[Rehab] Using Aira in Rehab

[Michael Peterson]

	Erica. From what I see Dan posting your probably right. I hope this works with State agencies like OVR in PA because when I was there it would have been heaven sent. I had lots of situations where I needed to read handwritten medical documents yesterday if not sooner. I couldn't bring in my own reader they wouldn't allow me to. They opted to allow me to use a secretary or my supervisors assistant but it was pretty much scheduled around the times they could or would do it not when I needed the assistance. On numerous occasions I had a no show or a quick exit because a supervisor needed a report typed up or the director wanted the employee to work reorganizing the files downstairs in the file room.

If Aira puts themselves in compliance with the laws as Dan says they do I hope we can get legislation forcing Government agencies to permit us to use that reader opportunity. It would help us work faster in many situations.
Maybe we could attach an amendment to the white cane laws.
The only potential down side I can see is the agencies saying okay now you should work completely independently because you have the AIRA. However sometimes I had situations where I had to make sure during the signing of several documents I needed to make absolutely sure the customer signed in the right place
Agencies need to be clear that be my eyes is a great tool but should be used in conjunction with tools currently in place when necessary.
 Maybe one day when I find a new job or have more funds available then I do now I will try Aira. I have heard lots about it but never tried it.
Mike P

-----Original Message-----
From: Rehab <rehab-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Ericka via Rehab
Sent: Monday, January 07, 2019 12:48 PM
To: Rehabilitation Counselor Mailing List <rehab at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Ericka <dotwriter1 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Rehab] Using Aira in Rehab

Mike, it was my understanding that  AIRA people were not volunteers like “be my eyes” but trained and hmust sign a confidentiality waiver.

Ericka Nelson

> On Jan 7, 2019, at 11:53 AM, Michael Peterson via Rehab <rehab at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
>    The only way Aira  could work in this case is if the screener signed documents obligating them to keep confidentiality secure. This literally means you could only use designated workers for this purpose while at work.
> Imagine the VRC and the social worker has extremely confidential information like for example the medical information discloses the client has HIV.  Also when I worked in Philadelphia we actually were given a credit card which with a supervisors permission could be used to purchase some items for clients or pay travel expenses if a counselor had to go to another city for an overnight training situation. As a previous poster pointed out it's suggested users do not expose the readers to credit card information or other personal information and this would be even more important in protecting a client or a government agencies obligation to keeping public confidentiality.
> 
> Sounds like we need a better tool for those purposes maybe a special branch of IRA set up solely to comply with government security the service might be elgible for direct government payments because it would be like hiring a private reader in the same situation.
> Mike P.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Rehab <rehab-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Ericka via Rehab
> Sent: Monday, January 07, 2019 9:56 AM
> To: Rehabilitation Counselor Mailing List <rehab at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Ericka <dotwriter1 at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Rehab] Using Aira in Rehab
> 
> I’m very curious to hear the answer. I am trying to get into social work which also has confidentiality concerns about using AIRA. If VR  counselors Who are blind can use it, then it sets a precedent for us clients possibly. I have tried to explain the service to my counselor and she won’t even consider it. But then again I think she also believes I have more useful vision than I do too.
> 
> Looking for two posts on this.
> 
> Ericka Nelson
> 
>> On Jan 7, 2019, at 9:19 AM, Deborah Allen via Rehab <rehab at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> Hello,
>> I am a VRC for a state agency, and I am interested to know if any 
>> other counselors out there have been approved to use AIRA for 
>> confidential documents. I have not, and I am interested to know if 
>> any standards have been developed for this by other agencies. 
>> Sincerely, Deborah
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone hello,
>> 
>> 
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