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In this Edition:
1. Employee Workplace Accommodations
2. NCR Interested In Universally-Designed Retail Workstation
3. Participants Needed for Research Studies
Most Employees Provide Own Workplace Accommodations, Survey Says
Many employees with disabilities rely upon workplace accommodations to help them
productively perform their jobs. To better understand the consumer perspective
on existing workplace accommodations and assistive technology use, a survey
was conducted with over 500 people with disabilities. Many of you receiving this
newsletter participated in the survey. The survey examined the types of technology
and accommodations needed to perform work and employment-related activities.
Perhaps the most surprising finding from this survey was that just over one-third
of workplace accommodations are, in fact, arranged and provided by the employee
(35%), rather than the employer or vocational rehabilitation professional.
Key Findings
· 75% of respondents stated that they could not perform
all of their job duties without workplace accommodations.
· More than two-thirds of the respondents (67%) indicated that during current or past employment periods there were times when their disability prevented performance of specific job duties.
· Slightly more than 21% of survey respondents had accommodations
provided for them, but used by other people as well.
NCR Interested In Universally-Designed Retail Workstation
There are 6.63 million people working in the United States as retail and personal
services sales workers, and 12% of them have a disability (Occupations of Workers
with Disabilities, 1991-92, U.S. Census Bureau). However, in spite of these large
numbers, most "accessible check stands" in stores have been designed to be accessible
only for customers, not employees. To address this problem, a research study
was undertaken to develop a universally designed grocery/retail check stand,
accessible to employees (checkers) with (and without) disabilities.
To ensure that the resulting design was implemented within industry, a relationship
was developed with Atlanta-based NCR Corporation. NCR supplied the electronic
and mechanical components that were used in the mockup test. NCR is also helping
identify retail outlets that would be suitable candidates to test the new retail
workstation prototype. The project gathered information on functional characteristics
and limitations of 43 individuals engaged in grocery retail checkout tasks.
Key Findings
Study findings indicated that workstation height affects checker / cashier
comfort and performance. Preliminary results indicated that universally design
grocery retail checkout counter should include the following features:
· Checkers and shoppers wanted to adjust the components
they used most often to a comfortable height and be able to change these heights
if desired.
· Checkers wanted to be able to adjust the scanner, keyboard
and bagging station to a comfortable work height.
· Shoppers wanted to be able to adjust the in-feed conveyor,
payment center and monitor
· Shoppers wanted self-checkout stations to be more intuitive,
easier to use, with knee space and space for purse, wallet and keys.
· Checkers using wheelchairs and scooters wanted knee
space and enough space to turn around.
· Shoppers wanted more lane space to move around their
carts without bumping displays and feeling crowded.
Additional prototype testing is being carried out to refine the grocery retail
workstation designs. Experienced checkers with and without disabilities
will be asked to evaluate the prototype and make suggestions for improvements.
If you have experience as a retail cashier or grocery checker and are a
person with a disability and would like to participate in this or other
follow-up studies, please join or renew your membership with the CATEA
Consumer Network (CCN) Registry http://www.catea.org/ccn/consent_form.php
and contact RL Grubbs at 404-385-0475 or by email at rl.grubbs@coa.gatech.edu.
Participants Needed for Research Studies
The WorkRERC at CATEA isrecruiting older employees with disabilities to participate
in paidfocus groups about the types of technology and accommodations needed to
perform work and employment-related activities. The WorkRERC at CATEA is also
recruiting CCN members with cognitive impairments who are currently employed
or seeking employment to participate in paid online focus
groups.
Older Workers (60+) with Disabilities: To participate, members should be
employed at least half time and be 60 years of age or older. The focus
group will be conducted online, so internet access is a requirement. If
you are interested in participating in this study, follow the link:
http://www.catea.org/ccn/consent_form.php to complete the CCN Signup
form and contact Dory Sabata (mail to: dory.sabata@coa.gatech.edu)
or by
phone at 404-894-0953 for more information.
Cognitive Impairments: To qualify for the group on cognitive
impairments, which will meet in-person, CCN Registry members should reside
in the Atlanta metro area. Members with developmental disabilities, learning
disabilities and/or brain injury are encouraged to participate. If you are
interested in participating in this study, follow the link http://www.catea.org/ccn/consent_form.php to
complete the CCN Registry Signup Form and contact Dory Sabata at dory.sabata@coa.gatech.edu or
by phone at 404-894-0953 for more information about the study.
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The CATEA Consumer Network (CCN) is a network of elders and people with disabilities, their
families, friends and caregivers. Members of CCN test new prototypes,
products and services in order to improve them through focus groups,
field-testing and surveys. By signing up and becoming a member of CCN,
you will be among the first to preview new developments in these areas
and provide input to make them more usable and accessible. As a member
you will receive a periodic newsletter to keep you up to date.
Membership is free and some CCN studies may provide payments for
participation. The CCN is an initiative of Georgia Tech's Center for
Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA).
How Does it Work? How Do I Join?
Participation in the CCN is free and easy! People with disabilities,
seniors with disabilities, family members, friends and caregivers of
people with disabilities should follow the link and signup today
http://www.catea.org/ccn/consent_form.php. The CCN Signup Form only
takes about 5 to 10 minutes to complete. The Signup Form can also be
completed by phone by contacting a CATEA research representative at
1-800-726-9119 (voice or TTY) or 404-894-4960. CCN members will
receive
periodic notices about paid and unpaid opportunities for
involvement in
surveys, focus groups and research studies.
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