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For Employers

Assistive technology such as state-of-the-art voice synthesizers, scanners, text enlargement programs, and Braille output devices are revolutionizing opportunities both for employers and for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind (CLB) seeks to connect employers with hard-to-fill job openings in the high tech and customer service industries together with skilled employees who are blind or visually impaired. Toward this end prides itself on:

1. Building partnerships with corporations and federal agencies
2. Identifying pre-screened, qualified applicants for open positions and
3. Offering assessment, training, installation, and support of assistive technology devices.

Recent successful collaboration with Andrews Air Force Base and the Veterans Administration Medical Center suggests these strategies are wise investments. These partnerships have resulted in reliable employees for employers and jobs for qualified candidates who are visually impaired.

For our corporate partners, CLB identifies and coaches skilled job candidates qualified to fill customer service, administrative and technology positions, to name a few areas. CLB also provides technical support including installation, maintenance, equipment relocation, documentation, and training. Through this partnership, companies are able to gain access to an underutilized pool of qualified employees - a resource necessary for continued growth.

Hiring and retaining blind and visually impaired workers, thanks to CLB is uncomplicated. All potential employees are: Screened, Selected and Professionally Trained. This provides new opportunities for corporations. Nearly one out of every five Americans has a disability, according to the 2000 Census. Of the approximately 70 percent of people with disabilities who are unemployed, two thirds of them would like to work, according to the National Organization on Disability and market research firm Harris Interactive. Tapping into this underutilized pool of talent promises strong matches for employers' labor needs.

Assistive technology enables employees to do their jobs well, and it is relatively easy and inexpensive for an employer to integrate into its current system. In addition, CLB offers employers dedicated support and service to ensure the success of this transition.

Workplace Accommodations that Work

Determining which accommodations are needed can be easy, since in many cases blind or visually impaired employees can tell you the accommodations they need.

Based on data from the Job Accommodation Network, most accommodations for blind and visually impaired workers cost less than $500.

31 percent of accommodations cost nothing

50 percent cost less than $50

69 percent cost less than $500

88 percent cost less than $1,000

Here are just a few illustrations of successful, cost effective accommodations that work:

Call Center Solutions 

• Dual channel sound cards allow speech synthesizing software and telephone system to work in conjunction with one another.
• Scripts allow the screen reader to work with existing telephone computer database.
• Screen enlargement software provides visual access to databases and telephone systems

Solutions for a Retail Sales Environment 

• An audible bar code reader enables a visually impaired person to work independently in a retail environment.
• A bill identifier allows the user to accurately manage paper money transactions.

Low Vision Solutions in an Office Setting 

• Hand-held magnifiers work well with detailed work where speed is essential.
• Sunshades are effective against the glare of fluorescent lighting.

Video Magnification Solutions for the Workplace

• Video Magnifiers are available in a variety of types to fit specific situations and user requirements and needs.
• Stand-alone, computer compatible and hand-held models provide customized solutions

Equipment Demonstration

Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind recognizes that purchasing technology involves a significant investment of time and money. At the AT Center, individuals have the ability to test different models of software and hardware before purchasing to determine which equipment best meets your personal or professional needs.

Please contact CLB at 240- 737-5120 to schedule an equipment demonstration.

Assistive Technology

Staffing and Career Services