[humanser] ACCOMODATIONS

[Darla Rogers]

Good point about wanting to do things ourselves; I believe this is one
characteristic of blind people who have decent work histories; no criticism
meant here, just an observation.
	The more someone else messes with your work, the more problems you
may have, and I don't know how many times I heard: "You ar3e responsible
even when my assistant didn't always ask me how to do things, etc.
	So, Mom:  I'd rather do it myself.
	Living in an urban area does make home visiting a lot more doable
especially with good public transportation and GPS.
	Thanks for exploring all sides, J.D.
Darla


-----Original Message-----
From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of JD Townsend
Sent: Saturday, December 28, 2013 7:20 PM
To: Human Services Mailing List
Subject: [humanser] ACCOMODATIONS



ON ELECTRONIC RECORDS:

My hospital is moving rapidly into electronic records for mental health
services.  Their idea is for me to dictate as do our psychiatrists.  I used
to do this when the hospital had medical transcribers.  To work in the
electronic records it will require a bit of new software and some scripting
work, however I do believe that this solution will provide me with the
independence and freedom to get that part of my job done.  Always new skills
to learn.  Some clinicians who are less computer savvy are having more
trouble than I am.





DRIVING:

I took a job in Brooklyn that required me to visit families in their homes
over half of my work time.  Once I moved into the City I was able to do all
my visiting using buses, subways and my feet.  Of course traveling around
via these methods in a rural setting would not be possible.  Often we need
to move to where the work is, rather than to wait for the opportunity to
come to us.



I know of one blind social worker who works in hospice.  She travels with
her team as they do their assessments together.  The job required that
driving license, but she went for the interview anyway and won the
supervisor over with her professional, competent, engaging manner and they
decided to make an exception to their rule.



A blind supervisee is doing her assessments over the telephone rather than
doing the required home visit, she feels that the information would be best
taken in the home, but this is the adaptation the agency she works for has
agreed upon.  Sometimes there are compromises to be made on both our parts.



I have not known anyone who made home visits who regularly used a driver,
but people do suggest that option from time to time.  For me a bus, my
Braillenote with GPS, and time to do my notes, would take preference.  I do
like to do things on my own, sometimes a good thing, sometimes not.









JD Townsend LCSW
Helping the light dependent to see.
Daytona Beach, Earth, Sol System