[HumanSer] Work Accommodation Concerns

[aruell at comcast.net]

Hi,
I understand the reticence on NFB part given my experience.
Amy


-----Original Message-----
From: HumanSer <humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sarah Meyer via HumanSer
Sent: Monday, June 2, 2025 11:40 AM
To: humanser at nfbnet.org
Cc: Sarah Meyer <sarah.meyer55 at gmail.com>; humanser at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [HumanSer] Work Accommodation Concerns

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 re= sult, 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=E2=80=99t be able to t= ake on my case at this time; my understanding is it has to do with limited r= esources/capacity. in March, I was told that the 180 days required for inves= tigation 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 m= ediation, 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 reaso= n for filing because I just wanted to get people to come to the table and co= mmunicate. However, I am extremely suspicious about the sudden change becaus= e I was told multiple times that they had not expressed any interest in medi= ation. I still want to try mediation, but I do not feel safe/comfortable doi= ng this without legal guidance and support. I had hoped that our protection a= nd advocacy agency could help but that continues to seem like a dead end. I d= o think reaching out to the job accommodation network is the next step I sho= uld try. I have also been trying to decide if I should file another complain= t because the issues are ongoing and have truthfully gotten worse since I fi=
led. 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=E2=80=AFAM, Justin Williams via HumanSer 
> <humanse=
r at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>=20
> =EF=BB=BFAgreed.
>=20
> At this point, those agencies should be involved.
>=20
>=20
> -----Original Message-----
> From: HumanSer <humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Miranda via 
>=3D  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
>=20
> I wonder if calling the national NFB office or calling the job =3D  
>accommodation=3D3D  network might be helpful? Also, while I realize 
>this =3D=

> would be quite the pro=3D3D cess, I wonder about filing with the EEOC?
> Sent from my iPhone
>=20
>>> On Jun 2, 2025, at 8:44=3D3DE2=3D3D80=3D3DAFAM, Sarah Meyer via 
>>> HumanSer=
=3D20
>>> <humanser at nfb=3D3D
>> net.org> wrote:
>> =3D3D20
>> =3D3DEF=3D3DBB=3D3DBFHi Aimee,
>> Thank you so much. I am so sorry that you had to go through that 
>> as=3D20 well. I=3D3D
> w=3D3D3D
>> as planning to reach out to you and appreciate your willingness to 
>> =3D
> speak.
>> I=3D3D3DE2=3D3D3D80=3D3D3D99ll be in touch and hope you have a great 
>> day!=

>> =3D3D20
>> Sincerely,
>> Sarah
>> Sent from the  iPhone of Sarah Meyer (Please forgive any 
>> dictation=3D20 errors)=3D3D
>=20
>> =3D3D20
>>> On Jun 2, 2025, at 4:23=3D3D3DE2=3D3D3D80=3D3D3DAFAM, Amy ruell=3D20 
>>> <aruell at comcast.net> w=3D3D
> rote:
>>> =3D3D3D20
>>> =3D3D3DEF=3D3D3DBB=3D3D3DBFHi Sarah, So sorry 
>>> you=3D3D3DE2=3D3D3D80=3D3D3D99re having these difficulties. I =3D=

> worked for=3D20
>>> a b=3D3D
> usiness=3D3D3D
>> organization which implemented an inaccessible database system and 
>> did =3D=

>=20
>> not=3D3D
> h=3D3D3D
>> ing to provide accommodation other than to tell me that I could not 
>> do =3D=

>=20
>> hal=3D3D
> f o=3D3D3D
>> f my job and deprive me of the opportunity to have access to the=3D20 
>> materials=3D3D
> , I=3D3D3D
>> needed to professionally complete tasks. I 
>> don=3D3D3DE2=3D3D3D80=3D3D3D99=
t =3D
> want to=3D20
>> say=3D3D
> much p=3D3D3D
>> ublicly here, as I went to court to fight this after making 
>> numerous=3D20=

>> attem=3D3D
> pt=3D3D3D
>> s to request that they make their programs accessible. Happy to 
>> talk=3D20=

>> with y=3D3D
> o=3D3D3D
>> u off-line if you like. Unfortunately, this is not something 
>> where=3D20 legal p=3D3D
> re=3D3D3D
>> sidents are clear. I believe you know how to get in touch with 
>> me.=3D20 Please f=3D3D
> e=3D3D3D
>> el free to call.
>>> So sorry you are having these difficulties.
>>> Amy.
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>> =3D3D3D20
>>>> On Jun 1, 2025, at 11:11=3D3D3DE2=3D3D3D80=3D3D3DAFPM, Sarah Meyer 
>>>> via =3D=

> HumanSer=3D20
>>>> <hum=3D3D
> anser at n=3D3D3D
>> fbnet.org> wrote:
>>>> =3D3D3D20
>>>> =3D3D3DEF=3D3D3DBB=3D3D3DBFHello,
>>>> =3D3D3D20
>>>> I have been employed at a community mental health agency for 2 
>>>> years =3D=

>=20
>>>> now=3D3D
> =3D3D3D3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> as
>>>> a therapist and it has been the most challenging experience of 
>>>> my=3D20 life =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> in
>>>> terms of not having effective reasonable accommodations to do 
>>>> my=3D20 job. I =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> will
>>>> try to keep this as brief as possible because it has become such 
>>>> a=3D20=

>>>> =3D3D3D3D=3D3D
>=20
>>>> complex
>>>> situation but apologize in advance for the length. I will share 
>>>> some =3D=

>=20
>>>> of =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> the
>>>> major issues and my questions below. This is honestly a very=3D20 
>>>> vulnerable message for me so I just ask for grace and some=3D20 
>>>> gentleness in responses.=3D3D
>=20
>>>> =3D3D3D20
>>>> =3D3D3D3D20
>>>> =3D3D3D20
>>>> Problems:
>>>> =3D3D3D20
>>>> *    Despite having discussions prior to my hire and ongoing =3D
> advocacy
>>>> efforts, as well as reassurances from the agency for months 
>>>> that=3D20 they =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> were
>>>> prioritizing accessibility to the EMR because they recognized 
>>>> that=3D20=

>>>> our work-arounds would not be sustainable/effective, I have 
>>>> never=3D20 had access=3D3D
> =3D3D3D3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> to
>>>> use any aspect of our EMR (NextGen) with JAWS or any other 
>>>> screen=3D20 =3D3D3D3D reading options. I believe some of the issues 
>>>> are that =3D
> NextGen=3D20
>>>> is housed on a =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> Remote
>>>> Desktop, but most notably that the agency has never used the 
>>>> latest=3D2=
0
>>>> =3D3D3D3=3D3D
> D
>>>> version
>>>> of the EMR which NextGen has indicated would be most likely to 
>>>> be=3D20 compatible/accessible with JAWS because that is where 
>>>> their=3D20 developers =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> have
>>>> invested their efforts to meeting accessibility=3D20 
>>>> guidelines/requirements.=3D3D
>=20
>>>> *    The agency has indicated JAWS scripting is too expensive. They =3D=

> neve=3D3D
> r=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> engaged with me or VR when trying to reach out to explore if 
>>>> VR=3D20 could =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> 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=3D20 
>>>> accessibility =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> for me
>>>> to independently access NextGen. Eventually I got them to be 
>>>> willing =3D=

>=20
>>>> to =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> try
>>>> using Word templates for me to do documentation, which I then 
>>>> sent=3D20=

>>>> to my=3D3D
>=20
>>>> supervisor and other leadership to upload into the database. 
>>>> The=3D20 =3D3D3D3D templates have had a lot of accessibility 
>>>> barriers =3D
> themselves,=3D20
>>>> and it has been challenging, to say the least, to acquire=3D20 
>>>> information from client charts=3D3D
> =3D3D3D3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> in
>>>> accessible formats. Additionally, I can't access the calendar, =3D
> =3D3D3D3D=3D20
>>>> scheduling features, notifications of client arrivals, 
>>>> communication =3D=

>=20
>>>> intra-professionally with members of other teams involved in=3D20 
>>>> clients' =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> care,
>>>> etc. Other staff indicated repeatedly that they knew our=3D20 
>>>> work-arounds =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> were
>>>> short-term and not truly sustainable (for me, for them, for 
>>>> quality=3D2=
0
>>>> =3D3D3D3=3D3D
> D
>>>> client
>>>> care).
>>>> *    I've proposed other options including Aira, Seeing AI on work =3D
> cell,=3D3D
>=20
>>>> installation of my own provided Kurzweil 1000 and Duxbury 
>>>> Braille=3D20 Translation software onto work laptop to try to make 
>>>> various=3D20 materials =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> more
>>>> accessible, and several other accommodations proposed. I also use 
>>>> a=3D2=
0
>>>> =3D3D3D3=3D3D
> D
>>>> Focus 40
>>>> Braille Display which has had a lot of problems not pairing 
>>>> via=3D20 =3D3D3D3D Bluetooth. I have requested permission to 
>>>> transfer documents =3D=

>=20
>>>> via SD card between =3D3D3D3=3D3D
> D
>>>> Focus
>>>> display and laptop but have never received a solid response 
>>>> though=3D20=

>>>> they =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> have
>>>> previously been very hesitant to allow use of flash drives or=3D20 
>>>> anything =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> that
>>>> could potentially cause concerns about privacy, which I 
>>>> understand=3D20=

>>>> from their perspective. Wired connection with laptop works 
>>>> better,=3D20=

>>>> though =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D
>>>> still
>>>> has issues, and JAWS has had other issues as well.
>>>> *    The toll of chronic inaccessibility and having to work so much =3D=

> extr=3D3D
> a=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> to compensate for these barriers, which also apply to trainings 
>>>> and=3D2=
0
>>>> =3D3D3D3=3D3D
> D
>>>> other
>>>> aspects of the job beyond the EMR accessibility barriers, have =3D
> =3D3D3D3D=3D20
>>>> repeatedly exacerbated symptoms of multiple other chronic 
>>>> health=3D20 disabilities. I eventually had to go on an extended 
>>>> medical leave=3D20 last year. I =3D3D3D3D continually have tried 
>>>> advocating and have=3D20 frequently received no response, =3D3D3D3D 
>>>> inaccurate follow-up,=3D20 dismissiveness, and have faced an often 
>>>> hostile and =3D3D3D3D=3D20 intimidating work environment when I 
>>>> have tried to speak up and=3D20 advocate.
>>>> *    When I returned from my leave last Fall, I truly hoped there =3D
> would
>>>> be improvements; however, the agency has actually doubled down 
>>>> and=3D20=

>>>> =3D3D3D3D=3D3D
>=20
>>>> indicated
>>>> that the supposedly temporary work-arounds, which failed 
>>>> miserably=3D20=

>>>> =3D3D3D3D=3D3D
>=20
>>>> before,
>>>> are now the ongoing "accommodation system." They have come up 
>>>> with=3D20=

>>>> some =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> new
>>>> methods for notifying me of client arrivals, and there has been 
>>>> some =3D=

>=20
>>>> improvement in support staff notifying me of scheduled client =3D
> =3D3D3D3D=3D20
>>>> appointments and cancellations, but this has been inconsistent. 
>>>> The=3D2=
0
>>>> client =3D3D3D3D documentation I've requested to prepare for 
>>>> sessions=3D=
20
>>>> and help with pre-filling my templates has at times been 
>>>> missing=3D20 crucial information, not provided, =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> and
>>>> is filled with accessibility problems in their efforts to 
>>>> convert=3D20 inaccessible PDFs into Word files. The templates I am 
>>>> using for=3D20 =3D3D3D3D completing documentation are still in 
>>>> process of being =3D
> revised=3D20
>>>> for accessibility =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> and
>>>> the burden has been placed on me to provide written narratives 
>>>> of=3D20 the =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> issues
>>>> so they can "fix them". Until recently, leadership would not 
>>>> meet=3D20 with =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> me,
>>>> and this has been inconsistent.
>>>> *    I've requested having a visual assistant and have yet to =3D
> receive a
>>>> response.
>>>> *    The agency has been through significant transitions with =3D
> "merging"
>>>> under a larger umbrella parent company which has also caused a 
>>>> lot=3D20=

>>>> of confusion and worsened miscommunications. I also have had 
>>>> issues=3D2=
0
>>>> with getting clear, accurate, timely, accessible information 
>>>> and=3D20 =3D3D3D3D determinations of my leave time accommodation 
>>>> requests to=3D2=
0
>>>> manage my other health =3D3D3D3D concerns, especially during 
>>>> the=3D20 transition to new leave management entities. I was=3D3D
>=20
>>>> allowed to work remotely in the past when seeing clients, and 
>>>> during =3D=

>=20
>>>> the=3D3D
>=20
>>>> training refresher/catching up upon my return to work, but I 
>>>> was=3D20 =3D3D3D3D recently informed that I am only allowed to 
>>>> conduct client=3D=
20
>>>> sessions from the =3D3D3D3=3D3D
> D
>>>> office
>>>> and only when team leader coverage, support staff, and crisis 
>>>> staff=3D2=
0
>>>> are =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> on
>>>> site. (Never mind that many other staff are working hybrid due 
>>>> to=3D20 =3D3D3D3D limited office space, work modified schedules 
>>>> including =3D
> seeing=3D20
>>>> clients past 5PM,=3D3D
>=20
>>>> etc.).
>>>> *    I have been told I've been provided all the necessary =3D
> accommodation=3D3D
> s=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> to fulfill the essential functions of my job, despite my and 
>>>> my=3D20 medical providers' statements that this is not accurate. I 
>>>> have=3D20 received =3D3D3D3D corrective action notices/statements 
>>>> and =3D
> discussions=3D20
>>>> which place all the blame/responsibility on me for problems 
>>>> with=3D20 note timeliness, session =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> length
>>>> (running over on time), running late to sessions, etc., 
>>>> without=3D20 acknowledgement of how the accessibility barriers play 
>>>> a significant =3D=

>=20
>>>> =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D
>>>> role.
>>>> *    I am burned out but I care so much about my clients and believe =3D=

> I
>>>> have unique assets and skills to support them and the mission of 
>>>> the =3D=

>=20
>>>> =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D
>>>> agency,
>>>> plus I am not fully licensed and need the supervision (I am close 
>>>> to =3D=

>=20
>>>> =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D
>>>> being
>>>> able to apply for full LMHC licensure which would open more =3D
> options).
>>>> =3D3D3D20
>>>> =3D3D3D3D20
>>>> =3D3D3D20
>>>> Questions:
>>>> =3D3D3D20
>>>> *    I know several folks here have shared about work-arounds to
>>>> compensate for inaccessibility; I am wondering where you draw 
>>>> the=3D20 line, especially in community mental health where the 
>>>> service=3D20 delivery and documentation expectations/demands are so 
>>>> high and=3D20 able-bodied staff =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D
>>>> even
>>>> say they struggle to keep up with all of the expectations? I 
>>>> have=3D20 never =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> been
>>>> able to reach a full case load and service delivery because of 
>>>> the=3D20=

>>>> accessibility barriers and how much I've struggled to keep up as 
>>>> a=3D20=

>>>> =3D3D3D3D=3D3D
>=20
>>>> result.
>>>> It's hard to not internalize and beat myself up for not being 
>>>> able=3D20=

>>>> to =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> put in
>>>> all of the extra time and energy to compensate, especially 
>>>> because=3D20=

>>>> of =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> 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=3D20=

>>>> =3D3D3D3D=3D3D
>=20
>>>> access to
>>>> the EMR, how did you keep up with service delivery and note=3D20 
>>>> timeliness standards? How much work-life balance has been 
>>>> realistic? =3D=

>=20
>>>> I understand =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> this
>>>> can vary for each person. What accommodations have been=3D20 
>>>> non-negotiables =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> for
>>>> you?
>>>> =3D3D3D20
>>>> =3D3D3D3D20
>>>> =3D3D3D20
>>>> There's unfortunately more but I have already shared quite a lot 
>>>> =3D
> here.
>>>> Please feel free to ask questions if you need additional=3D20 
>>>> clarification. =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> I
>>>> readily admit I do have areas I am constantly needing to improve 
>>>> in, =3D=

>=20
>>>> especially when it comes to time management and being more 
>>>> concise=3D20=

>>>> (I do=3D3D
>=20
>>>> have ADHD which I am still learning to navigate and again I 
>>>> know=3D20 there =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> is
>>>> overlap with the impact of my other chronic health disabilities; 
>>>> I=3D20=

>>>> was =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> so
>>>> much better at pushing past my limits in school and 
>>>> college/grad=3D20 school =3D3D3D=3D3D
> 3D=3D3D3D
>> =3D3D20
>>>> but
>>>> chronic override of self-care is never sustainable).
>>>> =3D3D3D20
>>>> Thanks in advance for taking the time to read and share any =3D
> feedback.
>>>> =3D3D3D20
>>>> =3D3D3D3D20
>>>> =3D3D3D20
>>>> Sincerely,
>>>> =3D3D3D20
>>>> Sarah
>>>> =3D3D3D20
>>>> =3D3D3D3D20
>>>> =3D3D3D20
>>>> Sarah K. Meyer, MA, LMHCA (she/her)
>>>> =3D3D3D20
>>>> (317) 402-6632
>>>> =3D3D3D20
>>>> <mailto:Sarah.meyer55 at gmail.com> Sarah.meyer55 at gmail.com
>>>> =3D3D3D20
>>>> =3D3D3D3D20
>>>> =3D3D3D20
>>>> "Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of 
>>>> the=3D20 =3D3D3D3D overcoming of it. My optimism, then, does not 
>>>> rest on the=3D2=
0
>>>> absence of evil, but on a=3D3D
>=20
>>>> glad belief in the preponderance of good and a willing effort 
>>>> always =3D=

>=20
>>>> to cooperate with the good, that it may prevail." =3D3D3D3DAF 
>>>> Helen=3D2=
0
>>>> Keller
>>>> =3D3D3D20
>>>> =3D3D3D3D20
>>>> =3D3D3D20
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> HumanSer mailing list
>>>> HumanSer at nfbnet.org
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>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account 
>>>> info=3D20 for Hu=3D3D
> m=3D3D3D
>> anSer:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/humanser_nfbnet.org/aruell%40comc
>>>> a
>>>> st.n=3D3D
> e=3D3D3D
>> t
>>> =3D3D3D20
>> =3D3D20
>> _______________________________________________
>> HumanSer mailing list
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>> for=3D2=
0
>> Huma=3D3D
> nSer:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/humanser_nfbnet.org/knownoflove%40g
>> m
>> ail.=3D3D
> com
>=20
> _______________________________________________
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> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
>=3D
> HumanSer:
> 
>http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/humanser_nfbnet.org/justin.williams2%
>40=3D=

> gmail.com
>=20
>=20
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l.com

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