[nfbmi-talk] FW: College Policy Comments
joe harcz Comcast
joeharcz at comcast.net
Fri Jun 11 10:56:54 UTC 2010
As stated before I think this is a fine document Elizabeth although it might
be helpful if the "due process" rights are a bit more detailed. I know this
would add more but only a few lines. I certainly think that directory
information such as CAP phone and so forth should be included in all MCB
documents because, sadly too many counselors don't actually inform customers
of their rights for either CAP or Administrative reveiws or Fair Hearings.
Just a thought, but that would adress Ms. Taekins on the IPE issue of which
she is correct as are you.
And, I don't think this document is "too daunting" at all.
Nice work once again.
Thanks for all you do for people who are blind.
Joe
----- Original Message -----
From: "Elizabeth" <lizmohnke at hotmail.com>
To: <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2010 11:27 PM
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] FW: College Policy Comments
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.
The New Busy is not the too busy. Combine all your e-mail accounts with
Hotmail. Get busy.
_________________________________________________________________
The New Busy think 9 to 5 is a cute idea. Combine multiple calendars with
Hotmail.
http://www.windowslive.com/campaign/thenewbusy?tile=multicalendar&ocid=PID28326::T:WLMTAGL:ON:WL:en-US:WM_HMP:042010_5
_______________________________________________
nfbmi-talk mailing list
nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbmi-talk_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
nfbmi-talk:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbmi-talk_nfbnet.org/joeharcz%40comcast.net
More information about the NFBMI-Talk
mailing list