Strategy
QuickBooks for the Blind
Are you wondering how blind bookkeepers can navigate QuickBooks? MyBlindSpot has made it possible through its partnership with Intuit.
The following post originally appeared on the Blind With Vision Blog.
Most individuals use QuickBooks for their bookkeeping needs with point and click visual techniques.
But what about those who are blind, visually impaired, and print disabled? Up until 2013, it was a challenge. I know from personal experience. I had to use a combination of a screen magnification software called ZoomText and a screen reading software called JAWS (Job Access with Speech) in order to get tasks done in QuickBooks. Now I use JAWS with some specialized scripts produced by the nonprofit company MyBlindSpot, Inc. The scripts, QuickBooks Blind, have allowed me to become more efficient with bookkeeping projects for my personal company (Mackey Enterprises, LLC) and to open the door to become treasurer of the National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey.
Additionally, a powerful testimonial can be found by pointing your browser to Dixie’s video:
These next 2 videos are examples of MyBlindSpot’s 60+ Self Paced Virtual Lessons that walk consumers, step by step, through the check writing process. It mirrors the instructions included in MyBlindSpot’s MBS User’s Guide, both of which were developed and drafted by people who happen to be blind, and built upon 20 years of source documentation used when training sighted consumers.
Lesson 50 Writing a Check video:
Lesson 56 Sending an Email Directly from an Invoice Screen video:
Thanks to MBS QuickBooks Blind and the programming improvements made by Intuit, QuickBooks has been made accessible and will continue to improve access for the blind, visually impaired, and print disabled users via the build in and scripted keyboard access to program features. To view additional videos provided by My Blind Spot, Inc. which include sample virtual lessons, please visit the MyBlindSpot YouTube channel. Additional information on MyBlindSpot and the QuickBooks Blind project can be found on the MyBlindSpot website.
By Brian Mackey
