[nfbmi-talk] Fw: call for enforcement of ada

[joe harcz Comcast]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Donna Rose 
To: joe harcz Comcast ; nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org 
Cc: Joe Sibley MCBVI Pres. ; Charis Austin ; casey354 at sbcglobal.net ; Michael Geno ; Elmer Cerano MPAS ; TOM MASSEAU MPAS ; Jeanette Brown MI CAP ; Richard Bernstein Esq ; Jo Anne Pilarski MCB, Chair ; Larry Posont ; lydia schuck ; John Scott MCB, Commissioner ; Fred Wurtzel ; Terry Eagle ; Patrick Cannon ; Mark Eagle 
Sent: Wednesday, June 22, 2011 1:49 PM
Subject: Re: call for enforcement of ada


Joe, H.,

Your message is right.  I want the government to follow all its civil rights and other laws.  Our previous resolution needs to be redistributed and I will work on that.  MCBVI often addresses governmental issues by way of distribution of resolutions, letter writing and by phone, but not always in public forums.  

You need to be aware that the leadership of MCBVI are busy working to make a living and our time is limited as a result.  We are out grabbing the American Dream and so we must prioritize some of the issues you raise and develop ways to bring about positive changes as efficiently as possible.  We believe empowerment and adequate preparation lead to opportunity, so we are always helping individuals along the path to personal success.

I have lived my whole life without proper accommodations, and although I want braille signage and other accommodations, I must prioritize those violations which are the most important to me.  There just isn't enough time in each day to tackle every issue when a person works.  

You know I have filed civil rights complaints many times as related to higher ed and fair housing and have won in all cases.  But filing complaints is a cumbersome and lengthily process.  I have learned there are often more efficient ways to get what we want and need.  

Did it ever occur to you instead of filing complaints all over the place that you ask the current governor diplomatically for a separate part time ADA Coordinator?  A person who could dedicate his/her whole time to this effort would be very helpful.  With your vast understanding of accessibility laws you should consider applying for such a position.

In Addition, I would like to mention the following to you.  You might want to think about why we are having MCB meetings in secured buildings now.  Could it be that MCB staff feel physically threatened by some of the audience behavior and the way comments are made?  For example, at the last meeting you said something about being a member of the Blind Rifle Association.  You may have meant this jokingly, but the obsessive tone of your comments is often so angry people begin to wonder about your intent and feel threatened, including me.  It is very off-putting and unprofessional to have individuals yelling during public comments or shouting during the meetings.  MCB Commission meetings are for the purpose of conducting business, which should be related to issues of blindness rehab and job acquisition.  Whether Pat Cannon is the ADA Coordinator, or not, has nothing to do with these meetings unless it is on the agenda.  

Each of these people are civil servants, and the Commissioners are volunteers.  They aren't necessarily our enemies, just human beings trying to do the best job they know how to do.  In order to help them understand when they make mistakes, we have to keep our cool so they will listen.

Joe, we all get very angry at the politics in government, but harnessing that anger properly will make more of a lasting impression when dealing with bureaucrats.  Otherwise you lose your creditability and then, even when you are right, no one listens.  You are too intelligent to allow this to happen to you.

I hope you will accept these comments in the spirit of unity in which they are extended for the good of the entire cause.   








Go Bravely,
Donna Rose, LMSW

Shiny Paper Is the Enemy!
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: joe harcz Comcast 
  To: nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org 
  Cc: Joe Sibley MCBVI Pres. ; Charis Austin ; casey354 at sbcglobal.net ; Donna Rose ; Michael Geno ; Elmer Cerano MPAS ; TOM MASSEAU MPAS ; Jeanette Brown MI CAP ; Richard Bernstein Esq ; Jo Anne Pilarski MCB, Chair ; Larry Posont ; lydia schuck ; John Scott MCB, Commissioner ; Patrick Cannon MCB Director 
  Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 8:44 AM
  Subject: call for enforcement of ada


   

  June 21, 2011

   

  Open Letter to Advocates in MCBVI and NFB MI

   

  Colleagues,

   

  All no by now the requirements of the ADA relative to signage and the accessible meeting requirements of the ADA. Now there is a special charge for the Michigan Commission for the Blind in these regards that is self-evident yet, once again the only accessible signage in Constitution Hall where MCB held its quarterly meeting on Friday last was on restrooms and elevators. To make matters even worse the ill-named Constitution   Hall was built after the effected regulatory date of the ADA, Title II (January 26, 1992.) I am shocked particularly at the disregard for enforcing these requirements or even a peep about them from the Michigan Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired especially in light of its 2002 resolution (attached after my signature line) in this regard. I am especially insulted by Michigan Protection and Advocacy Services which has been derelict in enforcing the ADA in these regards and routinely goes to meetings such as the aforementioned without a peep and which ignores multiple complaints. There is not a single state building with exception of state colleges in compliance. Not one.

   

  I urge all blind people to join together in multiple complaints with appropriate agencies for immediate remedy. I urge our brothers and sisters with MCBVI to put their money where their mouths are.

   

  Respectfully,

  Attached Resolution:

   

  Resolution 2002-04



   

  WHEREAS, raised character and Braille signage has long been required to be mounted on every permanent room of every public building by the Americans With Disabilities Act access guidelines and

   



   

  WHEREAS, such signage aids people who are blind and visually impaired in independently accessing the programs, services, benefits, and activities provided in these public buildings, and

   



   

  WHEREAS, such signage represents the major structural element afforded the blind in the ADA; and

   



   

  WHEREAS, this requirement has been grossly overlooked in this state, with many buildings having no accessible signage whatsoever, and

   



   

  WHEREAS, many programs, policies and procedures are not easily accessible to citizens who are blind in Michigan,   

   



   

  THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE Michigan Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired in CONVENTION ASSEMBLED AT THE Clarion Hotel in Lansing, Michigan that we urge the new Governor to make funds available for barrier removal in buildings owned or operated by the state; and

   



   

  BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the new Governor form a Taskforce on Disability to assist each department of state government in identifying and rapidly removing these barriers.

   



   

  Cc: NFB MI

  Cc: MCBVI

  Cc: MCB Board

  Cc: Michigan Protection and advocacy Services