[nfbmi-talk] Question on ADA at Capitol

Fri Jun 12 13:18:46 UTC 2015

With regard to the celebration of the ADA 25th anniversary, I have one
question to ask that will truly focus on the celebration and the ADA, and
the answer should dictate the appropriate response as to any participation
in any ADA CELEBRATION.  What specifically, by example, do We the blind
citizens of Michigan have to CELEBRATE about 25 years of the ADA?

Should the answer be as I surmise, my suggestion is not to participate in an
event that is being organized by the same individuals and entities charged
with carrying out the spirit and word of the law and regulations, and, I
submit,  have done ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to comply with the law and regulations
to provide the benefits intended in the law and regulations,to We the blind,
and persons with other disAbilities.    

Do you know that most public events at Our state capitol are held and
celebrated on the east steps and landing of the capitol.  Do you also know
that the 25th ADA celebration is planned to be held on the lawn of the
capitol surrounding those same steps and landing?  Why is it being planned
for the lawn instead of the steps and landing?  Simply because the steps and
landing are NOT ACCESSIBLE to persons with mobility disabilities, and many
attempts to make the steps and landing accessible to accommodate use of the
steps and landing by persons with mobility disabilities, including and among
other attempts, the idea of a portable ramp and/or chair lift,  have only
met with resistance and total inaction by the persons and entities planning
and sponsoring the so called celebration.  So you can see We the blind are
not alone in there being nothing to celebrate the ADA.

As to Martha's comment,it is not that We the blind have not met with, and
reached out to state officials about the multitude of ADA-related violations
and shortcomings.  We have met with LARA,and  BS4BP, and have written to the
governor, Lt. Governor, Civil Service, State Capitol, and have only gotten
lip-service and empty promises.  It is notable that the lip-service and
empty promises have been on the part of both Republican and Democrat
administrations.  As an example, Patrick Cannon held the title of State ADA
Coordinator, appointed by Democrat governor Granholm, and for 8 years
absolutely none of the ADA violations facing blind persons were addressed or
resolved.  Likewise, und Republican governor Snyder, Edward Rodgers have
done absolutely nothing to address a dirty laundry list of ADA violations
including, but truly not limited to, access to the administrative hearing
system, inaccessibility to the Detroit Cadillac Place BS4BP offices, BS4BP
client application and IPE materials not being provided in accessible
formats; BEP trainees and licensed operators that are not provided materials
in Braille or large-print;  a civil service application process that can no
longer be accessed by We screen readers to apply for state employment;
students that cannot get books and materials in a usable format in a timely
manner or at all; and the MSRC that is charged with involvement and alleged
oversight of the state vocational rehabilitation plan and services, which
only blows off complaints of ADA and Rehabilitation Act violations, and on
and on and on the ADA violations could be listed.  Again, what do We the
blind have to celebrate with regard to the ADA.   

Based upon my research, the only avenue that ADA progress has taken place
across the nation, is through the U.S. Department of Justice complaint
process and litigation.  Of course, that requires action, and frankly the
NFB, in my opinion, does not have the active involvement or interest of
leadership to put together the necessary plan and follow through to do that
which needs to be done to address the ADA and Rehabilitation Act violations.
More meetings and receipt of lip-service is not the appropriate solution.

Back to the planned ADA celebration, what is truly needed is the planning of
a massive protest demonstration, to be held concurrent with the alleged
celebration, to bring media and public attention to the fact that We the
blind and persons with other disabilities have NOTHING to celebrate for 25
years of the ADA under both Republican and Democrat state administrations.
To act otherwise as participants in an alleged celebration, in my opinion,
only give a stamp of approval to 25 years of inaction, and a license to
continue such non-compliance and law-breaking.

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbmi-talk [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Martha
via nfbmi-talk
Sent: Friday, June 12, 2015 7:23 AM
To: NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List
Cc: marthaamoore at yahoo.com
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] Question on ADA at Capitol

Fred,

As part of that plan, why not go straight to the governor’s office and get
direct audience? My pardons, perhaps this has already occurred with no
action?

Like your idea/plan.

Sent from Windows Mail

From: NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List
Sent: ‎Thursday‎, ‎June‎ ‎11‎, ‎2015 ‎10‎:‎04‎ ‎PM
To: NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List
Cc: Fred Wurtzel

Hi Dave,

This is important and worth doing.  We ought to map out a plan, then work
that plan.  It seems clear to me that those charged with enforcement cannot
or will not do their duty. However, we need to use all channels which exist
to accomplish our goal, including filing formal complaints and keeping track
of process.   

We need to begin well before the 17th with some kind of public offensive and
not let up.  We need to be willing to meet with those who can fix the
problems and get some kind of action.  We need to be the lead and not be
waiting for someone else to act.  We cannot simply dismiss talking to the
perpetrators because they have performed poorly in the past.  If necessary,
we need to camp out in their offices, lobbies and hallways until they have
meaningful dialogue with us.  Only the state government can fix the things
needing fixing.  We need to create the incentives and pressure to make them
do it. 

This seems pretty straight-forward.  It is most certainly within our scope
of ability and resources.  

Warmest Regards,

Fred

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbmi-talk [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of David
Robinson via nfbmi-talk
Sent: Thursday, June 11, 2015 9:28 PM
To: NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List
Cc: David Robinson
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] Question on ADA at Capitol

Dear Federationists, 

   As many of you know, a celebration recognizing the 25th anniversary of
the Americans with Disabilities Act. will be held at the State Capitol in
Lansing on September 17.  The question to answer is how we as the NFB of
Michigan respond to this activity?  
   Compliance to the ADA should have been made years ago, and yet in
Michigan we see no progress. In fact, we are regressing.  Even the State
Capitol is not in compliance and not one state building is in compliance,
So we have a big show with no results.  The state officials make a claim of
compliance, but as most of us know, they are not.  We cannot even get
braille or electronic docuuments from the agency for the blind.  
   It is important that we address this issue and not let the wrong message
be carried to the public.  What do we do and how do we do it to get our
message. The message that is true and the one we must live with every day?

Dave
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