[nfbmi-talk] regarding bigger issues surrounding college policy

[joe harcz Comcast]

Hi Lydia,

All the points are well expressed and must by law be generated in the IPE 
... That is exactly where supposed exceptions are made. In addition in the 
development of the Memos of Understanding the college is obligated to afford 
individualized academic adjustments that are individualized under the Rehab 
Act, Section 504. This can and does include extending timelines and other 
modifications in the students  request for these accommodations. This does, 
as you suggest become very relevent in that a policy from MCB that collides 
with these obligations on behalf of the college is in violation of 504.

In other words all references in any college policy should as most suggest 
be in accordance withthe existing obligations of the IPE and in conformance 
with federal civil rights laws including 504 and the ADA.

This is especially significant when you go to those with multiple 
disabilities.

And this does go (ADA and 504 compliance) to all the activities and 
practices of MCB over all. It is directly responsable for making all its 
programs accessable; and all its activities. Moreover, it cannot by law 
discriminate though it apparently does so over and over again with impunity 
(re: the marksmanship course, etc.).

Anyway hope this helps and I'll send out the references to academic 
adjustments in the 504 regulations later as well as those specifically 
applicable to VR entities including MCB.

By the way I think one of the worst culprits on the general issue in 
application is Beth White who was promoted to Central Region supervisor.

She's got some pretty strange ideas in practice and I've experienced her 
violations up close and personal.

Joe
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <laschuck at juno.com>
To: <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, June 26, 2010 11:53 AM
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] regarding bigger issues surrounding college policy


> Hello list,
> First I want to commend Elizabeth.  I have known her for a number of 
> years, and want to say how exciting it has been to see her step up to this 
> task that is so discouraging at times.  Great job, Elizabeth!
> My main issue has been with the need to have a policy that shows trust of 
> both the commission staff and consumers.  Our policy toward anything in 
> any area of disability should have a sense of trust in the consumer to 
> want the best for themselves.  Why would a blind student or any other 
> student deliberately drag out their education just to bother the 
> commission?
> That trust needs to extend to people who have developmental and cognitive 
> disabilities in addition to blindness.  This includes my daughter, Anna, 
> but she is not my reason for pushing this.  My reason has to do with the 
> many blind kids I know from camp, and the youth I know in the autism 
> community who need an individualized approach to their futures.  As autism 
> hits the adult rehab services setting in ever larger numbers, something is 
> going to have to change, so that agencies can and will do what they are 
> supposed to do to serve consumers.
> I have focussed on the time issue because it is such an obvious factor, 
> but there are all kinds of things that will have to be considered.  Is a 
> high functioning autistic blind teen required to stay at the training 
> center to do the summer college-readiness program, or to do the 2 week 
> college assessment?  I believe residence at the training center is 
> required for one of those programs, or maybe both.  Why does that have to 
> be?   Does a student with cognitive disabilities have to pass the college 
> assessment in order to be part of a post-secondary experience made 
> specially for students with cognitive disabilities?  Does a student who 
> wants to be a freelance writer have to go into a full college program just 
> so he can take every course at the community college that relates to 
> American History?  If a student can succeed with a part time  course load, 
> but not full time, why should the commission take issue with part-time 
> studies?
> What about food?  No one would make a training center student with 
> allergies eat foods that make him sick.  Yet a training center student 
> could be forced to live in a building with offensive noises, even just the 
> flourescent lighting, because everybody has to live in the training center 
> building.
> I am arguing for a degree of individualization in everything that is not 
> related to skills of blindness or academics.  Some people could handle 
> classes in a building with lights that make noise, but not if there is 
> vacuuming in the hall or mowing during class hours.  Those are just part 
> of autism.  People need other supports to succeed, and part of that 
> support might be living off of the training center campus, or working by 
> correspondence, or other creative solutions.
> I am not going on any longer here, but just want to say that I am not 
> going to college meetings in part because I think this battle for truly 
> individual approaches to rehab is going to come up and bite us again 
> before too long, regarding every policy that is made...so I am saving my 
> energy for a bit!!    Lydia
>
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