[HumanSer] Your Thoughts and Suggestions

Thu Apr 14 17:11:25 UTC 2022

Random points I draw from my own experience. Disclaimer though: I'm a software engineer in the field of accessibility, not a human services person; so my perspective is closer to client than practitioner here.

* No unavoidable stairs or steps.
* No smooth round doorknobs.
* Braille elevator markings and, ideally, room name placks.
* An online accessible record system - though to be fair, non-technical folk may wish to add options to this.
* Means to obtain services without physical presence - not just for COVID but for mobility and travel challenges.

And one over-arching item:

* A pervasively exploratory rather than prescriptive attitude. This means analyzing options and helping clients arrive at a plan, more than starting with a recommended plan. Without going into too much here, I think I can safely say that this approach is somewhat under fire nowadays. It is relevant to the discussion in this thread, though, because a practitioner's lack of knowledge on how a person can handle a disability may otherwise hamper consideration of truly viable options.

I don't feel sufficiently qualified to speak for deaf people for this one. For example, I don't know how many would prefer interpreters versus technical solutions for in-office communication.

On Thu, Apr 14, 2022 at 11:54:42PM +0700, The Rev. Christopher L. Smith, LCAC, LMHC, LMFT via HumanSer wrote:
What would be most important to me would be there not being a dedicated inclusion team, but rather a culture of inclusion, with everyone having this sensitivity and focus. While there may be staff particularly trained in particular accommodations (eg ASL for those who are deaf, just like others are bilingual in other areas like Spanish), I don’t like being referred to the disability or inclusion person. Take a parallel - services when flying. In the US, I can go to any checkin counter and the staff can access services to help me. In Asia, I have been diverted to a special counter in a different area (hard for me to visually find), had to prove my right to use that counter, and still had to wait for the services to be provided. 

------
The Rev. Christopher L. Smith, LCAC, LMHC, LMFT
President and Clinical Director
Seeking Shalom
(212)655-9605
www.SeekingShalom.org
P.O. Box 685, Harrison, NY 10528
Clinical offices in Midtown NYC and the Bronx, with additional programs in Indiana 

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> On Apr 14, 2022, at 11:39 PM, James Boehm via HumanSer <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Good day.
> FIrst, I want to thank everyone who is in the mental health field. We do handwork. We do very important work. You should feel appreciated!
> I have a question and would love any of your feedback.
> When yo think about a center for counseling…
> What would you consider be important so that any person with a disability has equal access to the services at the center?
> I am in the midst of creating a position where I work that will focus on inclusion, accommodation, etc.
> This is for deaf, blind, mobility limitations, accessible materials, access to certain parts of the property…
> But I want to hear form you. What kind of support would be helpful for your clients to have and be supported at your office?
> If you had a team at your office that focused on the disabled and inclusion, what aspects would be important to incorporate?
> I would love to hear your thoughts and have you brainstorm with me!
> You can email me or call me at 901-483-1515.
> Again, thank you all for what you do for our communities. We are on the frontline of the mental health epidemic.
> Warmly,
> Jimmy and Bogey
> 
> 
> 
> James Alan Boehm  M.Ed, LPC-MHSP 
> 
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