[nfbmi-talk] BS4BP Honor Awards Media Release

Fri Nov 1 11:40:44 UTC 2013

Actually our own Christine Boone did get the funding and so on for a 
technology center at the training center. And for this good work how was she 
rewarded?

And I agree with Marcus Terry. This should also be sent along with your 
other excellent posts to legislators.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Terry D. Eagle" <terrydeagle at yahoo.com>
To: "'NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List'" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2013 9:58 PM
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] BS4BP Honor Awards Media Release

First, congratulations to the lucky few blind persons who were able to
secure any service from the BS4BP, and equal congratulations to the
employers and partners truly dedicated to employment of the blind.

The awards media release is quoted as saying, "The BSBP's services include:.
. . training and other services for individuals who are blind or visually
impaired to achieve employment and/or
independence in the careers of their choice.".  Oh really?  Let me test the
media release statements against fact.

The information in the media release for public consumption says, [quote] ".
The BSBP has services that can help the visually impaired understand and
access cutting-edge technology and provides training on the accessibility of
the iPhone, iPad and Android operating system, and the capabilities of many
screen reader programs.  Oh really?  Then perhaps Mr. Rodgers BSBP
neighborhood is willing  to address the media, public, and blind community
question, why, when I lost my eyesight,  the VR section would not provide me
with $1500 of training to learn to use the Window Eyes screen reader
program, after purchasing the screen reader program for hundreds of dollars?
I guess the BSBP believes a blind person possesses the ability and can
attain the needed training by placing the screen reader program CD under
their pillow while sleeping.  Thank you BSBP for your extraordinary belief
and confidence  in the abilities of blind persons, no matter how erroneous
and misguided is your belief.

It gets even better.  The media release propaganda goes on to say, [quote]
".
. The BSBP Vocational Rehabilitation Program helps blind citizens become
employed in a career that suits their current or potential abilities. The
program provides diagnostic evaluations, vocational counseling, and training
in skills of blindness at no cost." {End Quote].  ..Oh really?  The BS4BP
provides training for employment  and [quote] "helps blind citizens become
employed in a career that suits their current or potential abilities.", and
{quote} "at no cost"?  Then again, perhaps Mr. Rodgers BSBP neighborhood
gang is willing  to address the media, public, and blind community, why the
VR section would not help me get employment in the BEP, given my bachelor's
degree in hospitality management and food service vocational teacher
education, and years and years, including 10 years of BEP employment,
operating the state's largest cafeteria and catering operation, and
employing and training countless blind, deaf-blind, and other persons with
disabilities, while  the Anderson House of Representatives office building
cafeteria has been closed needlessly for 23 months?  ?

Further, perhaps MR. Rodgers' neighborhood gang is willing to answer the
question, why I am required  to pay for my alleged need for retraining in
food services, if as the media release and rehabilitation law says training
must be provided at no cost to the blind person?  The requirement that I pay
for any required training is documented in sworn court records by the agency
officials and Michael King of the Attorney General's office.  Also notable
is the fact that three current blind cafeteria operators are operating BEP
cafeterias, and have for three years, without the required cafeteria
training certification required under the law.  Where is the equality and
law compliance, Mr. Rodgers, attorney-at-law and officer of the Michigan
courts, sworn to uphold, not hold up, the laws and the blind of this state??

Further, the propaganda for consumption by the media and the public states,
[quote] ". The BSBP Business Enterprise Program (BEP) provides blind
individuals with opportunities for employment.  The BEP operates vending
routes and cafeteria
facilities in state and federal government facilities as well as in a
limited number of private buildings. The role of the BEP is to guide and
assist the
operator in achieving upward mobility.".  If this is true, Mr. Rodgers
neighborhood gang, then why did we learn yesterday, that the newly remodeled
Capitol snack bar, is now open and being operated by a sighted civil service
paid student assistant?  And a follow-up question, given  this fact, is
this the reason why you will not release the cost of rehabilitation dollars
for the blind, expended on the remodeling of this BEP facility, only to
employ a sighted paid civil service employee to operate it, rather than a
qualified blind person, as required by law, that you as an attorney and
state official are sworn to uphold, and you push for legislation to throw
blind persons out of work and on welfare, by exempting legislative buildings
from the BEP, replacing the blind with foreign interests in these
facilities.  One last question, is it a possible fact that legislative
branch dollars, rather than rehabilitation dollars, were used to remodel the
Capitol snack bar, so you and your gang think it okay to replace blind
persons with paid sighted civil service employees related to your gang
members, notwithstanding it violates current law?

Perhaps you will answer these questions from the media, should you come out
of hiding when they show up, and you refuse to anser questions from NFB
members, as you use another hiding tactic known as the Michigan FOIA, to not
answer questions.  Are you, Mr. Rodgers, not running out of hiding places?
If not, we the NFB shall discover and reveal them!

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbmi-talk [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of joe
harcz Comcast
Sent: Wednesday, October 30, 2013 10:45 AM
To: nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] did you all get this press release?

Bureau of Services for Blind Persons Presents Annual Achievement Honor Roll
Awards

Contact: Jason Moon 517-373-9280

Agency: Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

October 25, 2013 - The Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) today
presented its annual Achievement Honor Roll Awards in Lansing. The annual
awards

are presented to BSBP clients who are exemplary in achieving their goals for
employment and/or independent living after vision loss; employers who have

shown leadership in hiring blind workers based on their abilities; and
community partners recognized for their collaboration with the BSBP in
increasing

opportunities for blind people to achieve independence and/or employment.

"Our honorees have demonstrated a tremendous amount of hard work and
perseverance and have made great contributions to Michigan's blind
community," said

BSBP Director Ed Rodgers. "The BSBP's Achievement Honor Roll winners are
shining examples of how we are focused on providing a diverse set of quality
services

to ensure that blind individuals have the opportunities they need to achieve
active employability and independence."

Achievement Honor Roll Award Winners

BSBP Clients (individuals who are blind or visually impaired):

Leatrice Fullerton, Kalamazoo

Leatrice became a BSBP client in high school. After receiving her Bachelor's
and Master's degrees in Social Work, Leatrice was recently hired as a
full-time

social worker.

Terrence Ruffin, Detroit

Terrence graduated as one of the top students in his class in the BSBP's
Business Enterprise Program. Terrence now runs a successful business at the
Café

DeVille in the Cadillac Place in Detroit.

Johnathon Hall, Kalamazoo

Johnathon worked with BSBP counselors who helped him attain college aid and
other tools to assist him in a career as a mechanic. Johnathon graduated
with

honors from the Universal Technical Institute, and now works in Portage at
Boat City Marine.

Dr. Howard Vernon Sanden, Muskegon

A retired pediatrician, Dr. Sanden sought the help of the BSBP hoping to
find devices that could assist him in reading his journals and documenting
research.

 A digital recorder now allows him to navigate his notes and continue his
research.

Gordon Tilkens, Menominee

At age 62, Gordon began working with the BSBP in order to learn necessary
skills to maintain his independent living. Through practice, mobility
training,

and various other tools Gordon was able to learn how to live independently.

Greg Weekley, Owosso

Greg sought the help of the BSBP in order to live independently even with
great vision loss. Nearly two years of training and diligent work allowed
him

to achieve his individual goals and his independence.

Community Partners:

Work Services, Inc., Jackson

Over many years Work Services has provided job placement services to clients
of the Bureau. Their staff has also worked tirelessly to provide assistance

to clients by helping them look for jobs, talking with potential employers,
and assisting clients with interviews.

Western Michigan University Office of Disability Services for Students
(DSS), Kalamazoo

DSS has long been committed to assisting students with disabling conditions
in their pursuit of educational and career goals including the often
difficult

processes of class scheduling and accessing adaptive equipment. The services
DSS provides have aided the Bureau in serving their clients with teaching

the studies skills course and making post-secondary education available to
all those with disabilities.

Warren Galloway, Grosse Pointe Woods

As an owner of a business planning firm, Mr. Galloway provides small
business consulting services to help all who are interested in starting
their own small

businesses. In addition to his assistance with business plans, and applying
for microloans, Mr. Galloway provides independent living workshops that help

clients learn proper work or personal etiquette, effective work
communication, and confidence building in addition to many others.

Employers:

Ranir, Grand Rapids

Ranir, a globally based company, has gladly hired blind workers from the
BSBP and made efforts to accommodate them in their new jobs and
accessibility of

the facilities.

Boat City Marine, Portage

Established more than 30 years ago, Boat City Marine has always set the goal
to make consumers' boating experiences the best they can be. Gladly hiring

dedicated employees including a visually impaired mechanic, Johnathon Hall,
this company is dedicated to customer satisfaction.

The Bureau of Services for Blind Persons provides training and other
services for individuals who are blind or visually impaired to achieve
employment and/or

independence in the careers of their choice.

The BSBP's services include:

List of 4 items

. The BSBP Business Enterprise Program (BEP) provides blind individuals with
opportunities for employment.  The BEP operates vending routes and cafeteria

facilities in state and federal government facilities as well as in a
limited number of private buildings. The role of the BEP is to guide and
assist the

operator in achieving upward mobility.

. The BSBP Vocational Rehabilitation Program helps blind citizens become
employed in a career that suits their current or potential abilities. The
program

provides diagnostic evaluations, vocational counseling, and training in
skills of blindness at no cost.

. The BSBP Braille and Talking Book Library serves people with visual
impairments and offers a diverse set of materials.

. The BSBP has services that can help the visually impaired understand and
access cutting-edge technology and provides training on the accessibility of

the iPhone, iPad and Android operating system, and the capabilities of many
screen reader programs.

list end

For more information about BSBP visit

www.michigan.gov/bsbp

or call toll-free: 1-800-292-4200, TTY 888-864-1212

The Bureau of Services for Blind Persons is a part of the Michigan
Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).

For more information about LARA, please visit

www.michigan.gov/lara Follow

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