[Blindtlk] Interesting Note on Signatures

[Graves, Diane]

Good Morning All,

In light of our recent discussion on the importance of signing documents legibly,  I just thought you might be interested in my recent interactions with Voc. Rehab regarding the issue. As I mentioned, I have a case currently open with them because I needed to get some work related assistive technology upgraded. So,, following our discussion I decided to ask my counselor if, given the fact that I had a case open, I could get someone to work with me on addressing my deficit.

Now let me preface by saying that the last thing I intend or want to do is give this particular counselor a bad name. With regard to the work-related items, this is absolutely the best and most efficient service that I have ever received from VR in any of the 3 states in which I have had services. He was great. I didn't get all of the technology that I would have liked, but I got the things I needed, and I got them quickly. I couldn't believe it. It was amazing.

However, when I asked about the signature I was told that, anything that VR provided had to be necessary in order to get or retain a job. He said a legible signature didn't fall under this category, and so VR couldn't provide this training. He said that, in order to receive such training I would have to have a statement from my employer indicating that my job was in jeopardy if I didn't learn to sign my name correctly.

Well, of course, this is not the case. Not only has my signature never been questioned, but I rarely have to sign my name on the job, save for the occasional performance reviews, benefits forms, acknowledgement of policy changes and so forth. So my Job certainly isn't in jeopardy
[cid:image002.gif at 01CBFF34.944DF3B0] It just amazed me that, not only did he not seem to think this skill was worth addressing, but it took a while to even get him to understand exactly what I was asking for.

While I think this policy is very misguided, and am not even sure that it is accurate, at least from a national perspective, I'm not going to fight it. I guess I have gotten along for 48 years without a problem, so I don't anticipate any to come. I need to  choose my battles, I guess. It was just really difficult for me to understand their stance, and it has made me wonder how many other blind people have been denied the adjustment skills that they need.

Diane Graves
Civil Rights Specialist
Indiana Civil Rights Commission
Alternative Dispute Resolutions Unit
317-232-2647

"It is service that measures success."
George Washington Carver

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