[humanser] Good evening.Re: Questions about Use of Aira inCounseling Work, Disclosures about Blindness, Readers, etc.

[Sarah Meyer]

JD,

Thank you for your feedback. That sounds wonderful to have access to a
volunteer reader and to be able to read all of your documentation as
needed! Unfortunately, I have not been so lucky. My internship for my
Master's in Clinical Mental Health program is at the Ball State
University Counseling Center, and it took months to get clearance for
just hiring part-time readers who also work as interns within the
center. I completely understand that they would not want to hire
outside of the center because of confidentiality, and still this was
one of many battles I bore the burden of. The Office for Disability
Services is paying my readers, so it is not the counseling center who
is paying, but still, since these assistants are both reading and
converting information into more accessible formats based on highly
confidential information, the Center required that I find people from
within house.

Further, we use a database, not printed paper. The database is not
accessible, certainly not time-effective, when it comes to being able
to read all the information with JAWS. Not only do we have triage
intake notes, paperwork from other agencies/offices that have been
scanned, and prior histories to read, but all our clients complete
assessments every 4 sessions to compare their symptomology across
various domains. The results are shown in graphs. Additionally,
clients who are experiencing any kind of suicidality fill out
assessments every time and we must be able to compare scores right
before picking them up so we can discuss in session. I do not have
access to a reader on the spot, and my phone cannot scan these
measures. My work-around when I haven't had the data is to just ask
the client, but there are times that the data do not match the verbal
assessment and I truly can see the need and value to incorporate both
into the work. The reality is that technology is ever-changing, and
this field is changing with it. I agree that this is a wonderful field
and that the NFB philosophy works well with a strengths based
approach, *and* we who are just starting out need guidance to work
competently within a highly technical era while serving our clients
and while recognizing the barriers that can present themselves.
Technology is being used in so many ways now in assessment, in the
course of treatment, etc.

Best wishes,

Sarah

On 2/18/19, JD Townsend <43210 at bellsouth.net> wrote:
>
> Here are my 2 cents worth.
>
> As a clinical social worker with 30+ years in the field I’ve run across a
> little of what you question.
>
> I use a scan and read program, Open Book or Kurzweil Reader, to read print
> material.
>
> I use an agency volunteer to read documents; she has been cleared by the
> agency to hold any information confidential as have all of their volunteers.
>  I also discuss confidentiality with a volunteer to reinforce the agencies
> policies.
>
> There are also scan and read programs for your smart phone.
>
> About disclosing my blindness, working with children I will, sometimes, ask
> them if they know why I use a white cane, mostly to identify this as a
> subject they might peruse if they wish.  Most usually they don’t.
>
> Some folks are fascinated with Braille or my “talking computer” but only
> very rarely will someone ask about my eye condition;  when they do they ask
> if I can see them and are relieved that I cannot.
>
> Only one time has someone felt that I could not adequately treat their child
> due to blindness, later they fired other therapists for other non-reasons.
>
> This is a wonderfully interesting career choice for someone who is
> fascinated with people and eager to continue learning as you practice.  Our
> NFB philosophy helps us to better understand people from a strengths
> viewpoint.
>
> John D Townsend, LCSW
> Licensed Clinical Social Worker (SW3765)
> Daytona Beach FL
> USA
>
>
>


-- 
Sarah K. Meyer
Graduate Student, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Ball State University
sarah.meyer55 at gmail.com
(317)402-6632

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. You can live the life
you want; blindness is not what holds you back. Together with love,
hope, and determination, we transform dreams into reality.