[nfbmi-talk] Fw: FOIA Response to Request for Informaton on DHS Collaborative Agreement

[joe harcz Comcast]

This goes to whether or not the SRC for Michigan "rubber stamps" the bogus State PLan of the Michigan Bureau of Services for Blind Persons which is riddled with outright lies and outright failures tio implement Title I of the Rehabilitation Act in its programs and services.

And DHS is still inaccessable to this blind person as they sent me just last week print documents related to their programs even after so-called mediation and agreements to follow the ADA. Moreover its bridge online application program and other components of its web site are still inaccessable to people who are blind.

All quite documented.

Joe Harcz

Joe Harcz
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Haynes, Carla (LARA) 
To: joe harcz Comcast 
Cc: Rodgers, Edward (LARA) ; Luzenski, Sue (LARA) ; Pemble, Mike (LARA) ; Belknap, Katie (LARA) ; Jones, Leamon (LARA) ; Gaston, Diamalyn (LARA) 
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2014 8:50 AM
Subject: FOIA Response to Request for Informaton on DHS Collaborative Agreement


June 19, 2014

 

Mr. Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.

E-mail: joeharcz at comcast.net

1365 E. Mt. Morris Rd.

Mt. Morris, MI 48458

 

Re:  FOIA Response to Request for Information on DHS Collaborative Agreement

 

Dear Mr. Harcz, Jr.:

 

This email is in response to your June 12, 2014, email request for information, received by this office on June 13, 2014.  Please be advised that the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) is processing this request under the state's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq.

 

You have requested information as described in your email (which is also below) as:

 

"Now for one I am requesting a copy of this ccolloborative agreement in accessible format pursuant to known obligations under the ADA and Section 504."

 

In order to determine the extent of the research time, the size and number of records of nonexempt information within BSBP responsive to your request, a search must be undertaken.  For this reason, it is necessary to extend the time for response, as permitted by Section 5(2)(d) of the FOIA, through July 2, 2014.

 

If it is determined that there is a cost involved in the processing of this request, you will be sent an email which will include an invoice outlining

 

FOIA Response - P.J. Harcz, Jr.

June 19, 2014

Page 2 of 2

 

 

 

 

that cost (before or no later than July 2, 2014).  This email may either request a deposit (if the cost is over $50.00) or request payment of the total cost if the amount is under $50.00.

 

Please note that nothing within the federal American with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (RA), as amended, or the state's FOIA (MCL 15.231 et seq.) requires a public body to process FOIA requests free of charge.  Further, while the ADA and Section 504 of the RA may mandate that, upon request, material be produced in an accessible format without charge, neither the ADA or Section 504 of the RA preclude a public body from charging costs under the state's FOIA. Thusly, please note that no labor fee charges have been, or will be, assessed to convert existing, nonexempt public records responsive to your requests into an accessible format to forward to you.

 

Sincerely,

 

Carla Miller Haynes, FOIA Coordinator

Bureau of Services for Blind Persons

 

Attachment:  Email Request for Information

 

cc:     Edward F. Rodgers II

Sue Luzenski

          Mike Pemble

Katie Belknap

Leamon Jones

Diamalyn Gaston



From: joe harcz Comcast [mailto:joeharcz at comcast.net]  

Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2014 3:36 PM 

To: Rodgers, Edward (LARA) 

Cc: Marlene Malloy MCRS Dir.; Michael Poyma VA MCRS; BRIAN SABOURIN; Luzenski, Sue (LARA); Sally 

Conway USDOJ; Levy, Daniel (MDCR); Elmer Cerano MPAS; MARK CODY; MARK MCWILLIAMS MPAS 

Subject: bsbp dhs colloboration etc

 

June 11 2014 DHS Collaborative Agreement

 

Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.

1365 E. Mt. Morris Rd.

Mt. Morris, MI 48458

joeharcz at comcast.net

810-516-5262

 

To: Edward Rodgers, Director

Mich. Bureau Services for Blind Persons (BSBP)

 

Dear Mr. Rodgers,

 

I am writing today to point out the following section of the BSBP Draft State Plan:

 

"The BSBP collaborative agreement with the Department of Human Services (DHS) provides services to that enable families and individuals to move toward independence.  The BSBP may refer consumers to the MDHS for determination of eligibility for a variety of services including the Family Independence Program (FIP-cash assistance); Food Assistance Program (FAP); Child Day Care (CDC); Medical Assistance (MA); State Emergency Relief (SER); Adult Services which includes - Adult Protective Services, Independent Living Services and Adult Community Placement Services. BSBP and DHS has collaborated and developed an amendment to the agreement to provide services to individuals that are in need of state disability services prior to becoming eligible for SSI or SSDI. These individuals will work with BSBP and DHS in the development of an individualized plan for employment (IPE) in order to be a recipient of State Disability Assistance (SDA).  BSBP and DHS will collaborate to reduce the dependency on permanent disability benefits and promote opportunities for disabled citizens to actively participate in their communities and workforce by maximization/coordination of government, private agency and business resources to assist individuals with disabilities to enter or re-enter the workforce; improving the health and well-being of individuals with disabilities by promoting work participation; de-emphasizing disability as a de facto public assistance program; and refocusing efforts on assisting as many individuals with disabilities, as well as transitioning youth  to enter or return to the workforce."

 

 

Now for one I am requesting a copy of this ccolloborative agreement in accessible format pursuant to known obligations under the ADA and Section 504.

 

Moreover, I wish to point out that DHS has persistently violated my rights and those of countless blind applicants for services in that it does not have a fully accessible web site, facilities and does not provide applicants with accessible information in a timely manner and does not provide other reasonable accommodations even after written requests.

 

As one who does have a common relationship it is incumbent upon BSBP to ensure full compliance of this entity. Besides you are the acknowledged experts on these matters right?

 

Sincerely,

 

Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.

 

Cc: MCRS

Cc: Sharon Alston Ellis, MI ADA Compliance

Cc:  BSBP Commissioners

Cc: MPAS

Cc: US DOJ Civil Rights Division Disability Rights Section

Cc: Dan Levy Mich. Civil Rights Commission

Cc: NFB MI

Cc: several

 

 

 

 

Carla Miller Haynes

LARA Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP)

201 N. Washington Square, 2nd Floor

P.O. Box 30652

Lansing, MI  48909

Telephone:  517-373-2063 or Toll-Free 1-800-292-4200

Fax:  517-335-5140

 

www.michigan.gov/bsbp

 
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