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

Fri Sep 14 16:49:55 UTC 2012

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Mikezelley at aol.com 
To: joeharcz at comcast.net 
Cc: RyanT at disnetwork.org 
Sent: Friday, September 14, 2012 12:41 PM
Subject: Re: official request accommodation irs 990 etc

You are absolutely correct. This is not timely and I apologize. I expect to have it done next week and I will send it to you. 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 9/14/2012 11:41:51 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, joeharcz at comcast.net writes:
  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