[nabs-l] Voc Rehab Appeal
Kaiti Shelton
crazy4clarinet104 at gmail.com
Fri Apr 19 02:39:35 UTC 2013
The squeaky wheel will get the grease sooner or later... I agree with
you, Sam. It's sad that we have to squeak so loud in order to get
something that's truly important for us to have some times, but at
least it gets worked out. Congrats, Suzanne.
On 4/18/13, Suzanne Germano <sgermano at asu.edu> wrote:
> 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.
>> > >> >> >>>> org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org>
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>> > info
>> > >> >> >>>> for
>> > >> >> >>>> nabs-l:
>> > >> >> >>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/**options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/**
>> > >> >> >>>> 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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>> > >> >> >>> 40as
>> > >> >> >>> u.edu>
>> > >> >> >>>
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>> > >> >> 40gmai
>> > >> >> > l.com
>> > >> >> >>
>> > >> >> >
>> > >> >> >
>> > >> >> > --
>> > >> >> > Kaiti
>> > >> >> >
>> > >> >> > _______________________________________________
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>> > >> >>
>> > >> >> --
>> > >> >> Kaiti
>> > >> >>
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>> > >> --
>> > >> Kaiti
>> > >>
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