National Federation of the Blind of Michigan

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2011-12-09T21:56:00.001-05:00

2011 Online Convention Registration now Available

2011-09-29T20:00:00.006-05:00

Online registration is now available for the 2011 state convention in Kalamazoo from November 4-6. Register by October 21 to get the preregistration discounted rates. You may register online or by mail.

Blind People Want The PIN To The ATM

2011-05-02T21:57:00.003-05:00

Blind People Want the PIN to the ATM

By Fred Wurtzel

It is well-documented that, generally speaking, there is a 70-80 percent unemployment rate among blind people of working age. To give this some perspective, during the Great Depression of the 1930’s the worst economic event in American history, the unemployment rate for the general population was around 25 percent. It is also documented that blind people who successfully complete programs in rehabilitation services have an approximate 30-35 percent unemployment rate. Even this lower figure still exceeds the general population unemployment rate during the Great Depression and is more than 3 times the current “high” unemployment rate of around 10 percent.

Blind people and other people with disabilities have gone to Congress and explained these stark facts. Congress has been generous in appropriating funds to provide services to blind people to assist us in finding work.

With figures obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request from the Commission for the Blind the following facts have been uncovered. It is no wonder that the Administration has not shared this data with the Commission board despite the Board’s request at its March meeting. In Michigan, in 2010, the Michigan Commission for the Blind had around
$28 million to serve blind people. One might reasonably ask, “What has the MCB done with this very large amount of money to serve blind people?” Is every unemployed blind person now employed? What would you, the reader, do with $28 million to help your fellow blind person to get a job? Anyone who has had any kind of meetings or has an open case with the Commission will tell you that virtually without exception, the Commission staff believe the agency is under funded and cannot afford to provide the necessary services to assist every client to find employment in their chosen field. The facts simply do not bear this out. Given the very large budget surpluses, MCB has ample funds to fully help all clients.

As a slight aside, here is what the law; Public Act 260 of 1978 says about what the Commission is to do. Remember, shall means that this is the law and is not optional, while “may,” is discretionary and is an option for the agency.

The Commission law reads, in part, as follows:

393.354 Services to assist visually handicapped persons; fee; duties of commission
Generally.
Sec. 4. (1) The commission shall maintain a program of services to assist visually
handicapped persons to overcome vocational handicaps and to obtain the maximum degree
of self-support and self-care.. .

Again, the above is mandatory. It is the law, just like speed limits, drug laws and pollution control laws. Consider that the law uses the term Maximum degree” when referring to reaching a vocational goal. Many clients, of late, are being told that the Commission is only in business to assist with the minimum employment possible, so if a high school diploma will get a job in your chosen profession, then, the Commission will not help with college. It must be noted that administration officials will deny this is the policy, but this author has been in meetings where staff has expressed this position. If the “maximum degree” is the commission policy, then significant staff training is in order. Judging by the paltry amount spent on staff training, this will not be done, soon. We, the consumers, have been advocating for the development of a more comprehensive and intensive staff training effort, while the Commission administration has resisted our efforts at every turn.

Second, during the college policy development, there were hours of discussion on the point of maximum preparation for a career, and assistance with advanced degrees from Colleges or Universities is still resisted in the policy, though perfectly allowable.

In case one wonders if the above is too broad or not clear about how the Commission is to spend its money, consider the following from the same section:
. . .Shall do all of the following:. . .
. . . (g) Place visually handicapped persons in jobs or business enterprises in accordance
With the abilities and interests of the applicant.
(h) Teach visually handicapped persons trades or occupations which may be followed
in their homes and to assist them in whatever manner may seem advisable in disposing
of the products of their home industries.
(i) Aid individual visually handicapped persons or groups of visually handicapped
persons to engage in gainful occupations by furnishing materials, equipment, goods
or services to them, by providing financial assistance as necessary to encourage
and equip them to reach an objective established with them by the commission.
(j) Provide rehabilitation services for blind persons who are senior citizens so
that they may reside within a community.
In case there is a lingering doubt that MCB is to do all in its power to help unemployed blind people the following is added to make sure everyone is clear about the intent of the legislature.
(k) Provide other rehabilitative goods and services as appropriate to each individual
circumstance.
How many times must the law say that the Commission is to make maximum efforts to help blind people get good jobs? Not the minimum, not a minimum wage job, not a sheltered workshop, the law says the maximum effort in accordance with the blind person’s abilities and interests.

So, the reader may ask, what does all this have to do with the budget? A paraphrase of The Bible tells us that where the treasure is, there is the heart, also. It is telling that the cost categories which pay salaries, rents to state government, state retirement, and so on, are the accounts which are the most exhausted. Any account directed to providing direct services and employment to blind people is woefully underspent. One might reasonably wonder why those items that spend money for governmental items are nearly fully spent, fully spent or significantly over-spent while client service accounts are significantly underspent. Is this a reflection of the priorities of the agency? How does the greater Department or state government view rehabilitation funds? Are these funds treated as a convenient ATM to fund outside interests?

Below are some examples of the spending priorities within MCB as published by the agency for the 2009-2010 fiscal year? The first number is the amount appropriated by the legislature, the second is the actual amount spent and the third is the percentage of the total appropriation that was actually spent.

TOTAL EXPENDITURES

$28,798,133
$20,552,909
71 percent

According to these figures the MCB had nearly $29 million to spend. It only spent 71 percent of this money. There may well be good cause for not fully expending the amount allowable. The legislature provides authority to spend money, but may not provide the money itself. This is done so the agency may accept outside funds and legally spend them. Even if this accounts for a full 15 percent, that still leaves 15 percent unspent that could have been spent to help blind people find work.

MINI ADJUSTMENT PROGRAM

$100,000

$70,769

71 percent

The above is a long-running, innovative and arguably quite successful program to reach out to blind people around the state to introduce the services of the agency and demonstrate how a full course of services can be beneficial. Notice, this is a direct service to blind individuals and is 29 percent underspent.

CASE SERVICES
$5,431,115
$4,279,761
79 percent

It is difficult to explain that the agency failed to spend around $1 million while telling clients there are no funds for their services. This is the heart of the agencies programs to assist with employment for blind people. This is the reason the agency exists. Case services is where the real work of the agency is accomplished. Without case services, there is no reason for an agency for the blind. We are talking about 21 percent of the money available to help get jobs went unspent. Why? What is the barrier to providing desperately needed services? Remember, there are 70 percent of us who want to work and don’t. Most of the money comes from federal funds. Furthermore, if a client who receives Social Security benefits is successfully placed and ceases to receive Social Security benefits, the Commission is reimbursed 100 percent of the rehabilitation costs and the money is far less restricted in its use than ordinary rehabilitation funds.

One statistic not showing, here, is the percentage of the entire budget set aside for case services. Remember, case services include things like college tuition, adjustment to blindness services, adaptive technology and the vast array of services needed by unemployed persons who want to work.

MCB budgeted less than 20% of the total budget for its core services. To be fair, the entire budget includes stimulus funds which increase the budget above ordinary appropriations. So if these are subtracted, we are still around 25 percent. As will be demonstrated below, the nearly unrestricted stimulus funds remain virtually unspent, so the above caveat exacerbates the issue, not resolves it. It appears that it takes 3 to 4 dollars to spend 1 dollar of rehabilitation funds. This author wonders what the national mean and median percent of the total budget that goes for case services is for agencies for the blind. One concern about raising this low level of case service spending is that the administration will transfer the funds to other non-client categories and spend it all without increasing spending on case services.

SALARIES AND WAGES
$6,539,308
$6,199,397
95 percent

Ok, now we see that 95 percent of salaries and wages are spent while only 79 percent of case services funds are spent. Remember the part about where the heart and treasure are? Commission employees deserve good pay and good working conditions. There are a lot of very good employees within MCB. In this writer’s opinion, we ought to hire more counselors and placement people to reach and get jobs for more blind people. However, in this politically charged environment of cutting government spending, the above numbers with fully spent salaries and underspent case services do not support this premise.

VENDING & CAFETERIA OPERATIONS

$1,480,000
$1,239,911
84 percent

This item refers to the Commission’s Business enterprise Program (BEP). According to the BEP enabling legislation the purpose of the law is to “provide jobs and increase the economic independence of blind persons.” The BEP is the only direct program for employment within MCB. Tellingly, there are a large number of sighted persons operating Business Enterprise facilities and thus occupying jobs legally set aside for blind persons. In addition, the agency is under-supporting the program and not increasing the number of blind people working in the program. Recently, the agency has been trying to reduce upward mobility services designed to assist persons in the program to move into better jobs. Amazingly enough, they say it costs too much even though there is a big pile of unspent money in both BEP and in VR case services. At the most recent operator workshop, according to Elected Committee members, the operators were told there was insufficient funding to pay for recognition awards, though 16 percent of the budget remained unspent. The operators used funds to provide flowers and cards for sick or bereaved operators to pay for the recognitions of fellow operators. Where is the credibility?

STATE IL COUNCIL

$101,000
$100,996
100 percent

Now, here is, possibly, the most egregious example of using the Commission for an ATM. This organization does nothing to employ, train or place anyone. It is particularly disgusting when one takes into account the numbers below about services to older blind persons, those who might be served by Independent living services. MCB has hardly spent any money on these individuals, yet it supports another state agency which does nothing perceptible to help anyone.

COST ALLOCATIONS
$242,139
$356,682
147 percent

Here is an item which exceeded its budget. None of these funds went to serve blind people. In fact, if the Attorney General’s office is paid from this category, these funds were spent to fire, demean and otherwise drag blind people down. They may be defended by saying they are necessary to carry out other services of the agency, but the fact that they are one and one half times more than budgeted while direct services are drastically below budget makes one wonder why agency and state government services get more than their share while blind clients are under-served and thrown into the streets with no job at all. It appears to be the ATM syndrome at work, again. This is an ambiguous category, a better description may help us feel better about its apparently excessive spending in the face of depriving blind clients of service.

BEP OCCUPANCY
$1,040,000
$1,008,368
97 percent

Again, this money goes to the Department of Technology, Management and Budget and is virtually fully spent. This money is allegedly to pay for space which is occupied by BEP foodservice facilities for state employees. First, this expenditure does not even belong within the BEP budget. The cost of space for state employee foodservices and break areas ought to be a cost for each agency, just like hallways, elevators and bathrooms. These spaces are for the benefit of employees and the cost ought to be included in the rent paid by the various agencies for housing their employees. This would not increase the cost of occupancy for the state as a whole, but would free up money for serving blind people by allowing more funds for matching federal funds.

Second, a large number of the BEP facilities are being operated by sighted people while qualified blind people are being denied the opportunity to work. So money appropriated to serve blind people is paying rent on space where sighted people are working. Many of these sighted people are not paying their fees to the agency, while blind operators are being removed for far less serious offenses.

Again, though the amount of money spent to operate the program is underspent, the money inappropriately going to DTMB from the MCB ATM for their purposes is fully funded. Is there something wrong with this picture?

MCB RENT AND OCCUPANCY

$450,000
$412,717
92 percent

Of course the MCB needs office space and other space in which to operate from. Again, the Department of Technology, management and Budget is getting funds from the MCB ATM provided to serve blind people while blind people’s cases are going wanting and blind people are being told there is insufficient money to provide needed goods and services. At a minimum, rent ought to be reduced to 79 percent, the same extent that case services are.

STRATEGIC PLANNING

$3,000
$1,096
37 percent

Strategic planning is a federal requirement under the Rehabilitation act. Clearly, as demonstrated by the federal monitoring report and the defiance of the law as shown in this under expenditure MCB does not take the Rehabilitation Act or such requirements seriously. Proper strategic planning ought to be looking at the facts in this budget and wondering why more resources aren’t going to the people who the agency is legally mandated to serve. It is difficult to imagine, based on this budget summary what planning was done and what the goals and outcomes were.

STAFF TRAINING
$29,000
$9,214
32 percent

Again, there is an apparent disdain for staff training in the face of a federal monitoring report and many policy development meetings where federal rules were flagrantly violated. As recent as 2 weeks ago, a client was illegally told they are required to use their SSI funds for their rehabilitation services costs. This is strictly prohibited by the law. Maybe some training on the rehabilitation act would prevent the agency from violating the law. (Incidentally, MCB administration was fully aware of all the violations contained in the monitoring report, including misappropriation of funds, in time to provide staff training during the subject fiscal year, not to mention the present year.)

ARRA - TITLE I

$2,000,000
$4,068
0 percent

This is stimulus funding. It has far fewer restrictions than ordinary rehabilitation funds. To MCB’s credit, it planned to use this funding to hire interns in state government and has done so. Judging by the expenditures, not too many blind people got these jobs. The inability to spend $2 million to help blind people get jobs is not surprising in view of the fact that MCB cannot even spend its ordinary rehabilitation case services money. Based on these facts, one may be led to believe that all the blind people in Michigan are working and jobs are easy to get. We must be being misled that Michigan’s economy is depressed and there are blind people looking for work.

ARRA - OLDER BLIND

$1,187,077
$471
0 percent

ARRA - PART B

$156,528
$6,337
4 percent

The above 2 items are also known as “stimulus funds.” These are for older blind individuals. There are few restrictions and a limited time during which the money is to be spent, otherwise it must be returned to the federal government. Commission staff has called the NFB asking for donations of Perkins Braillers because they don’t have funds to provide equipment to seniors. Given the numbers, above, this is unimaginable. What in the world is happening, here? How can staff believe there is no money with budget surpluses in the millions of dollars? Again, there are good staff people out there who are not being properly trained, informed or supervised.

Last December during the quarterly Commission Board meeting, at the annual recognition of staff and clients who are doing extraordinary things there were some really good stories of quality rehabilitation work and positive outcomes. This leads one to wonder how many more such outcomes could have been achieved if there had been more and better planning, more and better staff training and a willingness to provide more goods and services to blind clients of MCB. Judging by the lack of spending of money targeted to help blind people, there is no need for the service. Somehow, it is doubtful this is true, based on the people I talk to on a daily basis, the adult children of blind seniors who want help for their moms and dads. The college students who are being told there is no money for technology, room and board and so on. All blind people who are looking for jobs have all the computer training and adaptive equipment they need to go to work. What other explanation could there be for this vast surplus of money? Could the explanation be a commission Director who is out of touch with what is happening in the agency? Could it be that the priority is to keep insiders funded while blind citizens go neglected and fired and discriminated against by the very agency that is legislatively established to assist them to get good jobs?

What is the Commission Board doing to monitor and control this travesty, this amazingly blatant rip-off of blind people while lining the pockets of sighted people and other agencies. How much does one agency director need to do before someone begins to question their competence? A short list of allegations includes a failing monitoring report from the federal government, illegally firing blind staff for belonging to the National Federation of the Blind, illegally firing the director of the Michigan Commission for the Blind Training Center with no due process, illegally taking jobs from blind vendors while illegally providing employment to sighted people in the Business Enterprise Program, allowing the entire staff of approximately 35 of MCBTC to sit idle for weeks with no work at a conservatively estimated cost of $75,000/week, no computers, no phones at full pay. How many offenses against blind people have to be committed before the Commission Board exercises its lawful duty to evaluate this person and take appropriate action? It is time to give blind people the PIN to the MCB ATM and allow us to join society as first-class tax-paying working people.

NFB michigan Announces Spring Board meeting

2011-03-28T16:52:00.002-05:00

National Federation of the Blind of Michigan Quarterly Board Meeting

The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan is having the next Quarterly Board Meeting in Ann Arbor on Saturday, May 14, from
10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. The meeting will take place at St. Pauls Lutheran Church,
420 W. Liberty
Ann Arbor, MI 48105.

Watch this space for the agenda. If you have suggestions for the agenda, please call President Larry posont at 517-482-1800. For comments or questions, please email president.nfb.mi.gmail.com. Our meetings are open to all and all are invited.
As a fund raiser for the Ann Arbor chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan, we will have a spaghetti luncheon.
For $6, lunch includes: spaghetti, garlic bread, brownies, and a drink. We hope to see you there!

Governor Rick Snyder Fills Commission For Blind Board Positions

2011-03-01T00:54:00.001-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: March 1, 2011

CONTACT: Mike Powell – 586-754-1325 or Larry Posont – 517-482-1800

Governor Snyder Fills 2 Vacancies on Michigan Commission for the Blind board

Lansing, Michigan – The national Federation of the Blind of Michigan (NFBM) is proud to announce that Governor Rick Snyder has appointed Larry Posont, president of the national Federation of the Blind of Michigan as Chairperson of the Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB). Governor Snyder has also appointed Parents Of Blind Children member Lydia Schuck to a 3-year term on the MCB Board. President Posont was notified by telephone on Friday February 25 of the 2 appointments.

“I am honored that the Governor has placed his trust in me to lead this very important Commission. The Commission is important to the thousands of blind people in Michigan who, without rehabilitation services, face a 70% unemployment rate. Michigan can do better than this.” Posont commented by phone from his Dearborn heights home. “The commission has a quality staff and adequate funds to provide the highest quality services available in America. Michigan has a strong law which provides that the 5 person policy-making board has at least 3 blind members. We expect to act aggressively to focus on jobs, jobs, jobs. Every employee of the agency needs to have quality, well-paying jobs for all blind MCB customers as their first priority. Through the years, various studies of rehabilitation programs show that $5-6 are returned for every dollar spent on quality rehabilitation, when blind people are moved from public benefit rolls to taxpayer rolls. It is a privilege to have a job and pay taxes, said Posont, a retired 30-year veteran of the business Enterprise program and entrepreneurial program sponsored by the Commission.

“The Michigan commission for the Blind will be an active participant in Governor Snyder’s program to help Michigan regain its strong role in our nations’ economy and provide high quality jobs for our state’s citizens. We are committed to quality effective data-driven government services that put the customer first,” Posont said.

Lydia Schuck from Mason, near Lansing, a parent of a blind child, a Transition Specialist and a doctoral candidate in Interdisciplinary health Science at Western Michigan University commented, “I hope to work to increase the capacity of the Michigan Commission for the Blind to work collaboratively with the Department of Education to increase results and opportunities for blind students in Michigan schools. I have the experience, background and passion to help improve services to create an environment where blind people can compete on terms of equality and achieve first-class citizenship.”

Posont and Schuck join Jo Ann pilarski, a school teacher from Alpena, Geri Taeckens, a retired School Social worker from Sault Ste Marie and john Scott, an attorney from Detroit on the MCB board which sets policy for the 34 year old Commission.

******

The national Federation of the Blind is the oldest and largest consumer organization of blind people in America. Founded in 1940, the Federation advocates for quality services and programs, sponsors Newsline for the blind, a free Newspaper and periodical service, scholarships and is a leader in technology to assist blind people, including the Blind Driver Challenge, where for the first time, a blind person navigated a car on a road course at the Daytona Race track in a Demonstration of how blind people can accomplish things never before thought possible.

Visit www.nfb.org and www.nfbmi.org to learn more about the national Federation of the Blind of Michigan.

Another Major System Failure at MCB

2010-12-15T23:56:00.002-05:00

National Federation of the Blind of Michigan

20812 Ann Arbor Trail

Dearborn Heights, MI 48127

December 15, 2010

Dear Jo Ann,

Below are 2 emails from 2 of the most dedicated people in the MCB. They are speaking out about one more system within MCB that is broken. As you are aware, much of the relationship with RSA is data driven. That is, the agency performance is measured and evaluated in quantitative measures. There are few, if any qualitative measures.

The RSA recently completed a monitoring report which was a very poor reflection on the agency. As you read the comments from Karyn Silky, you can sense her frustration as she tries to do her work and cannot do it efficiently and meet the demands of the administrative management information system (System 7). As she points out, even the accounting is broken. She cannot charge costs to the proper accounts. If these are not caught and manually corrected, RSA will, again, find that MCB is misappropriating funds.
The bottom line here is that System 7 is failing.

If that were the only major administrative problem in MCB it would be very serious and demand immediate and drastic action.
Unfortunately, this is only one among at least 4 other systems that have failed within the past year. Or should I say, more correctly, which have been reported in the past year. Certainly the monitoring report covers a broader time span and shows ongoing mismanagement by the Director.

Here is a brief recap of some of the failed and broken systems at MCB:

1.. 37 MCBTC staff are sitting idle and did so all last week at a cost of more than $75000/week, because there was inadequate planning to anticipate issues that may arise in commencing a major construction project. This project has been in some stage of planning since around 2005; it did not sneak up on anyone. This failure alone ought to be enough to demand drastic action from the board. It is easy to predict that Pat will blame Melody Lindsey, Christine Boone or Sherri Heibeck. He will not ever take responsibility for anything. Who is accountable?

2.. The Business Enterprise Program is in meltdown. With 15 facilities on the bid line and not enough blind people trained to fill these positions it is just going to continue to cause major problems for MCB. Sooner or later, there will be a major incident someplace which will create public relations problems and possibly attract negative legislature attention.

The last BEP training class of only 8, had no one in charge. Trainees were left to sit unsupervised with no assignments and no
oversight. An interpreter at $40/hour was allowed to sit while the person for whom they were to interpret had no activity. Fred
Wurtzel, the retired BEP administrator called James Hull and offered to supervise the class during John McEntee's absence. No teacher was apparently better than a 20 year veteran. There have been talks of early retirements for years. It could be anticipated that such an event would occur, yet there was absolutely no planning. This is difficult to understand, since placements of blind clients are down and there allegedly very few jobs, except there 15, today in the Business Enterprise Program. Who will take the fall for this. Will anyone take responsibility? Will anyone be held accountable? Certainly not Pat Cannon, Heaven forbid.

3.. The RSA monitoring report showed a monumental lack of oversight and numerous instances of violations of the law and rules. It is alleged that RSA is wrong and MCB is not to blame. It is doubtful if this argument will hold water. Consumers have brought many of these issues to the attention of the Commission Board, the MCB director and various staff people over the years. Some of these, consumers could not easily detect, like misappropriation of funds by serving ineligible clients below the age of 14. Pat alleged in a meeting with the NFB that he provided a copy of the preliminary monitoring report to you, Jo Ann, more than a year ago. You have denied having a copy. I'm not sure of the truth, here. It certainly appears that Pat is, again, dumping responsibility on you and not taking his own responsibility. Who will be blamed for this? Will it be Leamon, the MCB Board, and the counselors or, as we heard, it is RSA's fault. Amazing!

4.. Back to System 7. This is the very heart of managing the MCB. RSA will use data from System 7 to evaluate the agency performance.

5..

6.. Yesterday, in the Services Delivery Design Team meeting staff expressed much dissatisfaction with System 7 and MAIN. it was
mentioned that blind staff, after how many years, now, still cannot do many of the administrative tasks which most state employees
must do either as a regular part of their job or as incidental parts of carrying out their duties. For example blind staff in state
government cannot even complete their own time sheets, let alone do a large number of tasks required for state jobs. The Commission
may become the only place where blind people can work if they need to use MAIN. The whole "MAIN" system is inaccessible and Pat
cannon is the state ADA coordinator. Michigan is at risk for a giant ADA suit such as the ones in Arkansas and New york. These
states had exactly the same problem with their statewide accounting systems. Is the Governor aware of this threat? Pat Cannon
cannot even advocate for his agencies' constituency, himself or anyone else it seems. Who is at fault for this system failure? It
must be Connie Zanger, right? She has been doing the job for the past few months and did not fix it. Or, could it be Sherri
Heibeck? She was in charge for several years. Or is it Libera? Did they follow the MCB specifications incorrectly? Or, is it
DTMB for not monitoring the system progress. Oh, how about Pat Cannon? Could he, as administrator be accountable? No, he is no
computer guru, so it must be someone else.

These are just 4, (did I say "just" 4?) items that, in most places of employment just 1 problem of the magnitude of these would have
caused major disciplinary action, that are plaguing MCB Yet, given all these, you just gave this man a satisfactory job rating.
This seems inconceivable.

How about some other items like the firing of Christine Boone on false pretenses with no MCB Board oversight, though the board is
the direct supervisor of the Director and P.A. 260 calls for such oversight, 2 instances of breaking and entry into the MCB office
where computers were stolen, allegations of misuse of travel by a staff person, questions about BEP inventories, questions about bep
judge shopping resulting in overturned administrative hearings? How many more do you need?

Read both Bernie's and Karin's messages. They are afraid of reprisals. Pat Cannon has managed by bullying and intimidation. Why
should an employee be afraid to report problems with the software they are depending on to do their jobs? This is the very software
the agency will depend on to report accurately to RSA to account for the $20 million the agency is entrusted with each year to serve
blind people. Fear is the management style of preference and as you can see from the list above it is not very effective as a
strategy. When will someone take responsibility? Are blind people so inconsequential that a person earning more than 120000 per
year is allowed to behave in any manner they choose wit impunity?

It is up to you. We are depending on you as the legally appointed body to oversee the Commission to take charge. When will this
madness stop and who will stop it?

Sincerely

Larry Posont, President

National Federation of the Blind of Michigan

517-482-1800

Email: president.nfb.mi@gmail.com

Web page

www.nfbmi.org

Subject: RE: System 7 issues

All,

Good afternoon.

Is this another case of Manager's making decisions WITHOUT ANY INPUT OF

STAFF?

I can't even count the number of times we have just shoved stuff down the chain,

(in our case the West Region) to Field

Staff and

Administrative Support

.

What affect does this have on the overall push down to us; to increase Competitive

Closures?

There most surely is POLITIC with this latest decision to revamp System 7? It must

have to do with funding to LIBERA? Appease RSA?

Does anyone hear, or read of staff and

administrative support

input to the latest from Libera? Does anyone care about this

Staff

; BUT, particularly here in the West Region? Kisiel and I do! Some of the West

Staff may not agree with me; and that's OK.

How much more can this agency from Commissioner's, right down thru the "THE CHAIN

OF COMMAND" ask of this

Staff?

For one time can we be straight and honest to the hardest worker's we have? OK;

worker's may not be a good title but is this how MANAGEMENT sees it's

front line employees

? Sherry Gordon, Lisa Kisiel and the writer have always tried to put our

STAFF first. We tried

but maybe never enough

, to stand up to what we felt was right? I always lived with FEAR, i.e., what can

"they" do to me? And, I am a former Colonel in the United States Army.

I have sat by for many days now; first thinking WHAT CAN THEY DO TO ME if I respond?

In good

conscience I have to

! I have the highest of respect for the professionalism that Karyn Silky and ALL

STAFF of this agency bring to the table.

For so many years I supported the Director's approach which began upon arrival in

1999. As a Manager I became a learning person as was suggested to me, not by my

Boss then; but the Director. Eleven years ago I honored that attempt.

It pains me to see after these eleven years, that I have to ask;

have we made any progress

? THIS IS A BURNED OUT FIELD STAFF in the West Region.

BERNIE P. KRAMER

West Region Manager

Michigan Commission For The Blind

350 Ottawa NW

Grand Rapids, MI

616-356-0183

Subject: System 7 issues

Julia,

First, thanks for being patient with all of us as we struggle through this mess.

My comments below are not directed toward you, please know that.

My first question is why can't we be allowed to view all consumers who are in the

System? I needed to check to see if someone from the other side of the state was

currently open etc. for a new referral that came in with the same first and last

name, and I was not able to view any case information because I wasn't assigned to

the case.

If the response is that the counselor assigned to the case must change it, then this

is just not acceptable. What if the counselor/teacher doesn't do it in a timely

fashion? What if the person assigned to the case has retired? Doesn't Libra understand

how this complicates service delivery for consumers? Not everyone sits at their

desk 8-10 hours per day - most, if not all of us, are out in the field for the majority

of the week.

Secondly - why can't our support staff be able to do IPE amendments for counselors/teachers?

Apparently the counselor/teacher assigned to the case must do the IPE amendment,

approve it then our support staff can follow through and do an authorization. Again,

this is not allowing us to do our jobs in a timely manner. It's not that support

staff are actually writing the auth - it's that some of us might call/email in a

request to have support staff input the information into system, with all the particulars,

when we can't access or get to the system for various reasons like being on the road.

If timely service delivery is being asked of staff, this problem does not make it

very feasible. It's insane that all of the methods we used to have in the old version

aren't still there. The new requirement to go into the IPE and Amendments and date

when services were rendered and the outcomes is also a huge issue. How are we supposed

to know when this has been done if we didn't have the case when original services

were planned? This process does not make our system "efficient" - it is taking an

incredible amount of time for staff to even do a simple IPE amendment. Case note

entries should document that services were rendered. Sounds to me like someone doesn't

want to review case files to get this information and want a "quick fix".

I'm concerned that management does not have a full grasp on how difficult this "upgrade"

has made our jobs. I would suggest that those supervisors without case loads sit

down and try to muddle through this mess and get things done in a timely fashion.

I mean actually try to write an IPE amendment, try to print one out and see what

happens, try to do an authorization, add a new consumer, try to find an existing

consumer etc. . . and do this without having all the rights that you likely would

have. The upgrade is not acting like it did in training nor is it working like it

did during the testing phase. I'm appalled that there doesn't seem to be an upper

management statement being made to Libra about the urgency of fixing these issues

if not taking us back to the old way of doing things. If it is being done on the

Director or upper management level, it would be nice for staff to know that this

is happening - communicate with us on what is being asked to be fixed or corrected,

let us know that you are all supporting our concerns. I know that I am speaking

for most if not all of my colleagues when I say that we are fed up, tired and angry

with what has been occurring.

My last issue is huge and has been asked of Libera already, but is creating a serious

problem - staff (all staff) must be able to plan and do authorizations from the appropriate

accounting codes. Can't anyone see that when authorizations are being done, they

are being pulled from AARA funds versus VR because it can't be changed? What about

YLV students - what if they are VR and we need to do both YLV authorization as well

as a VR service? It won't let you do this. Why are we being required to do ILOB

plans when only IL was supposed to have plans. While I'm on it, what is the definition

of an IL consumer versus a homemaker? When do we serve someone as IL and not VR

homemaker? This question was asked during the testing phase of the upgrade when

we learned there would be a split in the funding for IL/ILOB. That was months ago.

How can you implement a new approach to fund and serve IL/ILOB without defining for

us what that means? Leamon, you must address this issue because there will be and

possibly are consumers out there not getting services through general IL who have

the right to services and/or are being put in the wrong program.

This "upgrade" is not an upgrade - it is a completely new system. Upgrades only

fix minor issues - not create disasters.

I feel sorry for whoever will be in charge of gathering financial data at the end

of Fiscal 2011 because the way things are going, nothing will be accurate.

My appeal to all staff who are trying to use this system is this - if you are struggling

with all of these issues, let management know directly via email or phone calls.

Specific issues must be identified to them and how it is impacting your job, how

long it is taking to do tasks (literally track the time) is absolutely necessary

in order for users of the system to get our point across.

I might be putting my neck on the line sending this, but frankly, I don't care anymore.

Karyn

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Barbecue To Benefit Youth

2010-09-24T21:56:00.001-05:00

October 17.2010
First Christian Church
1001 Chester Rd
Lansing, MI
Tickets are $10 or 2 for $15

John Overbeck and his competition Bar-B-Que team of HEERE PIGGY PIGGY are putting on a benefit Bar-B-Que to support The youth of FCC and the youth of The National Federation. of the Blind of Michigan.

HEERE PIGGY PIGGY will prepare a variety of pork and chicken recipes for you to try. You may then vote for your favorite. The winning recipe will be used for the next competition for this fun-loving, energetic, imaginative and dedicated team of chefs. Come join us to support our youth and enjoy a delicious, mouth-watering meal of freshly prepared bar-b-que.

In addition, Schwan’s Frozen Foods will be providing ice cream. Pre-order forms for Schwan’s products will be available with 10-20% of sales going to the youth. Our youth will be selling the tickets and distributing the pre-order information. Pre-order pickups will be available on the day of the event. Schwan’s products will be available for purchase during the event with a percentage benefiting our youth. Also, get your Younker’s Community Day packets for only $5.
\

Reflections On The Cost Of Consumer Involvement

2010-08-29T15:46:00.002-05:00

In the aftermath of a successful, yet painful and costly, pursuit of a consumer-friendly college policy campaign, I must reflect on the process and hope we have learned something. The cost of this process was high in monetary and human terms. It has alienated consumers, tarnished the image of a former Commission Board member and called into serious question the leadership of the Commission administration. Bullying, intimidation and attempts to mislead did not in the end, prevail. Consumers got a quality policy, at what cost? We, the NFB of Michigan, will not refrain from our pursuit of justice and fairness in the provision of quality services to blind people.

Why cannot our officials understand P.A. 260? It is plain English. The law, P.A. 260 creates a higher standard for MCB than the open meetings law, alone. As you will read, below, the word "any" applies to all business created under the authority of the Board. The consumer friendly, common sense approach would be to defer to the most open means of conducting Commission business, possible. Why not? What outcome is worth creating hostility, mistrust and an air of secrecy and elitism. After all, ultimately, the public will become aware of the players and their tactics and honesty, eventually.

For instance, some of the outcomes of the process were that: the college policy took an extra year to redo; the unfair and inexcusable trashing of Mark Eagle as being ethically questionable; the search for bullet proof skirting for meeting tables; security guards at Commission meetings. Were these wounds worth it? Why not let interested people participate, or at least observe? There did not seem to be a limit on the number of expensive staff in attendance at the college policy meetings, yet, consumers, who could not even get lunch paid for were excluded. In the end, consumers and courageous Commissioners had to correct the mean-spirited and anti-blind policy created by that original limited group. I hope we have learned something.

Below is an excerpt from the Commission law and a Q and A provided by Joe Harcz through his tenacious digging for truth and justice with Director Cannon. You will read how Director Cannon either deliberately or out of ignorance of the law, mislead and inaccurately advised the Commissioners.
Wouldn't it be simple to have a copy of the law at a Commission meeting to refer to?

Clearly the Director is not reliable.

393.365 Conducting business at public meeting; notice; availability of writings to public

Sec. 15.(1) The business which the commission or any committee appointed under this

act may perform shall be conducted at a public meeting of the commission or committee

held in compliance with Act No. 267 of the Public Acts of 1976, being sections 15.261

to 15,275 of the Michigan Compiled Laws. Public notice of the time, date, and place

of the meeting shall be given in the manner required by Act No. 267 of the Public

Acts of 1976.

(2) A writing prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by the commission

in the performance of an official function shall be made available to the public

in compliance with Act No. 442 of the Public Acts of 1976, being sections

15.231

to 15.246 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.

History: 1978, Act 260. Eff. Oct. 1, 1978.

Chair Pilarski asked Director Cannon to address the question of the OMA. Director Cannon responded that most of the internal groups within the Commission are open to all to attend and participate in, but there are committees that have designated representatives to participate and speak for each of their groups. Ms. Pilarski indicated that each of the representatives should be going back to their respective groups and filling them in on the meeting. Director Cannon noted that meetings of the MCB Board are subject to the OMA since the Board is a public body under the law.
He added that other committees and groups within the Commission, including its Consumer Involvement Council (CIC) are not considered public bodies and not required to be open meetings under the law. Sue Luzenski read a statement by Judge Andres Friedlis, the State Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules in response to an inquiry about the statute " . none of these groups would be considered public bodies subject to the OMA. They are all formed to provide advice; none have decision making functions. And their formation was not required by statute or rule. They consist of people having knowledge or an interest in the Commission's ultimate decision but none of the groups have any ability to decide these questions. If these groups are only advisory they are not 'Public Bodies.' Also they must be created by resolution, statute, ordinance, etc. to be considered Public Bodies."

Ms. Taeckens stated she served on ad hoc committee for the Training Center which consisted of 21 people and it was hard to get input from all of the participants. A bigger group would make it even more difficult to get the job done and can impede the function and goal of the group. There are times when meetings should be closed as long as there is peer representation.
Several consumers attending the meeting expressed their views on consumer participation, open meetings and dialogue opportunities.

Ms. Pilarski suggested that suggestions or comments could be put in writing either on the listserve or on the website.

As you can read, above, neither Cannon nor Friedliss were correct, since they, apparently, did not read the Commission law. The Commission law does not require the standard of a "public body" as does the OMA. I repeat, here, from P.A. 260: "The business which the commission or any committee appointed under this act may perform shall be conducted at a public meeting of the commission or committee held in compliance with Act No. 267 of the Public Acts of 1976,. . .

Speaking as a member of the NFB I have no doubt it worth our cost to stand up for our values and philosophy. I would, without question, do it again to get a quality outcome for thousands of blind people to come. I wonder if others feel the vicious and unfair attack on Mark Eagle was, in the end, worth it. This was a low-point in the misuse of power and influence to gain a point. What about the questions raised when security guards appeared at a Commission meeting? Some people wonder about the kind of fear that provoked such extreme measures. What truly motivated that fear?

Let's learn from our experience. Let's be open and welcoming. Let's accept all views and consider them as sincere efforts to provide the best quality services possible. Let's abandon deception, obfuscation, misinterpretation and intimidation as our tactics of choice for managing the MCB. It has been shown that, at least this time, the consumers will do what is necessary, in an open way, to assure quality outcomes.

national Federation of the Blind of Michigan to Picket Commission for Blind May 20, 2010

2010-05-19T22:52:00.002-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Larry Posont, President
National Federation of the Blind of Michigan
(517) 482-1800

National Federation of the Blind of Michigan to Hold Protest

Lansing, Michigan (May 19, 2010): The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of Michigan will again take to the streets of Lansing on Thursday, May 20, to protest what it feels is an atmosphere of cover-up, secrecy, and intimidation by Patrick Cannon, director of the Michigan Commission for the Blind. The NFB of Michigan alleges violations by the Michigan Commission for the Blind of the Michigan Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act, as well as improper firings of blind staff members for membership in the NFB and wrongful dismissal of a commission board member.

The picket will be held at noon on Thursday at the headquarters of the Michigan Commission for the Blind at 201 N. Washington Square.

The NFB of Michigan has requested a copy of an audit of the commission conducted by the Rehabilitation Services Administration. Commission staff, including the director, have referred to the document several times in public meetings, yet deny existence of the document. The commission board went into closed session to discuss issues raised by the NFB. None of the items purported to be discussed were exempt from the Michigan Open Meetings Act.

"The business of the Michigan Commission for the Blind is not classified information," said Larry Posont, president of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan. "This is a public agency with public funds; there is no conceivable reason to cover anything up. We thought this administration stood for openness and transparency in the conduct of taxpayer business."

The NFB of Michigan also believes that blind entrepreneurs who operate food service businesses in state buildings have been removed from their jobs for being leaders in advocacy on behalf of blind business operators.

"It seems beyond coincidence that every time a Federation member is elected to lead blind people, they lose their jobs," said Terry Eagle, an advocate in the NFB of Michigan. "Pat Cannon's bullying and intimidation needs to stop. We will not stop until blind people can work without fear of unfair and illegal removal from their jobs."

###

About the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan

The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan (NFBM) is a proud affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind. Originally founded in 1941, the NFBM has been a leader in advocacy and has worked tirelessly to change what it means to be blind in Michigan. Among our accomplishments: bringing NFB-NEWSLINER to Michigan, establishing the Michigan Commission for the Blind, white cane legislation, Braille literacy for blind children legislation, and much more.

Department of Management and Budget confirms Cannon's Request for Bullet Proof Drapes and Armed Guards.

2010-04-22T23:26:00.003-05:00

Let DMB speak for itself. From FOIA request, received today.

From: Luzenski, Sue (DELEG)
Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 2:24 PM
To: Heibeck, Cheryl (DELEG)
Subject: For FOIA request

Attachments: DMB-123 Blind Comm Victor.doc

-----Original Message-----
From: Pratt, Jeff
Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2010 10:48 AM
To: Luzenski, Sue (DELEG)
Subject: Fwd: FW: Braille and Tactile Signs

Sue,

Thank you. Pat asked that I arrange for a security guard on Mar. 19 & 20.
Attached is a DMB-123 that I need to have you complete and have signed by your agency then returned to my attention. I will also need a point of contact and phone number for these two days as well as an understanding of what the guard's duties will be. I do know that on the 20th the guard will need to be posted at the entrance as the building will be locked. It would be helpful if a list of those authorized to enter so that the guard knows who is authorized.

Thanks,
Jeff

Commission for the Blind Director Paranoid? Calls for Armed Gaurds, Bullet PProof Drapes!

2010-04-22T23:06:00.002-05:00

If anyone wonders why blind Michigan citizens are calling for the removal of the Commission for the Blind Director, just read the following amazingly nonsensical chain of memos from Cannon and his staff. Can anyone believe a person with sense would waste taxpayer money on bullet proof drapes at a Commission for the Blind meeting? Read it for yourself and draw your own conclusions. These memos were obtained from a Freedom of Information Act request, received today.

From: Robertson, Bob (DELEG)
Sent: Tuesday, April 13, 2010 10:44 AM
To: Haynes, Carla (DELEG); Cannon, Patrick (DELEG)
Subject: FW: Security at Commission meetings

Here is the information on the possibilities of getting security and bullet-proof draping at Commission meetings.

Bob

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Cannon, Patrick D (DLEG)
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2008 4:50 PM
To: Robertson, Bob (DLEG)
Subject: RE: Security at Commission meetings

Thanks Bob! You did great work on gathering this information and I am most appreciative.

I have forwarded this information on to Jo Ann Pilarski but asked that she not share it far and wide and I will ask you to do the same as I do not want to create any sense of “alarm” on the subject of security.

Thanks again,

Pat

-----Original Message-----
From: Robertson, Bob (DLEG)
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2008 3:02 PM
To: Cannon, Patrick D (DLEG)
Cc: Luzenski, Sue (DLEG)
Subject: Security at Commission meetings

Hi Pat –

After talking with Steve Monet, I’ve got some info you can “take under advisement” and share with Commissioners if you so wish. Steve is still checking into the feasibility of bullet-proof draping for the conference rooms tables. He wants us to take a digital photo of the tables in the conference room upstairs and include their measurements so the company who makes the draping can give us an estimate on the costs. I thought we could do this when Susan gets back later this week.

As for other buildings, he said there are several in the area. He mentioned the State Library or Capitol Commons as two possibilities downtown. There is also the General Office Building at the Secondary Complex and the building down on Pierpont where the Public Service Commission meets. All of these facilities have someone at the front desk checking IDs and issuing visitor passes. Steve pointed out that these so-called “security guards” do not get involved in apprehending or stopping bad guys. In other words, if someone disrupts a meeting the folks at the front desk won’t come running to the rescue. We would need to call the Capitol Security for that.

Finally, Steve gave me the name of the guy in DMB, Jeff Pratt, we can contact (241-4391) if we want to see about having our own security guard at a meeting in this building. We would need to tell him how often we’d need someone, how many hours each time, the place and time, and then whether we wanted an armed or unarmed guard. We would most likely have to pay for those services. We cannot just “borrow” a guard from another building.

I think this is a good ‘first step’ in gathering some info that you and the Board can use to decide a ‘next step’ so if you need more, let me know.

Bob

Braille Monitor Article: Blind Man Hunts; Teaches Gun Safety

2010-03-22T23:25:00.002-05:00

As a note, many blind hunters here in Michigan do "pull the trigger" as they aim with the assistance of a sighted guide and a laser scope. Not better or worse, just another alternative technique.

http://nfb.org/legacy/bm/bm02/bm0211/bm021111.htm

Hey Mom, the Hunter Ed Guy Is Blind

The Braille Monitor November 2002

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contents)

Hey, Mom, the Hunter Ed Guy Is Blind

by Jim Marks

From the Editor: In his quiet, steady way Jim Marks is one of the leaders in the Federation wherever he goes. He is the director of Disability Services

for Students at the University of Montana-Missoula. Those of us who know him in meetings or dispensing wise counsel on e-mail lists will discover another

side to him in the following story. Here it is:

Jim Marks teaching gun safety to an eager class of young students.

Jim Marks teaching gun safety to an eager class of young students.

When a blind man stands before a class consisting mostly of preteens, holding a gun in one hand and a cane in the other, which item draws the most attention? It's no contest. The Browning 308 lever action with the 4x12 scope and camouflage cover gets far more attention than the straight carbon-fiber sixty-nine-inch cane. And that's as it should be.

Before I began my job as one of the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks volunteer instructors, I wondered if my blindness would attract a lot of attention. I envisioned students running back to their homes to blurt out, "Mom, Mom! The hunter ed guy is blind." To my surprise and pleasure, it turned out to be no big deal at all. Seems the students paid more attention to the big game rifle than the long white cane in my hands. They wanted to know about hunting and guns and the like. Blindness was irrelevant, or at least mostly so.

The kids paid little attention to the fact that I can't see, but some of the parents and my colleagues demonstrated some curiosity. Children take the blind adult at face value as an adult. Adults, on the other hand, get bogged down with the traditional stereotypes and prejudices. Once I overheard a conversation between two moms who did not know I could hear them. As I walked down the corridor with my class to another classroom equipped with an electronic shooting simulator, one mom said to the other mom the words that blind people often hear: "Wow, he sure gets around well." The praise for accomplishing the mundane exposes the fact that the speaker doesn't think much of the abilities of the blind.

On another occasion a fellow volunteer wondered aloud how it was that a blind man could hunt. I thought the question reasonable and attempted the best explanation I could. Other than these rather minor things, no one fussed at all and I was free to do my job just as anyone else would. A great deal of credit for the success of the class goes to my instructor partner, Jim Taylor. Jim hunts with me. Our children are about the same age, and we wanted to expose them to the hunter education program during the summer months, when life isn't as crazy as it can be during the school year. When we approached the agency responsible for hunter education, they said no summer classes were available. Ever quick to snag more volunteers, the agency folks asked if we would be interested in teaching a summer course. Jim and I said "yes," and soon we found ourselves wearing the bright orange vests and official trappings of the volunteer instructor.

Jim told me that he used to be skeptical that a blind man could be a hunter, but seeing me in action changed his mind. He relates a story about our first shared hunting experience. Jim's leg had been injured while playing basketball, so he had to stay close to the pickup to take it easy. The morning was crisp and cold following a short snowstorm that had blanketed the area with new snow.

We parked our vehicle near a place where elk had been spotted the day before. The hillside was so steep that all I had to do to touch the ground was bend slightly and put my hand before me at a slight downward angle. The very steep slope was made all the more treacherous by the new snow. Jim watched as our other hunting partner and I started our climb up the hill. The partner's shoes kept breaking traction, and he slipped a number of times into my arms as I struggled up the hill behind him. When I'm in the backcountry, I use two hiking poles. These, plus my choice of footwear, made me far more stable than my partner. Jim said it amazed him the way I caught the other guy and propelled him up the slope, adding that his amazement resulted from the realization that I was a dependable contributor to the hunting party, thus shattering his low expectations for the blind. He said with a grin that, after watching me in the field, he knew I was all right, especially since the next time he saw us, we were dragging an elk. For those who may not know, the "he's all right" phrase is a compliment of the highest order in Montana-speak.

Some may ask why I am interested in hunting. To me hunting connects me to my family, culture, and past. Blind or sighted, I've always wanted to hunt. It's never been a matter of the trophy for me. Rather, hunting affords me a brief respite from my normally suburban life by giving me a taste of the ranch life I left behind in young adulthood.

I love everything about the hunt. Getting ready, with all the right clothing, gear, and possibles, excites me. Hiking to and standing on a mountain ridge before daylight scanning for the elk lifts me up. Spending time at the campsite with a cup of bad coffee and hastily prepared camp food that tastes incredibly good in that setting makes me smile. Even the not-so-fun parts of the hunt fascinate me. The death of an animal is tangible and very, very real. The work of field-dressing and hauling the downed animal out of the woods breaks a sweat like little else I do. All of this weaves together to form an experience that I absorb into the deepest part of me. I am a hunter, always have been, and always will be. Obviously my blindness affects the way I hunt. In a nutshell, I do pretty much the same thing other hunters do with the exceptions of hunting alone and aiming the rifle independently. Even when I could see and shoot on my own, I never hunted alone. Going out with others forms a vital part of the hunt for me. While I respect those who hunt alone, I always preferred hunting with others. It's just more fun. So hunting with others presents no sacrifice whatsoever to me.

As a blind member of the party, I am not just extra baggage either. I pick up on things others miss such as the sounds and smells my hunting buddies overlook because they are so focused on seeing what's out there. Also I hunt in the places I've known since I was a kid. Even though I can't see which trail to follow, I know which way to turn and where we may encounter the game. Besides all this, I can pull more than my fair share of the load when it comes to getting the animals out of the field. Dragging a big game animal demands a strong back and heart, both attributes with which I am amply blessed.

The act of pulling the trigger and taking the life of another living being is a tiny piece of the hunting experience for me and for the vast majority of my fellow hunters. Hunting isn't about killing. It is about being in step with nature and finding a place in the natural order of things. So when my eyesight failed enough to prevent me from aiming my rifle, I let others perform this part of the hunt for me. I stand right by the person pulling the trigger. Some blind hunters adapt firearms to allow a companion to aim the rifle while the blind hunter holds and fires the gun. I've toyed with the idea of adding the equipment it takes to modify a rifle so that two people can shoot it but decided it wasn't important for me.

However, I do feel strongly that the blind hunter shouldn't turn over a hunting license to another as you would turn over a grocery list. Besides being illegal and unethical, not being part of the hunt denies one the essence of the hunt. It's important to me to be there, to do nearly everything other hunters do. Wild game makes up a large part of my diet. But I'd be lying if I were to claim it's cheaper than buying meat in a supermarket. It costs a lot to hunt, but hunters buy far more than food in the bargain. We buy an experience of which there is no equal. That's why I insist on the total experience minus the part about pulling the trigger.

Through hunter education I've been able to bring my own kids in on this experience. I tell them that they don't have to hunt and that they can decide, when the time comes, whether they want to take an animal. Both my daughter and son love to go to the woods with their dad. And I observe more than a little pride in the fact that their dad cares enough to teach them and others about hunting. Their attention in the classroom and in the field reinforces my belief that I'm doing the right thing as a hunter, parent, and instructor.

As an aside, an incident occurred involving blindness that bears mentioning. A friend told me about a reaction from someone else. "Well," the other person was reported to have said, "I suppose teaching hunter education makes Jim feel as if he can do something." My friend related this prejudice-revealing comment with the expectation that I would be incensed at the low expectation of the blind that it reflected. Instead I reacted this way: I said that the person was right on. Instructing others about the hunting experience indeed made me feel as though I was doing something. But the accomplishment wasn't about proving that a blind person could do things. Instead, I taught hunter education as an extension of the hunt, a passing on of the privilege. Blindness was irrelevant.

In conclusion, my experiences as a hunter and hunter education instructor tell me that the National Federation of the Blind and I are on the right track (no pun intended). As blind folks we must learn to live out our lives as we choose—free of the belief that blindness is the problem. The Federation preaches a vision that with the proper training and opportunities blindness becomes little more than a nuisance in our lives. Such attitudes reach deeper in my soul than the mere words indicate. I am a hunter, and I am blind. Wouldn't have it any other way.

Michigan Open Meetings Act (Sunshine Law)

2010-03-22T23:16:00.000-05:00

Open Meetings Act
The following information is presented on-line for informational use only and without warranty as to its accuracy, timeliness, or completeness. It does
not replace any official versions of this information. (Mich Dept of Attorney General Web Site - www.ag.state.mi.us)

OPEN MEETINGS ACT
Act 267 of 1976

AN ACT to require certain meetings of certain public bodies to be open to the public; to require notice and the keeping of minutes of meetings; to provide
for enforcement; to provide for invalidation of governmental decisions under certain circumstances; to provide penalties; and to repeal certain acts and
parts of acts.

The People of the State of Michigan enact:

15.261. Short title; effect on related local charter provisions, ordinances, resolutions

Sec. 1. (1) This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Open meetings act."

(2) This act shall supersede all local charter provisions, ordinances, or resolutions which relate to requirements for meetings of local public bodies to
be open to the public.

(3) After the effective date of this act, nothing in this act shall prohibit a public body from adopting an ordinance, resolution, rule, or charter provision
which would require a greater degree of openness relative to meetings of public bodies than the standards provided for in this act.

15.262. Definitions

Sec. 2. As used in this act:

(a) "Public body" means any state or local legislative or governing body, including a board, commission, committee, subcommittee, authority, or council,
which is empowered by state constitution, statute, charter, ordinance, resolution, or rule to exercise governmental or proprietary authority or perform
a governmental or proprietary function, or a lessee there of performing an essential public purpose and function pursuant to the lease agreement.

(b) "Meeting" means the convening of a public body at which a quorum is present for the purpose of deliberating towards or rendering a decision on a public
policy.

(c) "Closed session" means a meeting or part of a meeting of a public body which is closed to the public.

(d) "Decision" means a determination, action, vote, or disposition upon a motion, proposal, recommendation, resolution, order, ordinance, bill, or measure
on which a vote by members of a public body is required and by which a public body effectuates or formulates public policy.

15.263. Meetings of public bodies; attendance, nonapplication

Sec. 3. (1) All meetings of a public body shall be open to the public and shall be held in a place available to the general public. All persons shall be
permitted to attend any meeting except as otherwise provided in this act. The right of a person to attend a meeting of a public body includes the right
to tape record, to videotape, to broadcast live on radio, and to telecast live on television the proceedings of a public body at a public meeting. The
exercise of this right shall not be dependent upon the prior approval of the public body. However, a public body may establish reasonable rules and regulations
in order to minimize the possibility of disrupting the meeting.

(2) All decisions of a public body shall be made at a meeting open to the public.

(3) All deliberations of a public body constituting a quorum of its member shall take place at a meeting open to the public except as provided in this section
and sections 7 and 8.

(4) A person shall not be required as a condition of attendance at a meeting of a public body to register or otherwise provide his or her name or other
information or otherwise to fulfill a condition precedent to attendance.

(5) A person shall be permitted to address a meeting of a public body under rules established and recorded by the public body. The legislature or a house
of the legislature may provide by rule that the right to address may be limited to prescribed times at hearings and committee meetings only.

(6) A person shall not be excluded from a meeting otherwise open to the public except for a breach of the peace actually committed at the meeting.

(7) This act does not apply to the following public bodies only when deliberating the merits of a case:

(a) The worker's compensation appeal board created under the worker's disability compensation act of 1969, Act No. 317 of the Public Acts of 1969, as amended,
being sections 418.101 to 418.941 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.

(b) The employment security board of review created under the Michigan employment security act, Act No. 1 of the Public Acts of the Extra Session of 1936,
as amended, being sections 421.1 to 421.73 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.

(c) The state tenure commission created under Act No. 4 of the Public Acts of the Extra Session of 1937, as amended, being sections 38.71 to 38.191 of the
Michigan Compiled Laws, when acting as a board of review from the decision of a controlling board.

(d) An arbitrator or arbitration panel appointed by the employment relations commission under the authority given the commission by Act No. 176 of the Public
Acts of 1939, as amended, being sections 423.1 to 423.30 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.

(e) An arbitration panel selected under chapter 50A of the revised judicature act of 1961, Act No. 236 of the Public Acts of 1961, being sections 600.5040
to 600.5065 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.

(f) The Michigan public service commission created under Act No. 3 of the Public Acts of 1939, being sections 460.1 to 460.8 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.

(8) This act does not apply to an association of insurers created under the insurance code of 1956, Act No. 218 of the Public Acts of 1956, being sections
500.100 to 500.8302 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, or other association or facility formed under Act No. 218 of the Public Acts of 1956 as a nonprofit
organization of insurer members.

(9) This act does not apply to a committee of a public body which adopts a nonpolicymaking resolution of tribute or memorial which resolution is not adopted
at a meeting.

(10) This act does not apply to a meeting which is a social or chance gathering or conference not designed to avoid this act.

(11) This act shall not apply to the Michigan veterans' trust fund board of trustees or a county or district committee created under Act No. 9 of the Public
Acts of the First Extra Session of 1946, being sections 35.601 to 35.610 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, when the board of trustees or county or district
committee is deliberating the merits of an emergent need. A decision of the board of trustees or county or district committee made under this subsection
shall be reconsidered by the board of committee at its next regular or special meeting consistent with the requirements of this act. "Emergent need" means
a situation which the board of trustees, by rules promulgated under the administrative procedures act of 1969, Act No. 306 of the Public Acts of 1969,
as amended, being sections 24.201 to 24.328 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, determines requires immediate action.

15.264. Public notice of meetings; name of public body, posting locations

Sec. 4. The following provisions shall apply with respect to public notice of meetings:

(a) A public notice shall always contain the name of the public body to which the notice applies, its telephone number if one exists, and its address.

(b) A public notice for a public body shall always be posted at its principal office and any other locations considered appropriate by the public body.
Cable television may also be utilized for purposes of posting public notice.

(c) If a public body is a part of a state department, part of the legislative or judicial branch of state government, part of an institution of higher education,
or part of a political subdivision or school district, a public notice shall also be posted in the respective principal office of the state department,
the institution of higher education, clerk of the house of representatives, secretary of the state senate, clerk of the supreme court, or political subdivision
or school district.

(d) If a public body does not have a principal office, the required public notice for a local public body shall be posted in the office of the county clerk
in which the public body serves and the required public notice for a state public body shall be posted in the office of the secretary of state.

15.265. Public notice of meetings; regular, rescheduled, special, or recessed meetings; meetings in residential dwellings

Sec. 5. (1) A meeting of a public body shall not be held unless public notice is given as provided in this section by a person designated by the public
body.

(2) For regular meetings of a public body, there shall be posted within 10 days after the first meeting of the public body in each calendar or fiscal year
a public notice stating the dates, times, and places of its regular meetings.

(3) If there is a change in the schedule of regular meetings of a public body, there shall be posted within 3 days after the meeting at which the change
is made, a public notice stating the new dates, times, and places of its regular meetings.

(4) Except as provided in this subsection or in subsection (6), for a rescheduled regular or a special meeting of a public body, a public notice stating
the date, time, and place of the meeting shall be posted at least 18 hours before the meeting. The requirement of 18-hour notice shall not apply to special
meetings of subcommittees of a public body or conference committees of the state legislature. A conference committee shall give a 6-hour notice. A second
conference committee shall give 1-hour notice. Notice of a conference committee meeting shall include written notice to each member of the conference committee
and the majority and minority leader of each house indicating time and place of the meeting. This subsection does not apply to a public meeting held pursuant
to section 4(2) to (5) of Act No. 239 of the Public Acts of 1955, as amended, being section 200.304 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.

(5) A meeting of a public body which is recessed for more than 36 hours shall be reconvened only after public notice, which is equivalent to that required
under subsection (4), has been posted. If either house of the state legislature is adjourned or recessed for less than 18 hours, the notice provisions
of subsection (4) are not applicable. Nothing in this section shall bar a public body from meeting in emergency session in the event of a severe and imminent
threat to the health, safety, or welfare of the public when 2/3 of the members serving on the body decide that delay would be detrimental to efforts to
lessen or respond to the threat.

(6) A meeting of a public body may only take place in a residential dwelling if a nonresidential building within the boundary of the local governmental
unit or school system is not available without cost to the public body. For a meeting of a public body which is held in a residential dwelling, a notice
of the meeting shall be published as a display advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation in the city or township in which the meeting is to be
held. The notice shall be published not less than 2 days before the day on which the meeting is held, and shall state the date, time, and place of the
meeting. The notice, which shall be at the bottom of the display advertisement and which shall be set off in a conspicuous manner, shall include the following
language: "This meeting is open to all members of the public under Michigan's open meetings act."

15.266. Public notice; requests for copies of notice

Sec. 6. (1) Upon the written request of an individual, organization, firm, or corporation, and upon the requesting party's payment of a yearly fee of not
more than the reasonable estimated cost for printing and postage of such notices, a public body shall send to the requesting party by first class mail
a copy of any notice required to be posted pursuant to section 5(2) to (5).

(2) Upon written request, a public body, at the same time a public notice of a meeting is posted pursuant to section 5, shall provide a copy of the public
notice of that meeting to any newspaper published in the state and to any radio and television station located in the state, free of charge.

15.267. Closed sessions; vote, minutes

Sec. 7. (1) A 2/3 roll call vote of members elected or appointed and serving is required to call a closed session, except for the closed sessions permitted
under sections 8(a), (b), (c), (g), (i) and (j). The roll call vote and the purpose or purposes for calling the closed session shall be entered into the
minutes of the meeting at which the vote is taken.

(2) A separate set of minutes shall be taken by the clerk or the designated secretary of the public body at the closed session. These minutes shall be retained
by the clerk of the public body, are not available to the public, and shall only be disclosed if required by a civil action filed under sections 10, 11,
or 13. These minutes may be destroyed 1 year and 1 day after approval of the minutes of the regular meeting at which the closed session was approved.

15.268. Closed session; purposes

Sec. 8. A public body may meet in a closed session only for the following purposes:

(a) To consider the dismissal, suspension, or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, or to consider a periodic personnel evaluation
of, a public officer, employee, staff member, or individual agent, if the named person requests a closed hearing. A person requesting a closed hearing
may rescind the request at any time, in which case the matter at issue shall be considered after the recission only in open sessions.

(b) To consider the dismissal, suspension, or disciplining of a student if the public body is part of the school district, intermediate school district,
or institution of higher education that the student is attending, and if the student or the student's parent or guardian requests a closed hearing.

(c) For strategy and negotiation sessions connected with the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement if either negotiating party requests a closed
hearing.

(d) To consider the purchase or lease of real property up to the time an option to purchase or lease that real property is obtained.

(e) To consult with its attorney regarding trial or settlement strategy in connection with specific pending litigation, but only if an open meeting would
have a detrimental financial effect on the litigating or settlement position of the public body.

(f) To review and consider the contents of an application for employment or appointment to a public office if the candidate requests that the application
remain confidential. However, except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, all interviews by a public body for employment or appointment to a public
office shall be held in an open meeting pursuant to this act. This subdivision does not apply to a public office described in subdivision (j).

(g) Partisan caucuses of members of the state legislature.

(h) To consider material exempt from discussion or disclosure by state or federal statute.

(i) For a compliance conference conducted by the department of commerce under section 16231 of the public health code, Act No. 368 of the Public Acts of
1978, being section 333.16231 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, before a complaint is issued.

(j) In the process of searching for and selecting a president of an institution of higher education established under section 4, 5, or 6 of article viii
of the state constitution of 1963, to review the specific contents of an application, to conduct an interview with a candidate, or to discuss the specific
qualifications of a candidate if the particular process of searching for and selecting a president of an institution of higher education meets all of the
following requirements:

(i) The search committee in the process, appointed by the governing board, consists of at least 1 student of the institution, 1 faculty member of the institution,
1 administrator of the institution, 1 alumnus of the institution, and 1 representative of the general public. The search committee also may include 1 or
more members of the governing board of the institution, but the number shall not constitute a quorum of the governing board. However, the search committee
shall not be constituted in such a way that any 1 of the groups described in this subparagraph constitutes a majority of the search committee.

(ii) After the search committee recommends the 5 final candidates, the governing board does not take a vote on a final selection for the president until
at least 30 days after the 5 final candidates have been publicly identified by the search committee.

(iii) The deliberations and vote of the governing board of the institution on selecting the president take place in an open session of the governing board.

15.269. Minutes; contents, corrections, open to public inspection

Sec. 9. (1) Each public body shall keep minutes of each meeting showing the date, time, place, members present, members absent, any decisions made at a
meeting open to the public, and the purpose or purposes for which a closed session is held. The minutes shall include all roll call votes taken at the
meeting. Corrections in the minutes shall be made not later than the next meeting after the meeting to which the minutes refer. Corrected minutes shall
be available no later than the next subsequent meeting after correction. The corrected minutes shall show both the original entry and the correction.

(2) Minutes shall be public records open to public inspection and shall be available at the address designated on posted public notices pursuant to section
4. Copies of the minutes shall be available to the public at the reasonable estimated cost for printing and copying.

(3) Proposed minutes shall be available for public inspection not more than 8 business days after the meeting to which the minutes refer. Approved minutes
shall be available for public inspection not later than 5 business days after the meeting at which the minutes are approved by the public body.

15.270. Decisions; invalidation action, venue, reenactment

Sec. 10. (1) Decisions of a public body shall be presumed to have been adopted in compliance with the requirements of this act. The attorney general, the
prosecuting attorney of the county in which the public body serves, or any person may commence a civil action in the circuit court to challenge the validity
of a decision of a public body made in violation of this act.

(2) A decision made by a public body may be invalidated if the public body has not complied with the requirements of section 3(1), (2), and (3) in making
the decision or if failure to give notice in accordance with section 5 has interfered with substantial compliance with section 3(1), (2), and (3) and the
court finds that the noncompliance or failure has impaired the rights of the public under this act.

(3) The circuit court shall not have jurisdiction to invalidate a decision of a public body for a violation of this act unless an action is commenced pursuant
to this section within the following specified period of time.

(a) Within 60 days after the approved minutes are made available to the public by the public body except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b).

(b) If the decision involves the approval of contracts, the receipt or acceptance of bids, the making of assessments, the procedures pertaining to the issuance
of bonds or other evidences of indebtedness, or the submission of a borrowing proposal to the electors, within 30 days after the approved minutes are made
available to the public pursuant to that decision.

(4) Venue for an action under this section shall be any county in which a local public body serves or, if the decision of a state public body is at issue,
in Ingham county.

(5) In any case where an action has been initiated to invalidate a decision of a public body on the ground that it was not taken in conformity with the
requirements of this act, the public body may, without being deemed to make any admission contrary to its interest, reenact the disputed decision in conformity
with this act. A decision reenacted in this manner shall be effective from the date of reenactment and shall not be declared invalid by reason of a deficiency
in the procedure used for its initial enactment.

15.271. Noncompliance; actions for injunctive relief and mandamus

Sec. 11. (1) If a public body is not complying with this act, the attorney general, prosecuting attorney of the county in which the public body serves,
or a person may commence a civil action to compel compliance or to enjoin further noncompliance with this act.

(2) An action for injunctive relief against a local public body shall be commenced in the circuit court, and venue is proper in any county in which the
public body serves. An action for an injunction against a state public body shall be commenced in the circuit court and venue is proper in any county in
which the public body has its principal office, or in Ingham county. If a person commences an action for injunctive relief, that person shall not be required
to post security as a condition for obtaining a preliminary injunction or a temporary restraining order.

(3) An action for mandamus against a public body under this act shall be commenced in the court of appeals.

(4) If a public body is not complying with this act, and a person commences a civil action against the public body for injunctive relief to compel compliance
or to enjoin further noncompliance with the act and succeeds in obtaining relief in the action, the person shall recover court costs and actual attorney
fees for the action.

15.272. Intentional violation; misdemeanor, penalties

Sec. 12. (1) A public official who intentionally violates this act is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000.00.

(2) A public official who is convicted of intentionally violating a provision of this act for a second time within the same term shall be guilty of a misdemeanor
and shall be fined not more than $2,000.00, or imprisoned for not more than 1 year, or both.

15.273. Intentional violations; civil actions for damages

Sec. 13. (1) A public official who intentionally violates this act shall be personally liable in a civil action for actual and exemplary damages of not
more than $500.00 total, plus court costs and actual attorney fees to a person or group of persons bringing the action.

(2) Not more than 1 action under this section shall be brought against a public official for a single meeting. An action under this section shall be commenced
within 180 days after the date of the violation which gives rise to the cause of action.

(3) An action for damages under this section may be joined with an action for injunctive or exemplary relief under section 11.

15.273a. Selection of institution's president; violations by governing board, civil fine

Sec. 13a. If the governing board of an institution of higher education established under section 4, 5, or 6 of article viii of the state constitution of
1963 violates this act with respect to the process of selecting a president of the institution at any time after the recommendation of final candidates
to the governing board, as described in section 8(j), the institution is responsible for the payment of a civil fine of not more than $500,000.00. This
civil fine is in addition to any other remedy or penalty under this act. To the extent possible, any payment of fines imposed under this section shall
be paid from funds allocated by the institution of higher education to pay for the travel and expenses of the members of the governing board.

15.274. Repealer

Sec. 14. Act No. 261 of the Public Acts of 1968, being sections 15.251 to 15.253 of the Compiled Laws of 1970, is repealed.

15.275. Effective date

Sec. 15. This act shall take effect January 1, 1977.

Department of Attorney General
Seventh Floor G. Mennen Williams Building
525 W. Ottawa Street
P.O. Box 30212
Lansing, MI 48909
main frame end

Michigan Public Act 260 of 1978: The Commission for the Blind Act

2010-03-22T23:07:00.002-05:00

This law can be viewed at www.michigan.gov/mcb. We are reposting it here for your convenience.

Public Act 260

BLIND AND VISUALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS Act 260 of 1978

AN ACT to revise and codify the laws relating to blind persons and visually handicapped; to create a commission; to prescribe its powers and duties and those of other state agencies relative to blind persons; to provide services, education, training, and assistance to blind persons; to regulate concessions operated by blind persons; to transfer powers, duties functions, and appropriations; and to repeal certain acts and parts of acts.
History: 1978, Act 260. Eff. Oct. 1, 1978.

The People of the State of Michigan enact:

393.351 Definitions.
Sec. 1. As used in this act:
(a) "Blind person" means an individual who has a visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with correction, or has a limitation of his or her field of vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angular distance not greater than 20 degrees, as determined by the commission.
(b) "Commission" means the commission for the blind.
(c) "Concession" means equipment or location which is being used, or may be used to sell retail confections, tobaccos, papers, periodicals, and other like merchandise, coffee, milk, soft drinks, wrapped ice cream, wrapped sandwiches, wrapped baked goods, packaged salads and other similar food items. Concession includes the operation of "quickie lunch counters" for the dispensing of prepared foods in state buildings and vending facilities.
(d) "Department" means the department of labor.
(e) "Director" means the director of the commission.
(f) "Vending facility" means an automatic vending machine, cafeteria, snack bar, cart service, shelter, counter, or any other appropriate auxiliary equipment as the commission may prescribe by rule as being necessary for the sale of articles or services described in this act and which may be operated by a blind licensee.

393.352 Commission for blind; creation; appointment of members; chairperson; appointment and evaluation of director of commission; terms, compensation, and expenses of members; officers; quorum.
Sec. 2.(1) The commission for the blind is created in the department of labor. The commission consists of 5 members appointed by the governor by and with the advice and consent of the senate. Three of the members shall be blind persons. One of the members shall be designated by the governor to serve as the chairperson. The commission shall recommend to the director of the department a person to serve as director of the commission from a list of eligible persons certified and submitted by the department of civil service who shall be classified as a civil service employee, and the director of the department may appoint or reject that person. Should that person be rejected, the procedure shall be repeated until a director is appointed. The commission shall evaluate the performance of the director annually and submit its evaluation and recommedndations to the director of the department.
(2) The members shall serve for terms of 3 years except of those members first appointed, 2 shall serve for terms of 3 years, 2 for 2 years, and 1 shall serve for 1 year. A vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the balance of the unexpired term.
(3) The compensation and the schedule of reimbursement of expenses shall be established annually by the legislature.
(4) The members shall elect their own officers as necessary.
(5) A majority of the members appointed constitutes a quorum.

393.353 Services for determining cause and prevention of blindness; examination to certify statutory blindness; treatment; cost; contract to provide eye examinations.
Sec. 3.(1) The commission shall establish and maintain services as needed for determining the cause and prevention of blindness. The examination to certify statutory blindness may be performed by either an ophthalmologist or physician skilled in the diseases of the eye; or a licensed optometrist, whichever the person shall select. When a blind or partially blind person can be benefited by treatment, the commission shall arrange for the necessary treatment, with the consent of the person, by an ophthalmologist or physician skilled in the diseases of the eye, a licensed optometrist, or both. An examination shall be provided without charge to the applicant for services to the blind. Unless other funds are available, the examination, and treatment if provided, shall be paid for by the commission.
(2) The commission may contract with the department of social services or the department of public health to provide eye examinations for applicants for aid to the blind.

393.354 Services to assist visually handicapped persons; fee; duties of commission generally.
Sec. 4.(1) The commission shall maintain a program of services to assist visually handicapped persons to overcome vocational handicaps and to obtain the maximum degree of self-support and self-care. Services provided for under this section may be furnished to clients from other agencies of this or other states for a fee which shall not be less than the actual costs of the services.
(2) The commission shall:
(a) Furnish diagnostic evaluation to determine the nature and scope of services to be provided.
(b) Provide physical restoration to eliminate or minimize the effects of the handicap.
(c) Provide for special education or training in the professions, businesses, or trades under a vocational rehabilitation plan. The commission may furnish living maintenance during the period of the education or training within or without the state.
(d) Provide services to blind persons in accordance with the rehabilitation act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 701 to 794.
(e) Establish, construct, or maintain rehabilitation centers, training centers, or workshops to teach visually handicapped persons to prepare for and maintain trades or occupations when the training is feasible and will contribute to the efficiency or support of the visually handicapped persons.
(f) Provide teacher-counselor services and teaching of subjects which will assist visually handicapped persons in the ease and enjoyment of daily living.
(g) Place visually handicapped persons in jobs or business enterprises in accordance with the abilities and interests of the applicant.
(h) Teach visually handicapped persons trades or occupations which may be followed in their homes and to assist them in whatever manner may seem advisable in disposing of the products of their home industries.
(i) Aid individual visually handicapped persons or groups of visually handicapped persons to engage in gainful occupations by furnishing materials, equipment, goods or services to them, by providing financial assistance as necessary to encourage and equip them to reach an objective established with them by the commission.
(j) Provide rehabilitation services for blind persons who are senior citizens so that they may reside within a community.
(k) Provide other rehabilitative goods and services as appropriate to each individual circumstance.

3 93.355 Additional duties of commission.
Sec. 5. The commission shall do all of the following:
(a) Cooperate with other departments, agencies, and institutions, both public and private, in providing for the rehabilitation of blind persons, in studying problems relative to blind persons, and in establishing, developing, and providing necessary programs, facilities and services.
(b) Enter into reciprocal arrangements with other states to provide for the rehabilitation of residents of the states concerned.
(c) Conduct research and compile statistics relating to the rehabilitation of blind persons.
(d) Provide social adjustment, guidance, counsel, mobility training, and employment adjustment of blind persons in their home communities.
(e) Provide surveys of employment opportunities for blind persons and the placement of blind persons in employment not otherwise provided for.
(f) Regulate concessions reserved for operation by blind persons pursuant to this act.
(g) Promulgate rules pursuant to Act No. 306 of the Public Acts of 1969, as amended, being sections 24.201 as to 24.315 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, for the implementation and administration of this act.

393.356 Employment and duties of educational consultants; informing commission of schools with visually handicapped students; liaison and program coordination.
Sec. 6.(1) The commission may employ qualified educational consultants to assist public or private school teachers responsible for teaching visually handicapped students. Educational consultants shall assist public and private school teachers by providing methods and materials for teaching visually handicapped students. The superintendent of public instruction shall inform the commission of the schools in which visually handicapped students are enrolled.
(2) The director or a person designated by the director shall be the liaison between the commission, the schools for the blind, and the superintendent of public instruction, and shall coordinate all programs affecting blind students.

393.357 Contributions or gifts; acceptance; expenditure; stipulation of donor.
Sec. 7. The commission may accept contributions or gifts in cash or otherwise from persons, associations, or corporations. Contributions and gifts shall be expended as provided by law, in the same manner as moneys appropriated for implementing the purposes of this act. The donor of the gift may stipulate the manner in which the gift shall be expended within the guidelines of this act.

393.358 Powers of commission pursuant to state-federal agreements.
Sec. 8. The commission, pursuant to state-federal agreements, may cooperate with the federal government in carrying out the purposes of a federal statute or regulation, not in conflict with state law, which pertains to rehabilitation of blind persons; may adopt methods of administration, not in conflict with state law, which are necessary for the proper and efficient operation of the agreements or plans for rehabilitation of blind persons; and may comply with conditions, not in conflict with state law, which are necessary to secure the full benefits of federal statute.

393.359 Concessions in state buildings or on state property; operation by blind persons; plans; location of concessions.
393.360
Sec. 9. A concession in a building or on property owned or occupied by this state shall be operated by a blind person, regardless of race, creed, color, sex, marital status, or religious preference, except in cases provided for in section 10. The building division of the department of management and budget shall submit plans relative to concessions in state buildings or on state property to the commission, which shall have the final authority relative to the location of concessions.

393.360 Act inapplicable to certain concessions; sighted person operating concession under contract or lease, or operating concession not applied for by blind person.
Sec. 10.(1) This act shall not apply to a concession operated in connection with the state fair, with the use of state fairgrounds, with a state educational institution, state penal institution, military establishment, armory, or state park.
(2) A sighted person operating a concession under contract or lease at the time this act becomes effective shall not be required to surrender the rights before the contract or lease expires.
(3) A sighted person operating a concession which has not been applied for by a blind person may be permitted to continue in charge until the concession is applied for and a qualified blind person is chosen to operate the concession.

393.361 Concessions; qualifications of applicant; limitation on number.
Sec. 11. The qualifications of an applicant to operate a concession shall be determined according to qualifications established by the commission. A blind person shall not operate more than 1 concession.

393.362 Contract or lease of veteran with service-connected disability not affected.
Sec. 12. This act shall not be construed to affect the contract or lease of world war I, world war II, Spanish-American war, Korean conflict, or Vietnam era conflict veteran having a service-connected disability recognized by the veterans' administration of the federal government, or a renewal of that contract or lease.

393.363 Implementation of Randolph-Sheppard vending stand act.
Sec. 13. The commission shall be the state agency for implementing the Randolph-Sheppard vending stand act, 20 U.S.C. 107 to 107f.

393.364 Identification card; issuance; contents.
Sec. 14.(1) Upon request, the department of state shall issue to legally blind persons, as defined by the standards of the commission, an identification card attesting to the fact that the person to whom the card is issued is legally blind.
(2) The identification card shall bear the name, signature, birth date, address, and photograph of the person to whom issued.

393.365 Conducting business at public meeting; notice; availability of writings to public.
Sec. 15.(1) The business which the commission or any committee appointed under this act may perform shall be conducted at a public meeting of the commission or committee held in compliance with Act No. 267 of the Public Acts of 1976, being sections 15.261 to 15,275 of the Michigan Compiled Laws. Public notice of the time, date, and place of the meeting shall be given in the manner required by Act No. 267 of the Public Acts of 1976.
(2) A writing prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by the commission in the performance of an official function shall be made available to the public in compliance with Act No. 442 of the Public Acts of 1976, being sections 15.231 to 15.246 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.

393.366 Transfer of personnel, equipment, and unexpended appropriations; transfer of powers, duties, and functions.
Sec. 16.(1) The personnel serving in and the equipment and unexpended appropriations of the office of services to the blind in the department of social services is transferred to the commission.
(2) All powers, duties, and functions vested by law in the department of social services relative to the office of services to the blind are transferred to the commission.

393.367 Repeal of §§393.251 to 393.258, 393.271 to 393.276, and 393.301 to 393.303.
Sec. 17. Act No. 140 of the Public Acts of 1911, being sections 393.251 to 393.258 of the Compiled Laws of 1970, Act No. 14 of the Public Acts of 1939, being sections 393.271 to 393.276 of the Compiled Laws of 1970 and Act No. 95 of the Public Acts of 1967, being sections 393.301 to 393.303 of the Compiled Laws of 1970, are repealed.

393.368 Effective date.
Sec. 18. This act shall take effect October 1, 1978.

Marksmanship Program: The Whole Story

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According to the MCB publication, Welcome to the Michigan Commission for the Blind, the Commission will (and I quote) provide training and other services that empower people to achieve their individual goals. … If there are things you can’t do anymore because of vision loss, you can learn how to do many of these things again, safely and effectively, without using vision. MCB teachers are trained specialists in this field who will work with you to help you accomplish your goals.”

The MCB Training Center is the place inside the Commission, where students find themselves challenged and encouraged to achieve their goals. While many Center classes emphasize blindness skills such as Braille and independent travel, other areas of concentration are designed specifically for building the confidence that is so necessary to the ultimate success of MCB customers. Wood shop is probably the most famous of the confidence building classes, but several new activities have been explored in recent years to broaden students’ life experiences and enhance their self esteem. Most notable among these was the sky diving activity that took place in October of 2008.

Target shooting and hunting are both activities that are woven into Michigan’s cultural landscape, from White Pigeon to Houghton and from Muskegon to Port Huron. Target shooting in fact, is a sport in which people who are blind compete on a National and international basis and was a part of this years Olympic and Paralympic Games in Vancouver, in the Biathlon competition. Moreover, Michigan permits legally blind hunters to shoot game with a firearm or crossbow as long as certain conditions are met. It is hardly surprising then, that students at the MCB Training Center have requested target shooting as a recreational activity at various times throughout the Center’s 40 year history. In recent years, as the Center began to update some of its classes, strengthening the core curriculum and adding new areas of study that could be taken as electives, students began requesting a course in target shooting. The Center had previously instituted a popular archery class, which initiated a request from students for other shooting experiences. Paintball was explored in the summer of 2008, but the students did not care for it. These classes took place off-site because archery and paintball sites were available for the students’ use.

When the Center’s recreation director, Karen Cornell (KC), approached Director Christine Boone some time around February of last year and asked if she could look into the possibility of starting such a class, Christine supported the idea, but asked that KC hold off on exploring the possibilities until she had received approval from Pat Cannon.

Mrs. Boone reports that when she spoke with Mr. Cannon last spring, he was generally supportive of the idea, provided that Boone and the Center staff should be particularly mindful of safety considerations. Mrs. Boone remembers that Mr. Cannon ended the conversation with one of his signature statements “go ahead Christine, just keep me out of jail”.

KC began to explore the possibility of holding a shooting class off campus, somewhere in the city of Kalamazoo. She soon discovered that this arrangement would not be workable however, because the Center would need to bring its own guns to any shooting range. Naturally this was not possible, because the training center could not and would not purchase firearms. However, the Training Center sits on 22 acres of land, much of which is in the woods. KC herself has handled guns all of her life and holds a CCW (carrying concealed weapons) permit. She is also eminently qualified to teach marksmanship. KC approached director Boone with this idea and Christine asked that she work with assistant director Bruce Schultz and facility manager Dan Grover, both of whom possess considerable expertise in this area, to design a class that could legally be held on the Center’s property with particular attention to safety in every detail.

Center staff first researched the selection of a gun that could be used for learning to shoot accurately at a target AND that would not be considered to be a firearm. They ultimately selected a smooth bore, .177 caliber, single shot, spring powered pellet rifle that could be purchased as general merchandise from any local Meijer store. Although it uses a spring rather than air as the means of pushing a pellet through the barel, this type of gun is still referred to as an air rifle.

Staff then contacted The Michigan state police, who indicated that the Training Center’s property was the sole jurisdiction of the Kalamazoo city police department. Staff were directed to Kalamazoo Public Safety, where they were told that, if they used an air rifle, it would not be considered to be a weapon if it was .177 caliber Or less, so it would be legal to have and use the pellet guns they had selected, on the grounds at the center. We in the NFB of Michigan wanted to be sure about this, so we checked it with Michigan law. It turns out that what Ms. Cornell was told by the public safety department is absolutely consistent with Michigan Compiled Laws § 750.222 (Chapter XXXVII (37), which defines “firearm” to mean a “weapon from which a dangerous projectile may be propelled by an explosive, or by gas or air. Firearm does not include a smooth bore rifle or handgun designed and manufactured exclusively for propelling by a spring, or by gas or air, BB's not exceeding .177 caliber.”

KC purchased two of these pellet rifles in early June, from the Meijer store. She found them in a general merchandise aisle, on the bottom shelf. She bought them in a regular check-out line and she did not need to sign or complete any paperwork at all in connection with the purchase.

Several weeks later, the DELEG purchasing office requested and received a detailed explanation of why the Training Center would need to purchase 2 pellet rifles. They were satisfied with the explanation provided and approved the purchase.

As for the location of the class, it had to be far enough away from the Center to avoid the possibility of anyone being hurt or even frightened as a result. Many students would be handling a gun (albeit not a real gun) for the first time. The class should be held in a location that was conducive to learning about proper gun safety and practicing accuracy without being in proximity to any place where other people would be walking or hanging out. The Center has a walking track just outside the east doors, running generally north and South alongside the dormitory in a wandering oval shape. There is also a new hiking trail in the woods, nearly bordering the Eastern-most edge of the property. To the South and slightly East of the track, there is a fairly deep ravine that lies at the edge of the woods. Standing in the bottom of this ravine, you are surrounded on 3 sides by high berms of earth that rise approximately 25 feet above you. A target was set up on the middle berm, so that behind it and to left and right, the berms would keep even the most wayward shots well inside the ravine. The target itself was constructed of ¾ inch plywood, covered by a two-inch sheet of foam. A paper target was affixed to the foam. The pellets could pierce the paper and foam, leaving a mark that could be both felt and seen allowing students to judge the accuracy of a shot, and the target included an audible locater. The entire cost of the marksmanship class, exclusive of staff wages, came to less than $400.00.

All of the physical arrangements for the marksmanship class were in place by mid summer of 2009, but the director and staff determined that it would be best to delay the start of such a class until all students who were under age 18 had left the Center. Because summer is the best time for young people to receive training, the marksmanship class did not commence until both high school and college classes had started up in the fall.

The first class was held on September 9, 2009 and it far surpassed even the highest expectations for success. This class was literally life changing for many of the students who were fortunate enough to take it. This is the way that one observer described one marksmanship class that took place near the end of September. There were four men in that class. They walked down the hill as broken people; people whose lives had been torn apart by blindness, so they didn’t know how they would manage or whether they would ever be able to live really independent lives again. When that class was over, they walked back up the hill as men! They were laughing, they were encouraged, they were telling stories and they were swinging their canes. They started to believe that they could do it.

Seven weeks after it began, the marksmanship class was indefinitely suspended, without warning, or explanation. This happened immediately following the state convention of the NFB of Michigan, where Christine Boone mentioned the class in her remarks from the podium, where she was asked to provide a Center update. Apparently Mr. Cannon told Mrs. Boone that the class must be cancelled because there was a Civil Service work rule that makes it illegal to have firearms on state property. The National Federation of the Blind first asks why such a rule would be relevant to the marksmanship class since the air rifles being used were obviously not firearms. Furthermore, the NFB has learned that, while Civil Service work rule 2-20 and Regulation 2.05 address workplace safety and firearms, Mr. Cannon’s statement that firearms are not permitted on state property is actually far from the truth. The Department of Natural Resources has over a dozen shooting ranges located on its state lands throughout the state, and hunting is permitted on some DNR land. Since at least 2008, the DNR has sponsored activities and events designed specifically to improve accessibility for hunters with disabilities. Michigan State University has a shooting range on its East Lansing campus and is in the process of constructing a shooting sports facility which will open some time this year. Northern Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University and a number of other state schools include shooting ranges and permit students to store their personal firearms at the police barracks under lock and key. The Michigan Career and Technical Institute, which is part of Michigan Rehabilitation Services, includes archery among its sponsored, on campus activities.

OK, back to this Civil Service Rule: it reads almost like the state law but it does not contain the specific exemption for guns with .177 caliber or less. However, the Rule does say that a gun is a firearm if it propels a dangerous object by the use of air, gas or explosion. The air rifles that were used at the Training Center used only spring action to propel pellets. When Christine Boone pointed this out to the person who fired her, DELEG human resources director Patty Gamin, Ms. Gamin said that the Department could prove that those guns were really firearms. She handed Mrs. Boone a print out from Wickapedia, saying that this was proof that spring powered guns really used air. The National Federation of the Blind stands with nearly every school, college and university in this Country in not recognizing Wickapedia as proof of any fact.

Since the marksmanship class at the Center was cancelled without warning, provocation or notice on November 9, 2009, this organization believes that this cancellation will support an ADA claim against the Commission for the Blind’s Director and this Board. The State of Michigan currently supports both hunting and target shooting in many ways. State lands are set aside for these purposes, Universities that receive some state funding have designated shooting ranges on their campuses. The Center’s marksmanship class afforded the opportunity for blind people to learn gun safety and alternative skills for shooting accuracy. Now that this class is gone, Michigan does not have a place where blind people can learn to shoot using an audible target, and the Training Center has lost an extremely effective means of building confidence in its students. Somehow this does not fit well with the Commission’s message, you remember, the line from the brochure that was read at the beginning of this presentation: The Commission for the Blind empowers people to achieve their individual goals, teaching them to do many things again, safely and efficiently, without the use of vision. Has this language become nothing more than rhetoric?

Open Letter To Michigan Commission for the Blind Board: Your duty; Reinstate Boone

2010-03-22T22:43:00.001-05:00

Commissioners,

Today the members of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan ask you, on behalf of the blind and visually impaired people of this state, particularly those who are now, or will become consumers of services delivered by the Michigan Commission for the Blind; to assume the role that was created for you when this Board was established in 1978. In that year, the Michigan Legislature enacted the law that we now refer to as Public Act 260, thereby establishing a Commission for the blind as the entity through which vocational rehabilitation and independent living services would be delivered to eligible individuals living in Michigan.

We are eminently qualified to address you on this subject, because the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan played an essential role in the development and passage of that legislation. We can tell you with certainty, that This board is meant to represent us, all of us. The consumers of services for the Blind. This board was also created to hire each director , and to evaluate the performance of that director and of his or her administration. Far from being strictly and narrowly written, this Commission’s powers and duties are stated in section 8 of the Act in the broadest possible terms, leaving the Board with both the discretion and the obligation to thoroughly oversee the operation of the Commission, as well as the performance of its director. The only admonition appears to be that the Board should be careful to consider that its actions are consistent with state law, and this is an understandable reminder for a Board that is established to oversee programs and services that are authorized by the Federal rehabilitation act and the federal Randolph Sheppard Act as well as the corresponding state laws for rehabilitation and Business Enterprise programs in Michigan. Here is what Section 8 says:
“393.358 Powers of commission pursuant to state-federal agreements.
Sec. 8. The commission, pursuant to state-federal agreements, may cooperate with the federal government in carrying out the purposes of a federal statute or regulation, not in conflict with state law, which pertains to rehabilitation of blind persons; may adopt methods of administration, not in conflict with state law, which are necessary for the proper and efficient operation of the agreements or plans for rehabilitation of blind persons; and may comply with conditions, not in conflict with state law, which are necessary to secure the full benefits of federal statute.

Some how, somewhere, each member of this Board has allowed the powers of the Board to be stripped away and, in so doing, has failed to uphold their obligation to the citizens of this state, to the Governor who appointed them, and to the Granholm administration.
Today this Board survives as a policy making body, and the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan certainly supports policy making as an appropriate component of its overall role. But this is just one of many responsibilities given to the Board of the MCB under the terms of Act 260. For confirmation of the expanded responsibilities that we believe this Board should be assuming, we need only to look at Michigan’s Open Meetings Law, Act 267 of 1976. In fact, the open meetings law is actually cited in Section 15 of Act 260 as follows:
“Sec. 15.(1) The business which the commission, or any committee appointed under this act, may perform shall be conducted at a public meeting of the commission or committee held in compliance with Act No. 267 of the Public Acts of 1976…”.

These Acts are often referred to as “sunshine laws”, because they require agencies within the executive branch of our government to conduct their business out in the open, where the people of the state can see what is being done, in the sunshine. The Open Meetings Act applies to any public body operating within the state of Michigan. It defines a “public Body” as follows:
“(a) "Public body" means any state or local legislative or governing body, including a board, commission, committee, subcommittee, authority, or council,
which is empowered by state constitution, statute, charter, ordinance, resolution, or rule to exercise governmental or proprietary authority or perform
a governmental or proprietary function…”.

As a Board empowered by state statute, to perform the proprietary function of overseeing the operation of the Commission for the Blind and the performance of its director, this Board is a public body. P.A. 267 goes on to outline when, where and why public bodies are obliged to conduct their business under the watchful eye of the public. It also defines the circumstances under which such a body is entitled, and in some cases obligated, to hold a closed meeting. Looking at the circumstances under which Section 8 permits the convening of a closed session, gives us a good idea of the kinds of issues that are customarily handled by public bodies like the Board of the MCB. In most cases the closed session is convened at the request of someone who is involved in the issue being discussed, or to protect the recognized confidentiality of the subject matter. For example, closed meetings are appropriate for strategy sessions during collective bargaining negotiations, at the request of a negotiating party. They are appropriate in considering the purchase, sale or lease of real property, in discussing certain litigation matters with the Board’s attorney, or when considering an application for employment at the request of an applicant. The very first reason listed as appropriate for a Closed meeting, reads as follows:

Sec. 8. A public body may meet in a closed session only for the following purposes:
(a) To consider the dismissal, suspension, or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, or to consider a periodic personnel evaluation
of, a public officer, employee, staff member, or individual agent, if the named person requests a closed hearing. A person requesting a closed hearing
may rescind the request at any time, in which case the matter at issue shall be considered after the rescission only in open sessions.

In other words, it is appropriate that the subject of disciplining or dismissing certain employees of a public entity such as the Commission for the Blind, should come before a Board like this one, before the discipline or dismissal is carried out.

Now, with all of this information as background, we come before this Commission Board to discuss our grave concern over the severe loss to the blind of Michigan caused by the firing of Christine Boone from her position as director of the Training Center. We need not take time and space here to discuss Christine's stellar reputation among rehabilitators of the blind around the country, Her rapport with both clients and staff and partners of the MCB, and the tremendous positive force she has been and could continue to be, in helping blind persons to know and expand their personal potential, CAPACITIES and sense of self-esteem. Not only does her departure represent a devastating loss to current and future consumers of blindness rehabilitation services, but it is a real setback to the developing cultural awareness of the potential of blind persons in Michigan.
Under Public Act 260 of 1978, the Commission Board evaluates the director of the MCB, and makes recommendations to the director of the Department of Energy Labor and Economic Growth. We urge you, the commissioners of the Michigan Commission for the Blind, to take action under this mandate! In evaluating the on-going performance of the director, we call upon you to determine that Director Cannon made an error that is too costly to let stand. The future of services for the Blind in Michigan demands that you recommend that Christine Boone be restored to her position as Director of the Training Center.
As a member of the MCB’s management staff, Mrs. Boone reported directly to Mr. Cannon. If Mr. Cannon was thinking of disciplining, reprimanding or firing Mrs. Boone, it would have been incumbent upon him to consult with the Commission Board before doing so, just as any management employee must consult with a superior in a similar situation. In this case, Mrs. Boone was responsible for administering a significant and important part of the Commission for the Blind and her departure has left approximately one third of the Commission in turmoil, without leadership and devastated by the sudden, arbitrary and unilateral action of Mr. Cannon in dismissing her and destroying her good name. If Governor Granholm’s proposed early retirement plan takes effect, the Training Center will lose 70% of its teaching staff by September of this year. How can the Center manage such a crisis, and a crisis it truly is, without the strong leadership of an experienced rehabilitation professional who is liked and respected by staff, consumers and community partners.

As we said earlier, Section 8 of P.A. 260 gives this Board the responsibility and the right to “adopt methods of administration, not in conflict with state law, which are necessary for the proper and efficient operation of the agreements or plans for rehabilitation of blind persons;…”. Pat Cannon, the commission's director, has chosen to fire Christine Boone. It was Pat Cannon who called her to come here to direct our training center, and by all accounts, the operation of that Center noticeably improved under her directorship. The improvement was positive for the staff and beneficial to Center students. The director and the board appeared to be pleased with her performance. In short, in directing the Training Center, Christine’s administrative style turned out to be very good for the “efficient operation of the plans for rehabilitation of blind persons in Michigan”. There is no record of this commission board, or of the director having reprimanded Christine Boone in an open meeting of this Board, and there is no record of a closed session having been convened for the purpose of discussing the possible discipline or dismissal of an employee in accordance with the requirements of the Open Meetings law, P.A. 267 of 1976. If it is true that Pat Cannon chose to dismiss Mrs. Boone and did so without consultation with this Board as required by both Act 260 and the Open Meetings Act, then Mr. Cannon has overstepped his authority, and
The Dismissal of Christine Boone Must Be Overturned!

If Mr. Cannon consulted with this Board in an undocumented closed meeting, or if he engaged in ex-parte communications with any member or members of this Board… in other words, if he spoke privately with one or another member of this Board individually about Mrs. Boone’s firing, this would also be a blatant violation of Act 267 of 1976 and again,
The Dismissal of Christine Boone Must Be Overturned!

It is our considered opinion that the director had a misjudgment in releasing Christine Boone. There is a whole lot of evidence to support that opinion. There are a whole lot of people living in Michigan and a good many rehabilitation professionals and leaders throughout this Country who agree with us as well! It is the responsibility of this Board to correct this injustice By reinstating Christine Boone.

In the words of one retired state agency director, director Cannon can gracefully save face now, by back peddling as fast as he can, and this Board can give him the push in the right direction. You, the Board, Are
IN CHARGE OF THE MICHIGAN COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND. NOW DO THE RIGHT THING!

Analysis of Commission For Blind Act 260: Commission BoardHas Authority to Manage Agency

2010-03-22T21:56:00.001-05:00

ANNALYSIS OF ACT 260 OF 1978

The Michigan Commission for the Blind is adrift. The Training Center is leaderless and has suddenly lost its mission and sense of purpose in a confusing tantrumic act of anger and fear by the Commission Director causing everyone to wonder what the Center is for, anyway. The Business Enterprise Program is in free fall, with no moorings to the laws under which it operates. Blind people are being cast out willy-nilly at the drop of a hat or the word of anonymous allegations without benefit of hearing. The Commission Director is personally intervening in the unlawful removal of blind vending facility operators and then pleading that others were responsible.

Staff and Commissioners are being vilified and their characters attacked by a vicious run-away bureaucrat with no controls on his behavior. Someone needs to take charge.

There seems to be a cacophony of confusion regarding the power of the Michigan Commission Board. Those of us who were there when the law was passed all agree that the Commission Board is vested with the power to comprehensively oversee the activities, the budget, the director and the staff of the organization known as the Michigan Commission for the Blind. In case you question the value of those of us who were there then, not to mention those of us who are gathered here today, consider please, the opening lines of Act 260. It begins by stating on whose behalf the Legislature is acting as follows:

“The People of the State of Michigan enact.” To most readers this means the people of the state of Michigan, not another state, not the NFB, not the director
of the Department of Labor, none of these, it means the People of the state of Michigan.

So the people of the state of Michigan, those of you who presently sit on this board are some of those people too, believe and affirm that the Commission Board is vested with the power to comprehensively oversee the activities, the budget, the director and the staff of the organization known as the Michigan Commission for the Blind.

So what does that power encompass? This is made clear several times in the course of the Act, but here is how the Michigan Legislature summed it up when they brought the Commission into being:

393.366 Transfer of personnel, equipment, and unexpended appropriations; transfer of powers, duties, and functions.
Sec. 16. (1) The personnel serving in and the equipment and unexpended appropriations of the office of services to the blind in the department of social services is transferred to the commission.
(2) All powers, duties, and functions vested by law in the department of social services relative to the office of services to the blind are transferred to the commission.

Clearly, all staff, equipment and materials possessed by the Michigan Department of Social services are transferred to the Commission. Second in the next section, all powers and duties are transferred from DSS to the Commission. They are not transferred to the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth, or whatever that department’s idiom was at that time, nor are those powers transferred to some other unit or officer of state government.

Those who appreciate the current impotency of the Commission may continue to argue that “Commission does not mean the Commission “Board.” The law is also quite clear on this point. For proof of this clarity, One need only read, a skill not nearly rigorously enough employed these days, all the sections of the law, together. Let’s begin with the word “Commission.”

It appears first at the very top of the law as passed by the Michigan Legislature on behalf of the people of the state and reads as follows:

Act 260 of 1978
AN ACT to revise and codify the laws relating to blind persons and visually handicapped; to create a commission; to prescribe its powers and duties and those of other state agencies relative to blind persons; to provide services, education, training, and assistance to blind persons; to regulate concessions operated by blind persons; to transfer powers, duties, functions, and appropriations; and to repeal certain acts and parts of acts.

The operative phrase above is “create a Commission.” Nowhere does it say a Commission and a staff with separate duties or powers under this law. It is singular in its clarity. Should some continue to insist that “Commission” means the agency, its director and staff and does not include the Commission Board, this old saw is clearly put to rest in the first two sections of the law:

393.351 Definitions.
Sec. 1. As used in this Act:
…(b). "Commission" means the commission for the blind.

393.352 Commission for blind; creation; appointment of members; chairperson; appointment and evaluation of director of commission; terms, compensation, and expenses of members; officers; quorum.
Sec. 2. (1) The commission for the blind is created in the department of labor. The commission consists of 5 members appointed by the governor by and with the advice and consent of the senate. Three of the members shall be blind persons. One of the members shall be designated by the governor to serve as the chairperson.

Ok, to review, “B” of the definitions states that “Commission” means the Commission for the Blind. So far, so Good. Now comes the clincher: “commission consists of 5 members appointed by the governor.” One need not be a lawyer to understand that this language clearly means that the Commission is made up of five people, who are appointed by the Governor, not the scores of folks who will complete the staff compliment. The Commission Board constitutes the Commission for the Blind.

Now, what is the “Commission” responsible for? (A quick note about words. “Shall” means that there is no choice about whether a thing is to be done.
“May” means that the thing to be done is optional and is done if the organization has resources and desire to do so.) This is easily discovered as follows:

Sec. 3. (1) The commission shall establish and maintain services as needed for determining the cause and prevention of blindness. Unless other funds are available, the examination, and treatment if provided, shall be paid for by the commission.

Now comes the heart of the purpose of the Commission as prescribed by the legislature on behalf of the People of the State of Michigan.

Sec. 4. (1) The commission shall maintain a program of services to assist visually handicapped persons to overcome vocational handicaps and to obtain the maximum degree of self-support and self-care.

There are 2 important words in this section. First it says that the Commission “shall” provide these services. Second the law calls for the Commission to help individual blind people to reach their “maximum” level. Lately, in the discussion on college policy, there has been a sentiment that if a person can get a job with a kindergarten certificate, the Commission has done its job. This section of the law confirms, in no uncertain terms, that the bar is placed at a high level.

Next:

(2) The commission shall:
(a) Furnish diagnostic evaluation to determine the nature and scope of services to be provided.
(b) Provide physical restoration to eliminate or minimize the effects of the handicap.
(c) Provide for special education or training in the professions, businesses, or trades under a vocational rehabilitation plan. The commission may furnish living maintenance during the period of the education or training within or without the state.

So, providing restoration of vision, vocational or academic training are mandatory. Providing maintenance is optional since the law says “may” furnish living maintenance during the period of the education or training within or without the state.

All of the following are still under (2):

(d) Provide services to blind persons in accordance with the rehabilitation act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 701 to 794.
(e) Establish, construct, or maintain rehabilitation centers, training centers, or workshops to teach visually handicapped persons to prepare for and maintain trades or occupations when the training is feasible and will contribute to the efficiency or support of the visually handicapped persons.
(f) Provide teacher-counselor services and teaching of subjects which will assist visually handicapped persons in the ease and enjoyment of daily living.
(g) Place visually handicapped persons in jobs or business enterprises in accordance with the abilities and interests of the applicant.
(h) Teach visually handicapped persons trades or occupations which may be followed in their homes and to assist them in whatever manner may seem advisable in disposing of the products of their home industries.
(i) Aid individual visually handicapped persons or groups of visually handicapped persons to engage in gainful occupations by furnishing materials, equipment, goods or services to them, by providing financial assistance as necessary to encourage and equip them to reach an objective established with them by the commission.
(j) Provide rehabilitation services for blind persons who are senior citizens so that they may reside within a community.
(k) Provide other rehabilitative goods and services as appropriate to each individual circumstance.

This means what it says. The Commission is obligated under the law to do all these things. The point is that the “Commission Board” has the legal responsibility to see to it that the above-listed services are provided. It is difficult to imagine how the Board can accomplish these things unless it has the ability to devise a budget, write policy or supervise the Commission director.

In addition to the above, the law goes on to say:

393.355 Additional duties of commission.
Sec. 5. The commission shall do all of the following:
(a) Cooperate with other departments, agencies, and institutions, both public and private, in providing for the rehabilitation of blind persons, in studying problems relative to blind persons, and in establishing, developing, and providing necessary programs, facilities and services.
(b) Enter into reciprocal arrangements with other states to provide for the rehabilitation of residents of the states concerned.
(c) Conduct research and compile statistics relating to the rehabilitation of blind persons.
(d) Provide social adjustment, guidance, counsel, mobility training, and employment adjustment of blind persons in their home communities.
(e) Provide surveys of employment opportunities for blind persons and the placement of blind persons in employment not otherwise provided for.
(f) Regulate concessions reserved for operation by blind persons pursuant to this act.
(g) Promulgate rules pursuant to Act No. 306 of the Public Acts of 1969, as amended, being sections 24.201 to 24.315 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, for the implementation and administration of this act.

Section G has never been done to this author’s knowledge. Again, these are not optional, the law requires that the Commission do all of the above. These words give the Commission Board a lot of power. That is what was intended. The Commission has been weak or failed entirely to perform sections c and e above.

In Michigan today, there is a crisis in education of blind children. The Commission law empowers the Commission for the blind and its Director to take charge of this situation. It puts the Commission in charge of the education of blind children. On the topic of consultants it is permissive, on the topic of coordinating and managing the education of blind children the law is unequivocal as follows:

393.356 Employment and duties of educational consultants; informing commission of schools with visually handicapped students; liaison and program coordination.
Sec. 6.(1) The commission may employ qualified educational consultants to assist public or private school teachers responsible for teaching visually handicapped students. Educational consultants shall assist public and private school teachers by providing methods and materials for teaching visually handicapped students. The superintendent of public instruction shall inform the commission of the schools in which visually handicapped students are enrolled.
(2) The director or a person designated by the director shall be the liaison between the commission, the schools for the blind, and the superintendent of public instruction, and shall coordinate all programs affecting blind students.

It is way past time for the Commission to take back its authority and begin to turn around the deplorable state of the education of blind children in Michigan.

Another misunderstood section of P.A. 260 is the one on gifts, which says that the Commission may accept gifts of property or cash. It further states that the donor may stipulate how the money is spent in accordance with the law. Some have argued that the donor has no control of funds, but according to Section 7 of this law, they do.

393.357 Contributions or gifts; acceptance; expenditure; stipulation of donor.
Sec. 7. The commission may accept contributions or gifts in cash or otherwise from persons, associations, or corporations. Contributions and gifts shall be expended as provided by law, in the same manner as moneys appropriated for implementing the purposes of this act. The donor of the gift may stipulate the manner in which the gift shall be expended within the guidelines of this act.

The Commission has been ceding still more of its authority, this time relating to Concessions, to DMB. This is unlawful, as spelled out within two sections of P.A. 260. The law is very clear as follows:

Sec. 5. The commission shall do all of the following: … (f) Regulate concessions reserved for operation by blind persons pursuant to this act.

393.359 Concessions in state buildings or on state property; operation by blind persons;
Sec. 9. A concession in a building or on property owned or occupied by this state shall be operated by a blind person, regardless of race, creed, color, sex, marital status, or religious preference, except in cases provided for in section 10. The building division of the department of management and budget shall submit plans relative to concessions in state buildings or on state property to the commission, which shall have the final authority relative to the location of concessions.

The word “regulate” is a very strong word in the parlance of the law. A regulation has the force and effect of law unless shown to be unlawful or overturned. So the Commission shall regulate concessions. The Commission has fulfilled this role by promulgating such rules. Second, the Commission has the final authority on the placement of concessions in state buildings. This is not enforced, nor has it ever been. At the time of this writing, there is a controversy regarding concessions in the Cadillac Place building. There are 2 facilities operated by sighted people in the building. The Commission must decide whether to consider a complaint on this matter. According to the law, the Commission is obligated to exercise
its authority and remove the sighted people from the premises and assign the business to blind people.

Finally, the law is clear that the Board and its Committees must operate under the open meetings act. Unfortunately 1 Commissioner has already been forced from the Board and his reputation sullied by the Commission Director in contradiction of this law. The law reads as follows:

93.365 Conducting business at public meeting; notice; availability of writings to public
Sec. 15.(1) The business which the commission or any committee appointed under this act may perform shall be conducted at a public meeting of the commission or committee held in compliance with Act No. 267 of the Public Acts of 1976, being sections 15.261 to 15.275 of the Michigan Compiled Laws. Public notice of the time, date, and place of the meeting shall be given in the manner required by Act No. 267 of the Public Acts of 1976.
(2) A writing prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by the commission in the performance of an official function shall be made available to the public in compliance with Act No. 442 of the Public Acts of 1976, being sections 15.231 to 15.246 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.

P.A. 260 is unequivocal on this point. ALL meetings of the board or its committees are open. There is no alternative. Mark Eagle is due an apology and reappointment.

In summary, not only is the Michigan Commission for the Blind the policy making body for the agency known as the Michigan Commission for the Blind; but the Commission Director is answerable to the Board. Nowhere in the above illuminated statute is the Director given any degree of power or authority over the Commission Board. Conversely, the Board receives specific authority to evaluate the performance of the director; and it is commonly understood in any employment situation that an employee’s job performance is assessed by a supervisor, not by a subordinate. This Board has the further right to set the budget, and the obligation to ensure the provision of a long list of programs and services to residents of Michigan who are blind. It is required to ensure the keeping of statistics relating to the performance of the Agency and to conduct surveys of opportunities for consumers. The Board has the authority and the obligation to manage the education of blind children in Michigan. It has the authority and obligation to regulate and oversee all concessions on state property and to assure that they all are being operated by blind persons.

This Commission for the Blind was established as a working Board. The years of benign neglect have taken their toll and this Board’s negligence is not so benign any longer. The crisis has arrived, and with it comes the clarion call to action. We implore this Board to answer the call. How much clearer must it be?

Analysis of Public Act 260 Showing Authority of MCB Board to Supervise Agency

2010-03-22T21:52:00.000-05:00

Open Letter From Commission Board Chairperson Jo Ann Pilarski To Elected Committee

2010-03-22T21:39:00.002-05:00

From: "Jo Ann Pilarski" To: "Bill Lozier" Cc: "Frye, Dan" "esdannouncements"
"Larry Posont"
; "Terry Eagle" "mark eagle" hazell brooks" Sent: Sunday, March 21, 2010 8:55 AM
Subject: Open Letter to EOC Members

> Good Morning Everyone.
> I've asked Bill to pass this along to all of you, as I cannot, for
> some reason, get my e-mails to successfully ride thru cyberspace to James'
> e-mail address.
>
> I am writing to congratulate you on a great meeting. As I've said
> before, I appreciate your different personalities, passions, creativity
> and honesty. I loved your stories, and when I hear you I will connect
> with who you are as individuals with your personal stories. I already
> knew you were a cool bunch of people, and I was so happy that others
> on our Board could see and hear what I've been hearing for many weeks
> and many meetings. There was such a grand energy in the room that I
> can still feel it!
>
> Thank each of you for your willingness to be a part of that meeting on
> your weekend. Thank you for caring so much that you will spend many,
> many hours trying to help the whole group and individuals as well.
> You go so many extra miles. Thank you for doing your best in operating
> vending routes, snack bars, cafeterias, etc. I hope to be able to
> come down and see you and your facilities sometime this summer. If
> the legislation passes, I will be forced out of my teaching job, so
> maybe I'll just be hanging out in snack bars for the rest of my life!
> You can put me to work!
>
> James, thank you so much for your role as facilitator in this meeting.
> You did a fine job, for sure. You are a tremendous leader.
>
> My sole purpose in advocating for this meeting for so long has been
> to honor you and your thoughts and ideas. I think we all have the
> opportunity to work together to create an improved program. I am so
> sorry if I gave the wrong impression to our invited guests from NFB and MCBVI.
> My thinking was that this EOC
> has waited for a long time to express its collective view and so many
> issues, and they needed to come first. I wanted to invite both
> presidents of consumer groups to hear the issues from the mouths of
> the operators in the program. They were my prime concern. I left it
> to James to pull you in as needed, and thank him for doing so.
>
> I also appreciate others who came, who listened and who offerred their
> stories and advice when asked, and the way in which they added to the
> ideas: Terry, Mark, Hazell, Dave, Dan Frye. I know I've forgotten some
> folks, and I apologize.
>
> It takes courage on the part of staff to listen to criticism, and I
> appreciate their willingness to not get all defensive, but to try to
> address issues as best they could on the spot. That's a tough
> position to be in.
>
> Let's not lose this impetus and get that committee going quickly. I
> would be honored to be a part of it, as suggested. I've already
> written the same thing to Connie. I am anxious to be a part of where this is going.
>
> I have to tell you that I think we have the chance to turn this
> program into a program to be emulated by other States. If we have that
> same spirit of cooperation we felt yesteray, we can move forward in a mighty way.
>
> Loviin' it.
>
> Blessings,
> Jo Ann

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Open Letter To Commission for the bBlind and Administrative Law Judge

2010-03-22T15:38:00.002-05:00

Jo Ann Pilarski, Chair
Michigan Commission for the Blind
201 N. Washington Square
Lansing, Mi 48933

Peter Plummer, Director
State office of administrative hearings and rules
611 w. Ottawa
Lansing, MI 48933

Open Letter to Jo Ann Pilarski and Peter Plummer

Dear Ms. Pilarski and Mr. Plummer:

The Michigan Commission for the Blind Business Enterprise Program is adrift with no mooring or sense of direction. The major symptom of this directionlessness is the astounding number of hearings and the chaotic nature of these proceedings. We believe that an immediate investigation into the propriety and legality of the tactics and practices of the Commission for the Blind staff and the Administrative Law Judges is in order. A full report clarifying the situation is needed to restore confidence that blind persons licensed under the Randolph-Sheppard Act and Michigan P.A. 260 of 1978 are being provided appropriate due process rights under the applicable laws and rules. Below is a general list of issues. The total number of these egregious and unlawful cases is much larger. We appeal to you in your capacities as primary decision makers and administrators to act quickly and decisively to assure that blind people’s rights are being protected. We call on you to suspend all administrative procedures until this situation can be brought under control. Further, we call upon you to review all cases adjudicated by Judge Robert Meade and throw ot these decisions and rehear each case under acceptable rules according to the Michigan Administrative Procedures Act.

Serious Issues Facing the MCB Business Enterprise Program and Blind Persons

1. Lack of Fair and Full Evidentiary Hearing of Vendor
Grievances:

A. Documented cases of vendor license suspension and revocation, including Philip Brand, Sam Tocco, Richard Thelen, Hazell Brooks, and Richard Kent, without cause and without required due process hearing, and a fair full evidentiary hearing, resulting in devastating consequences to blind vendors including bankruptcy, giving up self-supporting independent living and being forced to move back in to parents home, and severe depression and anxiety requiring acute mental health treatment and medication.

2. ALJ shopping and undue political influence by the agency director Patrick Cannon.

3. Recent practice of hearing cases being
assigned to one judge, Judge Robert Meade,
resulting in the following:

a. A subpoena once issued to compel
testimony of the MCB Director, Patrick
Cannon, was cancelled after Director
Cannon protested the issued subpoena.
The law provides no privilege to an
agency director against being compelled to appear and testify under subpoena

b. Subpoenas are issued to compel
Appearance and testimony of witnesses and then when state agency personnel, such as MCB’s
Gwen McNeal and MPS Sgt. Beardsley
do not appear to testify, motions for
continuance of hearing to seek
enforcement of the subpoenas are
routinely denied by ALJ Robert Meade.
This practice prevents a vendor
from presenting his/her case to get to the
truth, and denies a full opportunity to be
heard as is required by law and
fundamental due process fairness.

c. ALJ recommended decisions by judge
Robert Meade consistently fail to address the legal issues presented and argued by the vendor; avoiding issues of violation of law, rules and regulations, thus denying a full evidentiary hearing and fundamental due process.

4. The BEP staff, James Hull and Constance Zanger fail to make requested relevant documents available; when said documents are known to be in the possession of the MCB-BEP, as required by the Administrative Procedures Act, thus frustrating and denying vendors right to a full evidentiary hearing and fundamental due process.

5. Until recently the BEP had a customary
practice of ordering and paying the cost of
hearing transcripts for arbitration appeal or
hearing written closing arguments. The
sudden unexplained halt to this practice by BEP Mamager Constance Zanger, prejudices
the vendors case and gives an unfair advantage to the agency with regard to
further proceedings and hearing closing
arguments, as the vendor cannot afford
the several hundred dollar transcript cost,
especially when a vendor is unemployed
because of license suspension or revocation. Further it deprives the Commission Board of all the facts and a true picture of the procedure of the hearing.

6. The unfair and unethical practice of the BEP
Manager, Constance Zanger, the same staff
Member who is the subject of the vendor
grievance, attaching a staff recommendation to
ALJ’s recommended decision with the sole
purpose of exercising unethical, undue influence upon the
MCB Board of Commissioners, when making a
final agency decision on a grievant's
case.

When one Commissioner, Mark Eagle, publicly
challenged this practice, Director Cannon
charged Commissioner Eagle with perceived
personal conflict-of-interest, because his father,
Terry Eagle, advocates for and represents
blind vendors as an unpaid non-attorney in
grievances at all levels of administrative
remedy. Through the State Board of Ethics,
Director Cannon was able to use his political
influence to have Commissioner Eagle
removed from the Board. And absolutely no
action was taken against BEP Manager
Constance Zanger for her actual unethical
Conduct in attaching her staff recommendation to ALJ decisions in her effort to influence the
Board in her favor. The practice continues, if
not in written form, for sure orally at MCB
Board meetings. If such conduct doesn’t define
the meaning of the word corruption, then no
conduct will ever define it .

7. The BEP routinely fails to notify vendors and
their representatives when their
grievances are scheduled to go before the MCB
Board for a final agency decision. The most recent such failure occurred in the Tomczak(?) license revocation case

8. The MCB Hearings Coordinator, Carla Haynes,
and BEP Manager, Constance Zanger,
routinely refuse to communicate directly with
an identified and appointed
non- attorney representative at any level in the
vendor grievance process.

9. BEP management Constance Zanger and James Hull routinely place untrained, uncertified sighted persons in program vending
facilities as temporary operators, rather than
employing unemployed blind persons as
temporary or permanent operators. Some of these blind persons
have training or have been employed by blind
vendors in the past. Sighted unlicensed temporary operators routinely do not pay their set-aside fees, carry required insurance or have sales tax licenses. The Commission has no power to collect funds or enforce rules after the fact.

10. BEP Employment practices

a. BEP staff vacancies are restricted to be
filled by existing agency staff only, under
documented false reasons; rather than opening
vacancies to all applicants. This practice is used to shut out well qualified educated blind persons, some
of whom have been vending facility operators.
The blind are being shut-out of
competitive state employment in the very
agency charged with responsibility for
serving employment needs of blind citizens.

b. Vacant BEP management positions are
filled, while front-line promotional agent
positions go unfilled. Promotional agents
are vendors point-of-contact with the
agency to address and resolve business
and facility concerns and problems
promptly before they become a crisis
situation. Many problems have escalated unnecessarily because of inadequate
and unqualified staffing of promotional
agent positions.

c. BEP staff lack both business training and
experience, and a basic understanding
of blindness, and the extraordinary skills
and abilities of the blind.

d. Both BEP staff and blind vendors are
subjected to retaliation and intimidation by MCB-BEP management staff,
for speaking
out and advocating for blind persons, or
for their affiliation to an organization of
blind persons. Hazell Brooks, the President of the Merchants Division of the National federation of the Blind of Michigan and the Chairperson of the Elected Operators Committee and Larry Ball, President of the Merchants Division each had their licenses illegally suspended and/or revoked. Both persons were strong advocates for blind vendors and were outspoken in their advocacy. In addition, promotional agent, David Robinson who is blind, was terminated from his position because of his outspoken support of operators' rights, insisting that the BEP adhere to all rules and laws protecting blind persons and for his activity in the National Federation of the Blind.

11. BEP Financial Issues

a. Program financial information is not shared with the EOC or vendors as required by federal law and regulation.

b. Vending facility inventories are inadequate
at most locations, and are manipulated up
or down by BEP management, depending
on the vendor involved. No suitable
standard or uniformly applied
policy exists to regulate initial inventories.

c. The BEP lacks critical, serious long-term financial evaluation and planning for the future needs of facilities, equipment repairs, replacement, or innovative new equipment purchases. Neither is there a strategy to manage inventories, and vendor retirement benefits in the future.

d. According to the Randolph-Sheppard Act, all major administrative decisions by the agency must be made with the active participation of the Elected Operators Committee. Recently the retirement benefits of all operators were significantly and arbitrarily reduced by unilateral action of the BEP management. No basis in law permitted this action, The unresolved issue of the undisguised diminution
in vendor retirement
now must be addressed openly
and satisfactorily resolved before it
becomes a costly legal matter.
In summary, this is an extremely serious situation. These examples demonstrate a total disregard for the law and the rights of blind vendors and blind people in general. It can not be emphasized too strongly that the very foundation of the Randolph-Sheppard Act and the rules and procedures therein are bing blatantly and recklessly disregarded to the potential detriment of the Michigan Commission for the Blind.

Sincerely,

Larry Posont, President

National Federation of the Blind of Michigan

Complete Audio of March 19 Michigan Commission for the Blind Board Meeting

2010-03-20T17:13:00.004-05:00

As a service to the public, the NFB of Michigan is pleased to post the audio of the March 19, 2010 Michigan Commission for the Blind board meeting held in Lansing. Many federationists made public comments on recent commission activities including the mishandling of the Business Enterprise Program, the firing of Christine Boone, and the many issues with the proposed college policy. You don't want to miss this exciting recording, which may change your perception of the Michigan Commission for the Blind. Both files are quite large.. These files were made using personal digital recorders, and we apologize for any troubles you may have hearing specific speakers or presentations.

Morning session

Afternoon session

NFB of Michigan Talks to Commission Board and Holds Rally for Robinson and Boone

2010-03-18T21:04:00.002-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 18, 2010

CONTACT: Larry Posont, President, National Federation of the Blind of Michigan 517-482-1800 or 313-727-3546 cellpresident.nfb.mi@gmail.com www.nfbmi.org

Blind Citizens to Rally at Blind Commission Meeting: Demand rehire of Christine Boone and David Robinson – Reform of Agency

Dearborn Heights, Michigan – On Friday March19, 2010, blind people will Gather at 9:00 am at the office of the Michigan Commission for the Blind for its Quarterly meeting, 201 N. Washington Square, Lansing, MI, with a rally outside at 12 noon, to voice their outrage at the unwarranted, unfair and maliciously motivated firings of David Robinson and Christine Boone. In addition, the Federation members will be asking the Governor to open up the appointment process for Commission Board members to the public. They will demand transparency in the application, review and appointment process.

The Federation will have a 45 minute block, at 10:30 am, on the agenda of the Michigan Commission for the Blind Board meeting to express its concerns. In addition members will make public comments expressing their opinions on Commission matters. Presenters will raise issues about Boone’s and Robinson’s firings, alleged corruption in the hearings process for the Business Enterprise Program and the ineffectiveness of the Commission Board in directing and overseeing the activities of Patrick Cannon, the Director of the Michigan Commission for the Blind. The Federation believes that Cannon has inappropriate and undue influence in the appointment process for Commission for the Blind members.

“Cannon tells the Governor what he wants and she rubber stamps it. He is able to pick his boss and then fire them when he doesn’t like what they do,” commented Michael Powell, first Vice President of the Federation. “Governor Granholm has made ethics a priority in her administration. In our view, the appointment process is not transparent. We cannot find out who is in consideration and who supports or opposes them. Cannon has exploited this system to bully and intimidate Commissioners to fit his needs. Any state official making more than $100,000 ought to be accountable to someone for his actions.”

The Federation a ledges that Patrick Cannon, the Director of the Michigan Commission for the Blind and the only lower level member of the Governor’s Cabinet is using his influence to bully, intimidate and control the Commission Board, his supervision, Commission employees and clients of the agency, including blind entrepreneurs in the Business Enterprise Program. “The man is out of control and no one is willing to take charge of his outrageous behavior,” commented Larry Posont, President of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan...

Christine Boone, the former Director of the Michigan Commission for the Blind Training Center, was fired after she had worked to develop a successful and valuable marksmanship program at the Michigan Commission for the Blind Training Center in Kalamazoo. The marksmanship program was designed to build positive attitudes among blind Michigan citizens who have a deep-rooted hunting tradition.

Several Training Center students are expected to attend the Friday Board meeting and rally.

“When someone who has hunted and fished all their life loses their eyesight, they feel less of a person. To learn that shooting is still a viable recreational option is encouraging and makes a person think that if I can do this, I can probably do a lot of things I didn’t think I could,” commented Roxanna Mann, a current student at the Michigan Commission for the Blind Training Center and a former participant in the marksman program. Mann commented, “We love Christine Boone. She believes in us and is an inspiration.”
Cannon alleged that Boone had not sought proper approvals and that it was illegal to have pellet guns on state property, though Boone had checked with the Michigan State police and the Kalamazoo City Police prior to setting up the program. According to state law, a pellet gun is not a “firearm.”
The National Federation of the blind of michigan (NFBM) is a proud affiliate of the
National Federation of the Blind. Originally founded in 1941, the NFBM has been a
Leader in advocacy and has worked tirelessly to change what it means to be blind
In Michigan. Among our accomplishments: bringing NFB-NEWSLINE® to Michigan, establishing
The Michigan Commission for the Blind, white cane legislation, Braille literacy for
Blind children legislation, and much more.

Out in the Cold, Again! Federation to Picket Kalamazoo Training Center for the Blind

2010-02-22T23:40:00.000-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Larry Posont, President of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan
517-482-1800
President.nfb.mi@gmail.com
www.nfbmi.org

Federationists Out in Cold, Again, This Time In Kalamazoo,
Demand Commission “Bring Boone Back”

Dearborn Heights, Michigan (February 22, 2010): The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan (NFBM) is picketing the Michigan Commission for the Blind Training Center, 1541 Oakland Drive, on Tuesday, February 23, 2010, at 11:45 AM regardless of weather.

“Patrick Cannon is trying to bully and intimidate blind people, including the Michigan Commission for the Blind board, and we are not going to take it,” said Larry Posont, President of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan. “Weather is no obstacle when it comes to standing up for the rights of blind people to work in peace and belong to any organization they choose. Being a member of the National Federation of the Blind should not cause anyone to lose their job,” continued Posont.

Patrick Cannon, Director of the Michigan Commission for the Blind, fired Christine Boone, Director of the Michigan Commission for the Blind Training Center. Cannon claimed the reason was a Marksman program Boone had authorized to help blind students realize that they can do most all the things they ever did despite their blindness.

“Michigan is an outdoor state. Many blind people learned to hunt and use guns as young people with their parents who hunted in Michigan’s forests and fields. They ought to be able to continue to work, live, and enjoy recreation, and feel confident,” said Posont.

“We (the NFBM) have been accused of trying to destroy the Commission,” said Michael Powell, First Vice President of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan. “We created the Commission and have high expectations for its potential to advocate and work to help blind people achieve first-class citizenship. The kinds of confidence-building activities that Boone was overseeing are exactly what we expect the Commission to do. The Commission, with a positive attitude toward blindness and blind people, is what we want; we certainly don't wish to destroy it. No state employee should ever use his or her position to take good people's jobs away without reason, the way Cannon has,” Powell said.

The Federation says it will continue to protest and tell the public about the Commission for the Blind until it is restored to a place where blind people can work without fear of reprisals. Along with Boone's firing, David Robinson (another Federation member working in the Lansing office) was fired, allegedly due to his NFB membership. Mark Eagle was forced off the Commission Board of Directors after Cannon accused him of unethical behavior, though nothing was ever proven. Eagle had been critical of Cannon's handling of public comments by blind people.

The Commission oversees the Business Enterprise Program. There are currently a record number of hearings and federal arbitrations against the Commission. The Federation maintains that Cannon has fired several blind people from this program for speaking out, including both presidents of the Federation's merchant division, which advocates on behalf of blind Michigan entrepreneurs.

The Federation contends that Cannon has undue influence over appointments of Commission board members, board members who, by law, supervise him and the agency he runs. The board cannot manage him, because he sits on the Governor's cabinet, an equal-level position with the Department of Energy, Labor, & Economic Growth Department Director, who is his superior according to the state organization chart.

About the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan:

The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan (NFBM) is a proud affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind. Originally founded in 1941, the NFBM has been a leader in advocacy and has worked tirelessly to change what it means to be blind in Michigan. Among our accomplishments are: bringing NFB-NEWSLINE® to Michigan, establishing the Michigan Commission for the Blind, White Cane legislation, Braille Literacy for Blind Children legislation, and much more.

###

Open Letter to Michigan Governor Granholm

2010-02-22T23:00:00.002-05:00

Dear Governor Granholm:

I am writing an open letter to you. Despite many attempts, through channels, I cannot get a formal meeting... Taxpayers and blind people of Michigan are being cheated by the mismanagement of the Michigan Commission for the Blind, a Federal and State funded agency. The Director, Patrick D. Cannon, a member of your Cabinet, is a bully who has fired several productive and qualified employees to cover up his mismanagement. His last act was to fire Christine Boone, a leader who is respected, energetic and a believer in the abilities of blind people to become taxpaying, confident, first-class citizens. Patrick Cannon must be gotten under control. His supervision cannot manage him since he sits at the highest level of state government despite his lower level position. A federal audit has found deficiencies in the management of the Commission, except the Training Center which Boone headed. The Center received compliments from the audit for its progressive and successful management. Cannon has manipulated appointments to the Commission Board, which is supposed to oversee his work. Cannon caused one Board member, Mark Eagle, who questioned his management, to be removed by falsely creating an ethical issue. He forced another who also was critical of Cannon off the board. No hearing, no due process, no transparency from an administration promising high ethics and transparent government.

Governor Granholm, you, will not meet to discuss this matter. When I tried to reach your staff to arrange a meeting, I was told by your staff that it is policy not to give out “private” email addresses of state employees. The office space, electricity, computers, phone lines, lights and everything else is public, not private. There needs to be a dialog to resolve this intolerable situation. Erecting barriers between the public and our government will not make us or the problem go away. We will not be intimidated, bullied or muzzled. We want the Commission returned to good management and today is not too soon. We, again, respectfully request a meeting. We await your response. Sincerely,

Larry Posont, President
National Federation of the Blind of Michigan.

Nebraska Agency for the Blind Speaks Wisdom To Pat Cannon

2010-02-22T22:05:00.002-05:00

Reprinted here with permission. Dr. James Nyman was the Nebraska Services for the Visually Impaired Director when I worked there in the mid 80's. The agency had a 3 month training program for all new employees (me included) when I worked there. If Michigan had such training, most of the problems presently facing the agency would not, in my opinion, exist.

From: James S. Nyman
To: cannonp@michigan.gov
Sent: Friday, February 05, 2010 3:19 PM
Subject: Foolishness has its own reward!

I just read an article in the New York Times of the actions taken in Michigan by yourself as Director of the Commission. You weren't around when I was director of the State agency for the blind in Nebraska from 1974 until 1998, but I can share my wisdom with you: it is never a sound practice to start a war with the consumer/advocacy organizations. The account in the Times makes it pretty clear that you have allowed some personal annoyance to dictate a public action that will, I predict, have consequences for your directorship and the Commission that will be helpful to no one and, frankly, probably worst of all for yourself. Whatever you may think of the National Federation of the Blind, you will discover that it is a very effective organization with well-developed political skills. When there are performance issues involved in the dismissal of an individual, it can be defended. It doesn't appear that your actions, as reported in the Times article, had anything to do with job performance and could hardly stand scrutiny by a personnel board or the courts and, certainly, cannot succeed in the political and public arena. As a retired, but still wise, former State Director, my advice would be to backpedal as quickly, and gracefully, as you can manage and undo the foolish deed. So says James Nyman.
N

Student Writes Governor: "Please Bring Boone Back"

2010-02-22T21:47:00.002-05:00

> From: "Roxanna Mann"
> To: sumpt@michigan.gov
> Subject: Urgent - Christine Boome / MCB
> Date: Mon, 01 Feb 2010 09:26:01 -0500
>
> Dear Mr. Sump, following is an email that I have sent to
> Andy Levin and Skip Pruss. I wanted to also be sure to
> include you as I understand you work with the issues for the
> Commission from the Governor's side of things. I would like
> to have a response as soon as you can as this issue is
> scheduled for this Thursday. Thank you for your time.
>
> Good Morning, Mr. Levin. My name is Roxanna Mann and I am
> presently a student of Training Center in Kalamazoo. I have
> been here since early October and I am writing regarding the
> pending termination of Mrs. Boone.
>
> First of all, I would like to make it perfectly clear that
> no individual relative to the Center or the Commission or
> other entity have asked me to write you. I am doing this
> for two reasons:
> I am a participant in the services and benefits of the
> Training Center and this pending termination affects me as a
> student.
> 2. I am a taxpayer and feel there is an injustice arising
> with this pending termination.
>
> I worked for the government for almost 18 years so I clearly
> understand that the "mantra" of this termination results
> from the Marksmanship course offered at the Center has truly
> little, if any, factual basis as to this issue. I believe
> this to be either political and/or personal and in order to
> elminate Christine Boone from the Commission for the Blind,
> the Marksmanship course is being used as the means to that
> end.
>
> But since the issue presently is on the table stating that
> it results from this Marksmanship course, I would like to
> offer you this information. I was involved in that program
> as a student and, as with all the classes and training done
> at the Facility, it was done first-rate, with safety and
> great attention to detail. The class was handled by an
> individual who is qualified with a CCW and there was no
> injury or even near-injury related events during the tenure
> of the classes. The students enjoyed the class and were
> deeply frustrated and disappointed when it was removed.
> There are several individuals who had served in our military
> and were thrilled to again take part in target practice.
> There are also many individuals who are outdoorsmen/women,
> hunters and shooting enthusiasts. This program was
> certainly in line with the philosophy of instructing.
> teaching and enlightening students who have lost their
> vision that the possibility of living a "normal" life was
> again there. All of the classes are designed to increase
> our weaknesses into strengths, our inabilities to abilities
> and any lack of confidence into the belief that "I can do
> this".
>
> The program teaches us to cross busy intersections, work
> with power tools, cook and so on. Everything is taught and
> oversight and supervision is adhered to to build confidence
> and ensure safety. As you also know, Michigan allows a
> "Blind Hunt" with a REAL firearm. But Christine Boone is
> going to be terminated from a position for a Marksmanship
> course? I get the whole firearms on state/federal property
> thing. But ONLY in the Civil Service code is a pellet gun
> qualified as a firearm. It's ridiculous and, in my opinion,
> a reach. I will again state that I am fully convinced that
> the issue is much more broad than this.
>
> While I know Christine Boone as a student in the facility, I
> can tell you that she is more than a qualified Director.
> She is an extremely intelligent, articulate, compassionate
> and strong advocate for the visually impaired. She
> encourages the students and was a constant presence within
> the facility. I can also tell you from having worked within
> the government myself for many years that a good Director
> makes all the difference in both the staff and the progress
> that a department makes.
>
> Mr. Levin, I don't know how many times you have ever visited
> the Training Center, but I must tell you that from the
> second I arrived, I felt safe and respected. I have not
> encountered one individual within this facility since I
> arrived in October that ever appeared disgruntled, unhappy
> or miserable. That goes from the kitchen staff on up. And
> that, Mr. Levin, doesn't happen by accident. A chain is
> only as strong as it's weakest link and I believe with
> Chrstine Boone's direction and leadership, not to mention
> her approachability, makes this facility run the way it
> does. It was a difficult decision for me to leave my
> husband, family, home and my business to invovle myself in
> six months of blindness skills training. But I do not
> regret one minute of it and I believe the rest of my life
> will be fuller and more enriched because of this facility.
> I owe a great debt of gratitude for all the hours and
> efforts being put into me and I do not take it lightly.
>
> In closing, I am asking that the issue of Christine Boone's
> termination be re-examined as to the validity, the necessity
> and the justice of it. It would be a grave travesity to
> allow it to happen over a "masked" issue. The simple fact
> that recent meeting that took place involved only two
> individuals (Pat Cannon and Patty Gammin) speaks volumes.
> Where is the balance and equity?
>
> I am imploring you to do whatever you can to either delay
> the termination or cessation of the meeting on Thursday to
> take the time to re-evaluate this issue. And with the
> Director of the Commission being out of the country for
> three weeks, maybe this issue should be set aside until such
> time as it can be thoroughly looked into. I am not privy to
> the entier process, nor am I asking to be, but I am
> understanding engough to know that this is a much larger
> issue than a Makrsmanship course. So if this is the only
> vein for the termination of Mrs. Boone, why go to that
> extreme? If it WERE a violation or inappropriate, why not a
> reprimand? Why jump to the farthest point? And the press
> that has happened due to this issue does not look favorable
> on the Commission from any direction. So again, I am
> pleading with you to do the right thing and let Mrs. Boone
> retain her job as the Director of the facility and allow
> this place to be a haven of understanding, new adventures
> and adaptation for those of us who have already suffered a
> loss of a large part of our life. Christine can encourage,
> educate and facilitate the programs and ideas necessary to
> do just that.
>
> Thank you for your time.
>
> Sincerely,
> Roxanna Mann

Free Pizza Party for Tournament Attendees

2010-02-19T13:23:00.001-05:00

Howdy to all who will be traveling to Kalamazoo, This is a notice to all of you folks that will be coming in for the Mid-West Regional John Bakos Memorial Tournament on February 27 and 28. Saturday February 27 from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm, the National Federation of the Blind of Kalamazoo will be putting on their second annual Goalball Social Event Pizza Party in the breakfast room of the Beymonte Hotel. We will be dealing out free pizza (peperoni, mushroom, and cheese will be your options), breadsticks, and drinks for all players, coaches, and referees. This is a great opportunity to socialize with other teams, get some free food, and to learn about what the NFB can do for you, including but not limited to, a free white cane, lots of money for college students, and a big professionals network. Come and join the fun and festivities with us.

Tyler Merren
President of the nFB of Kalamazoo
Wrecking Crew Black

Blind workers protest dismissals

2010-02-08T19:44:00.003-05:00

This article appeared in the Lansing State Journal and is posted below in a more accessible text format.

Lansing State Journal Article

www.lansingstatejournal.com
January 30, 2010
Blind workers protest dismissals
Demonstrators say state commission is ignoring their concerns, complaints
Barbara Wieland
bwieland@lsj.com
About 30 people who are blind and their supporters picketed the Michigan Commission
for the Blind on Friday, claiming the organization is unfairly dismissing workers
who are blind from state-run programs.
The picketers said there are 15 grievances against the commission - many filed by
business owners who are blind and operate cafeterias in government office buildings.
Another five complaints against the Michigan Commission for the Blind are awaiting
federal arbitration, protest organizers said.
Protesters said many Michigan people who are blind have grown increasingly unhappy
over the past four years with the way commission director Patrick Cannon has administered
programs intended to help.
"They've turned a deaf ear to us," said David Robinson, who helped supervise the
cafeteria program until he was fired last month - a move he is contesting.
"The blind of Michigan believe that it is necessary for the government to investigate
the Commission for the Blind. We need new leadership," he said.
The Michigan Commission for the Blind is part of the state's Department of Energy,
Labor and Economic Growth. Mario Morrow, spokesman for DELEG, said he couldn't comment
on personnel matters.
"The commission and all state agencies deal with these matters professionally," Morrow
said. "The picketers have a right to voice their opinion ... and we will follow the
process of disciplinary investigations and hearings."
Many of the disputes center over a state-administered federal program that gives
people who are blind opportunities to run cafeterias in government buildings. The
program is an attempt to combat the high unemployment rate that exists among working-age
people who are blind, which the National Federation for the Blind says hovers around
70 percent.
But Larry Posont, president of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan,
alleged Cannon and his staff are quick to dismiss business operators who are blind
who question the commission.
"(Cannon) has met with me, but he doesn't want to hear what we have to say," he said.
Hazell Brooks, who ran one of the cafeterias in the state secondary complex in Dimondale,
said she filed a complaint when non-blind state workers set up a competing cafeteria
in her building, which she said violated state and federal rules.
A federal administrative law judge sided with Brooks. But Brooks claimed the commission
took away her cafeteria in retribution. Brooks was removed from her store in 2008
and her case is now awaiting federal arbitration.

Great Rally! Great Article on WWMT-TV

2010-01-30T01:18:00.001-05:00

Today, (January 29,2010) from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm approximately 50 blind people rallied in front of the offices of the Michigan Commission for the Blind to protest an ongoing campaign against advocates for blind people by, none other than the Director of the Michigan Commission for the Blind. Protesters are angry about the firing of Christine Boone, director of the Commission’s Training Center in Kalamazoo, David Robinson, an employee of the Business Enterprise Program and the orchestrated railroading of Mark Eagle a blind Commission Board member.

Though the weather was bitter cold, people came from Detroit, Kalamazoo Lansing and other communities around Michigan to express their anger and displeasure with the appalling behavior of Patrick Cannon, the Commission Director. We believe Cannon has rigged and handpicked appointments to the Board that oversees his performance and sets policy for the agency. When he is unhappy with any comment or action of a Commissioner, he has them removed or causes them to not be reappointed. The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan has asked the Governor to look into the appointment process and make it more transparent.

With the firings of Boon and Robinson, Cannon has purged the agency of members of the National Federation of the Blind. Boone is loved by students at the training center as evidenced by their willingness to travel to Lansing and join the rally to call for Boone’s reinstatement.

Cannon’s actions towards Commissioners has intimidated them to the point where they are unwilling to take their rightful role as policy setters and leaders of the Commission, not to mention, the ultimate supervisor of Cannon. Commission staff have been publicly belligerent toward Commissioners in meetings and recalcitrant in cooperating on policy development. Staff and consumers spent 15 months working on a revised college policy. Commissioner Mark Eagle was a casualty of this process for his advocacy for the full participation of consumers in the revision process. The Commission Board rejected the policy in September 2009 and was, again, unable to complete a draft, today, though consumers are nearly locked out of the development process.

It is time for the Governor to step in and put an end to this abuse of authority and the bullying of people who volunteer their time to serve on the Commission Board. Thjis is not Pat Cannon’s Commission is the blind’s Commission.

Follow this link for a great article on the firing of Christine Boone.

http://www.wwm.com/articles/blind-1371992-michigan-commission.html

JANUARY 29 CHRISTINE BOONE/DAVID ROBINSON FIRING PROTEST/RALLY HANDOUT

2010-01-29T00:06:00.001-05:00

WHY ARE WE OUT HERE IN THE COLD?

** Christine Boone firing about intimidation not about guns; State Law defines firearm as greater than.177 caliber.

** Christine Boone (NFB member( fired for strong consumer advocacy despite her quality programs in an otherwise bleak landscape of mediocre service by Commission and falling placement rate

** David Robinson (NFB member) fired for advocating for blind entrepreneurs; Business Enterprise program in shambles; Approximately 15 administrative hearings and 5 Federal arbitrations against MCB; Cannon is targeting those entrepreneurs who speak out

** Firings aimed at intimidating National Federation of the Blind; Cannon’s bullying actions against blind people are an attack on blind advocacy for quality services

** Cannon has undue influence in Commission appointments; he handpicks Commission Board; Commissioners responsible by law for evaluating Cannon; no transparency in appointment process.

** Mark Eagle removal from Commission orchestrated by Cannon for advocating for consumers; removal designed to intimidate other Commissioners

** This is not Pat Cannon’s Commission It is the blind people’s Commission NFB will not be bullied or intimidated

** Commission Board accountable to blind Citizens, Governor, not Pat Cannon

** Commissioner/Employee Training inadequate to provide highest quality service

** Cannon criticized in federal audit: Boone praised in Federal audit

For Further Information:

National Federation of the Blind of Michigan
Larry Posont, President
20812 Ann Arbor Trail
Dearborn Heights, MI 48127
517-482-1800
Email: president.nfb.mi@gmail.com
Web Page: nfbmi.orgg
National Web Page: nfb.org

NFBM TO PROTEST BOON/ROBINSON FIRINGS BY COMMISSION FOR BLIND

2010-01-27T23:26:00.001-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Larry Posont, President
National Federation of the Blind of Michigan
(517) 482-1800
David Robinson, Board of Directors
National Federation of the Blind of Michigan
517-372-1456
Michigan Commission for the Blind Director
Attacks Michigan’s Organized Blind
National Federation of the Blind of Michigan Accuses Director of Abuse of Power
Dearborn Heights, Michigan (January 28, 2010): Patrick Cannon, director of the Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB), has notified Christine Boone, director of the Michigan Commission for the Blind Training Center (MCBTC) in Kalamazoo, and a member of the National Federation of the Blind, that her employment is terminated as of today. This action follows closely on the heels of the firing of another member of the National Federation of the Blind, David Robinson, an employee of the Commission’s Business Enterprise program in Lansing. Robinson was fired last month.

In Respons to these outrageous actions, the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan will hold a rally and picket at 201 N. Washington Square, the Victor Building, the headquarters of the Michigan Commission for the Blind. The rally will take place from 11:00 to 1:00 pm Friday, January 29, 2010.
In addition to these firings, Cannon has worked through the Governor’s ethics board to remove a blind commissioner from the Commission board for speaking out on behalf of the rights of blind consumers to participate in policy development. He has also presided over the mass removal of blind entrepreneurs from the Commission’s Business Enterprise program. His actions have resulted in a flurry of legal complaints by blind individuals. In the past Cannon has orchestrated the removal by non-reappointment of two other commissioners who questioned programs at the Commission.
Larry Posont, president of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan, said: “The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan is convinced that Mr. Cannon’s recent actions are an unwarranted abuse of power and amount to intimidation and bullying of blind citizens of Michigan who dare to speak for themselves and question his policies. His firing of Christine Boone is particularly suspicious given that his administration of MCB programs has been called into question by a recent federal audit. Among all the Commission’s programs, only the MCBTC was cited for good quality management. Christine Boone has been doing an exemplary job of creating a quality training program for blind individuals that sets high expectations for students, instills in them a positive philosophy of blindness, and helps them to compete for quality jobs in the labor market. Mr. Cannon is using trumped-up charges about a single aspect of the training program in order to discredit Ms. Boone. It is clear to us that Mr. Cannon, who served on Governor Granholm’s transition team and loves to boast of his connections to her, is using his political influence to cover up his management problems and to intimidate those who speak up about poor performance at the Commission.”
Mr. Cannon’s termination of Ms. Boone appears to stem from her establishment of a marksmanship program to build the confidence of her students. Michigan has a deeply rooted outdoor culture. Many people who lose their eyesight feel they are no longer able to live a fulfilling life. Boon developed a marksman program using pellet rifles to teach newly-blinded people that they can, indeed, enjoy the outdoors and live a satisfying and productive life. The activity took place in a secluded area of the property near the MCBTC. Under Michigan law, a pellet gun is not a firearm if under .177 caliber. There was no danger to people or property created by the activity, which was supervised by a qualified instructor.

###

About the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan
The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan (NFBM) is a proud affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind. Originally founded in 1941, the NFBM has been a leader in advocacy and has worked tirelessly to change what it means to be blind in Michigan. Among our accomplishments: bringing NFB-NEWSLINE® to Michigan, establishing the Michigan Commission for the Blind, white cane legislation, Braille literacy for blind children legislation, and much more.

Michigan Citizens are Best Served by a Rehabilitation Agency Specifically for the Blind

2010-01-02T20:40:00.006-05:00

Research tends to show that blind people receive better rehabilitation and employment services from states that provide an agency specifically designed to address the unique needs of blind people. The NFB of Michigan believes that merging the Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) with Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) would lower the quality of rehabilitation and job placement services to blind residents. The documents below provide further information on why we believe it is important to maintain the MCB as a separate state agency.

2009 State Convention Resolutions

2009-12-21T12:44:00.002-05:00

At our convention we passed a number of resolutions. You can follow the below link to read them. Two resolutions are related to the Business Enterprise Program regarding catering on state property and closing highway vending facilities. Two commend the Commission, and one regards training of MCB employees. Another resolution commending the Michigan Braille Transcribing fund will follow shortly.

If you have questions contact Larry Posont, President of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan at president.nfb.mi@gmail.com or call (517) 482-1800.

2009 NFB of Michigan Resolutions

Consumer Input Limited: Blind People kept From Commenting on Quality Rehabilitation.

2009-12-12T17:53:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, at the end of the MCB Commission Board meeting an issue was raised about the use of air rifles at the MCBTC as a confidence building activity. Apparently, there was some kind of alleged DMB regulation that covered this and prohibited the use of “guns” if you can call an air rifle a gun. Apparently this action was taken with no consumer involvement. Since it was held to the end of the meeting, there was no opportunity for public comments. Again, there is a demonstration of the denial of consumers to have input on matters of consequence. By limiting the number of Commission meetings and the number of opportunities for public comment, the Commission is consciously limiting consumer input.

We ought to have an open conversation about a program to increase the self confidence of blind people. In Michigan many people use guns for recreational activities. I own several guns and it was a way that my father and I related by him teaching me and spending time together. I, in turn, have done the same with my kids. I take them to Rose Lake to shoot on the State operated shooting range, there.

For a newly blinded person, they often feel like the things they cherish in life, like driving and hunting have been lost forever. They sometimes feel less of a citizen. Jim Stearns, a former Commissioner was a proud deer hunter.

Guns are in our Constitution. For some people they are part of a lifestyle that is integral to family and community life. The Commission was creating an opportunity to restore confidence and self worth to people by demonstrating that they, indeed, can live as a first class citizen.

That is why the shooting sports activity existed, at least that is why it should exist. The agency has lost direction. It is given in to sighted outsiders to take away hard-won rights in catering. Talk of Peckham doing foodservice, and now DMB deciding how blind people ought to be provided rehabilitation services. When will the MCB stand up for blind people? Stop muting us by limiting public comment. Stop removing blind people from the Commission Board for supporting consumers. Stop hiding behind uninformed sighted people, like the Kangaroo Court Ethics Board which was orchestrated by the MCB Director, to provide excuses for limiting opportunities for blind people.

Let’s have an open transparent conversation about the shooting sports idea. Why prevent consumers from participating?

New College Policy Development Process Is Broken

2009-12-04T01:18:00.000-05:00

Hello,

Though I was unable to attend the past 2 college policy meetings, I was kept informed on their progress. I have been involved in developing a new college policy for more than 2 years, now. Though there have been improvements since the Commission Board stepped in, the process is broken.
It is clear, to me, that the Commission administration has lost its way in creating a college policy to serve blind people and lead to expanded career opportunities for blind people. Policies on used books do not lead to jobs.
Where is the vision. What about honor, respect, encouragement and belief in blind people? Instead of leading, the Commission staff is obstructing, discouraging and thwarting the development of a progressive client centered job oriented college policy.

I just received an email from a college student who is very frustrated by their college's inability to meet their obligations under the MOU. The technology does not work properly, if at all, books are late or do not get there at all. Their MCB counselor (a former MRS counselor with little blindness training) has no clue how to help the college meet its obligations with regard to blindness access technology. The policies now being developed will do nothing to help this student. The best the student can expect is status quo.

In the meantime, the Commission's representative on the College policy committee has used up time in 4 consecutive meetings unswervingly holding on uncompromisingly to the wrong-headed and anti-blind position that college students are expected, under threat of withdrawal of support, to complete all requirements within a certain arbitrary and capricious time limit. She has done so in a disrespectful and condescending manner treating everyone, including Commission Board members in a manner unbecoming a Commission employee. With proper counseling and a good counselor/client relationship, decisions about curriculum completion rates can easily be made between the professional counselor and their client on an individual case-by-case basis.

An excessive amount of time was spent in the last college policy meeting on how used books are managed. Many college students keep their books. Again, the Commission is focusing on meaningless and trivial matters while overlooking the real issues facing blind people. WHAT ABOUT JOBS?

An aggressive career oriented college policy must focus on high paying quality jobs. Good counseling by well-trained experts on blindness is a fundamental prerequisite to quality outcomes. Good training in blindness for all staff is a must to create consistent high-quality placements. An attitude of positive support to do what is necessary to help the student, not a withholding of services that will create a more difficult environment for the student are what is needed. A policy that supports students by providing accommodations when the college can't or won't do so will show support, not neglect toward students. Policies that support and encourage students, not penalize them and make them feel like they are bad or unworthy will build more confident graduates who can go out and get jobs in a
competitive job market.

The Commission's college policy needs to be aggressive in its goal to provide as many blind people with a degree as possible. These ought to be the best degrees available anywhere in the nation to assist the student to have the best chance to get a job. When blind people with advanced degrees are asked discriminatory questions about how they will get to work or find the bathroom, it is clear that the Commission must absolutely do all that is necessary to provide all the advantage possible to the blind person to get an extra edge in the hiring process.

Please, let's stop this time-wasting, weaseling and scrooge like approach to a college policy. Let's create the best educated cadre of blind people in America to go out and get great jobs. We need good educations to get good jobs. The better the education, the better the job.

By the way, has withholding services helped our placement rate? How many more blind people are being placed now than last year? Has saving a few bucks by taking it from SSI recipients helped other blind people get good jobs? Is hiring staff with no blindness training increasing placements?
Have the MOU's with colleges improved our placement rate of college graduates? Who is benefiting by limiting which colleges blind people may attend with Commission support? Are these limitations increasing placements. Will requiring clients and college financial aid staff to complete another abusive, meaningless and useless form improve grades or incomes of blind college graduates?

Until Commission staff can demonstrate that these restrictive, shortsighted and unsupportive policies have created a better employment environment, the privilege of writing their own work-rules should be withdrawn. If these ideas are leading to better and more placements, then, they should be encouraged to do more of it. 10 or more Commission staff using more than 2 years on a college policy that is not leading to more jobs Is a shameful and irresponsible use of time and resources. Let's stop this wasteful and divisive policy-writing process and get a client-centered job oriented policy written. Enough is enough

Sincerely,

Fred Wurtzel

2009 Convention Stream November 6, 7 and 8

2009-11-10T22:20:00.001-05:00

Hello everyone: The URL for the audio stream of the NFB of MI will be as follows:
http://sc4.spacialnet.com:27558/listen.pls Or anyone can go to:
Meewebsite.com and click on the “live broadcast” link. Please check back later if the stream is down. We have experienced a few problems with our Internet connection at the hotel.

NFB of Michigan Convention November 6th - 9th 2009

2009-11-10T20:34:00.000-05:00

You are invited to the …
National Federation of the Blind of Michigan
2009 Annual State Convention
“Equality: Taking the Steps, Reaching the Dream”

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear the latest news impacting the blind community, network with and learn from successful blind individuals and see some of the latest assistive technology.

When: November 6th – 8th 2009

Where: Grand Rapids Radisson Riverfront
270 Ann Street NorthWest
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504.

Who should attend?
• Blind or visually impaired persons
• Parents of blind and visually impaired children
• Teachers, Counselors and other Rehabilitation Professionals
• Free child care will be provided during all seminars and the banquet.

How to Register:
• Register Online for the 2009 state convention or by completing this printable registration form.

Registration Fees:
• Convention Registration paid by October 26, 2009 is $15; after October 26th $20
• Banquet tickets purchased by October 26, 2009 are $20, after October 26th $30

Hotel Room Reservations:
• Call 616-363-9001
• Make your reservation before Monday October 26th and be sure to mention “The NFB of Michigan State Convention” to receive a discounted nightly room rate of $79 plus tax.

Preliminary Schedule

Friday, November 6, 2009
• 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM Technology Exhibits sponsored by MEE Inc. with special emphasis on currency handling and identification.
• 4:00PM – 7:00 PM Registration and Pre-registration Packet pick-up
• 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM A workshop for parents of blind and visually impaired children presented by the Parents Division and the Michigan Department of Education - Low Incidence Outreach (MDE-LIO).
• 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Students Division Meeting
• 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Merchants Division Meeting
• 9:30 PM Euchre tournament; for more details contact Diana Mohnke at d_mohnke18@yahoo.com or call 989-640-3171.

Saturday, November 7, 2009:
• 7:00 AM – 8:30 AM Resolutions Meeting/breakfast
• 7:00 – 9:00 AM Registration and Pre-registration Packet pick-up
• 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon Morning General Session
• 12:00 Noon – 2:00 PM Lunch Break
• 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM Afternoon General Session
• 7:00 PM- 9:00 PM: Banquet-- Keynote address by Joanne Wilson, NFB executive director of affiliate action, founder of the Louisiana Center for the Blind and former commissioner of Rehabilitation Services for the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services.
• 9:00 PM Auction

Sunday, November 8, 2009:
• 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM Business Session with elections and resolutions. If you want to present a resolution to the convention it must be submitted to the resolutions committee. Please contact Dave Robinson by email at brightsmile1953@comcast.net or call 517-775-7943 for more information. All resolutions must be submitted by October 26, 2009.
See you in Grand Rapids!

2010 National Scholarships Available

2009-11-04T10:45:00.002-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

cdanielsen@nfb.org
National Federation of the Blind Announces 2010 Scholarship Program

Thirty Scholarships Available to College and Postgraduate Students

Baltimore, Maryland (November 3, 2009): The National Federation of the Blind, the oldest and largest organization of blind people in the United States, announced today that applications are now being accepted for the 2010 National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Program. Thirty scholarships totaling $100,000 will be awarded to blind students from the United States and Puerto Rico. The scholarships are available to blind students who will be enrolled in college or a graduate program beginning in the fall of 2010, including incoming freshmen. Scholarships range in value from $3,000 to $12,000.

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: “The National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Program is the Federation’s way of recognizing outstanding academic achievement by blind students and spreading our positive philosophy of blindness to these students and to the general public. Because of the collective efforts of blind Americans, blind people today are achieving greater academic success and entering fields of study once thought closed to the blind, and celebrating their achievements is always a highlight of our national convention. I join the Scholarship Committee in inviting every eligible blind student to submit an application, and I look forward to meeting the dynamic individuals that will make up the 2010 National Federation of the Blind scholarship class.”

Information on the NFB scholarship program is posted online at www.nfb.org/scholarships . The deadline for applications is March 31, 2010.

Questions may be directed to the NFB Scholarship Committee Chairman, Mr. Anil Lewis, by e-mail at Scholarships@nfb.org, or by phone at (410) 659 -9314, extension 2415.

NFB Files Complaint -- U.S. Department of Ed. Website Inaccessible

2009-10-28T18:10:00.001-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (cell)

cdanielsen@nfb.org
National Federation of the Blind Files Complaint with
United States Department of Education

Inaccessible Web Site U.S.A. Learns Discriminates Against the Blind

Baltimore, Maryland (October 27, 2009): The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), the nation’s oldest and largest organization of blind people and the leading advocate for equal access by the blind to information technology, and Carlos Mora, a blind resident of Baltimore, Maryland, filed an administrative complaint today with the United States Department of Education. The complaint asserts that one of the United States Department of Education’s Web sites, U.S.A Learns, violates Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act because it is inaccessible to blind people who use text-to-speech screen access technology or Braille displays to access information on the Internet. Because of the inaccessibility of the U.S.A Learns Web site, blind people cannot access or navigate through the content of the English vocabulary, spelling, and pronunciation lessons that are offered through the site.

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: “In an age where the Internet is a part of everyday life, blind people must have equal access to the information and resources provided on the World Wide Web. In particular, the United States government has a legal and moral obligation to ensure that the information it provides on the Internet is equally accessible to all in America, including the blind. It is especially ironic that the Department of Education, which is commissioned to provide educational opportunities for all, would deny blind people access to a Web site that provides instructive tools for those who speak English as a second language. This is unacceptable and we demand equal access for all blind people.”

Carlos Mora, a blind individual from Baltimore, Maryland, said: “I work full time and have been accepted to a master’s degree program at Johns Hopkins University, and English is my second language. I attempted to use the U.S.A. Learns Web site to prepare for my everyday life and my future studies by practicing English vocabulary, spelling, and pronunciation, but the Web site was not accessible to me. It is frustrating to be denied access to any Web site, but it is especially so when I am being denied access to a Web site with educational tools that would help me to become a more active and productive member of American society.”

This is the third complaint filed by the National Federation of the Blind on behalf of blind people in America regarding the inaccessibility of a federal government Web site. The NFB plans to file complaints about other inaccessible federal government Web sites as the organization continues to receive multiple reports from blind people of barriers they have faced while trying to access government information, programs, and services on the Internet.

Complainants are represented by attorneys Daniel F. Goldstein and Allison L. Harper of Brown, Goldstein & Levy, LLP, 120 E. Baltimore Street, Suite 1700, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, (410) 962-1030, fax: (410) 385-0869, dfg@browngold.com, ah@browngold.com, www.browngold.com.

###

About the National Federation of the Blind

With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people’s lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.
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New York Governor Speaks at New York NFB Convention -- Understands Blatant Hostility

2009-10-26T16:56:00.003-05:00

Hello,

Below is an article about Gov. Patterson’s speech at our NFBNY State Convention. What he describes is why we need an inclusive, not exclusive college policy and an agency philosophy that believes it is necessary to do everything possible to get blind people training, education and employment here in Michigan.

When Michigan Commission employees compare their children’s college education to those of blind clients, that blatant hostility the Governor refers to is clear, right within the agency designed to combat such hostility. Furthermore, the Director participated in a meeting where such comments were made and made no effort to correct the raw hostility toward blind people..

Gov Paterson blindsides critics with wrath: Claims 'blatant hostility' stems from his disability
DAILY NEWS ALBANY BUREAU CHIEF
ALBANY - Two months after playing the race card, Gov. Paterson said on Saturday he has been subjected to "degrading" attacks because he is blind.
Paterson complained about several editorials and columns that he said negatively referenced his disability as well his buffoonish portrayal on "Saturday Night Live" in which he is "bumping into walls."
"Anything I did got associated with the fact that I do have visual impairment," he said during a speech before the state chapter of the National Federation of the Blind. "That's an insult."
Perhaps still stinging from the furor he created this summer when he claimed to be the victim of a racist media trying to keep him from running next year, Paterson said he does not believe the criticisms of his performance as governor is because he's blind.
"It's not the reason that my decisions are questioned. That would happen to any governor," he said.
But he said his disability is "the reason that you hear these hostile, nasty remarks."
He said one editorial proclaimed after a top aide left that he has no one left to read to him. He said another piece said someone should take him to "touch" the buildings at Ground Zero to prove the rebuilding had begun.
"Where is that anger coming from?" Paterson asked. "Where is that blatant hostility coming from? And I'm not blaming the media here because the media often just reflects the attitude of society."
The pieces were not exactly as he portrayed. Paterson said he can take the shots, noting that unlike 70% of blind people nationally, "I have a job and I will be keeping my job for four more years."
But the attacks on him could influence how others, particularly potential employers, view everyday blind people.
"The society where that attitude, where that anger, where that vitriolic conduct is excusable when it's raised on a governor, think of what happens to an individual that just got out of college and doesn't have an opportunity and is now sitting home when they should be working."
As for "Saturday Night Live" and their portrayal of him "bumping into things," Paterson warned, "I'm going to bump into 'Saturday Night Live' one day and they're going to get what's coming to them."

2008 Michigan Newsline Report -- Great News

2009-09-18T14:21:00.002-05:00

GENERAL OVERVIEW of NFB-NEWSLINE®

The National Federation of the Blind offers NFB-NEWSLINE®, a free electronic newspaper service that carries 308 publications to 42 states and the District of Columbia. Over 70,600 subscribers across the nation presently listen to their local and national newspapers every day using a standard touch-tone telephone or over the Internet using their computer. NFB-NEWSLINE® keeps the blind and visually impaired up-to-date on the news happening in their communities and the world around them. Newspapers offer much more than news; they include the latest on travel, food, science, books, technology, fashion, music, dance and the arts. NFB-NEWSLINE® offers ten magazines including The Economist, the New Yorker, Time Magazine, Science News and all three AARP publications, and six newspapers in Spanish.

The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and USA Today, are among the many national and local newspapers offered. Subscribers have access twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, through a local or toll-free telephone number.

Subscribers also can enjoy hourly updates from United Press International and the Associated Press for national and international news as well as a specific AP news feed for Michigan and other states.

NFB-NEWSLINE® also features television listings that are highly interactive and allow you to get to the information quickly. You can choose your favorites and also move through channels, dates and times. Set up is as easy as providing your zip code, source of television and your time zone.

On March 31, 2009, NFB-NEWSLINE® announced the addition of an online web site, www.nfbnewslineonline.org in order to provide our subscribers with exciting new reading options. On this web site subscribers will be able to view all the publications offered on NFB-NEWSLINE® through their web browser and download content to their portable device such as the Victor Reader Stream.

For more information, visit the website at www.nfbnewsline.org or call NFB-NEWSLINE® at (866) 504-7300.

Michigan NFB-NEWSLINE® - Service Eligibility Criteria

The NFB-NEWSLINE® service is available to all residents of Michigan that have a qualifying print disability. In order to qualify for Michigan NFB-NEWSLINE® a person must, reside in the state of Michigan and meet the blindness or disability criteria used for eligibility for the Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped program administered by the Library of Congress and cooperating network libraries.

Michigan NFB-NEWSLINE® - Services Offered

Currently there are six newspapers from Michigan on the NFB-NEWSLINE® system including the Detroit Free Press, Detroit News, Flint Journal, Flint Journal classified ads, Grand Rapids Press, Lansing State Journal, and The Mining Journal.

In addition to the six state newspapers, Michigan NFB-NEWSLINE® subscribers can also read Associated Press articles pertaining to their state, which are updated every hour. The Associated Press content is the same information that is sent to television and radio stations through out the state.

It is important to note that not only do Michigan NFB-NEWSLINE® subscribers have access to the newspapers previously mentioned but also they have access to national publications such as The Christian Science Monitor, the New York Times, USA Today, and the Wall Street Journal. For a complete list of publications available on NFB-NEWSLINE®, please visit www.nfbnewsline.org. Also for those on the go, the NFB-NEWSLINE® system can send a subscriber their newspapers via email. These email newspapers can then be read on the computer or transferred to portable devices such as the Book Port, Braille Note, Victor Stream etc. for on the go listening.

The Michigan NFB-NEWSLINE® system also contains a local channel facility where information specific to the blind and visually impaired community of Michigan can be posted. Types of material that you would find on the local channel would include information on events in the Michigan blindness community, information from the agency serving Michigan’s blind and visually impaired election information etc.

Michigan NFB-NEWSLINE® Statement
October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009

Outstanding invoice to be paid:

Invoice number: 0810MCB0909
Invoice period: October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009

Annual service: $53,386

Annual telecommunications: 21,614

Newspaper Operational Fee: $5,000
(The Mining Journal)

Total amount for invoice 0810MCB0909: $80,000

Michigan NFB-NEWSLINE® Usage Information
October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009

As of 09/17/09, Michigan NFB-NEWSLINE® is serving 2,655 subscribers.

During the reporting period, there were 60,182 calls to NFB-NEWSLINE® from Michigan residents and 197 new subscribers added to the system.

Number of minutes used by Michigan subscribers during the period: 1,130,598

Percentage of NFB-NEWSLINE® calls from Michigan sent over the local number network during the period: 50%

Michigan NFB-NEWSLINE® - Michigan Newspapers Accessed

Please find below a chart containing the name of the Michigan publications along with the number of times that it was accessed between 10/01/08 and 09/30/09.

Associated Press Michigan: 7,386
Detroit Free Press: 46,736
Detroit News: 16,285
Flint Journal: 3,199
Flint Journal Classifieds: 2,112
Grand Rapids Press: 5,639
Lansing State Journal: 6,028
Michigan Information Channel: 1,894
The Mining Journal: NA

NOTE: The above chart does not report on any reading of newspapers from other states or magazines by Michigan NFB-NEWSLINE® subscribers. Nor does it report on any reading of any national publications such as The Christian Science Monitor, the New York Times, USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, or the Washington Post etc. by Michigan subscribers.

Michigan NFB-NEWSLINE® - Subscribers Receiving their
Newspapers via Email

During the time period of 10/01/08 through 09/30/09, 45,615 email newspapers were sent out to NFB-NEWSLINE® Michigan subscribers.

Michigan NFB-NEWSLINE® – Persons Downloading their
Newspaper from Bookshare.org

At this time it is not possible to quantify the number of Michigan residents downloading NFB-NEWSLINE® newspaper content from Bookshare.org.

Michigan NFB-NEWSLINE® - Recommendations for
Improvements in the Service

A more human quality voice is planned to be added to the NFB-NEWSLINE® system over the next few months. It is believed that the addition of the more human quality voice will be of benefit to newly blinded / low vision persons who are just getting started with synthetic voices. Also it is believed that a more human quality voice will be popular with seniors, especially those with some hearing loss.

It is recommended that the sponsor investigate the possibility of adding one or two more newspapers to the Michigan NFB-NEWSLINE® system to provide more local newspaper coverage to the state.

Additionally, a relationship with a Radio Reading service or other source of local content could be developed in order to provide audio files of such readings as grocery store ads for example.

~~~

This Michigan NFB-NEWSLINE® status report was submitted by:
Scott A. White
Director of Sponsored Technology Programs
National Federation of the Blind
Phone: 410-659-9314 Extension 2231
E-Mail: swhite@nfb.org
http://www.nfbnewsline.org

NFB of Michigan Board Meeting

2009-07-17T12:11:00.001-05:00

What: NFB of Michigan board meeting.

Who: The meeting is open to all members and the public

When: Saturday August 8, 2009 from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM.

Where: Radisson Riverfront
270 Ann Street N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI. 49504

Phone: (616) 363-9101

Details: The NFB of Michigan will be holding a board meeting On Saturday August 8, 2009 from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM at the Radisson Riverfront Hotel in Grand Rapids. The hotel restaurant has very reasonable prices and will be open for lunch Saturday afternoon. Special guest room pricing has been obtained for this event. Place your reservation now and mention the NFB of Michigan to receive a special discounted room rate of $79 per night plus tax. Rooms are limited, so we encourage everyone to book soon.

On November 6th – 8th the NFB of Michigan will return to the Radisson Riverfront to hold our 2009 state convention. Make plans now to attend the August board meeting and be a part of the planning team for the fall convention.

See you in Grand Rapids!
NFB of Michigan Communications Committee

Read the Spring 2009 Edition of the Michigan Focus

2009-06-26T18:39:00.002-05:00

The Michigan Focus, the official publication of the NFB of Michigan, is now online. Head over to the Michigan Focus page to download the 2009 Spring Edition. You can also listen to the Michigan Focus by accessing the Michigan Local Information Channel on NFB-Newsline

announcement

2009-06-08T20:36:00.000-05:00

Subject: Volunteers Needed for NFB National Convention

Greetings,

The NFB 2009 National Convention is right around the corner. The convention will be held at the Renaissance Center in Detroit Michigan from Thursday July 2nd through Wednesday July 9th. We are seeking individuals to volunteer their time to work one or more four hour shifts at the convention. Volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks including:

• Assisting convention attendees with directions to meeting rooms and other locations in the Renaissance Center.
• Delivering boxes and other materials in the hotel.
• Assisting with Other errands and miscellaneous tasks

There will be a short training session for volunteers at the beginning of each 4 hour shift. You can work a partial shift if you are unable to commit to the entire 4 hours. If you are interested in volunteering or know someone who is interested PLEASE have them contact myself or Sarah Norwood using the contact information listed below.

Melinda Latham
e-mail: youthslammi@yahoo.com
Phone: (517)803-3800

Sarah Norwood
Phone: (313)982-8842
Please circulate this to everyone you know!!!

Thank you,

Melinda Latham

MELINDA LATHAM
Youth Outreach Coordinator, NFB of MI

Something Fun During Convention

2009-05-30T18:34:00.004-05:00

Here is a great opportunity to add big fun to your convention time in
Detroit. We have for sale, tickets to the Tuesday night 7:05 P.M. game
against the Kansas City Royals. At 6:30 P.M. we proceed to the Mountain Dew
Porch for a picnic with hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, pasta salad, cole
slaw, chips and drinks. Then by 8:00P.M. we proceed to our seats on the
lower level third base line. Public transportation is available on the
people mover or an energetic person could walk to Comerica Park. Tickets are
available for $60.00 each and must be purchased by June 12th. Please make
your check payable to Donna Posont and mail to:

Donna Posont
15429 Prospect St.
Dearborn, MI. 48126

Please call or email Donna with any questions. 313-220-8140 or email
Donnabutterfly50@gmail.com

Transportation from Detroit Metro Airport to the Renaissance Center

2009-05-29T15:55:00.003-05:00

May 26, 2009

From: Mr. Fred Wurtzel, NFB of Michigan affiliate president
To: NFB members attending the 2009 National Convention in Detroit

RE: Ground transportation service from the airport (DTW) to the Detroit Marriott and Courtyard Marriott hotels at the Renaissance Center and vise-versa.

We are pleased to share information on a service being made available to NFB members through Enjoi Transportation, prior to, during, and after our convention taking place in Detroit, from July 3rd- July 8th.

Enjoi Transportation will offer a range of transportation vehicles from mini-vans to mini-buses, up to 46 passenger motor coaches. All vehicles are air-conditioned.

Enjoi Transportation will provide round-trip ground transportation from Detroit Metro Airport (McNamara and North terminals) to the Detroit Marriot at the Renaissance Center to attendees for the round-trip discounted rate of $45.00 per person. Upon arrival at Detroit Metro Airport, attendees will be met by greeters in the baggage claim sections of both terminals who will assist arrivals to the registration table(s) and then onto awaiting shuttles for transport of members and luggage to the hotel(s). Ground transportation service will be available on a 24-hour basis throughout the convention dates. Those interested in this service are encouraged to make reservations at least 48 hours before arrival; however, ground transportation will also be available to attendees upon arrival to Detroit Metro Airport. (Single direction service is also available at $22.50 per person)

Reservations can be made starting immediately via phone by using the information stated below. Credit card payments will be accepted. Please note that members who make a reservation, then change their plans and do not cancel their reservation within 48 hours of their scheduled arrival will be charged a one-way trip fee, of $22.50.

Please consider this opportunity to save on the cost of transportation while in Detroit. There is no regular shuttle service from the airport terminals to hotels as we have had in other cities. Airport taxi and sedan service is available, but charges are approximately $50 EACH WAY per person.

If you are interested in obtaining more information or making a reservation prior to your arrival in Detroit, please contact Enjoi Transportation at one of the following numbers:

1(877) ENJOI-US
1(877) 365-6487
(313) 758-1000
fax (313) 758-1001
email glynn@enjoitrans.com

SPECIAL NOTE: Please be aware the neither the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) nor the NFB of Michigan is responsible for this service in any way.

If anyone is intrested

2009-05-27T14:43:00.003-05:00

I would like to let everyone know that i now have my very own blog. if there is a new movie, restaurant, coffee house, cd, or what ever you think i would be intrested to write about let me know. If there is something that you would like for me to promote, that isn't NFB related, let me know. I love to blog about pretty much anything that catches my intrest. If anyone is interested in reading my blogs, i will tag it on here. its called the latest. Its a pretty boring title, but i couldn't think of anything else.
Once i get going, i don't think i will be able to stop. I hope you all will enjoy.

Spring Board Meeting

2009-05-07T20:40:00.001-05:00

AGENDA

Spring Board Meeting
National Federation of the Blind of Michigan
May 9, 2009

1. Call to order/Introductions

II. Secretary’s Report

III. Treasurer’s Report

IV. 2009 Summer at Camp T

V. Crunch Time – Review of notes

A. Banquet Mug
B. Opening
C. Banquet Door Prize
D. Other

VI. 2009 State Convention

VII. Braille Access
A. Proposed Standards, etc -- Brunhilde
B. Braille Event at Capitol -- Geri Taeckens

VIII . Auction Prior to Lunch -- Lunch from 12:00-1:30 in food court

IX. Committee and Division Reports

X. Old Business

XI. New Business

XII. Adjourn

Braille Certification Comes To Michigan in July

2009-04-29T18:04:00.006-05:00

If you or your teacher or your child's teacher have wanted to become certified in Braille, we are excited to post the following anouncement.

Testing for the National Certification in Literary Braille has been scheduled for Austin, Texas, Detroit, Michigan, Orangeburg, New York, and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

National Blindness Professional Certification Board

would like to announce

that the

NATIONAL CERTIFICATION IN LITERARY BRAILLE (NCLB)

will be held on the following dates and locations:

Austin,
Texas

Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center
Friday, June 12, 2009
8:00am-5:00pm
Detroit,
Michigan

Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center
Saturday & Sunday, July 4-5, 2009
1:00pm-5:00pm
Orangeburg,
New York

Dominican College
Sunday, July 12, 2009
8:00am-5:00pm
Albuquerque,
New Mexico

Albuquerque Grand Airport Hotel
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009
8:00am-5:00pm

A combined application/testing fee of $250 applies. For updates, application deadlines, and to apply online go to:

www.nbpcb.org/pages/announcements

For additional information, please visit the NBPCB website at:
www.nbpcb.org, or contact Louise Walch, NBPCB
Coordinator,
at (318) 257-4554 or
braille@nbpcb.org.

Spring Board Meeting

2009-04-29T12:53:00.005-05:00

HelloEveryone,

Our spring Board meeting will be Saturday May 9 from 9 AM to 3 PM. Topics will include National Convention planning, Braille Literacy, Camp T and there will be an auction. Gerri Taeckens and Brunhilde Merck-Adam will talk about upcoming efforts involving Braille.

We will have an official tour of the Convention facilities on Friday afternoon. The exact time is not yet known. Pleas attend the tour to help yourself be a great host to our 3,176 guests this summer. More info will come out, soon.

We have a block of rooms For Friday evening the 8th at the Marriott. We will have convention rates of $62 plus tax. The contact information is:

The new code is IGB. Use this code when you call the 800
number at 800-352-0831.

Please call 517-482-1800 or email questions to f.wurtzel@comcast.net.

I look forward to seeing all of you in Detroit.

Warmest Regards,

Fred Wurtzel, President
National Federation of the Blind of Michigan

chicago trip

2009-04-17T16:06:00.000-05:00

Youth Trip to Chicago!

Greetings everyone,

The youth outreach group will be taking a trip to Chicago on Saturday May 2nd. WE will be doing some site seeing and enjoy lunch and dinner in the BIG City. The cost for youth is $20 dollars. The cost will include lunch and transportation to and from Okemos , MI.
I am also looking for adults to go as group leaders.

If you are interested please let me know ASAP.

MELINDA LATHAM
Youth Outreach Coordinator, NFB of MI
youthslammi@yahoo.com
517.803.3800

braille coin revealed

2009-03-28T11:53:00.001-05:00

Very Successful Braille Literacy and Coin Unveiling Event

On March 26th, members from several chapters of the NFB of Michigan came together at the rotunda of the state capitol. Dave Robinson, President of the Lansing chapter, spoke about the need for and the importance of Braille Literacy. Fred Wurtzel, President of the Michigan Affiliate, gave some background information about Louis Braille and talked about how access to Braille can empower blind individuals. Mary Ann Rojek, Michigan Braille Literacy Coordinator, summarized key points from the report on the Braille Literacy crisis in America given by Dr. Maurer in Baltimore.

Michigan's Governor, Jennifer Granholm, proclaimed the day Braille Literacy Day
in Michigan. The gubernatorial proclamation was read and proudly
displayed as part of
the festivities.Kathleen Straus, member of the State Board of Education, expressed her commitment to partner with the NFB to increase Braille Literacy of the State's blind children

The commemorative Louis Braille bicentennial silver dollar was on hand as were chocolate coins for all to sample and enjoy. Braille alphabet cards were also available for those in attendance

A reporter from WLNS, a Lansing television station, interviewed Dave Robinson and a segment appeared on the 5:00 news.

The commemorative Louis Braille coin is now available for purchase either online by going to www.usmint.gov or by calling 1-800-USAMINT or 1-800-872-6468.

Braille Literacy and Coin Event in Lansing on March 26th

2009-03-13T14:03:00.002-05:00

Hello everyone,

On March 26th, an event to promote Braille Literacy and to unveil the commemorative
Braille coin will be held at the state capitol rotunda in Lansing at
10:30 AM.
The Lansing chapter is organizing and hosting the event. There will be a gubernatorial proclamation and I'm very pleased to report that Kathleen Straus from the State Board of Education will speak about the need for Braille Literacy.
Participants will gather at the capitol at 10:00; and we would like representatives from the other chapters and as many locations in the state as possible to attend.
Please come to Lansing and be a part of this exciting, important history making event.

Thank you and I hope to see you in Lansing!
Sincerely,

Mary Ann Rojek
State Braille Coin Project Coordinator

michigan focus

2009-03-05T17:23:00.000-05:00

The next issue of the Michigan Focus will be out in late Spring. The dead-line for submissions is May 15. So if you have something you want to submit please
get it to me by May 15. I prefer material in electronic format and the second best is in print. Items on cassette or in braille will also be considered.
Please send your material to me, Geer Wilcox- electronically to
ggwilcox@comcast.net-
or by U.S. postal service to 1985 Wembley Way, East Lansing, MI 48823. Call me with any questions at 517-351-8122. Many different kinds of articles are
welcome. These include but are not limited to- issues you think we should address; reprints of news paper articles relevant to blind persons; chapter or
division activities or special projects; personal interest stories; upcoming events we should know about; fiction; and such like. I look forward to being
deluged by prospective articles

Geer Wilcox, editor

Febuary 14th, 2009 Board Meeting Minutes

2009-02-28T14:50:00.001-05:00

These are the minutes from the February 14th, 2009 NFB of Michigan Board Meeting held at the Detroit Renaissance Center.

National Federation of the Blind of Michigan, February 14, Happy Valentine's day!

Call to order--9:20 a.m. with Fred Wurtzel presiding.
Roll call of the Board for quorum--John Scott, Reggie Alvarado, Peter Zaremba, Melinda Latham, Donna Posont, and Larry Ball. First Vice-President absent due to weather.
Introduction of members--approximately 14 people were present throughout the meeting.
Welcome to Members--Fred Wurtzel.
Agenda--read by Fred Wurtzel.

Discussions--lunch and time of auction.
Decisions--As there were to be 2000 youngsters going to lunch in the food court between 12:00 and 2:00, decision was made to work through until 2:00 p.m. so the food court would be less crowded. After Kevin Worley spoke with us by phone at 10:30, there would be a short break, and then the auction would be held.

Secretary's report--Reggie Alvarado.
Discussion--John Scott asked about resolutions and why the minutes did not reflect resolution 2008-03.
Decision--Dave Robinson agreed to check into what happened to resolution 2008-03.
Motion--Dave Robinson moved adoption of the secretary's report. John Scott seconded the motion. The motion to accept the secretary's report was passed by the Board.
Treasurer's report--Peter Zaremba.
Motion--Reggie Alvarado moved adoption of the treasurer's report. Donna Posont seconded the motion. The treasurer’s report was accepted by the Board.
Break--It was decided to break from 10:05 to 10:30.

Conference call--Kevin Worley.
Discussion--blind vendor's Blast April 1 through April 4. There will be food, yoga, other merchandise, wine tasting, fun, and friendship.
Discussion--Five elements for making the Motor City Walk for Independence a success:

1. Community networking--critical now! In the next week, through people we know, we are to contact businesses, political leaders, people in the Chamber of Commerce, people in large Lion’s clubs, etc., and ask them to support the March. Some of these people could be made co-chairs of the March.
2. March 1 through 4--sending one or two people from the affiliate to work alongside representatives from the national office. This group will be meeting with the city, Ren Cen, and the Riverfront Conservancy discussing the rally, how to get support from General Motors and the Ren Cen, and the route which could be changed due to construction. Fred Wurtzel said Mrs. Jernigan would also be in Detroit at that time.
3. Breakfast reception--March 4. The breakfast will be hosted by the Convention and Business Bureau. Affiliate representatives--The parent of a blind child, a child who reads braille along with a couple of other representatives who would speak with business, political, and community leaders about the NFB and the March. John Scott indicated he was trying to interest church leaders in the NFB and the March. Kevin Worley wants the culture of the city to shine through in the March and appreciated John Scott's idea.
4. Peter Zaremba questioned if there was a need for volunteers to pass out water, Granola bars, etc. Kevin Worley answered in the affirmative and that they would be called March Ambassadors.
5. March ambassadors--there will be pre-march training of the march ambassadors.

Note--Fred Wurtzel announced that anyone without a computer could sign up to participate in the March by contacting anyone on the Board or by calling the national office and speaking with Kristi Bowman.
Discussion--braille coin. Roll out of the coin is March 26. Kevin Worley asked chapters and/or the affiliate to have activities on that day to promote the coin and braille literacy. Coin will cost between 30 and 45 dollars.
Goal for braille literacy--to double the braille literacy of blind children by 2015.
Motion--March for Independence. Donna Posont made a motion to have a friendly competition between chapters to raise money for the March. Dave Robinson seconded the motion. The motion carried with one dissenting vote.
Discussion--Marianne Rojak. Braille literacy and the braille coin. She encouraged chapters to have activities on March 26. Materials for braille literacy and the braille coin could be received by contacting Marianne Rojak or the National Center. Marianne also indicated materials could be found at braille.org.

Auction--Doug Boone auctioneer.
Funds received--182 dollars.

Notes--Read by Reggie Alvarado and Mary Wurtzel.
mug design committee--Sheila Latham, Christine Boone, and John Scott. Mrs. Jernigan needs a design for the mug by March 1.
Discussion--Tours. Donna is checking into feasibility of offering a Tigers Game to convention participants on the day after convention ends. Leonard Gross is also checking into a tour of a Star Trek exhibit.
Discussion of pros and cons on being responsible for tours followed. Sheila Latham agreed to go to the desk and ask for a list of tours. It can be decided at that point what will be reasonable for the affiliate to consider for tours.
Discussion--menus. Braille menus will be available in every sit down restaurant. The menus will be sent out for transcribing. A restaurant guide in braille is to be made available at the Michigan information Desk, and Sheila Latham agreed to check with the desk to see if there is one we can use so we do not re-invent the wheel. Fred indicated also that there is a list of restaurants on the internet that we could use.
Menu and restaurant guide committee--Reggie Alvarado, Sharon Kingsbury, and Marcus Simmons.
Discussion--Entertainment. The affiliate is to provide entertainment for the Monday night dance.
Entertainment committee--Mike Powell.
Discussion--Sarah Norwood asked if there was a volunteer coordinator. Fred Wurtzel said it was a big job, but Sarah was up to it!
Volunteer Coordinator--Sarah Norwood.
Dialysis and wheelchairs--Reggie Alvarado. To work with the head of the Diabetic Division to set this up for those who need it.
Discussion--extra white canes.
Decision--it was decided to use the free cane program and have a small supply on hand at the convention for those who need one.
Discussion--nurse for convention. Christine Boone indicated she may have someone willing to help on a volunteer basis.
Discussion--door prizes. Donna Posont will be working with Diane McGeorge. Fred will be writing up a door prize request form.
Discussion--opening for the convention. Among other things, Terri Wilcox could sing the National Anthem and Mike Powell could do some type of routine. Christine Boone asked about Stevie Wonder for the opening. Fred has tried to get in touch with him and will try to do so again. Other possibilities would be Martha Reeves and Aretha Franklin.
Theme for the convention--Mug committee. Sheila is to work with the T-Shirt company to place the theme on the shirts. They will be sold to cover the cost of the dance. Any ideas for the theme are to go to Sheila Latham, John Scott, or Christine Boone.
Ordering, distributing, and collecting money from sales of T-shirts--Dave Robinson.
Michigan hospitality suite--Mary Wurtzel and Reggie Alvarado.
We are Able to bring coffee and juice into the hospitality suite but not food.
Braille on Vending machine and rooms--Donna and her class at Visual Handicapped Services will braille the vending machines. Brunhilde and some blind children will be checking and correcting the braille on the room numbers.
Peter Zaremba and Christine Boone will be working with Brunhilde to plan the activity.
List of churches--Sheila Latham received a list of churches from the front desk.
Motion--Donna made a motion that the affiliate sell coffee at the convention with expense for the coffee not to exceed 500 dollars. Reggie seconded the motion, and the motion passed the Board.
Presentation to the President before the March--Donna Posont and Larry Posont. Suggestion was given to try to find a Michigan-shaped basket. Donna and Larry are hopefully to have the gift donated.

State Convention--Mary Wurtzel.
Discussion--There are Two hotels, one in Kalamazoo and one in Grand Rapids.
Motion--Donna Posont made a motion that the State convention be held in Grand Rapids on November 5, 6, and 7. Dave Robinson seconded the motion. The motion was passed by the Board.

Motion--John Scott made a motion to table resolutions until the Spring board meeting. The motion was seconded by Dave Robinson. The motion was passed by the Board.
Nature's Finest Bounty--A web-based business run by the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan that would sell items made by blind people. This would help fund NFBM and also support products made by blind people.
Motion--Dave Robinson made a motion that a committee be put in place to investigate all aspects of implementing Nature's Finest Bounty or other ongoing fundraising ideas. At the spring board meeting the committee would bring a proposal to the Board for consideration.
Discussion--On discussion, it was decided not to place a specific date for return of the committee's proposal. Reggie Alvarado seconded the motion and the revision, and it passed by vote of the Board.
Committee, Nature's
Finest Bounty--Mary Wurtzel, Peter Zaremba, Larry Posont and Geer Wilcox.

Discussion--Dave Robinson spoke concerning the membership meeting that was held late on February 13. Encouragement was given to finding and helping to get people to convention. At the next chapter meetings, chapter presidents were encouraged to gather names, addresses, phone numbers, and, if applicable, email addresses of blind people Chapter members know. The list of names would then be sent to Reggie Alvarado so those people could be contacted by the members committee to invite them to convention. The winning chapter would be recognized at the State convention. Dave Robinson also indicated that there would be a meeting of the members committee on Wednesday, February 18 at 9:00 p.m. to discuss other means of finding blind people such as the Library for the Blind; a flyer announcing the convention; radio, TV, and newspaper articles about the convention; and the Monitor list and free cane list.

Next Board Meeting--it will be held the last week of April or the first week in May at the Ren Cen. Fred Wurtzel agreed to talk with Mrs. Jernigan to see if she could get us rates for one of those weekends.

Division, chapter, and committee reports--youth outreach. Melinda Latham gave a report on activities that would be taking place with the youth in the upcoming months.
Merchant's Division--Larry Ball gave a report on the activities of the Merchants Division. They are still trying to recruit those merchants who are not in the NFB to join the affiliate.

Washington seminar--Donna Posont stated that quite a few winter hats were sold at the Washington Seminar.

Discrimination issue with Quisnos--Bob Rehahn described an incident at Quisnos where the proprietor did not want his Leader Dog on the premises and how he advocated for himself with the media and by encouraging other guide dog users to take their dogs into the restaurant.

Motion--Reggie Alvarado moved to adjourn. the motion was seconded by someone, and the motion carried unanimously at 3:15.

Make your Reservations for the Feb 13-14 State Board Meeting in Detroit

2009-01-29T21:06:00.002-05:00

Hello,
As I reported earlier, our Winter board meeting will be in Detroit
at the Marriott RenCen. We will meet on the evening of the 13th to learn the
facility so we can assist our guests to find what they want. Our formal board meeting
will be Saturday the 14
th
beginning at 9:am and ending by 3 pm. We will eat lunch in the food court to familiarize
ourselves with that area, though not all of the restaurants may be open, though some
certainly will. Below are the instructions for booking a room for the evening of
Feb. 13. We have a block of 20 rooms, so get your reservation made soon to assure
a room at our rates.
Our block of 20 rooms is set up for at our National convention rates--singles and
doubles,
$62, triples, $66; and quads, $68. Call 800-352-0831. The meeting code is "highiga."
I booked our room. I used the code and it worked fine. Please use the phnbe and
code to book your room.
Warmest Regards,
Fred

nfb board meeting

2009-01-21T21:07:00.002-05:00

Hello,

As I reported earlier, our Winter board meeting will be in Detroit at the
Marriott RenCen. We will meet on the evening of the 13th to learn the
facility so we can assist our guests to find what they want. Our formal board meeting will be Saturday the 14th beginning at 9:am and ending by 3 pm. We will eat lunch in the food court to familiarize ourselves with that area, though not all of the restaurants may be open, though some certainly will. Below are the instructions for booking a room for the evening of Feb.
13. We have a block of 20 rooms, so get your reservation made soon to assure a room at our rates.

Our block of 20 rooms is set up for at our National convention rates--singles and doubles,

$62, triples, $66; and quads, $68. Call 800-352-0831. The meeting code is "highiga."

I booked our room. I used the code and it worked fine. Please use the phnbe and code to book your room.

GETTING QUIET CARS TO MAKE SOME NOISE

2009-01-21T07:33:00.002-05:00

A lot of people who drive gas-electric hybrid cars love how quiet they are. But others
say hybrids are so quiet they’re hazardous. People in the blind community say they
can’t hear hybrid cars coming... and they’d like to have sound added back into the
cars. Rebecca Williams has the story from the Environment Report, featuring our own state president Fred Wurtzel. Note: To listen to this story, select this link and press enter on the first button.

State Board Meeting February 14

2009-01-18T14:49:00.002-05:00

Hello,
As some of you may remember, Mrs. Jernigan agreed to seek convention room
rates for us to have a board meeting at the Ren Cen. She has arranged for
us to have a meeting on Feb. 14. We will have low rates the evening of Feb
13.
I have asked Doug Boon to oversee training of our members on the best way to
assist our guests in navigating the facility. Doug will meet with us Friday
evening the 13th to get us started. We will have lunch at the food court on
Saturday to familiarize ourselves with that area.
This is a perfect time to get an economical room for a romantic trip to the
Ren Cen and help make the National Convention a huge success. I look
forward to seeing you there.
Details on registration will follow along with exact rates. Please spread
the word.

NFB Event

2008-10-20T16:37:00.002-05:00

Attention Students & Faculty

Are you a blind or visually impaired student or faculty member who struggles on a daily basis? Would you like to meet other blind individuals who face these same struggles? Then come visit a networking opportunity that will be held on Michigan State University’s campus hosted by the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan Lansing Chapter. Please join us to socialize, network and learn about our organization.

· Date: Thursday, October 23, 2008
· Time: 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
· Location: Room 412 in Eppley Center on MSU campus (Business Complex on the corner of Bogue and Shaw)
· Free pizza and beverages will be provided
Call Diana Mohnke at (989) 640-3171 for more information.

Meet the Blind Month: Goalball Unleashed

2008-10-15T11:49:00.002-05:00

As a part of Meet the Blind Month, The Kalamazoo chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan will be hosting a hands-on demonstration
of goalball, a fast-paced, competitive sport played primarily by blind
and visually impaired athletes. Meet Tyler Merren and Stephen Denuyl, two athletes who placed 4th at the 2008 Paralympic games in Beijing. Come learn
about the sport, and try playing
while blindfolded. Also meet with successful blind adults and learn about other local opportunities. Light refreshments will be provided.
Saturday,October 18, 10-1

Westwood Christian Reform Church

620 Northampton,
Free!

For more information please Call 269-207-3000 or Email twmerren@gmail.com.

my thoughts on the movie "Blindness"

2008-09-28T13:43:00.004-05:00

I myself have read the book, and I also found it disturbing, and a horrible portrayal of the blind. My question is what was the author trying to prove or what type of message was he trying to get across? Why would he take people's ignorance about people with disabilities, and throw it into a book, and why would a movie producer pick up the book and turn it into a movie? We have enough ideas of ignorance about race, gender, and enough negative portrayal of people with disabilities to have this coming out. I really don't need some ignorant person running away from me because they think I'm going to infect them. I had to deal with this when I was a child. I don't need to deal with this as an adult. People need to be informed about blindness. There doesn't need to be a movie or book out there increasing people's misperceptions of what it is to be blind.

A Week for Activism

2008-09-27T00:08:00.005-05:00

This week began with a trip to Detroit to plan the March for Independence. I met Kevan Worley and Kristy Bowman at the Detroit Marriott. We rode the People mover, walked, and traveled the area by taxi, in search of a good route. We believe we have found a wonderful route which marchers will praise for years to come.

We had our national convention at the same hotel in 1994. There has been considerable remodeling since then. There are over 30 restaurants in a food court, a wonderful Italian place with an outdoor terrace on the river, and more. The place is fantastic. I have been traveling a lot lately, and have decided that Marriotts are the best places to stay. Detroit is no exception.

While there, I participated in a phone conference for all NFB presidents. The topic was "Blindness" a movie that negatively portrays blind people. Scenes include vulgar, filthy, depraved, and generally awful portrayals of blind people. Dr. Maurer asked us to plan simultaneous demonstrations in all 50 states for Friday, october, 3. I have asked Mike Powell to head our planning here in Michigan.

I also received a call from Hazell Brooks, a member and vendor in the Business Enterprise Program. She informed me that the MCB was in the process of suspending her BEP license and removing her from her job. We are taking on her case and have already had legal representatives contact the Commission to either resolve the problem or take them to court. The MCB Director personally traveled to the vending facility to remove Ms. Brooks. It is unclear why the Commission is ramping up its negative behavior toward blind people. We intend to try to settle this amicably. If not, we will do all we can to restore Ms. Brooks to her full status as a successful blind business person through the courts, an unfortunate, but necessary, use of resources.

Don't forget, our state convention will be November 14,15 and 16 at the Holiday Inn South in Lansing. Room rates are $79/night. We will be exploring Braille this year as a prelude to the 200th birthday of Louis Braille, next year and the issuance of the Louis Braille commemorative coin. Dr. Maurer, our national President will be our national representative..

Please feel free to leave a comment here. There is a button at the bottom of this message. Agree or Disagree, your comments are welcome.

Warmest Regards,

Fred Wurtzel President

September 19 Commission meeting

2008-09-20T00:47:00.004-05:00

I believe the Commission accomplished a lot in one day. They did some of the best work ever in exploring the needs of blind people. They also sunk to an all-time low in suggesting further reductions in an already strangled consumer input practice at the Commission.

First and most notable, they had a splendid roundtable discussion of transition services for blind youth in our state. The meeting was well designed and executed. Thoughtful and knowledgeable hands-on workers presented in a panel format followed by an open conversation that included everyone present.

Many issues were placed on the table for consideration. Issues of book delivery, respect for blind students, education of teachers and staff were all discussed. It shows that the Commission can, in fact, address important issues facing blind people in Michigan. of course, follow-up is very important to plan and implement activities and policies that will make real and lasting change.

The low point was when Director Cannon suggested reducing consumer involvement on the consumer Involvement council. yes, you read it correctly. Commissioner Taeckens raised an important issue of consumer input from the Upper Peninsula. There is not, presently, any representative from the UP on the CIC. NFB would agree that a land area the size and uniqueness of the UP ought to have a voice in the Commission operation. We certainly would not agree that this should come at the cost of reducing input by other consumers. There are presently 12 members on the CIC including parents, students and consumer organizations. Why not, simply add another member or 2 from the UP?

Among the actions by the Commission to limit consumer involvement, recently, are the reduction of Commission meetings from 11 per year to 4, exclusion of consumers from the college policy committee, reduction of public comment from 3 times per meeting to once per meeting. There is an ongoing action taking place to exclude consumers from the Commission business. The most important question is: Why? What is the fear? How can listening to those who are supposed to be served be a bad thing?

We have noticed. We are not passive or apathetic. We begin by asking respectfully that the Commission Board consider these trends and act promptly to reverse them and finally create the Commission envisioned by those of us who worked to create it. Open it up. Bring us in. Listen to us. Create programs and policies that make the lives of blind people better rather than inhibit consumers from receiving needed services and tools.

Cane Travel

2008-09-18T13:57:00.002-05:00

I went to Chicago on a business trip this week. I live in Lansing, MI, a medium size city. I travel to Detroit regularly. It is, inevitable that I make a comparison.

Chicago is a vibrant and strong place, while Detroit struggles.The city of Detroit is far more familiar to me than Chicago, so my comments are be to be judjed through that lense. Detroit streets are easy to navigate as a blind person. Chicago is very loud and there is stuff all over the sidewalks, everywhere. Chicago has the most wonderful public transit. It is easy to get most anywhere by rail. In addition, there are busses to supplement the rail system.

Downtown Chicago has a "pedway" that is a subterranian system of tunnels connecting a lot of downtown businesses and streets. It is a good alternative to the loud environment on the surface, but is limited in that it does not go everywhere.

In addition to the Chicago trip, Mary, Larry Posont and I traveled to Desmoines Iowa for Allen Harris' retirement celebration. Desmoines has a system of overhead pedestrian walkways. This system seems to connect most places in the downtown area. It is similar to the Minneapolis pedestrian system.

Now, Detroit has the People Mover which is a very good way to move about downtown Detroit, however it is a small system. The Detroit bus system is a mere skeleton of its former self. It is still possible to get around, but it is not as easy or convenient as in past times.

Now, I must comment on age. I commented to someone this week that I formerly did not notice the noise. The noise interferes with my travel confidence. I must sometimes force myself to venture into that noisy environment without the benefit of reliable sound cues. Part of it is certainly my unfamiliarity with the area, but the sounds of the elevated trains obliterates almost all sound as they pass. There is a lot of construction that makes noise plus disrupts the sidewalks. The complex and stimulus-rich environment forces me to think carefully about all my cane travel training, my belief in my skills and the use of the cane. When I think rationally, I regain confidence and step out with faith in my abilities.

Since bloggingis new to me, please forgive the rambling nature of this post. Travel has always been an important part of my life. Venturing on to the streets of Chicago has caused me to take stock of my feelings. To become fully confident, I would need weeks of traveling alone. I did glimpse the edge of my fear and confidence and am encouraged. Age, with its accompanying change in my senses and sensitivities, and lack of practice have definitely undermined my confidence, but these experiences assure me that I can succeed anytime I choose.

Books on Blindness

2008-09-04T20:49:00.003-05:00

I justdownloaded and read a book written by a newly blinded person about her experiences. It was depressing. It made me angry that the very systems designed to help people adjust to their blindness do more to hold blind people back than to help them move forward.

The name of the book is
Taking Hold: My Journey Into Blindness. The author is a sweet smart and optimistic person. She needs Federation philosophy so that she can realize all the things she hopes for are possible, rather than accepting lower expectations.

My point in writing is not to trash this book. I admire the author for writing it. What I really want is to hear is about books that present a positive role model. Our NFB kernal books are great examples. Gary Vermeij's book Priviliged hands is another superb book that presents a great role model for others to consider.

Which books involving blind people inspired you? Why?

Labor Day Youth Outreach Event

2008-09-02T22:21:00.004-05:00

Hello,
I am recovering from our most wonderful Youth Outreach Weekend. 8 of us went to the Upper Penninsula for the mackinac Bridge Walk on Labor day. We went up a day early. On Sunday we all went to Laughing Whitefish Falls and then went to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
The falls, on the Laughing Whitefish River is one of the most beautiful places anywhere. The fals begins with a drop over a 8 foot ledge to a series of stairlike ledges that continues down the river for at least a quarter mile.
We climbed down some stairs until they ended in a fenced platform several hundred yards from the top. We climbed over the fence and went down into the water and then proceeded to climb up the steps to the top. This was a little challenging since the rocks were irregular, slanted and slippery in places. We all made it with just a few scrapes and muddy clothes. The fun was worth the effort.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a long series of rock cliffs forming the south shore of Lake Superior from Munising to Grand Marais, Michigan. Miners River has cut its way through the rock to form a long beach where the river flows into Lake Superior. We went swimming in the river mouth and waded along the beach. 3 of our youth were brave and jumped off the rock ledges into the Lake. The water is deep off the edge of the ledges and cliffs.
On Labor Day we joined 40 thousand others to make the 5 mile hike across the Mackinac Bridge. This walk is an annual event and is the only time pedestrians are allowed on the Bridge. The weather was superb. 2 other Federationists joined us making a total of 10. We had T-shirts printed up for the event.
As anyone who knows me understands that youth is not a descriptor that would come to mind for me. I get energy from younger people. It is thrilling to see blind people try new and challenging experiences. There were a lot of positive comments from other tourists about our group as we climbed the falls, hiked the trails and made the bridge crossing. It was a priviledge for me to be part of this wonderful event. We were changing what means to be blind.

NFB of Michigan Board meeting rescheduled for September 20th

2008-08-12T15:07:00.001-05:00

The NFB of Michigan board meeting scheduled for Saturday August 23rd has been rescheduled for Saturday September 20th. The board would like to apologize for any inconvenience this change might cause.
All hotel reservations for the weekend of August 23rd, made using the NFB of Michigan group rate of $79.00 per night, have been rescheduled to align with the new board meeting date in September. You can verify that your reservation was rescheduled by calling the Holiday Inn reservations line at (800) 333-8123.
A revised board meeting announcement is below.
###
What: NFB of Michigan board meeting.

Who: The meeting is open to all members and the public

When: Saturday September 20, 2008 from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM.

Where: Holiday Inn South Convention Center
6820 South Cedar Street
Lansing, MI 48911

Phone: (517) 694-8123
Reservations: (800) 333-8123

Details: The NFB of Michigan will be holding a board meeting On Saturday September 20, 2008 from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM at the Holiday Inn South Convention Center in Lansing. Lunch will be available for purchase from the hotel for $5.00 per person. Special guest room pricing has been obtained for this event. Place your reservation now and mention the NFB to receive a special discounted room rate of $79 per night plus tax. Rooms are limited, so we encourage everyone to book soon.

In the evening on Friday September 19th (prior to the September 20th board meeting) there will be a meeting to discuss chapter building and growing our state affiliate. More details on this meeting will be available in the coming weeks.

See you in Lansing!

NFB of Michigan Communications Committee

###

NFB of Michigan board meeting August 23rd

2008-07-17T14:20:00.003-05:00

What: NFB of Michigan board meeting.

Who: The meeting is open to all members and the public

When: Saturday August 23, 2008 from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM.

Where: Holiday Inn South Convention Center
6820 South Cedar Street
Lansing, MI 48911

Phone: (517) 694-8123
Reservations: (800) 333-8123

Details: The NFB of Michigan will be holding a board meeting On Saturday August 23, 2008 from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM at the Holiday Inn South Convention Center in Lansing. Lunch will be available for purchase from the hotel for $5.00 per person. Special guest room pricing has been obtained for this event. Place your reservation now and mention the NFB to receive a special discounted room rate of $79 per night plus tax. Rooms are limited, so we encourage everyone to book soon.

In the evening on Friday August 22 (prior to the August 23 board meeting) there will be a meeting to discuss chapter building and growing our state affiliate. More details on this meeting will be available in the coming weeks.

See you in Lansing!

NFB of Michigan Communications Committee

Mayor's River Walk and Picnic

2008-06-01T11:35:00.003-05:00

Greetings,

Our next youth event is less then a week away. On Saturday June 7th the NFB of Michigan’s “No Limits Youth Program” will be participating in the Lansing Mayor's River Walk. The NFB’s Lansing chapter will also be sponsoring a picnic following the River Walk. Some guests will be with us at our picnic. We have someone coming to teach us how to do balloon art, and for all of you who like to sing, the director of the Capitol City Chordsmen will be attending the picnic. She wants to start a choir of blind youth. If you are interested please come check it out.

Here are the details for next Saturday:

• Please arrive at Potter Park Zoo at 8:45 AM.
• We will begin walking at 9:00 AM.
• The walk will end at the Turner-Dodge House & Heritage Center.
• We will return to Potter Park by bus and then carpool to Forest View Park for a picnic.
• We are asking that each family bring a dish to pass.
• Forest View Park is located on Forest Road.
• This is a 3.2 mile walk so remember to where comfortable clothes and shoes.

Please let me know if you and or your family will be able to attend. We are also looking for individuals to help with the carpool to Forest View Park.

See you all next week!

MELINDA LATHAM
Youth Outreach Coordinator, NFB of MI
517.803.3800

No Limits Youth Outreach Program Schedule of Events

2008-05-21T20:04:00.009-05:00

Check out all the fun and exciting activities offered by the NFB of Michigan’s new No Limits Youth Outreach Program!

June 7th Mayor’s River Walk Lansing 8:45 AM - Come join us for a 3.2 mile walk on the River Trail. Stay an enjoy a picnic with the Lansing Chapter. We are asking each family to bring a dish to pass. This event is open to the entire family.
Please RSVP by June 2nd.
June 29th - July 6th National Convention Dallas, Texas- come join us for the largest event of the year. Mentors are available for families who choose to send their youth. RSVP by June 1st.
July 13th Nature Walk 2:00 PM - come join us for a walk through the Fenner Nature Center in Lansing.
We will have dinner following. This is a family event. RSVP by July 7th.
July 16th Sand Castle Contest, Gier Community Center Lansing- come join us for a sand castle building contest with dinner following. The fun begins at 6:00 PM. This is a family event. RSVP by July 7th.
August 29th - Sept 1st Mackinaw Retreat A fun filled weekend in Northern Michigan. Come explore popular tourist destinations such as Mackinaw Island. This event is for youth only (7-17) RSVSP by August 10th.
September 1st Michigan Bridge Walk come join us for a 5.2 mile walk across the Mackinaw Bridge. It is our goal to have at least 100 people walk for NFBMI and NO LIMITS. ALL ARE WELCOME RSVP by August 10th.
October 17th - 18th Fashion Weekend, Lansing - Come learn how to be NO Limits next top model. This is a lock in where you will learn how to model, dance, and much more. Please RSVSP by October 1st. Ages 12-17
October 11th White Cane Black Tie, Lansing – a formal dinner where we celebrate the hard work of our youth. This event is a fundraiser. There will be music and a silent auction. This event is for the entire family. RSVP by Oct 1st.
November 14-16 State Convention- come join us in Lansing for our State Convention. There will be many events for teens and youth. Some of the events include a limo scavenger hunt, trip to impression Five Science Museum, and even a chocolate room fundraiser. This event is for the entire family, however, some activities are for youth only.
November 22 - 29 Walt Disney World- a trip to Orlando, Florida to explore Walt Disney World. Come join the fun and make new friends. This trip is for youth ages 12-17.

For more information or to RSVP please contact:

Melinda Latham
Youth Outreach Coordinator
Phone: (517)803-3800
E-Mail:YouthSlamMI@yahoo.com

Please take a moment to join our NFB of Michigan Youth Outreach e-mail discussion list. This list provides a place to talk about youth outreach activities and related issues. Joining the list also guaranties you will always receive the latest
information about upcoming youth events.

Join the Michigan youth outreach list

Location changed for 2008 State Convention

2008-05-20T14:12:00.002-05:00

The NFB of Michigan will be holding its 2008 state convention November 14th, 15th and 16th at the Holiday Inn South in Lansing. The state convention was originally scheduled to be held at the Clarion in Kalamazoo, but renovations at the Clarion are behind schedule and are not expected to be complete before our convention kicks off in November. Reservation information for the Holiday Inn South will be out in late summer. Plan to attend and don’t miss out on all the fun and excitement at the 2008 NFB of Michigan State Convention!

NFB of Michigan Board Meeting scheduled for May 17th

2008-05-04T20:25:00.005-05:00

What: NFB of Michigan board meeting.

Who: The meeting is open to all members and the public

When: Saturday May 17, 2008 from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM.

Where: Loves Restaurant
17569 E. Warren Ave.
Detroit, MI. 48224-2103
Phone: (313) 343-8688
Loves is located on E. Warren Ave., 4 blocks east of Cadieux, in Detroit. Look for the red “Loves” restaurant sign.

Click the below link to see this location on MapQuest.
Directions to Loves Restaurant

Details: The NFB of Michigan will be holding a board meeting On Saturday May 17, 2008 from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM at Loves Restaurant in Detroit. The morning will feature a free continental breakfast. In the afternoon Lunch will be available for purchase at a cost of $5.00 per person. For further event information please call Donna Posont at (313)220-8140.

See you in Detroit!

NFB of Michigan Communications Committee

Save the Date -- Youth Outreach Program Kick-Off!

2008-03-13T20:32:00.003-05:00

What: NFB of Michigan Youth Outreach Program Kick-Off!

Who: The event is open to all; Kids, Parents and Volunteers

When: Saturday April 12, 2008 from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM.

Where: Gier Community Center

2400 Hall Street

Lansing, MI. 48906

Contact: Melinda Latham, Youth Outreach Coordinator, NFB of MI

Phone: (517)803-3800

E-mail: youthslammi@yahoo.com

Come join in the celebration! The NFB of Michigan will be kicking off its 2008 Youth Outreach Program with an afternoon filled with games, prizes and parent networking at the Gier Community Center in Lansing on April 12th from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM. This is our first youth event in 2008. Kids will have the opportunity to socialize, play games, and win prizes. Parents will be able to network and learn about up coming youth programs and activities. We encourage all youth and parents interested in expanding the recreational and learning opportunities for visually impaired and blind youth to attend this exciting event.

Remembering Betsy A. Zaborowski, Psy.D.

2008-02-09T14:04:00.002-05:00

Betsy Zaborowski, affectionately referred to as Dr. Z, was one of the NFB's greatest leaders. Watch an excellent tribute to her life and legacy, A Life of Imagination, Inspiration, and Influence. Select here to go to the tribute page.

Legislative Action Day is March 11

2008-02-09T11:33:00.001-05:00

Come join us in Lansing and help us advocate for issues of importance to the future of blind Americans. We'll be talking about Newsline funding, quiet cars, and braille literacy with our state legislatures. Help make a difference in Michigan and beyond. Contact Dave Robinson or your local chapter president if you're interested. The initial meeting will be at 9:30 at the State Plates Cafeteria with a wrapup some time around 3. Teamm will be formed to visit with our representatives.

Back from DC

2008-02-08T13:12:00.002-05:00

Our Michigan gang has arrived back from the bustling halls of Congress in Washington, DC. This year, our three major issues concerned creating a minimum sound standard for quiet cars, restoring funding for the National Library Service's transition to digital audio books, and raising the earnings limit for Social Security Disability recipients.

Our work has only begun, and we are preparing to actively follow up with our representatives and legislative assistants. If you wish to help in this process, please contact a member of the Washington Seminar delegation.

Next State Board Meeting is February 9

2008-01-07T21:11:00.002-05:00

Our next state board meeting will be on Saturday, February 9 at the Holiday Inn South in Lansing. The meeting will be held from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M. State board meetings are open to the public.

Join our State Discussion List

2008-01-07T21:04:00.002-05:00

One of our best kept secrets in Michigan is our state discussion list. Talk to other members, learn about the latest news, and add your views to the discussions. The list is open to all including nonmembers. To learn more, go to the info page to subscribe.

Broadcasting the Convention: Behind the Scenes

2007-01-25T17:16:00.001-05:00

We've received a lot of questions on exactly what it takes to stream a convention. While there are many ways to pull this off, I'd like to explain how we have done it in Michigan for the past three years. While some of this explanation will deal with technical terms, I will do my best to explain the process in a simple language.

Probably the most important part of streaming a convention is the pre-planning. It is vital to ensure that the right tools are available and working before the convention begins. We'll break them down one at a time:

1. A computer. The first, and most obvious part of the broadcasting equation is a computer. It is a bit of a misnomer that streaming is a task that is only suitable for high-end computers. In reality, a decent Pentium IV computer with 512MB of memory will do the trick. You can use a laptop to do your streaming, but I would recommend having it plugged into a wall outlet because of the battery life on most machines. Also, some laptops run at a much slower speed when not plugged in. As for memory, while 512MB will work just fine, an increase in memory will almost always improve all performance of the machine. So if you are planning on running a screen reader, Email, or other programs while streaming, aim for 1GB of memory if possible.

Once you have your computer, you will need to install some software. A good free MP3 player is Winamp which will also serve as your tool the broadcast. In addition, you will need a program that sends your broadcast out to the world. While there are some free solutions, I recommend the SAM Encoders from Spacial Audio. At $45, this is a stable and effective way to broadcast your event. If you are looking for a free solution, Shoutcast is a simple program you could use. Both the Sam Encoders and Shoutcast are plug ins or add-on programs that will work inside Winamp.

If you are going to use a screen reader, I have found that we get the best results by adding an additional sound card to the system. This will give a dedicated card for the broadcast and another one for your screen reader. Sound cards for desktops start at around $20, and most cards will work fine. For laptops, several USB sound cards are available that will accomplish the same task.

Next, we move to the audio equipment. You have at least two options here, one that's simple and another that's more complex. The simplest solution is to buy a small mixer (just about any four or eight channel model will do) and run a wire from the room's sound system to your mixer. So, one channel on your mixer, or two if you have a stereo feed, will be the sound feed from the room. Then, you can buy a separate microphone and plug it into your mixer. This microphone will let you make announcements to the people listening without talking to the people in the room. You can find decent quality microphones for under $50. Avoid low-end microphones that have a quarter-inch jack on the end. Most decent microphones will have what's called an XLR jack, a large round, three-pronged jack on the end. Your mixer should also have at least one of these XLR jacks for your microphone.

The other method, and the one we use in Michigan, involves tying your broadcast into the main sound system for the room. This saves on buying a separate mixer, but it does require some much higher audio equipment to accomplish. Without getting into details, the premise is to set up the mixer to send certain channels of audio, such as the room mics, to the people at the event while sending other channels to the people listening on the computer. Many higher-end mixers will let you do this. This method is recommended for advanced audio engineers.

It goes without saying, but you need a stable Internet connection from the hotel or convention center. Wired connections are preferred because of their stability, but you may have to settle for a wireless connection, depending on your location. Ask the technical support person at the hotel if any ports are blocked that would prevent you from uploading your broadcast. We haven't run into this problem yet, but if the hotel is using a very restrictive firewall, it could become an issue. Also, make sure that the hotel is giving you enough bandwidth to broadcast your stream. Bandwidth is the amount of data that you can send at one time. If you have 128K of bandwidth per second, this will be sufficient for broadcasting. Some hotels offer Internet connections for free while others charge a daily rate. From past experience, make sure you have things set up ahead of time in regards to your connection, as technical staff are often not available on weekends.

So, you've got your computer, your mixer, and your Internet connection. But you need somewhere to send your broadcast. What you need is a server. Servers will take your broadcast and send it to many listeners at the same time. These are usually pretty low-cost, especially for a short event like a convention. In Michigan, we use Stream Madness for our broadcasts. There are lots of providers to choose from. What you are looking for is what's called Shoutcast streaming. This is usually the cheapest and most cost-effective way to set up a broadcast.

So, what else is there to know?
We've been doing streaming for a few years now and have learned a few things:

1. Make sure that everyone at your event is talking into a microphone. Make a conscious effort to explain to your audience that their question will not be heard unless they can get to a mic. Some people think that if they just talk really loud, they'll be heard. That being said, if you can purchase a room mic and plug it into your mixer, it will help when someone is talking and not using a microphone. You can turn up the room mic while they are talking and turn it back down when they are done. Remember, this microphone would plug into your mixer, not the main mixer for the room. This will let you turn up the volume on the room mic without effecting what is heard in the room. I Michigan, we've tried wireless microphones with mixed results. The biggest lesson we've learned from this experience is to make sure you have enough batteries to last tne entire weekend. Setting up a couple of floor mics is a good way to let the people in the room be heard. This concept is used effectively at national convention.

2. Scope out your location. We had a near nightmare in Tennessee when we realized that the banquet hall had a network jack on one corner of the room and the audio equipment was on the completely opposite side. Luckily, thanks to the great people of Tennessee, this crisis was averted. If you have a chance, visit your location ahead of time. Ideally, your network or Internet access, audio equipment, and power will all be in close proximity to each other. Not doing this could require a complete rearangement of the room or running extremely long wires.

3. Plan for breaks. We've had better results when we are able to leave the broadcast running during downtime. You could play prerecorded materials from other events, conduct interviews, or talk about the day's events. We will actually still leave the stream connected even if there's only room noise so new listeners can find us. You could set up a recorded message to continuously play telling listeners to stay tuned for more programming coming soon.

4. You are able to use the Sam Encoders mentioned above to record your stream. From past experience, this is an effective way to record your convention. But if you want to be totally sure you're covered, set up a backup recording solution. You could hook up a digital recorder such as an Iriver or Olympus to record the convention. Several adaptive items also have recording features. Most mixers have more than one output jack, which means that you can send one wire to your computer and another to your other recorder.

5. You may want to set up a way for listeners to interact with you or the convention. You can take questions from listeners and ask them on their behalf. In Tennessee, a donation was made by an online listener during the banquet. You could set up an Email address to take questions, or set up an instant messaging client such as Windows Messenger or AOL Instant Messenger to take questions live.

6. Make sure you are set to advertise. In 2005, we were unable to contact our state webmaster so had no links to our broadcasts on our website. All of our listeners found us via word of mouth or Email lists. Make sure your webmaster has plenty of lead time to get your links posted.

7. This past year, we introduced a convention blog. We wrote written summaries of some of the presenters as well as other news from the event. This gave our listeners and visitors another way to keep up with the convention and was especially helpful for people who missed part of the broadcast.

Remember, there's no exact science to doing this, and many of you will hopefully have ways to make convention and meeting streaming even better. As for the question on which mixer or which microphone to get, it all depends on the quality you desire and your budget. Generally speaking, you can find a decent mixer for less than $200 with a couple of microphones for another $100. If you are able to borrow someone's computer for the event, your entire cost will be quite minimal.

I hope this introduction has helped you realize what is involved, and hope to hear many more events streamed very soon.

Jason Meddaugh
President Kalamazoo Chapter
Vice-President, Michigan Association of Blind Students
Webmaster
NFB of Michigan

New Board

2006-11-12T10:34:00.001-05:00

The following people have been elected to the executive board for Michigan:
Fred Wurtzel, President
Michael Powell, First Vice President
John Scott, Second Vice President
Corda Moss, Secretary
Paulette Powell, Treasurer

Sight Seer Radio Reading Service

2006-11-11T16:29:00.001-05:00

This wasn't on the original agenda, but we heard from The Sight Seer Radio Reading Service, providing programming to the greater Grand Rapids area and throughout the world on the Internet. They have a partnership with AT&T to have a phone line and modem provided to you if it would help you to receive the service.

Michigan Electronic Library

2006-11-11T11:40:00.001-05:00

Any Michigan resident with a State ID can access the Michigan Electronic Library for free. This provides access to hundreds of databases which can be useful for job searches and research.

Equality in Technology

2006-11-11T11:15:00.001-05:00

Steve Timmer, President of the Michigan-based Premier Assistive Technology, bases much of his research and product development on the notion that if a program is designed for a mass market, the appropriate accessibility features can be inherently included. If a website is accessible, but it takes a blind person eight times as long to use, is it really equal? These are issues of design, not necessarily accessibility.

The Vital Skills of Blindness

2006-11-11T10:53:00.002-05:00

Tim Paulding, former graduate of the Louisiana Center for the Blind was asked about the three skills that he feels are most important for a blind person.First, mental mapping and travel skills, especially because of the building layouts. He would volunteer to make a delivery to help him learn the layout of an area. Second is computer skills, period, no questions asked. "If I didn't know how to access the Internet, I would be absolutely lost." Finally, the confince and the attitudes that were attained from the center were vital. This sets in your mind the notion that you are capable of doing the job. Using alternative techniques can lead to a more efficient lifestyle.

KNFB Reader Reduced Price

2006-11-11T10:29:00.001-05:00

Ron Brown announced that the Kurzweil NFB Reader is currently being sold for a sale price of $3,195.00, a $300 savings. Call the national office at 410-659-9314 for details.

Blind Merchants Division

2006-11-11T10:11:00.001-05:00

We're proud to announce that a new blind merchants division was formed on Friday, which seems appropriate given the convention theme, "The business of blindness." Stay tuned for more information on the site, soon.

Welcome

2006-11-11T09:55:00.002-05:00

Welcome to the convention blog for the NFB of Michigan. Watch this blog for the latest convention news and be sure to listen live at http://www.nfbmi.org.