Hi Brent,

I have now used a stylus on a friend's PDA and he's saved me a copy of my
signature in digital format.  I intend to start using this to sign paperwork
when I can get usable electronic copies.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Brent Harding" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, July 05, 2004 5:04 PM
Subject: Re: new handiham paperwork


> Can RFB&D membership work too? The only real trouble when you're blind is
> knowing where to sign, I think with something online that required paper
> signature once, I just signed the bottom of the sheet and faxed it in.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Handiham" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Saturday, June 26, 2004 8:20 PM
> Subject: Re: new handiham paperwork
>
>
> > 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
> > [log in to unmask]
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > <snip>
> >