[humanser] Work Woes

[JD Townsend]

Hello,

Lots happening at work over the past several months.  Thought I would bring 
the list an update.


I am a Clinical Social Worker and, for the past 10+ years I have been 
employed in a hospital-based child and adolescent mental health  service.

My employment started out fairly smoothly, but over the past few years 
things have become more difficult.  I have a variety of blindness tools that 
have helped me to be one of the most productive workers and enough 
post-masters training to bring a clinical background to the position.

The problems started when management did not support my efforts to obtain a 
reader.  Then our once type-written documentation started to be 
hand-written, including our “to-do” lists.  Then, with a new manager and 
supervisor, I started to get written disciplinary notes, also hand-written. 
Three of these leads to disciplinary action such as suspensions and firing.

After the second disciplinary action I went to Human Resources.  Meetings 
were arranged and my concerns were heard.

I did get a reader assigned.  She did not start as the hospital rules 
demanded that she pass all sorts of hurdles and she declined to obtain a 
misdemeanor report from over 20 years ago in another state.  I asked, but 
did not get another.  My supervisor told me, “I don’t care how you do it, 
just do it, “referring to chart reviews.

The last straw was a disciplinary write-up for 15 minutes of unauthorized 
overtime.  My other write-ups were for minor paperwork problems.

Back to HR with no real satisfaction.



So, an attorney was hired.  He specializes in worker problems of 
discrimination and knows disability law.  NFB’s legal folks were informed as 
well.

My attorney wrote a letter to the big wigs at the hospital.  Now all of a 
sudden my manager and supervisor are my helpful friends.  Apparently despite 
my white cane and blindness electronics they did not understand that I am 
blind.

I have a reader and secretarial support.  Management is getting ADA training 
and I now have a regular reader, a retired teacher.


The lawyer cost a lot, but the letter was clear and got results.  I am now a 
happily employed  man again.


JD Townsend, LCSW
Helping the Light Dependent to See.
Daytona Beach, Florida, Earth, Sol System