Access leads to Ability

As a blind entrepreneur who both receives and provides a variety of HR materials within my organization, I am all too familiar with the importance of accessible recruitment, training and employee management documents. While advancements in technology have allowed for a greater number of individuals within the talent pool to join the work force and access required outside information in the same manner as their sighted colleagues, it is often internal HR-related materials that pose access barriers for blind, deafblind and partially sighted employees.

Now more than ever before, the provision of company-specific payroll and HR materials is being outsourced to specialized service providers to ensure the timely delivery of such crucial and sensitive files. Given the ease of distribution, general compatibility and desired security features, PDF format is most commonly used by such service providers to present and deliver both generic and individualized employee files. Unlike text-based files, this particular format is image-based, rendering it inaccessible for those of us attempting to access the presented information using screen-reading technology.

The presentment of inaccessible internal HR documents equates not only to an employees inability to independently read training, orientation and management materials, but also the inability to verify personal earnings/deductions, increasing the potential risk for both errors and data breaches. Proper authoring techniques can be utilized to create accessible PDF files, however, these are not currently part of mainstream payroll services.

Because certain files and software versions are not compatible, and employees may not be equipped with adequate technology outside of the office, it is best to discuss delivery preferences on an individual basis. Some employees opt to access their materials by way of accessible, text-based files, whereas others prefer documents in the form of an alternate format such as braille or large print for filing purposes.
   
One of the best ways to champion accessibility within an organization is to ensure that all aspects have been considered. Providing blind, deafblind and partially sighted employees with the adaptive technology required to perform effectively in the workplace is a definite step in the right direction. Ensuring that HR and payroll materials are provided in an accessible format however, further enables an employee’s full participation and contribution, ultimately the mutual goal of both employer and employee.

I am very excited about participating at the 2009 Human Resources Professional Association Annual Conference and Tradeshow, (HRPA), in Toronto where I will be speaking to HR professionals about appealing to a broader range within the talent pool and ensuring full participation of their existing employee base.  If you are planning to attend the conference in January 2009, please feel free to stop me and my guide dog, Bizet, and introduce yourself!