[humanser] Work Woes

[Mary Ann Robinson]

Hi JD,

I'm glad that you are happy again and that you got your issues resolved.  It 
sounds like management really need ADA training and it is good they are 
getting it. It is disconcerting that in 2012,22  years after passage of the 
ADA, management and HR in a large hospital where you have been successfully 
employed for years didn't know that a white cane and your special technology 
were utilized because
of blindness.
Keep on keeping on and continue to educate, JD.

Mary Ann Robinson
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "JD Townsend" <43210 at Bellsouth.net>
To: <edward.hersh at verizon.net>; <humanser at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, July 30, 2012 5:04 PM
Subject: [humanser] Work Woes
>
>
> 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
>
>
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