaying the
answers?
***> read in separate room on a cctv
3. did you find a job after you passed your exams, and in what setting did
you work in?
a. from home, freelance and alone?
b. with a sighted boss and with sighted colleagues in a formal office
setting?
***> b: formal office setting in large corporation
4. how would you describe your relationship with your boss and colleagues?
a. they regarded your ability to use and work on the computer with
incredulity and disbelief at first?
b. they were friendly and went out of their way to be helpful from the first?
c. they left you very much to your own devices?
d. they didn't know how to relate to you and hence didn't know how to take
you as part of the team?
***> b -- very helpful and supportive, at least for most of my experience
5. How did you overcome any obstacle which prevented you from working with
everyone in your office as a team?
a. You were patient and tried to explain that your condition was not, or
presented very little obstacle to your success?
b. your were quietly aggressive and refused any covert help to prove your
independence and ability?
c. You continually argued your case?
d. did any of the step you take above help you in the long run?
***> a: always prepared to soothe any apprehension on the part of
interviewers or employers by answering any questions they had (see below), also
didn't expect my employer to pay for all the visual aids I used, except maybe
for repair bills on the cctvs
***> d: this certainly did help in the long run
6. can you, with confidence, consider yourself a success story?
***> very much a success
If you have anymaore hints, you are free to spell them out. Cheers and
thanks for your output.
***>It is important to maintain a good sense of humor when confronting a
situation such as a skeptical interviewer
For example, I got 2 job offers from my various interviews after graduation.
One of them was the result of an interview with a group of employees and
supervisors. In the last interview with one supervisor, the interviewer paused
and asked, "Doesn't your lack of vision cause you to read slower that a sighted
person? and wouldn't that affect your work?" Actually, I did read slowly, but I
replied with a joke: "Everyone reads Knuth the same speed." (For those who
don't know Knuth authored a series of now famous textbooks on algorithms and
computer science.)
I hope this is what you wanted.
--le
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