Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Sounds like I could be getting canned from job - Feeling frustrated (self.Blind)
submitted by blazblu82
I've been out of work for about two and half months now waiting for my only good eye to clear up from a recent hemorrhage. No doubts it's better than before, but not great. Acuity has improved from 20/100 to 20/60 in the good eye. Still not good enough to drive with, unfortunately.
Since being home, I have had several emails with my super and HR about other opportunities and the most common response I get is that can't figure out anything for me to do. I've worked as a second shift digital press op for the last 8+ years and have a very broad set of skills spanning outside the press room. Yet, they can't figure out what to do with me. I just got released back to work by my dr, but haven't actually gone back to work, yet, due to transportation issues. I had hoped a coworker I had ridden with before would help out until they retired, but they no longer want to help because they don't want to be tied down with a schedule. Public Transit is not possible where I live because I don't live close enough to a bus terminal I can safely get to. Even if I could use the bus, there is still the question of getting home and Uber is the only option at $20 to $25 per ride and I don't have that kind of money for regular use.
So, here I sit, waiting for them to decide my fate. Spoke with HR this morning and they claim they are still figuring things out, but could know something by tomorrow or next week. This just reinforces my thinking that they are looking to push me out instead of helping me out. I have been applying to various jobs since being home, but not getting much response from anybody. If I lose my current job, I don't know what I'll do. It'll be the first time I've been unemployed and w/o insurance. I almost feel like I'm being discriminated against because of my disability. But, I can't force someone to do what they don't want to do.
I hope I'm wrong about all of this and my employer surprises me with something I can do. I'll update as I find out more.
Since being home, I have had several emails with my super and HR about other opportunities and the most common response I get is that can't figure out anything for me to do. I've worked as a second shift digital press op for the last 8+ years and have a very broad set of skills spanning outside the press room. Yet, they can't figure out what to do with me. I just got released back to work by my dr, but haven't actually gone back to work, yet, due to transportation issues. I had hoped a coworker I had ridden with before would help out until they retired, but they no longer want to help because they don't want to be tied down with a schedule. Public Transit is not possible where I live because I don't live close enough to a bus terminal I can safely get to. Even if I could use the bus, there is still the question of getting home and Uber is the only option at $20 to $25 per ride and I don't have that kind of money for regular use.
So, here I sit, waiting for them to decide my fate. Spoke with HR this morning and they claim they are still figuring things out, but could know something by tomorrow or next week. This just reinforces my thinking that they are looking to push me out instead of helping me out. I have been applying to various jobs since being home, but not getting much response from anybody. If I lose my current job, I don't know what I'll do. It'll be the first time I've been unemployed and w/o insurance. I almost feel like I'm being discriminated against because of my disability. But, I can't force someone to do what they don't want to do.
I hope I'm wrong about all of this and my employer surprises me with something I can do. I'll update as I find out more.
Bubbly-Duck3232 6 points 1y ago
Get in contact with your division of blind services (they can help with making accommodations for your position and possibly help with looking for a job if needed), call the company that runs the bus route to see if they have an ADA bus transit service.
blazblu82 [OP] 3 points 1y ago
The shift I work is the problem, not so much the transportation. My employer is currently refusing to move me to first shift saying they don't have anything for me to do even though my Dad works in the same building on first shift and I could ride with him until he retires. It would give me more time to get my living situation figured out so I could be closer to work.
The public transit service does have a service for disabled individuals. It's a shared-ride program and it follows the bus routes. So, there is no telling how long it would take to get to my job that's 15 minutes from my house by car. I read over the PDF guide for them and they claim a 5 mile trip could take an hour depending on who's riding. Also, they may not be available to transport me if they have a full schedule. My city is very spread out and not user-friendly unless you can drive or live near the city center. I live on the outskirts. So, even if I used it for getting to work, there is still the issue of getting home and there are only me and 2 others who work night shift. Neither one is available to offer rides.
I just don't understand my employer. They've invested in me to be the in-house tech for one of the presses and I'm the only one who does this. Been there 8+ years and they're tossing me into the wind like a plastic bag.
The public transit service does have a service for disabled individuals. It's a shared-ride program and it follows the bus routes. So, there is no telling how long it would take to get to my job that's 15 minutes from my house by car. I read over the PDF guide for them and they claim a 5 mile trip could take an hour depending on who's riding. Also, they may not be available to transport me if they have a full schedule. My city is very spread out and not user-friendly unless you can drive or live near the city center. I live on the outskirts. So, even if I used it for getting to work, there is still the issue of getting home and there are only me and 2 others who work night shift. Neither one is available to offer rides.
I just don't understand my employer. They've invested in me to be the in-house tech for one of the presses and I'm the only one who does this. Been there 8+ years and they're tossing me into the wind like a plastic bag.
Bubbly-Duck3232 1 points 1y ago
Yikes! I lived in a city where the public transportation was not good- it didn’t move out west when the rest of the city moved out that way. I’m so sorry to hear that.
r_1235 3 points 1y ago
Hope everything works out for you.
Just out of curiosity, is this press thing about printing press? If it is, then lot of things would be computerized and it's relatively easy to make computer work in an accessible manner for whatever job you are doing, provided the software you are using is supported with the screen reader and other such assistive tech. From your post, it seems you have a bit of vision, you could get away with using magnifier as well, so, most of office/computer job could be suitable for you, and that could also happen with work from home thing.
Do look in to using computers with magnifiers, Windows has a very nice one built-in.
Just out of curiosity, is this press thing about printing press? If it is, then lot of things would be computerized and it's relatively easy to make computer work in an accessible manner for whatever job you are doing, provided the software you are using is supported with the screen reader and other such assistive tech. From your post, it seems you have a bit of vision, you could get away with using magnifier as well, so, most of office/computer job could be suitable for you, and that could also happen with work from home thing.
Do look in to using computers with magnifiers, Windows has a very nice one built-in.
blazblu82 [OP] 3 points 1y ago
It is printing press work and there is more involved than just computer work. I work for a small shop, so we all have multiple roles. I'm an operator which means not only do I handle the computer work; I also operate a printing press. In addition to, there is quality control involved for the products produced. The lighting environment is too bright and wearing sunglasses isn't good for checking color accuracy or doing computer work with. Lastly, I'm the in-house tech for this press and no one else does any of the tech work.
I've provided suggestions they could do to help out some, but they refuse. There are/have been other employees working there with vision problems and company doesn't seem bothered by it. Yet, I've been dealing with declining vision for about 3 years now and they do nothing. HR told me recently they aren't setup to handle me. I've sacrificed 8+ years of my life for this place and they can't do anything is total BS. Personally, I'm costing them too money insurance-wise. They've complained about that in the past during yearly insurance meetings.
Whatever, I guess. Just hope something works in my favor soon.
I've provided suggestions they could do to help out some, but they refuse. There are/have been other employees working there with vision problems and company doesn't seem bothered by it. Yet, I've been dealing with declining vision for about 3 years now and they do nothing. HR told me recently they aren't setup to handle me. I've sacrificed 8+ years of my life for this place and they can't do anything is total BS. Personally, I'm costing them too money insurance-wise. They've complained about that in the past during yearly insurance meetings.
Whatever, I guess. Just hope something works in my favor soon.
WorldlyLingonberry40 1 points 1y ago
Act quick. Before you get fired, which would be a mistake on their part, or before you decide to quit, which would be a mistake on your part. Get vocational rehab assistance. They can provide advocacy support, provide the company guidance on how to keep you employed, provide you job coaching, provide you rehab training... I've witnessed people go train at a rehab center for a few months before coming back and adjusting to the job.,
blazblu82 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
I have this odd feeling my employer will try to hold out until I give up and quit before laying me off or firing me.
I am currently trying to get hired into a vision rehab center. It's been a slow process, but hopefully pans out for me.
I am currently trying to get hired into a vision rehab center. It's been a slow process, but hopefully pans out for me.
WorldlyLingonberry40 1 points 1y ago
Hired as in working for the center? Or receiving training?
Either or, I'd suggest you get the vocational rehab counciler involved, if only to keep them updated regarding your position If you a good case worker they'll help you, if the employer wants to kick you out..
Either or, I'd suggest you get the vocational rehab counciler involved, if only to keep them updated regarding your position If you a good case worker they'll help you, if the employer wants to kick you out..
Marconius 1 points 1y ago
Do you have benefits with this job? If so, do you have a long-term disability insurance benefit? I went full time at my last job and luckily worked long enough before succumbing to my vision loss that I qualified for long-term disability which really saved my ass when adjusting to being fully blind and going through the Department of Rehabilitation to figure out work and life again.
blazblu82 [OP] 1 points 1y ago
They have benefits, but no long term, only short term.
I feel like I'm riding the razor's edge with my sight and retinopathy. Left could recover over time with improved acuity and not be so sensitive to light. This happened right before the most hemorrhage it had. On the flip side, left eye could tank and get worse. This is what sucks about the disease, too many unknowns and no real way to plan for things.
I feel like I'm riding the razor's edge with my sight and retinopathy. Left could recover over time with improved acuity and not be so sensitive to light. This happened right before the most hemorrhage it had. On the flip side, left eye could tank and get worse. This is what sucks about the disease, too many unknowns and no real way to plan for things.
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