[HumanSer] Work Accommodation Concerns

Mon Jun 2 15:39:32 UTC 2025

Without going into too much detail publicly, I have spoken with someone from the NFB legal program a few times now and that has been helpful and as a result, I actually did file a complaint of discrimination at the end of August with the Indiana civil rights commission and I believe this gets dual filed with EEOC. Unfortunately, I was told that NFB wouldn’t be able to take on my case at this time; my understanding is it has to do with limited resources/capacity. in March, I was told that the 180 days required for investigation had been surpassed and I was given the option of either requesting a private right to Sue letter or requesting ongoing investigation. I was then suddenly told that my employers attorney was asking if I would be open to mediation, or if I would want to send a demand or claim letter, whatever that means. I had been wanting to do mediation all along; that was my main reason for filing because I just wanted to get people to come to the table and communicate. However, I am extremely suspicious about the sudden change because I was told multiple times that they had not expressed any interest in mediation. I still want to try mediation, but I do not feel safe/comfortable doing this without legal guidance and support. I had hoped that our protection and advocacy agency could help but that continues to seem like a dead end. I do think reaching out to the job accommodation network is the next step I should try. I have also been trying to decide if I should file another complaint because the issues are ongoing and have truthfully gotten worse since I filed. Thank   you for the support and empathy.
Sent from the  iPhone of Sarah Meyer (Please forgive any dictation errors)

> On Jun 2, 2025, at 10:56 AM, Justin Williams via HumanSer <humanser at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Agreed.
> 
> At this point, those agencies should be involved.
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: HumanSer <humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Miranda via =
> HumanSer
> Sent: Monday, June 2, 2025 9:46 AM
> To: humanser at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Miranda <knownoflove at gmail.com>; humanser at nfbnet.org
> Subject: Re: [HumanSer] Work Accommodation Concerns
> 
> I wonder if calling the national NFB office or calling the job =
> accommodation=3D  network might be helpful? Also, while I realize this =
> would be quite the pro=3D cess, I wonder about filing with the EEOC?
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>>> On Jun 2, 2025, at 8:44=3DE2=3D80=3DAFAM, Sarah Meyer via HumanSer=20
>>> <humanser at nfb=3D
>> net.org> wrote:
>> =3D20
>> =3DEF=3DBB=3DBFHi Aimee,
>> Thank you so much. I am so sorry that you had to go through that as=20
>> well. I=3D
> w=3D3D
>> as planning to reach out to you and appreciate your willingness to =
> speak.
>> I=3D3DE2=3D3D80=3D3D99ll be in touch and hope you have a great day!
>> =3D20
>> Sincerely,
>> Sarah
>> Sent from the  iPhone of Sarah Meyer (Please forgive any dictation=20
>> errors)=3D
> 
>> =3D20
>>> On Jun 2, 2025, at 4:23=3D3DE2=3D3D80=3D3DAFAM, Amy ruell=20
>>> <aruell at comcast.net> w=3D
> rote:
>>> =3D3D20
>>> =3D3DEF=3D3DBB=3D3DBFHi Sarah,
>>> So sorry you=3D3DE2=3D3D80=3D3D99re having these difficulties. I =
> worked for=20
>>> a b=3D
> usiness=3D3D
>> organization which implemented an inaccessible database system and did =
> 
>> not=3D
> h=3D3D
>> ing to provide accommodation other than to tell me that I could not do =
> 
>> hal=3D
> f o=3D3D
>> f my job and deprive me of the opportunity to have access to the=20
>> materials=3D
> , I=3D3D
>> needed to professionally complete tasks. I don=3D3DE2=3D3D80=3D3D99t =
> want to=20
>> say=3D
> much p=3D3D
>> ublicly here, as I went to court to fight this after making numerous=20
>> attem=3D
> pt=3D3D
>> s to request that they make their programs accessible. Happy to talk=20
>> with y=3D
> o=3D3D
>> u off-line if you like. Unfortunately, this is not something where=20
>> legal p=3D
> re=3D3D
>> sidents are clear. I believe you know how to get in touch with me.=20
>> Please f=3D
> e=3D3D
>> el free to call.
>>> So sorry you are having these difficulties.
>>> Amy.
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>> =3D3D20
>>>> On Jun 1, 2025, at 11:11=3D3DE2=3D3D80=3D3DAFPM, Sarah Meyer via =
> HumanSer=20
>>>> <hum=3D
> anser at n=3D3D
>> fbnet.org> wrote:
>>>> =3D3D20
>>>> =3D3DEF=3D3DBB=3D3DBFHello,
>>>> =3D3D20
>>>> I have been employed at a community mental health agency for 2 years =
> 
>>>> now=3D
> =3D3D3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> as
>>>> a therapist and it has been the most challenging experience of my=20
>>>> life =3D3D=3D
> 3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> in
>>>> terms of not having effective reasonable accommodations to do my=20
>>>> job. I =3D3D=3D
> 3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> will
>>>> try to keep this as brief as possible because it has become such a=20
>>>> =3D3D3D=3D
> 
>>>> complex
>>>> situation but apologize in advance for the length. I will share some =
> 
>>>> of =3D3D=3D
> 3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> the
>>>> major issues and my questions below. This is honestly a very=20
>>>> vulnerable message for me so I just ask for grace and some=20
>>>> gentleness in responses.=3D
> 
>>>> =3D3D20
>>>> =3D3D3D20
>>>> =3D3D20
>>>> Problems:
>>>> =3D3D20
>>>> *    Despite having discussions prior to my hire and ongoing =
> advocacy
>>>> efforts, as well as reassurances from the agency for months that=20
>>>> they =3D3D=3D
> 3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> were
>>>> prioritizing accessibility to the EMR because they recognized that=20
>>>> our work-arounds would not be sustainable/effective, I have never=20
>>>> had access=3D
> =3D3D3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> to
>>>> use any aspect of our EMR (NextGen) with JAWS or any other screen=20
>>>> =3D3D3D reading options. I believe some of the issues are that =
> NextGen=20
>>>> is housed on a =3D3D=3D
> 3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> Remote
>>>> Desktop, but most notably that the agency has never used the latest=20
>>>> =3D3D3=3D
> D
>>>> version
>>>> of the EMR which NextGen has indicated would be most likely to be=20
>>>> compatible/accessible with JAWS because that is where their=20
>>>> developers =3D3D=3D
> 3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> have
>>>> invested their efforts to meeting accessibility=20
>>>> guidelines/requirements.=3D
> 
>>>> *    The agency has indicated JAWS scripting is too expensive. They =
> neve=3D
> r=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> engaged with me or VR when trying to reach out to explore if VR=20
>>>> could =3D3D=3D
> 3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> help
>>>> with some of the cost.
>>>> *    I had to fight to get them to consider work-arounds for months
>>>> because they insisted they were "so close" to providing=20
>>>> accessibility =3D3D=3D
> 3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> for me
>>>> to independently access NextGen. Eventually I got them to be willing =
> 
>>>> to =3D3D=3D
> 3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> try
>>>> using Word templates for me to do documentation, which I then sent=20
>>>> to my=3D
> 
>>>> supervisor and other leadership to upload into the database. The=20
>>>> =3D3D3D templates have had a lot of accessibility barriers =
> themselves,=20
>>>> and it has been challenging, to say the least, to acquire=20
>>>> information from client charts=3D
> =3D3D3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> in
>>>> accessible formats. Additionally, I can't access the calendar, =
> =3D3D3D=20
>>>> scheduling features, notifications of client arrivals, communication =
> 
>>>> intra-professionally with members of other teams involved in=20
>>>> clients' =3D3D=3D
> 3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> care,
>>>> etc. Other staff indicated repeatedly that they knew our=20
>>>> work-arounds =3D3D=3D
> 3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> were
>>>> short-term and not truly sustainable (for me, for them, for quality=20
>>>> =3D3D3=3D
> D
>>>> client
>>>> care).
>>>> *    I've proposed other options including Aira, Seeing AI on work =
> cell,=3D
> 
>>>> installation of my own provided Kurzweil 1000 and Duxbury Braille=20
>>>> Translation software onto work laptop to try to make various=20
>>>> materials =3D3D=3D
> 3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> more
>>>> accessible, and several other accommodations proposed. I also use a=20
>>>> =3D3D3=3D
> D
>>>> Focus 40
>>>> Braille Display which has had a lot of problems not pairing via=20
>>>> =3D3D3D Bluetooth. I have requested permission to transfer documents =
> 
>>>> via SD card between =3D3D3=3D
> D
>>>> Focus
>>>> display and laptop but have never received a solid response though=20
>>>> they =3D3D=3D
> 3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> have
>>>> previously been very hesitant to allow use of flash drives or=20
>>>> anything =3D3D=3D
> 3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> that
>>>> could potentially cause concerns about privacy, which I understand=20
>>>> from their perspective. Wired connection with laptop works better,=20
>>>> though =3D3D=3D
> 3D
>>>> still
>>>> has issues, and JAWS has had other issues as well.
>>>> *    The toll of chronic inaccessibility and having to work so much =
> extr=3D
> a=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> to compensate for these barriers, which also apply to trainings and=20
>>>> =3D3D3=3D
> D
>>>> other
>>>> aspects of the job beyond the EMR accessibility barriers, have =
> =3D3D3D=20
>>>> repeatedly exacerbated symptoms of multiple other chronic health=20
>>>> disabilities. I eventually had to go on an extended medical leave=20
>>>> last year. I =3D3D3D continually have tried advocating and have=20
>>>> frequently received no response, =3D3D3D inaccurate follow-up,=20
>>>> dismissiveness, and have faced an often hostile and =3D3D3D=20
>>>> intimidating work environment when I have tried to speak up and=20
>>>> advocate.
>>>> *    When I returned from my leave last Fall, I truly hoped there =
> would
>>>> be improvements; however, the agency has actually doubled down and=20
>>>> =3D3D3D=3D
> 
>>>> indicated
>>>> that the supposedly temporary work-arounds, which failed miserably=20
>>>> =3D3D3D=3D
> 
>>>> before,
>>>> are now the ongoing "accommodation system." They have come up with=20
>>>> some =3D3D=3D
> 3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> new
>>>> methods for notifying me of client arrivals, and there has been some =
> 
>>>> improvement in support staff notifying me of scheduled client =
> =3D3D3D=20
>>>> appointments and cancellations, but this has been inconsistent. The=20
>>>> client =3D3D3D documentation I've requested to prepare for sessions=20
>>>> and help with pre-filling my templates has at times been missing=20
>>>> crucial information, not provided, =3D3D=3D
> 3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> and
>>>> is filled with accessibility problems in their efforts to convert=20
>>>> inaccessible PDFs into Word files. The templates I am using for=20
>>>> =3D3D3D completing documentation are still in process of being =
> revised=20
>>>> for accessibility =3D3D=3D
> 3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> and
>>>> the burden has been placed on me to provide written narratives of=20
>>>> the =3D3D=3D
> 3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> issues
>>>> so they can "fix them". Until recently, leadership would not meet=20
>>>> with =3D3D=3D
> 3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> me,
>>>> and this has been inconsistent.
>>>> *    I've requested having a visual assistant and have yet to =
> receive a
>>>> response.
>>>> *    The agency has been through significant transitions with =
> "merging"
>>>> under a larger umbrella parent company which has also caused a lot=20
>>>> of confusion and worsened miscommunications. I also have had issues=20
>>>> with getting clear, accurate, timely, accessible information and=20
>>>> =3D3D3D determinations of my leave time accommodation requests to=20
>>>> manage my other health =3D3D3D concerns, especially during the=20
>>>> transition to new leave management entities. I was=3D
> 
>>>> allowed to work remotely in the past when seeing clients, and during =
> 
>>>> the=3D
> 
>>>> training refresher/catching up upon my return to work, but I was=20
>>>> =3D3D3D recently informed that I am only allowed to conduct client=20
>>>> sessions from the =3D3D3=3D
> D
>>>> office
>>>> and only when team leader coverage, support staff, and crisis staff=20
>>>> are =3D3D=3D
> 3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> on
>>>> site. (Never mind that many other staff are working hybrid due to=20
>>>> =3D3D3D limited office space, work modified schedules including =
> seeing=20
>>>> clients past 5PM,=3D
> 
>>>> etc.).
>>>> *    I have been told I've been provided all the necessary =
> accommodation=3D
> s=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> to fulfill the essential functions of my job, despite my and my=20
>>>> medical providers' statements that this is not accurate. I have=20
>>>> received =3D3D3D corrective action notices/statements and =
> discussions=20
>>>> which place all the blame/responsibility on me for problems with=20
>>>> note timeliness, session =3D3D=3D
> 3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> length
>>>> (running over on time), running late to sessions, etc., without=20
>>>> acknowledgement of how the accessibility barriers play a significant =
> 
>>>> =3D3D=3D
> 3D
>>>> role.
>>>> *    I am burned out but I care so much about my clients and believe =
> I
>>>> have unique assets and skills to support them and the mission of the =
> 
>>>> =3D3D=3D
> 3D
>>>> agency,
>>>> plus I am not fully licensed and need the supervision (I am close to =
> 
>>>> =3D3D=3D
> 3D
>>>> being
>>>> able to apply for full LMHC licensure which would open more =
> options).
>>>> =3D3D20
>>>> =3D3D3D20
>>>> =3D3D20
>>>> Questions:
>>>> =3D3D20
>>>> *    I know several folks here have shared about work-arounds to
>>>> compensate for inaccessibility; I am wondering where you draw the=20
>>>> line, especially in community mental health where the service=20
>>>> delivery and documentation expectations/demands are so high and=20
>>>> able-bodied staff =3D3D=3D
> 3D
>>>> even
>>>> say they struggle to keep up with all of the expectations? I have=20
>>>> never =3D3D=3D
> 3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> been
>>>> able to reach a full case load and service delivery because of the=20
>>>> accessibility barriers and how much I've struggled to keep up as a=20
>>>> =3D3D3D=3D
> 
>>>> result.
>>>> It's hard to not internalize and beat myself up for not being able=20
>>>> to =3D3D=3D
> 3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> put in
>>>> all of the extra time and energy to compensate, especially because=20
>>>> of =3D3D=3D
> 3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> the
>>>> toll this has taken on my own physical and mental health.
>>>> *    If you have worked in a community mental health or otherwise
>>>> fast-paced, high demand setting, and had either very limited or no=20
>>>> =3D3D3D=3D
> 
>>>> access to
>>>> the EMR, how did you keep up with service delivery and note=20
>>>> timeliness standards? How much work-life balance has been realistic? =
> 
>>>> I understand =3D3D=3D
> 3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> this
>>>> can vary for each person. What accommodations have been=20
>>>> non-negotiables =3D3D=3D
> 3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> for
>>>> you?
>>>> =3D3D20
>>>> =3D3D3D20
>>>> =3D3D20
>>>> There's unfortunately more but I have already shared quite a lot =
> here.
>>>> Please feel free to ask questions if you need additional=20
>>>> clarification. =3D3D=3D
> 3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> I
>>>> readily admit I do have areas I am constantly needing to improve in, =
> 
>>>> especially when it comes to time management and being more concise=20
>>>> (I do=3D
> 
>>>> have ADHD which I am still learning to navigate and again I know=20
>>>> there =3D3D=3D
> 3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> is
>>>> overlap with the impact of my other chronic health disabilities; I=20
>>>> was =3D3D=3D
> 3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> so
>>>> much better at pushing past my limits in school and college/grad=20
>>>> school =3D3D=3D
> 3D=3D3D
>> =3D20
>>>> but
>>>> chronic override of self-care is never sustainable).
>>>> =3D3D20
>>>> Thanks in advance for taking the time to read and share any =
> feedback.
>>>> =3D3D20
>>>> =3D3D3D20
>>>> =3D3D20
>>>> Sincerely,
>>>> =3D3D20
>>>> Sarah
>>>> =3D3D20
>>>> =3D3D3D20
>>>> =3D3D20
>>>> Sarah K. Meyer, MA, LMHCA (she/her)
>>>> =3D3D20
>>>> (317) 402-6632
>>>> =3D3D20
>>>> <mailto:Sarah.meyer55 at gmail.com> Sarah.meyer55 at gmail.com
>>>> =3D3D20
>>>> =3D3D3D20
>>>> =3D3D20
>>>> "Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the=20
>>>> =3D3D3D overcoming of it. My optimism, then, does not rest on the=20
>>>> absence of evil, but on a=3D
> 
>>>> glad belief in the preponderance of good and a willing effort always =
> 
>>>> to cooperate with the good, that it may prevail." =3D3D3DAF Helen=20
>>>> Keller
>>>> =3D3D20
>>>> =3D3D3D20
>>>> =3D3D20
>>>> _______________________________________________
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> m=3D3D
>> anSer:
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>>>> st.n=3D
> e=3D3D
>> t
>>> =3D3D20
>> =3D20
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> nSer:
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