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

Thu Aug 18 00:38:49 UTC 2016

Good evening, everyone,

         Perhaps, but take care  not to underestimate people's innate 
awareness! While people's general experience with blindness probably 
doesn't include technical specifics of the so-called organized 
blind's take on this age-old condition, doesn't mean people don't 
have a foggiest about how someone might handle blind people based on 
common sense. For example, my new peers are the houseless myriads who 
populate Berkeley's downtown and according to houseless tradition, it 
would appear that people are treated and understood completely at 
face value and blindness doesn't seem to carry with it the stigma it 
does within the edges of main stream culture.
Car 30 PM 8/16/2016, Mary Ann Robinson via Humanser wrote:
>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
>withblindness 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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