Author |
Message |
Hermione69
Member
07-23-2002
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 10:40 am
It doesn't matter, Texannie. If a person chooses not to take a new client because they don't want to, for whatever reason and no matter how justified, accommodate that person's disability, it is purely and simply discrimination. That's one of the reasons the ADA was enacted in the first place.
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 11:23 am
I was speaking in general, not if the person had a disability. Now, what if the doctor said 'I don't take anyone with Aetna HMO', and someone with a disability had Aetna HMO, would the doctor have to take that patient?
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Escapee
Member
06-15-2004
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 11:34 am
I never thought about the patient not being the person... On that note, if it's not a service dog, would another service facility have to provide the same service?
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Karuuna
Board Administrator
08-31-2000
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 11:34 am
For anyone in Colorado, I'm going to be on the channel 7 news at 5 pm.....carry on...
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Hukdonreality
Member
09-29-2003
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 11:54 am
Kar, any of these channels shown on the left? http://www.chooseandwatch.com/bycountry.php ETA: Choose the country, then it allows you to choose various stations from different states. We can ALL watch you!
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Hermione69
Member
07-23-2002
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 11:58 am
That's a good question, Texannie. I don't know. I would think probably not because the reason the person is being refused is because of the person's insurance, not the person's disability. Good luck, Karuuna!
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Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 12:00 pm
Good luck Kar! xox
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Jimmer
Moderator
08-30-2000
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 12:05 pm
I'm not sure exactly what is going on but I wish you all the best, Kar.
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 12:15 pm
Yes, if the disabled person contacts the office, other arrangements can be made. For example, rather than having a sign language interpreter, the patient and the office can agree on using writing as the form of communication. But both parties have to agree. And while the animal is the patient, do you really think the animal is going to be able to explain that he needs to be neutered, or needs his rabies shot, or that he has a sore tummy? Just sayin'... (Also, the animal is not the one responsible for costs incurred.) The ADA is VERY specific about what you can and cannot do.
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 12:40 pm
Kar, I want to say 'how exciting', but is it?? Is this good?
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 1:05 pm
Kar, I'd have my mom in Co Springs watch, but I need to tell her what to watch for. 
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Dogdoc
Member
09-29-2001
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 1:13 pm
Thank you everybody. We do want to accommodate this client but we have never faced this situation before. We have several deaf clients and have communicatd well with them by writing things out.
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Colordeagua
Member
10-25-2003
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 1:26 pm
I haven't read the whole discussion. Long way around it, but may be shortest / easiest? Could you find someone with a brail writer / typewriter who could be at the clinic when deaf-blind person is there? You could communicate through brail -- that's if deaf-blind person knows brail. Could be the easiest / least $$ way to go?
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Colordeagua
Member
10-25-2003
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 1:35 pm
Serate said upthread -- Wouldn't the person bringing the dog's owner be able to translate? I was thinking that before I read it. Would blind-deaf person be coming to clinic with dog on public transportation? I would think s/he could communicate through person who is providing transportation.
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Biloxibelle
Member
12-21-2001
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 1:44 pm
If a doctor does not accept certain insurances they are not turning the patient away. Their office just won't file your insurance. You are welcome to pay cash.
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Dogdoc
Member
09-29-2001
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 1:59 pm
Good idea about the brail writer Colordeagua. We have never refused to see a client because of a disability. What bothers us is we have to find the interpreter AND foot the bill. Good luck Karuuna. You will do a great job.
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Hukdonreality
Member
09-29-2003
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 2:11 pm
Don't get me wrong or bite my head off, I spent my career working with people with disabilities, so I understand their needs. While I understand accommodations, is it fair to pay $60.00 an hour for an interpreter if the bill isn't even going to cover that?
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 2:15 pm
I don't have an answer, but then what is the deaf/blind person to do? Be forced to pay that fee or not get services? How does a person with such huge disabilities even make money?
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 2:15 pm
Hukd, doesn't matter whether it is fair or not. The law says that you can't charge the patient and that there is no correlation between the cost of providing the interpretive services and the cost of services rendered. The cost of providing the service is considered a business expense and is part of the overall, annual, cost of doing business. And you can't charge the patient extra to cover the costs. Look at it another way. Your doctor has a set rate for office visits (say $50). The doctor assumes a visit is a half hour. But if you are there for an hour, the doctor doesn't charge you for two visits. It's the cost of doing business.
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Dogdoc
Member
09-29-2001
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 2:23 pm
But we are forced to pay that fee or else.
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Hukdonreality
Member
09-29-2003
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 2:32 pm
What I DO believe in is what is termed "reasonable accommodations". If writing notes was working for Dogdoc and her hearing impaired or deaf patients, that should suffice. As far as blind AND deaf patients, I would have to assume that they would probably have personal assistants of some sort who would be coming with them to appointments. And yes, I understand what the laws are. I'm merely stating my opinion that it doesn't make sense to be forced to go beyond "reasonable accommodations" if they are currently working.
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Colordeagua
Member
10-25-2003
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 2:50 pm
Helen Keller was blind and deaf. Possibly Helen Keller Services For the Blind might be able to help or have some suggestions.
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 3:03 pm
Deaf/blind people can travel independently. In fact, I'd imagine quite a few appreciate the independence. Assuming that the person who is deaf/blind travels with a personal assistant of some sort is an erroneous assumption. Sorry Hukd, but I'm gonna disagree with you. $60 an hour is not an unreasonable amount when considered a business expense. If every one of Dogdoc's patients (or human owners of patients) required interpretive assistance, then yes, she could increase her rates to cover the cost of doing business. And what price do you place on good will, by acommodating people with special requirements? If paying for an interpreter -- on rare occasions -- is going to break your business, then odds are very high your business was close to breaking anyways. (Independence to a person with any disability is a highly prized possession. My blind beau hated it when I offered to do things for him. Often, he preferred to struggle himself, just for the sense of accomplishment.)
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Escapee
Member
06-15-2004
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 3:05 pm
Costacat, that makes a lot of sense. Plus I am sure it is a write off or can be considered a charitable contribution of some sort.
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Hukdonreality
Member
09-29-2003
| Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 3:14 pm
Feel free to disagree. Does anyone think I would actually refuse to offer a service to someone with special needs if the accommodations we were using weren't sufficient? You don't know me at all then.
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