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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>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?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'>Bridgit<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> Community-service [mailto:community-service-bounces@nfbnet.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Ashley Bramlett via Community-service<br><b>Sent:</b> Sunday, June 21, 2015 6:23 PM<br><b>To:</b> Community Service Discussion List<br><b>Cc:</b> Ashley Bramlett<br><b>Subject:</b> [Community-service] red cross volunteering and barriers experienced<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Hi all,<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Just curious if any of you were successful in becoming a Red cross volunteer.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>If so, what did you do and please share your experience including the adaptations you made.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Here is the barriers.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>The online process is not very accessible.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>I cannot even do this without help.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>1. When you complete the first application step, red marks show where you have to redo items. I cannot tell those with jaws.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>2. Next you are sent a link to complete the orientation steps. There are six more steps.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>3. I clicked on the link they sent via email to complete these additional steps. This was not a problem.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>4. The biggest barrier is now.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>The orientation is 45 minutes consisting of several videos.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>I attempted to do this and watch them. Not all videos are inaccessible, so I tried.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>But it is not accessible.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>After video 1 welcoming you, it says, click begin to start the first video.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>I cannot get beyond that! <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>The videos are flash and nothing seems to be labeled.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>I’m stuck. My plan is to complete the other steps including your location preference and background check form now if possible.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Then I have to grab a sighted person to assist me for the 45 minutes of orientation.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>So, here we go. Yet another barrier.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Sigh, sigh.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Ashley<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></div></div></body></html>