[nfbmi-talk] Fw: web access difficult for people with disabilities in Michigan

Wed Mar 30 13:36:07 UTC 2011

The following was sent to me on the dates denoted. The State of Michigan is well aware of the systemice ADA violations. That includes Liz Bower who was with MDE and the former executive director of Michigan Protection and Advocy Services. It includes Elmer Serano from MPAS too. I've apprised both and State ADA coordinator, Cannon of thethese issues for now a decade. The failure of all to act to remove these communications barriers is willful indifference to the law, which in fancy terms mean it is deliberate discrimination against an entire class of individuals over years.

To know and not to act when in a position of authority and responsability is insidious discrimination.

And this isn't an empty allegation, but a documented fact just like the absence of required raised character and Braille signage is a documented fact.

Sincerely,

Joe Harcz

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Wyeth, Duncan (DELEG) 
To: joe harcz Comcast 
Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2010 2:57 PM
Subject: FW: web access difficult for people with disabilities in Michigan

Duncan O. Wyeth

Executive Director

Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth

Michigan Commission on Disability Concerns

Victor Center

201 N. Washington Square,  Suite 150

Lansing, Michigan  48913

TEL:  517  335-0103

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Elizabeth W. Bauer [mailto:ebauer7400 at aol.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, September 08, 2010 11:19 AM
To: ECERANO at mpas.org; Cannon, Patrick (DELEG); Collins, Vendella; Wyeth, Duncan (DELEG)
Cc: MCODY at mpas.org
Subject: Re: web access difficult for people with disabilities in Michigan

Thank you all. I find the entire state website difficult to navigate myself. When I saw this report, I thought perhaps a win for PWD would benefit us all.  Most of  the ADA accommodations do. 

Liz

Elizabeth W. Bauer, Member 
Michigan State Board of Education 
1355 Lake Park Drive 
Birmingham, MI 48009-1089 
248 540 4656 
www.michigan.gov/sbe 

"The secret of education is respecting the pupil." 
Ralph Waldo Emerson

-----Original Message-----
From: ELMER CERANO <ECERANO at mpas.org>
To: Elizabeth Bauer <ebauer7400 at aol.com>; cannonp at michigan.gov; collinsve at michigan.gov; wyethd2 at michigan.gov
Cc: MARK CODY <MCODY at mpas.org>
Sent: Wed, Sep 8, 2010 10:18 am
Subject: Re: web access difficult for people with disabilities in Michigan

we have been meeting with UCP/Michigan, Mich Disability Rights Network and Jackie Doig re: DHS ADA compliance. Their I.T. access is also a focus. Norm's group will look closer at the ADA compliance of the local DHS offices's IT access. >>> "Elizabeth W. Bauer" <ebauer7400 at aol.com> 9/6/2010 7:09 AM >>>  Hi Pat, Duncan, Vendella, Elmer, Are any of the advocacy groups raising this issue with state officials? It seems something that would benefit from a coordinated call for justice. What are the incoming officials thinking about it, planning to do?  Liz  From AAPD (9.1.10)Report Finds Five State Benefits' Websites Inaccessible to People with Disabilitiesby Jenifer Simpson, AAPD Senior Director of Government Affairs A June 22, 2010 report finds that state public benefits agencies are relying more on their websites as a means of providing information to the public, and as a means for applicants to secure Medicaid, food stamps, and cash assistance. However, the report, by the National Center for Law and Economic Justice (NCLEJ)  at http://www.nclej.org/ , shows that at least five states * California, Florida, Michigan, New York and Texas * have agency websites with problems that make them inaccessible to people with disabilities who are users of assistive technology, and many websites are difficult for anyone to navigate. ...        Elizabeth W. Bauer, Member Michigan State Board of Education 1355 Lake Park Drive Birmingham, MI 48009-1089 248 540 4656 www.michigan.gov/sbe  "The secret of education is respecting the pupil." Ralph Waldo Emerson