Dealing with Paperwork

Hello, everyone. I hope you are having a fabulous year so far.
Today, I would like to address all the print information we must handle, especially as it pertains to filling in forms and the like. This is on my mind because in the field of education, a requirement is to take a test called a Praxis. In order to do so, an application must be filled out, of course. Also, I have had to fill in other forms related to Financial Aid for school and the like.
So what are one’s options when filling out paperwork? The first answer is use of a reader. I employed this method back when I was working 40 hours per week, and I do sometimes use it now. Because I have a lower income, I choose to use services provided by the school. If I need paperwork filled out, therefore, I will call the appropriate person and ask for assistance in filling out paperwork. This method is effective. I’d like to mention here that I mentioned my financial situation above because if I were working, I would not choose this option. It probably is not required for various personnel from different offices, such as the Financial Aid office or my advisor, to assist me in such matters. But, most important to me, if I could afford to do it myself, I could also teach others that I can step up and access printed information when necessary. I do pay a reader, and I use her for schoolwork and for personal reading. My hours with her are limited, of course, but hiring her allows me to complete necessary personal business. The college also pays her for certain hours as it relates to schoolwork. The Division of Rehabilitation in Maryland will also pay for readers under certain circumstances, and so this is also an option.
Another option is to scan in information. This enables me to know before I work with a reder the content the form is asking me to provide. If I feel it is appropriate, I can sometimes then create my own readable version of the form and fill it out. However, this option, and the option of downloading forms means I cannot always be certain the form will be accepted if I put information in a way that is doable for me. When it comes to specific documents, therefore, I choose a reader. I do scan in a lot of my printed information. It enables me to read letters, school handouts, and much more.
The final option for filling out important paper work is to have a friend or family member assist you, and I have used this option as well.
The important thing to keep in mind is your confidentiality. Make sure you trust the person assisting you, whether it is someone from the college, a reader, or a friend or family member.
I am not saying that the list above is the complete list of ways to fill out paperwork. If you have a way that is different and effective, please feel free to share it by commenting on the blog. You can comment for any reason on the blog, as long as your comment concerns blindness in some way.
Don’t forget that if you want your blog included in the Blindness Blog posts to send it to me with a one to two sentence description about your blog. See last week’s post for further details.