I feel embarrassed when people comment on my screen settings. I know this is ridiculous, please help me get over it.

[BurningRubber]

I started a new job a few months ago and one of the systems I have to use is really old. I didn't realise this before taking on the job and tbh I wouldn't have taken the job if I did realise because it is causing me no end of problems. The system has very small text. I have keratoconus which makes small text look blurry and unfortunately I also use drops and creams for high eye pressure and corneal erosion which also makes close work blurry. Basically my eyes are a bit rubbish but most of the time it's not a problem as you can enlarge screens and have read aloud and that's what I do. But this system is so old that none of this works on it. The only thing I can do is have it on a separate screen and change the settings and tbh it still looks weird and I have to do things like scroll across and down the window to reach the end of a line. I actually hate it! But what I also hate is colleagues coming up to my desk and saying things like "ooh your screen looks funny" or "I can't look at things on your screen, can't you change it back?" Also if someone is trying to show me a new part/process of the system they're doing it on their screen, and I can't see it. I have to write down what they say word for word and then when I'm back on my screen work out how it corresponds.

Actually reading through all that I'm thinking that I can't keep doing this job 😞 But also I get very put on edge by all the comments.

Omg - what? Your employer has a legal obligation to make reasonable adjustments if you've got a physical impairment like this. Have you picked it up with HR? Maybe there's no alternative available, but if there is then they need to look into it. Please don't suffer unnecessarily x

Yabu to keep using a system that will probably finish your sight off! Complain or change jobs!

It's tough isn't it. I know you don't know these people but you'll be working with then a lot? In which case it's probably something you should tell them to stop them bringing it up each time.

Once you've mentioned it once and suggested your work around of emailing it to them then if they keep being funny with you about it it's time to start writing down each instance and speak to your manager.

@BurningRubber refer your self to Access to Work with DWP.

They assess your needs and depending on the size of your employer pay for the equipment you need. I would find out what IT system work has so you can state why you can't use xyz software there.

Ok, I think you might be misinterpreting their reactions here- why would they be annoyed by something that doesnt affect them? Its hardly your fault your eyes are like this - its not like you poked them with pencils on purpose to make them like that so its ridiculous for them to be annoyed or angry with you for making your screen bigger- just think about how very silly that would be on their part.

I have MGB so I can relate to eye issues/needing bigger print as my eyes get dry quickly and I have had to get a big screen for work and I sometimes put a hot compress on them at work but not once have I ever felt embarrassed by it because its just something that happened. It's not down to anything I have done. I treat it like its no big deal and so everyone else does too.

Jung once said: 'Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will control your life and you will call it fate.' I'd have a ponder about what this is really about and why this is bothering/niggling at you so much. What's behind all this- is it because you feel it reflects on you personally, is it because you feel you arent worth extra assistance? Or, is it that you are struggling yourself with this diagnosis and are very self conscious about it? could be lots of reasons etc

As an aside, your employer has a legal responsibility to make reasonable adjustments so I'd be asking for a bigger screen. It's discriminatory otherwise.

If your company has an Occupational Health department they can also help you. Ask how you would refer yourself to them.

I would think that this is discrimination under the disability act. You should have reasonable adjustments put in place for you by law. Is there anyone in HR who could help? Also, I would tell your colleagues that you have a disability - which you have. You don't have to go into the details that you have here, but simply say that you have very bad sight. It is unacceptable that your colleagues are behaving in such a juvenile manner, but I always find that giving the basics of the truth is the best way to stop silly comments once and for all. I know from personal experience that it can be daunting admitting to a disability as l have had a lifetime of hearing impairments, and my hearing is becoming more impaired, which does not really sit with being a professional musician and music teacher. However, I have started to reframe things in my mind, telling myself that I have done well despite my disability - yes, it has taken me nearly sixty years to realise and admit to myself that I do have a disability. You have done really well despite a significant problem with your eyesight. I sometimes think that disabilities can make us more determined to succeed. One person who is a shining example of this is Richard Osman. He was born with a condition called nystagmus and he is registered partially sighted. A very good rôle model for anyone, l think.

I feel your frustration OP. I use a pink tint on all my media for dyslexia and everyone always comments or decides to change it back. It’s frustrating! Back in the day I remember having a plastic overlay on my computer screen. If I was ever off work on AL I would guarantee some fucker would take it off, then it get lost or damaged or horrible finger prints.

You maybe able to get a magnifying screen overlay (back in the day they used to have these) and work should provide this as reasonable adjustments. It’s not appropriate (or legal) to put you at a disadvantage in your work like this.

I have a disability which means I have to stand in meetings. People react to this is if I'm being aggressive even if I say things in a normal voice. A lot of reactions are subconscious.

I just sent an email to the whole team saying this is my disability, this is what I need (I put why), this is what it's like for me, it would me if you...

I think people thought I was oversharing but they were a lot more understanding after that

Sorry the last bit should say it would help me if you...

A chap at my work who had vision problems used to use an on screen magnifier - so it just physically magnified the content visible on the screen. They could then move their mouse across the screen as they read. That might be helpful in some situations?

If you're in a university they almost certainly have a disabled staff network. I find mine really helpful because we're all in the same boat and can ask questions of each other. Usually people have experience and can explain.

The other thing to ask is that people doing presentations make sure their PowerPoint is accessible. So that means using tables etc made inside PowerPoint not images, making images not essential to the presentation where possible and adding good alternative text explanations to the images where required. You can also mark images as decorative only.

The above also works on word documents and things that are then converted to PDF too. Apologies if you know all this already.

Depending how you find typing lots of people find dragon software useful (dictation software) but be aware it eats ram so you may need an adapter computer.

I have concluded being open about the fact that I have "a long term health condition" makes life easier. But if colleagues continue being difficult, ultimately that's disability discrimination. I do think, unfortunately, that you have to tell people about your needs. If someone worked remotely in a wheelchair then they'd need to mention that coming into a different office say because otherwise people wouldn't know to book an accessible meeting room. Obviously that's probably also an argument for making things accessible by design.

The other thing I'd probably see if I could do if I were you would be test various ways of doing presentations/meetings with a single, trusted, helpful colleague until you work out what suits you. That way you can know what to ask for. I'd be very happy to facilitate a day "out of office" (i.e. off emails etc) to do this for any of my employees and it would be a reasonable thing to ask for.

Personally, I find the fact that my body doesn't do what I want it to super annoying and it frustrates me all the time. I can tend to blame myself for that sort of thing. But it is reasonable to expect adjustments at work, though people do have to know that you need them.

You poor thing. Go to your manager and tell them about your eye conditions and inform them that you are going to contact 'Access to Work' as you can't carry on working in these conditions. They will come and inspect the work environment and make suggestions for adaptations to support you properly. Your employer is likely to have to foot the bill though they may get some funding.

Perhaps ask your manager to speak with colleagues (or you can) ... if they don't know about your condition and how they can support you they are going to carry on.

You will likely be classed as having a disability. Good luck getting this sorted out.

I have Keratoconus too. In the past at my work, couldn’t work on certain checkouts during certain periods of the year as sunlight bounced off window, into my eyes.

Code checking. Have a few lines where can’t tell if numbers are 6 or 8. Or 5 and 6 - only by the straight line at the top of 5.

Then had some new screens on tills on kiosk and not adjustable.

Then don’t start with the lottery terminal. It’s a ‘refurbished’ one after the old terminal unable to post slips and tickets through the feeder. The screen is very dim.

I'd say, "I've got keratoconus. And no, it's not that singer from Atomic Kitten"

Not sure on which planet do you live. Most female colleagues share their lives and general health anyway. Why don't you use glassed? - I do. Forgot my glasses the other day and shared it with the line manager and any colleague who was there heard it and knew that my husband is bringing them.

another made up post

I don't have your complex sight problems but I have monocular vision. The glasses/removing of glasses/increasing doc size works for everything except our main operating system which I reckon is from the 1980s. I can cope by pulling my screen right in. The comments I have had about this ( I also happen to be the oldest) is ridiculous and I've had to be pretty blunt to stop it.
Next job, it's a pre requisite that I can check this stuff before accepting the offer.

"Other people are not just like me and therefore they must be lying."

This sounds really frustrating and i get why it’s upsetting.

I want to highlight that as much as you absolutely have the right to privacy and don’t have to share your medical condition with others - your colleagues are in a better position to be considerate if they have some knowledge.

People aren’t being inconsiderate deliberately, it’s through ignorance. While you get every comment, they aren’t aware of that - and likely don’t even remember when they have commented themselves. When they ask you to change the screen they are advocating for themselves (they can’t read it) the way you need to.

I’d strongly recommend re-thinking keeping this entirely to yourself. If you could just say - I’ve got eye issues that mean I cannot read the default font - how about we work through together on our own computers so we can both see?

For training ask if you can record them. Again just say I’ve got eye issues and can’t follow your screen - can I grab my laptop so I can follow along? Or can I record this so I can make sure I get it right?

You don’t have to provide your test results, or specific diagnosis, but highlighting that you need a larger font size is really not that personal.

and yes, it might make sense to job hunt for a place that uses software you can read using standard tools. But don’t leave yourself unemployed unnecessarily.

That sounds so annoying- and your colleagues sound like assholes.

If the condition affects your day to day life, including your workplace, you could declare it as a disability to your employer under the Equality Act 2010. Your employer would then need to look at your working conditions and agree reasonable adjustment with you, to make things easier. Potentially they could look at specialist equipment for you, for which they may be able to claim funding under the Access to Work scheme.

This would also mean that you have protected characteristics in the workplace from day one as a disabled person. Your colleagues commenting like this is not on - it could also be seen as harassment - and possibly going down that route will be helpful. Have a look at the relevant section of the Equality Act 2010 - link is below.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents

You have a medical condition that requires you to have your screen set up in such a way to make it work for you. Not for them. For you.

So if you have to scroll across and they come out with a comment about the way that your screen is set up, I'd actually be prepared for that by having a load of pages printed off in a nice bundle and hand them one which details your condition and respond with "Well, I have to have the screens set up like this so that I can work, you're welcome to read up on my condition which might explain why the screens have to be set up like this. Here you go" and keep doing what you're doing. Or you could reply with "Well, the screens are set up this way for me, not you, because you don't have a medical condition that requires it. Here's some information on the condition so that you can understand why I have to have the screens set up like this" and hand them a page that describes your condition.

If you're factual, not aggressive but assertive in your responses to your colleagues, they will stop making the comments. However, if you don't respond to their comments, I think they will keep making them.

Yes exactly this, just own it, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. I would imagine it’s something said without thinking and most of them will be mortified when you explain. And if they aren’t well they are tossers.

I have some colleagues who have their screen set up differently to the standard layout - different SAP themes, dark mode, "fun" fonts etc and I struggle to process what is on their screen, but as soon as I look at the same thing on my own screen it just clicks.

It is understandable if they struggle to process information on your screen when it looks so different, so you need to be as considerate of this as you expect them to be considerate to you.

You don't need to explain your eye issues in detail, but there is no reason not to tell people you need the screen like that and they will probably be more accommodating and can work out together how you can share information - perhaps dual monitors with the screen duplicated and the resolution on one is standard setting? Or share a link to the information to them so they can view on their own screen....

A side issue but record any informal training on your phone.

As a visually impaired person I really sympathise. I can't manage many 'normal' computer setups and also need to have the screen very close and at the right angle to my face, so I can't use a laptop, which puzzles people a lot. 'Can't you get better glasses?' they say, and I sometimes mutter 'What a good idea, if only I'd thought of that 30 years ago.'
It is personal and I'd rather keep it to myself, but colleagues always notice and have their own views about it. I find it easiest to tell everyone I work with and keep repeating it if necessary. Your colleagues may not be annoyed so much as bewildered, but if their attitude is upsetting you, you could write out a short statement and get your line manager or HR to send it round with a reminder that reasonable adjustments and respect are required for any kind of health problem. I hope you only give up the job if you don't like it, not because of this.