We don't have any choice but to be part of Courage Center, so that is a moot
point, but when you think about it, we do serve people who might have to
qualify for services by proving what might be a sensitive medical issue for
them. It would simply not do for a staff member to tell someone else about
that member's condition without permission. Also, we serve people directly
at our Radio Camps and have to take care of their personal care needs, like
toileting. Although no one on our staff would ever tell someone who has no
business knowing that someone else uses a catheter or some such thing, the
law does go to somewhat ridiculous lengths in what it considers "private" -
even just a name in some cases. This has led to odd problems in other
health care related activities, like hospitals refusing to let visitors from
a patient's church even know they are there when they might welcome a visit,
or not being allowed to mention someone's name in the doctor's waiting room.
Since we often need to connect hams who need help with an Elmer who can do
something like set up a radio or run wires, we ask that the member sign off
on the privacy forms. But we still ask the member even then if they want us
to do so. It helps to be able to tell a potential helper that so-and-so
needs to have some screenreader help and he is used to using screen
enlargement, but wants to try JAWS, etc., etc.
The electronic forms thing is interesting, but not yet applicable to this
HIPAA deal. We do also have to look for proof of disability, so that we know
we are truly serving the people we are meant to serve, much like the Library
of Congress. I wish the electronic filing could be further developed, as it
shows greater promise of accessibility to everyone. I just took my son
Will, KC0LJL, in for his driver's permit and you wouldn't believe the paper
forms necessary, including two forms of paper identification! If you are
blind and go in for an I.D., it's the same deal. If you get a prescription
at the drug store or go to the dentist you still have to sign paper for
HIPAA, with the possible exception of those places that collect signatures
from digital writing screens, but that's tied directly to their computer
system right in the store, so it is hardly a great leap forward in digital
documentation or accessibility.
Anyway, the Handiham process is quite simple if one just fills out just the
main member form. Nancy will fill it out on the phone and send you a filled
out copy to sign. You can still get many services, but just not those that
require us to share your name (such as if you go to Radio Camp, because we
have a class photo and an address list campers get to share with each
other.) We accept things like NFB and ACB memberships as proof of blindness
- very simple.
Regards,
Patrick Tice
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