[nfbmi-talk] integrated vs. segregated settings

[joe harcz Comcast]

Dear Lydia,

I agree if the "inclusion" model is as it is which is pathetic here in 
Michigan. In the name of inclusion the Michigan School for the blind was 
closed with the promise of a Trust Fund toappropriately educate blind 
children. This promise of course was savaged. We need not discuss the 
details here but LIO is extremely under funded and other resources 
hereabouts are jokes in practice in most districts.

to make matters worse here in Genesee County for the most part blind kids 
are sent to Durant Turre Mott and effectively segregated without the upside 
of a residential school like MSB.

I sat in on an IEP by the way a month or so back and the district didn't 
even know effectively what transition was or what was required.

Now, the issue ofintegration, this said is seminal to all NFB stands for in 
principle, but also on terms of "equality" which for practical purposes 
means accommodations, appropriate instructional modes, etc.

Now, with all of this said I think the practical ramifications for all PWD 
in education do require various options and a full continuum. also, the term 
segregation in a civil rights context does have some time references 
attached to it.

For example no one would consider a dedicated rehab center like MCB TC to be 
illegally segregated for people aren't to be there for life anymore than a 
person needing physical rehab for a car accident leaving one paralyzed 
would be considered segregated in the discriminatory sense so long as it 
isn't a life long sentence to a nursing home or other institutional setting.

I would not consider a stint based upon the individual in a specialized 
school for a period to be illegal segregation so long as the other options 
for those who find them of value were also present.

Ditto for the sheltered shop thing. If they were truly only to position 
folks for competitive employment in the integrated environment though then 
why are so many still in places like Peckham for decades?

I hope this quick ramble makes my point clear.

Oh, one other lesson in our advocy here with the closure of MSB. Whether it 
should have been closed or not and I think it shouldn't have been 
personally, the fact is once lost we'll never get it back.

And as experiences show in other states if we lose or if the clowns running 
MCB force it to end we'll never get back a separate commission.

Peace with Justice,

Joe
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lydia Schuck" <laschuck at juno.com>
To: <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2012 6:54 PM
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] integrated vs. segregated settings


> Hi listfriends,
> As a parent I want to give my child the best education I can find and
> afford.  For blind kids the best might mean a segregated setting for all
> or part of the day.  I like the idea of inclusive education, the
> "everyone together" movement, if it gives kids the best.  But I have seen
> what mainstreaming has meant in Michigan.  There is no residential option
> at all, and the whole continuum of options for blind kids has been
> watered down as a result.  Excellent programs are available to a very few
> students.
> I mention this "everyone together" inclusion model because we may
> sometime find ourselves struggling to have any special separate services
> for our kids, and being included may become a higher value than being
> educated.
>
> Lydia
>
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