[Home-on-the-range] KS BR Services on Trial

[Dianne Hemphill]

Thanks Tim for this update - hopefully the final outcome will benefit both Tina and other blind folks as they continue their personal struggles...on this theme, I note the 6th article in yesterday's (7-31) Wichita Eagle regarding Envisions' future plans. We of the NFBK, and even the national office, as attempted to enlighten Envision's interpretation of "providing services for the blind and low-vision". We have long had a problem with their employment practices maintaining the blind in low level, low paying positions and continuing the terrible practice of paying sub-minimum wages to some of their employees. Since their all-high income of $169 million in 2010 has dropped over 30 percent, has anyone but the blind suffered the consequences? They note that there has been a lay-off of 29 workers from the KC plant and another 9, I assume from the Wichita area. There has also been a cut in hours. Did these lay-offs and hourly cuts occur in other then those blind employees within the manufacturing plant? I ask as this is not noted in the paper though my guess is that only or mostly the blind received the ax. The "board" has been expanded listing all names. I do not see anyone from the NFBK on the Board - why aren't we part of the decision making here? Services specific to the blind of Kansas continues to be cut - I'd love to hear from not only our officers but from those that are employed at Envision to know what's going on. Dianne





On Jul 31, 2013, at 9:46 PM, Timothy Hornik wrote:

> Greetings Everyone,
> 
> Just writing to let you all know about the great work you all are doing with regards to advocating on behalf of the visually impaired Kansans. I had the pleasure today of watching Mrs Woods describe the services available to our community during the trial today. While this trial is not yet over, I am hopeful that the jury will see what we all know to be true. That being we have some of the hardest barriers to overcome with regards to successful longterm meaningful employment. Additionally, each one of us is very different, therefore no cookie cutter formula provides efficacious services. In social work, we have two terms , person in environment and self determination of the individual.
> 
> I view these actions  as one of the principals in advocacy, dispelling stereotypes and informing on the truth. Keep up the work with rectifying these misperceptions.
> 
> Thank you for your assistance,
> Timothy Hornik
> timothy.hornik at gmail.com 
> M: 785.330.3503 
> LinkedIn Profile: http://tiny.cc/7bfa5 
> Blog: http://www.samobile.net/users/timothy.hornik/ 
> 
> 
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