Dean Hoodenpyl
4/13/2008
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE DEAF
I write this in hopes that someone else, in a similar situation
as I found myself in, will benefit from the services mentioned.
I was not born deaf, in fact I only started going deaf about 5 years
ago. Our wondrous medical profession had not a clue as to why. My
first obstacle came when I was told that I needed hearing aids (even
when I was told by another doctor that they would not help). As my
job as a Parole/Probation Officer for the State of Oregon demanded
that I have adequate hearing, I sought every method to continue in
my profession. The hearing aids, which insurance does not cover,
were to cost in excess of $7000. I don’t know about you, but I just
don’t have that kind of money lying around! My audiologist suggested
I seek assistance from Voc Rehab (I mistakenly had the preconceived
notion that Voc Rehab was just for people injured on the job who
were assisted by them to return to work). Subsequently, I met with
the worker, Allan, who very quickly approved me and within days they
were willing to foot the bill – the entire cost for the hearing
aids!! Of course, the hearing aids did not help and as my hearing
waned they became useless. Everyone blew a cork, even made threats,
when I gave them away to a six year old girl whose family could not
afford the seven grand either!
The next step for my doctors to do was a Cochlear implant. 60 to 70
grand, insurance would pay 80 percent, but the operation and all
follow-up was a 4 hour drive away! Lots of money out of my pocket,
lots of time off from work – but yet in order to keep my job I had
to go for it.
Here is where my research came into play. I have for years known and
preached that in order to optimally work with a group of people or
an agency the best thing to do is to study up on them. I pulled my
paperwork out from Voc Rehab and read the manual that was given to
me. There was the statement “Our goal is to remove any stumbling
block that keeps an individual from finding or maintaining
employment” (DHS Handbook, 2007). I studied their site on the
internet (www.oregon.gov) and with all information and a plan in
hand, I again approached Oregon Voc Rehab (and the same worker as
before). Much to my delight, because I could easily connect my need
to maintaining my job, my plan was approved. This time they assisted
with gas, food, lodging, and paid the majority of my financial
responsibility for surgery costs – a fantastic savings to me.
This was a boon that I began readily sharing with everyone,
especially the criminal population that I work with. Nothing related
to deafness, but ----I have a female felon who has one rotten tooth
directly in the front of her mouth, the rest had mostly all long
rotted away. She stated that she was unable to find a job in her
profession due to the fact that once she smiled at the interview,
they were repulsed and immediately labeled her as a Methamphetamine
user (actually Marijuana was her drug of choice). “Pah” “have I got
a guy for you to talk to!” I told her. She connected with Voc Rehab
(the same worker as me) and this next month she will have a new set
of choppers – and a new boost of self-esteem! After continual phone
calls of thanks, I told her the only thanks I want is for her to
come see me next month and – smile at me – that’s what it’s all
about!
Ok, back to being deaf (physically). Earlier this year the doctors
decided and insurance approved, a second, or bilateral, Cochlear
implant. I was not the enthusiastic patient they had hoped for.
These things have helped me keep a job but I can give them no other
praise. Anyhow, I now had to figure out how to not go broke with
this one – so – more research. I found an excellent article on
About.com under deafness (AnnieDeaf, 2007). It lays out the best way
to for the deaf to approach Voc Rehab and the correct verbiage to
use. (I recently was told by one of our Circuit Court staff how
their Judge instructed them as how to get out of a speeding ticket
by reciting the statute to the officer (using their verbiage) to
show that you believed you were within the bounds of the law – just
a side note – don’t try this at home). As the article suggested, I
again approached Voc Rehab (the same worker) with a plan and the
appropriate wording. I was told that they usually don’t approve
recurring medical issues. “And where in your administrative rules
does it state that” I asked (as the aforementioned article
suggested). Aaaaaaa? backpedal, backpedal!!! I then used the
verbiage suggested and stated I was seeking “Quality of Life” and
also requested that they pay for an ASL course under the same
“Quality of Life” need. Due to the fact that I was now well-schooled
in Voc Rehab’s process and used the appropriate approach, my plan
was again approved. This time they would pay travel, lodging, some
of my responsibility for surgery costs and – get this - $1000
towards approved college courses in ASL. Yes, Oregon Vocational
Rehabilitation has paid for me to write this “research” paper!!!
Hallelujah!!!
Vocational Rehabilitation is State and Federally funded (OVRS,
2008). Some functions and rules may differ from state to state.
Bottom line is – if you can show that your deafness, whether
lifelong or later in life (as in my case), is a “stumbling block to
getting or maintaining a job”
( DHS Handbook, 2007 ) or your “Quality of Living” (AnnieDeaf, 2007)
is in some way affected, then you may be able to tap into their
funding. This ain’t a handout. Your State and Federal taxes pay for
it.
If your endeavor leads you to success – the next time you see me
thank me with - a big smile – hey, that’s what it is all about!
References:
Oregon State Department of Human Services Vocational Rehabilitation,
(2007) Hand book
Oregon State Office of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (OVRS)
(2008) http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/vr/index.shtml
"AnnieDeaf" (2007, Dec. 2) Jobs – Vocational Rehabilitation and
State agencies, http:/deafness.about.com/od/stateagencies/a/vrstateagencies.htm