Note & Pen
5 03 2007ASL Vlog – Approx 3:30 Minutes long
Grant W Laird Jr. shared his experience about using paper and pen to communicate with his boss, apartment manager, mortgage loaner, etc. For people like you and me who use paper and pen heavily to communicate with hearing folks, you should carry your own notepad and pen all the times. (Leave in car, etc. just in case)
We understand that some people may not realize what they are doing. We all learn from mistake and does it better next time. Also, I’ve noticed I didn’t use paper & pen much in past few years – thanks to technology like relay service, instant messenger, Internet and emails.
Grant W Laird Jr.
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com
I agree – bring your own. I know many people will say, “they should provide paper and pen for us,” and I see their point. But, you know, it’s so much less hassle to have it ready. I leave a pad and pen in my car and in my backpack. And having it handy gives me the upper hand rather than having to struggle to GET the darn writing implements.
Grant,
I am not surprised about that. I already knew that it would happen at any workplace. I never had any problem with that. It did not bother me if the manager or employer kept the papers per conversation. That’s exactly why I had to write carefully while I thought carefully. THINK Before WRITE.
That appeals to any email at work, too. Most of the companies would keep the emails for off the record, especially sending dirty jokes to old buddies.
Why not discuss your boss for some reason about your position via the Internet Relay Service. I do not see any problem with your boss accepting the relay call to discuss. However, he has rights to document per conversation (between you and boss) in order to avoid any misunderstanding or lawsuit. BTW, I strongly suggest you to save the conversational record via instant messages.
That happens to any hearing employee when the manager/supervisor to record per conversation since the big companies have right to know what is going on in each employee’s behavior in case the manager/supervisor’s position is terminated.
Grant, I imagine that your small business may have deal with your hearing employee(s)?
Mookie
Ah, yes I’ve experienced that.
Doctor’s office is okay, because they do write down notes on what a patient says.
But for others, no… I usually ask for them back with no problems.
Yes, bringing a notepad and pen is a great suggestion!
I usually discuss this beforehand when meeting with a person such as mortgage broker by calling them ahead of time to discuss about our communication method.
That’s another thought you might want to consider.
My hubby is hearing but still…I do the most of “talking” in writing.
He doesn’t like to deal with that kind of stuff, hehe.
He even once pretended to be deaf when we look for cars ’cause he didn’t want to deal with salespeople.
Advantages of having a deaf wife?
Over years, you will get better and smarter. That’s what I did these days — I usually communicate with co-workers or boss on blank (Such as Notepad) on computer. Once we are done, I immediately closed it.
Yes, I usually save all emails (home and work) and instant messenger conversation as much as possible for our home business. (both deaf and hearing)
Everyone should doing it, too. (Just to be safe)
gwlj
Bring the spiral notebook and the hearing people would not tear the papers from my notebook because they will think its rude do to that. We took our spiral notebook to the closing office and put the written notes in our file afterward.
Lisa’s suggestion is the most practical. Sometimes hearing people will ask to make copies of the notes and return the originals to you…that’s fair since both of you will have a record.
With the misunderstandings that happen so often with all people (and not just the deaf) it is wiser to keep copies than to tear up everything and have no proof of agreements especially about payments, appointment dates and delivery plans.
Where applicable, both sides could sign and date the written notes for better support for agreements.
I usually carry the note & pen all the time to any where! Whenever I made a communication on writing, after it is done, I usually take it along with me UNLESS they want it for making a copy, then it is fine with me as long as we have it each other at an once time. Always make a COPY period to save your neck for a proof or your record since some people think they can escape with it. At my work, I always ask for making a copy while we made a communication by writing with my boss, I do not trust anyone back at work.
For doctor office, I usually bring an interpreter at most of times, a few times the doctor always have a note and pen to communicate with me, after that let me keep their note, it help me understand what is the medical meaning, should taking a what kind of medicine, etc. That is simple.
Do not even tear it out unless it is too personel with your friend or your special date , then tear it out that is your private.
Thanks for sharing your story.
Some doctors are sensitive about note writing. One time I had reserved an interpreter in advance but that terp did not show up, so I went ahead and wrote notes in advance to save time. It was my first time to meet her. She was very disappointed and did not want me to write notes at all. I told her how can I communicate with her and that I gave up my valuable time to come all the way to her office and I felt I should not have to re-schedule my appointment. I had an argument with her, I was writing and she was talking to me (I could lipread her) and I was so mad at her. She made this appointment very short and told me I must reserve an interpreter for the next appointment. What an attitude she had.
in the past, I didnt have interpreter at the dr room but I didnt want to use pen and paper but I use machine called alphasmart 3000 to type to talk to my dr and everything fine even he look my alphasmart and impress the technology that mean is new to him even those he doesnt need write a paper just type my keyboard alphasmart3000 cost only 199 dollar very light weight to carry even those useful. I have this alphasmart 3000 for over 2 year and half. I though I could share with you this and check website there come out new http://www.alphasmart.com. alphasmart 3000 I can use in my classroom, meeting room, send computer, print out, friend, dr, hospital so on. they cant tell you to delete of text because is your machine is not their
alphasmart 3000 kind run out stock
the new come out
http://www.alphasmart.com/Retail/
dr office is happy to see me bring my own alphasmart 3000 no longer use pen and paper.
For me, I never bring pen and paper. Instead, I use my pager’s notepad. It is so easier and clear (trust me, my handwriting is SLOPPY!). And its nice when you have “favorite” order, you can save that as text file and when you go to any place to do your favorite order, you can open that text file and show to them. Worked very well for me.
Grant, good vlog. I even respond to your topic at
http://deafaware.blogspot.com/
Check them out!
I don’t blame you too. I had a biggest problem with my workplace. When I wrote the notes with employees then I threw the notes in the trashes. The hearing people or supervisior would go and dig then find the notes what I wrote. When I got a warning from supervisor, I got mad as hell. I scolded him/her about discrimiation. They swallowed a big time. I told them that I should dig in their ears to find the messages. They realized that it was not doing right thing. They stopped but I don’t trust them still. I alway tear the notes and threw where they don’t see me doing. Now they have crosscut machines so I use them very well.
Hi…yea, I have a problem with my work; therefore, I refuse to sign anything like performance rate sheet, worksheet, etc that belongs to the company. I am a member of IBEW which means union and they protect me under their wings. I also told the company if they tried to collect my handwriting pads or notes, I considered them a big discrimination…I informed them I knew where to find EEO supervisor (that is now in TX that handles Southwest region). They can’t do anything against me becuz of no hard evidence. I don’t use paper/pen anymore…just homemade sign language to the coworkers/supervisors if they offered me to write, I walk away. =o)