[nfbmi-talk] web site update just in time for convention week

Fri Oct 27 18:46:53 UTC 2017

Hi,

I just sent out our Michigan Braille Literacy law.  I think that would be a
great thing to have prominently on our web page for easy reference for
parents and educators.  I will paste it in below.

Thanks.

Warmest Regards,

Fred

Act 451 of 1976 

380.1704 Short title of section; standards for teachers of blind and
visually impaired pupils; providing information advocating braille
instruction; electronic file format versions of textbooks or braille
versions; pupil with some remaining vision; instruction consistent with
other pupils; definitions. 

Sec. 1704. 

(1) This section shall be known and may be cited as the "blind pupil's
Braille literacy law". 

(2) The department shall adopt Braille reading and writing standards for
teachers of blind and visually impaired pupils and shall disseminate these
standards to all school districts, intermediate school districts, and
teacher preparation programs. These standards shall be included in the rules
governing special education programs and services. In establishing these
standards, the department shall consider the standards adopted by the
national library service for the blind and physically handicapped of the
United States library of congress. 

(3) When a local or intermediate school district receives information from
the department, or information that is approved by the department from a
consumer organization that advocates for the blind, describing the benefits
of instruction in Braille reading and writing, the local or intermediate
school district shall provide this information to each person on the blind
pupil's individualized educational planning committee. 

(4) The department shall accept and respond to requests from local and
intermediate school districts and shall work with textbook publishers to
obtain electronic file format versions of textbooks or Braille versions of
textbooks, or both. The department may also, on behalf of local and
intermediate school districts, request and arrange for converting an
electronic file format version of a textbook to a Braille version. The
department shall process and make these requests in a timely manner. 

(5) Upon request, a publisher of a textbook that is adopted for
instructional use by a school district shall furnish the department with an
electronic version of the textbook if the textbook is for a literary subject
or, for a textbook for a nonliterary subject, if the technology is available
to convert the textbook directly to a format compatible with Braille
translation software. A publisher shall not charge a price for this
electronic version that exceeds the price it charges for the print or
electronic media version of the textbook. 

(6) A local or intermediate school district or an individualized educational
planning committee shall not deny a pupil the opportunity for instruction in
Braille reading and writing solely because the pupil has some remaining
vision. 

(7) Instruction for blind pupils shall be consistent with the goals and
standards established by this state for all pupils. 

(8) As used in this section: 

(a) "Blind pupil" means a pupil who is determined to manifest 1 or more of
the following: 

(i) A visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye after routine
refractive correction. 

(ii) A field of vision that is limited so that the widest diameter of the
visual field subtends an angle not greater than 20 degrees. 

(iii) A medically indicated expectation of visual deterioration that is
expected to result in 1 or both of the conditions described in subparagraphs
(i) and (ii). 

(b) "Individualized education program" means that term as defined in section
614 of part B of title VI of the individuals with disabilities education
act, Public Law 91-230, 20 U.S.C. 1414, or in R 340.1701A of the Michigan
administrative code. 

(c) "Individualized educational planning committee" means that term as
defined in R 340.1701A of the Michigan administrative code or an
individualized education program team as defined in section 614 of part B of
title VI of the individuals with disabilities education act, Public Law
91-230, 20 U.S.C. 1414. 

(d) "Textbook" includes a text published in electronic media that is used
for instructional purposes. 

History:
 Add. 2000, Act 129, Imd. Eff. May 30, 2000 
  Popular Name: Act 451

-----Original Message-----
From: NFBMI-Talk [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Taylor
Arndt via NFBMI-Talk
Sent: Friday, October 27, 2017 12:18 PM
To: NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Taylor Arndt <taylorarndt99 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] web site update just in time for convention week

Thanks. Does your chapter have any  updated content that can go on the new
site?

On 10/27/17, Fred Wurtzel via NFBMI-Talk <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Great work!  Can't wait to see the update.
>
> Warmest Regards,
>
> Fred
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NFBMI-Talk [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of 
> Taylor Arndt via NFBMI-Talk
> Sent: Friday, October 27, 2017 11:53 AM
> To: nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Taylor Arndt <taylorarndt99 at gmail.com>
> Subject: [nfbmi-talk] web site update just in time for convention week
>
> As convention week  gets started, I have some amazing news about the 
> web site. We are working on the new web site, which should be ready
> soon after convention.   Now is the time  where I need content.  If
> your chapter has any content please feel free to send it to 
> Taylorarndt99 at gmail.com Also going along with that, we also have a new 
> webmaster at nfbmi.org that you can send content  or feedback to as well.
>
>
> --
> Taylor
>
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--
Taylor

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