[Nfbc-info] Reaching out to leaders and social workers within the NFB: assistance with education and advocacy efforts…

[Bryan Bashin]

Hi Lisa,

Thanks for your note here and the voicemails you left at my office last week.  You're right -- public mental health organizations have an  absolute requirements to comply with all the legal requirements that government in general does.  In practice, as you know, this often breaks down especially when organizations do nonstandard operations like one-day conferences, events and the like.  The ADA protections and other legal protections apply not only for normal operations but also for events, emergencies, construction and the myriad of operations of governmental entities that happen.

Resolving the many affronts to access is an ongoing battle; each resolution requires much effort -- communications, meetings, ongoing relationships, needs assessments, and sometimes a legal process that can take years.  You've mentioned in your post several issues of immediate  concern to you.  In general I like to solve  individual issues one-on-one, face-to-face; it's far quicker and much more efficient.  If you have that ability, as it appears you have, go for it.  If you don't and you need to deal with an institution or organization try to start as high up in the organization as possible.  Most government organizations are required to designate an ADA officer; find that person and dialog with them.  The problem you solve organization-wide will help far more people than just you.

I personally have no useful professional ADA people in the San Diego area.  I often find it useful to enlist a local attorney if you can find one.  Often law schools and other law-oriented nonprofits do such pro bono work and they may be intrigued with the issues you highlight and may help free  of charge.  And the Federation will benefit by connecting more such legal people into our movement and issues.

We'll need these resources.  Our experience in the bay area is that there are thousands of legitimate legal issues at any time, and each requires an advocate on the  ground and occasionally an attorney.  Andsince even a single day of such time could cost anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 or more you can easily see how important advocates and our local chapters are in waging each of these fights.  A well informed Federationist asking to meet face-to-face is a very powerful force indeed.  

  



-----Original Message-----
From: NFBC-Info [mailto:nfbc-info-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Lisa Irving via NFBC-Info
Sent: Sunday, January 15, 2017 3:52 PM
To: NFB LIST SERVE
Cc: Lisa Irving
Subject: [Nfbc-info] Reaching out to leaders and social workers within the NFB: assistance with education and advocacy efforts…

Hello,

I am reaching out to our state president, Tim Elder and Brian Bashon as well as Blind mental health social workers in California. 

With in the past year I have made inroads with in San Diego's public mental health system. That is I have spoken to a health and human services contract operations representative, some employment specialist and more recently the director of all things that are behavioral health in San Diego as well as his deputy directors. Last week I had the opportunity to address the behavioral health advisory board. In the capacity as the local NFB chapter president I covered the topic, barriers to information and resources experienced by blind and visually impaired persons living with a mental health challenge who are seeking services and resources through the public behavioral health community. I addressed for components. Some of these components including barriers to employment due to web access barriers. I address the need for cross disability supported employment services. I also address the need to ensure that classes one day trainings and conferences are inclusive of all individuals including blind and visually impaired person large mental health organizations and conference planners often use third party platforms that have nominal or no excess ability. One of these registration platforms is event bright. One of the third party platforms for submitting applications and resumes is I recruiter. …. 

At the end of my presentation the director of all things behavioral health and San Diego stated that he learned about things that he did not know and he welcomed a conversation with me so did his deputy directors. I am a big proponent of offering solutions. One solution I offered was to bring organizations including state department of rehabilitation Andy NFB to the table to Identify various solutions. I was very well received.

Now, it is time to build a team of individuals within the NFB who are equipped to come to the table to help bring up solutions. Our meetings will not be adversarial or demanding. Although it is essential I must say I am not excited about bringing the department of rehabilitation flying field services representatives to this meeting. That is because as a whole local Blind Department of rehab clients expressed concerns about low expectations and mediocre services. Additionally, in order to create best practices for the inclusion of blind individuals who happened to live with a mental health challenge it is paramount to include Blind social workers who have this knowledge. 

On a separate note, I stated previously in and NFB post that I am having challenges with voiceover. On that note, I sincerely apologize for odd sentences and strange wording. Please contact me off list.

Thoughtfully,
Lisa Irving, Chapter president Sent from my iPhone

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