[humanser] Update regarding sexual assault volunteer opportunity and a question

Wed Aug 17 11:53:02 UTC 2016

Miranda, 
Regarding your question about volunteer opportunity, in section 504 if an agency is getting funding from the federal government and also under the ADA title 2, an agency cannot refuse a person with disability to be a volunteer. The funds come from the working Americans who pay taxes. 
I wish you good luck and hope they give the answers you like. 

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 Miranda B. via Humanser
Sent: Tuesday, August 16, 2016 4:58 PM
To: 'Mary Ann Robinson' <brightsmile1953 at comcast.net>; 'Human Services Division Mailing List' <humanser at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Miranda B. <knownoflove at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [humanser] Update regarding sexual assault volunteer opportunity and a question

Hi Mary Ann and all,
I have just emailed the volunteer coordinator to ask the following
questions:

"In what way do you feel my visual impairment would put both myself and the victim at a higher risk? Could you walk me through a typical emergency, and the responsibilities assumed by the volunteer? Lastly, what supplies would be requested (other than food and drinks) for the patient? Where would these supplies, food, and beverages be located in relation to the ER?"

I will update everyone here once I receive a response.
Thanks, and have a wonderful week!

Best wishes, Miranda

-----Original Message-----
From: Humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Mary Ann Robinson via Humanser
Sent: Tuesday, August 16, 2016 4:30 PM
To: Human Services Division Mailing List <humanser at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Mary Ann Robinson <brightsmile1953 at comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [humanser] Update regarding sexual assault volunteer opportunity and a question

Hi Miranda,

I totally agree with Yasmin.  I am not sure what would be high risk and what supplies you would be asked to provide.

I have a feeling that you may be talking with folks who are not familiar with blindness and they are probably making assumptions based on a lack of knowledge and information.

Mary Ann Robinson

-----Original Message-----
From: Reyazuddin, Yasmin via Humanser
Sent: Tuesday, August 16, 2016 4:16 PM
To: Human Services Division Mailing List
Cc: Reyazuddin, Yasmin
Subject: Re: [humanser] Update regarding sexual assault volunteer opportunity and a question

Hi Miranda,
Sorry to hear about the news.
I have a few questions. What kind of organization is this, government, nonprofit, or private. If it is Government or nonprofit, they they cannot refuse under the ADA or section 504.
Even if they are hospital which could be considered private, they cannot refuse you.
I would suggest that you visit the place yourself. Once they see you they may change their minds.
Many years past, I applied to be a volunteer call taker for the local supportive listening line. The line is open 24-7 and we had 4 hours shifts.
At first they were not sure if I could do the job. Once I did the training, it was fine. The reason they had no issues because they were getting funding from the local health department. After working there for 1 year, I got my job with the same Health & Human services.
(smile) I am still there but in a different unit.
Is this volunteer opportunity with the Mental health association or something similar. In the county here the Victim assistance and Sexual assault program is part of the crisis intervention program.

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 Miranda B.
via Humanser
Sent: Tuesday, August 16, 2016 3:53 PM
To: 'Human Services Division Mailing List' <humanser at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Miranda B. <knownoflove at gmail.com>
Subject: [humanser] Update regarding sexual assault volunteer opportunity and a question

Hi everyone,

The volunteer coordinator of the local sexual assault response program responded to my inquiry regarding this volunteer opportunity. If you might remember, I came to this list regarding possible solutions for on-call transportation.

Well, according to the email I just received, the transportation isn't as much of a concern as my blindness.

According to the volunteer coordinator, my visual impairment would place both myself and the victim at a "higher risk", and I would not be able aid in providing the forensic nurses with supplies or food/drink for the patient.

I have been advised to contact the parent organization to find another opportunity that could accommodate me, as they don't have the resources to assist me in volunteering in this capacity.

Have any of you served or worked in a similar capacity, where you had to navigate similar concerns? If so, how did you handle the situation and assumptions of high risk?

Thanks as always for your help, and have a wonderful week!

Best wishes, Miranda

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