[nfbmi-talk] ada 504 foia request

Mon Apr 26 13:39:58 UTC 2010

Hello,

Quite simply there has been way too much lack of transparency and 
stakeholder input into the workings of MCB over now more than a decade as 
you well know on the college program.

If this is to be resolved then people need to stand up and make this entity 
disclose public records, open its process and include consumer control in 
its operations.

Sincerely,

Joe
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Elizabeth" <lizmohnke at hotmail.com>
To: <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, April 26, 2010 12:42 AM
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] ada 504 foia request

Hello Joe,

I appreciate the enthusiasm of your participation in the National Federation 
of the Blind of Michigan by actively contributing to our email list. 
However, I believe the intent of this email list is to discuss matters as 
they relate to our organization and not simply a dumping ground for anyone 
who is looking to be openly transparent in their efforts in exposing the 
assaults of the Michigan Commission for the Blind.

While I understand the importance of the freedom of information requests, I 
do not see the need to repeatedly publicly post them on our email list. With 
this in mind, I would greatly appreciate it if you could refrain from 
repeatedly posting the details of the freedom of information requests that 
you submit in regards to the Michigan Commission for the Blind. Our 
organization is much more than simply fighting against the aggressions of 
the Michigan Commission for the Blind, and I believe this should be 
reflected in the content that appears on our email list.

Thanks,
Elizabeth

> From: joeharcz at comcast.net
> To: nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
> Date: Sun, 25 Apr 2010 23:14:28 -0400
> Subject: [nfbmi-talk] ada 504 foia request
>
> Michigan FOIA Request ADA/504
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.
>
> 1365 E. Mt. Morris Rd.
>
> Mt. Morris, MI 48458
>
> Cell Phone: 810-516-5262
>
> E-mail: joeharcz at comcast.net
>
>
>
> Melvin Farmer, FOIA Director
>
> Michigan Department of Energy Labor and Economic Growth (DELEG)
>
> (Via e-mail: farmerm at michigan.gov))
>
>
>
> Dear Mr. Farmer,
>
>
>
> I am writing you today to request some information pursuant to the 
> Michigan Freedom of Information Act. Specifically I am requesting any 
> e-mail correspondences sent to, or sent bby, Patrick D. Cannon either in 
> his capacity as Director of the Michigan Commission for the Blind or in 
> his capacity as the State of Michigan Americans with Disabilities Act 
> coordinator related to the implementation of the Americans with 
> Disabilities Act of 1990, or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 
> 1973. Note: I am requesting all memoranda, complaints, grievances, or 
> e-mails expressing concerns about any State of Michigan entity including, 
> but not exclusive of access issues related to the Michigan Commission for 
> the Blind’s programs, activities and facilities. This should include any 
> written complaints concerning raised character and Braille signage in 
> state facilities, but I am not narrowing my request to this issue alone. I 
> am including in this request any facility surveys conducted at the behest 
> of Mr. Cannon, or those sent to him, as well as the other items. That 
> should include any surveys conducted to ensure that Michigan Commission 
> for the Blind meetings as well as those of MRS or any other State of 
> Michigan entity are accessible within the definitional standards set forth 
> by the ADA and Section 504. Moreover there should bbe facility surveys and 
> other memoranda, etc. relative to accessing all the DELEG employment 
> facilities as well as equipment such as computers therein. Thus I’m 
> requesting that information as well.
>
>
>
> I am also requesting any complaints or other memoranda sent to or by Mr. 
> cannon relative to effective communications with persons with disabilities 
> including, but not exclusive of those made by people who are blind 
> requesting information in accessible formats and in a timely manner, or 
> people who are deaf requesting interpreter or similar accommodations.
>
>
>
> Any correspondences in this regard except for those that came from me and 
> are from private individuals may, of course have those individual names 
> redacted along with other identifying material. However, I will not accept 
> redacted information between Mr. Cannon and other state employees or, for 
> that matter any public official in the state of Michigan, or elsewhere in 
> this matter for those do not fall under the exemptions of the Michigan 
> FOIA.
>
>
>
> Now, aside from the e-mails which can simply be sent as plain text 
> enclosures or attachments to my e-mail address I specifically request 
> pursuant to the effective communications requirements of the ADA and 
> Section 504 that print documents are made accessible to me as I am legally 
> blind. If those surveys are already in a Word or other format accessible 
> to me (I use Jaws – a screen reading technology that Mr. Cannon is 
> familiar with)
>
> Then simply send them as is. If they are in print only then I request them 
> in a Word format and I will advise you that the Americans with 
> Disabilities Act and Section 504 specifically prohibit charging a 
> surcharge for such an accommodation.
>
>
>
> As the Americans with Disabilities Act is about to turn twenty years old 
> on July 26, 2010 it is in the public interest to ensure that all of the 
> State of Michigan’s facilities, programs and services are compliant and 
> this request is to ensure that it is so. As such and as I will make this 
> information widely available to several organizations without personal 
> remuneration in this regard I formally request that DELEG charge me no fee 
> for this request.
>
>
>
> I thank you in advance for your prompt and accessible response to this 
> request.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Very Truly Yours,
>
>
>
> Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.
>
>
>
>
>
> Cc: John L. Wodatch, U.S. Dept. of Justice, Civil Rights Division, 
> Disabilities Rights Section
>
>
>
> Cc: Great Lakes TAC
>
> Cc: Michigan Protection and Advocacy Services, Inc.
>
> Cc: Michigan ADAPT
>
> Cc: National Federation of the Blind, Michigan
>
> Cc: Michigan Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired
>
> Cc: Michigan Statewide Independent Living Council
>
> Cc: several media outlets
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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