Are you exhausted after a few work days? Or after a few work hours? I’d be quite tired without job accommodations. For well over a year, I’ve held an office job, keeping up at work better than a Kardashian in LA. Can’t touch this.
How? At my request, my eye doctor referred me to the state agency and I completed an application for help. With my visual impairment–and by the way, I’m not technically legally blind–I qualified for a variety of state rehabilitation services which included a workplace assessment. I can’t convey enough the importance of requesting a workplace evaluation for accommodations if you are wondering how you could use technology and low-tech options to continue to do your job without wasting precious energy.
Some of you might remember I blogged about working in low vision last year. (My words still resonate as I read them months later.) My favorite job accommodation is ZoomText, software that magnifies the screen on a global level so you don’t need to bother messing with individual settings on each program and app you use at your workstation. The software offers text-to-speech and options like contrast controls in an easy to learn, easy to use interface. The flexibility to exit out of the software on shared computers allows the program to help those who need it and not those who don’t. Simple.
By the way, people not enrolled in state services can buy ZoomText. It can be costly, but a critical way to save effort. To minimize eye strain and fatigue and maximize readability, I count on ZoomText every workday. Yes, I sound like a cheesy infomercial, but I truly believe in technology like ZoomText.
Do you use magnification software or other workplace adaptations? Share your thoughts.
Adventures in Low Vision 
Sold! I currently have a large screen and big keyboard and zoom onto settings but its getting to be more difficult and I have been looking at Zoomtext. I don’t use my pc as much as the ipad but think I would be using it more if I found it more accessible so was very interested to read your post. And, of course, I need a comfy chair!
ZoomText offers a free, 30-day trial on their website so you can test it out before purchase. I hope it works well for you, Bridget.
I’ve used ZoomText for about 7 or 8 years now and I love it. It was so useful to me when I was working although it took some getting used to initially. I retired last year but I used a CCTV at work and carry a handheld video magnifier for use when I’m not at my computer.
Now that’s an endorsement. Thanks for letting me know, Stephanae.
You’re very welcome.