[Nfbmt] Public Hearing info for Friday

Tue Apr 9 16:12:17 UTC 2013

Just as an FYI --

If you didn't get the chance to attend the public hearing on March 22,
or to submit comment on the web site, the deadline to do so is
tomorrow, April 10.

The comment form is at :

http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/detd/index.shtml

If you are using JAWS or NVDA screen readers, simply typing hte F hot
key will get you there the quickest. It is a very busy web page.

The particulars that we put forward are in the message sent out prior
to the hearing.

Thanks,
Dan

On 3/18/13, Dan Burke <burke.dall at gmail.com> wrote:
> Greetings,
>
> The 2013 public hearing for the Vocational Rehabilitation Plan and the
> Independent Living Plan is set for this Friday, March 22 at 3 p.m. to
> 4:15 p.m.  We need to have members contribute to this hearing in order
> to have a strong voice in the formation of planning for Blind & Low
> Vision Services programs.
>
> We want to be effective with the numbers of us making comments and
> that we are united in what we want.  My experience on the VR Council
> tells me that some administrators in the department are rattled by
> this approach and want to discount us.  However, we know that with
> collective action we are stronger.
>
> We have discussed several items going back as far as our November 3
> convention in Missoula.  When giving comment, you will be asked to
> give your name.  Also, it is important to state that you are a member
> of the NFB of Montana.  Here are the items that each of us should talk
> about briefly.
>
> 1.	Thank you for the increased support for the blind vendors program
> in Montana.  This support has been increased to more realistic and
> sustainable level, and will be instrumental in growing the program
> further.
>
> 2.	We request funding for NFB Newsline under the Service to Groups
> category.  NFB Newsline is a newspaper/magazine delivery system that
> gives daily accessible formats of five Montana dailies, as well as
> important national papers and magazines.  Describe briefly how you use
> Newsline, how often, etc.
>
> 	(Note:  Bob Maffit and I have been talking about advocating for this
> jointly, so hopefully MAB members may also make this comment.)
>
> 3. We in the NFB have increasingly been hearing from BLVS clients
> about frustrations and concerns with the effectiveness and
> availability of assistive technology services and support. We
> understand that the world of technology, not to mention access to that
> technology, has changed dramatically in the past 5to 8 years. We
> request that the agency assess the effectiveness of the current AT
> delivery strategy, including the appropriateness of the position
> description for the AT Specialist in the tech world of the next 3 to 5
> years, and work with us to find ways to improve access to high-quality
> AT training and support for BLVS clients.
>
> 	(Note:  State if you have personal concerns, but do not use this as a
> complaint forum.  Further, we want to be sure that we do not mention
> any staff.  This is not a matter of personalities, but of whether
> blind folks are getting the AT training we need to be successful.)
>
> 4.	Payment of subminimum wages to workers with disabilities is wrong,
> even if it is legal.  It has a devastating effect on many Montanans
> with disabilities, including members of the NFB of Montana.  It is
> unfair, discriminatory, and immoral and Montana's tax dollars should
> not support it.  We request that the agency phase out contractual
> relationships over the next three years with any and all entities
> which hold certification under 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
>
> 	(Note:  Feel free to make personal statements here, but keep in mind
> that they've only permitted an hour and fifteen minutes.)
>
> As in the past, the public hearing will be conducted via the video
> conferencing system maintained by the State of Montana in several
> locations around the state.  There are a couple of new avenues to give
> comment this year, however.
>
> First, during the hearing time there will be a telephone conference
> number active, so you can call in and listen to the hearing, as well
> as giving comment by phone.  If you can't get to a video conference
> location, you can still participate in the live conference.
>
> 	Call-in number:  406-449-7478
> 	Conference ID:  85946#
>
> There is also now an online comment form in case you can't make the
> public hearing time for any reason.  If you use this form, be sure to
> mention that you are commenting on the VR Plan and that you are a
> member of the NFB of Montana.
> http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/detd/index.shtml
>
> Below is a listing of the eight sites where you can participate in the
> video conference.
>
>
>
> *****
> You are invited to a.......
>
> Public Hearing on the State Plans for
> Montana Vocational Rehabilitation/Blind and Low Vision MVR/BLV
> and The Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC)
>
> When:  Friday March 22, 2013 from 3:00 – 4:15
> Where:
> Billings			
> MSU-Billings, 1500 University Drive, Education Building, Room 158
> Bozeman
> Montana State University, Eng. Phys. Science Building-South 7th and
> Grant, Room 126
> Butte		
> Montana Tech, 1300 West Park Street, ELCB Room 225	
> Great Falls		
> Great Falls College of Technology, 2100 16th Avenue South, Room B-133		
> Havre
> MSU-Northern, 300 11th Street West, Hagner Science Center, Room 202
> Helena
> Old Livestock Building, 1310 East Lockey, Rooms 105 and 107.
> Kalispell
> Flathead Valley Community College, 777Grandview Dr., Learning Resource
> Ctr. Rm. 120
> Miles City
> Miles City Community College, 2715 Dickenson Street, Room 313
> Missoula
> University of Montana, Corner of Arthur and Eddy, Galagher Building – Room
> 104		
>
> There will be a call-in line available during the time of the hearing.
>  Participants on the call-in line will have the opportunity to make
> comments.
> Call-in information is:
> Call-in number:  406-449-7478 Conference ID:  85946#
>
> Requests for accommodations should be made to Mike Hermanson at
> 406-444-3833 or mhermanson at mt.gov, by March 11, 2013.
>
> Written comments will be taken until April 10, 2013 and can be mailed to:
> Mike Hermanson or Julie Clay
> Disability Transitions Programs,
> P. O. Box 4210
> Helena, MT 59604.
> Or email: mhermanson at mt.gov. or jclay at mt.gov
>
> The MVR state plan and the Montana State Plan for Independent Living
> and related information are available at:
> http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/detd/vocrehab/policy-documents.shtml.  We are
> especially interested in suggestions to assist MVR/BLV to develop ways
> to meet the goals that have been developed for the 2014-17 strategic
> plan.  Requests for written copies of the materials are available by
> request.  Contact Mike Hermanson at:  406-444-3833 or
> mhermanson at mt.gov.
>
>
> --
> Dan Burke, President
> The National Federation of the Blind of Montana
> www.nfbmontana.org
> Visit us on Face Book at http://bit.ly/nfbmtfb
> My Cell:  406.546.8546
>

-- 
Dan Burke, President
The National Federation of the Blind of Montana
www.nfbmontana.org
Visit us on Face Book at http://bit.ly/nfbmtfb
My Cell:  406.546.8546