[Community-service] red cross volunteering and barriers experienced

[Arielle Silverman]

Hi Ashley. While the inaccessible orientation site is frustrating,
it's just a temporary issue and doesn't mean you will need sighted
assistance to do the actual job. So I'd suggest just getting a reader
or friend to help with the button clicking. After you've become a
volunteer, you should mention the inaccessible Flash to someone in the
office.
Best, Arielle

On 6/21/15, Ashley Bramlett via Community-service
<community-service at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> Just curious if any of you were successful in becoming a Red cross
> volunteer.
> If so, what did you do and please share your experience including the
> adaptations you made.
>
> I’ve been searching for a volunteer opportunity for a while and many places
> tell me they have enough volunteers which is probably true; with so many
> senior citizens, competetion to volunteer is tough.
>
> I was going to volunteer  in the red cross office, but they need data entry
> at the front desk which I cannot do; we were fine till they explained that.
> I can definitely answer phones and questions via phone and in person. But I
> cannot see paperwork.
>
> So I am trying to apply online to be a blood donor ambvasador; the
> coordinator suggested this after not approving me for the front desk
> position. We both agreed that this was a good way for me to use customer
> service skills, make people feel welcome while donating blood and contribute
> and would not involve the paperwork which the receptionist job did.
>
> Here is the barriers.
>
> I am very disappointed I run into this as I cannot do this alone, and will
> need a sighted volunteer to help me complete the registration process to be
> a red cross volunteer.
> The online process is not very accessible.
> I cannot even do this without help.
>
> 1. When you complete the first application step, red marks show where you
> have to redo items. I cannot tell those with jaws.
> 2. Next you are sent a link to complete the orientation steps. There are six
> more steps.
> 3. I clicked on the link they sent via email to complete these additional
> steps. This was not a problem.
> 4. The biggest barrier is now.
> The orientation is 45 minutes consisting of several videos.
> I attempted to do this and watch them. Not all videos are inaccessible, so I
> tried.
> But it is not accessible.
> After video 1 welcoming you, it says, click begin to start the first video.
> I cannot get beyond that!
> The videos are flash and nothing seems to be labeled.
>
> I’m stuck. My plan is to complete the other steps including your location
> preference and background check form now if possible.
>
> Then I have to grab a sighted person to assist me for the 45 minutes of
> orientation.
> BTW, I know its 45 minutes because the application says that. They say to
> allow that time frame to go through the orientation and it includes the
> assessment checks; and I assume that is some quiz or something.
>
> So, here we go. Yet another barrier.
>
> Sigh, sigh.
>
> Ashley