From KWTX:
A local mother is speaking out for disabilities awareness after her 4-year-old daughter was denied access to accommodations needed to treat her disability at the Temple Social Security office.
Scarlett Barker-Thomas has a metabolic disorder that keeps her body from regulating blood sugar properly.
Because of this, she loses energy quickly and needs frequent feedings through a tube in her stomach.
Scarlett’s mother, Terrin Barker-Thomas, said she and her daughter visited the Social Security Administration office in Temple on Nov. 13.
When she tried to bring in a small bottle of apple juice for her daughter, Barker-Thomas said a security guard told her that was against the agency’s food and drink policy, and that any feeding would need to be done outside.
Barker-Thomas said she tried to explain her daughter’s situation to the guard, but he still refused.
The manager of the office agreed with the guard, and Barker-Thomas eventually called police. ...
The Social Security Administration later apologized.
“We sincerely apologize to Scarlett and her mother,” SSA Deputy Regional Communications Director Veronica Taylor said in a statement. ...
Not surprising that a government unit that deals with the disabled would adhere to its own rigid rules instead of doing what is right! Rules are more important than people. And, of course, the manager and the guard won't be fired for following the rules, right?
ReplyDeleteSo, what are the waiting times up to at your typical SS FO? I went there once, was there for over two hours. The chairs were so uncomfortable. I was in so much pain from my back. The workers were rude and frankly, unhelpful.
Why did she call the police? I don't believe the police can force a business or government to allow someone to eat in their lobby, even if the govt/business should as in this case.
ReplyDeleteWaiting times are 2-3 hours, in part because a good number of the folks that come in could handle their business by phone or mail just as easily. Checking status on their claims, reporting a change of address, etc can be done just as easily over the phone.
Yes we can but every time i have needed to change something i have at least of called twice to get it done. I go in to the office and it gets done the first time
ReplyDeleteI should point out that I had an appointment and still waited over 2 hours!
ReplyDeleteThis kind of thing happens even with well-meaning businesses that have rules in place to prevent that kind of mistake. Sometimes line employees aren't well educated on disability rights and accommodation issues. It is troubling that a manager wasn't aware of them but that can be addressed with retraining.
ReplyDelete@6:34
ReplyDeleteFYI, SSA/OHO Managers and top officials are either not educated, or could careless, about disability and accommodation issues where their very own employees are concerned, let alone other line employees.
People are good with the disabilities they know, wheelchair users, blind or deafness, these situations are tough. Like a person with a good working disability assistant dog like the blind and some chair users have VS the yoyo idiot with some fluff dog that they bought a "Therapy Dog" vest off the internet for. Bet I can find a story like this with every single 50 state business like McDonalds, Pizza Hut or Taco Bell.
ReplyDeleteBut since it is SSA and it is on here I will just be morally outraged!
10:47
ReplyDeleteYou should be morally outraged. This is the Social Security Administration, a government body that is responsible for understanding and adjudicating disability claims. This is not a private company like McDonalds that is in the business of selling cheap hamburgers.
I have seen all types of security guards at ODAR hearings West of the Mississippi. The worst are the ones so stickler to the rules.
ReplyDeleteFor example, a guard in West LA used to not allow anyone in the waiting rooms with a cell phone (except he allowed attorneys for some reason). After being told phones are allowed, he monitors every possible text someone might do. This makes West LA the most tense ODAR in the LA area. Not to mention having the lowest granting ALJs.
The good supervisors post those guards who are most user friendly (or sociable). Security, aside from being ready if something goes down, is more of a talking, social position.
@2:33 pm. Really? I appear pretty regularly at the West LA SSA and like the security guard there. None of my clients have complained about him either.
ReplyDeleteSecurity can make people comfortable and feel safe when they are friendly, understanding and competent. When you say, "I am sorry, but we don't allow food and drink in the waiting area." That sets a tone that you care, but... On the other hand, "You can't have food or drink here!" sets a harsher tone, which can be exacerbated if the person they see is rude. Why do you think Walmart has greeters at the entrance? They do look for shoplifters, but their main purpose is to make you feel welcomed. That is not a feeling I have ever gotten at a government site. However, there have been a few workers that were very friendly and helpful. But, they are clearly the exception! In doctor's offices, the rude ones are so much rarer and friendly is the rule. Their attitude is "they're there to serve!" In government, their attitude is "they have to deal with..." THAT sets a tone!
ReplyDelete1:00pm I will save my outrage for something worthwhile and not for this drivel designed to piss people off. How many people were successfully treated properly by the agency this day?
ReplyDeletePlease enjoy your unicorn ride, but be careful of the horn.
I am concerned about more hidden and subtle accommodation issues especially for clients with mental impairments affecting memory. One example is faulting claimants for mis-remembering or forgetting things, when the very disability they seek benefits for caused the memory problem that made them forget. Another example is faulting claimants for not attending medical treatment more often, when their agoraphobia, severe anxiety disorder or depression is what limited their ability to attend as regularly as the adjudicator imagined was necessary to prove a case. I'm not saying claimants still don't have to prove their claim. However, holding the effects of a disability against a claimant in a disability benefits claim is a fairly common accommodation problem that gets little attention.
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