[nfbmi-talk] Fw: meeting of the Advisory Board

[Larry Posont]

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From: "Luzenski, Sue (LARA)" <LuzenskiS at michigan.gov>
Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 2:37 PM
To: "Larry Posont" <president.nfb.mi at gmail.com>
Cc: "Rodgers, Edward (LARA)" <rodgerse at michigan.gov>
Subject: RE: meeting of the Advisory Board

Good afternoon Larry,

I apologize for not sending the agenda of the February 7 Advisory Commission to you.  It was a first time oversight on my part.  The 
agenda was posted on Newsline on February 4 but I will ensure in the future that the President of both of the consumer organizations 
receives a copy of the agenda as I have in the past.

Thank you for bringing this to my attention.

Sue

-----Original Message-----
From: Larry Posont [mailto:president.nfb.mi at gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, February 08, 2014 6:11 PM
To: Luzenski, Sue (LARA)
Cc: Rodgers, Edward (LARA)
Subject: meeting of the Advisory Board

National Federation of the Blind of Michigan
7189 Connors Rd.
Munising, MI 49862

February 8, 2014

CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
 Bureau of Services for Blind Persons
 201 N. Washington, 2nd Floor
 P.O. Box 30652
 Lansing, MI 48909

Dear Mr. Rodgers:

     I have heard indirectly that there was a meeting of the Advisory Board of the Bureau of Services to Blind Persons. This 
occurred Friday, February 7, on the same day as the meeting of the Michigan Rehabilitation Council. It is of great concern that 
announcements of the Advisory Board meeting are not sent out publicly and are not sent to me as President of a Consumer Advocacy 
organization. It shows such little regard both for consumer involvement from the Advisory Board and from members of the community of 
blind citizens of Michigan.
Members of the blind community expect transparency from the Bureau of Services to Blind Persons.  This reticence to clearly invite 
consumers to meetings shows a lack of belief in blind citizens. The lack of transparency demonstrates that the Bureau of Services to 
Blind Persons does not believe in the full participation of blind citizens as equal partners. As President of a consumer advocacy 
organization, I should not learn about meetings where consumer involvement is crucial from outside sources. I hope that the Bureau 
of Services to Blind Persons will announce meetings ahead of time in the future. This will encourage consumer involvement.

Sincerely,
Larry Posont
President
 National Federation of the Blind of Michigan
 (906) 387-3546
Email: president.nfb.mi at gmail.com
 Web page: www.nfbmi.org

Munising home of the beautiful Pictured Rocks.