[humanser] traveling

Fri Apr 15 23:03:38 UTC 2016

Great ideas! I have had nominal success working my guide dog and pulling a
cart behind me. This is one reason why I have disc issues in my back and why
my hip is out of wack. For what it's worth, some guide dog instructors,
including mine from Guiding Eyes, discourages carrying anything in the
otherwise empty hand. This is for quick access to the leash for redirection
or correction. Yes, I've been seen carrying a coffee cup on occasion. 

Lisa 

-----Original Message-----
From: Humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ginny Duff
via Humanser
Sent: Friday, April 15, 2016 3:45 PM
To: Human Services Division Mailing List <humanser at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Ginny Duff <GDuff at stjoestoronto.ca>
Subject: Re: [humanser] traveling

Or a suitcase with wheels.

Please note that my e-mail address has changed as of March 29, 2016 to:
Gduff at stjoestoronto.ca<mailto:Gduff at stjoestoronto.ca>

Dr. V. Duff
Clinical Director, West End ACT Team,
St. Joseph's Heatlh Centre , Toronto
Staff Psychiatrist, Complex Mental Illness, CAMH Lecturer, University of
Toronto
Tel:   416.530.6000, ext 3101
FAX:   416.530.6363

On Apr 15, 2016, at 6:39 PM, Janice Toothman via Humanser
<humanser at nfbnet.org<mailto:humanser at nfbnet.org>> wrote:

Lisa,

Also, would someone at your place of worship be willing to serve as a driver
for you.  If you think they would be dependable.

Second,  I have a guide dog and back and shoulder issues so often I pull a
collapsible cart to carry everything that is heavy and bulky.

Yasmin and I are in the same NFB Chapter so I have gone to many events where
we implemented her suggestions or the event provided the some of the
necessary furnishings.  It never hurts to ask.  All they can say is "NO".
Besides, it is always helpful to preview the location and layout of where an
event will take place because on the day of the event you will be too busy
with what you have to do with your table and greeting potential costumers to
find out where the restrooms are and what site is reserved for you.

Janice

On 4/15/2016 2:10 PM, Reyazuddin, Yasmin via humanser wrote:
Hi Lisa,
I can still give you a few more ideas on going to these community outreach
events.
We have used all techniques for travelling with and without stuff.
At work, for the county fair, the tent is setup in advance so no issues
about carrying stuff.
When doing the event inside the building, most places here give the
exhibiters tables and chairs and one does not need the canapee. Even the
outside events give tables and chairs.
When one does solo, we take the most important items. A couple of roller
bags or suitcases are good.
For transportation, I have used taxi service or paratransit. If I have to
take the canapee with me, (this is for the NFB) I would take a cab, and a
driver I know. When I am light, I take paratransit or the bus. Most places
also provide food or snacks to the exhibitors.
Two weeks past, I had to go to a religious institution on a Sunday. There
was no bus and no paratransit either. I used the cab, and gave the receipt
to the supervisor. I took just a few things. I told the people at the event
to contact us if they need more of our resources. The person who wanted me
to come to this event, arranged with someone to get me home.
I think making relationships with the people we are visiting is a very
important skill.

Yasmin Reyazuddin
Aging & Disability Services
Montgomery County Government
Department of Health & Human Services
401 Hungerford Drive (3rd floor)
Rockville MD 20850
240-777-0311 (MC311)
240-777-1556 (personal)
240-777-1495 (fax)
office hours 8:30 am 5:00 pm
Languages English, Hindi, Urdu, Braille
This message may contain protected health information or other information
that is confidential or privileged. If you are not the intended recipient,
please contact the sender by return mail and destroy any copies of this
material.
Thank you.

-----Original Message-----
From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Lisa Irving
via humanser
Sent: Friday, April 15, 2016 1:36 PM
To: 'Human Services Division Mailing List'
<humanser at nfbnet.org<mailto:humanser at nfbnet.org>>
Cc: Lisa Irving <peacefulwoman89 at cox.net<mailto:peacefulwoman89 at cox.net>>
Subject: [humanser] traveling

I am trying to problem solve. A large part of my job involves going to and
from work sites in the community. Like anyone else I'm traveling to a
community-based worksite or to the office on my time and on my dime. On the
other hand, when I leave the community-based work site; a resource fair;
clubhouse; County HHS or any other mental health program, I'm on the clock.
My supervisor and I had a discussion and left it unfinished for the
short-term. The discussion centered around my request for the company to
split the cost for someone to drive me from the distant site back to the
office. (the site is at least 45 minutes by car). Her initial responses
looked like this.

At first she said there's no way the company would go for anything like
that. She also reminded me that I stated during the interview that I could
travel throughout the county. I stand by my response. I have the confidence
and the ability to go where I want and when I want, however, if I'm hauling
heavy stuff or bulky stuff; including groceries or resource materials, I do
not use the bus system. For work it's not uncommon to see team members
pulling a roller bag behind them. Unlike my peers, in addition to a roller
bag for resources and supplies, I'll carry my backpack that contains food;
dog supplies and a few other things. I'll also take my laptop in a shoulder
bag.
That's too much to haul on and off the busses and my back and shoulder is
shot from doing just that.

I thought about some solutions and I'm hoping that you can share your
thoughts. I can quit; not an option. I can use the bus system; not practice.
I can hire a driver. This what I do when I call Uber (when the darn app
works). Each time I pay for driving it's more money out of my part-time
employee pocket. I can do this to a small extent. I asked if the company
would split the cost of someone driving for me when I have to go to multiple
sites or travel long distances. The initial response was no. I am going to
contact the Job Accommodations Network today. Please share your suggestions.

By the way Ericka, generally, each team member flys solo when working in the
community. If we are teamed up it's each person's responsibility to make
his/her own travel arrangements. For various reasons some team members do
not want my dog in their car. There are other reasons too. We travel with
equipment; sometimes a binder and other times more stuff. You may already
know that folks who drive often leave half of their house in the car.
Again, please share your thoughts.

From,

Lisa

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