[humanser] traveling

Fri Apr 15 18:10:17 UTC 2016

Hi Lisa, 
I can still give you a few more ideas on going to these community outreach events. 
We have used all techniques for travelling with and without stuff. 
At work, for the county fair, the tent is setup in advance so no issues about carrying stuff. 
When doing the event inside the building, most places here give the exhibiters tables and chairs and one does not need the canapee. Even the outside events give tables and chairs. 
When one does solo, we take the most important items. A couple of roller bags or suitcases are good. 
For transportation, I have used taxi service or paratransit. If I have to take the canapee with me, (this is for the NFB) I would take a cab, and a driver I know. When I am light, I take paratransit or the bus. Most places also provide food or snacks to the exhibitors. 
Two weeks past, I had to go to a religious institution on a Sunday. There was no bus and no paratransit either. I used the cab, and gave the receipt to the supervisor. I took just a few things. I told the people at the event to contact us if they need more of our resources. The person who wanted me to come to this event, arranged with someone to get me home. 
I think making relationships with the people we are visiting is a very important skill. 

Yasmin Reyazuddin 
Aging & Disability Services 
Montgomery County Government 
Department of Health & Human Services 
401 Hungerford Drive (3rd floor) 
Rockville MD 20850 
240-777-0311 (MC311) 
240-777-1556 (personal) 
240-777-1495 (fax) 
office hours 8:30 am 5:00 pm 
Languages English, Hindi, Urdu, Braille 
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Thank you.

-----Original Message-----
From: humanser [mailto:humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Lisa Irving via humanser
Sent: Friday, April 15, 2016 1:36 PM
To: 'Human Services Division Mailing List' <humanser at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Lisa Irving <peacefulwoman89 at cox.net>
Subject: [humanser] traveling

I am trying to problem solve. A large part of my job involves going to and from work sites in the community. Like anyone else I'm traveling to a community-based worksite or to the office on my time and on my dime. On the other hand, when I leave the community-based work site; a resource fair; clubhouse; County HHS or any other mental health program, I'm on the clock.
My supervisor and I had a discussion and left it unfinished for the short-term. The discussion centered around my request for the company to split the cost for someone to drive me from the distant site back to the office. (the site is at least 45 minutes by car). Her initial responses looked like this. 

At first she said there's no way the company would go for anything like that. She also reminded me that I stated during the interview that I could travel throughout the county. I stand by my response. I have the confidence and the ability to go where I want and when I want, however, if I'm hauling heavy stuff or bulky stuff; including groceries or resource materials, I do not use the bus system. For work it's not uncommon to see team members pulling a roller bag behind them. Unlike my peers, in addition to a roller bag for resources and supplies, I'll carry my backpack that contains food; dog supplies and a few other things. I'll also take my laptop in a shoulder bag.
That's too much to haul on and off the busses and my back and shoulder is shot from doing just that. 

I thought about some solutions and I'm hoping that you can share your thoughts. I can quit; not an option. I can use the bus system; not practice. I can hire a driver. This what I do when I call Uber (when the darn app works). Each time I pay for driving it's more money out of my part-time employee pocket. I can do this to a small extent. I asked if the company would split the cost of someone driving for me when I have to go to multiple sites or travel long distances. The initial response was no. I am going to contact the Job Accommodations Network today. Please share your suggestions. 

By the way Ericka, generally, each team member flys solo when working in the community. If we are teamed up it's each person's responsibility to make his/her own travel arrangements. For various reasons some team members do not want my dog in their car. There are other reasons too. We travel with equipment; sometimes a binder and other times more stuff. You may already know that folks who drive often leave half of their house in the car.
Again, please share your thoughts. 

From,

Lisa    

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