- [Narrator] This recording is an offering of Networks for Training and Development's Online University.

- [Tracy Lapreziosa] Welcome to today's lesson of supported employment accommodations and Assistive Technology on the job. Today we're going to be having a conversation with a coworker at Networks, Andrew Vizuete, and he's going to be sharing a video of his use of Assistive Technology and accommodations on the job. And we'll be having a conversation with him about those accommodations. So, Andrew, if you'd like to say a little about yourself and cue up your video.

- [Andrew Vizuete] Okay, hello guys, my name's Andrew Vizuete. I've been working at Networks since 2004. I do a lot of their marketing materials. I help with their website. I demonstrate my use of AT. I do AT On The Job assessments and a few other things. I'm going to be showing you a video of how I work.

- [Tracy Lapreziosa] Thank you, Andrew, for sharing. As I was watching the video, I mean, I've seen it a number of times before but as I was looking through it today, I'm kind of looking at all the different types of Assistive Technology you use. And there's such a wide variety of technology that ranges from no-tech, low-tech, up to high-tech. And I think this is a great opportunity to kind of go through each item that you're using and show people what low-tech is and what high-tech is and what's commercially available, what's universal design. And I just picked up on a few of the low-tech, no-tech at the very beginning, and I could have missed something as I looked, but a pillow to me is a no-tech, for positioning, right?

- [Andrew] Yes.

- [Tracy] The pillow and the use of having a personal assistant to help set you up is a no-tech.

- [Joe Murphy] It's funny, you said that 'cause Andrew, you've used that pillow for years and, my office chair that I got, that I purchased last year, comes with a pillow now. And a lot of office chairs now come with pillows to support your back. And it's something you've been using for forever. It is no-tech, but it's becoming more universal design when you think about it, as we go through some of this stuff.

- [Andrew] Yes, basically, my position means my movement is very limited. I have to have proper positioning in order to move the mouse and do my work.

- [Tracy] Yeah, so the sponge, the yellow pad is also a no-tech option as well, so I saw that.

- [Joe] Where did they come from? Where did the idea for the sponges and stuff come from?

- [Andrew] I dunno. I guess my dad 'cause a lot of packages like refrigerators or big appliances come with foam. So I think, just use a lot of foam under your wrist, and then that's how I came up with it. It's basically whatever's around I think of, maybe it'll work, maybe it won't, but you have to try it. And trial and error is the way I figure out most of my things.

- [Tracy] That's a good point. And a lot of times there's many things that are just lying around our environment that we can use to help with a number of things, and the pillow and the pad really jumped out at me at the beginning. 'Cause looking back at the lessons that precede this, we talk about the whole hierarchy of low-tech to high-tech. And then I also saw, and maybe you can talk a little bit about the lamp. Is the lamp for lighting or what's the lamp for? That would be something that's commercially available?

- [Andrew] Right. Most people would think that the light is for night light but it's actually to keep my hand warm. My body, not my body, I have very poor circulation so my body is usually always cold. And my lamp I use to keep my hand warm. I came up with the idea from basically going to the buffet and they have the red light to keep the food warm. So I figured just try and to do the same thing with my hand.

- [Joe] And yours isn't a heat lamp?

- [Andrew] The regular, old-school don't give out heat as much.

- [Joe] That little bit of heat really helps you out, right?

- [Andrew] Yeah, my hand wouldn't be as fast working. It would be like double the time I would usually need.

- [Tracy] And that's a perfect example of a piece of Assistive Technology that's something that's purchased, commercially available, but used in a different way for which it was initially intended.

- [Andrew] Yes.

- [Tracy] It's a perfect example of that.

- [Andrew] It's very important to be innovative. Just 'cause one thing gets made for one thing doesn't mean you have to use it for that purpose.

- [Tracy] Are there any other pieces of no-tech, low-tech that I missed in my observation there that you could think of?

- [Andrew] No, we had a pillow and pads on my arm and the lamp - that's about it as far as the no-tech. Everything else is basically on the higher tech side.

- [Tracy] Then I was looking at universal design as I was watching you and things that kind of popped up to me, you kind of mentioned it in your video about the onscreen keyboard is now something that's available on most computers and the word prediction is available on most computers. So those could be examples of universal design. It's something that's already coming in our computers when we purchase them.

- [Andrew] Yes, 'cause when I first started using computers, it didn't come with that, it came separate and it was very expensive. But then over the years everything just comes standard for everyone and they choose to use it.

- [Tracy] And word prediction has kind of flowed into other devices too like my phone, I use word prediction all the time when I'm texting.

- [Andrew] Right, before it used to be a special thing but now it's just here. Everybody basically has a onscreen keyboard with word prediction now.

- [Joe] Well it also creeps into those of us who struggle with spelling and punctuation and grammar when we're doing work. All this popping up for us and taking those struggles that many of us have myself included, back a little bit. It's not perfect but it still allows us to work more productively and more professionally I guess is the word I wanna use? Maybe not get in trouble, but when grammatical errors in your email, as you're sending them out, really, really helps.

- [Tracy] Anything else that you can think of that's universal design on your computer that I missed? Those are the two things that I saw that you were using. Anything else?

- [Joe] There's a big one you're missing. You've talked about a little bit about your trackball mouse and the sensitivity of your mouse. 'Cause we all can adjust how fast our cursor moves across the screen. When that video first started, you saw Andrew's cursor moving across the screen at the speed that you or I would move a cursor, would normally move a cursor across the screen, very easy. And you do too, but the sensitivity that you have it set for, that's designed in your computer, in every computer, the speed that cursor can move because your movements are so finite, really allows you to work at a productive pace.

- [Andrew] Yes, 'cause without it I wouldn't be able to work as well. It would be very frustrating, and it wears me out if the sensitivity is too slow my arm gets more tired. So yeah, that's a good observation.

- [Tracy] Yeah, that's a great one 'cause I was thinking the trackball's more of a higher-tech Assistive Technology, but I didn't even think about the sensitivity level on your right. And I can program the sensitivity level of my mouse pad on my laptop which I need to do so it doesn't go all over the place.

- [Andrew] Correct.

- [Joe] And I know there's people that make those cursors bigger or smaller or change the color so they can find it easier. I know I lose it on track on my screen all the time. I should probably do that at one point, make it bigger so my eyes could see it stand out a little more, but that's all just built into everybody's computer that we're all working with today.

- [Andrew] It's all built in today.

- [Joe] The other neat thing was this was, this was recorded video-wise around 2018, I believe?

- [Andrew] Yes.

- [Joe] So this is pre-COVID for those of you that are viewing us there and you talk about Networks is a very mobile workforce. It's technology, but it is an accommodation that's now universally, it goes to everybody. I think most of us have worked from home in the past and in the future, but it's something you've been doing and we actually have been doing for years.

- [Andrew] Yeah, it just worked out that way. It's a lot easier to work from home.

- [Tracy] Right.

- [Andrew] You don't have to deal with travel time which is pain in the butt and it's just easier, more productive actually.

- [Tracy] Right, and it's an accommodation for everyone right now so that's a good point, Joe. Any other pieces of technology that I missed there?

- [Andrew] There's one or two I don't use very often but I would like to share some pictures with you.

- [Tracy] Okay.

- [Andrew] So this is the laptop that I've been using for years, It's a standard laptop.

- [Joe] Why that laptop? Is there a reason you're using this design, this PC?

- [Andrew] Well, this PC is a 17-inch monitor. Basically, I need a big monitor since I have an onscreen keyboard and other stuff that takes up a lot of space. So Networks is kind enough to get me the biggest computer monitor there is and it works out pretty good. This is a picture of a trackball mouse that I've been using for years. I've tried a few others but always go back to this one, it's the best mouse that works for me. Might not be the best around, but it works for me.

- How does it actually work?

- Well, my thumb is placed on this ball here and basically you move the cursor and go up, down, left to right. And it has four trackers here and out of the four I'm only able to use this one which normally is the left clicker, but I customize the buttons to make the left button actually the right, since that's the only button I can actually reach. All right, the next picture is my onscreen keyboard again. Basically it's a keyboard that's on the screen. You click on each letter and that's how I type. And the next picture, something I use once in a while but it's pretty neat. This is a a toggle switch. Basically the way I discovered this was I went to a conference with work and some guy had adaptive equipment to use with a pinball game. I haven't played pinball in a long time so I figured would give it a try, so they hooked it up with this switch. And that was very interesting. And then later on, I figured that I'd be able to use this for work. So as I showed you before, with the mouse I can only click one button but sometimes when I have to do a lot work, I use this switch and basically I position it close to my head and if I need to left click, I just click on the little knob I have here. And that's how I can click both clickers since I can't do it with my hand. And that was some of the more equipment I use.

- [Tracy] Yeah, and they're great examples of how you've actually modified the way you use some of the Assistive Technology to make it work for you.

- [Andrew] Yes.

- [Tracy] And we've talked about that in previous lessons, how it's so important that everything be modified to fit the person and to meet their needs. We're gonna be talking a little bit in our resource section about like where do you get these items? Where did all your equipment come from, funding, location?

- [Andrew] Yeah, well basically since I'm employed by Networks, they actually were able to purchase the things for me. I guess it's accommodations, but I'm very fortunate to have work and the work pays for this stuff. And other places that help pay is OVR, and that's about financing equipment.

- [Tracy] We also talk about the supports and services that are needed to be able to use Assistive Technology. And under that, we look at ongoing exploration, upkeep, repairs, upgrading. How does that work for you?

- [Andrew] Well, fortunately work is pretty good at keeping up to date. I get a new computer about every two years. What else? In the past I have tried different equipment. Not that I needed it, but I wanted to try something different. One of the things I tried in the past is called Eye Gaze. Basically the computer follows your eyes and moves the cursor and that that's how I was able to do that. I did that for about two weeks but my production actually slowed down. Maybe I needed more practice, but I'm always willing to try something new and you know, if it works, great, but if it doesn't it's okay too 'cause there's always more than one way to do anything.

- [Joe] There's another piece of equipment you tried in the past too, right? To help you do word processing, right?

- [Andrew] Yeah, I tried to use Dragon Dictate, which is basically you talk to the computer and it types but it was very frustrating for me 'cause it made a lot of mistakes. So I had to actually do double the work but I wanted to try it so... I'm imagining it's a lot better now being 20 years later, but I haven't tried it in a long time.

- [Joe] And for the folks listening to this video here, you guys kind of heard Andrew during the video, the narrator, the person in the overview, say that's a person with ventilator sitting in a chair. Your ventilator does make some noise so that kind of makes that text-to-speech software a little tougher to use at times just 'cause you have a lot of background noise and stuff like that.

- [Andrew] Yes.

- [Joe] You're hearing it a little bit here, but actually you're pretty clear at least through my AirPods when I listen to you.

- [Andrew] Yeah, some days I have a clearer voice than others. So, Dragon Dictate didn't really work because of other issues like background noise and stuff.

- {Joe] Oh yeah.

- [Tracy] Yeah, I've tried it as well and I've struggled with it and gave up on it and some people do use it very well. So you know, it drives home an important point that we need to explore things to figure out what works for us.

- [Andrew] Right, 'cause nobody's the same.

- [Tracy] I think about all that's necessary sometimes for staying up to date and to keep figuring out what you need to do to be as efficient as you can be. And the constant opportunities to explore and try what's new out there is great. And many of us sometimes make the mistake of thinking, you know, there's something new on the market that of course it has to be good and it has to be, you know, the best thing for me. I know that Eye Gaze when it came out was like the thing. Everybody I was working with was trying the Eye Gaze and they were having similar difficulties with it. And then 10 years later, some of them actually tried it again and it was working better. So when something new comes out on the market, it's sometimes a little bit more tricky to use. So it's always important to just keep on trying and keep looking for what else might be out there.

- [Andrew] Yeah, 'cause sometimes things that come out too fast aren't as good and you have to give it a few months or years for it to work exactly the way it was intended.

- [Joe] It's like an update on your phone. When that phone updates, don't do it right away 'cause trying to figure out how to work it again is a pain in the neck. How did you find Network? Tell me a little bit your story of where you came from, your life story, tell me that.

- [Andrew] I went to school at Widener Memorial School. It's a school from Kindergarten all the way to 12th grade and they have a PT and an OT department. And OT really helped me find my love for AT and electronics and stuff. They always had the newest stuff to try out and they were actually really, really good with me. They let me try everything till I found what worked for me. So that was really good. And then after high school, I started going to community college but I found out it really wasn't for me. So then I had to get in contact with OVR. I asked them, can they help me look for work?

- [Joe] I got a question for you. So you went to community college, realized that wasn't for you. Why do you have to go, and you said you went to OVR. Why did you choose to go to work?

- [Andrew] I chose to go to work, one for the money, but not really, wasn't the most important thing. The most important thing for me was me and production, having something to do besides watch TV which isn't really good for people. And I knew I had computer skills so I figured there has to be a job out there for me. So that's why I contacted OVR. And they connected me with Networks for Training. And I guess you, Joe, and Michelle actually started the whole process with what kind of job I could do, where I should look. We had many close calls but for some reason it fell through at the end and it was like a four-year journey. I was actually figuring I'm not even looking for work anymore 'cause after four years I figured maybe I just can't get a job. And it just happened that Networks needed somebody with my skillset. So we asked OVR if it would be okay if I worked for Networks and they came back and said, yes, that will work.

- [Joe] We thought we had a couple of different jobs set up and we literally figured all the technology to make 'em work and it would fall through. It was "Murphy's Law". Everything that could go wrong went wrong with each one of the jobs and they fell through. And know what? It may have been the best because you've been here for how many years now?

- [Andrew] Since 2004. So almost 17 years later, still here. And I'm happy as I was in the beginning. It makes me have a full life basically.

- [Cool.

- [Tracy] Very, very fortunate for Networks.

- Yeah, Networks . Things happen for a reason, I guess.

- So for those guys, you guys that are listening to this lesson here, all the marketing material you received from Networks for those of you who saw the advertisement for this class or other seminars or trainings we do, all comes from Andrew's hand, from that left thumb and forefinger moving the trackball, going back and forth. It all comes from basically the work he does. I'd say 95% of those flyers and advertisements in Eventbrite, and everything else comes from his work. So pretty skilled for this stuff. I know I could never do, it would drive me insane trying to figure out some of the programs he's figured out in the past. And we change programs a lot, what we're using to utilize our company sometimes.

- [Andrew] I'm a very patient person. I don't know if it's 'cause I have to be patient but, and I learn pretty quick. So whatever work asks of me, I'm able to do it in a pretty quick manner.

- [Tracy] And one of the previous lessons we talk about the accommodation of the work day and the length of the work day and the number of hours. And maybe you could just touch on that for us as to how your day is for you as far as hours.

- [Andrew] Yes, well, when I first started working, I worked about 20 hours a week 'cause I didn't know if I could actually do more than 20 hours physically 'cause I never worked before. So I started working doing 20 hours a week, but over time 20 hours was just a little too much and I would be more fatigued. So right now I do 15 hours a week, about three hours a day, give or take, some days are longer, some days are shorter, but I average about three hours a day and that's basically as much I can do physically.

- [Joe] That's the neat part about our company is that we all work for here. Tracy and Andrew are both part-time at Networks, I'm full-time so I'm supposed to work a 40-hour week, but it doesn't say I have to work from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. I can work from 6:00 in the morning to noon and then come back and work from 7:00 to 12:00 as long as I put in 40 hours in that week. And I usually put in a lot more than 40 hours every week, and get my job done and my job's getting done, that's the most important part of it. Doesn't have to be linear, step by step.

- [Andrew] Yeah, correct. 'Cause they're very accommodating with your time. I usually do the same amount of time every day. But some days you do it later or earlier, it depends, and they're very flexible with that.

- [Tracy] Yeah, there are days when I work from like 7:00 to 9:00 at night. If my day is full with my other job that I do as a therapist, my day might be full, so I might do my two hours at the end of the day. After dinner I might work from 7:00 to 9:00, you know, doing projects and things. So it is very flexible and it is an accommodation that Networks provides for all of their employees, everyone. So it's kind of universal design of the job.

- [Joe] We talked in previous modules about interdependence. We're gonna talk more about interdependence and that whole theory how we depend on each other and Networks, our office depend on each other. Doesn't matter how we get it done, but we go step by step and we figure it out.

- [Andrew] Yeah, 'cause sometimes you might need help and somebody's more expert than the other person, but it's a pretty good company. We help each other out a lot.

- [Tracy] And we all help each other out with tech support too 'cause I need a lot of tech support. I can always reach out to somebody to help me out.

- [Joe] We all do, we all do.

- [Tracy] So it's great, it's absolutely great. That's one of the perks of the job too.

- [Andrew] Yes.

- [Joe] As we talk about accommodations on the job, when we're figuring out we can't figure the tech part out, either one of us, so.

- [Tracy] Yep, it's an ongoing process and we're always learning and growing with our technology.

- [Andrew] Always good to learn.

- [Tracy] Yep, always good to learn.

- [Andrew] Yes.

- [Tracy] That's one of the biggest pieces, learning and continuing to explore as we go. So I want to thank you Andrew, for joining us today and sharing your story and sharing all of your Assistive Technology. It was absolutely wonderful. Every time we do this, I seem to learn a little bit more about you and about what your technology is. So thank you again for joining us and for all those who are viewing, if you have any comments or anything for Andrew, you can always email him or send him questions.

- [Andrew] Yeah, it was very nice. I hope you guys learned something, and stay safe.

- [Joe] How can I get a hold of you?

- [Andrew] You can email me at andrewv@networksfortraining.org.

- [Tracy] Great. Okay, thanks so much.

- [Andrew] Thank you.

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