[NFB-Kzoo] Regarding NFB Kalamazoo Chapter: Introducing Myself, And Inviting You To Partner

[Kane Brolin]

Robert:

Hello.  It is great to make your acquaintance.  I know the message
below is long, but I welcome your thoughts about any ways that we in
the National Federation of the Blind of Indiana might partner with
you. As you've got time to talk, please e-mail this address or phone
my cell: (574)386-8868.

I am truly excited to find out just today that you are taking steps to
reinvigorate the Kalamazoo Chapter in the NFB.  I was concerned for
most of the last couple of years that no noteworthy activity goes on
there whatsoever any more, due to the recent dislocation of those who
used to form the core of the Kalamazoo Chapter.   I know that Haley
Dare does outstanding work each summer with the Michigan BELL Academy
which takes place in Portage.  But an intentional and well-organized
chapter localized there would provide a great shot in the arm.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend your Kalamazoo Chapter
exploratory/promotional meeting of Wednesday, January 9 at 3:00 PM,
Eastern Standard Time.  But I am hopeful that one or two others from
my Federation chapter will be there.  I am copying them on this
message and advising them that the location is
The Disability Network of Southwest Michigan
 517 E. Crosstown Parkway
 Kalamazoo, MI 49001

I am excited because (a) you are much closer to us geographically than
Indianapolis, where the lion's share of blindness advocacy occurs in
my state affiliate; and (b) you are personally invested in blind
students.  The Michiana Chapter over which I preside is focusing on
transitions.  Of course, for us who are blind a successful
educational/career transition can happen at various times in one's
life; it is not reserved only for adolescence or young adulthood.  But
I think your personal mission is probably very well synced up with our
organizational mission in the NFB of Michiana.

Since you participate in the NFBMI-talk mailing list that applies to
all Federationists in Michigan, you might have seen my posts which
show up on that list from time to time.  I preside over a small
chapter whose domain lies just south of the Indiana-Michigan border.
The Michiana Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind includes
blind people and their friends and companions who are localized mostly
in St. Joseph and Elkhart Counties in North-Central Indiana.  But we
also have endeavored, with very little success so far, to find and
serve people who are blind and who live in far Southwestern
Michigan--as in Cass and Berrien Counties--since to our knowledge
there is no heartbeat of the Federation that may be detected there as
yet.  My intuition tells me that the blind who live in communities
such as Berrien Springs, Benton Harbor, and St. Joseph must be located
and served as well, and I wish to find a way to do that.

One thing that keeps me energized through a long winter is
anticipation for an event that has become a tradition in Michiana: the
Blindness in Education, Employment, & Technology Conference.  (This is
known as the BEET Conference, for short.) 2019 marks the fourth
consecutive year that NFB of Michiana will have sponsored
a BEET conference; we hold this on the campus of Goshen College, a
small private institution located in the town of Goshen, Indiana.
Last year, seven members of the Michigan Affiliate came to our BEET
Conference, most of them driving clear from Detroit to attend.  This
was extremely encouraging, so we wish to ensure that Michigan
Federationists can take part in the event itself, as well as the
planning for it, in 2019.  Friday, April 12 is the date we have
tentatively set for BEET Conference 2019.

Every year at our BEET Conference, we make a greater impact in the
lives of blind people and the individuals and agencies who work with
us by presenting lots of
information in the same room on the same day that would not be
commonly available to everybody at any other place in this region. .

 Based on response from our public, we want the BEET Conference in
2019 to be different from ones we have held in past years.  Along with
presenting basic resources for skill-building and positive motivation,
we want in this coming year to invite attendees to learn valuable
things about VR, Medicaid waivers, employment assistance, and other
services offered at the state level that are instrumental to those
living with a disability who wish to raise their station in life or
complete a college education.  Because so much has changed vis-à-vis
regulations for federally sanctioned programs such as vocational
rehabilitation and Medicaid, we wish to bring experts out who can
explain the essential facts disabled people should know nowadays--as
in, how we can work most effectively with VR and how we can coordinate
government benefits around our efforts at getting and keeping work or
student aid without losing those benefits.  It also is our goal to
provide continuing education credits that some professionals (such as
teachers of the blind) might
receive if they attend our BEET Conference.

We have our first confirmed speaker at the 2019 BEET Conference.
Joanne Murillo is a vocational rehabilitation specialist in the
Elkhart, Indiana office.  Thanks in large part to Joanne's help, one
of our esteemed chapter members Brian Bussard has just graduated from
the Colorado Center for the Blind and has returned to Indiana with a
full
complement of blindness skills and a contagiously positive attitude
about his future.

 I realize that Joanne uniquely represents the Indiana perspective on
family and social
 services, as well as Medicaid.  Yet we still, I believe, have room in
our program for other speakers--especially in the area of
Medicaid--should those in Michigan want to invite one of your state
governmental reps down.

 From the standpoint of the audience, it will be an outstanding
opportunity for blind young adults, rehabilitation professionals, and
perhaps even parents of blind children to solicit and receive some
straight answers about VR, Medicaid, and perhaps Social Security
Disability Income and Supplemental Security Income, in a format that
 does not make the answering professionals feel as though they are on
the hot seat and liable for the outcome of a particular case.

Some of the ideas I am looking for, might be
ones that could result in continuing education credits being applied
to professionals who participate.  Any idea how I can get this done to
benefit professionals you work with in Michigan?

I wish a happy new year to you and yours, as well as massive success
for the Federation in Kalamazoo.

Kind regards,

Kane Brolin President, Michiana Chapter
National Federation of the Blind of Indiana
(574)386-8868 (mobile)
(574)254-7180 (office)