ESC vice commander tours 554 ELSG program office Published Nov. 20, 2006 By Monica D. Morales Electronic Systems Center Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass -- The 554th Electronic Systems Group's Computer Accommodations Program Office at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, recently welcomed Electronic Systems Center Vice Commander Maj. Gen. Art Rooney for a tour and demonstration of the assistive technology that enables personnel to perform with confidence at work."We were honored to have General Rooney visit our CAP Office to learn more about our program," said Scott Clausen, CAP program manager. "We gave him a brief tour of our Assistive Technology Demonstration Laboratory, as well as a hands-on experience with the technology that we have provided to a variety of our clients." The CAP Office is dedicated to providing accommodation services and ergonomic assistance to all military and Department of Defense civilian employees with disabilities or injuries. It also advocates awareness of the Rehabilitation Act, Section 508 Directives, and acts as the single Air Force coordination point with the Department of Defense CAP. The Assistive Technology Demonstration Laboratory includes technology used directly with computers, such as voice recognition software, screen magnification software, split keyboards and contoured mice. In addition, the lab has items intended for use in an office -- ergonomic chairs, footrests, monitor anti-glare screens -- and available for loan to clients. Mr. Clausen said the lab also allows individuals the chance to view and test the items in advance of the actual loan, saving government spending by obtaining the correct technology the first time around. The program's mission falls in line with ESC Commander Lt. Gen. Chuck Johnson's "5 W's" by enabling personnel to return to work sooner and to heighten productivity and confidence in the work environment. General Johnson has identified these areas -- warfighter, workforce, workload, worktools and work place -- to better allocate resources. "Our program is important to the Air Force because we help individuals in need find the right solution, making them more productive, comfortable and satisfied with their jobs," Mr. Clausen said. The CAP office functions on a variety of levels, beginning with awareness and outreach activities to take the message to its audience. In addition to its Web site, the team also has a presence at numerous trade shows and symposiums where it introduces prospective candidates to the program. As soon as a person is referred via an occupational health team, supervisor or through self-identification, the CAP conducts a personal needs assessment and workstation analysis. It then loans the person different state-of-the-art products, ranging from software to chairs, on a try-before-you-buy agreement. "Most people who have entered our office are so thrilled and appreciative that there is a program to help assist them, that they are thankful to be able to take something back to their office to try that day," Mr. Clausen said. "Our clients are pleased with the selection of assistive and ergonomic technology equipment available to them." If a client finds the product is helpful to complete their job, CAP will complete the necessary paperwork to help them procure the equipment or software. In addition to Mr. Clausen, the staff includes three full-time and two part-time contract employees from Advanced Technology Systems. "We are most proud of our ability to assist individuals who are in pain because of an injury or have difficulty getting through their workday because of a specific disability," Mr. Clausen said. "To find the solution that will continue to allow them to be independent and confident Air Force employees carries a great reward." The CAP office began in 1991 in an effort to provide employees with disabilities with reasonable accommodations that afford them the same level of opportunity and promotability as any of their peers. Through the years, the CAP office mission has evolved to include meeting the needs created by ergonomic injuries, as well as other workplace injuries. To learn more about the CAP team, e-mail Mr. Clausen at (937) 257-1505. The team's Web site can be accessed at http://cap.public.msg.wpafb.af.mil.