[Community-service] red cross volunteering and barriers experienced

[Danielle Ledet]

Girl I don't understand the problem youre having with reception type
work. People blind people do this everyday. In fact, I live in LA in
the southwest so if anyone knows of any hiring potentialities in this
area, let me know.


On 6/21/15, Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Community-service
<community-service at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I’m just throwing this out for the sake of discussion, but lots of jobs
> require paperwork, and lots of blind people work positions like this. So how
> are these blind people making the accommodation? Again, just for the sake of
> an open discussion and exchange of ideas, does making blanket statements
> that it can’t be done work as a solution, or is it worth it to first
> consider the problem and investigate and find potential alternate means to
> accomplish paperwork? Perhaps in the end, there is not an efficient enough
> way to do paperwork, but shouldn’t we first attempt a solution?
>
>
>
> Bridgit
>
>
>
> From: Community-service [mailto:community-service-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Ashley Bramlett via Community-service
> Sent: Sunday, June 21, 2015 6:23 PM
> To: Community Service Discussion List
> Cc: Ashley Bramlett
> Subject: [Community-service] red cross volunteering and barriers
> experienced
>
>
>
> 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
>
>