[nabs-l] Seeking input on handling my first community outreach event

[Cindy Bennett]

Hi Anjelina,

I have to say that I have never encountered this challenge, so thanks
for writing about it to get us thinking!

Do you happen to have a smartphone with a blue tooth keyboard? I have
an iPhone with a bluetooth keyboard that is very small yet the keys
are discernable. It is the one sold by A T Guys, shameless plug.
Anyway, if you have those things, that  could be a seamless option.
You could write "notes" and email them to yourself, edit them, and
then send them to your supervisor.

If you do not have these tools then perhaps a braille notetaker or a
tablet would also be portable enough.

I think that you should just try to effectively communicate with your
clients. Just explain to them that you are excited to work with them
and that you are blind and it would be helpful if they stay close to
you while navigating the tables...I am sure that there is a more
eloquent way of presenting this than what I wrote in 2 seconds. But
another strategy is to just keep up a conversation. If you are asking
questions and exchanging dialogue, then you will always know where
they are. Similarly, they will have incentive to stay near you so they
can continue the conversation.

Cindy

On 9/3/13, Anjelina Cruz <anjelinac26 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Good afternoon fellow NABSters,
> I hope your semesters are kicking off to a productive start. For
> anyone who has experiences with large gatherings and community events,
> I need a boost of confidents or an honest observations of challenges
> you may have faced in large settings.
> I'm in my last semester toward a bachelors of social Work degree which
> requires completing an internship. In a few weeks I'll be one of many
> ambassadors at a community event for homeless people. Homeless Project
> Connect brings together as many services possible for a person who is
> homeless with the end goal of finding them the help they may need.
> The event will be held in a large complex on two floors with booths
> and tables. As an ambassador we are asked to write down information
> about the person in a designated folder as they go throughout the
> process of obtaining the specific services they need. For instance, if
> they need a birth certificate, I will be responsible for walking with
> them to the Vital Statistics table as well as helping them fill out
> the information form at Vital Stats.
>
> As long as I could have the forms sent to me in an electronic form,
> I've considered using my laptop, however my battery does not hold a
> charge very well. How would you handle this type of situation?  I
> don't mind asking questions to find specific tables, but what if my
> client walks away from me and I can't find him or her?
> Since everyone will be writing notes on each person they assist,
> information they requested, observations about the person, or
> questions the person may have so the coordinator can follow up with
> each client, how could I effectively complete this task?
>
> Thank you all for your input and advice.
> Best wishes for fall 2013!
> --
> Anjelina
>
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-- 
Cindy Bennett
Secretary: National Association of Blind Students

B.A. Psychology, UNC Wilmington
clb5590 at gmail.com