I never knew a a blind trader. But when I was a retail broker in the late 80's, I worked with a blind lady that was a broker.
Even then, there was software that read whatever came on our quote system (Quotron). Not just quotes, but all the research, news, and the system's information pages (daily comments, sales contests....everything).
I am quite sure that this was not a Quotron feature. How it was integrated into her system, I have no idea.
I am sure that things are a million times better now. 15 years in computer years is a very long time.
I do remember that a problem was that the voice program did not skip anything. So it not only read the words, but it read the punctuation as well.
It was hard to listen to. You would hear something like "The space research space department space believes space IBM space is a buy period dash dash dash dash quotation mark Joe space Blow space says colon space" (you get the idea....very annoying)
It could drive you nuts very quickly. I guess she got used to it. Just as I suppose legal secretaries get used to legal dictation. But my guess is that similar software today can read with some "common sense". And probably even use human inflection to some degree using context and read-ahead technology.
This blind broker's German Shepard was an absolutely amazing animal. How they get those dogs to learn what they do is beyond belief. My dog went to obedience school for 2 weeks when she was a puppy, and had to go back for remedial work. Still came out dumb as dirt. (a Standard Poodle...they are supposed to be among the smartest of all breeds).
Anyway, I imagine that while the information is available for a blind person, it would be extremely difficult to trade. Unless they traded only one issue and used a very limited amount of indicators on which to make decisions. This may be a handicap, but then again, maybe it isn't at all. A good case can be argued for either side of this issue.
personally, I find that when I am trading, I am looking at so many things at the same time that it is impossible for me to even explain to an observer what I am looking at and why. I know, because I have attempted to do it.
So much input. And so visual. So while I suppose anything is possible, I think trading (not talking about "investing", is virtually impossible for a person that is without sight.
As for the pit trader that was mentioned....I think that that is a more viable opportunity. After all, in general pit traders can and do trade one contract, or index, or whatever it is they trade. While the rules let them do more, many stick with one vehicle. Certainly one at a time.
If a trader is just trading (for example), the S&P contracts on the Merc, they can probably make decisions based on a relatively smaller amount of indicators (information) than (again for example), a prop trader that is trading 40 issues at a time.
Of course, a clerk would be essential to make this work. The boards are not available in braille, and while a blind person can certainly give hand signals, there is no way for them to receive them. But clerks are common (it's been a while, but when I was on the CBOE, virtually every trader used at least one clerk), and clerks are permitted to be anywhere on the floor of the exchanges. So with a bit of teamwork, there is no reason I can think of that a blind person would be at an insurmountable disadvantage on the floor.
As a matter of fact, some of the old timers, while not being legally blind, are certainly "sight impaired". I remember one old guy on the CBOE that had binocular lenses attached to the tops of his trifocals.
And certainly, many traders have difficulty hearing. That is overcome. There are traders in wheel chairs (I worked with one here for many years....he was unable to use his hands).
Where there is a will, there is a way. And if it can be done at all, the law gives equal opportunity.
Nothing is easy. As traders, we all have our own obstacles to overcome. Being blind is certainly a major handicap. I don't know if it can really be done, but again, nothing is impossible. And if it is possible, you can be sure it is being done somewhere by someone.
Also, I would put my money on a bright and motivated blind trader before I would on many of the guys that post to this sight. Brains and common sense and discipline will take you a lot farther in an endeavor like trading than will big steroid enhanced muscles and no brain.
Peace,
RS
Even then, there was software that read whatever came on our quote system (Quotron). Not just quotes, but all the research, news, and the system's information pages (daily comments, sales contests....everything).
I am quite sure that this was not a Quotron feature. How it was integrated into her system, I have no idea.
I am sure that things are a million times better now. 15 years in computer years is a very long time.
I do remember that a problem was that the voice program did not skip anything. So it not only read the words, but it read the punctuation as well.
It was hard to listen to. You would hear something like "The space research space department space believes space IBM space is a buy period dash dash dash dash quotation mark Joe space Blow space says colon space" (you get the idea....very annoying)
It could drive you nuts very quickly. I guess she got used to it. Just as I suppose legal secretaries get used to legal dictation. But my guess is that similar software today can read with some "common sense". And probably even use human inflection to some degree using context and read-ahead technology.
This blind broker's German Shepard was an absolutely amazing animal. How they get those dogs to learn what they do is beyond belief. My dog went to obedience school for 2 weeks when she was a puppy, and had to go back for remedial work. Still came out dumb as dirt. (a Standard Poodle...they are supposed to be among the smartest of all breeds).
Anyway, I imagine that while the information is available for a blind person, it would be extremely difficult to trade. Unless they traded only one issue and used a very limited amount of indicators on which to make decisions. This may be a handicap, but then again, maybe it isn't at all. A good case can be argued for either side of this issue.
personally, I find that when I am trading, I am looking at so many things at the same time that it is impossible for me to even explain to an observer what I am looking at and why. I know, because I have attempted to do it.
So much input. And so visual. So while I suppose anything is possible, I think trading (not talking about "investing", is virtually impossible for a person that is without sight.
As for the pit trader that was mentioned....I think that that is a more viable opportunity. After all, in general pit traders can and do trade one contract, or index, or whatever it is they trade. While the rules let them do more, many stick with one vehicle. Certainly one at a time.
If a trader is just trading (for example), the S&P contracts on the Merc, they can probably make decisions based on a relatively smaller amount of indicators (information) than (again for example), a prop trader that is trading 40 issues at a time.
Of course, a clerk would be essential to make this work. The boards are not available in braille, and while a blind person can certainly give hand signals, there is no way for them to receive them. But clerks are common (it's been a while, but when I was on the CBOE, virtually every trader used at least one clerk), and clerks are permitted to be anywhere on the floor of the exchanges. So with a bit of teamwork, there is no reason I can think of that a blind person would be at an insurmountable disadvantage on the floor.
As a matter of fact, some of the old timers, while not being legally blind, are certainly "sight impaired". I remember one old guy on the CBOE that had binocular lenses attached to the tops of his trifocals.
And certainly, many traders have difficulty hearing. That is overcome. There are traders in wheel chairs (I worked with one here for many years....he was unable to use his hands).
Where there is a will, there is a way. And if it can be done at all, the law gives equal opportunity.
Nothing is easy. As traders, we all have our own obstacles to overcome. Being blind is certainly a major handicap. I don't know if it can really be done, but again, nothing is impossible. And if it is possible, you can be sure it is being done somewhere by someone.
Also, I would put my money on a bright and motivated blind trader before I would on many of the guys that post to this sight. Brains and common sense and discipline will take you a lot farther in an endeavor like trading than will big steroid enhanced muscles and no brain.
Peace,
RS
