title: Developing a computerized information system for visually disabled people to assist with job placement.
abstract: Unlike several other countries, the UK does not have a national occupational database describing jobs in terms of skill and other factors. Neither is there a nationally recognized method for assessing the functional skills which job seekers have to offer. If these two types of assessment were based on the same criteria, individuals could accurately match their profile to occupations or vacancies. Assistance with job placement is one of the most popular services offered by Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) Employment Network to visually disabled people. Yet resources are stretched and the Network is considering computerizing its occupational information and job-matching activity to increase efficiency. By drawing upon a comparison of existing systems and recommendations in the literature this paper offers suggestions for the development of this system. Factors for consideration at the design stage are discussed, and the paper concludes with a programme for development, evaluation and implementation. The need to ensure quality standards through staff training and appropriate procedures is stressed.
authors.affiliation: Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) Employment Network, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Simkiss
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Floyd
mesh_terms: D003195:Computer Communication Networks; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services; D007586:Job Application; D010560:Personnel Selection; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*