Office Worksite for Blind Users

Welcome to the APH ConnectCenter’s virtual office, designed to show how to accommodate individuals who have very little or no useable vision. Although not every worker with vision loss will need or want every accommodation pictured, we are trying to show you the range of tools available that might benefit such workers. 

Office and desk set up for a blind user.

Technology That Might Be Used in an Office Worksite for Blind Users

  • Dymo Labeler – The Dymo labeler is a hand-held braille label maker. It is an inexpensive tool that makes it easy to label and organize files, materials, and just about anything else in an office. The upper rim of the dial is in braille; the lower rim identifies in standard print the braille symbols above so that someone who doesn’t know braille can use the labeler. Some braille contractions and punctuation are included.
  • External Speakers and Headphones – Accessibility usually involves listening to information using some speech-access product on a computer. External speakers and headphones are important tools to consider in any office. The headphones allow for private listening without bothering coworkers who share the workspace. There aren’t specialized blindness/ low vision technology in this category, and personal preference will dictate what is used.
  • Reading/Literacy
  • Refreshable Braille Display
  • Scanner/Reading Machines
  • Screen Reader
  • Slate & Stylus
  • Talking Calculator
  • Talking Clock
  • Telephone

In Their Own Words…

Learn what successfully employed blind users of assistive technology have to say about the devices they use on the job.

“I landed my first clerical job performing data entry within a company that provides support services for insurance companies, such as telephone interviews, paralegal exams, medical records requests, DNA testing, etc. This opportunity gave me important experience working in an office environment using adaptive technology. At this stage, I had lost 95% of my vision, but through the use of JAWS, Open Book, braille, and a small hand-held recorder, I was able to perform my job duties with great ease.”

John D. Lewis, Wildlife Artist

“I use several pieces of technological equipment to perform my job, including a Braille and Speak device and JAWS (Job Access With Speech) software, which actually reads computer documents back to me.”

Richard Scott, WV Division of Highways