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Thread Title: Your Input Needed
Created On Wednesday January 21, 2009 6:03 AM

Curious George
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Wednesday January 21, 2009 6:03 AM

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Hi Everyone!

I am back working part time. I am working on an advocacy project about RTW issues for IWs. I started this process last month by attending some of the IW Workshops put on each month by the I&A Officers. Boy, what an experience this is turning out to be! I have been to 5 workshops so far. The I&A Officers have such a wide range of knowledge and experience so that it is really "luck of the draw" how much help they provide to IWs. There is not much consistency among them.

I have met some wonderful IWs at these workshops. After talking with people and hearing their experiences, I wonder if it would be useful to create a manual written by IWs to help other IWs navigate the WC System. I know the State has a manual, but I have found it to be of limited use, the deeper I end up in the WC System.

The Agency I work for has a variety of Advocacy Materials to help people with disabilities on various topics. Sadly, we don't have any materials/publications to help people deal with WC Issues.

So here's my question: Would a "How to" or a Basic "Nuts and Bolts" self-advocacy manual written for IWs by IWs be useful for IWs? I keep hearing how the system should work, yet our actual experiences are entirely something else. It seems that a section addressing how to "work with your attorney" would very useful as well. Some of the stories about people's experiences with their attorneys are down right scary!

Please let me know what you think about this idea

Thanks Much

A very enlightened

Curious George

STEVEPSCA@YAHOO.COM
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Wednesday January 21, 2009 7:39 AM

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Your thoughts are in the right place george...is your publication going to be 'free'...?
Or in the same price points as Christopher Balls books, available through Nolo...? That has been/is about the best 'how to' book I've ever heard of...

'Sadly, we don't have any materials/publications to help people deal with WC Issues.'

Would your attempts go hand in hand with the fact sheets available from the DWC....

I had posted some time ago a list of 10 items, provided by an Applicant Atty, on how to interact with your AA, and what you 'do' and 'not do/expect'... unfortunately, the link is no longer valid, and the site is gone...at least I haven't been able to access this for over 2 years now.

I don't mean to appear negative... please don't take this that way... I do admire your attempt to advocate for IW's... at least you have a goal, vs the ranting 'advocacy' I've encountered of late...

'I keep hearing how the system should work, yet our actual experiences are entirely something else.'

That is absolutely on point..but IMHO...I dont see that as an issue for an 'advocacy' manual...but rather a 'Reform and Advocacy" message board....and letters to your elected representative. Now, a 'form letter' for IW's to insert their own experience to send to those elected representatives would be a GREAT help... as that appears to be the biggest issue for IW's not sending those letters...along with a threat of their votes.

Congratulations on your successful RTW...!!!

feelin it
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Wednesday January 21, 2009 9:28 AM

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I tend to agree with this idea of a form letter and maybe some help with how to structure your audit unit complaints as well !!

STEVEPSCA@YAHOO.COM
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Wednesday January 21, 2009 11:52 AM

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Audit Unit referrals as well as UR, are fairly specific, and to the point of the issue at hand.
You don't need a dissertation, just the documentation/paperwork to back up your referral, and the labor code, and/or Title 8 ccr's in question.

There are AU and UR referral forms that can be filled out on-line, and submitted to the unit.
If you do it this way, just click 'print', then 'send'...the AU will send you an e-mail back to confirm receipt.

Curious George
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Wednesday January 21, 2009 4:38 PM

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Hi Steve and feelin it:

Thanks for your comments and suggestions. All of our publications are free of charge. They can be downloaded from our Website:
Text This is my first try at a link. I have no idea if it works or not, so here is the Website just in case:

www.disabilityrightsca.org

There is a publications link on the left side of the Webpage. If we mail them to people, we ask for a suggested donation to cover the cost of printing and mailing, but don't expect people on fixed or limited incomes to pay make donations. Please check out some of the publications and see if it would be useful to come up with something similar for dealing with the WC System.

I like the idea of a form letter to our legislators about our plights as IWs. I know I have sample letters to legislators on other issues. I will look for them tomorrow.

Thanks for your input

Curious George

STEVEPSCA@YAHOO.COM
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Thursday January 22, 2009 7:25 AM

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I've heard of your group before george... they perform a wonder service to 'disabled' Californian's...

I think however the most valuable assistance you could provide IW's is a phamplet explaining what the terminology used in WC means...
Not only PTP, IC/ER or EE etc, but that TTD/Temporary Total Disability does not necessarily mean you are 'disabled', but rather a term used to describe your benefit level while your doctor has determined you cannot perform your 'usual and customary' job duties...

In fact here is a page you could print for inclusion in such a borchure...http://www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/FactSheets/LexisNexis_glossary.PDF

The benefits provided by Disability Rights California, is actually for those Californians who are 'disabled'.

Not all work related injuries are considered 'disabilities' under ADA rules...which appears to be one of DRS's qualifiers...(?)

I know what you are referring to regarding the I&A officers...hopefully, now that they have resorted to a central number for assistance, the I&A answering the phone can direct IW's to an officer who is more/most familiar with the difficulties the IW is facing...(again...hopefully...)

One of your aims at DRS is 'Increase access to benefits, services, and health care'
The problem here is that WC while mandated by law, is basically a program where the injured party...IW, is asking the ER to pay for/provide benefits due to 'liability'... the benefits your group is advocating are 'social services'... WC may appear to be a 'social service'... but, it's not.

IMHO... what you are already doing is GREAT, and covering the issues IW's face.
The DRS is certainly a needed service for those IW's who may eventually be determined to have a 'disability'... as well as getting the message out there that you may be able, along with 'County Social Services' to assist an IW with additional services they may be entitled to...through the 'entitlement' programs.... food stamps, AFDC, Medi-cade etc.

'Navigating' the system is actually the job of an AA...or I&A officer.
Oh...and of course our message boards !

I'm not sure what you would offer in a new publication that is not already being addressed...(?)

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