Re: Care attendant/assistant

[Guest guest]

Hi . This is a common situation for many young adults with

disabilities. I am lucky in that I do not need too much assistance and

can be left unattended for many hours at a time. Recently, however, I

have been considering a full time attended when I am out of my house

because it's been sooo difficult and tiring with simple things I used

to do with ease (taking a notebook from my bag, unzipping the planner

I use, putting my coat on, etc.).

Right now I have attendant care at home and then I leave for school on

my own - everything set up the way I need it to be for my

independence. In class I can take some notes, but I get tired after

5-10 minutes. I wasn't satisfied with a note taker, which is paid for

through the Univ (or Dept of Voc Rehab), because I was less likely to

pay attention and learn if I wasn't the one writing and processing the

information. I bought a laptop to help so I can type for the entire

length of the class and only use a notetaker in one of my classes

where we draw a lot of graphs and have many formulas, which is too

difficult to do on the computer real time. As far as setting up the

laptop for use, I took a long time researching them and chose one

which I can carry (2 pounds) and bought an adapter which plugs in

easily (this can also be accomplished if you file down the prongs just

a bit but be careful). I carry it in a laptop case and stick it

vertically on the side of me. I have two loops on the outside of the

bag and strings attached. I use these to help get the laptop onto my

desk by wrapping the strings around my hands (it gives more leverage).

It's all a huge pain in the ass, but it's good enough for me for now.

I have a separate attendant on campus who comes when I am ready to

leave to help with personal care, getting things in/out of my

locker/bag, preparing a pre-packed lunch, etc. I pay her out of pocket

and it has been working out well. She has been with me since October

2005 and has never once canceled or been no-show. She's a freshman on

campus (I'm a graduate student) and has no prior experience so she's

less costly than my other attendants I use in-home (which are paid up

to $9.50/hr by the county and I pay the difference out of pocket).

At UC Berkeley, there are currently some funds available to pay for

on-campus, in-dorm and other attendant services for students with

disabilities. All of my DA student friends live on campus and take

advantage of these funds. When funding runs out, the program borrows

from the University and is more and more in debt annually, so no one

actually loses services when revenues are exhausted. The program has

been in trouble this past year and Cal cut it entirely from the

budget. We students fought and won. It's only for the next three

years, however, since this is all the funding we were able to be

awarded at this time.

I would suggest trying to receive an attendant from Voc Rehab and

fight against the 30-hour minimum. That is ridiculous. There's no such

thing as a 30 credit work load, so this minimum is impossible to meet.

Furthermore, you need to explain that due to your disability you

cannot possibly be in class more and especially cannot try if you do

not receive assistance. Don't let them just tell you no or deny your

application. Keep asking for the next step and continually go to a

supervisor until you have services. Also, you may want to check with

Voc Rehab if " in class " literally means in class or if it can also

mean assistance in the library, the computer labs on campus, or

completing your homework.

Good luck!

<3 Kendra

>

> Hi,

> I just wanted to discuss an issue I've been having, & see if any of

> you might have some insight/information. I'm in my second year of

> college at the University of Washington. Right now, I'm living at

> home & my mother attends classes with me. I don't really mind this

> set up, but it's not exactly " independent " . Since the summer before

> I started classes, we have tried to go about getting me set up with

> an attendant during school hours.

> So basically, I'm wondering if any of you that are either currently

> in college or have been have had an attendant. If so, how did you

> get it worked out? Do you (or your family) have to pay for it

> personally? Or have you found assistance with this?

> The state's vocational rehab department has said that they

> occasionally help with this sort of thing, but they only contract

> through certain providers (of attendants). The ones they work with

> have requirements on the minimum number of hours they will provide

> an attendant for. For example, they won't assign one of their

> attendants if I need an attendant for less than 30 hours per week.

> Voc rehab well only pay for hours that I am actually " in class " , &

> since I am unable to take a full course load due to physical

> limitations, I can't get enough hours.

>

> Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

> - Porter

>