[nfbmi-talk] still not responded to racial questions bsbp

[joe harcz Comcast]

To this date you Mr. Rogers has not responded to these questions....

They certainly deserve an answer.

Sincerely,

Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.
June 17 2014 7OB Racism Questions

 

    Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.

1365 E. Mt. Morris, MI 48458

joeharcz at comcast.net

810-516-5262

 

To:

Edward Rodgers, Director

Bureau Services for Blind Persons

Leemon Jones, BSBP

Sue luzenski, Administrative Assistant

(Via e-mail)

 

Dear Mr. Rodgers et all,

 

I point your attention to the following segment of BSBP’s Fiscal Year 2013 7OB report on its Title VII program (independent living/older blind):

 

“3. Number of Minority Individuals Served

 

244

 

63

 

-181”

 

I can only stare with “shock and awe” at this drop in services for minorities who are blind in BSBP’s older blind program. The facts are and it is well documented in multiple sources that racial minority groups are indeed more likely to go blind than those of Caucasian backgrounds. In facts studies show that amongst Hispanics alone people are six times more likely to become blind. Similar statistics are there for the African-American community.

 

Yet again with more resources than the prior Fiscal Year BSBP served a startling reduction to blind persons of color over the age of 55, or other minorities.

 

What can explain these statistics sir?

 

Similar issues have been prevalent in BSBP’s VR program for years, but seem to be escalating under your Directorship.

 

Could it be stated given evidence, statistically based here that there is disparate treatment of Michigander’s who are blind and a racial minority, if not outright racial animus going on here?

 

Sincerely,

 

Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.

Cc: TB, RSA

Cc: MI SILC, ED and Chair

Cc: NFB MI

Cc: CAP/MPAS

Cc: several