[nfbmi-talk] BSBP Consumer Involvement Council Meeting

[Joe Sontag]

I attended the first Commission for Blind Persons meeting and can say that 
it was well-run and proceeded without much drama.  A number of the new 
Commissioners asked loads of good questions and for such things as regular 
financial reports, copies of the Rehab Act and were given assurances that 
these things would be provided, although the financials are still allegedly 
only available on a quarterly basis.  The usual phone interface problems 
were very much in evidence as well.

In response to my call for full funding of Newsline, Director Rodgers stated 
that he had told NFBM leadership that he required a grant proposal and had 
not yet received one from us, but I'm not aware of any on-the-record 
discussion of this kind at any time during the past 3+ months.

Ed Rodgers also stated that progress is being made on the ADA compliance 
front regarding accessible signage at MAHS and BSBP facilities, including 
the Victor, Ottawa and Cadillac Place buildings, but we know that we're only 
getting started on solving a problem that should have been address decades 
ago.  In fairness, it seems to me that accessible information is more 
important to BSBP now than it ever was in the Cannon era, but I think it's 
too soon to say what's really happening.

I found it interesting that Ed Rodgers feels a need to defend the Business 
Enterprise Program by tearing down the words and experiences of those who 
know it best, the former and present operators who have been a part of the 
Program for the previous 20 years or more and who communicate often with our 
counterparts in other states.  We've been asked to believe that Michigan's 
program is in the top ten in the country and not in the lower four.  The 
only other state to be refered to was the Oregon BEP; and I must admit I had 
to bite my lower lip on that one.

Two reps. from MPAS were there too; and one of them made clear to me her 
frustration at the lack of straight answers to Rehab Act questions asked of 
Leamon Jones during his presentation.  This Commission has potential, if not 
real power.  Keeping the Commission properly informed will be mostly up to 
us.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mary Wurtzel" <marywurtzel at att.net>
To: <terrydeagle at yahoo.com>; "'NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List'" 
<nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, January 18, 2013 11:49
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] BSBP Consumer Involvement Council Meeting


> Hello Terry,
>
> Did anyone attend the meeting yesterday??  I have my reader on Thursday 
> but
> managed to forget about it, anyway.
> Mary
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbmi-talk [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Terry
> Eagle
> Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2013 5:03 AM
> To: 'NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List'
> Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] BSBP Consumer Involvement Council Meeting
>
> Hmmmmmm, Makes me wonder if this is more bureaucratic sersive (BS)
> duplication, given the other esteemed advisory board.
>
> Let's see, I think we are at least atthree advisory-type board for 
> services
> to blind persons.  There is the advisory commission, the advisory council,
> and the advisory elected operators' committee.  So we should feel real 
> good
> with the big three C.  Commission, Council, and Committee.  And I didn't
> count the Rehabilitation Council.
>
> I likely missed some for the library, we senior blind, for which allegedly
> there are no funds, the youth programs, and the deaf-blind.
>
> I am sure we could easily become the Big Ten Advisory agency for blind
> services (bs).  How about an advisory council on blind accessible 
> technology
> (BAT)?  Advisory Braille Council, the ABC of promotion of braille.  Any
> more?
>
> I hope and pray all these advisory committees accomplish more than more 
> talk
> and more meetings and free lunches.  Will they be productive, or just
> another exercise in fulfilling consumer input mandates, just like the 
> state
> plan hearings.  You know the current administration likes to suppress
> participation from the public; just turn to the news of our , did I just 
> say
> our (?) legislature!  And they boast about the historical number and 
> nature
> of pieces of legislation passed without debate.  What debate?  I hope the
> Big C can be more effective then the agency-run committee on business
> enterprise, with its rewards of points and perks.
>
> I am optimistic for at least some sunshine to disinfect and make the
> environment a bit cleaner and transparent.  Oh, it feels so good to dream 
> by
> dawn's early nearly light!
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nfbmi-talk [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Mark
> Eagle
> Sent: Monday, January 14, 2013 9:35 PM
> To: nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
> Subject: [nfbmi-talk] BSBP Consumer Involvement Council Meeting
>
>
>
> Current Events For January 2013
>
>
>
>
> Jan 24, 2013
> BSBP Consumer Involvement Council Meeting, January 24, 2013, in Lansing
> Telephone Conference Call-In Number: 877-873-8017 Telephone Conference
> Passcode Number: 7085546.
>
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