[nfbmi-talk] Fw: official request accommodation irs 990 etc

Fri Sep 14 15:44:13 UTC 2012

This is the Chair of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission who can't figure out the ADA and 504!

Access to information is a civil right!
----- Original Message ----- 
From: joe harcz Comcast 
To: Mikezelley at aol.com 
Sent: Friday, September 14, 2012 11:41 AM
Subject: Re: official request accommodation irs 990 etc

Dear Mike,

As you know the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 require timely delivery of information in accessable format. They also require that Centers for Independent Living act affirmatively in these regards and all oprograms and services are accessable to all regardless as to disabilities.

Yet, here on a simple request for informatikon I've not received requested documents now in over one month.

How is this remotely timely?

Sincerely,

Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Mikezelley at aol.com 
  To: joeharcz at comcast.net 
  Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2012 7:04 PM
  Subject: Re: official request accommodation irs 990 etc

  We are using the accessible format that we researched and found so we do not have to rewrite all of the content (questions, columns, instructions, etc.), just add our particular 990 information. That is what we are working on now and will send to you as soon as we get it done. I think it will end up being a word document. Mike

  Mike Zelley
  The Disability Network
  3600 S Dort Hwy, Suite 54
  Flint, MI 48507
  810-742-1800 voice
  810-742-7647 TDD
  www.disnetwork.org

  ~ ~Vote as if your life depended on it, because it does.~ ~
  Justin Dart

  In a message dated 8/30/2012 11:44:49 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, joeharcz at comcast.net writes:
    A Word document is accessable to me.
      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: Mikezelley at aol.com 
      To: joeharcz at comcast.net 
      Cc: lindaf at disnetwork.org ; RyanT at disnetwork.org ; lukez at disnetwork.org 
      Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2012 11:33 AM
      Subject: Re: official request accommodation irs 990 etc

      Joe, after searching further, we just found an accessible format from the IRS and are creating it now. We will get it to you as soon as we complete it in the accessible format. I'm glad you brought this to our attention Joe. In the future, we will insist that our accounting firm prepare the 990 in the accessible format we discovered. Sorry for the delay. Mike

      In a message dated 8/30/2012 10:26:36 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, joeharcz at comcast.net writes:
        I have not seen this in a timely and accessable manner Mike!

        What gives?
          ----- Original Message ----- 
          From: Mikezelley at aol.com 
          To: joeharcz at comcast.net 
          Cc: johnb at disnetwork.org 
          Sent: Friday, August 03, 2012 1:46 PM
          Subject: Re: official request accommodation irs 990 etc

          Joe, we are working on your request. Our 990 is available on the Internet, but I'm not sure if it is in accessible format. I will keep you posted on our progress. Mike Zelley

          Mike Zelley
          The Disability Network
          3600 S Dort Hwy, Suite 54
          Flint, MI 48507
          810-742-1800 voice
          810-742-7647 TDD
          www.disnetwork.org

          ~ ~Vote as if your life depended on it, because it does.~ ~
          Justin Dart

          In a message dated 7/31/2012 12:25:19 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, joeharcz at comcast.net writes:

            July 31, 2012

            Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.

            1365 E. Mt. Morris Rd.

            Mt. Morris, MI  48458

            E-mail: joeharcz at comcast.net

            810-516-5262

            Re: Official request for public information in accessible format

            To:

            J. Michael Zelley,

            Executive Director The Disability Network

            John Burt,

            “Responsible designee” Section 504 for The Disability Network

            (Via E-mail)

            Dear Mr. Zelley and Mr. Burt,

            I am writing you today to officially request information that should be available to the public under a variety of laws and should be made available to people who are blind in accessible formats, upon request.

            Specifically, I am requesting all schedules of your organization’s IRS Form 990(s) for TDN’s last three fiscal years. In addition, I’m requesting all minutes of TDN’s Board of Director meetings for the past three fiscal years.

            As a legally blind person I am requesting this information in accessible format. Specifically, I am requesting that this information is remitted to me as either Word or plain text documents and sent to me via either e-mail attachment or enclosure to the e-mail address listed above.

            As you undoubtedly know TDN is a Title III entity under the meaning of the law (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990) as it engages in commerce and operates educational programs. 

            Moreover, it is subject to obligations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as it is a recipient of copious federal funds including substantial infusion of funding from the U.S. Department of Education as it is indeed a Center for Independent Living.

            Moreover, such a large recipient of federal funds should be transparent in the public interest precisely as to how those federal funds are employed. This is a simple matter of public accountability of an organization employing public funds.

            I would appreciate a written and accessible response to this inquiry within three (3) working days.

            I thank you in advance for your prompt and accessible response to this matter.

            Sincerely,

            Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.

            Cc: file

            Cc: several