[nfbmi-talk] FW: College Policy Comments

Fri Jun 11 03:27:10 UTC 2010

I received the following response after submitting our version of the college policy for those who are interested in reading it. Although I am not quite sure how it is possible to create a "less daunting" policy. Maybe I should send her the college policy that is currently being used by the Michigan Rehabilitation Services that is nineteen pages long if I remember correctly. I will be posting it to the list as well as the current policy that is being used by the Michigan Commission for the Blind for those who wish to read them. While some of you may feel as though it is not necessary to post both policies, I believe that it is important that we look at both of them if we really want to understand the current practices of the Michigan Commission for the Blind. While reading through the policy currently being used by the Michigan Rehabilitation Services, it seems clear that the lines of an independent blind agency are not being honored here.

Elizabeth

From: geri.taeckens at isahealthfund.org
To: lizmohnke at hotmail.com
Subject: Re: College Policy Comments
Date: Thu, 10 Jun 2010 21:22:42 -0400

Hi Elizabeth,

Thanks for this input. I will forward it to MCB and ask that they put it on the college policy site.  Though there are many very fantastic suggestions here, it will be important that we consider all input at the work group meeting.  Please know that probably no one document that is offered prior to the meeting will be taken in full.  We want this to be a document that evolves out of the spirit of those involved.  Though I am in agreement with most everything said here, I'd like to see an even less daunting document. One that puts the primary focus on the IPE and the relationship with the consumer-counselor relationship, thereby making it possible to reduce the size and cumbersome writing that exists in many of the drafts.  

Again, this is just my thoughts.  The more input we have, the better we can know what we all want.  I have no doubt we will use a lot of the flavor of this well drafted document.

Thank you again for your continued support in this matter. I look forward to working with you and others on the 21st.

Geri----- Original Message ----- 

From: Elizabeth 
To: geri.taeckens at isahealthfund    .org 
Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 9:04 PM
Subject: College Policy Comments

On behalf of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan, I would like to submit the following college policy to the college policy review team. I sent a similar document to the Chair of the Consumer Involvement Counsel last year when they were taking consumer input on the original draft that was formed from the original review committee. Since then it has been revised and updated with the feedback and consent of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan. It is my hope that the board members of the Michigan Commission for the Blind seriously consider adopting this policy to ensure that blind college students receive every opportunity to receive a college education. 

Warm Regards,
Elizabeth Mohnke
Current College Student
National Federation of the Blind of Michigan 

------

MCB COLLEGE AND OTHER POSTSECONDARY TRAINING

A. Purpose

The purpose of the Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) is to provide opportunities to individuals who are blind and visually impaired to achieve competitive employment and function independently. We believe that all blind and visually impaired individuals have the capacity to live up to their fullest potential and be active members of society. 

The Michigan Commission for the blind believes rehabilitation is a cooperative venture between the agency and the individual, with the individual having primary responsibility for personal successes and failures, and that each individual is different with different strengths, weaknesses, interests and aptitudes which require vocational rehabilitation counseling, planning and training specific to their individual needs. 

It is recommended that students keep an on-going dialog with their counselor to ensure that their individual needs are met throughout the rehabilitation process. Students are also encouraged to advocate for themselves through due process if they are not satisfied with any decision that is made by any member of the Michigan Commission for the Blind.

B. Provision for Services 

A student shall demonstrate his or her ability to participate in a college or other postsecondary training program that will result in competitive employment.

Procedure:

1. Students shall participate in a college assessment to ensure that they have the skills necessary for college participation. Students must demonstrate competent skill levels in the areas of technology, communication, note taking, traveling, and independent living. If students cannot successfully demonstrate competent skill levels in these areas, they shall work with their counselor to receive additional training at the Michigan Commission for the Blind Training center or another qualified vocational training center consistent with the individuals informed choice.

2. Students shall demonstrate their knowledge of their chosen vocational goal by writing a job analysis report with the help and guidance of their vocational counselor. Items in this report should include a description of the vocational goal, qualifications necessary to obtain the vocational goal, and reasons for choosing the vocational goal. Examples of research for this report include job shadowing, mentoring, labor market analysis, and volunteer or paid work experience.

3. Students shall present their counselor with a letter of acceptance to an accredited institution recognized by the United States Department of Education along with a curriculum outlining their program of study. Students shall consider the advantages and disadvantages of attending a four-year university, a community college, and a vocational training program or trade school when deciding on an institution of higher learning. However, the student’s final decision shall be honored by the Michigan Commission for the Blind.

4. The Michigan Commission for the Blind and each state-sponsored university or college in Michigan have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which defines the responsibilities of the university or college and the Michigan Commission for the Blind. Prior to the student’s participation in any college program or Post-secondary training, the Michigan Commission for the Blind shall explain the contents of the Memorandum of Understanding to determine which entity should provide the student with specific accommodations. When there is a dispute over which entity will provide the necessary accommodations, the Michigan Commission for the Blind shall be responsible for providing the accommodation until the dispute is resolved. The student shall not be held responsible for failing or incomplete grades if either the Michigan Commission for the Blind or the educational institution fails to provide the accommodations necessary for the student to succeed. 

C. Duration of Training

Students are encouraged to complete their college program or post-secondary training as a full time student as defined by the educational institution. However, individual time frames shall be determined on a case-by-case basis between the student and his or her counselor.

Procedure:

1. Michigan Commission for the Blind financial participation shall be limited to one associate's degree, one bachelor's degree, and one advanced degree. Students who complete an associate's degree may continue to pursue a bachelor's degree after completing their associate's degree. Students who complete a bachelor's degree may continue to pursue an advanced degree if their vocational goal commonly requires an advanced degree to secure competitive employment.

2. The Michigan Commission for the Blind understands that in some cases it may not be possible for a student to take a full load of classes. Special consideration shall be given to students who work part-time, have a secondary disability, or have some other special circumstance that prevents them from taking a full load of classes. However, it is important to ensure that time extensions do not interfere with the requirements of the student's educational program.

D. Financial Aid

The Michigan Commission for the Blind shall provide financial assistance for college and other post-secondary training after all other financial resources and comparable benefits have been exhausted.

Procedure:

1. Comparable services and benefits refer to any appropriate service, financial benefit, or assistance available to a consumer to meet, in whole or in part, the cost of vocational rehabilitation services. Under this definition, comparable benefits do not include Social Security benefits, such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI); and unrestricted scholarships and awards based on merit. However, merit scholarships designated for a particular college cost shall be used according to the guidelines of the scholarship.

2. Students requesting college sponsorship must apply for federal financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and submit a copy of their financial award letter to their counselor no later than one month before the beginning of the semester. Students who fail to meet this deadline will be considered for sponsorship the following semester.

3. If a consumer is in default of a student loan, no financial aid, including Pell Grants, will be available to the consumer. The Michigan Commission for the Blind is prohibited from paying for any training or related services at an institution of higher education for an individual who owes a refund on a grant or is in default of a student loan unless the individual makes maximum effort to resolve the default as defined under the guidelines of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

4. The Michigan Commission for the Blind shall sponsor students at out-of-state and private institutions at the same rate of a comparable program in an amount no greater than the highest tuition rate for Michigan residents attending a state-supported college or university in Michigan. Training at an institution outside the United States (study abroad) shall be sponsored as a part of an approved course of study by an accredited educational institution. The rates for a study abroad program shall not exceed the highest tuition rate for a comparable program sponsored by a state-supported college or university in Michigan. 

5. Students shall be encouraged to pay the cost of application fees and entrance exams. However, the Michigan Commission for the Blind shall provide assistance for seeking alternative financial resources to help cover the cost of application fees and entrance exams. When appropriate, the Michigan Commission for the Blind shall pay for the cost of preparation classes or materials for entrance exams. The Michigan Commission for the Blind shall assist with the cost of professional certification exams and fees.

6. The Michigan Commission for the Blind shall provide rehabilitation technology and reader services as a part of a student’s Individualized Plan for Employment. The Michigan Commission for the Blind shall be responsible for providing these services when they cannot be provided by the educational institution Or when they do not meet the individualized needs of the student. 

7. The Michigan Commission for the Blind shall sponsor the costs associated with living on campus including meal plans and room and board based on double occupancy.  Students who do not choose to live in the housing provided by the college or university may receive assistance from the Michigan Commission for the Blind. This assistance shall not exceed the rate of the housing provided by the college or university, or the amount of the highest housing rate for Michigan residents attending a state-supported college or university in Michigan.

8. Students who require additional financial assistance shall be encouraged to apply for Social Security benefits including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI. Students may also be eligible to receive maintenance from the Michigan Commission for the Blind to help cover the costs of participating in specific rehabilitation services. Students who wish to receive maintenance shall be required to create a budget outlining the need for additional financial assistance. 

E. Academic Progress

All students shall maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, or "C" average. In some cases, students may be required to maintain a higher grade point average depending on the academic program. In all cases, students must report their final grades to their counselor within two weeks after the end of each semester.

Procedures:

1. Students shall follow the requirements of an academic curriculum approved by their educational institution. Any exceptions to a student’s curriculum that is approved by the academic program shall be honored by the Michigan Commission for the Blind.

2. Students will be placed on probationary status if their grade point average falls below the 2.0 or “C” average, receive a failing or incomplete grade, or if they drop a class after the Michigan Commission for the Blind has already paid for the class. In the case of an incomplete grade, students shall resolve the incomplete grade during the next semester. Following the semester when any of these situations occur, students shall be given a grace period of one semester to correct these deficiencies. While students are on academic probation, the Michigan Commission for the Blind shall assist students by exploring resources to help them retain or reestablish their sponsorship. 

3. When a student has failed or dropped a class after the Michigan Commission for the Blind has paid for the class, the student shall be required to contribute the amount paid by the Michigan Commission for the Blind. However, the student shall not be responsible for submitting this contribution if either the Michigan Commission for the Blind or the educational institution has failed to provide a necessary accommodation for the successful completion of the class. In the event that a student is required to pay this contribution, they shall make arrangements to pay this contribution before the beginning of the next semester.

F. Advanced Degrees 

The sponsorship of an advanced degree by the Michigan Commission for the Blind shall be limited to students who cannot obtain competitive employment with a bachelor's degree, or when they are included as a part of a student’s Individualized Plan for Employment.  

Procedure:

1. In addition to the procedures listed under the undergraduate degree sponsorship, students seeking an advanced degree shall maintain an acceptable grade point average as defined under the standards for their academic program. If the student’s grade point average falls below this level, their sponsorship by the Michigan Commission for the Blind shall be suspended until they are able to bring their cumulative grade point average back up to the standards set forth by the academic program. 

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