[Community-service] Discrimination in volunteering based onblindness

[Ashley Bramlett]

Hi Aleeha,

Wow, what an experience. Me too.
I feel so lonely in this regard because it seems like most people integrate 
fine in their respective employment settings or volunteer work.
Now, that you all shared this, I can most assuredly identify with your 
struggles to be included and contribute.
I'm not giving up though, and despite my parents pushing me to do office 
work only, I have a desire to assist kids, with and without disabilities, 
and you better bet I'm going to perform some community service work in that 
area.
Kids need all the help they can get. Volunteering in this area is a 
wonderful idea, and
now with budget cuts coupled with two parents working, they need volunteers 
more than ever! Kids need help! Kids need adult role models!


I  did a combo work and volunteer thing this summer. It was both because as 
a permanent sub once a week, I was allowed to come in extra days if I wanted 
to as a volunteer.

I worked at a therapeutic rec camp for kids with disabilities.
I really need ideas because I am going back to get a job! I want to 
contribute more.

I  have tunnel vision; I felt left out as you did. I'm not the best 
spatially; I need more time to learn an environment, time absent as I only 
worked once a week. So I needed some sighted guide or at least someone 
beside me saying right or left. This usually was not an issue to get as 
there was another volunteer in the classroom at one school and the other 
school, I followed the noise of people and it was a square so I ended up 
feeling much more oriented there anyway.

Anyway, its very hard. I was not intentially ignored, but it was a setting 
where you are not told what to do. but rather, they start an activity
and staff and volunteers pitch in.
Its not too structured. Its not like staff and volunteers have specific 
tasks. The only one with specific tasks is the leader of the classroom.

I saw that everything was passed out. People were helping the kids. I went 
up to a few of them. they did not need help.
Some activities proved a little visual; like the arts and crafts; and even 
board  games.
Man, how do you assist kids when its quite visual?

Barriers to my participation included the fact I did not know who needed 
assistance, I could not distinguish all colors, cannot cut straight so could 
not assist in prepping for the craft, and did not know how to safely push 
wheelchairs.

I did contribute some, so I cannot say I was
on the side. but as a perfectionist and one who cares deeply about 
contributing to make kid's lives better, I yearn to do more.

Here are a handful of ways I contributed.

A few days I assisted in cleaning up the table by clearing it of supplies. I 
put all markers in their boxes and picked up more items.
I also wiped down some mat the kids lay on for  rest.

Other days, I helped out with lunch by opening containers or bottles for the 
kids. The kids have fine motor problems and needed assistance.

One day we did a marble art activity in which marbles are rolled around in 
paint and create a picture.
I helped some kids do this using hand over hand.

I hope things improve Aleeha. If you know how to help kids and are patient, 
there is no reason why you should not be assisting.

If you have specifics such as the type of setting, age group, the size of 
the group, and what volunteers generally were supposed to do, maybe I can 
brainstorm ideas, even though I faced this issue too.
Generally, I find that working with a small group of kids versus a large 
class makes it easier to handle. I mean a small group is much easier to get 
a grip on  what is happening when you're sitting at one table with them.

Some ideas I have are to read to them and come up with a tactile craft I can 
lead. Maybe popcicle sticks for instance.
If its tactile, I'd check on them by touching their activity and talking to 
them.

Another idea I have is to be more proactive. I'm going to get the schedule 
ahead of time, help plan activities if possible, and talk to them beforehand 
when kids arrive to see where I can fit. Then, just do it, and demonstrate I 
can help.

Ashley
-----Original Message----- 
From: Aleeha Dudley via Community-service
Sent: Sunday, August 31, 2014 1:32 PM
To: jonathan franks ; Community Service Discussion List
Subject: Re: [Community-service] Discrimination in volunteering based 
onblindness

I often find that, when I am working with children, I often get pushed to 
the side. Unless, that is, it is specifically a blindness oriented event. 
I'm not sure why this is, but I feel that a big way we can address this is 
to demonstrate our abilities. If the person lets us, we must show them that 
we are perfectly capable human beings who can and will take care of 
ourselves, along with our young charges.

Aleeha Dudley and seeing eye dog Dallas
Vice President, Ohio Association of blind students
Blindcowgirl1993 at gmail.com
"The wind of Heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears." Arabian 
proverb

Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 31, 2014, at 12:48 PM, jonathan franks via Community-service 
> <community-service at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> Greetings everyone,
> I wanted to get people's experiences and thoughts on this topic.
>
> Last year, I was to find a volunteer agency to do 45 hours of
> volunteer work for one of my Social Work courses. I had ran across an
> agency dealing with children and I wanted to offer my services there.
> During the initial interview portion of the volunteering process, I
> was told that based on my blindness that I could only do
> administrative work. The reason I was given was that the children in
> this agency often got into fights and that if there was a fire, they
> were worried that I could not get out of the situation for my safety.
> Even though I expressed that I had orientation and mobility skills,
> they refused to let me volunteer with the children in this agency.
>
> I felt as though I had been discriminated at this point and felt as if
> it was a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, my
> Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor explained to me that since it was
> not an interview for compensated employment, that there was a loophole
> that they could do this.
>
> Luckily for that semester I found a great alternative place to
> volunteer. I was hoping to get other people's experiences so that we
> can all come up with strategies to advocate for ourselves so that we
> can show our sighted peers we are efficient contributors to society.
>
> I hope everyone is well.
>
> Jonathan Franks
>
>
> -- 
> Jonathan Franks
> Austin Chapter Board Member
> National Federation of the Blind of Texas
> www.nfbaustin.org
>
> Hook the Cure Board Member
> Social Media Manager
> The University of Texas at Austin
> www.texashookthecure.weebly.co
>
> Diabetes Action Network (NFB)
> National Board Member
> https://nfb.org/diabetics
>
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