LINCOLN – The Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (NCBVI) has outfitted Nebraska Department of Labor job centers with updated accessibility technology. NCBVI has equipped the job centers with ONYX electronic video magnifiers and LyricQ readers. The LyricQs can instantly read a document to someone who does not have any usable vision, while the magnifiers allow users to adjust the size and brightness of screen content.

The upgrades were made possible by a Vocational Rehabilitation grant and will assist customers seeking reemployment services such as job coaching and Unemployment Insurance benefits, as well as those accessing other programs at NDOL locations across the state.  The accessibility tools complement existing accessibility software at the various office locations.

“NCBVI is helping our agency better serve a wide range of customers throughout Nebraska,” said Commissioner of Labor John H. Albin.  “While accessibility has always been a priority, the new tools allow our job centers to update their technology to make in-person service delivery go as smoothly as possible. Everyone in need of our programs should be able to access them without unnecessary roadblocks.”

NDOL job centers and American Job Center resource rooms with upgraded equipment are located in Scottsbluff, Sidney, North Platte, Lexington, Kearney, Grand Island, Hastings, Columbus, Norfolk, Omaha, Lincoln, Nebraska City, and Beatrice.

“The Nebraska Commission for the Blind is delighted to update the technology at the NDOL job centers so that consumers who are blind or visually impaired can access the many different forms of applications and paperwork without needing the assistance of a human reader,” said NCBVI Deputy Director of Services Erin Brandyberry. “We appreciate the opportunity to partner with NDOL to improve the options for service delivery.”

In addition to partnering with NCBVI to equip job centers with accessibility technology, NDOL also offers customers in-person, telephone, and website language translation services to ensure customers of all backgrounds receive important information and assistance.  Customers can utilize a Spanish version of NEworks.nebraska.gov, NDOL’s job website.

 “We will continue to look for ways to reach customers of diverse backgrounds and needs,” Albin said.

Contact information for each job center is available at https://dol.nebraska.gov/ContactUs. More information on NCBVI is available at https://ncbvi.nebraska.gov/.