[nfbmi-talk] Fw: blinded vets and mcb tc question

[joe harcz Comcast]

I still am awaiting a basic answer to a basic question here.

Mr. Cannon do you not know how to use the reply function of an e-mail? Do you not know how to answer basic questions?

Do you not know the ADA/504 ramifications of this inquiry and the retaliation ramifications of it?

Do you not know the fundamental principles of acaccountability and transparency?

Sincerely,

Joe Harcz
----- Original Message ----- 
From: joe harcz Comcast 
To: Patrick Cannon MCB 
Cc: Jo Anne Pilarski ; Luzenski, Sue (DLEG) ; mcb2020-L at LISTSERV.MICHIGAN.GOV 
Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 12:40 PM
Subject: blinded vets and mcb tc question


March 18, 2010

 

Paul Joseph Harcz, Jr.

1375 E. Mt. Morris Rd.

Mt. Morris, MI  48458

 

Re: Veterans MCB, MCB TC Board Correspondence

 

Michigan Commission for the Blind

LANSING, CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

Phone, voice: (517) 373-2062

Toll-free voice (800) 292-4200

TTY (517) 373-4025; toll-free TTY (888) 864-1212

Fax: (517) 335-5140

DIRECTOR'S OFFICE

Cannon, Patrick D., Director

(Via e-mail)

 

 

Ms. Jo Ann Pilarski, MCB Commission Chair

pilarskij at charter.net

 

Mr. Michael Geno, MCB Commission Vice Chair

luzenskis at michigan.gov

 

Ms. Velma P. Allen, MCB Commissioner

luzenskis at michigan.gov

Ms. Geraldine G. Taeckens, MCB Commissioner

geri.taeckens at isahealthfund.org

 

Ms. Margaret Wolfe, MCB Commissioner

margwolfe at usa.net

 

Dear All:

 

I noted with interest the following from the:

 

DELEG March 2009 MCB Report at:

 

http://www.michigan.gov/dleg/0,1607,7-154-28077_28313_34884-210802--,00.html

 

 

 

“Veterans Training

 

The Consumer Services staff participated in the Veteran Administration Vocational Rehabilitation Employment (VAVRE) training in January that explained the

agreement between agencies to improve relationships with the VAVRE for the purposes of expanding services to disabled service connected veterans.  MCB

provides services to veterans; and, this agreement focuses on expanded ways to collaborate with the veterans to assist in areas such as job placement,

transportation and child care during their rehabilitation.  Staff are in contact with veteran counselors to implement the process.”

 

 

 

Now, this leads to an interesting series of comments and questions. One, I know that MCB gives services to veterans who are blind at the MCB Training Center in Kalamazoo. Two, at that training center there was a “Marksmanship class” using a pellet gun, with assists, curriculum, etc. DELEG/MCB closed that class citing in public comments it violates state firearms policy (but apparently that only applies to people who are blind given my research for such programs on various state properties).

 

But, my fundamental question is this: “What sort of message are we sending to the brave men and women who served in our nation’s service; who used firearms extensively in that service; who are now blinded and receiving services at the Training Center and who because of this discriminatory policy are effectively told, ‘because you are now legally blind you cannot engage in safe use of a marksmanship course” at MCB TC?

 

Is this changing what it means to be blind? Is this changing the perceptions of blindness? Oh my would we next lobby that the State of Michigan seize legally owned weapons of veterans because they have become blinded? 

 

Sincerely,

 

Paul “Joe” Harcz, Jr.

 

Cc; several

Cc: MP

VA