[nfbmi-talk] better off working?

[joe harcz Comcast]

October 22, 2014 Better off Working BADP?

 

Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.

1365 E. Mt. Morris Rd.

Mt. Morris, MI 48458

joeharcz at comcast.net

810-516-5262

 

Edward Rodgers, Director

Mich. Bureau Services for Blind Persons (BSBP)

Mike Pemble, Deputy Director

Robert L. Essenberg, Director (BSBP/BADP)

 

(Via e-mail)

 

 

Sirs,

 

 

 

 

 

I point your attention to the following:

 

 

Quote from:

(Disability Reform Work Group
Strategic Plan
 

Developed by the Michigan Department of Human Services, Michigan Rehabilitation Services, Disability Determination Service, the Disability Network and Michigan Employers)
 

 

 

 

““BSBP also has programs that train blind individuals to become entrepreneurs. These programs will continue to grow to help blind individuals be successful in the workforce. The workgroup will review the programs to see if there are ways to make them most effective. 

 

Business Assistance and Development Program 

The Business Assistance and Development Program (BADP) is a new division within BSBP. Its mission and goal is to guide clients into areas of business assistance and development, with a training process focused on blind individuals learning business skills and developing knowledge of operating a business. The BADP will offer consulting services, development services, educational program, financial assistance and guidance for small and medium size businesses operated, managed or owned by entrepreneurs who are legally blind.  The Division will provide customer related services with various stakeholders and associations to encourage the growth of legally blind entrepreneurs in the private sector. Services may include training modules for legally blind individuals operating in the food service industry. For example, the latest Blind Enterprise Program facility in Lansing is also a training center for BADP clients. BADP is currently developing a resource guide to assist consumers in identifying external resources for potential blind entrepreneurs. “”

 

 

 

 

(Note this is from August 2014.)

 

 

 

Now I’m requesting in accessible format the above mentioned training modules and resource guide. They should be provided promptly to me as either Word or plain text attachments to my e-mail address listed above. Mr. Essen berg has had more than one year to develop these long promised instruments and a salary of $104,000. He also has had highly paid sighted, non-disabled administrators to assist him including Amanda Newman which is ironic as we’re talking about employing people with disabilities, and in particular those who are blind here and elsewhere.

 

In addition BADPP and “Cora’s Café” have been promoted here and elsewhere as a training program in food services. Yet, the Business Enterprise Training continues to fund a sighted trainer at more than $25,000 per session and those trainings such as they are are conducted at the Michigan Commission for the Blind Training Center, and will be so according to Ms. Lisa Kisial’s public comments at the recent NFB convention.

 

In addition Cora’s Café is currently run not by a licensed blind operator though it is a priority and mandated facility under PA 260 and is funded with VR funds to the hilt which aren’t accounted for. And finally there aren’t even any paid blind employees or others with other disabilities there.

 

So how can BSBP argue or state as it does that this is an effective program for establishing blind small business?

 

Regardless I wish to also request as a matter of accountability just how much BSBP has plowed in to BADP including all salaries, training, and expenses like on the Tim Hortons fiasco, capital equipment, rent, etc.

Since its inception.

 

This should not be difficult for a program promoting effective business practices to produce, It is, after all a matter of simple accounting and accountability.

Sincerely,

 

Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.

 

Cc: NFB MI

Cc: CAP/MPAS

Cc: MCRS

Cc: MI SILC

Cc: MZ, TDN

Cc: RSA

Cc: BSBP Commission

Cc: SM MI DN