Feedback Through Walmart.com

This blog is a follow-up of a previous blog I posted 'Flat-Panel Televisions'.

In Cedartown, Georgia's SuperCenter Walmart, I stopped at the customer service every now and then to make my input to the store manager that the TVs hanging from the ceilings need to display closed captions.

Currently in Minnesota and I'm at it again at Rochester and Owatonna's SuperCenter Walmart. I hope the increasing number of store managers from various locations of Walmart contact the headquarters regarding the issue, the greater the chance that there will be captions displayed in Walmart everywhere.

I urge everyone that shops at Walmart to make a stop at the customer service desk and make the invaluable input that the captions needs to be displayed for equal access. For those that don't feel comfortable going to the customer service or don't shop at Walmart can fill out the online feedback form regarding the captions issue.

16th Anniversary of the Americans with Disability Act

Today is the 16th anniversary of the Americans with Disability Act.

The ADA has done us a lot of good! God bless America for it. However, as President Bush recently spoke at the National Assocation for the Advancement of Colored People conference. He has said that "It's a lot easier to change a law than to change the human heart." That quote is in regards of racism in America. Allow me to change the quote a bit, "It's a lot easier to change a law than to educate the human mind." This is in regards of ignorance of nearly every possible issue.

Not just some people - too many people are ignorant of the ADA or at least how to appropriately serve and/or accommodate people with disabilities.

My proposal to approach the issue of racism and the ignorance of people with disabilities begins in our public school system from K through 12. The current emphasis in our school system are math, reading, science, social studies, and writing. We need to add two classes that will be invaluable to the public school curriculum - ethics and diversity. Those two classes will directly approach the two biggest issues we have.

In the end, this quote will actually mean something, "_______ does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age and handicapped status in employment or the provision of services."

Wrap Up - Interpreter for the Doctor's Office

To make a long story short. I had to cancel my doctor's appointment due to my sudden move from Georgia to Minnesota. But nevertheless, I feel that this struggle to get an interpreter for the doctor's office was a success.

Let's review the lessons learned from this.

• Doctor's offices often try to talk out of getting an interpreter. Be firm and clear that you require an certified interpreter.
• Doctor's office often try to bait you by offering you an appointment without an interpreter with a sooner date versus a later appointment with an interpreter. Remain steadfast and request an certified interpreter at a sooner date and report this.
• Doctor's office often claim that they can't find an interpreter. Have a list of the local and state-wide interpreter agencies prepared and give the office a copy. Contact your local deaf advocacy office for this list.
• Have your local/state/national deaf advocacy agency's number on your speed dial and report the incidents immediately. They will contact the doctor's office on your behalf.
• Have your insurance carrier's number on your speed dial and report the incidents immediately. They will contact the doctor's office on your behalf.
• Check out www.ada.gov every now and then to refresh your memory on the Americans with Disabilities Act.