Has anyone applied asking for Disability Accomodation? (Los Angeles, CA)

[jack246]

Hi everyone,

It's been five years since I got my permanent residency card and like many of you I'm starting the process for naturalization.

I am REALLY nervous about it... not because of the test or my background, but because of the process.

I suffer from severe panic disorder and going away farther than like a mile or two makes me very ill. It started a year or so after I got my permanent residency.

Anyway, I noticed that there is an area for disabilities and it asks how they can accommodate you. Has anyone requested such a thing, and how accommodating were they?

I'm also wondering if declaring such a disability would hinder you from obtaining citizenship.

I live in Los Angeles county so the interview is normally done in downtown, 25 miles away 2 hours in gridlock traffic. I don't even want to think about the oath in a crowded stadium with thousands of people!

Would it be possible to do the interview and oath nearby? Perhaps a social security office, or a court, anywhere closer.

I'm hoping I don't have to take a bunch of my tranquilizer pills and go to the interview (if I make it) talking very slow and appearing drunk and getting denied... or appear all shaking and sweating like I'm nervous about something I did wrong.

If anyone was in a similar situation or knows the system well, I'd GREATLY appreciate any tips and advice about the process for someone like me.

Thank you!

 

[Jackolantern]

If you were confined to a hospital or a special facility like a nursing home, you might be able to get them to bring somebody to you to administer the interview and oath, but I seriously doubt they will do anything like that in your case.

Think of other approaches to the problem; for example, maybe you could spend the night in a hotel near to the immigration office so you can just walk 5 minutes to the interview.

I don't even want to think about the oath in a crowded stadium with thousands of people!

The oath ceremonies in your area really have that many people? Are you sure of this?

 

[jack246]

If you were confined to a hospital or a special facility like a nursing home, you might be able to get them to bring somebody to you to administer the interview and oath, but I seriously doubt they will do anything like that in your case.

Think of other approaches to the problem; for example, maybe you could spend the night in a hotel near to the immigration office so you can just walk 5 minutes to the interview.

The oath ceremonies in your area really have that many people? Are you sure of this?

Thanks for the response.

I've heard that they do it at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Montebello and Pomona. The latter two are less crowded but WAY too far (35 - 55 miles). LACC is 22, so assuming they go by distance I would probably have to go there.

There is a social security office, a court, and even one of those INS processing centers (forgot the name) just a few miles away, I was hoping they can just do the interview and oath there. I don't understand why they force you to go all the way to these places multiple times. How do they except certain elderly people to go, or people with handicaps or disabilities like mine.

Staying at a hotel is a good idea but will not work for me unfortunately.

In any case, it seems there is nothing I can do and just think positive, pray and force myself. I won't quit; it has always been my dream to become a citizen since I grew up here. And who knows, maybe the shock of accomplishing this would cure me.

 

[Jackolantern]

How do they except certain elderly people to go, or people with handicaps or disabilities like mine.

They don't. The US is very much of a "you're on your own" country; unless you're in really extreme situation, they're not going to do anything much to help you out. Even if you were in a wheelchair paralyzed from the neck down, you'd still have to find a way to make it to the immigration offices and oath ceremony without government help.

Fortunately, there is no deadline by which you have to apply for citizenship; if you need to take a year or two or more to feel ready for the rigmarole of the citizenship process, take your time and apply when you feel like it.

 

[natur08]

Thanks for the response.

I've heard that they do it at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Montebello and Pomona. The latter two are less crowded but WAY too far (35 - 55 miles). LACC is 22, so assuming they go by distance I would probably have to go there.

There is a social security office, a court, and even one of those INS processing centers (forgot the name) just a few miles away, I was hoping they can just do the interview and oath there. I don't understand why they force you to go all the way to these places multiple times. How do they except certain elderly people to go, or people with handicaps or disabilities like mine.

Staying at a hotel is a good idea but will not work for me unfortunately.

In any case, it seems there is nothing I can do and just think positive, pray and force myself. I won't quit; it has always been my dream to become a citizen since I grew up here. And who knows, maybe the shock of accomplishing this would cure me.

Have you thought of doing a "dry run" with a friend or relative to one of these offices to see whether this works for you, maybe even in several steps? Sometimes getting used to a situation like this slowly might make it easier.