How to stay ahead of the curve on ergonomically designed computer
hardware
As the DoN moves toward its seat management system known as the Navy
and Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI), a fundamental goal is to standardize
computer hardware and software across the service. Unfortunately, by its
nature, standardization inhibits the flexibility to employ ergonomically
designed or enhanced hardware, such as keyboards and mouse/pointing
devices. In fact, the NMCI contracting process did not directly address
these concerns.
The purchase of ergonomic hardware is intended to be preventive and
minimize the potential occurrence of Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI),
such as cumulative trauma disorder or carpal tunnel syndrome. Many
commands have already deployed such equipment in workplaces where risk
factors for RSI have been identified and others are considering such
purchases. Some are questioning the effect of the NMCI transition to
standard hardware on these activities.
Accommodating Persons with Disabilities: The CAP Needs Assessment
Process
In 1990, the DoD established the Computer/Electronic Accommodations
Program (CAP), ensuring that people with disabilities have equal access to
the information environment. The DoD has a commitment to providing equal
opportunities to eliminate employment barriers for its employees with
disabilities. CAP's services make DoD work environments more accessible to
people with hearing, visual, dexterity, cognitive and communication
impairments.
Choosing appropriate accommodations is best done on a case-by-case
basis. It is important to recognize that people with disabilities have
different capabilities and varying degrees of disabling conditions.
Accommodation needs must be evaluated in light of a person's job functions
and technical environment (e.g., workstation configuration). To ensure
that the appropriate accommodations will be provided, a needs assessment
should be conducted addressing three areas: the job, the individual, and
the solution. Such assessments are normally conducted by the local
Industrial Hygiene servicing facility, such as a Medical Treatment
Facility (MTF). Functional difficulties or limitations, e.g. involving
vision, communication, deafness/hard of hearing, and dexterity are
considered relative to the job tasks.
CAP provides solutions involving a variety of Assistive Technologies,
both hardware and software, to activities having identified needs.
Assistive technologies such as voice recognition and image magnification
software, scanners, ergonomic hardware (e.g. keyboards, pointing devices,
telephone headsets) are some of the many options available through the CAP
process. In other words, Dod CAP may be used to acquire, free of charge,
needed hardware and software, which is NMCI-compatible. For more
information about CAP, refer to: www.tricare.osd.mil/cap.
Assistive Technologies (AT)
CAP is working closely with the Department of the Navy as it implements
NMCI. NMCI requires all software and hardware associated with a user to be
distributed by a central source, including assistive technology for users
with disabilities. To ensure that assistive technology can be integrated
into the system, CAP will continue to provide assistive technology to Navy
employees with disabilities. The method of procurement and distribution of
assistive technology will change to support NMCI. Navy employees with
disabilities that need assistive technology can contact CAP to submit a
request or complete an online assessment.
The current list of certified assistive technology for local
installation and future enterprise wide deployment is located at: http://www.tricare.osd.mil/cap/acc_proc/acc_learn_assist.cfm.
Under NMCI, hardware and other AT equipment must be certified prior to use
on the system. For a current list of NMCI-certified items, visit the
following links: http://www.tricare.osd.mil/cap/programs/programs_nmci.cfm
http://www.nmci-isf.com/downloads/userinfo/Assistive_Technology.pdf.
Prevention Vs. Accommodation
CAP exists primarily to ensure workplace accommodation of personnel
with existing disabling conditions or challenges. The goal of
ergonomics programs is prevention of disabling RSI injuries and the
solutions needed may not be covered under CAP. However, a subset of CAPs
services falls into the category of ergonomics and some of the AT
solutions are relevant to ergonomic workstation improvement. CAP provides
various accommodations for many dexterity disabilities. Some of these
disabilities might be avoided if people take a proactive approach when
they begin to experience pain or numbness. Neck, back, leg, and wrist pain
are the most common complaints, however, disabling conditions can be
prevented if they are addressed in the early stages. The CAP website
offers a series of questions to see if you are at risk for developing a
disabling condition. Be sure you are positioned at your workstation
performing your normal daily tasks when you ask yourself these questions.
Depending on how you answer these questions, you may be at risk for an
ergonomic related injury. Therefore, we recommend reading the CAP
Workplace Ergonomic Reference Guide and making the appropriate
adjustments to your workstation. If you require an ergonomic assessment or
evaluation, we recommend contacting your activity's Occupational Safety
& Health Representative, or contact CAP at 703-681-8811. In the long
term, whether ergonomic equipment is funded through the CAP process or
through the local activity budgetary process, correction of high-risk
ergonomic hazards is effort and funding well spent.
Planning for the NMCI Transition
The best advice for activities anticipating transition to the NMCI
intranet is advance planning. Organizations that have identified ergonomic
workstation hazards and have already taken action, purchased ergonomic
hardware (keyboards, mice, etc.) should initiate the NMCI certification
process for that equipment before the transition takes place. Most
organizations can ill afford to lose valuable equipment already installed
for ergonomic reasons.
Purchasers of new ergonomic hardware should review the NMCI certified
equipment list and take advantage of the available equipment options. In
cases where the available equipment does not meet specific needs, activity
safety and health personnel, along with affected individuals should work
with the command IT and/or NMCI contract representative(s) to ensure that
the certification process is initiated for the equipment selected. The
earlier these needs can be identified, the more easily the transition will
take place.
If you are requesting assistive technology that is not on the list, or
require further information, please contact the CAP/NMCI point of contact,
Claudette Tan, at mailto:claudette.tan@tma.osd.mil,
703-998-0800, Ext. 27 (voice) or 703-681-0881 (TTY).
Also see our Ergonomics section
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