“About one in five Americans have some kind of disability,” said Derry McCurdy, program manager for Individuals with Disabilities. “Assistive technology is any equipment used to accommodate individuals with disabilities at home or in the workplace.”
Serving as the chairperson of the Goodwill Business Advisory Council, McCurdy and the council look for various ways to make accommodations to help people get better jobs, and help them be more productive in the work place.
“Because the Air Force wants us to make more accommodations for individuals with disabilities, I thought it would be a good idea to have an assistive technology workshop.”
Due to federal employees not being permitted to supply their own assistive technology software in the workplace, the Air Force Disability Program manager has obtained certifications for six reasonable accommodation software programs in accordance with Air Force instruction.
Targeted equipment, such as the JAWS system, is currently utilized at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. This system is a computer-reader program that enables people who are visually impaired to read the screen with either a text-to-speech or Braille output. Some other certified software programs currently used include Dragon Naturally Speaking Professional, MAGic Screen Magnification, and Freedom Scientific OpenBook.
“Employees should speak with their supervisor first, research the item, then choose the type of assistive technology equipment they need for themselves because they know their own specific need,” said McCurdy. “Employees can then submit the equipment name, cost and item number to their supervisor for purchase.”
To reserve a space or for more information about this workshop, contact McCurdy at 904-3344 or derry.mccurdy@us.af.mil. For additional information about assistive technology, go to the Job Accommodation Network at https://askjan.org.
Also, contact McCurdy about these additional upcoming programs: Understanding Social Security Benefits and the 2018 Federal Women’s Programs Workshops: Women and Financial Planning, From Briefcase to Suitcase, Creating Your Own Vision Board, and Marketing Yourself and Your Career.
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