[mountainstate] [leadership] Michigan update and our position statement

[A. C. McGhee]

 ---- Original Message ------
From: "Joe Sibley" <joe.sibley at comcast.net
Subject: [leadership] Michigan update and our position statement
Date sent: Fri, 23 Mar 2012 19:53:32 -0400

Hello leadership,

For those interested in the situation in Michigan with the 
governor’s executive order you might like to know that it’s 
implementation has been delayed so it can be reconstructed to 
bring it in to compliance with pertaining laws.  Below is the 
position statement created by our board addressing the issue.  We 
are working in a spirit of cooperation and positive dialogue and 
we are being very well received by officials in high places.  
Others in our community have been picketing and protesting and 
demanding it be overturned, but our statement is below.  I 
welcome your feedback.

Thanks!

Joe Sibley
Michigan Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired

MICHIGAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED

2426 THORNWOOD, S.W.

WYOMING, MICHIGAN 49519



POSITION STATEMENT REGARDING EXECUTIVE ORDER NO.  2012-2



Contact: Joe Sibley, president

616-724-1650

Joe.sibley at comcast.net



March 11, 2012



We are the Michigan Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired 
(MCBVI), the Michigan affiliate of the American Council of the 
Blind (ACB).  After careful review we wish to make the following 
statements in response to Governor Rick Snyder’s executive 
order No.  2012-2 which was issued on Friday, February 24, 2012.



While historically it has been demonstrated that vision 
rehabilitation programs are most successful when operated as 
stand-alone agencies separate from the general rehabilitation 
agency, we recognize that there are times when adjustments have 
to be made to the structure to make the department more 
efficient.  This is acceptable provided that there is no 
violation of any state and federal laws, PA 260 and the Randolph 
Shepard Act, and there is no reduction in the scope and quality 
of services.



Michigan Rehabilitation Services is transferred to the Department 
of Human Services (DHS) with its mission essentially intact.  On 
the other hand, the blindness agency is not well defined in terms 
of roles, functions, and accountability.  This could mean that 
services for blind people will be absorbed into either the 
general rehabilitation agency or somewhere else in DHS.  We are 
concerned that services to people who are blind will be adversely 
affected.  The two agencies differ significantly in the scope of 
support and sponsorship offered to clients.  It has been proven 
that the training needs of people who are blind are unique.  In 
order to achieve success, people who are blind require intensive 
support during rehabilitation that general rehabilitation 
counselors are not trained to provide.

MICHIGAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED

POSITION STATEMENT REGARDING EXECUTIVE ORDER NO.  2012-2

PAGE 2

March 11, 2012



While it appears to make sense to move the Business Enterprise 
Program (BEP) to the Department of Technology Management and 
Budget (DTMB), the order does not clarify who will be the 
licensing agency as directed by the Randolph Shepard Act.  It 
also must be clarified just how the Business Enterprise Program 
will coordinate efforts with the agency serving the blind.



The executive order does not clarify the rights and 
responsibilities of the five- member Advisory Board as it does 
the Michigan Rehabilitation Council.  This Advisory Board must 
have MCBVI membership representation, and have a direct impact on 
the quality of services to blind and visually impaired consumers.



As Governor Snyder has always promoted open accountability and 
results oriented execution of programs, we trust that this will 
continue in reporting the successes and shortfalls of this new 
restructured vision rehabilitation program, and any problems in 
the quality execution of these programs will be corrected.



While we are disappointed that we did not have any warning or 
involvement in the design of this reorganization, we do maintain 
that a successful program must include direct involvement by 
consumers who are living daily with the challenges that the new 
vision rehabilitation program must help citizens to overcome.



In summary, while we have many serious concerns as expressed 
above about executive order 2012-2, MCBVI stands ready to 
collaborate to insure that people who are blind continue to 
receive quality services.  We are taking Governor Snyder at his 
word and trust that quality services will continue, and trust 
that he will be accountable for the results of this 
reorganization.





MCBVI Executive Committee

Joe Sibley, President

John Jarzyna, First Vice President

Pamela Berryman, Second Vice President

Deb Wild, Secretary

Charis Austin, Treasurer

Michael Geno, Immediate Past President

Mary Sibley, Assistant Secretary

Wayne Lepiors, Assistant Treasurer