Intangible barriers and the lack services to assist... even when paid
Saturday, March 28, 2009
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On the topic of getting answers in one spot, the issues I often face are the intangible, ones we don't talk about in the standards or the AODA.
What my employee assistance program suggested was that they would find a paid assistant, or a volunteer who could accompany me in the evening to go to the stores and public spaces so I could be independent and get things done. They suggested this after I described what happens when I have to rely on the kindness of strangers to help. There are two very frustrating outcomes that can come out of relying on the assistance of strangers or an employee.
The employee assistance program tried to even find me a service or an agency that could be paid to provide me this help, but they either couldn't find one that would work in the evening, or one that would consider me eligible to receive the service, even if paid.
Please read my other blogs:
Transit: http://wheelchairdemon-transit.blogspot.com
Health Care: http://wheelchairdemon-health.blogspot.com
What my employee assistance program suggested was that they would find a paid assistant, or a volunteer who could accompany me in the evening to go to the stores and public spaces so I could be independent and get things done. They suggested this after I described what happens when I have to rely on the kindness of strangers to help. There are two very frustrating outcomes that can come out of relying on the assistance of strangers or an employee.
- The store employee either doesn't have a clue what is stocked in the store, doesn't have a clue where to find it, or doesn't understand plain English when you ask them where a product is. For example, I went to Zellers to buy a Paper Towel holder and the employee didn't understand what I meant because there are two kinds; one that stands up and the other that screws on the wall. I wanted the one that screws on the wall. She said they don't make them anymore. You have to buy the kind that stands up. Another employee came along and said, oh yes, we carry those.... they're in aisle number whatever. When I got to the aisle number named, it turned out to be automotive supplies. I was sent packing to 3 other wrong aisles before I gave up and came home. My battery was running low and so was my patience.
The same thing happened when I went to buy a salt and pepper shaker. The lid broke on mine. I was told in about 4 different box stores that they don't make salt shakers anymore. I'd have to buy a Rock Salt Grinder... and who knows where you buy the rock salt to put in them.... I eventually found some ugly looking salt shaker that will do the trick for now, but that took 4 nights of fruitless searching. - The other thing that happens is if you can't reach something, the strangers get real frustrated when you ask for help, point to something a long way off, ask to take a closer look, and then decide upon closer inspection that you don't want it because it won't meet your needs. They expect me to buy the first thing they reach down.
The employee assistance program tried to even find me a service or an agency that could be paid to provide me this help, but they either couldn't find one that would work in the evening, or one that would consider me eligible to receive the service, even if paid.
Please read my other blogs:
Transit: http://wheelchairdemon-transit.blogspot.com
Health Care: http://wheelchairdemon-health.blogspot.com
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