[HumanSer] Your Thoughts and Suggestions

Thu Apr 14 23:49:06 UTC 2022

Hi all,

You all have made excellent points.  I have a very close friend who is
deaf-blind, completely deaf.  During the nasty parts of COVID, he told me
he hateed his online classes!  He's fine with technology, however, it was
much more difficult for him to learn the course material.  His mom had to
tutor him.  Only because the classes were online.  He's quite intelligent!
Therefore, he'd prefer in-person communication with an interpreter any day!

Serena

On Thu, Apr 14, 2022 at 1:12 PM Doug Lee via HumanSer <humanser at nfbnet.org>
wrote:

> 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
> >
> > Contact Information
> > Phone: 901-483-1515
> > Personal Email: jimmydagerman80 at gmail.com
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> >
> > Be part of the movement! How? Spread the word! Share our FB page,
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> old canes or tax deductible monetary contributions: Here are our links:
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> > Youtube link:
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> >
> > Blindness is a mere characteristic not defining my abilities; the only
> disabilities in life are poor expectations and negative attitudes.
> >
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> --
> Doug Lee                 dgl at dlee.org                http://www.dlee.org
> "I am a leader by default, only because nature does not allow a vacuum."
> Bishop Desmond Tutu
>
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