[nfbmi-talk] updated Board Meeting minutes, National Federation of the Blind of Michigan October 20 2014
Marcus Simmons
president at map-n.org
Tue Feb 18 13:30:48 UTC 2014
I have sent a copy to my Rep and Senator.
----- Original Message -----
From: "joe harcz Comcast" <joeharcz at comcast.net>
To: "NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, February 18, 2014 6:42 AM
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] updated Board Meeting minutes,National Federation
of the Blind of Michigan October 20 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
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <trising at sbcglobal.net>
> To: "nfbmi List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, February 17, 2014 7:01 PM
> 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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