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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">July 12 2012 Comments relative to
public hearings MCB and MRS<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Paul Joseph Harcz,
Jr.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">1365 E. Mt. Morris
Rd.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">MT. Morris, MI
48458<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">joeharcz@comcast.net<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">To Several including
RSA<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">All:<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">There are requirements for
adequate notice and accessability of required public hearings relative to major
revisions of VR State Plans. This was not done.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">There was no “adequate notice” of
public hearings on either the Michigan Commission for the Blind State Plan or
that of Michigan Rehabilitation Services.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">In fact members of the MCB Board
did not get timely notice. And members of the Michigan Rehab Council got worse.
There were <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>no conventional media
notices<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">in any newspaper or radio let
alone the varieties of media in advance recommended here. In short both were
shams. Dog and pony shows.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Moreover, MOST of these meetings
were held in facilities that did not meet even Americans with Disabilities Act
or Section 504 basics for program access, and effective communications,
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">thus continuing to violate the
civil rights of consumers and advocates with disabilities; the very people both
MRS and MCB are to serve with this federally<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">funded sham of a program
here!<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">For the reasons mentioned above
these public hearings are invalid upon their face.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">I protest them and urge RSA to
withold all funding and not to approve either state plans until they actually
follow this and, indeed all aspects of the<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as
amended.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">(See this from:<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Technical Assistance
Circular<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">RSA-TAC-12-02<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">DATE: February 21,
2012)<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">“Public Hearings and Substantive
Changes”<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">As required by Section
101(a)(16)(A) of the Rehabilitation Act and 34 CFR 361.10(d) of the implementing
regulations, prior to the adoption of any substantive<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">policies or procedures (or any
substantive amendment to such policies and procedures) governing the provision
of VR or SE services under the State Plan<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">or the supplement, the VR agency
must conduct public meetings throughout the state, after giving adequate notice
of the meetings, to provide the public,<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">including individuals with
disabilities, an opportunity to comment on the policies and procedures contained
in the proposed FY 2013 State Plan.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>The VR<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">agency also must actively consult
with the director of the Client Assistance Program and, as appropriate, with
Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Native Hawaiian organizations,
when adopting new policies or amending current policies.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Substantive changes to VR and SE
program service policies and procedures, as distinguished from those that are
typically considered administrative in nature,<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">are those that directly impact
the nature and scope of the services provided to individuals with disabilities,
or the manner in which individuals interact<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">with the VR agency, particularly
as it pertains to communication with the VR counselor or the delivery of VR
services.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Examples of substantive
changes<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">include, but are not limited
to:<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">·<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>any changes to policies or procedures that fundamentally alter the rights
and responsibilities of VR consumers in the VR process;<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">·<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>proposed organizational changes to the VR agency that will likely effect
the manner in which services are delivered;<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">·<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>any changes that affect the nature and scope of VR services
provided;<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">·<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>changes in formal or informal dispute procedures;<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">·<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>the adoption or amendment of policies instituting an order of selection;
and<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">·<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>changes to the VR consumer financial participation
policies.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Examples of administrative
changes that would not necessarily generate the need for public hearings
include, but are not limited to:<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">·<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>internal procedures that do not directly impact individuals receiving VR
services, such as payment processing, or personnel procedures;<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">·<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>changes to the case management system that only impact VR
staff;<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">·<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>administrative changes in the relationship with the designated state
agency, such as indirect cost allocations, internal fiscal review
procedures,<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">or routine reporting
requirements;<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">·<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>changes to RSA’s routine reporting requirements;<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">·<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>minor revisions to VR procedures or policies to fix production errors
such as typos and grammatical mistakes; and<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">·<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>changes to contract procedures that do not impact VR service
delivery.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Consultation with Stakeholders
and Substantive Changes<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Section 101(a)(16)(B) states that
VR agencies, “shall take into account, in connection with matters of general
policy arising in the administration of the<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">plan, the views of” a variety of
stakeholders of the VR and SE programs, including individuals and groups of
individuals who receive VR services, as well<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">as their representatives if
appropriate; personnel from organizations that provide VR services; providers of
VR services; the director of the Client Assistance<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Program; and the SRC.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>RSA considers changes in the general
administration of the State Plan within the meaning of Section 101(a)(16)(B) to
include, but<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">are not limited
to:<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">·<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>any change in policies and procedures requiring the conduct of a public
hearing in accordance with Section 101(a)(16)(A);<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">·<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>any changes that necessitate amending the approved State Plan in
accordance with the Rehabilitation Act, implementing regulations and RSA
procedures;<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">·<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>the development of new goals and priorities for the VR agency under the
State Plan;<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">·<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>the manner in which the order of selection is implemented;<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">·<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>the inclusion of new or additional information in the State Plan as a
result of the completion of the comprehensive statewide needs
assessment<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">in accordance with the
requirements of 34 CFR 361.15; and<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">·<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>changes in personnel or staffing described in the State Plan that may
significantly impact the delivery of VR services.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">VR agencies may find public
hearings to be an effective and efficient method of notifying stakeholders of
such changes and obtaining their input, as required<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">by Section
101(a)(16)(B).<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">In circumstances in which there
is uncertainty with respect to whether a change in the VR program is substantive
and hence requires a public hearing or<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">outreach to stakeholders, RSA
strongly encourages VR agencies to err on the side of conducting public hearings
and forums to maximize awareness of the<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">VR program and promote
transparency of the agency’s policies and procedures.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Additionally, VR agencies should utilize
as many avenues for disseminating<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">information regarding changes to
the VR program and to maximize participation by community stakeholders in public
hearings.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Whenever possible or
appropriate,<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">state agencies should exploit
both traditional and non-traditional media to advertise up-coming public
hearings and solicit input from the community. <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Websites, social media, phone
trees, and other forms of raising awareness, apart from traditional media such
as radio, newspapers, and television, should<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">be employed to the maximum extent
possible and appropriate, and in accordance with the requirements of the
regulations governing public hearings found<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">at 34 CFR 361.20.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Sincerely,</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Cc: National Federation of the
Blind</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Cc: ADAPT</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Cc: SILC</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Cc: MCB Commissioners</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Cc: MCB</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Cc: MRC and MRC Members</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Cc: Office of Civil rights
(ED.)</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Cc: Michigan Protection and
Advocacy Services (including CAP()</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Cc: several media
outlets</P></DIV></BODY></HTML>