[humanser] ADA Hyppa regulations and reader services

Thu Jul 28 14:51:17 UTC 2016

Hi Lisa, 
I am glad to know that some things worked out well for you. 
I know it could be frustrating but you are strong. You will make things work. 
Ask me, I am stuck in a position for the last 6 years and still counting. 
Have you asked your supervisor about getting volunteers from the college or university. At least you can get them to read the handwritten notes from the forms. The HIPAA  training is usually done online. When it was not accessible, a person read to me the information. Your readers do not need any accommodations to do that. If you ask your supervisor and find out the possibility. 
We all have to do a refresher for HIPAA every few years. I may have to do it soon. 

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: Thursday, July 28, 2016 10:28 AM
To: Human Services Division Mailing List <humanser at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Lisa Irving <peacefulwoman89 at cox.net>
Subject: Re: [humanser] ADA Hyppa regulations and reader services

Good morning Ashley and all others,

First, Mary, I will give Valerie a call. Ashley, I wish to clarify something. I live in San Diego my rehabilitation counselor works outside of Anaheim California it is roughly 2 1/2 hours from her office to my worksite nevertheless she traveled to my worksite to participate in this meeting face-to-face in many ways I think this is pretty monumental. She at one point conveyed to me and my supervisor that her caseload his ground to 218 individuals it's a no wonder that upper management was in a hurry for her to try and close my case. That's another story.

I talked privately to my rehabilitation counselor. My first reaction was to go and file a complaint with the state of California. My counselor pointed out to me that although it is my right to do something like that that could basically blackball me it was hard enough to get this job I don't need to be blackballed I feel like I am caught between a rock and a hard place

I believe that my rehabilitation counselor and I made some progress with my supervisor who is always been in my court and on my side. My rehabilitation counselor and I sensually coat facilitated a mini disability awareness training with my supervisor and the human resources individuals. Well my supervisor gained insight human resources acted like they were put off wow what a surprise? I'm not sure if I mentioned but the other thing that is happened or should I say hasn't happened I will receive the standard $.54 a mile for Transportation. Human resources brought up using Paratransit as an option some of you maybe snickering by now as we know how ineffective Paratransit typically is where at least in most of California

I think to some extent rather than pushing back on what I didn't get in terms of accommodations I'm going to try and work with what I did get. If down the road I need to become a bit more assertive show we say with my employer I believe I need to show that I did everything I could to work with what they've given me

If any portion of this email sounded a little funky I apologize like my friend Mary I too am using the dictate feature on my phone as I have been without a laptop for I would say six weeks.

From,
Lisa Irving

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 27, 2016, at 10:17 PM, Ashley Bramlett via Humanser <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi Lisa,
> 
> I'm sorry to hear this news. Even though I'm not employed in human services yet, I know they have to accommodate you.
> As Yasmin, myself and others said, a reader is a reasonable accommodation and furthermore anyone who takes the hyppa training can provide that service.
> 
> Its clear to me that  human resources is not accommodating you and does not want to look outside the box to even brainstorm ideas to keep you as an employee.
> I can understand how frustrating it must be coupled with other stresses you mentioned of personal finances.
> Working with employees won't work. You said the team is already spread thin and stressed out, yet human resources opposes bringing in additional people to help you.
> 
> It also sounds like your rehab counselor isn't supportive as you are 
> not making more than in in the past. To me that is backward thinking.
> As you said, its experience. What you need is some experience to move forward in a career, get a better job, make more money, and take on more responsibilities.
> Sometimes people cannot make much money starting a job. Sometimes you have to take a lower paying job in order to have experience and use this as a springboard to get a better job once you have experience to speak of. You would think rehab counselors would understand this.
> Gone are the days when people landed a good full time job with benefits and a living wage. Your first job is often less money even if its full time and you work your way up to more money in that job or find a different one paying more. So, you are right when you say its experience and that's what you need. I'm glad to hear you are being a good advocate and trying to work things out. But it does take two to tango.
> 
> Again, sorry to learn of your continued employment frustrations and wish we could do more.
> 
> Ashley
> -----Original Message----- From: Lisa Irving via Humanser
> Sent: Wednesday, July 27, 2016 4:30 PM
> To: Human Services Division Mailing List
> Cc: Lisa Irving
> Subject: Re: [humanser] ADA Hyppa regulations and reader services
> 
> I participated in a meeting at work today with human resources my 
> rehabilitation counselor my supervisor. The bottom line is human 
> resources opposes you working with anyone besides already stressed out 
> and spread too thin team when it comes to doing any type of rating I'm 
> frustrated dictate feature should have said reading. Furthermore. I'm 
> getting $.54 a mile and nothing more for all of the travel I do again 
> I am frustrated and I will not be here very long my "" affordable 
> housing program does not allow me to remove work related items 
> disability related items medical related items when submitting income 
> expense information. They look at the bottom line they list to say I'm 
> not making anything more than what I was making when I was unemployed 
> but I am getting is experience it's still pretty depressing and 
> frustrating from Lisa
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Jul 26, 2016, at 5:30 AM, Reyazuddin, Yasmin via Humanser <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Dear all, and Lisa,
>> A person who is trained in the HIPPA and other privacy laws, could work as a reader.
>> We can discuss all kinds of technology that reads print, but we still have a disadvantage when it comes to reading hand writing. No scanning software can read hand writing.
>> Getting a paid reader may not be feasible for many nonprofits who are struggling to make ends meet with limited grants and resources.
>> A Volunteer reader who is a grad student and studying in the same field, and who gets the HIPPA training will be the best. But also remember that they may also have to earn a living. Lisa, I just thought of another idea. The local university or community college may be a good place to find a reader. Consult with your supervisor regarding this idea. She may have some contacts herself.
>> 
>> 
>> 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 
>> Ashley Bramlett via Humanser
>> Sent: Monday, July 25, 2016 10:54 PM
>> To: Human Services Division Mailing List <humanser at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: Ashley Bramlett <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
>> Subject: Re: [humanser] ADA Hyppa regulations and reader services
>> 
>> Sherria,
>> 
>> But, I bet your readers outside work are reading non-confidential information. Am I right?
>> If it is confidential, how did you ensure your readers would respect confidentiality outside the work setting?
>> Also, are your readers paid and if so, do you pay them out of pocket?
>> 
>> I know whether we're blind or sighted employees, sometimes overflow work is taken home and worked on outside work hours.
>> But it seems to me that essential work related info should be provided as a reasonable accommodation through a reader.
>> It’s the best way to get the job done rather than putting it off after you've worked 40 hours.
>> Besides, as an employee I would not feel comfortable or think its ethical to bring confidential papers home. There's probably rules against this, but even if there is not, I'd not want to do this as an employee. What is said and done at work should stay there.
>> In Lisa's case, it sounds like this info is essential for her job and must be done at work as its confidential and time sensitive.
>> I hope she can work something out and access the information.
>> 
>> Ashley
>> 
>> -----Original Message----- From: Sherria Young via Humanser
>> Sent: Monday, July 25, 2016 10:34 PM
>> To: Human Services Division Mailing List
>> Cc: Sherria Young
>> Subject: Re: [humanser] ADA Hyppa regulations and reader services
>> 
>> Good evening, my name is Sherria and I utilize readers outside of 
>> work when necessary however, a reader can be provided depending on 
>> where you work as a reasonable accommodation. I also use a reading 
>> scanning software called kurcweil 1000. I hope this information helps and wish you the best of luck.
>> Be blessed
>> 
>> Life is only what you make it. You are  to blessed to be stressed
>> 
>>> On Jul 25, 2016, at 9:11 PM, Ashley Bramlett via Humanser 
>>> <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Lisa,
>>> 
>>> Another thought. It doesn't seem fair for employees to provide such 
>>> services as they have their own work and your supervisor is super 
>>> busy doing her work and supervising duties.
>>> 
>>> What about interns or volunteers? I  do not know where you work. Its 
>>> better not to say on list.
>>> But we could know the type of agency. If it's  a hospital, other 
>>> medical facility, or human service nonprofit, they often use 
>>> volunteers and interns. I know when I briefly volunteered as an 
>>> information and referral specialist for Women's center, they had 
>>> interns and volunteers. All these people had to sign confidentiality 
>>> statements.
>>> 
>>> It seems to me that a volunteer or intern could provide these 
>>> reading services accommodations.
>>> If they need hyppa training to help you, then they could do that.
>>> 
>>> Now, if your employer does not use interns or volunteers, then this 
>>> is not an option and you have to find a reader.
>>> I think having other employees provide that service is fine if it's 
>>> not too much reading. But if the reading takes, say over a few hours 
>>> total, then having an outside reader is necessary.
>>> 
>>> Your employer has to provide something and I hope they follow the 
>>> ADA and accommodate you.
>>> 
>>> Ashley
>>> -----Original Message----- From: Lisa Irving via Humanser
>>> Sent: Monday, July 25, 2016 11:07 AM
>>> To: humanser at nfbnet.org
>>> Cc: Lisa Irving
>>> Subject: [humanser] ADA Hyppa regulations and reader services
>>> 
>>> Hello,
>>> 
>>> This Wednesday I will be meeting with a number of people including 
>>> my employers human resources director. We will be discussing lawful 
>>> accommodations. I would like to have access to nominal reader 
>>> service assistance. I am open to this assistance coming from my 
>>> coworkers volunteers or paid readers. Him prior conversations with 
>>> my employer they have raised the issue concerning Hyppa regulations. 
>>> I have been told based on this concern they not allow non-employees 
>>> to provide this assistance furthermore, my supervisor has been 
>>> expected to provide this support. She is already overworked. 
>>> Nevertheless, I have asked my coworkers periodically to assist with 
>>> some reading. Much of this reading involves deciphering consumers 
>>> handwriting
>>> 
>>> I understand the importance of Hyppa regulations. I am wondering if 
>>> I have protections and rights under the ADA to work with paid 
>>> readers or volunteer readers who undergo my employers Hyppa 
>>> training. Your assistance is requested. If you have this information 
>>> please let me know ASAP thank you
>>> 
>>> From,
>>> Lisa Irving Sent from my iPhone
>>> 
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