[nabs-l] Voc Rehab request denied

Wed Apr 10 23:19:35 UTC 2013

Suzanne, I'm sorry about your VR frustration, I'm sorry to be a 
pessimist here, but I think you're out of luck on this one. I 
just started working with my VR counselor, but from what I know 
of them, they'll find the easiest, most inexpensive solution to 
any problem. "You need new contact lenses. Okay, we'll get you 
the cheap ones from Arizona." As my own VR counselor said, "We 
buy our clients what they need, which isn't always what they'd 
most prefer." And Sam, I have to disagree with you. Though VR can 
be annoying (at least from what I've heard), they do provide 
great services for lots of people. And also... I can't resist 
pointing out an error in your braillenote rant. With the apex, 
you can change the battery yourself.

Best,
Sophie

 ----- Original Message -----
From: "Sam Nelson" <samnelson1 at verizon.net
To: "'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'" 
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Date sent: Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:44:39 -0500
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Voc Rehab request denied

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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