[nabs-l] Voc Rehab Appeal

Thu Apr 18 22:29:01 UTC 2013

It is a relief thank you.

On Thu, Apr 18, 2013 at 3:16 PM, Sam Nelson <samnelson1 at verizon.net> wrote:

> Hi Suzanne,
>  Voc rehab can be so strange!  Congratulations on getting it aprooved
> though! Maybe they realized you weren't going away until this got settled
> and they wanted to just get you out of their hair. It's sad that that's the
> kind of relationship we have to have with these people a lot of the time.
> But good  you got what you needed. That must be a relief!
>  Sam
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Suzanne
> Germano
> Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2013 4:38 PM
> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Voc Rehab Appeal
>
> I have left a message for Bob but now out of the blue they decided to
> approve it.
>
>
> On Thu, Apr 18, 2013 at 2:10 PM, Arielle Silverman <
> Arielle.Silverman at asu.edu> wrote:
>
> > When I appealed Arizona rehab to send me to Louisiana Center for
> > training, I spoke with Ed House. I don't recall what his position is
> > but he apparently has the authority to override initial counselor
> > decisions if there is justification. You can get his contact info from
> > Bob; I don't have it anymore.
> > Arielle
> >
> > On 4/18/13, Suzanne Germano <sgermano at asu.edu> wrote:
> > > I have the contact info for NFB AZ state president and will be
> > > emailing
> > or
> > > calling him.
> > >
> > >
> > > On Thu, Apr 18, 2013 at 12:05 PM, Kaiti Shelton
> > > <crazy4clarinet104 at gmail.com
> > >> wrote:
> > >
> > >> Absolutely, go all the way to the director of the entire rehab
> > >> services for your state if the vision director won't listen, and if
> > >> the overall director doesn't listen then you honestly might have
> > >> grounds for a lawsuit.
> > >>
> > >> I'd really get in contact with your NFB state affiliate about this.
> > >> They would know the system much better than any of us and would be
> > >> able to stand behind you with this.  At this point, just do what
> > >> you have to do to make sure your needs are met.
> > >>
> > >> On 4/17/13, justin williams <justin.williams2 at gmail.com> wrote:
> > >> > Go as high as you have to go.
> > >> >
> > >> > -----Original Message-----
> > >> > From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> > >> > Suzanne Germano
> > >> > Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2013 2:41 PM
> > >> > To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> > >> > Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Voc Rehab Appeal
> > >> >
> > >> > I have emailed requesting a face to face to make sure they have a
> > clear
> > >> > understanding of my request even though I sent a 2 page appeal
> > >> > with 12 supporting documents. Not to mention my initial request
> > >> > and follow up letter were very clear on what I needed and why.
> > >> >
> > >> > The supervisor thinks all i want is a regular low vision exam. I
> > >> > already paid for one of those out of pocket in November. I paid
> > >> > for red contacts
> > >> > ($400) out of pocket in Dec as I needed them before school
> > >> > started. I
> > >> tried
> > >> > going with 30% lighter than I was wearing for outdoors but they
> > >> > are still not right for indoors and reading. I could not wait for
> > >> > the approval process. I paid $600 out of pocket for glasses that
> > >> > I only need
> > because
> > >> of
> > >> > returning to school. I paid $200 out of pocket for a monocular. I
> > >> > bought all this because I knew rehab would take forever and I was
> > >> > not going to start the semester in a position to fail.
> > >> >
> > >> > What does not make sense is that they will pay for the contacts
> > >> > if
> > >> ordered
> > >> > form an AZ Dr that is one of their vendors but not if form the Dr
> > >> > in Indiana. The contacts will cost the same. the difference would
> > >> > be the Indiana Dr would be able to find the right color and the
> > >> > AZ doctors will not. They also said they will pay for a low
> > >> > vision exam here in AZ above what Medicare covers. So why they
> > >> > will nto pay for a doctor who
> > >> specializes
> > >> > in determining the right contacts for an achromat is beyond me..
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >> > On Thu, Apr 18, 2013 at 11:15 AM, Kaiti Shelton
> > >> > <crazy4clarinet104 at gmail.com
> > >> >> wrote:
> > >> >
> > >> >> And if that doesn't work, go to the superviser's boss and speak
> > >> >> directly to them.  This run around game sounds ridiculous.
> > >> >>
> > >> >> On 4/17/13, justin williams <justin.williams2 at gmail.com> wrote:
> > >> >> > I would try to talk to the supervisor one more time by phone
> > >> >> > if I could.
> > >> >> > If
> > >> >> > you explain your situation, and that you have filed an appeal,
> > >> >> > you may be able to speed things up.
> > >> >> >
> > >> >> > -----Original Message-----
> > >> >> > From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> > >> >> > Kaiti
> > >> >> Shelton
> > >> >> > Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2013 1:36 PM
> > >> >> > To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> > >> >> > Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Voc Rehab Appeal
> > >> >> >
> > >> >> > Hi,
> > >> >> >
> > >> >> > Suzanne, I totally sympathize.  I know when people don't read
> > >> >> > what you send them it could be quite frustrating, and I'm not
> > >> >> > going to even bring up the consumer choice stuff that they're
> > >> >> > not paying attention to.
> > >> >> >
> > >> >> > I'd speak directly to the person at the top by phone.  It
> > >> >> > looks to me like you have tried the councelor, tried the
> > >> >> > superviser, so the next person up is probably the one you have to
> go to.
> > >> >> >
> > >> >> > On 4/17/13, justin williams <justin.williams2 at gmail.com> wrote:
> > >> >> >> Try to talk to the supervisor if the counselor proves
> > unresponsive.
> > >> >> >> Failing
> > >> >> >> that, Cap is your next attempt.  Try not to do this; try to
> > >> >> >> work
> > it
> > >> >> >> out with the counselor and the supervisor.
> > >> >> >>
> > >> >> >> -----Original Message-----
> > >> >> >> From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> > >> >> >> Suzanne Germano
> > >> >> >> Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2013 12:25 PM
> > >> >> >> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
> > >> >> >> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] Voc Rehab Appeal
> > >> >> >>
> > >> >> >> Basically advice on appeals. Anyone's experience with getting
> > >> >> >> services out of state when a similar service is available in
> > >> >> >> state but the instate service clearly would not meet the
> > >> >> >> needs. Best way to deal with people who are clearly not even
> > >> >> >> reading what you send them.
> > >> >> >>
> > >> >> >>
> > >> >> >> On Thu, Apr 18, 2013 at 9:18 AM, Littlefield, Tyler
> > >> >> >> <tyler at tysdomain.com>wrote:
> > >> >> >>
> > >> >> >>> Suzanne:
> > >> >> >>> While I sympathize with your issues (I've had to deal with a
> > >> >> >>> really lovely dvr system),  I"m kind of confused as to what
> > >> >> >>> you want out of this
> > >> >> >> message.
> > >> >> >>> Are you asking for advice? Just complaining?
> > >> >> >>>
> > >> >> >>> DVR's goal is to help get you employed. While they don't
> > >> >> >>> always
> > do
> > >> >> >>> the best job, they do help some. As part of that though,
> > >> >> >>> they
> > tend
> > >> >> >>> to be part of the government; the government isn't exactly
> > >> >> >>> known for speedy resolution of problems.
> > >> >> >>> if you've tried to appeal to the supervisor, there is
> > >> >> >>> usually a state office (or a main coordenating supervisor).
> > >> >> >>> I recommend you take that route and explain the situation
> > >> >> >>> and the due date to them.
> > >> >> >>>
> > >> >> >>> Ultimately, you need to be nice. I understand your
> > >> >> >>> frustration, but going higher up you'll get a lot more help
> > >> >> >>> if you're easier
> > to
> > >> >> >>> work with.
> > >> >> >>> HTH,
> > >> >> >>> On 4/18/2013 9:59 AM, Suzanne Germano wrote:
> > >> >> >>>
> > >> >> >>>> I appealed a decision on March 15th and requested
> > >> >> >>>> mediation. On April 11th I emailed my counselor to in quire
> > >> >> >>>> if she and her supervisor had agreed to mediation. On April
> > >> >> >>>> 12th her supervisor sends me a letter which clearly shows
> > >> >> >>>> he never read the appeal documentation and asked if I was
> > >> >> >>>> agreeable to the conditions of the letter or if I wanted ot
> > >> >> >> continue with mediation.
> > >> >> >>>> Seeing that they are still denying the request and he
> > >> >> >>>> clearly does not even understand the request I had to fax
> > >> >> >>>> him today saying No I do not agree and still want
> > >> >> >>>> mediation. I think it
> > was
> > >> >> >>>> a delay technique since I need the approval by May 14th.
> > >> >> >>>>
> > >> >> >>>> I simply do not understand why if their goal is to help us
> > become
> > >> >> >>>> employed why everything is such a battle and nothing they
> > >> >> >>>> do makes sense.
> > >> >> >>>>
> > >> >> >>>> It was all I could to to keep form saying "clearly you did
> > >> >> >>>> not read my original request or my appeal with supporting
> > >> >> >>>> documentation or you would have never sent the letter you did"
> > >> >> >>>>
> > >> >> >>>> This is part of what I wrote in the appeal
> > >> >> >>>>
> > >> >> >>>>   "I am appealing the denial of services dated Feb 28, 2013
> > based
> > >> >> >>>> on the fact that the three contracted vendors in AZ cannot
> > >> >> >>>> provide the service I requested.
> > >> >> >>>>
> > >> >> >>>> I have complete achromatopsia which part is severe light
> > >> >> >>>> sensitivity.
> > >> >> >>>> I have been wearing red contacts since 1995 when I had them
> > >> >> >>>> prescribed by
> > >> >> >> Dr
> > >> >> >>>> Hagerston-Portnoy at UC Berkley who studies Achromatopsia.
> > >> >> >>>> Until
> > >> >> >> January
> > >> >> >>>> 2013 my vision requirements for the red contacts were for
> > >> >> >>>> mainly outside
> > >> >> >>>> and very bright places (i.e. grocery stores).   However, since
> I
> > >> >> >>>> decided
> > >> >> >>>> to
> > >> >> >>>> fulfill a lifetime goal of completing my degree and
> > >> >> >>>> returning to work; my requirements have changed.  The
> > >> >> >>>> current contacts are
> > too
> > >> >> >>>> dark and very likely the wrong color for 8-10 hours a day
> > >> >> >>>> of classroom and homework. The classrooms are not extremely
> > >> >> >>>> bright as many dim the lights somewhat for power point
> presentations.
> > It
> > >> >> >>>> is still much to bright for no filter but too dark for the
> > >> >> >>>> reds
> > I
> > >> > have.
> > >> >> >>>> I have also noticed that the red makes reading difficult.
> > >> >> >>>> After much research I have found many achromats go with a
> > >> >> >>>> lighter filter or even a different color browns, magentas
> > >> >> >>>> etc. I already tried reducing the color by 30%, from my
> > >> >> >>>> original red from 1995, through my low vision specialist
> > >> >> >>>> who provides the contacts. I paid $400 for the contacts in
> > >> >> >>>> addition to the exam just to find out that even this level is
> not right for reading.
> > >> >> >>>>
> > >> >> >>>> I requested for RSA to cover the cost of a very specialized
> > >> >> >>>> low vision contact lens exam and the contacts through Eye
> > >> >> >>>> Associates in
> > >> >> >> Indianapolis.
> > >> >> >>>> Dr Windsor and Associates work primarily with acromats and
> > >> >> >>>> specialize in being able determine the right color and
> > >> >> >>>> percent color of the lenses. It is an extensive 4 hours
> > >> >> >>>> appointment in which I try on contact lenses of several
> > >> >> >>>> colors and darkness and see how they work for reading , and
> > >> >> >>>> how they work outside with
> > my
> > >> > script sunglasses.
> > >> >> >>>> What will be the best for the average lighting I will be in
> > >> >> >>>> during class and in study areas of campus."
> > >> >> >>>>
> > >> >> >>>> I included documentation about each of their contracted
> > >> >> >>>> vendors and how they determine color. None of them did
> > >> >> >>>> anything similar to Eye
> > >> >> >> Associates.
> > >> >> >>>> They only use very limited color choices. The low vision
> > >> >> >>>> clinic in Indiana has several contacts to try. They spend
> > >> >> >>>> 4-5 hours
> > just
> > >> >> >> determining color.
> > >> >> >>>> Some achomats even use one color in one eye and one in the
> > other.
> > >> >> >>>> The Drs jsut use "the most popular colors"
> > >> >> >>>>
> > >> >> >>>>
> > >> >> >>>> So frustrating...
> > >> >> >>>> ______________________________**_________________
> > >> >> >>>> nabs-l mailing list
> > >> >> >>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> > >> >> >>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/**listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org<
> > >> http://nfbnet.
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> > >> >> >>>> for
> > >> >> >>>> nabs-l:
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> > >> >> >>>> tyler%40tysdomain.com<
> > http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nf
> > >> >> >>>> bnet
> > >> >> >>>> .org/tyler%40tysdomain.com>
> > >> >> >>>>
> > >> >> >>>
> > >> >> >>>
> > >> >> >>> --
> > >> >> >>> Take care,
> > >> >> >>> Ty
> > >> >> >>> http://tds-solutions.net
> > >> >> >>> The aspen project: a barebones light-weight mud engine:
> > >> >> >>> http://code.google.com/p/**aspenmud
> > >> >> >>> <http://code.google.com/p/aspenmud>
> > >> >> >>> He that will not reason is a bigot; he that cannot reason is
> > >> >> >>> a fool; he that dares not reason is a slave.
> > >> >> >>>
> > >> >> >>>
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> > >> >> >>>
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> > >> >> 40gmai
> > >> >> > l.com
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> > >> >> >
> > >> >> >
> > >> >> > --
> > >> >> > Kaiti
> > >> >> >
> > >> >> > _______________________________________________
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> > >> >>
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> > >> >> --
> > >> >> Kaiti
> > >> >>
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> > >>
> > >> --
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> > >>
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