[Community-service] red cross volunteering and barriersexperienced

[minh ha]

Hi Arielle,

Yes, I use the scanner to input the hard copy data. I haven't
encountered hand-written papers yet, but I feel like in most offices
now, everything is electronic or quickly moving to electronic files
that can be printed and rescanned. I do know a couple of blind office
professionals that use the opticon to access hand-written materials. I
haven't used this myself because I don't really need it, but I imagine
if someone truly needs this at their job, they could get one.

As for filing, I generally just scan the first page to figure out
which folder it is and I affix a braille label to the front for future
reference. I figure the KNFB reader or another scanning app on the
phone could let you know what the file folder is, but a potential
issue is that most folder names are hand-written.

Minh

On 6/22/15, Arielle Silverman via Community-service
<community-service at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi Minh. So do you use the scanner to input all the hard copy data?
> Have you had to enter hand-written data before and if so, how did you
> do that part?
> Perhaps the KNFB Reader app would be useful for this task, if the data
> is typed. But I'm not sure any scanning solution works for handwritten
> data at this time.
> How have blind folks handled filing, since that requires reading the
> labels on folders? Or can you scan the first page of a folder to
> categorize the contents?
> Arielle
>
> On 6/22/15, minh ha via Community-service <community-service at nfbnet.org>
> wrote:
>> Ashley,
>>
>> I in turn would have to say that you are wrong in making the blanket
>> statement that all data entry jobs are inherently inaccessible. I am
>> working at my school's corporate and foundation relations office, and
>> my main duties involve data entry of some kind. I work a lot with
>> excel, inputting data and then putting that data into the various
>> databases. I also use a scanner along with kurzweil to access the data
>> on the paperwork. So far, I've been able to be extremely productive
>> and my supervisor is impressed at how well I have been able to adapt
>> and make my own accommodations. I personally don't have any experience
>> working with the Red Cross, but I feel like if you want to volunteer
>> enough, you should be able to put your mind to work to figure out
>> solutions instead of walking away because something seems inaccessible
>> at first glance.
>>
>> Minh
>>
>> On 6/22/15, Ashley Bramlett via Community-service
>> <community-service at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I beg to differ on that.
>>> There are definitely entry level office tasks we cannot do, and believe
>>> me,
>>> I've asked other people as this has arisen before in internships.
>>> One internship asked me to input data in an excell spreadsheet. Yeah,
>>> excell
>>> is accessible but not the data for it.
>>>
>>> In general, we can handle papers, yes, by identifying them and labeling
>>> them, but some tasks are not doable. If they were, I think many more
>>> blind
>>> people would have jobs.
>>>
>>> Sorry but you really cannot do data entry or filing if you cannot read
>>> the
>>> papers to do it. To handle the data, you have to have an accessible copy.
>>> I've asked other blind people about this.
>>>
>>> This red cross opportunity I was denied involved data entry at the front
>>> desk during down times. While the primary tasks involved
>>> handling inquiries and routing calls, they informed me there was lots of
>>> down time. During this down time, volunteers were expected to perform
>>> data
>>> entry.
>>> I told the coordinator that that was a problem because I could not see
>>> the
>>> data. And even if I could have that accessible, I'm sure their database
>>> is
>>> only semi accessible.
>>>
>>> I have a potential opportunity now though that would use my communication
>>> skills without the problem of data entry.
>>> Its not my first choice, but its at least something to get involved and
>>> contribute to the community. I am  looking forward to trying it. Blood
>>> donations
>>> are a great service and necessary to public health and I think I would be
>>> good at welcoming the donors and making them feel comfortable.
>>>
>>> I just hope Red Cross gives me a chance because I really believe this
>>> task
>>> is doable and don't want to face any more barriers than I already face.
>>> It did say something about helping them with intake. But if there are
>>> forms
>>> for that, my plan is to get an electronic copy and have it with me so I
>>> can
>>> answer questions they have.
>>>
>>> The problem I'm facing now is I cannot complete the online orientation
>>> training.
>>> It uses flash videos and I tabbed around and used the arrow keys.
>>> There is no way to navigate the screens once the video starts.
>>> The process is you do the orientation and then submit the background
>>> check
>>> and other forms.
>>> Once complete, they contact you for the next step which is an interview I
>>> think.
>>>
>>> I will need a sighted person to help me.
>>> I'll get someone in my family to assist this week when schedules permit.
>>>
>>> Hopefully all will go well with a sighted reader and I can proceed.
>>>
>>> I am hopeful this has a happy ending.
>>>
>>> Ashley
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Danielle Ledet via Community-service
>>> Sent: Sunday, June 21, 2015 11:05 PM
>>> To: Community Service Discussion List
>>> Cc: Danielle Ledet
>>> Subject: Re: [Community-service] red cross volunteering and
>>> barriersexperienced
>>>
>>> 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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>>
>>
>> --
>> Minh Ha
>> Boston College | Lynch School of Education '16
>> minh.ha927 at gmail.com
>>
>> "All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty
>> recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity:
>> but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on
>> their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible." T. E. Lawrence
>>
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>
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-- 
Minh Ha
Boston College | Lynch School of Education '16
minh.ha927 at gmail.com

"All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty
recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity:
but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on
their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible." T. E. Lawrence