[gui-talk] Stedman's word books and drug booknotaccessibletoscreen reading software

Sat Mar 1 12:59:48 CST 2008

Based on the communications I have seen on the various MT lists, there are
four I think all based at yahoogroups.com, several people have called, or
e-mailed and they get back the same response as mentioned previously.  To my
knowledge tech support is as far as it has gone and the one person they were
working with has left that position.  

On a more personal note, I own all the accessible products except for the
last drug book.  I work for a local hospital, 10-hour days and spending time
on the phone for any reason is frowned upon during working hours so I have
not been particularly involved in this except to shoot off a couple of
e-mails which get exactly the same canned response those who spend time on
the phones eventually get.  

I use the internet a lot, specially several sites that do a great job with
the drugs we have to type daily and although I would like to have my
products updated, in a usable format, can find what I need easily when
necessary.  

It is an unfortunate truth that although there are several blind medical
transcriptionists out there, in comparison to the rest of the industry we
may make up about 1% and so, access to software, as well as reference
materials is limited and becoming more so every day.  This is a field where
if one possesses good language skills, ability to type and listen as well as
editing ability should be accessible to blind people but is becoming less so
every year.  Computers were supposed to make it easier and they have but
those creating the platforms for us to use whether it be for doing the
actual job or the reference materials that are essential to the job become
more and more complicated and dependent on having the sight to use them.  

We have a program at the hospital that is usable, but just barely, and there
are aspects I can no longer do, my superiors feel that what I can do I do
very well and are it seems not insisting that the full product become
accessible.  

I know, I have strayed from the topic a bit but trust me, I have been
through a lot the past year regarding the adoption of a work platform that
means I am not able to perform all functions of the job.  

Because I am still working and making top dollar, to do what I can, my hands
have been tied insofar as filing anything against the hospital itself.  It
just isn't going to happen!  

Rose Combs
rosecombs at qwest.net 
-----Original Message-----
From: gui-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:gui-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Darrell Shandrow
Sent: Saturday, March 01, 2008 10:57 AM
To: NFBnet GUI Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [gui-talk] Stedman's word books and drug
booknotaccessibletoscreen reading software

Hello Rose,

In that case, perhaps, the questions may become more pointed, such as,
please outline the steps that are being taken to "work on" the issue.  Also,
it is important that these kinds of issues get escalated higher and higher
in the company's chain of command as they go unresolved.  Speaking with a
technical support rep or even a support supervisor just isn't going to go
anywhere, as those people simply don't have the authority to make the
necessary decisions.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Rose Combs" <rosecombs at qwest.net>
To: "'NFBnet GUI Talk Mailing List'" <gui-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, March 01, 2008 10:26 AM
Subject: Re: [gui-talk] Stedman's word books and drug book
notaccessibletoscreen reading software

Many of the medical transcriptionists who use the books have been trying to
have a conversation with Stedman's since the 2006 QLD was released in this
"ready bookshelf" format,  What happens is they say they are working on it,
but alas, if they are, there are absolutely no results.  I have not been
involved in the many phone conversations and e-mails but, the discussion has
been on the blind MT lists off and on for the past two years, generally
Stedman's will send an e-mail saying they have both Jaws and Window Eyes and
that they are trying to work with the companies to make the products
accessible--and personally, I don't believe a word of it.  I have not been
involved personally because I work at a hospital, not at home so I don't
have the time to spend on the phone with them but a few people have and the
result is generally the same, they are working on it whenever anyone calls
or writes.

Rose Combs
rosecombs at qwest.net
-----Original Message-----
From: gui-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:gui-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Darrell Shandrow
Sent: Friday, February 29, 2008 5:08 PM
To: NFBnet GUI Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [gui-talk] Stedman's word books and drug book not
accessibletoscreen reading software

Hello Sherri,

They are quite likely in violation of at least Section 504 of the Federal
Rehabilitation Act, but I think we should start by asking them to do the
right thing before resorting to beating them over the head with
noncompliance to legislation.  We should determine the following:

1. What makes it inaccessible now?
2. How could it be made accessible?
3. Why should the effort be made?

Alas, I am not involved with medical transcription, so I don't have any clue
who to contact, but I am certainly willing to assist with any advocacy if
anyone knowledgeable would like to work with the journal.

Thanks.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Sherri" <flmom2006 at gmail.com>
To: "Multiple recipients of NFBnet nabop Mailing List" <nabop at nfbnet.org>;
"Multiple recipients of NFBnet GUI-TALK Mailing List" <gui-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, February 29, 2008 5:00 PM
Subject: [gui-talk] Stedman's word books and drug book not accessible
toscreen reading software

Hello list,

I got word from the person who
teaches the transcription course for blind people out of Daytona that the
Stedman's word books for 2008 are now using bookshelf, which has been used
in the Quick Look Electronic Drug Reference for the last couple of years. I
am extremely concerned about this and feel we should let them know that this
will not work for blind people using screen-reading software and that they
need to provide accessible copies of their books for us. Does anyone know
who I can contact?
Are they in any sort of violation of the ADA by producing their electronic
books in a format we cannot use? Any help would be appreciated.

Sherri

sbrun at cfl.rr.com

TO DONATE YOUR USED CELL PHONE AND CHANGE WHAT IT MEANS TO BE BLIND IN
CENTRAL FLORIDA go to:

Whether we succeed or fail in what we do is not the essential thing.

What is important is the heart with which we live our lives.

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