[humanser] Questions regarding Masters Level Social Work Practicum

[Lisa Irving]

Yiska,

I am not a masters-level social work student, however, I have been asked
some of the same questions by co-workers. I really appreciate the questions
that J. D. posed. I am confident that you will find support  on this list of
talented Human Services professionals who happen to be blind.

From,
Lisa Irving  
-----Original Message-----
From: Humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of JD Townsend
via Humanser
Sent: Sunday, May 01, 2016 11:59 AM
To: Human Services Division Mailing List <humanser at nfbnet.org>
Cc: JD Townsend <43210 at bellsouth.net>
Subject: Re: [humanser] Questions regarding Masters Level Social Work
Practicum


Hello:

While shadowing can be interesting and provide exposure to the work, it has
been my practice to move students from shadowing to doing, slowly or
quickly, depending on their competencies.  The idea of using a driver or
reader to provide clinical information would not be in your or the client's
best interest.  Often the non-clinical folks out there tend to have their
biases.  A driver should stay in the car, not interact in any way with the
client.  This is to demonstrate to the client your independence and
competence as well as to separate your professional role from your
employees.  Sometimes when I am having a student intern shadowing me the
other staff and patients tend to look at them as my assistants;  a
misconception that needs to be corrected.

So, some questions:
1    Is this your first or second year placement?
2    How are your independence skills?  The use of helpers is a good thing 
when we are clear about our strengths and abilities, otherwise your
employees will become co-dependent, an unhealthy relationship.

Your school of social work needs to see you as able to travel independently,
able to take notes independently, able to contribute fully in your class
work;  fully independent.  When they understand that you are a person with a
difference rather than a handicapped student they should bend over backward
to promote your internship.

I trust that you are already on top of these things, advocating for yourself
with the school is your mission.

-----Original Message-----
From: Carly Mihalakis via Humanser
Sent: Sunday, May 01, 2016 1:05 PM
To: Human Services Division Mailing List ; humanser at nfbnet.org
Cc: Carly Mihalakis
Subject: Re: [humanser] Questions regarding Masters Level Social Work
Practicum

Good morning, Yiska,

Is there something particularly, in the name of being a thorough social
worker, wrong with somebody's being there to inform you of potential bruises
on the bodies of your elder or child clients? And yes, this reader would be
bound to the same legalese as you are.
I mean, I don't think they religated you to shaddowing a sighted social
worker? I would imagine your agency guy was wondering the same thing as I
about seeing physical layers of your casework?
Car client's?
It remain doubtful that sound like the came up
  At 03:39 PM 3/17/2016, Lora :\) via humanser wrote:
>Hello List,
>
>I am new to the list. My name is Yiska. I am trying to get a practicum 
>placement for fall and am running into some challenges related to 
>blindness. I figured this would be a good place to ask my questions. I 
>am getting my master's in social work. The practicum liaison and the 
>agencies have some concerns about being able to fulfill the duties of 
>the job. They are concerned that I will be unable to complete an 
>assessment without vision. They are also concerned that if I use a 
>driver in order to go to client's houses, courts etc that there will be 
>confidentiality issues. I have informed the liaison that the driver 
>would be bound by the same confidentiality rules that I would be. I 
>have told them that there are other ways to get information besides 
>vision such as vocal tone and questions. The placements that I am 
>looking into are such things as dealing with severe mental health 
>issues and child abuse cases. One agency will only accept me if I just 
>shadow a social worker but this is not how other students have their 
>placements. If you have any ideas or suggestions on how you would 
>handle such a situation it would be greatly appreciated if you would 
>share those thoughts. Thank you for your time.
>
>Yiska
>
>_______________________________________________
>humanser mailing list
>humanser at nfbnet.org
>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/humanser_nfbnet.org
>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>humanser:
>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/humanser_nfbnet.org/carlymih%40comcas
>t.net



_______________________________________________
Humanser mailing list
Humanser at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/humanser_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Humanser:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/humanser_nfbnet.org/43210%40bellsouth.net

JD Townsend LCSW
Helping the light dependent to see.
Daytona Beach, Earth, Sol System 


_______________________________________________
Humanser mailing list
Humanser at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/humanser_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Humanser:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/humanser_nfbnet.org/peacefulwoman89%40cox.
net