Washington State Department of Services for the Blind

The Job Application Process

If you require that job seekers complete an application, there are many ways to make the process accessible to those who are blind or visually impaired.

The following are some practical suggestions for handling application forms.

Provide the application in advance.

Offer job seekers who are blind or visually impaired applications to complete in advance of their interviews. This way, they can use readers or low vision devices to write out their applications.

Make the application electronically available.

You could e-mail it on request, provide a diskette version, or put it on the company’s web site. Oftentimes, applicants who are blind or visually impaired will be able to use computers with Braille or speech output (talking computers), or they may use screen magnification to read and complete applications. Electronic access to the application process is convenient for sighted applicants as well as for applicants who are blind or visually impaired.

Make the application available in an audio format.

If you prefer that applications are completed on-site, provide a company representative to read the application and record the applicant’s responses. Ensure that the recorder transcribes the applicant’s answers without editing or modifying them.

Provide assistive technology devices.

If one of your current employees uses assistive technology devices at the workplace, you might lend that equipment to applicants who are blind or visually impaired. A Closed Circuit TV, screen enlargement programs, or computers with speech or Braille output, can make completing the application on-site easier for them.

Accept standard applications.

Consider accepting a standard completed application in lieu of your company’s particular application form.

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