I am visually impaired due to an eye disorder and have a neuropsych IME coming up. I usually manage seeing things but on a bad day, my vision will be too blurry to read normal sized font or even any font really.
Since I will be lacking sleep to get there first thing in the morning (they refused to do it virtually), and I already know it will be a rough day, I asked my case manager to send me intake forms beforehand due to brain fog and vision problems. I also mentioned I can pick them up from the clinic if they cannot be emailed.
My case manager responded that I can use a magnifying glass or have someone help me fill them out and they cannot be modified.
Most workplaces that are inclusive for ppl with disabilities will print them out larger if requested, or accommodate my request to be able to fill them out at home. I have a support person dropping me off but I dont really want one during the assessment. Also having to fill them out on site, will take so much longer to do.
Does anyone know if the response above from my case manager infringes on the Canadian accessibility law? I have never had to do a deep dive into the accessibility laws, as on a bad day, I take the day off work and/or stay home. I’m in Ontario but my insurer is based in Quebec. Tks
Well I would either reply and say if they think having their examiner read the forms aloud to you is the best use of the examiner’s time that is their decision to make, or else I would wait and see it as an opportunity to demonstrate how poor your vision is.
Thanks Caro. Here I am trying to prepare well to mitigate any foreseeable problems so that I will be able to do the assessment, but it feels like the insurer is the one that doesn’t want to cooperate:(
I’ll have a support person with me that can read things aloud… but yeah it would be a waste of time and energy when I am already very fatigued and it is avoidable.
First, there should ne no issue with them giving you a general questionnaire that may have to be filled out. The type of questionniare that is given out before medical appointments.
However, neuropsychological testing relies on standardized tests that must be done under specific conditions for the results to be valid. So, with those types of tests it makes sense that they cannot send them to you in advance. It would be very important to inform the neuropsycholgist that you have visual impairment as it may affect the type of tests they can do, and the how they administer them.
David Brannen
Disability Lawyer with Resolute Legal
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