4-14-99 RSA Regions IX and X Focus Group - Ideal Rehabilitation Agency
Recognizes individuals who come in, that they may be different from others.
Recognizes the uniqueness of each eye diseases in each situation.
Ability to understand the hurdles faced by each individual.
Sensitivity on the part of the agency.
The staff has professional skills.
Counseling skills are available if needed.
Counselors can deal with the emotional aspects of disability.
There is someone who can help you recognize what's happening to you.
Medical doctors may not help the person deal with the disease process. The ideal agency would have educational processes to get people to the agency early (to show doctors the importance of referrals). The ideal agency needs to have a person who communicates with doctors and lets them know what's available.
Information, support, education.
"Patient" support program - The ideal agency needs to be a leader between service providers.
More education on assistive technology as related to jobs. Agency staff should have and/or know about the best equipment; they should be totally versed in what's available.
The ideal agency will bring information regarding blindness to public attention through the media, public service announcements, etc. More information about the agency needs to be available to the public.
The ideal agency will demonstrate good communication with other agencies, service providers, and resources.
The agency could probably find plenty of volunteers.
No bureaucracy.
People should want to hire you out of state agency programs.
The counselor gets to know the consumer, the consumer's desires, interests, etc. and uses that knowledge to help the consumer.
The counselor should listen to the consumer.
Return calls promptly
The counselor spends enough time with the consumer to understand his/her situation.
The counselor should assure consumer choice.
There should be broad choices.
Programs should not be age-based
Consumers should feel worthy
Agency should have information on transportation
All agencies should communicate more
Availability of "daily" services
Counselor needs to know services, i.e. support groups, news reader services.
Support groups are important
Individual has to accept some responsibility
Prompt response to referrals
Tie with university disability services office
Agency puts priority on training of its staff
Need to mobilize volunteers. The agency should capture the volunteer spirit of former consumers.
Agency should help consumers understand available resources.
Recognition of social interests of consumers
Hope - new energy base
Appropriate evaluation (psychological, etc.)
Confidentiality must be maintained but the agency should connect people.
In the work situation, the counselor needs to spend time with the consumer's supervisor/manager. Work site evaluation is also important (addressing low vision as well as assistive technology).
Early interventions
Outreach explaining to supervisor/employer what blindness/low vision means
Trainers need to have sensitivity to individuality
Check individual's underlying problems, other disabilities, etc.
Counseling regarding the ADA and rights.
Recap:
Recognition of the individual - sensitivity, listening, respect (phone calls returned, etc.)
Counseling skills - Professional knowledge (AT, medical aspects) - good information
Coordination among agencies and with medical community, communication
Support services, support groups
Publicity - regarding the agency and regarding blindness
No bureaucracy
Choice
Capture volunteer spirit of former consumers
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