[NFBMT] Choices

[ecrobbins517 at gmail.com]

FYI,
	The passcode listed is different from the original notice I received
on the 18th.  The passcode listed on that notice listed it as 190866.   Hope
this isn't too confusing.  Can we know for sure?

Ted Robbins

-----Original Message-----
From: NFBMT <nfbmt-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of president--- via NFBMT
Sent: Friday, October 22, 2021 11:54 AM
To: 'NFB of Montana Discussion List' <nfbmt at nfbnet.org>
Cc: president at nfbofmt.org
Subject: [NFBMT] Choices

Hi All,

Looks like there is a schedule conflict between the town hall for Vocational
Rehabilitation and Blind Services (VRBS) and the state plan hearing by the
Montana Department of Transportation (MDT.  Both happen on October 28 with
the VRBS town hall starting at 1:00 and the MDT hearing starting at 2:00 PM.


I recommend that we show up to the town hall for VRBS.  In years past,
comments from blind Montanans made a huge difference in the services we get
from Montana Blind and Low Vision Services.  The services include vocational
rehabilitation, but also other services such as independent living services
for the older blind and the business enterprise program.  For one thing, we
need to get on the record that NFB Newsline is restored, but we need to find
permanent funding during the 2023 Legislature.  This funding could come from
Services to Groups using vocational rehabilitation money or through the
Montana telecommunications access program.  In addition, federal rule
changes may be imposing hardships on Montana's Business Enterprise Program.
We are the only state in the nation to administer this program through a
non-profit agency.  All others manage their business programs through state
government.  This means our Montana program is in trouble, and we should
insist the rules help us and not hurt us.  We will try to get out more
details, but, for now, we want to express our support for the Montana
vending program.

The MDT event is equally important, but it gives us more flexibility to
manage the schedule conflict.  The MDT hearing will be recorded, so one can
listen later.  Both the town hall and transportation hearing allow for
written comments.  In any event, please attend the town hall if you can.
Here are the details:

October 28, 2021
1:00-3:00 PM

For Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind Services (VRBS) and 

Independent Living (IL) 

Town Hall Meeting

Dial by Telephone: 1 646 558 8656 

Meeting ID: 859 3158 5083 

Figure 1: woman speaking at
podium
53
list of 2 items
. VRBS State Plan
. State Plan for Independent Living
list end
Password: 866190 

If you cannot join us for the live meeting, comments can also be posted HERE
or 

submitted to: 

Disability Employment and Transitions Division 

P. O. Box 4210 

Helena, MT 59604 

**Written comments must be received by November 12, 2021 to be included in
response report. Be sure to provide an email or mailing address to receive
responses. 

Closed Captioning for the meeting will be provided. 

To request a disability accommodation, please call (406) 655-7673 before
noon on October 25, 2021. 
Statewide Independent Living Council Logo


Jim Marks
President
National Federation of the Blind of Montana
president at nfbofmt.org
(406) 438-1421
www.nfbofmt.org

You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.



_______________________________________________
NFBMT mailing list
NFBMT at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbmt_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NFBMT:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbmt_nfbnet.org/ecrobbins517%40gmail.com