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

Thu Aug 18 02:11:59 UTC 2016

Miranda,

Sorry to hear the news. I've also struggled to pursue volunteer work and 
like you I wanted to gain experience in an office; sometimes in a human 
services office, and others its more general offices. But have encountered 
similar barriers. I did not have the transportation issue like you, but it 
sounds like you solved that one anyways since your vr counselor will assist 
with transit
reimbursement.

I wanted to volunteer in a fire department office and one of the head 
managers expressed concerns for my safety such as me running into their 
equipment despite the fact I had a cane and did mention to them that II;'d 
like an initial orientation but after that I could navigate fine with my 
cane.
That is just one example.

I think your advocacy is spot on. I also think your ideas to adapt the site 
are right on.
Yes, you might need some orientation to the building and knowing where they 
keep supplies and where to escort the victims, but beyond that you should be 
fine. You could get someone at the site to show you around or an official 
instructor or maybe both. When I've volunteered, I've had the staff show me 
around and give directions and this has never been a problem.
I like your ideas a lot. You could play with the children using card games 
or board games, or maybe even a small ball. Reading to anyone just requires 
braille books. I'm trying to read to kids now in fact though for my summer 
camp volunteering, and am very disappointed in the selection out there of 
print / braille books. I am shocked they do not have many Curious George 
books as  this series is very popular.

A few suggestions.
You probably would need to label the food and other supplies. If you need to 
fetch sandwiches, they generally feel alike, so you might need to organize 
them in a certain way or label the bags they are in.
For cleaning, there may be a certain procedure they want you to follow. You 
could learn it though if they are willing to show you where as other 
volunteers can just learn via observation.
For paperwork, you could perhaps use a digital recorder or old tape recorder 
to take down the info and transfer that to an electronic form later. It is 
unlikely the forms are accessible electronically. And besides, how would 
you access the computer? Were you thinking of bringing your own laptop to 
the ER? Volunteers generally can use the site computers but we cannot see 
the screen unless you got permission o load a screen reader already.

I think the challenges are mostly the ability to identify the offenders. I'm 
struggling with that now at camp to identify which kid is doing something.
I get a sense of voices usually, but sometimes voices are similar and 
learning over 10 of them takes a long time.
I suppose you could ask their names or if they cannot speak, ask someone 
else, and then make braille name tags.

Given the adaptations needed, I can see why they would encourage you to go 
elsewhere.
It will take some support on their end and accommodations. But its not much, 
and they should be willing to provide that and if they do not, such actions 
are discriminatory.
I think its hard to get volunteer positions because sometimes our 
accommodations might take more time and initially more work for the agency, 
and they do not want to take the time to do this.
But what they do not realize is the benefits are substantial. Once you have 
a routine and accommodations in place such as labeling items, a system of 
notetaking, and braille matterials,  you will be an asset and big 
contributor to the organization.

Good luck.
Ashley
-----Original Message----- 
From: Miranda B. via Humanser
Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2016 6:13 PM
To: 'Human Services Division Mailing List'
Cc: Miranda B.
Subject: Re: [humanser] Update regarding sexual assault volunteer 
opportunity and a question

Hi again everyone,
I received further explanation as to the duties associated with this
volunteer position via an email from the volunteer coordinator this
afternoon.
As far as on-call shifts, the weekend shifts of 6am-12pm and 12pm-6pm would
be preferred, but if I were to be able to wait in the ER or use Uber/taxi,
then transportation wouldn't be as much of a concern for any of the 4-hour
shifts during the week or weekend. My VR counselor has stated that if I were
to volunteer in this capacity as part of my community service graduation
requirement, then she can assist me with transportation reimbursement.
Volunteers must have "reliable transportation" (Uber/taxi?), and can respond
to the ER in a 20 minute time frame (or my previous suggestion of waiting in
the ER during shifts?)

Duties of the volunteer (with my comments in parentheses):
provide emotional support during the exam and interviews (This doesn't
require sight),
Play with child victims with coloring (I could bring tactle pictures or
Brailled/talking crayons if necessary), cards(I have Brailled cards), or
reading books (Braille/Print picture or just Braille books?)
Get the victims a sandwich and drinks or blankets/gowns from the main area
of the ER (O&M training?)
After the exam, escort victims to the waiting room (O&M) or sometimes to
their cars (hospital security???)
Assist the nurses with cleaning the exam room (unless I'm missing something,
this shouldn't require sight?)
Identify offenders and help keep victim safe (hospital
security/suggestions?)
Paperwork (electronic format?)

I was then of course encouraged to pursue other opportunities within the
YWCA organization, including answering phones for the crisis hotline. I do
plan to pursue this opportunity as well, but I shouldn't be confined to
hiding behind a telephone all the time. Only interacting with clients via
telephone will not allow me to enhance my professional capabilities in the
field for pursuing future human/social services work.
As always, any suggestions or feedback you all can provide prior to me
responding to her latest message would be very much appreciated.
Thanks as always for your time and assistance, and have a wonderful week!

Best wishes, Miranda

-----Original Message-----
From: Humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Lisa Irving
via Humanser
Sent: Wednesday, August 17, 2016 12:44 AM
To: Human Services Division Mailing List <humanser at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Lisa Irving <peacefulwoman89 at cox.net>
Subject: Re: [humanser] Update regarding sexual assault volunteer
opportunity and a question

I really admire you for going after your dream! What you see through your
heart is more important than what you don't see through your eyes. This is
something that those who you work with will come to appreciate and applaud.
Try to remember that it is not always possible to come up with the best case
scenario's or even worse case scenario's. Focus on your abilities and
encourage those around you to focus on your passion and your abilities and
your experience these are things that you have in common with others who you
serve and support holding someone's hand and emphasizing does not require
vision you can do this I'm looking forward to hearing about your successes.
Thoughtfully Lisa Irving The phone dictate feature should have said
empathize

Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 16, 2016, at 1:57 PM, Miranda B. via Humanser <humanser at nfbnet.org>
wrote:
>
> 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 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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