[nabs-l] Voc Rehab request denied

[Sam Nelson]

Hi Suzanne, 
 I don't have any answers for you on this, other than to pursue the appeal,
but I wanted to write and say I'm sorry this happened. 
 To me, your request makes perfect sense. But sometimes voc rehab can be so
frustrating, it just doesn't make sense! I just wanted to say I know where
you're coming from in requesting something and having it denied. I'd like a
braille lite, for example, because I had one before and then my mom fried
it. I like them better than the braillenote because you don't need to send
out every two years to get the battery replaced. I don't need the fancy
stuff on the braillenote with e-mail  and everything. I just need the
wordprocessing part, and   to make sure it has a compact flash slot  so I
can download books on it. 
 Anyway, my  caseworker in IL said that there was no way I could get any
kind of technology like that unless I was going to work  or school. And it
sounded like I would to have been going to work or school for awhile before
they'd get it. But the crazier  thing she said that was in order to get a
braillenote or anything similar I'd have to take a test in reading and
writing braille! I mean talk about a waste of time! 
 I found someone who was selling their braille lite for a price I  or my
family could save up for, so I'll probably end up doing that. Sometimes
honestly  they're more trouble than  they're worth. But I know how hard it
can be when you really do need their help and they're just making things a
million times worse. 
 I really hope you get the Indiana appointment soon! Maybe go to your
caseworker's supervisor and make your case to them? That sometimes works.
I've found sometimes the supervisors are more understanding than the people
we actually work with. ,  
 I hope this helps. 
 Sam 

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Suzanne Germano
Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2013 2:42 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Subject: [nabs-l] Voc Rehab request denied

I requested that voc rehab pay for me to have and comprehensive examination
and contacts lenses from Eye Associates in Indiana. The specialize in
Achromatopsia and spend 4 hours working to find the right color contacts to
match each person's needs.

I have used red lenses for years but now that I am back in school and
reading a lot and the classrooms are extremely bright. I have found the need
to find a better color.

They denied it because they use 3 vendors in Arizona (where I live) for low
vision services. None of these 3 do the extensive exam. In Indiana I try on
several color actual contacts then see how they work for reading how they
work with my sunglasses for out side. My prescription is in glasses because
it makes my near vision (which I use mostly at school) very blurry) But I
need the color filter due to extreme photophobia.

I only asked for the cost of the exam (above medicare) and the actual
contacts. I did nto ask them to cover any transportation costs.

They claim they cannot use out of state services if it is available in
Arizona. I explained that yes they have low vision exams but none can do
what the one in Indiana can do. One even tried to tell me to have my
prescription in my clear contacts then have multiple colored glasses even
after I explained I cannot do the script in the contacts or I cannot read,
use my computer, write without a headache from it being blurry.

I filed an appeal but my appointment is May 14th. I am going when I will
already be in the midwest for my daughter's college graduation.

Any pointers?
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