[Community-service] red cross volunteering and barriers experienced

Mon Jun 22 13:12:18 UTC 2015

Hi Everyone, 
Many years ago, I went to a Red Cross training program. We trained to be a community service volunteer and a Shelter volunteer. 
I may have been lucky as it was through the training program at work. They provided me with all the handouts, the binder with all the information in print and a CD with the same information. When I completed the day long training I got the card certifying that I was a volunteer. 
The only barrier which I could think about being a shelter volunteer was, the technology. I think now it is not a barrier as one could have the software on a thumb drive and take to what awaits us.  
I do have to say, it will depend if you are able to get to the location on time, and can work for long shifts. Weather related emergencies may also impact travel. One need to take the challenge and survive it. 
Investigate with your local red Cross. 

Yasmin Reyazuddin 
Aging & Disability Services 
Montgomery County Government 
Department of Health & Human Services 
401 Hungerford Drive (3rd floor) 
Rockville MD 20850 
240-777-0311 (MC311) 
240-777-1556 (personal) 
240-777-1495 (fax) 
office hours 8:30 am 5:00 pm 
Languages English, Hindi, Urdu, Braille 

This message may contain protected health information or other information that is confidential or privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by return mail and destroy any copies of this material. 

Thank you.

-----Original Message-----
From: Community-service [mailto:community-service-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jeff Crouch- k8tvv via Community-service
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2015 8:51 AM
To: Community Service Discussion List
Cc: Jeff Crouch- k8tvv
Subject: Re: [Community-service] red cross volunteering and barriers experienced

Hi,
I don't quite remember about the videos and how I was able to do it as it has been some time ago.
The knowledge check I believe has 5 questions per section.

Warmest Regards

On 6/21/15, Danielle Ledet via Community-service <community-service at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 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
>>
>>
>
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-- 
American Red Cross (East Central Bay Chapter)
1401 S. Grand Traverse ST.
Flint MI, 48503
Disaster Service Technology Volunteer
President of the Genesee County chapter of the NFB of Michigan
Board member of the Michigan Association of Blind Students
Cell: 810-931-7763
73
k8tvv
Jeff Crouch

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