[nfbmi-talk] Do As We Say, Not As We Do . . .

[Christine Boone]

Well said.  Lt. Governor Calley has been giving us lip service since 2012…much to my chagrin.  
The state of Michigan does not give a tinker’s damn  about blind people and their rights, let alone striving to build a better future for people who are blind economically, physically, socially and legally.  .  I have written a long email about this hiring decision…but have not chosen to post it to the list.  

> On Sep 22, 2016, at 8:40 PM, Terry D. Eagle via NFBMI-Talk <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> The state says, as the state neither makes the Michigan Civil Service job
> application website accessible to users of screen reader software, and has
> only given lip service to the executive order urging state agencies to
> employ the "Hidden Talent" possessed by persons with disAbilities.
> 
> 
> 
> For the past 21 months I have been working with the general counsel of
> Michigan Civil Service Commission to make the civil service job application
> website accessible to screen reader users, by simply tagging the code for
> buttons and links, so a person using screen reader software can indepently
> complete the application and attach documents, without assistance from a
> sighted person.  I have been told it will be accessible by the end of this
> month; one week from now.  If isn't fully accessible I will take legal
> action for discrimination in equal opportunity employment.
> 
> 
> 
> I am also getting lip service from Lt. Gov. Calley's office on the executive
> order with regard to non-implementation of state agencies hiring of
> qualified persons with disAbilities.  The executive order appears to only be
> a media publicity stunt, as is the tour of Calley and Bernstein, as shown
> below in the article.  The state is saying, do as I say, not as I do!
> 
> 
> 
> In the article, it is notable that the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons
> was not among resources for private sector employers to contact for hiring
> of willing and able persons with disAbilities.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Calley and Bernstein team up for disability 
> 
> John Kennett, jkennett at mdn.net 
> 
> Published 10:32 am, Wednesday, September 21, 2016 
> 
> Photo Provided
> 
> The Midland Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the MI Hidden Talent Tour on
> Tuesday at the Midland Country Club. The tour emphasizes the employment of
> people with disabilities. From left, Midland County Administrator/Controller
> Bridgette Gransden, State Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein; Robyn
> Afrik, outreach program specialist for Meijer; Lt. Gov. Brian Calley; Jenny
> Piatt, Michigan Rehabilitation Services vocation rehabilitation manager; and
> Arnold Center President Charles Markey. 
> 
> 
> 
> Politics was pushed to the rear Tuesday as Lt. Gov. 
> 
> Brian Calley and Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein came
> together to discuss an important topic: employment of people with
> disabilities. 
> 
> 
> 
> Calley and Bernstein teamed up with panelists Charles Markey, Arnold Center
> president; 
> 
> Jenny Piatt, Michigan Rehabilitation Services vocation rehabilitation
> manager; and Robyn Afrik, outreach program specialist for Meijer; for the MI
> Hidden Talent Tour at the Midland Country Club. 
> 
> 
> 
> "We are not here to talk about charity today," said Calley, who has a
> daughter who struggles with autism. "We're talking about being intentional
> in finding and recognizing abilities that people have." 
> 
> 
> 
> For over a year now, Bernstein, a Democrat, and Calley, a Republican, have
> been sharing their passion for those with disabilities on the MI Hidden
> Talent Tour. "I love working with Lt. Gov. Calley, this is a person who
> really embodies what government is about: helping people, making a
> difference and using public service to transform and create a better life
> for the people you serve," said Bernstein, who is blind and has run a
> marathon in New York City with Calley. 
> 
> 
> 
> Speaking at the Midland Area Chamber of Commerce Third Quarter Membership
> Luncheon, Bernstein and Calley told a roomful of business owners and leaders
> that their companies can benefit from hiring Michiganders with disabilities.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> "I want you to be intentional about hiring a person with disabilities, not
> just being open to it, but doing it on purpose. They bring innovations,
> creativity, determination and perseverance. Just think what those qualities
> could bring to your workplace," Calley said. 
> 
> 
> 
> Life can be hard on everyone at times, but for those with disabilities, it
> tends to be a constant trial. 
> 
> 
> 
> "These are people who have struggled. But, the struggles make us great,"
> Bernstein said. "When you hire a disabled person, it's not about charity,
> it's about strength, it's about passion, it's about commitment, it's about
> energy, endurance, gratitude. It's about the idea that you know as a
> disabled person you are going to have to work harder, going to have to face
> more. When you come to the workplace, strength and passion goes into
> everything that you do." 
> 
> 
> 
> That passion can be a tremendous benefit for a company or organization.  
> 
> 
> 
> "If you hire us, we will provide you with that energy and that enthusiasm in
> everything we do.  This will allow for your organization to benefit from our
> presence because we realize the gift you are giving us. We have learned that
> the first lesson in life is that you take nothing for granted," he added. 
> 
> 
> 
> Employment is also be a tremendous boost for a person with a disability. 
> 
> 
> 
> "People with disabilities crave for those simple things in life that most
> people take for granted.  That's what drives us. You have to realize that
> when you give a disabled person a chance to get a job, to come to your
> office, to be in your community, you are going to have an energetic,
> enthusiastic and passionate employee. They realize how precious and
> meaningful it is," Bernstein said. 
> 
> 
> 
> Emcee Bridgette Gransden, Midland County controller/administrator, followed
> up Calley's and Bernstein's opening remarks by asking the panel, "Why is it
> important to focus on hiring Michiganders with disabilities?" 
> 
> 
> 
> Markey said the issue in Michigan is huge, with 81 percent of people with
> disabilities who want to work being unemployed. 
> 
> 
> 
> "With all our efforts we still haven't found the solution to find the right
> match between employers who have work and people who have abilities and
> match those up with custom employment. How can we better serve those with
> disabilities and match them with the skills they have and train them with
> new skills to match employers who are looking for those skills desperately?"
> he asked. 
> 
> 
> 
> Afrik turned it around and asked, "Why are we not hiring these people?" 
> 
> 
> 
> "The fact that we are sitting here today addressing this very issue is the
> fact that we have overlooked an untapped market of talent," she stated. 
> 
> 
> 
> Calley wrapped up the 90-minute luncheon with an exhortation to not
> predetermine what a person can or can't do without having a conversation. 
> 
> 
> 
> "Try it," he encouraged. "Call one of our community partners, like (Michigan
> Rehabilitation Services or the Arnold Center). They will try and match you
> up with somebody that fits those needs and then help with any accommodation
> needed to organize and make that happen." 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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