[Blindtlk] volunteer opportunities for sighted people

[Gary Wunder]

I am interested in helping and will work with you to figure out how these folks can help us.



-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie J. via blindtlk
Sent: Friday, August 15, 2014 7:24 AM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: [Blindtlk] volunteer opportunities for sighted people

Hello all!

I work with individuals who have committed some sort of criminal offense, who need to do community service.  Some of the individuals work multiple jobs and also have young children to care for.  Getting out into the community to do their hours is sometimes difficult.  this is a small community, options are limited and hours places are open is less than in a large city.  There are also certain guidelines regarding what counts as community service that they have to follow.

So anyway, I got to thinking and I wondered if there was perhaps an internet or ap based opportunity that might work for these young people to do their community service.  I know there are aps where you can take a picture and get a description of what the object is.  Are those done by computers or live people?  If it’s live people, can someone point me in the right direction where I can find out the details to know if this might work for my situation?  Also does anyone know of an organized volunteer reader program that uses Skype or Facetime?  I think those could both work to transfer video information and get visual feedback.   Or is anyone in need of a reader that would be willing to use something like Facetime and then  email me the number of hours you used?  I have to be able to verify that the person actually did something during their community service hours.

I can screen possible readers with those interested  to make sure everyone is comfortable with the arrangement.  For example  if you want feedback on your wardrobe and what goes with what, I won’t match you up with a middle aged guy who only knows jeans and T-shirts!    

Most people need to do between 10 and 25 hours.  The availability of people will vary, but I almost always have someone struggling with getting in their hours.    the individuals I work with are not dangerous or hardened criminals.  they are primarily young people who were drinking alcohol underage.   Still all typical common sense safety precautions should be taken...don’t give out your bank account number or anything you wouldn’t do  for a random internet person.

Any feedback on this concept is very much appreciated!  

Julie
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