[nfbmi-talk] they don't put this in their press releases

[joe harcz Comcast]

Letter: Commission for Blind not helping people it’s supposed to serve

http://www.dailypress.net/stories/articles.asp?articleID=5226

EDITOR:

 

With the governor’s election less than a month away, I want to share my insights as a disabled American. I was born blind and I’ve never had the use of

my eyes. As you can imagine, graduating high school and going to college is very difficult with this disability. I’m not looking for anybody’s pity, just

a moment of time to express my feelings about a state agency that is supposed to help me as a blind American, but instead chooses to victimize the very

people it’s supposed to serve.

 

The Michigan Commission for the Blind is a state agency that is supposed to support blind and visually-impaired people. On paper, it would appear they’re

doing so, but in real life there’s another story to be told.

 

Just recently, my case worker, Miss Christine Pada, refused to pay for supplemental services related directly to my education. What I’m talking about is

a tactile map I need for one of my classes at Bay College. It appears more and more the Commission is hiring unqualified people without a background in

blindness studies. The commission is also banking on the fact that its clients are and will remain ignorant.

 

What really hurts my feelings and troubles me is the very organization that exists to help me become a self-sufficient independent member of the workforce

is now playing games and actually victimizing many of its clients. I am asking other disabled persons who feel that they may have not received adequate

services from the commission to step forward and make services to blind persons a political issue this campaign season.

 

It’s a shame that I would even have to bring this up, but people in this community should know that the MCB is treating its clients shamefully and with

disregard. Imagine being treated poorly by the people who are sworn to protect you; it doesn’t help one’s confidence one bit.

 

My question for Miss Pada and the Commission for the Blind is simple. Since the map I requested is desperately needed for one of my classes at Bay College,

and the fact that we are approaching mid-term, where is a blind student to turn for help, and why will you not authorize the funding for this map to be

created for me? (By the way, it would cost the Commission less than $50 to generate such a map.)

 

As a disabled American, the only thing I want is an even playing field. That means I have an opportunity to succeed. That doesn’t mean I want handouts or

things given to me. Imagine going through your day with no sight and then ask yourself how you would feel if the people you were supposed to trust were

unprofessional and treated you with disregard.

 

The number of the Michigan Commission for the Blind is 786-8602. You can ask for Miss Christine Pada. Please advise her you feel it is unfair and unprofessional

conduct for a blindness service professional not to give his or her clients the tools they need to succeed.

 

(By the way, you would be advised that Miss Pada’s background is not in blindness services; it’s in secondary education.) To me, this points to a much larger

problem that is taking place in Lansing, and an even greater level of disregard for the blind population by the administration of the Michigan Commission

for the Blind. Thank you very much.

 

Jacquelyn Elizabeth Parmentier, Escanaba

 

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