[nfbmi-talk] The new governmental Affairs list

Tue Nov 4 00:57:25 UTC 2014

Indeed, if this and any issue is related to, or refers to, any state or
federal governmental agency action or inaction umpacting the lives, careers,
rights of blind persons, it is inappropriate for post on this general
blindness list.  Apparently there is many  more important issues for
discussion that impact the lives of blind persons beyond governmental action
and inaction impact on the lives of blind persons.

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbmi-talk [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of joe
harcz Comcast via nfbmi-talk
Sent: Monday, November 03, 2014 6:48 PM
To: Larry Posont; NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] The new governmental Affairs list

Since this is used by Michigan governmental and government funded agencies 
here in Michigan is this resolution, the will of convention assembled at our

state convention off topic for this list serve:

Inaccessibility of Electronic Health Records in Michigan

WHEREAS, the transition from print-based medical records to electronic 
health records (EHRs) offers the opportunity to expand the circle of 
participation in the healthcare industry by giving blind providers 
mainstream access to systems and material that they need in order to do 
their jobs without the need for alternative formats, specialized services, 
and customized supports, and by giving blind patients private and equal 
access to their health records; and

WHEREAS, most current EHR technology is inaccessible to blind patients and 
blind people working in or pursuing work in the healthcare industry, 
creating new barriers that may ultimately drive blind people out of the 
industry altogether and prevent blind patients from having equal access to 
and privately viewing their records; and

WHEREAS, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 have been in effect

since 2008 and are the means by which EHR technology can be made accessible;

and

WHEREAS, blind patients and workers in the health care industry in Michigan 
are facing extreme and needless discrimination as a result of inaccessible 
EHR technology: Now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan in 
Convention assembled this 12th day of October, 2014, in the city of Flint, 
Michigan that we strongly demand compliance to all laws which insure our 
right to information and that the Department of Human Services, hospitals, 
outpatient physical health clinics, the Department of Community Health, the 
46 community mental health agencies/authorities and any healthcare provider 
that deploys HER technology proactively to demand without delay, 
accessibility from developers, since all of these entities are stakeholders 
in this matter and will never fully realize the benefits of EHR technology 
unless that technology is accessible to users with disabilities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that within 30 days this organization shall request 
legal consultation with our national office to determine if any declaratory,

injunctive relief, or any other legal remedies would be deemed appropriate.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Larry Posont via nfbmi-talk" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
To: "nfbmi-talk" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, November 03, 2014 5:32 PM
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] The new governmental Affairs list

> National Federation of the Blind of Michigan
> 7189 Connors Rd.
> Munising, MI 49862
>
> November 3, 2014
>
> Dear Michigan Federationists:
>
>     The new governmental Affairs list is here for Michigan. Please
> place all governmental content on this list rather than on the general
> NFBMI-Talk list serve. This would involve all matters of Legislation
> and all agency concerns such as freedom of information requests.
> Governmental Affairs information will be considered off topic on the
> NFBMI-Talk list. Placing Governmental Affairs information on the
> General list will make it necessary for me to remove you from that
> list. The new list is officially called
> Michigan-governmental-affairs
>
> To subscribe go to
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/michigan-governmental-affairs_nfbnet.
org
>
> 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.
>
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et 

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