[nfbmi-talk] integrated vs. segregated settings

[Larry D. Keeler]

Joe, noone knows that better than me!  First I and then my daughter with me 
advocating went through the whole miserable process!  I actually had to 
fight to stay at MSB!  That really got rolling in the mid 70's.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "joe harcz Comcast" <joeharcz at comcast.net>
To: "NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List" <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2012 7:23 PM
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] integrated vs. segregated settings


> Dear Lydia,
>
> I agree if the "inclusion" model is as it is which is pathetic here in 
> Michigan. In the name of inclusion the Michigan School for the blind was 
> closed with the promise of a Trust Fund toappropriately educate blind 
> children. This promise of course was savaged. We need not discuss the 
> details here but LIO is extremely under funded and other resources 
> hereabouts are jokes in practice in most districts.
>
> to make matters worse here in Genesee County for the most part blind kids 
> are sent to Durant Turre Mott and effectively segregated without the 
> upside of a residential school like MSB.
>
> I sat in on an IEP by the way a month or so back and the district didn't 
> even know effectively what transition was or what was required.
>
> Now, the issue ofintegration, this said is seminal to all NFB stands for 
> in principle, but also on terms of "equality" which for practical purposes 
> means accommodations, appropriate instructional modes, etc.
>
> Now, with all of this said I think the practical ramifications for all PWD 
> in education do require various options and a full continuum. also, the 
> term segregation in a civil rights context does have some time references 
> attached to it.
>
> For example no one would consider a dedicated rehab center like MCB TC to 
> be illegally segregated for people aren't to be there for life anymore 
> than a person needing physical rehab for a car accident leaving one 
> paralyzed would be considered segregated in the discriminatory sense so 
> long as it isn't a life long sentence to a nursing home or other 
> institutional setting.
>
> I would not consider a stint based upon the individual in a specialized 
> school for a period to be illegal segregation so long as the other options 
> for those who find them of value were also present.
>
> Ditto for the sheltered shop thing. If they were truly only to position 
> folks for competitive employment in the integrated environment though then 
> why are so many still in places like Peckham for decades?
>
> I hope this quick ramble makes my point clear.
>
> Oh, one other lesson in our advocy here with the closure of MSB. Whether 
> it should have been closed or not and I think it shouldn't have been 
> personally, the fact is once lost we'll never get it back.
>
> And as experiences show in other states if we lose or if the clowns 
> running MCB force it to end we'll never get back a separate commission.
>
> Peace with Justice,
>
> Joe
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Lydia Schuck" <laschuck at juno.com>
> To: <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Sunday, June 17, 2012 6:54 PM
> Subject: [nfbmi-talk] integrated vs. segregated settings
>
>
>> Hi listfriends,
>> As a parent I want to give my child the best education I can find and
>> afford.  For blind kids the best might mean a segregated setting for all
>> or part of the day.  I like the idea of inclusive education, the
>> "everyone together" movement, if it gives kids the best.  But I have seen
>> what mainstreaming has meant in Michigan.  There is no residential option
>> at all, and the whole continuum of options for blind kids has been
>> watered down as a result.  Excellent programs are available to a very few
>> students.
>> I mention this "everyone together" inclusion model because we may
>> sometime find ourselves struggling to have any special separate services
>> for our kids, and being included may become a higher value than being
>> educated.
>>
>> Lydia
>>
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>
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