Over one billion people worldwide identify as having a disability. Many of the technologies we use today to stay connected, work with greater efficiency and speed, and meet our customer demands originated from people who require adaptive technologies to navigate a world that is not accessible.
Global Accessibility Awareness Day, observed every May 20th, started 10 years ago. The movement has accelerated through a vast global community of digital accessibility and inclusive design dedicated to building awareness on the importance of website accessibility and mobile interfaces.
For GAAD 2021, we connected with Sobeys produce employee Walter White. The Sobeys Liverpool teammate told us about the technologies he uses to get the job done and where he’s identified opportunities for improvements to remove barriers for individuals beyond just customers or teammates who are blind or have low vision.
DE&I: Walter, can you share a little about yourself and how long you’ve been a teammate at Sobeys?
WW: I was born in Newfoundland and moved to Nova Scotia with my wife, Sandi, in 2001 after several years as a store manager in Northern Ontario.
I slowly began losing my sight at around age 20 and have been legally blind for almost 10 years. I’ve been working at Sobeys since July 2001. I’ve been a produce manager, produce second, produce clerk, job occupational health and safety chair, WHIMIS trainer and engagement chair.
DE&I: What apps or assistive technologies/devices you use at work and at home?
WW: I use an iPhone 7 with voiceover technology. The apps I commonly use are: TapTapSee., BeSpecular, ColourID, DocScanner, LibreLink, FaceTime and voice to text.
DE&I: Can you describe how some of the tech you use works to support you on the job and in your community?
WW: TapTapSee is an app that allows me to capture a video or image and within seconds provide an audio description of the image. I use this to identify products or instructions that may be in written form. BeSpecular is a great app that relies on a global community of volunteers to be my eyes! I describe a scenario, take a picture, and that information is sent and responded to by a sighted BeSpecular volunteer within minutes. The ColorID app lets me identify colours so I can make sure our produce sections always look amazing.
DE&I: What are some recommendations you have for improvements to support our customers’ shopping experience?
WW: An audible or tactile signal or reference to mark the start of the line up for each checkout. As well, the floor directions for COVID-19 are not tactile so there is no way for me to tell which direction I should be walking.
DE&I: What barriers have you come across in the workplace or in your community?
WW: The punch clock is now a touch screen so I cannot use it myself. There is no voiceover and no raised buttons for reference, so I require help from coworkers to punch in and out.
In my community, the sidewalks, crosswalks and traffic lights are barriers since the audible signals are not timed correctly and the sidewalks are high and not angled at the crosswalks correctly.
I want to express that I have amazing coworkers and managers who are always happy and more than willing to help me or anyone with a disability. I could not ask for a more supportive team!!
Learn more about GAAD and digital accessibility and visit the DE&I Jam Group page in People Portal for additional inclusion and accessibility resources.
