[NFBMI-Talk] Flyer announcing protest Greater Detroit Agency For The Blind

[mpowell7583 at yahoo.com]

                Greetings to all.

Richard Clay, who chairs the community outreach committee of our Detroit
chapter, has asked me to share the information below from his flyer
organizing another protest event at the Greater Detroit Agency For The
Blind. 

As you know,  we, of the NFB,  stand in solidarity with those agencies who
are willing to establish partnerships with members of the blind community in
developing meaningful programs and services that will advance the cause of
independence and full participation of the blind in society.  

Agencies just can't close and then choose to operate again without any input
by Detroit's blind community.  So come and support Richard in his efforts to
save and improve the Greater Detroit Agency and the quality of its services.
If you have any questions contact Richard or me at the below information.

 

Michael Powell,   President

National Federation of the Blind of Michigan

(586)754-1325

Mpowell7583 at yahoo.com <mailto:Mpowell7583 at yahoo.com> 

 

Confronting The Crisis At The Greater Detroit Agency For The Blind And
Visually Impaired

Day Of Action Peaceful Protest March IV

November 5th

 

 

.    Opened in 1961, the Greater Detroit Agency for the Blind and Visually
Impaired (GDABVI), is a nonprofit agency that provides vision rehabilitation
services to blind and visually impaired clients across 7 counties in
Southeast Michigan including: Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Washtenaw,
Livingston, and St. Clair. GDABVI specializes in teaching Braille,
mobility/independent travel, cooking, and essential independent living
skills to blind senior citizens. It also serves as the only place for the
Greater Detroit Blind Community to meet regularly for social, recreational,
and educational events. 

 

.    Using the global pandemic, the need for cosmetic building upgrades, and
the absence of an executive director (after he forced-out two of them
consecutively without just cause) as weak excuses for his hidden personal
agenda to get rid of the GDABVI, GDABVI's Board Chairman Frederick Simpson
has kept the building closed since March of 2020. Refusing to meet with or
give the blind public a timeline for the reopening of the building, while
offering GDABVI clients who are desperately waiting in limbo no reasonable
alternatives for rehabilitation services, Simpson is arrogantly and
disrespectfully point-blank denying life changing services to scores of
blind people who are more isolated and in greater need now than ever before.


 

.      Frederick Simpson and his Board of Trustees' reckless disrespect for
and neglect of the entire blind community will no longer be tolerated.

.    We invite all of our community partners, supporters, family members and
friends to join the Greater Detroit Blind Community as we unite to continue
to address this crisis that has been created unnecessarily at the GDABVI. 

.    Stand with us by attending our fourth Day Of Action Peaceful Protest
March in front of the GDABVI Building Friday November 5th at 1:00 PM located
at 16625 Grand River in Detroit.

.        Come and express your outrage as well as your support for the blind
community's six policy recommendations for strengthening this agency at our
peaceful protest march Friday November 5th from 1:00-3:00 PM.

.    Participants must dress very warmly, wear a mask, and should bring a
light folding chair if desired.

.    Spread the word, tell everybody!

.    Help us fightback, reopen, and save this vital community institution.