[humanser] ACCOMODATIONS

Tue Dec 31 13:38:24 UTC 2013

That's a good way to use the driver.  That is how it should be done if if an
agency is not designed for complete accessibility.

-----Original Message-----
From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Shannon
Cook
Sent: Monday, December 30, 2013 3:40 PM
To: Human Services Mailing List
Subject: Re: [humanser] ACCOMODATIONS

Hello.

This will respond to several posts in one message...

I use a driver to do in-home client visits.  I am not able to mark forms
ahead of time, because I am entering the information on their plan of
service while in the home on a live web form.  Depending on the information
given, the signature line may be in different locations on the page once
printed.  I do not have enough vision to find the line myself; therefore, my
driver is in charge of collating the pages as they come out of the portable
printer we have to take along with the laptop to the home.  He removes the
pages that come out blank.  He then shows the client where to sign using the
signature guide, and lines the guide up for my signature as well. We have
two copies to sign: one for the client and one for my file.  This particular
driver does not overstep his bounds as the driver.  He has only agreed to
help in this case; because, I have asked that he do so, to be as efficient
as possible.  I feel that being able to do my job sometimes means using the
resources available to me.  If I did not use the driver for this purpose,
I'd have to come back to the office, print the plan, send them a copy to
sign and one to keep, have them return one copy to me, and then be able to
begin their services.  This could delay their service for several more
weeks.  It would also be against the policy of our agency.  We are now
required to print the plan and have the client sign the plan while in the
initial interview.

There are many times the client will ask him a question about their
services, but he always lets them know that he is the driver and I am the
counselor, and they need to direct service related questions to me.

Now, I have had drivers in the past who did take over, and they did not
remain my driver for very long.  In the first 2.5 years of this job, I went
through 5 drivers.  Three did not work out and two left on their own due to
low pay.  This driver has been my driver for almost 7 years and is a retired
federal employee.

As a SC state employee, we have the benefit of using state-provided cars.
The agency that I work for also pays the driver.

-----Original Message-----
From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Carly
Mihalakis
Sent: Sunday, December 29, 2013 8:32 AM
To: Human Services Mailing List
Subject: Re: [humanser] ACCOMODATIONS

Good morning, Serena,

Is that not where the resippiant of said service comes in, to educate a
prospective driver/tutor as to the bounds of his role?
for today, Car

05:50 PM 12/28/2013, you wrote:
>I can see one drawback about hiring a driver for home visits.  Would 
>the driver know anything about the blind social worker's specific home 
>visit requirements, I.E., what the sw has to assess for or monitor?
>Or would the driver simply be a driver?  A driver's knowing about the 
>specific requirements of the home visit could be detrimental to the sw.  
>The driver could try to take over the assessment/monitoring process.  
>Similar to how some human readers who know about the course material 
>blind students are studying try to act as tutors.
>
>Serena
>
>On 12/28/13, JD Townsend <43210 at bellsouth.net> wrote:
> >
> >
> > 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
> >
> >
> >
>
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October is Home Eye Safety Month. Over half of all eye injuries occur while
doing everyday household chores. The South Carolina Commission for the Blind
offer the following tips if you get a chemical in your eye: flush you eye
with water for 20 minutes, wash your hands with soap and warm water, seek
emergency medical assistance. For more information about how the SC
Commission for the Blind can help you or a loved one, please visit us at
www.sccb.state.sc.us or give us a call at 803-898-8731.

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