Category: Daily Living
Hi everyone, sorry if this is the wrong post. I've come across a dilemma at work and wanted some advice. I have a Kurzweil 1000 scanner. But, unfortunately, it does not like to scan handwriting. I am looking at other jobs in the future, as I'll be at my present job for 2 years. Many people come in and fill out applications for various services. In your oppinion, what's the best way to deal with handwriting when at work. If I can't ask the questions to the clients via computer, I'm not sure how to deal with handwritten materials. Does anyone have any suggestions that might help solve this problem? I do a lot of case notes, referrals and other stuff via computer. but, if I can't access handwritten material easily, I'm starting to freak out that this could possible hurt my future career prospects. I do very well at my job now, and I'll have great references, but I'm not sure what would work in this situation. Does anyone know how I can tackle this problem? If so, please drop me a private message or post on this board. Lately, this has really started to bother me. Thanks in advance, and again, sorry if this is in the wrong board, I'm writing this at work, and wasn't sure what board to post it on.
Hmmm. Personally, I think this is an okay board to put this in. If any other CL wants to move it, that's their call, but I'm leaving it here.
The only way I've ever heard of to deal with handwriting is a reader. None of the scanning software available today will recognize handwriting, to my knowledge, no matter how neat it is. You may have to hire and pay for your own reader to come to your workplace. The reader would be bound by whatever confidentiality agreements your company makes you adhere to, but I think the payment would come out of your pocket, or maybe an agency like voc rehab. But your employer wouldn't be responsible for paying them. That's the only solution I can think of. I'll be interested to see if other people have other ideas for you.
yes I was thinking that getting a reader would be the best way. I have also heard that maybe the KNFB reader that has come out recently reads hand writing, but I am not sure if that is true or not, and it is also expensive to get, but maybe if you can convince Voc Rehab that it is a necessity for your job they can get something like that for you if it does actually read handwriting.
Misty
Thanks, yeah, I would definitely considder the Knfb reader. Anything to solve the problem! I want to remain as tech-savvy as possible. I just shelled out $400 for a new jaws update and the SMA agreement. I will put money aside from each paycheck if necessary to buy assistive technology equipment.
The KNFB reader is a really nice piece of technology, but I don't think even it can do handwriting. You could look into that, in case I'm wrong, but I don't think I am.
Okay, I'll look into that!
unfortunately i don't know that any technology does this, i wish it did cuz it'd be sooo helpful..
There is one, and it only uses a touch pad that you write on it's called the psi reconizer and I think it's out of europe or somewhere. It does a lot more than that as well, I saw it back in Dallas in July.
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but how does it read handwritten papers though
IT DOESN'T, BUT IT'S THE CLOSEST THING TO IT! you WRITE ON THE touch screen AND IT WILL read YOU WHAT YOU'VE WRITTEN
But that has nothing to do with what the original poster was asking about. LOL.
No, it doesn't, but thanks for the suggestions anyway. Keep them up, I really could use any advice. I was originally supposed to help tenants with security deposits, but Then I realized, I would have not way to read their applications.
I don't know of any software that can read handwriting, unfortunately. It would be s helpful if it did though.
what about asking them the questions and then typing their answers in to a computerized form?
If not, hire a reader. Maybe you could work a deal with someone that can read for you and you can do something for them in return so you have no out-of-pocket cost.
Hi, I actually do ask clients who come into the office questions off a computerized form. Another option I've thought of is for an eligibility specialist, or receptionist to email me the printed info that way I could just enter it into the computer if necessary. Unfortunately, I don't think our director knows a whole lot about blind-related technology. She learned that the Kurzweil scanner I have at the office doesn't like forms. She didn't discuss any other alternatives with me. This kind of upset me. But, she might not have thought to use a computerized form. I am surprised though how many people still use paper files. I can see the benefits, but c'mon people, it's the 21st century. I like the responsibility-trading idea, I'll have to keep that one in mind.
everyone's handwriting is different, so even if there were a piece of technology out there that would allow those of us with visual impairments to read people's handwriting, it might not pick up everything correctly.
i know you'd think by now there wouldn't be paper files anymore. seriously, the only thing that should be in hand writing is a signature or something.
Hi, the only things I'd really need in writing would be documents such as a change of employment verification, or a note stating why a person might need an extension on their housing voucher. Again, I don't really deal with these kinds of things now, but I'm thinking ahead here.
How about personal letters that people might just handwrite rather than type on the computer? Sometimes I don't particularly like asking other people to read stuff anyway, so ... Agree though that there is no one piece of software that recognizes all handwriting. That would be kind of hard.
and try explaining to a sighted person that yes we can read with our scanner but no it won't touch handwriting. Some folks who I have talked to about scanners and what they do think the technology is so wonderful that it is totally beyond them why it can't read handwriting. And every year I get Xmas cards that I can't even begin to read. I hope in my lifetime there is actually a scanner that comes out that can read handwriting. Imagine the benefits for all of us. Hope nobody minds reading this senior citizens dream.