It is often cited that approximately 70 percent of people with disabilities are unemployed. One of the most frequently stated reasons is that employers, many of whom do not have disabilities, focus on the limitations of a disabled individual instead of his or her potential. Perhaps one reason some employers aren't more open to hiring people with disabilities is that they don't know what assistive technology is, how it works or how to get it. For example, an employer may not know that a blind person is perfectly capable of using a computer. Unfortunately, unless an employer has personal experience with disability or is involved in the disability community in some capacity, they are not likely to know about assistive technologies.

The Bridges to Employment Conference included a workshop to inform employers and jobseekers about a variety of assistive technologies available for people with disabilities at work.

Technologies for People with Visual Impairments
Panelist Peggy Martinez from Eureka Assistive Technologies demonstrated software and hardware that can be used by employees who are visually impaired or blind.

The software program JAWS reads aloud whatever appears on the computer screen, allowing people with visual impairments to use computers. Open Book, another software program, scans and reads written materials aloud to people, allowing them access to print. Both of these programs are available in English and Spanish. ZoomText, a screen magnification software, enlarges whatever is displayed on the computer screen. This allows a person that has limited vision the ability to read the screen himself or herself.

Martinez also shared some portable hardware including an electronic note taker and an accessible personal data assistant, a handheld device that stores information such as memos, phone numbers, calendar, etc.

Technologies for People with Limited Mobility, Cognitive and Other Disabilities
According to panelist and technology specialist James Schroeder of San Antonio-based Applied Human Factors, the REACH Interface Author 4.0 software program provides people with disabilities more computer accessibility than ever before. REACH is an on-screen keyboard software that helps people who have difficulty using standard keyboard and mouse hardware. Additional features of the program include a keyboard author (make your own custom on-screen keyboard), word and sentence prediction, text-to-speech, and speaking sentences when typing. One feature that is exclusive to REACH is that it helps the user create a personal "tool chest." The set of individually-selected tools helps people personalize their computers to suit their needs.

The mouse also can be a difficult computer tool for a person who has a tremor or limited use of their arms and hands. The ScanBuddy software may be helpful to people who have mobility limitations. ScanBuddy allows the user to quickly position the mouse using one switch – the keys on the keyboard, a mouse switch, or a joystick. Once the location on screen has been selected, the user can use several button options to double click, drag, left or right, scrolling, canceling, launching a new application, etc. It reduces the number and difficulty of moves required to use the computer.

Unfortunately, information about these and other innovative assistive technologies is not reaching employers, jobseekers, or the public at large. Some of the technologies outlined in the workshop have been around for years. Still many people are not aware they exist.

Ideally, assistive software programs and other technologies will merge with general technology products, making these features available to everybody. It is likely that people without disabilities will also find the features useful. Until then, public education efforts are needed to communicate to employers and job seekers what assistive technology is; how it can help them; that most assistive devices are not expensive; and that money is available through the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation and other organizations, to fund it.

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