[nfbmi-talk] updated Board Meeting minutes, National Federation of the Blind of Michigan October 20 2014
joe harcz Comcast
joeharcz at comcast.net
Tue Feb 18 11:42:49 UTC 2014
Open question here for all Federationists in Michigan:
How far have we ggot on fully implementig the resolutions which are the will
of the membership at convention assembled?
Joe
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Subject: [nfbmi-talk] updated Board Meeting minutes,National Federation of
the Blind of Michigan October 20 2014
> Board Meeting, National Federation of the Blind of Michigan October 20
> 2014
>
> Quorum yes, Larry Posont, Mike Powell, Joe Sontag, Terri Wilcox, Mark
> Eagle, Nick Wilcox,
>
> Dave Robinson, Mary Wurtzel, and Sarah Norwood.
> Introduction of Participating Members
> SECRETARY's Report, Terri Wilcox. Mike Powell moved to adopt the
> Secretary's Report. Joe
> Sontag, seconded the motion. The Secretary's Report was approved.
> Treasurer's Report, Mark Eagle. $468 was raised at the auction. $715 was
> raised during
>
> State Convention. 72 people registered for Convention. The general fund
> contains
>
> 96,142.26. The youth grant and Newsline have not changed. The PayPal
> account contains
>
> 1,668.12. Dave Robinson moved to adopt the Treasurer's Report. Fred
> Wurtzel seconded the
>
> motion. The Treasurer's Report was approved.
> ELECTION of Board Position 1 Dave Robinson was elected to Board Position
> 1. ELECTION of
>
> Board Position 2 Derek More was elected to Board Position 2. ELECTION of
> Board Position 3.
>
> Sarah Norwood was elected to Board Position 3. ELECTION of Board Position
> 4. Mary Wurtzel
>
> is elected to Board Position 4.
> PRESIDENTIAL REPORT ON NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF MICHIGAN, Larry
> Posont,
>
> President, National Federation of the Blind of Michigan. I am finding
> that patience and
>
> waiting to make major decisions is better. Larry Posont allowed Ed
> Rodgers to bury himself.
>
> The Federation was quiet and said things but did not issue a press
> release. The Federation
>
> hired a public relations company. We thanked people. Biggby Coffee and
> others did the
>
> work. The Federation is correct about the State Plate. Zimmer said the
> State Plate will be
>
> run by a licensed vendor. The effort of the National Federation of the
> Blind of Michigan on
>
> the State Plate will give a job to a blind person. We cannot accept the
> prevalent work to
>
> welfare attitude in Michigan. The National Federation of the Blind of
> Michigan will look at
>
> options and protect the interests of the vending and rehabilitation
> program. We will
>
> continue to document and prevail. The current administration will be gone
> but the
>
> Federation will still be here. We are willing to go to the streets to
> write letters to hire
>
> attorneys and to meet with anyone. The National Federation of the Blind
> of Michigan gave
>
> the Governor everything to make the agency top notch but he did nothing.
> Both Democrat and
>
> Republican administrations did nothing. Ed Rodgers is writing his legacy.
> National
>
> Federation of the Blind of Michigan history is good and we know
> rehabilitation.
>
> Rehabilitation works if it is done properly. If you are blind and black
> and poor in Detroit
>
> you do not get services. Qualified blind people must be hired but it will
> take time. A
>
> separate agency is correct. We are blamed but that is okay. There is a
> vending location at
>
> the Capitol' with a snack bar and internet site' but what record does the
> agency have in
>
> following through. A blind person can do any job in the country. When
> the National
>
> Federation of the Blind visits the legislature, visuals are good like the
> tin cup. The
>
> government and the agency do not want to see signs and pencils and the
> tin cup. Protests
>
> should occur at ten so that it can be reported on the news at 6:00. The
> tin cup will be
>
> paraded from 12:00 to 1:00 when the Legislature is in session. The web
> site is developing
>
> every day. Someone wanted to know about rehabilitation choice. As a
> result, it is on our
>
> web site. Larry Posont is concerned about Newsline funding" This must be
> solved with all of
>
> us working together. Larry Posont says being President is a high honor
> after having five
>
> children. He learns from each of us. This organization is a great
> organization to belong
>
> to. Larry Posont thanks all of us.
> Resolutions, Dave Robinson.
> NATIONAL Convention Where and When?
> National Convention will be in Orlando in early July at one of the Rosen
> properties. Fund
>
> Raising for National Convention will be worked on during the next quarter.
>
> STATE CONVENTION Locations for Next Year? The Holiday Inn Gateway in Flint
> is not junk. It
>
> is $89.00 per night for next year. Suggested State Convention dates
> include the third week
>
> end in October or the first week end in November.
> WASHINGTON Seminar 2014? J.J. Meddaugh moved to have the Affiliate pay
> for two rooms for
>
> three nights for Washington Seminar. Dave Robinson seconded the motion.
> The motion was
>
> adopted. Elizabeth Mohnke moved to allocate 1,000 at the discretion of
> the President to
>
> anyone seeking assistance to attend Washington Seminar. Fred Wurtzel
> seconded the motion.
>
> The motion passed.
> STUDENT DIVISION REPORT. The Student Division Board includes Jordyn
> Castor, President, Vice
>
> President, Kim Mohnke, Secretary, Matt McCubbin, Treasurer, J.J.
> Meddaugh. The Board
>
> includes: Donna Posont, Lizzie Kazmiarski and Cheryl Stahl.
> Merchant's Division Report, Terry Eagle. The Merchant's Division Board
> includes: President,
>
> Terry Eagle, Vice PRESIDENT, Joe Sontag, A general Council and a special
> appointed council
>
> were appointed to deal with our law problems.
> The Guide Dog Committee set up a conference call for the first Sunday of
> the month around
>
> seven. Welcome to Derek and Ozzie from Grand Rapids. CHAPTER Reports:
> Ann Arbor is
>
> growing, but needs members. A new person who showed up was sent to the
> training center for
>
> just five weeks and needing skills of blindness. Leonard Gross, PRESIDENT
> of the Detroit
>
> Chapter, says they meet at 261 Mac. Meetings are the second Saturday of
> the month. Detroit
>
> has six new members. Grand Rapids intends to communicate on Tv and radio
> about the new
>
> chapter. Derek Moore is the new President. The new chapter will meet on
> the third or
>
> fourth Saturday of the month. The Jackson Information Resource Fair at
> Westwood Mall will
>
> be developed and expanded. At Guys was there. The Jackson Chapter has
> eighteen members. A
>
> thirteen-year-old won a Cctv. The Chapter meets the second Thursday of
> each month at Seas
>
> Ranch. Six people are going to Baltimore from the Jackson Chapter. The
> Kalamazoo
>
> reorganization meeting occurred. Five or six people attended. The
> Kalamazoo Chapter will
>
> meet on the second Tuesday of each month, at the Trinity Reform Church,
> from 6:00 to 8:00
>
> Pddm.. The Lansing Chapter meets the third Monday of the month, at the
> Sparrow Professional
>
> Building. Lansing is having a fund raiser at Noodles and Company. The
> President will speak
>
> to local organizations about the National Federation of the Blind of
> Michigan. The Lansing
>
> Christmas Party is on December 7. The Members at Large Chapter is
> inactive because the
>
> President is not able to continue. A new date will be set for meetings.
> It is a chapter
>
> over the phone. The white cane list is provided by Nick Wilcox and can be
> used for
>
> membership. The Wayne County Chapter has 17 members. Seven are at State
> convention. Wayne
>
> County meets the first Saturday of each month at Leon's. The Wayne County
> Chapter is fund
>
> raising selling 2014 calendars with 18th and 19th century paintings on
> them.
> NEW Business: The next birding class is November 3, at the Leslie Science
> Center. Donna
>
> Posont asked the NATIONAL Federation of the Blind of Michigan to fund the
> winter birding
>
> week end. Elizabeth Mohnke moved to allocate 1,000 for the Winter Birding
> week end put on
>
> by Donna Posont. The motion was seconded and approved. Fred Wurtzel
> moved to hold a Senior
>
> Fair at the 2014 State Convention. The motion passed.
>
> "Marcus Simmons announced that any vehicle that is substantially complete,
> and can be towed can be donated to the National Federation of the Blind.
> You must have the title and key. The NATIONAL Federation of the Blind
> will
> transport the vehicle to an auction site and the proceeds go to the
> National
> Federation of the Blind".
> Amanda Markum and Jeff Crouch did an excellent job with the sound. The
> position papers will
>
> be placed on the web site. The NATIONAL Federation of the Blind of
> Michigan will be placed
>
> on social media. A group must be appointed to update the mailing list.
> Mike Powell, Dave
>
> Robinson and Kim Mohnke will update the mailing list.
> Mike Powell moved to adjourn at 12:12. The meeting was Adjourned.
>
>
> RESOLUTION 2013-01
> A Resolution to Re-establish the Michigan
> Commission for the Blind through an Act of the Legislature
> WHEREAS, Executive Order 2012 - 10 abolishes the Board of
> Commissioners,
> established by Public Act 260 of 1978, as amended, section 393.352 of
> Michigan Compiled
> Laws; and
> WHEREAS, The abolition of the Michigan Commission for the
> Blind Board
> of
> Commissioners under Executive Order 2012 - 10 eliminates the Commission
> board's
> participation to develop and set the policies that affect the lives of
> blind citizens
> both
> personally and professionally; and
> WHEREAS, Executive Order 2012 -10 does not comply with PA
> 260 of
> 1978
> and the Executive Organization Act of 1965 and other federal regulations
> required
> under the Rehabilitation Services Administration as the Board of
> Commissioners has
> been
> abolished and replaced with an Advisory Board. The Advisory Board is only
> to advise
> the Director of the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons; and
> WHEREAS, Executive order 2012-10 grants to The director of
> Licensing
> and
> Regulatory Affairs the authority to make final agency decisions related to
> grievances
> filed under due process rights granted by promulgated rules against the
> department
> providing no fair and impartial review and judgment of such adjudication,
> thereby
> creating an unethical conflict of interest: Now, therefore,
> BE
> IT RESOLVED that the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan in
> convention
> assembled this 20th day of October, 2013, in
> the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan causes the Michigan
> Legislature to enact a bill to abolish the Bureau of Services for Blind
> Persons and
> the
> position of Director and to re-establish the Michigan Commission for the
> Blind, The
> Board of Commissioners and position of Director, and all other rights to
> the Commission
> Board found in P.A. 260.
>
> RESOLUTION 2013-02
> A Resolution Related to Program Access and BSBP
> WHEREAS, all Vocational Rehabilitation entities, including
> the Michigan
> Bureau of Services for Blind Persons, (BSBP) have long ago been required
> to provide
> "program access" to all the facilities it uses on a daily basis and to
> hold hearings,
> meetings and events in fully accessible facilities, even to the point of
> signing
> assurances with the Rehabilitation Services Administration annually that
> it does
> fully comply with these long-standing obligations; and
> WHEREAS, one of those long-standing requirements was, and
> is to have
> raised character Braille signage mounted on every permanent room, nearest
> the latch
> side of each door in accordance with American with Disabilities Act
> Guidelines (3.40.1,
> 4, 5, and 6); and
> WHEREAS, all such barriers were to have been removed under
> the required
> ADA transition plan by no later than July 26, 1995, exist to this very day
> in most,
> if not all, facilities used by the BSBP; and
> WHEREAS, the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
> are civil
> rights laws requiring affirmative action; and therefore these inactions by
> the BSBP
> constitute not only gross dereliction of known duties and deliberate
> indifference
> to these civil rights laws, but also must be considered malicious and
> intentional
> acts of mass discrimination; and
> WHEREAS, members of, and indeed the entire state affiliate
> of the
> National Federation of the Blind of Michigan (NFBMI), have promoted the
> full application
> of these requirements repeatedly over the years along with documenting
> violations;
> and
> WHEREAS, the NFBMI has long promoted Braille, including its
> use in
> the building environment, for reasons obvious to all: Now, therefore
> BE IT RESOLVED
> that the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan in convention
> assembled this
> 20th day of October, 2013, in
> the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan will
> lodge a formal Complaint forthwith with the Office of Civil Rights (OCR)
> in the
> United States Department of Education, along with supporting
> documentation, on behalf
> of all its members, and indeed all people who are blind in the State of
> Michigan,
> against the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and
> the Bureau
> of Services for Blind Persons as an entity; and
> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that as a part of this Complaint,
> the NFBMI
> urges OCR to promptly enforce our individual and collective civil rights
> and to make
> the class whole as its charge.
>
> RESOLUTION 2013-03
> Bureau of Services for Blind Persons Lack of Compliance
> WHEREAS, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires the
> following:
> 1. Public hearings for the gathering of information regarding the State
> Plan for
> provision of rehabilitation services;
> 2. The State Rehabilitation Council requires representation from all
> disability groups;
> 3. Information related to the provision of services
> . and consumer rights be provided in an accessible format as the preferred
> format
> of the individual;
> 4. Consumers are afforded choice in development and implementation of
> their Individualized
> Plan for Employment with regard to career choices and service providers;
> 5. Individuals who are beneficiaries of SSI and SSDI shall not be required
> to contribute
> such benefits toward the fulfillment of their individualized plan for
> employment;
> and
> WHEREAS, the experiences of blind consumers of
> rehabilitation services
> and the most recent findings of the Federal Monitoring Report of 2009
> demonstrates
> a total lack of regard for the above requirements; and
> WHEREAS, not withstanding the individual and collective
> pleas of
> blind consumers to the Rehabilitation Services Administration, including
> to the Commissioner
> of RSA directly, to address and to correct failure to comply with the
> provisions
> of the Act, and nothing has been done: Now, therefore,
> BE IT RESOLVED
> that the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan in convention
> assembled this
> 20th day of October, 2013, in
> the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan
> calls upon the Rehabilitation Services Administration to take immediate
> and affirmative
> steps to fully enforce the Rehabilitation Act and its regulations with
> regard to
> the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSB P) to ensure ongoing
> oversight of BSBP
> operation and administration, including particular attention to consumer
> choice,
> public input, the illegal requirement that SSI and SSDI beneficiaries
> contribute
> to their employment plan, the appropriate composition of the State
> Rehabilitation
> Council and remediation of all findings of the Federal Monitoring Report.
>
> RESOLUTION 2013-04
> Right to Due Process Administrative Hearings
> WHEREAS, all entities of State and local government are
> required
> to follow the effective communications requirements of the Americans with
> Disabilities
> Act of 1990, including the obligation to affirmatively, let alone upon
> request, remit
> information in alternate formats to people who are blind; and
> WHEREAS, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
> requires that
> all recipients of federal funds provide auxiliary aids and services to
> those who
> are blind; and
> WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court found in
> Tennessee v Lane
> that state and local courts are not immune from these obligations and,
> indeed, have
> high responsibilities in these regards, for lack of access fundamentally
> denies "due
> process and equal protection under the law"; and
> WHEREAS, the Michigan Administrative Hearing Systems (MAHS)
> is both
> a Title II entity, federal fund recipient and an administrative law
> program where
> blind Business Enterprise Program participants and advocates, as well as
> others,
> routinely appear to seek justice and receive due process and equal
> protection under
> laws, including Public Act 260 of 1978 as well as major aspects of the
> Rehabilitation
> Act; and
> WHEREAS, MAHS, in documented fashion and principals
> therein, have
> repeatedly denied advocates, petitioners and respondents who are blind
> information
> in accessible formats and in a timely manner; and
> WHEREAS, these are systemic, chronic, pervasive and
> fundamental violations
> of the civil rights of all
> Michigan
> citizens who are blind, as a class, by failure to act affirmatively in
> these regards;
> and
> WHEREAS, the Michigan Bureau of Services for Blind Persons
> has also
> been complicit in not only ensuring that MAHS follows these laws, but
> rather, has
> repeatedly violated these very same provisions of the law in these
> administrative
> proceedings which are in and of themselves conscious and malicious acts of
> discrimination
> perpetuated repeatedly against numerous blind individuals: Now,
> therefore,
> BE IT RESOLVED that the National Federation of the Blind of
> Michigan
> in convention assembled this 20th day of October, 2013, in
> the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan
> will lodge a Complaint forthwith against the Michigan Department of
> Licensing and
> Regulatory Affairs (MAHS's parent), MAHS, and The
> Bureau of Services for Blind Persons within the United States Department
> of Justice,
> Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section, and the civil rights
> office of
> the United States Attorney for Michigan.
>
> RESOLUTION 2013-05
> Effective Communications and the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons
> WHEREAS, Title I of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires
> that all
> Vocational Rehabilitation agencies, including the Michigan Bureau of
> Services for
> Blind Persons (BSBP) communicates effectively through "appropriate modes
> of communication:
> with all customers; and
> WHEREAS, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of
> 1990 (Subpart
> e, Communications) requires that all entities of State and local
> government provide
> information to all people who are blind in their most effective format and
> in a timely
> manner, including, of course, all those engaged with the Michigan Bureau
> of Services
> for Blind Persons; and
> WHEREAS, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
> requires the
> same; and
> WHEREAS, it has been documented over the years that BSBP does
> not,
> in all cases, remit timely materials in Braille, audio, electronic, or
> large print
> even after continued requests from customers, Business Enterprise Program
> licensees
> and members of the public who are blind; and
> WHEREAS, these documented and ongoing breaches of civil
> rights laws
> delay, deny and otherwise inhibit delivery of required services and "due
> process
> and equal protection" under these laws and thus constitute systemic,
> chronic and
> pervasive acts of discrimination against people who are blind in the State
> of Michigan;
> and
> WHEREAS, the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan
> is the
> leading advocate for the rights of all the blind of Michigan, and believes
> such violations
> of the law by the BSBP denies blind persons of their right to equal access
> and such
> violations could be readily corrected by the BSBP: Now, therefore,
> BE IT RESOLVED
> that the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan in convention
> assembled this
> 20th day of October, 2013, in
> the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan
> will file a Complaint forthwith to the United States Department of
> Education's Office
> of Civil Rights against the Michigan Bureau of Services for Blind Persons
> detailing
> the chronic acts of discrimination and demanding prompt compliance with
> all applicable
> laws in these regards.
>
> RESOLUTION 2013-06
> A Resolution to Promote
> STEM and Braille
> WHEREAS, there is national recognition that Science,
> Technology, Engineering
> and Math (STEM) fields of study are not being engaged in by sufficient
> numbers of
> all students; and
> WHEREAS, historically, blind students have been excluded or
> limited
> in their participation in STEM careers and fields of study in K-12 and
> higher education;
> and
> WHEREAS, such pioneers as Dr. Abraham Nemeth Gereig Vermeij and Cary
> Supalo, among
> many others have shown that given the opportunity and training blind
> people can excel
> in STEM careers on terms of equality with their sighted peers; and
> WHEREAS, Dr. Abraham Nemeth resided in Michigan for most of his adult life
> and was
> the world's premier inventor and innovator of the Braille reading and
> writing system
> after Louis Braille, himself; and
> WHEREAS, The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan (NFBMI declares
> its ongoing
> commitment to Braille as a fundamental means of access to equality with
> our sighted
> peers; and
> WHEREAS, Braille literacy in America and in
> Michigan
> has decreased to a morbidly unacceptable rate; and
> WHEREAS, the NFBMI has actively been engaged in the support and promotion
> of Braille
> by sponsoring a Braille Literacy law; and
> WHEREAS, for the past 4 years the NFBMI has been a leader in providing
> opportunities
> for blind youth to gain experience in and learn about STEM and Braille
> activities
> through summer science and Braille camping programs and birding and nature
> education
> programs; and
> WHEREAS, our primary base of operations has been
> Camp Tuhsmeheta
> through various agreements with Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind
> (OUB); and
> WHEREAS, Camp Tuhsmeheta
> remains an attractive and rich possible site for future STEM activities;
> and
> WHEREAS, ongoing attempts to negotiate satisfactory agreements with OUB
> have yielded
> less than satisfactory results; and
> WHEREAS, the NFBMI wishes to use its energy to focus on programming and
> not to have
> to be concerned with tangential contractual and philosophical matters; and
> WHEREAS, the OUB Board has continued to drift further from an acceptable
> philosophical
> base for working with blind adults and youth; and
> WHEREAS, a tipping point has been reached which makes it preferable to
> seek new
> relationships and create STEM programs which meet our academic standards
> and are
> presented within a positive philosophy of blindness which affirms that any
> blind
> student can successfully engage in STEM activities and enjoy a supportive,
> encouraging
> environment and understand that all activities, policies and practices
> maintain the
> highest expectations for all participants and employees: Now, therefore,
> BE IT RESOLVED
> that the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan in convention
> assembled this
> 20th day of October, 2013, in
> the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan
> adopt as an ongoing project the active presentation of STEM and Braille
> training
> to youth in any setting or season deemed appropriate for such teaching;
> and
> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization actively seek
> out and
> expend funds and enter into contractual or other agreements necessary to
> provide
> high quality teaching programs, employees and goods and services which
> conform to
> the principles set forth herein; and
> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization support STEM
> and Braille
> teaching staff and administrators by funding board approved positions,
> salaries,
> training, acquiring equipment and materials and paying reasonable expenses
> including
> travel, room and board and related expenses under the guidance and
> oversight of the
> President and board of this organization.
>
> RESOLUTION 2013-07
> Reopening and Expanding Business Employment Opportunities for the Blind
> through the
> Michigan Business
> Enterprise Program
> WHEREAS, the Michigan Business Enterprise Program (BEP) of the Bureau of
> Services
> for Blind Persons (BSBP) has a rich history of providing business
> employment opportunities
> to blind persons through the Randolph Shepherd Act and Regulations, and
> Public Act
> 260 of 1978 as amended and
> WHEREAS, the BEP is the single largest employer of blind
> persons within
> the state of
> Michigan
> ; and
> WHEREAS, over a period of years the business employment
> opportunities
> for the blind have gradually declined from a program high of 119 vending
> facilities
> to a current low of 72 vending facilities due to systemic factors as well
> as unqualified
> and incompetent management and unethical and illegal business and
> administrative
> practices; and
> WHEREAS, such practices have resulted in the closure of locations, the
> failure to
> appropriately maintain and remodel existing facilities, discrimination
> against qualified
> blind individuals and the ongoing use of ineligible unqualified sighted
> persons:
> Now, therefore,
> BE IT RESOLVED that the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan (
> NFBMI) in convention
> assembled this 20th
> day of October, 2013, in the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan condemns and
> deplores
> the actions of the BEP leading to the decline in the number of business
> employment
> opportunities for blind persons; and
> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the NFBMI demand compliance with all
> applicable program
> laws, rules and regulations; and
> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this organization demands that Governor
> Snyder take
> immediate action to protect job opportunities for blind people in
> Michigan
> by ordering that all state officials comply with all BEP laws, rules and
> regulations
> and re-establish sound business practices in the BEP.
>
> RESOLUTION 2013-08
> Guide Dog Statute Changes
> WHEREAS, the Michigan penal code Michigan Compiled Laws
> 750.502 includes
> a provision making it a misdemeanor for any responsible person to prohibit
> a person
> who is blind or disabled from entering a public facility with a guide dog
> or service
> dog; and
> WHEREAS, this same statute includes a number of provisions
> that violate
> The Americans With Disabilities Act and stand in stark contrast to white
> cane type
> statutes in other states; and
> WHEREAS, these include but are not limited to:
> 1. Requiring a guide dog handler or trainer to carry a photo ID certifying
> that the
> animal is a guide dog or service dog;
> 2. Requiring that guide dogs must wear a vest, harness, backpack or leash
> of blaze
> orange, identifying it as a service animal;
> 3. Requiring that the Department of Labor maintain a list of all schools
> and/or trainers
> That are certified to train guide dogs; and
> WHEREAS, the statute improperly refers to blind people
> and/or dog
> trainers as being led by their guide dogs rather than simply using the
> term "accompanied"
> and repeatedly uses the term "leader dog" which is a term of art used by
> one particular
> school and should not in the generic sense refer to a guide dog: Now,
> therefore,
> BE IT RESOLVED that the National Federation of the Blind of
> Michigan
> in convention assembled this 20
> th
> day of October, 2013, in the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan take all
> appropriate
> and necessary steps, including working closely with the state legislature
> to amend
> Michigan Compiled Law 750.502 to bring it into compliance with the
> Americans With
> Disabilities Act and consistent with similar statutes in other states by
> removing
> the requirements involving specific identification or certification and
> eliminating
> references to guide dogs "leading" their handlers and removing the term
> "leader dog"
> from the language of the law.
>
> RESOLUTION 2013-09
> Abraham Nemeth Commendation
> WHEREAS, Dr. Abraham Nemeth has changed the lives of
> countless blind
> people through his pioneering work, creating the Nemeth Braille Code for
> Mathematics
> and Scientific Notation; and
> WHEREAS, the Nemeth Code continues to make it possible for
> blind
> men and women to pursue careers in the fields of science, technology,
> engineering
> and mathematics, supporting themselves and their families and changing the
> public
> perception of blindness in a positive way; and
> WHEREAS, Michiganders blind and sighted, would profit by
> knowing
> about the life and work of this inspiring man who happened to be blind:
> Now, therefore,
> BE IT RESOLVED that the National Federation of the Blind of
> Michigan
> in convention assembled this 20
> th
> day of October, 2013, in the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan call upon the
> Michigan
> Legislature to formally and officially recognize the pioneering work and
> remarkable
> life of Dr. Abraham Nemeth and designate October 16 of each year as Dr.
> Abraham Nemeth
> Day in Michigan in remembrance of his birthday and accomplishments.
>
>
>
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