JOBLINE HELPS TO BRIDGE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE
by Greg Trapp, Executive Director, Commission for the Blind

Jobline has come to New Mexico, giving users access to the more than one million employment opportunities listed on the America's Job Bank web page.

Jobline bridges the "digital divide" by making it possible to use a touch-tone telephone to access jobs listed on America's Job Bank. Jobline can be reached by calling (505)841-9072. Jobline is designed to be user friendly. It allows users to search for jobs within a specified number of miles of the user's zip code. It also allows users to search among 41 different major job categories, and among hundreds of subcategories. Jobline includes a help function, though a first-time caller can easily use the system by following a series of simple prompts.

The coming of Jobline is especially important since a disproportionate number of persons with disabilities do not have adequate access to the Internet. In addition, many persons who are blind find that America's Job Bank does not work well with the assistive technology they use.

Jobline will also benefit job seekers who are not disabled, but who, for whatever reason do not have access to the Internet.

The Commission for the Blind worked in partnership with the Workforce Development Board, the New Mexico Department of Labor, and the National Federation of the Blind to bring Jobline to New Mexico. We look forward to the benefit Jobline will bring to all New Mexicans.