[nfbmi-talk] Fw: FOIA Response to Request for BSBP Commission for Blind Persons - Transcripts/Minutes & Reports

[joe harcz Comcast]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: joe harcz Comcast 
To: David Robinson 
Sent: Friday, February 14, 2014 4:35 PM
Subject: Re: FOIA Response to Request for BSBP Commission for Blind Persons - Transcripts/Minutes & Reports


This is a gross violation of the ADA and 504! Period.

End of story.

And these yutz's didn't notice I sent out some of the information yesterday.

Again the ADA and 504 require access to meetings and all information in an accessable and timely manner. Period.

And they require that state law does not trump federal civil rights laws.

Here is a case in point of the abuse of the FOIA to trump federal civil rights laws.

Joe
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: David Robinson 
  To: NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List 
  Cc: joeharcz at comcast.net 
  Sent: Friday, February 14, 2014 4:32 PM
  Subject: Fw: FOIA Response to Request for BSBP Commission for Blind Persons - Transcripts/Minutes & Reports



  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Haynes, Carla (LARA) 
  To: drob1946 at gmail.com 
  Cc: Rodgers, Edward (LARA) ; Luzenski, Sue (LARA) ; Pemble, Mike (LARA) ; Belknap, Katie (LARA) 
  Sent: Friday, February 14, 2014 3:13 PM
  Subject: FOIA Response to Request for BSBP Commission for Blind Persons - Transcripts/Minutes & Reports


  February 14, 2014

   

  Mr. David Robinson

  E-mail: drob1946 at gmail.com

  818 Loomis Street

  Jackson, MI  49202

   

  Re:  FOIA Response to Request for Information on BSBP Commission Transcripts/Minutes and Reports

   

  Dear Mr. Robinson:

   

  This email is in response to your February 7, 2014, email request for information, received by this office on February 10, 2014.  Please be advised that the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) is processing this request under the state's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq.  

   

  You have requested information you describe as:

   

  "I would like to request that your report to the advisory commission along with any additional reports from BSBP staff be forwarded to me in an accessible format for me. I would accept either electronic information in word or in braille.  In addition, I would request that the approved minutes of meetings be sent to me as well. Likewise in an electronic or braille format."

   

  In order to determine the extent of the research time, the size and number of records of nonexempt information within BSBP responsive to your request, a search must be undertaken.  For this reason, it is necessary to extend the time for response, as permitted by Section 5(2)(d) of the FOIA, through March 3, 2014, for your request.

   

   

  FOIA Response - D. Robinson

  February 14, 2014

  Page 2 of 2

   

   

   

   

  If it is determined that there is a cost involved in the processing of this request, you will be sent an email which will include an invoice outlining the cost (before or no later than March 3, 2014).  This email may either request a deposit (if the cost is over $50.00) or request payment of the total cost if the amount is under $50.00.

   

  Please note that nothing within the federal American with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (RA), as amended, or the state's FOIA (MCL 15.231 et seq.) requires a public body to process FOIA requests free of charge.  Further, while the ADA and Section 504 of 

  the RA may mandate that, upon request, material be produced in an accessible format without charge, neither the ADA or Section 504 of the RA preclude a public body from charging costs under the state's FOIA. Thusly, please note that no labor fee charges have been, or will be, assessed to convert existing, nonexempt public records responsive to your requests into an accessible format to forward to you.

   

  Sincerely,

   

  Carla Miller Haynes, FOIA Coordinator

  Bureau of Services for Blind Persons

   

  Attachment:  Email Request for Information

   

  cc:     Edward F. Rodgers II

  Sue Luzenski

            Mike Pemble

  Katie Belknap



  From: David Robinson [mailto:drob1946 at gmail.com]  

  Sent: Friday, February 07, 2014 1:57 PM 

  To: Rodgers, Edward (LARA) 

  Cc: NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List 

  Subject: request for reports and minutes

   

  Dear Mr. Rodgers,


     Having listened to the BSBP meeting of Friday, February 7, I was interested in some additional data.  I would like to request that your report to the advisory commission along with any additional reports from BSBP staff be forwarded to me in an accessible format for me. I would accept either electronic information in word or in braille.  

     In addition, I would request that the approved minutes of meetings be sent to me as well. Likewise in an electronic or braille format.  

     This is just a request for public documents by a member of the public and not a FOIA request. My e mail is (drob1946 at gmail.com)  My address is 818 Loomis St.  Jackson, Mi  49202.  

     Thank you for your prompt response to this request. 

   

  Cordially, 

   

  David Robinson

   

   

   

   

  Carla Miller Haynes

  LARA Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP)

  201 N. Washington Square, 2nd Floor

  P.O. Box 30652

  Lansing, MI  48909

  Telephone:  517-373-2063 or Toll-Free 1-800-292-4200

  Fax:  517-335-5140

   

  www.michigan.gov/bsbp