[nfbmi-talk] FW: Public Comment Submitted to MCB meeting

[Jim Prather]

They should have done this in the 70s; great job Kimmie!

James (Jim) "Turtle" Prather
MSB Class of 1974
CMU Class of 1980

"Red and White Flow on Forever."  (from School Alma Mater)

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Fred Wurtzel" <f.wurtzel at comcast.net>
To: "'Geri Taeckens'" <geri.taeckens at isahealthfund.org>; "'Jo Ann 
Pilarski'" <pilarskij at charter.net>; "'Crystal Lefleche'" 
<dcgorton601 at comcast.net>
Cc: "'mary wurtzel'" <marywurtzel at comcast.net>; "Larry Posont" 
<president.nfb.mi at gmail.com>; "'NFB of Michigan List'" 
<nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>; "'Boone,Christine (DLEG)'" 
<BooneC at michigan.gov>; "'John Scott'" <jcscot at sbcglobal.net>
Sent: December 12, 2009 14:50
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] FW: Public Comment Submitted to MCB meeting


> Hello,
>
>
>
> Here is Kim's comments from the Commission Public Comment.  Well done, 
> Kim.
>
>
>
> Warmest Regards,
>
>
>
> Fred
>
>
>
> From: Kim Mohnke [mailto:kitties_kimmy at yahoo.com]
> Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 11:33 AM
> To: 'Diana Mohnke'; 'Elizabeth'; 'Larry Posont'; 'Geer Wilcox'; 'mary 
> wurtzel'; 'Mike Powell'; 'John Scott'; 'NFB of Michigan List'; Fred 
> Wurtzel; Peter Zaremba; Reggie Alvarado; Dave Robinson; Melinda Lathem
> Subject: Public Comment Submitted to MCB meeting
>
>
>
>
> Hey All,
>
>
>
> Thought to let your know I submitted the following public comment to 
> the meeting through email today, I hope it is read at the meeting.
>
> Kim
>
>
>
> Dear Commission Board,
>
>
>
> I am sorry I did not make the meeting in person, but I thought to 
> submit my comments through email.  I will try to make it brief.
>
>
>
> Currently there have been many discussions, meetings, and reports to 
> update and change the Michigan Commission for the Blind college 
> policy.  Right now there is a draft of this policy, and the committee 
> is seeking input from blind college students.  Currently I am a 
> college student and I am blind.  I am disappointed with the current 
> draft of this policy.
>
>
>
> Firstly, the Commission is expecting the blind college student to take 
> a full load of classes and get a degree with the extension of only one 
> more year than sighted students.  I have been taking college classes 
> since fall of 2006, and I do not have a degree because I could not get 
> the necessary technology to succeed as a blind student in my chosen 
> major of music.  If you expect blind college students to take a full 
> load of classes and complete their degrees in a timely manner, the 
> Commission needs to give the colleges and the blind students the right 
> equipment to handle the college classes.
>
>
>
> I also do not like the added form to fill out for financial aid. 
> College students are already completing too many forms for the 
> financial aid process.  What will this DELEG/MCB Statement of 
> Financial Need, prove?  What would be all the steps involved for a 
> college student to get this form, get it signed, and make sure it is 
> in on time for their counselor?
>
>
>
> My final thoughts deal with getting rehabilitation technology.  In the 
> college policy as of right now, it only mentions to see the Scope of 
> Services in the regular Michigan Commission of the Blind manual. 
> There needs to be clear definition in the college policy dealing with 
> technology necessary for the college student to succeed and to finish 
> their program in a timely manner.
>
>
>
> May you all have happy holidays and let's get moving on the college 
> policy for blind college students in Michigan.
>
>
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Kimberly Mohnke
>
> National Federation of the Blind member
>
>
>
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