Date
1 - 18 of 18
508
Ronald Drach
I have a meeting Wednesday morning with staff for the Senate Committee on Aging re: VA’s shortfall on compliance with Section 508 of the Rehab Act.
Some of you have significant more experience/knowledge on these issues than I do so I am requesting your input as to some issues you are aware of and perhaps willing to talk about.
I don’t know HLAA’s thoughts but I would like to offer them an opportunity to meet with us next week so they could have a more direct interchange of info with those of you willing to talk with them.
A few issues I plan on bringing up include:
Access to audiology medical exam results (I know some of you have mentioned that and I have had that problem)
Loop - I know nothing about this except how to spell it
I know there has been some chatter on other issues but don’t recall them now.
Did we ever decide on the survey? Maybe we can discuss possible questions from them for a survey.
For this meeting I will speak only for myself and no one else.
Let me know what you think and Carla please let me know HLAA’s position on inviting them and/or working with them to perhaps doing a survey for them.
See you all next week.
Ron
http://www.conceptscommunications.com/team/ronald-drach/
Some of you have significant more experience/knowledge on these issues than I do so I am requesting your input as to some issues you are aware of and perhaps willing to talk about.
I don’t know HLAA’s thoughts but I would like to offer them an opportunity to meet with us next week so they could have a more direct interchange of info with those of you willing to talk with them.
A few issues I plan on bringing up include:
Access to audiology medical exam results (I know some of you have mentioned that and I have had that problem)
Loop - I know nothing about this except how to spell it
I know there has been some chatter on other issues but don’t recall them now.
Did we ever decide on the survey? Maybe we can discuss possible questions from them for a survey.
For this meeting I will speak only for myself and no one else.
Let me know what you think and Carla please let me know HLAA’s position on inviting them and/or working with them to perhaps doing a survey for them.
See you all next week.
Ron
http://www.conceptscommunications.com/team/ronald-drach/
N Y Business
LOOP. I'm not sure but I saw an illustration and it looked to be how to give veterans the " run around".
There isn't Close captions in the Video appointments. Which the DOJ requires.
There is an online portal for veterans to access their medical records called " Blue Dot " You can get about everything except an audiogram from the audiology department. Or anything from audiology for that matter.
In Spite of having a secure message app on their website. Medical personnel seem to insist on calling when they know you are HOH. That works to their benefit and if one uses secure messaging. you can get banned and even put on a " Disruptive Behaviour Veteran" and a flag is placed in your records, So being HOH at the VA is Punished .
I have been banned and am still on the DBL.. Even after they admitted they were wrong to ban me from secure messaging.
On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 3:14 PM Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:
I have a meeting Wednesday morning with staff for the Senate Committee on Aging re: VA’s shortfall on compliance with Section 508 of the Rehab Act.
Some of you have significant more experience/knowledge on these issues than I do so I am requesting your input as to some issues you are aware of and perhaps willing to talk about.
I don’t know HLAA’s thoughts but I would like to offer them an opportunity to meet with us next week so they could have a more direct interchange of info with those of you willing to talk with them.
A few issues I plan on bringing up include:
Access to audiology medical exam results (I know some of you have mentioned that and I have had that problem)
Loop - I know nothing about this except how to spell it
I know there has been some chatter on other issues but don’t recall them now.
Did we ever decide on the survey? Maybe we can discuss possible questions from them for a survey.
For this meeting I will speak only for myself and no one else.
Let me know what you think and Carla please let me know HLAA’s position on inviting them and/or working with them to perhaps doing a survey for them.
See you all next week.
Ron
http://www.conceptscommunications.com/team/ronald-drach/
Ronald Drach
Wow! Thanks. This is very helpful especially about the lack of captioning on video appointments. I’ve never had one so wasn’t aware of that and didn’t think about it. Raises another issue with Microsoft Teams and Zoom.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Ron
http://www.conceptscommunications.com/team/ronald-drach/
On Apr 11, 2022, at 4:37 PM, N Y Business <black8765309.8765309@...> wrote:
LOOP. I'm not sure but I saw an illustration and it looked to be how to give veterans the " run around".
There isn't Close captions in the Video appointments. Which the DOJ requires.
There is an online portal for veterans to access their medical records called " Blue Dot " You can get about everything except an audiogram from the audiology department. Or anything from audiology for that matter.
In Spite of having a secure message app on their website. Medical personnel seem to insist on calling when they know you are HOH. That works to their benefit and if one uses secure messaging. you can get banned and even put on a " Disruptive Behaviour Veteran" and a flag is placed in your records, So being HOH at the VA is Punished .
I have been banned and am still on the DBL.. Even after they admitted they were wrong to ban me from secure messaging.
On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 3:14 PM Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:
I have a meeting Wednesday morning with staff for the Senate Committee on Aging re: VA’s shortfall on compliance with Section 508 of the Rehab Act.
Some of you have significant more experience/knowledge on these issues than I do so I am requesting your input as to some issues you are aware of and perhaps willing to talk about.
I don’t know HLAA’s thoughts but I would like to offer them an opportunity to meet with us next week so they could have a more direct interchange of info with those of you willing to talk with them.
A few issues I plan on bringing up include:
Access to audiology medical exam results (I know some of you have mentioned that and I have had that problem)
Loop - I know nothing about this except how to spell it
I know there has been some chatter on other issues but don’t recall them now.
Did we ever decide on the survey? Maybe we can discuss possible questions from them for a survey.
For this meeting I will speak only for myself and no one else.
Let me know what you think and Carla please let me know HLAA’s position on inviting them and/or working with them to perhaps doing a survey for them.
See you all next week.
Ron
http://www.conceptscommunications.com/team/ronald-drach/
Jim Rau
VA Directive VHA DIRECTIVE 1170.02 spells out audiology care for veterans. That is, who can get care and what they can get. It seems to stop short of aural rehabilitation and follow up care. Those things are available but apparently veterans must request care beyond being fitted with hearing aids or CIs.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
VA is aware of the issue of no captioning on their VVC (Veterans Video Connect) video conferencing platform. They are working on a “fix” at this time. It should be operational soon.
Regarding hearing access at medical facilities I don’t see any internal VA administrative policy. I’m aware that the facilities I visit do have some ALDs (assistive listening devices) available. The trouble is they are not commonly offered by providers. Veterans need to ASK for help. That is something most veterans just don’t do. I see efforts by medical staff to help veterans but are not familiar with the technology available. Audiology does have the technology but often don’t coordinate well with other medical staff. I understand that many staff are now discussing these things at internal meetings. I don’t know anything that is driven by administration but then I’m not is a position to see that if it is happening. Maybe it is.
For example the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis has pocket talkers and even loaner hearing aids available. But getting the veterans in need connected to the devices doesn’t always happen without the veteran making the request.
Personally I always take my remote microphone to my medical appointments and ask the Dr to wear it so I can hear her voice from behind her mask and face shield. The VA has provided the remote microphones. I also keep my smartphone handy to use a speech-to-text app if needed too.
Jim
On Apr 11, 2022, at 3:37 PM, N Y Business <black8765309.8765309@...> wrote:LOOP. I'm not sure but I saw an illustration and it looked to be how to give veterans the " run around".There isn't Close captions in the Video appointments. Which the DOJ requires.There is an online portal for veterans to access their medical records called " Blue Dot " You can get about everything except an audiogram from the audiology department. Or anything from audiology for that matter.In Spite of having a secure message app on their website. Medical personnel seem to insist on calling when they know you are HOH. That works to their benefit and if one uses secure messaging. you can get banned and even put on a " Disruptive Behaviour Veteran" and a flag is placed in your records, So being HOH at the VA is Punished .I have been banned and am still on the DBL.. Even after they admitted they were wrong to ban me from secure messaging.On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 3:14 PM Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:I have a meeting Wednesday morning with staff for the Senate Committee on Aging re: VA’s shortfall on compliance with Section 508 of the Rehab Act.
Some of you have significant more experience/knowledge on these issues than I do so I am requesting your input as to some issues you are aware of and perhaps willing to talk about.
I don’t know HLAA’s thoughts but I would like to offer them an opportunity to meet with us next week so they could have a more direct interchange of info with those of you willing to talk with them.
A few issues I plan on bringing up include:
Access to audiology medical exam results (I know some of you have mentioned that and I have had that problem)
Loop - I know nothing about this except how to spell it
I know there has been some chatter on other issues but don’t recall them now.
Did we ever decide on the survey? Maybe we can discuss possible questions from them for a survey.
For this meeting I will speak only for myself and no one else.
Let me know what you think and Carla please let me know HLAA’s position on inviting them and/or working with them to perhaps doing a survey for them.
See you all next week.
Ron
http://www.conceptscommunications.com/team/ronald-drach/
N Y Business
You're welcome..
I can get MRI images XRays. all the info to go with them. Colonoscopy images and all the doctors notes/ But audiology? Nope,, You have to fill out a release of information request and wait for that. I live 90 miles away so the internet is critical to me as well as in Secure messaging. Being HOH I use that more and prefer to use that over phone calls. Even with a caption phone. I prefer messaging. Well that requires more messages and I was banned from secure messaging for excessive messages. They know I am hearing impaited but they don't have any issue with banning hearing disabled Veterans from the one thing that I've thought was going to be a plus for us. There are 3.5 million hearing impaired veterans and 1/2 that many are service connected. So secure messaging was going to be a good thing. As it turned out,It wasn't for our benefit after all.
On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 4:43 PM Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:
Wow! Thanks. This is very helpful especially about the lack of captioning on video appointments. I’ve never had one so wasn’t aware of that and didn’t think about it. Raises another issue with Microsoft Teams and Zoom.LOOP. I'm not sure but I saw an illustration and it looked to be how to give veterans the " run around".There isn't Close captions in the Video appointments. Which the DOJ requires.There is an online portal for veterans to access their medical records called " Blue Dot " You can get about everything except an audiogram from the audiology department. Or anything from audiology for that matter.In Spite of having a secure message app on their website. Medical personnel seem to insist on calling when they know you are HOH. That works to their benefit and if one uses secure messaging. you can get banned and even put on a " Disruptive Behaviour Veteran" and a flag is placed in your records, So being HOH at the VA is Punished .I have been banned and am still on the DBL.. Even after they admitted they were wrong to ban me from secure messaging.On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 3:14 PM Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:I have a meeting Wednesday morning with staff for the Senate Committee on Aging re: VA’s shortfall on compliance with Section 508 of the Rehab Act.
Some of you have significant more experience/knowledge on these issues than I do so I am requesting your input as to some issues you are aware of and perhaps willing to talk about.
I don’t know HLAA’s thoughts but I would like to offer them an opportunity to meet with us next week so they could have a more direct interchange of info with those of you willing to talk with them.
A few issues I plan on bringing up include:
Access to audiology medical exam results (I know some of you have mentioned that and I have had that problem)
Loop - I know nothing about this except how to spell it
I know there has been some chatter on other issues but don’t recall them now.
Did we ever decide on the survey? Maybe we can discuss possible questions from them for a survey.
For this meeting I will speak only for myself and no one else.
Let me know what you think and Carla please let me know HLAA’s position on inviting them and/or working with them to perhaps doing a survey for them.
See you all next week.
Ron
http://www.conceptscommunications.com/team/ronald-drach/
N Y Business
On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 5:06 PM N Y Business via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <black8765309.8765309=gmail.com@...> wrote:
You're welcome..I can get MRI images XRays. all the info to go with them. Colonoscopy images and all the doctors notes/ But audiology? Nope,, You have to fill out a release of information request and wait for that. I live 90 miles away so the internet is critical to me as well as in Secure messaging. Being HOH I use that more and prefer to use that over phone calls. Even with a caption phone. I prefer messaging. Well that requires more messages and I was banned from secure messaging for excessive messages. They know I am hearing impaited but they don't have any issue with banning hearing disabled Veterans from the one thing that I've thought was going to be a plus for us. There are 3.5 million hearing impaired veterans and 1/2 that many are service connected. So secure messaging was going to be a good thing. As it turned out,It wasn't for our benefit after all.On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 4:43 PM Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:Wow! Thanks. This is very helpful especially about the lack of captioning on video appointments. I’ve never had one so wasn’t aware of that and didn’t think about it. Raises another issue with Microsoft Teams and Zoom.LOOP. I'm not sure but I saw an illustration and it looked to be how to give veterans the " run around".There isn't Close captions in the Video appointments. Which the DOJ requires.There is an online portal for veterans to access their medical records called " Blue Dot " You can get about everything except an audiogram from the audiology department. Or anything from audiology for that matter.In Spite of having a secure message app on their website. Medical personnel seem to insist on calling when they know you are HOH. That works to their benefit and if one uses secure messaging. you can get banned and even put on a " Disruptive Behaviour Veteran" and a flag is placed in your records, So being HOH at the VA is Punished .I have been banned and am still on the DBL.. Even after they admitted they were wrong to ban me from secure messaging.On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 3:14 PM Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:I have a meeting Wednesday morning with staff for the Senate Committee on Aging re: VA’s shortfall on compliance with Section 508 of the Rehab Act.
Some of you have significant more experience/knowledge on these issues than I do so I am requesting your input as to some issues you are aware of and perhaps willing to talk about.
I don’t know HLAA’s thoughts but I would like to offer them an opportunity to meet with us next week so they could have a more direct interchange of info with those of you willing to talk with them.
A few issues I plan on bringing up include:
Access to audiology medical exam results (I know some of you have mentioned that and I have had that problem)
Loop - I know nothing about this except how to spell it
I know there has been some chatter on other issues but don’t recall them now.
Did we ever decide on the survey? Maybe we can discuss possible questions from them for a survey.
For this meeting I will speak only for myself and no one else.
Let me know what you think and Carla please let me know HLAA’s position on inviting them and/or working with them to perhaps doing a survey for them.
See you all next week.
Ron
http://www.conceptscommunications.com/team/ronald-drach/
Ronald Drach
Thanks Jim
Ron
Ron Drach, President
Drach Consulting
240-413-3183
On Monday, April 11, 2022, 06:05:22 PM EDT, Jim Rau <jimrau@...> wrote:
VA Directive VHA DIRECTIVE 1170.02 spells out audiology care for veterans. That is, who can get care and what they can get. It seems to stop short of aural rehabilitation and follow up care. Those things are available but apparently veterans must request care beyond being fitted with hearing aids or CIs.
VA is aware of the issue of no captioning on their VVC (Veterans Video Connect) video conferencing platform. They are working on a “fix” at this time. It should be operational soon.
Regarding hearing access at medical facilities I don’t see any internal VA administrative policy. I’m aware that the facilities I visit do have some ALDs (assistive listening devices) available. The trouble is they are not commonly offered by providers. Veterans need to ASK for help. That is something most veterans just don’t do. I see efforts by medical staff to help veterans but are not familiar with the technology available. Audiology does have the technology but often don’t coordinate well with other medical staff. I understand that many staff are now discussing these things at internal meetings. I don’t know anything that is driven by administration but then I’m not is a position to see that if it is happening. Maybe it is.
For example the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis has pocket talkers and even loaner hearing aids available. But getting the veterans in need connected to the devices doesn’t always happen without the veteran making the request.
Personally I always take my remote microphone to my medical appointments and ask the Dr to wear it so I can hear her voice from behind her mask and face shield. The VA has provided the remote microphones. I also keep my smartphone handy to use a speech-to-text app if needed too.
Jim
On Apr 11, 2022, at 3:37 PM, N Y Business <black8765309.8765309@...> wrote:
LOOP. I'm not sure but I saw an illustration and it looked to be how to give veterans the " run around".
There isn't Close captions in the Video appointments. Which the DOJ requires.
There is an online portal for veterans to access their medical records called " Blue Dot " You can get about everything except an audiogram from the audiology department. Or anything from audiology for that matter.
In Spite of having a secure message app on their website. Medical personnel seem to insist on calling when they know you are HOH. That works to their benefit and if one uses secure messaging. you can get banned and even put on a " Disruptive Behaviour Veteran" and a flag is placed in your records, So being HOH at the VA is Punished .
I have been banned and am still on the DBL.. Even after they admitted they were wrong to ban me from secure messaging.
On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 3:14 PM Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:
I have a meeting Wednesday morning with staff for the Senate Committee on Aging re: VA’s shortfall on compliance with Section 508 of the Rehab Act.
Some of you have significant more experience/knowledge on these issues than I do so I am requesting your input as to some issues you are aware of and perhaps willing to talk about.
I don’t know HLAA’s thoughts but I would like to offer them an opportunity to meet with us next week so they could have a more direct interchange of info with those of you willing to talk with them.
A few issues I plan on bringing up include:
Access to audiology medical exam results (I know some of you have mentioned that and I have had that problem)
Loop - I know nothing about this except how to spell it
I know there has been some chatter on other issues but don’t recall them now.
Did we ever decide on the survey? Maybe we can discuss possible questions from them for a survey.
For this meeting I will speak only for myself and no one else.
Let me know what you think and Carla please let me know HLAA’s position on inviting them and/or working with them to perhaps doing a survey for them.
See you all next week.
Ron
http://www.conceptscommunications.com/team/ronald-drach/
Steve Sterry
Ron:
The complaint that Mr. Black has is that he cannot get his audiograms on the VA Premium system files. I checked my own audio appointments on my VA Blue Ribbon Reports and found that, although the audiograms were not graphically reproduced, my own audiologists in Long Beach published the plot points so that any audiologist outside the VA could reconstruct my audiograms. I emailed Mr. Black to let him know about this, but his response was that he should be able to get the audiograms themselves.
Steven C. Sterry, M.A./M.B.A.
10149 Grayling AV. – Whittier, CA 90603-2608
Phone (562) 947-2258
Email: steve.sterry@...
On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 1:14 PM Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:
I have a meeting Wednesday morning with staff for the Senate Committee on Aging re: VA’s shortfall on compliance with Section 508 of the Rehab Act.
Some of you have significant more experience/knowledge on these issues than I do so I am requesting your input as to some issues you are aware of and perhaps willing to talk about.
I don’t know HLAA’s thoughts but I would like to offer them an opportunity to meet with us next week so they could have a more direct interchange of info with those of you willing to talk with them.
A few issues I plan on bringing up include:
Access to audiology medical exam results (I know some of you have mentioned that and I have had that problem)
Loop - I know nothing about this except how to spell it
I know there has been some chatter on other issues but don’t recall them now.
Did we ever decide on the survey? Maybe we can discuss possible questions from them for a survey.
For this meeting I will speak only for myself and no one else.
Let me know what you think and Carla please let me know HLAA’s position on inviting them and/or working with them to perhaps doing a survey for them.
See you all next week.
Ron
http://www.conceptscommunications.com/team/ronald-drach/
Ronald Drach
This is incredible. Have you taken any action through your VSO or anyone else?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Ron
http://www.conceptscommunications.com/team/ronald-drach/
On Apr 11, 2022, at 6:06 PM, N Y Business <black8765309.8765309@...> wrote:
You're welcome..
I can get MRI images XRays. all the info to go with them. Colonoscopy images and all the doctors notes/ But audiology? Nope,, You have to fill out a release of information request and wait for that. I live 90 miles away so the internet is critical to me as well as in Secure messaging. Being HOH I use that more and prefer to use that over phone calls. Even with a caption phone. I prefer messaging. Well that requires more messages and I was banned from secure messaging for excessive messages. They know I am hearing impaited but they don't have any issue with banning hearing disabled Veterans from the one thing that I've thought was going to be a plus for us. There are 3.5 million hearing impaired veterans and 1/2 that many are service connected. So secure messaging was going to be a good thing. As it turned out,It wasn't for our benefit after all.
On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 4:43 PM Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:
Wow! Thanks. This is very helpful especially about the lack of captioning on video appointments. I’ve never had one so wasn’t aware of that and didn’t think about it. Raises another issue with Microsoft Teams and Zoom.LOOP. I'm not sure but I saw an illustration and it looked to be how to give veterans the " run around".There isn't Close captions in the Video appointments. Which the DOJ requires.There is an online portal for veterans to access their medical records called " Blue Dot " You can get about everything except an audiogram from the audiology department. Or anything from audiology for that matter.In Spite of having a secure message app on their website. Medical personnel seem to insist on calling when they know you are HOH. That works to their benefit and if one uses secure messaging. you can get banned and even put on a " Disruptive Behaviour Veteran" and a flag is placed in your records, So being HOH at the VA is Punished .I have been banned and am still on the DBL.. Even after they admitted they were wrong to ban me from secure messaging.On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 3:14 PM Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:I have a meeting Wednesday morning with staff for the Senate Committee on Aging re: VA’s shortfall on compliance with Section 508 of the Rehab Act.
Some of you have significant more experience/knowledge on these issues than I do so I am requesting your input as to some issues you are aware of and perhaps willing to talk about.
I don’t know HLAA’s thoughts but I would like to offer them an opportunity to meet with us next week so they could have a more direct interchange of info with those of you willing to talk with them.
A few issues I plan on bringing up include:
Access to audiology medical exam results (I know some of you have mentioned that and I have had that problem)
Loop - I know nothing about this except how to spell it
I know there has been some chatter on other issues but don’t recall them now.
Did we ever decide on the survey? Maybe we can discuss possible questions from them for a survey.
For this meeting I will speak only for myself and no one else.
Let me know what you think and Carla please let me know HLAA’s position on inviting them and/or working with them to perhaps doing a survey for them.
See you all next week.
Ron
http://www.conceptscommunications.com/team/ronald-drach/
Steve Sterry
The VA Vet Centers in the Los Angeles Area have switched their teleconnection services to Cisco's Webex. Webex has onscreen captioning available. I am wondering whether or not this is a regional switch or a national switch.
Steven C. Sterry, M.A./M.B.A.
10149 Grayling AV. – Whittier, CA 90603-2608
Phone (562) 947-2258
Email: steve.sterry@...
On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 2:43 PM Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:
Wow! Thanks. This is very helpful especially about the lack of captioning on video appointments. I’ve never had one so wasn’t aware of that and didn’t think about it. Raises another issue with Microsoft Teams and Zoom.LOOP. I'm not sure but I saw an illustration and it looked to be how to give veterans the " run around".There isn't Close captions in the Video appointments. Which the DOJ requires.There is an online portal for veterans to access their medical records called " Blue Dot " You can get about everything except an audiogram from the audiology department. Or anything from audiology for that matter.In Spite of having a secure message app on their website. Medical personnel seem to insist on calling when they know you are HOH. That works to their benefit and if one uses secure messaging. you can get banned and even put on a " Disruptive Behaviour Veteran" and a flag is placed in your records, So being HOH at the VA is Punished .I have been banned and am still on the DBL.. Even after they admitted they were wrong to ban me from secure messaging.On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 3:14 PM Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:I have a meeting Wednesday morning with staff for the Senate Committee on Aging re: VA’s shortfall on compliance with Section 508 of the Rehab Act.
Some of you have significant more experience/knowledge on these issues than I do so I am requesting your input as to some issues you are aware of and perhaps willing to talk about.
I don’t know HLAA’s thoughts but I would like to offer them an opportunity to meet with us next week so they could have a more direct interchange of info with those of you willing to talk with them.
A few issues I plan on bringing up include:
Access to audiology medical exam results (I know some of you have mentioned that and I have had that problem)
Loop - I know nothing about this except how to spell it
I know there has been some chatter on other issues but don’t recall them now.
Did we ever decide on the survey? Maybe we can discuss possible questions from them for a survey.
For this meeting I will speak only for myself and no one else.
Let me know what you think and Carla please let me know HLAA’s position on inviting them and/or working with them to perhaps doing a survey for them.
See you all next week.
Ron
http://www.conceptscommunications.com/team/ronald-drach/
Ronald Drach
Thanks! I didn’t know that but I agree with Mr. Black.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I recently had an Audiolgy appointment with my private audiologist. I was able to get my last exam directly from my VA Audiologist who is phenomenal.
Shouldn’t have to do that. We should be able to access it ourself.
Ron
http://www.conceptscommunications.com/team/ronald-drach/
On Apr 11, 2022, at 6:38 PM, Steve Sterry <steve.sterry@...> wrote:
Ron:
The complaint that Mr. Black has is that he cannot get his audiograms on the VA Premium system files. I checked my own audio appointments on my VA Blue Ribbon Reports and found that, although the audiograms were not graphically reproduced, my own audiologists in Long Beach published the plot points so that any audiologist outside the VA could reconstruct my audiograms. I emailed Mr. Black to let him know about this, but his response was that he should be able to get the audiograms themselves.
Steven C. Sterry, M.A./M.B.A.
10149 Grayling AV. – Whittier, CA 90603-2608
Phone (562) 947-2258
Email: steve.sterry@...
On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 1:14 PM Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:
I have a meeting Wednesday morning with staff for the Senate Committee on Aging re: VA’s shortfall on compliance with Section 508 of the Rehab Act.
Some of you have significant more experience/knowledge on these issues than I do so I am requesting your input as to some issues you are aware of and perhaps willing to talk about.
I don’t know HLAA’s thoughts but I would like to offer them an opportunity to meet with us next week so they could have a more direct interchange of info with those of you willing to talk with them.
A few issues I plan on bringing up include:
Access to audiology medical exam results (I know some of you have mentioned that and I have had that problem)
Loop - I know nothing about this except how to spell it
I know there has been some chatter on other issues but don’t recall them now.
Did we ever decide on the survey? Maybe we can discuss possible questions from them for a survey.
For this meeting I will speak only for myself and no one else.
Let me know what you think and Carla please let me know HLAA’s position on inviting them and/or working with them to perhaps doing a survey for them.
See you all next week.
Ron
http://www.conceptscommunications.com/team/ronald-drach/
Karl Hallsten
Good luck. Keep us informed. Advocate is what is way to rare and my sense is the VA doesn’t like it.
The
Vet organic
Zations like the VFW don’t help because their members are deep on denial.
Karl
From: HLAAVeterans@... <HLAAVeterans@...> on behalf of Steve Sterry via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org
<steve.sterry=gmail.com@...>
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2022 3:41:54 PM
To: HLAAVeterans@... <HLAAVeterans@...>
Subject: Re: [HLAAVeterans] 508
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2022 3:41:54 PM
To: HLAAVeterans@... <HLAAVeterans@...>
Subject: Re: [HLAAVeterans] 508
The VA Vet Centers in the Los Angeles Area have switched their teleconnection services to Cisco's Webex. Webex has onscreen captioning available. I am wondering whether or not this is a regional switch or a national switch.
Steven C. Sterry, M.A./M.B.A.
10149 Grayling AV. – Whittier, CA 90603-2608
Phone (562) 947-2258
Email: steve.sterry@...
On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 2:43 PM Ronald Drach via
hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:
Wow! Thanks. This is very helpful especially about the lack of captioning on video appointments. I’ve never had one so wasn’t aware of that and didn’t think about it. Raises another issue with Microsoft Teams and Zoom.
LOOP. I'm not sure but I saw an illustration and it looked to be how to give veterans the " run around".
There isn't Close captions in the Video appointments. Which the DOJ requires.
There is an online portal for veterans to access their medical records called " Blue Dot " You can get about everything except an audiogram from the audiology department. Or anything from audiology for that matter.
In Spite of having a secure message app on their website. Medical personnel seem to insist on calling when they know you are HOH. That works to their benefit and if one uses secure messaging. you can get banned and even put on a " Disruptive Behaviour Veteran" and a flag is placed in your records, So being HOH at the VA is Punished .
I have been banned and am still on the DBL.. Even after they admitted they were wrong to ban me from secure messaging.
On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 3:14 PM Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:
I have a meeting Wednesday morning with staff for the Senate Committee on Aging re: VA’s shortfall on compliance with Section 508 of the Rehab Act.
Some of you have significant more experience/knowledge on these issues than I do so I am requesting your input as to some issues you are aware of and perhaps willing to talk about.
I don’t know HLAA’s thoughts but I would like to offer them an opportunity to meet with us next week so they could have a more direct interchange of info with those of you willing to talk with them.
A few issues I plan on bringing up include:
Access to audiology medical exam results (I know some of you have mentioned that and I have had that problem)
Loop - I know nothing about this except how to spell it
I know there has been some chatter on other issues but don’t recall them now.
Did we ever decide on the survey? Maybe we can discuss possible questions from them for a survey.
For this meeting I will speak only for myself and no one else.
Let me know what you think and Carla please let me know HLAA’s position on inviting them and/or working with them to perhaps doing a survey for them.
See you all next week.
Ron
http://www.conceptscommunications.com/team/ronald-drach/
N Y Business
I appealed it and won so I can secure message again. But I'm still on the disruptive Veteran list.
My records are flagged. The VSO has dropped the ball.
On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 5:42 PM Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:
This is incredible. Have you taken any action through your VSO or anyone else?You're welcome..I can get MRI images XRays. all the info to go with them. Colonoscopy images and all the doctors notes/ But audiology? Nope,, You have to fill out a release of information request and wait for that. I live 90 miles away so the internet is critical to me as well as in Secure messaging. Being HOH I use that more and prefer to use that over phone calls. Even with a caption phone. I prefer messaging. Well that requires more messages and I was banned from secure messaging for excessive messages. They know I am hearing impaited but they don't have any issue with banning hearing disabled Veterans from the one thing that I've thought was going to be a plus for us. There are 3.5 million hearing impaired veterans and 1/2 that many are service connected. So secure messaging was going to be a good thing. As it turned out,It wasn't for our benefit after all.On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 4:43 PM Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:Wow! Thanks. This is very helpful especially about the lack of captioning on video appointments. I’ve never had one so wasn’t aware of that and didn’t think about it. Raises another issue with Microsoft Teams and Zoom.LOOP. I'm not sure but I saw an illustration and it looked to be how to give veterans the " run around".There isn't Close captions in the Video appointments. Which the DOJ requires.There is an online portal for veterans to access their medical records called " Blue Dot " You can get about everything except an audiogram from the audiology department. Or anything from audiology for that matter.In Spite of having a secure message app on their website. Medical personnel seem to insist on calling when they know you are HOH. That works to their benefit and if one uses secure messaging. you can get banned and even put on a " Disruptive Behaviour Veteran" and a flag is placed in your records, So being HOH at the VA is Punished .I have been banned and am still on the DBL.. Even after they admitted they were wrong to ban me from secure messaging.On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 3:14 PM Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:I have a meeting Wednesday morning with staff for the Senate Committee on Aging re: VA’s shortfall on compliance with Section 508 of the Rehab Act.
Some of you have significant more experience/knowledge on these issues than I do so I am requesting your input as to some issues you are aware of and perhaps willing to talk about.
I don’t know HLAA’s thoughts but I would like to offer them an opportunity to meet with us next week so they could have a more direct interchange of info with those of you willing to talk with them.
A few issues I plan on bringing up include:
Access to audiology medical exam results (I know some of you have mentioned that and I have had that problem)
Loop - I know nothing about this except how to spell it
I know there has been some chatter on other issues but don’t recall them now.
Did we ever decide on the survey? Maybe we can discuss possible questions from them for a survey.
For this meeting I will speak only for myself and no one else.
Let me know what you think and Carla please let me know HLAA’s position on inviting them and/or working with them to perhaps doing a survey for them.
See you all next week.
Ron
http://www.conceptscommunications.com/team/ronald-drach/
N Y Business
So.. I'm afraid to use secure messaging now.. Excessive messaging is an opinion of someone randomly placed on veterans that need the option the most. I think it's because it's less convenient for the VA employees and it also leaves a written record. Who determines what is excessive ? It's not someone that is HOH, I'm pretty sure of that.
On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 5:55 PM N Y Business via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <black8765309.8765309=gmail.com@...> wrote:
I appealed it and won so I can secure message again. But I'm still on the disruptive Veteran list.My records are flagged. The VSO has dropped the ball.On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 5:42 PM Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:This is incredible. Have you taken any action through your VSO or anyone else?You're welcome..I can get MRI images XRays. all the info to go with them. Colonoscopy images and all the doctors notes/ But audiology? Nope,, You have to fill out a release of information request and wait for that. I live 90 miles away so the internet is critical to me as well as in Secure messaging. Being HOH I use that more and prefer to use that over phone calls. Even with a caption phone. I prefer messaging. Well that requires more messages and I was banned from secure messaging for excessive messages. They know I am hearing impaited but they don't have any issue with banning hearing disabled Veterans from the one thing that I've thought was going to be a plus for us. There are 3.5 million hearing impaired veterans and 1/2 that many are service connected. So secure messaging was going to be a good thing. As it turned out,It wasn't for our benefit after all.On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 4:43 PM Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:Wow! Thanks. This is very helpful especially about the lack of captioning on video appointments. I’ve never had one so wasn’t aware of that and didn’t think about it. Raises another issue with Microsoft Teams and Zoom.LOOP. I'm not sure but I saw an illustration and it looked to be how to give veterans the " run around".There isn't Close captions in the Video appointments. Which the DOJ requires.There is an online portal for veterans to access their medical records called " Blue Dot " You can get about everything except an audiogram from the audiology department. Or anything from audiology for that matter.In Spite of having a secure message app on their website. Medical personnel seem to insist on calling when they know you are HOH. That works to their benefit and if one uses secure messaging. you can get banned and even put on a " Disruptive Behaviour Veteran" and a flag is placed in your records, So being HOH at the VA is Punished .I have been banned and am still on the DBL.. Even after they admitted they were wrong to ban me from secure messaging.On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 3:14 PM Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:I have a meeting Wednesday morning with staff for the Senate Committee on Aging re: VA’s shortfall on compliance with Section 508 of the Rehab Act.
Some of you have significant more experience/knowledge on these issues than I do so I am requesting your input as to some issues you are aware of and perhaps willing to talk about.
I don’t know HLAA’s thoughts but I would like to offer them an opportunity to meet with us next week so they could have a more direct interchange of info with those of you willing to talk with them.
A few issues I plan on bringing up include:
Access to audiology medical exam results (I know some of you have mentioned that and I have had that problem)
Loop - I know nothing about this except how to spell it
I know there has been some chatter on other issues but don’t recall them now.
Did we ever decide on the survey? Maybe we can discuss possible questions from them for a survey.
For this meeting I will speak only for myself and no one else.
Let me know what you think and Carla please let me know HLAA’s position on inviting them and/or working with them to perhaps doing a survey for them.
See you all next week.
Ron
http://www.conceptscommunications.com/team/ronald-drach/
Steve Sterry
I am not disagreeing with you or Mr. Black. I am just suggesting a possible solution until the VA gets their act together. I also suggested to him that he file a complaint with either the EEOC or even with his VA's local EE officer. Several years ago, the Long Beach VA Dental Clinic was having problems with faux service dogs disrupting their exams and treatments. It got so bad that a dentist was finally bitten by one of the fake service dogs. So, they declared the exam rooms to be operatories and prohibited all dogs, even legitimate service dogs like mine.
I contacted the local EE Officer at Long Beach, and she agreed with me that there was no reason service dogs should be excluded from the examining and treatment rooms. While she worked to have the new policy changed, she became the puppy sitter for my Canine Companion Hearing Dog, Montera, during my dental subsequent appointments. Six months later, service dogs were welcome back into the dental exam and treatment rooms.
One unexpected result from this was that Voluntary Services constructed kennels for the use of veterans with pets. However, despite the fact that the kennels were built, the pet care program was never approved.
While I suggested to Mr. Black that he contact either the EEOC or his VA's EE Officer to file a complaint, he seems to feel that others should do that work for him. And, as we both know, the VA does not always follow its own laws or policies. And, sometimes it requires that we invest our own time and energy into changing things.
Steven C. Sterry, M.A./M.B.A.
10149 Grayling AV. – Whittier, CA 90603-2608
Phone (562) 947-2258
Email: steve.sterry@...
On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 3:45 PM Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:
Thanks! I didn’t know that but I agree with Mr. Black.I recently had an Audiolgy appointment with my private audiologist. I was able to get my last exam directly from my VA Audiologist who is phenomenal.Shouldn’t have to do that. We should be able to access it ourself.Ron:The complaint that Mr. Black has is that he cannot get his audiograms on the VA Premium system files. I checked my own audio appointments on my VA Blue Ribbon Reports and found that, although the audiograms were not graphically reproduced, my own audiologists in Long Beach published the plot points so that any audiologist outside the VA could reconstruct my audiograms. I emailed Mr. Black to let him know about this, but his response was that he should be able to get the audiograms themselves.
Steven C. Sterry, M.A./M.B.A.
10149 Grayling AV. – Whittier, CA 90603-2608
Phone (562) 947-2258
Email: steve.sterry@...
On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 1:14 PM Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:I have a meeting Wednesday morning with staff for the Senate Committee on Aging re: VA’s shortfall on compliance with Section 508 of the Rehab Act.
Some of you have significant more experience/knowledge on these issues than I do so I am requesting your input as to some issues you are aware of and perhaps willing to talk about.
I don’t know HLAA’s thoughts but I would like to offer them an opportunity to meet with us next week so they could have a more direct interchange of info with those of you willing to talk with them.
A few issues I plan on bringing up include:
Access to audiology medical exam results (I know some of you have mentioned that and I have had that problem)
Loop - I know nothing about this except how to spell it
I know there has been some chatter on other issues but don’t recall them now.
Did we ever decide on the survey? Maybe we can discuss possible questions from them for a survey.
For this meeting I will speak only for myself and no one else.
Let me know what you think and Carla please let me know HLAA’s position on inviting them and/or working with them to perhaps doing a survey for them.
See you all next week.
Ron
http://www.conceptscommunications.com/team/ronald-drach/
Ronald Drach
I am not sure if VA will ever get its act together. I am looking at Section 508 signed into law almost 50 years ago and some of VA’s “systems” are still in progress on implementation. Some of the numbers are astounding. One system was 32% compliant.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I have not used WebEx but they all should be using Zoom.
Ron
http://www.conceptscommunications.com/team/ronald-drach/
On Apr 11, 2022, at 7:11 PM, Steve Sterry <steve.sterry@...> wrote:
I am not disagreeing with you or Mr. Black. I am just suggesting a possible solution until the VA gets their act together. I also suggested to him that he file a complaint with either the EEOC or even with his VA's local EE officer. Several years ago, the Long Beach VA Dental Clinic was having problems with faux service dogs disrupting their exams and treatments. It got so bad that a dentist was finally bitten by one of the fake service dogs. So, they declared the exam rooms to be operatories and prohibited all dogs, even legitimate service dogs like mine.
I contacted the local EE Officer at Long Beach, and she agreed with me that there was no reason service dogs should be excluded from the examining and treatment rooms. While she worked to have the new policy changed, she became the puppy sitter for my Canine Companion Hearing Dog, Montera, during my dental subsequent appointments. Six months later, service dogs were welcome back into the dental exam and treatment rooms.
One unexpected result from this was that Voluntary Services constructed kennels for the use of veterans with pets. However, despite the fact that the kennels were built, the pet care program was never approved.
While I suggested to Mr. Black that he contact either the EEOC or his VA's EE Officer to file a complaint, he seems to feel that others should do that work for him. And, as we both know, the VA does not always follow its own laws or policies. And, sometimes it requires that we invest our own time and energy into changing things.
Steven C. Sterry, M.A./M.B.A.
10149 Grayling AV. – Whittier, CA 90603-2608
Phone (562) 947-2258
Email: steve.sterry@...
On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 3:45 PM Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:
Thanks! I didn’t know that but I agree with Mr. Black.I recently had an Audiolgy appointment with my private audiologist. I was able to get my last exam directly from my VA Audiologist who is phenomenal.Shouldn’t have to do that. We should be able to access it ourself.Ron:The complaint that Mr. Black has is that he cannot get his audiograms on the VA Premium system files. I checked my own audio appointments on my VA Blue Ribbon Reports and found that, although the audiograms were not graphically reproduced, my own audiologists in Long Beach published the plot points so that any audiologist outside the VA could reconstruct my audiograms. I emailed Mr. Black to let him know about this, but his response was that he should be able to get the audiograms themselves.
Steven C. Sterry, M.A./M.B.A.
10149 Grayling AV. – Whittier, CA 90603-2608
Phone (562) 947-2258
Email: steve.sterry@...
On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 1:14 PM Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:I have a meeting Wednesday morning with staff for the Senate Committee on Aging re: VA’s shortfall on compliance with Section 508 of the Rehab Act.
Some of you have significant more experience/knowledge on these issues than I do so I am requesting your input as to some issues you are aware of and perhaps willing to talk about.
I don’t know HLAA’s thoughts but I would like to offer them an opportunity to meet with us next week so they could have a more direct interchange of info with those of you willing to talk with them.
A few issues I plan on bringing up include:
Access to audiology medical exam results (I know some of you have mentioned that and I have had that problem)
Loop - I know nothing about this except how to spell it
I know there has been some chatter on other issues but don’t recall them now.
Did we ever decide on the survey? Maybe we can discuss possible questions from them for a survey.
For this meeting I will speak only for myself and no one else.
Let me know what you think and Carla please let me know HLAA’s position on inviting them and/or working with them to perhaps doing a survey for them.
See you all next week.
Ron
http://www.conceptscommunications.com/team/ronald-drach/
Steve Sterry
Why Zoom?
Steven C. Sterry, M.A./M.B.A.
10149 Grayling AV. – Whittier, CA 90603-2608
Phone (562) 947-2258
Email: steve.sterry@...
On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 4:42 PM Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:
I am not sure if VA will ever get its act together. I am looking at Section 508 signed into law almost 50 years ago and some of VA’s “systems” are still in progress on implementation. Some of the numbers are astounding. One system was 32% compliant.I have not used WebEx but they all should be using Zoom.I am not disagreeing with you or Mr. Black. I am just suggesting a possible solution until the VA gets their act together. I also suggested to him that he file a complaint with either the EEOC or even with his VA's local EE officer. Several years ago, the Long Beach VA Dental Clinic was having problems with faux service dogs disrupting their exams and treatments. It got so bad that a dentist was finally bitten by one of the fake service dogs. So, they declared the exam rooms to be operatories and prohibited all dogs, even legitimate service dogs like mine.I contacted the local EE Officer at Long Beach, and she agreed with me that there was no reason service dogs should be excluded from the examining and treatment rooms. While she worked to have the new policy changed, she became the puppy sitter for my Canine Companion Hearing Dog, Montera, during my dental subsequent appointments. Six months later, service dogs were welcome back into the dental exam and treatment rooms.One unexpected result from this was that Voluntary Services constructed kennels for the use of veterans with pets. However, despite the fact that the kennels were built, the pet care program was never approved.While I suggested to Mr. Black that he contact either the EEOC or his VA's EE Officer to file a complaint, he seems to feel that others should do that work for him. And, as we both know, the VA does not always follow its own laws or policies. And, sometimes it requires that we invest our own time and energy into changing things.
Steven C. Sterry, M.A./M.B.A.
10149 Grayling AV. – Whittier, CA 90603-2608
Phone (562) 947-2258
Email: steve.sterry@...
On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 3:45 PM Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:Thanks! I didn’t know that but I agree with Mr. Black.I recently had an Audiolgy appointment with my private audiologist. I was able to get my last exam directly from my VA Audiologist who is phenomenal.Shouldn’t have to do that. We should be able to access it ourself.Ron:The complaint that Mr. Black has is that he cannot get his audiograms on the VA Premium system files. I checked my own audio appointments on my VA Blue Ribbon Reports and found that, although the audiograms were not graphically reproduced, my own audiologists in Long Beach published the plot points so that any audiologist outside the VA could reconstruct my audiograms. I emailed Mr. Black to let him know about this, but his response was that he should be able to get the audiograms themselves.
Steven C. Sterry, M.A./M.B.A.
10149 Grayling AV. – Whittier, CA 90603-2608
Phone (562) 947-2258
Email: steve.sterry@...
On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 1:14 PM Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:I have a meeting Wednesday morning with staff for the Senate Committee on Aging re: VA’s shortfall on compliance with Section 508 of the Rehab Act.
Some of you have significant more experience/knowledge on these issues than I do so I am requesting your input as to some issues you are aware of and perhaps willing to talk about.
I don’t know HLAA’s thoughts but I would like to offer them an opportunity to meet with us next week so they could have a more direct interchange of info with those of you willing to talk with them.
A few issues I plan on bringing up include:
Access to audiology medical exam results (I know some of you have mentioned that and I have had that problem)
Loop - I know nothing about this except how to spell it
I know there has been some chatter on other issues but don’t recall them now.
Did we ever decide on the survey? Maybe we can discuss possible questions from them for a survey.
For this meeting I will speak only for myself and no one else.
Let me know what you think and Carla please let me know HLAA’s position on inviting them and/or working with them to perhaps doing a survey for them.
See you all next week.
Ron
http://www.conceptscommunications.com/team/ronald-drach/
Ronald Drach
I have had great experience with Zoom. Captioning is close to real time and very accurate. Have sometime two or three a week.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Ron
http://www.conceptscommunications.com/team/ronald-drach/
On Apr 11, 2022, at 9:16 PM, Steve Sterry <steve.sterry@...> wrote:
Why Zoom?
Steven C. Sterry, M.A./M.B.A.
10149 Grayling AV. – Whittier, CA 90603-2608
Phone (562) 947-2258
Email: steve.sterry@...
On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 4:42 PM Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:
I am not sure if VA will ever get its act together. I am looking at Section 508 signed into law almost 50 years ago and some of VA’s “systems” are still in progress on implementation. Some of the numbers are astounding. One system was 32% compliant.I have not used WebEx but they all should be using Zoom.I am not disagreeing with you or Mr. Black. I am just suggesting a possible solution until the VA gets their act together. I also suggested to him that he file a complaint with either the EEOC or even with his VA's local EE officer. Several years ago, the Long Beach VA Dental Clinic was having problems with faux service dogs disrupting their exams and treatments. It got so bad that a dentist was finally bitten by one of the fake service dogs. So, they declared the exam rooms to be operatories and prohibited all dogs, even legitimate service dogs like mine.I contacted the local EE Officer at Long Beach, and she agreed with me that there was no reason service dogs should be excluded from the examining and treatment rooms. While she worked to have the new policy changed, she became the puppy sitter for my Canine Companion Hearing Dog, Montera, during my dental subsequent appointments. Six months later, service dogs were welcome back into the dental exam and treatment rooms.One unexpected result from this was that Voluntary Services constructed kennels for the use of veterans with pets. However, despite the fact that the kennels were built, the pet care program was never approved.While I suggested to Mr. Black that he contact either the EEOC or his VA's EE Officer to file a complaint, he seems to feel that others should do that work for him. And, as we both know, the VA does not always follow its own laws or policies. And, sometimes it requires that we invest our own time and energy into changing things.
Steven C. Sterry, M.A./M.B.A.
10149 Grayling AV. – Whittier, CA 90603-2608
Phone (562) 947-2258
Email: steve.sterry@...
On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 3:45 PM Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:Thanks! I didn’t know that but I agree with Mr. Black.I recently had an Audiolgy appointment with my private audiologist. I was able to get my last exam directly from my VA Audiologist who is phenomenal.Shouldn’t have to do that. We should be able to access it ourself.Ron:The complaint that Mr. Black has is that he cannot get his audiograms on the VA Premium system files. I checked my own audio appointments on my VA Blue Ribbon Reports and found that, although the audiograms were not graphically reproduced, my own audiologists in Long Beach published the plot points so that any audiologist outside the VA could reconstruct my audiograms. I emailed Mr. Black to let him know about this, but his response was that he should be able to get the audiograms themselves.
Steven C. Sterry, M.A./M.B.A.
10149 Grayling AV. – Whittier, CA 90603-2608
Phone (562) 947-2258
Email: steve.sterry@...
On Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 1:14 PM Ronald Drach via hlaagroups.hearingloss.org <consultrwd=yahoo.com@...> wrote:I have a meeting Wednesday morning with staff for the Senate Committee on Aging re: VA’s shortfall on compliance with Section 508 of the Rehab Act.
Some of you have significant more experience/knowledge on these issues than I do so I am requesting your input as to some issues you are aware of and perhaps willing to talk about.
I don’t know HLAA’s thoughts but I would like to offer them an opportunity to meet with us next week so they could have a more direct interchange of info with those of you willing to talk with them.
A few issues I plan on bringing up include:
Access to audiology medical exam results (I know some of you have mentioned that and I have had that problem)
Loop - I know nothing about this except how to spell it
I know there has been some chatter on other issues but don’t recall them now.
Did we ever decide on the survey? Maybe we can discuss possible questions from them for a survey.
For this meeting I will speak only for myself and no one else.
Let me know what you think and Carla please let me know HLAA’s position on inviting them and/or working with them to perhaps doing a survey for them.
See you all next week.
Ron
http://www.conceptscommunications.com/team/ronald-drach/