[blindlaw] Methods for Reading Handwriting

Tue May 19 09:14:59 UTC 2015

Charles' point is a good one, particularly concerning upset of the
client, I guess.

Ger

On 5/19/15, Charles Krugman via blindlaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Years ago when I worked as a vocational expert for the Social Security
> Administration hearings office in Detroit I had to hire at my own expense a
>
> reader to review client files. While much of Social Security files have gone
>
> digital and attorneys/clients are given a CD ROM file it is not always
> compatible with all computers. I usually make a point to review a file in
> advance of the hearing to make sure that the files contain all necessary
> records as many times there are omissions and many records were not received
>
> or requests for records were not sent. I think the only way to go with this
>
> is a reader because many clients are overwhelmed with medical technology and
>
> a trained reader becomes familiar with what I want to know when reviewing a
>
> file. This would apply to all types of medical or technical records and some
>
> times information contained in a claim file can be upsetting to a client
> especially when dealing with a psychiatric condition. hope this helps.
> Chuck Krugman, MSW Paralegal
> 1237 P Street
> Fresno ca 93721
> 559-266-9237
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gerard Sadlier via blindlaw
> Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2015 3:35 AM
> To: Blind Law Mailing List
> Cc: Gerard Sadlier
> Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Methods for Reading Handwriting
>
> Hi,
>
> Depending on the length of the forms, their complexity and any
> litteracy issues, perhaps the best solution would be to get your
> clients to read these forms over to you at the meeting. In that way,
> your clients would definitely become familiar with the data - which
> after all does relate to their cases. One of the great concerns one
> has with clients from time to time is whether they are actually
> reading the material that they need to - however strongly they are
> advised to do so.
>
> The downsides to this approach are:
> 1. meetings may take longer;
> 2. some clients will be better at the reading required and/or more
> accommodating than others.
>
> Ger
>
> On 5/14/15, Angie Matney via blindlaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> I certainly have not found one. Unfortunately, I believe you will need
>> a sighted person to access handwritten materials. This doesn't mean
>> you can't do the work, but it does mean someone will have to read the
>> form or type it for you. Of course, depending on the size of your
>> office, there may not be someone in place right now to do this. Do you
>> have a legal assistant who could go over forms with you before you
>> talk with clients, or enter the data into blank versions of the forms?
>>
>> Sorry I don't have any better ideas for dealing with this.
>>
>> Angie
>>
>>
>> On 5/13/15, Gerard Sadlier via blindlaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> Hi Kerri,
>>>
>>> I'd be glad to be corrected but I think the short answer is that there
>>> are no such programmes?
>>>
>>> Ger
>>>
>>> On 5/14/15, Kerri Regan via blindlaw <blindlaw at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>> Hi everyone. I recently started my first full-time paralegal job at a
>>>>  firm which deals primarily with Worker's Compensation and Social
>>>>  Security-related cases. My position is mostly computer and
>>>>  phone-based, communicating with clients and keeping track of a busy
>>>>  caseload for my supervising attorney. The case management software
>>>>  works well with JAWS and much of the paperwork the firm uses is
>>>>  already scanned into the computer, but today I encountered a major
>>>>  problem. There are forms that are filled out by medical professionals,
>>>>  sent back to us and scanned into our system. While the forms
>>>>  themselves are typed PDFs, many of the doctors fill them out by hand.
>>>>  The handwriting comes across just fine for my sighted colleagues, but
>>>>  when I tried reading the forms with JAWS' OCR utility I was only able
>>>>  to read blank fields, not their content. Going over these forms with
>>>>  clients is an important part of my job, and while my employers have
>>>>  been wonderful and willing to adapt the position to better fit my
>>>>  abilities, I'd prefer not to foist reading duties on one of my
>>>>  colleagues and do all the work this position requires.  I know many
>>>>  OCR programs have trouble processing handwriting, but are there any
>>>>  out there that might be an exception?  I'm totally blind, familiar
>>>>  with all Windows screenreaders and have the KNFB reader app on my
>>>>  iPhone. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for
>>>>  your help, Kerri
>>>>
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>>>
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>>
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>
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