2005 State Resolutions

                                    
                        2005 Resolutions of the
                       National Federation of the
                           Blind of Michigan
                                    
                                    
Resolution 05-01

WHEREAS, public transportation provides an important service to the blind, facilitating their access to employment and their participation as equals in commercial, social, and volunteer activities, and

WHEREAS, public transportation provides innumerable benefits to the larger community in economic, health, environmental, social, and other spheres, and

WHEREAS, intercity transportation is essential to the development and functioning of Michigan as a large scale economy and vital to the participation of the blind in that economy, and

BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan on the 13th of November in convention assembled in  Pontiac, MI that we do condemn and deplore the withdrawal of Livonia from the SMART bus network, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we strongly urge the city of Livonia to resume participation in the regional transportation network and request that it and other cities work to strengthen both inter- and intra- city transportation throughout the state.

Resolution 05-02

WHEREAS, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended clearly states that individuals receiving services from agencies such as the Michigan Commission for the Blind shall be informed through appropriate modes of communication regarding the availability and opportunities to exercise informed choice throughout the vocational rehabilitation process, including full participation in their I.P.E, and 

WHEREAS, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended further calls upon designated state agencies such as the Michigan Commission for the Blind to develop and implement flexible procurement policies that afford eligible individuals meaningful choices, and

WHEREAS, the Michigan Commission for the Blind Policy Manual states that the Michigan Commission for the Blind believes that rehabilitation is a cooperative venture between the agency and the individual; with the individual having the primary responsibility for personal successes and failures, and

WHEREAS, many individuals working with the Michigan Commission for the Blind are not given all the necessary information needed to make meaningful decisions regarding their rehabilitation services in an appropriate mode of communication, and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, in convention assembled this 13th day of November, 2005, in the City of Pontiac, Michigan, that this organization call upon the Michigan Commission for the Blind to disclose and make available any and all policies pertaining to the provision of rehabilitation services in the appropriate modes of communication to all clients equipping them with the necessary information to make meaningful informed choices regarding their individualized rehabilitation services, and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we call upon the Michigan Commission for the Blind to cease and desist the practice of taking such policies out of context.  Further, we call upon the Michigan Commission for the Blind to make a substantial effort to ensure that all information is fully disclosed to clients receiving services.


Resolution 05-03   Joel Epstein commendation

Whereas, Newsline for the Blind has become an essential part of providing current information for the blind citizens of Michigan; and 

Whereas, funding the continuous operation of the Newsline service is substantial; and 

Whereas, many blind persons living in Michigan are still unaware of the Newsline service; and 

Whereas, Joel Epstein along with other staff of his public relations firm, has developed and implemented significant outreach to the citizens of Michigan, thereby reaching more eligible subscribers and increasing donations to the Newsline service:

Therefore, be it resolved by the NFB of Michigan in convention assembled this 13th day of November, 2005 in the city of Pontiac, Michigan, that 

This organization commends Joel Epstein for his substantial contribution to the Newsline for the Blind service and to the blind of Michigan. 


Resolution 05-04   Richard Bernstein commendation

Whereas, Newsline for the Blind subscribers consider access to current information necessary and an integral part of their lives; and 

Whereas, funding for the continuous operation of this service is substantial; and 

Whereas, Richard Bernstein has recognized the value of Newsline and its need for support and continuous growth; and 

Whereas, Mr. Bernstein has financially supported the development and implementation of a statewide outreach campaign for Newsline for the Blind: 

Therefore, be it resolved by the NFB of Michigan in convention assembled this 13th day of November, 2005 in the city of Pontiac, Michigan, that 

This organization expresses its thanks and commends Richard Bernstein for his contribution to the blind of Michigan. 


Resolution 05-05   HB 5392 commendation

Whereas, Funding for the continuous operation of Newsline for the Blind is substantial, and ongoing sources for this funding is limited; and 

Whereas, Newsline for the Blind provides an essential service for the blind citizens of Michigan; and 

Whereas, Representative Kris Kolb and Representative Dudley Spade have recognized the importance of the Newsline for the Blind service by introducing and sponsoring HB 5392,  the Accessible Electronic Information Act, which provides for an ongoing funding source for Newsline for the Blind service:

Therefore, be it resolved by the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan in convention assembled this 13th day of November, 2005 in the city of Pontiac, Michigan, that 

This organization thank and commend Representative Kris Kolb and Representative Dudley Spade for introducing this legislation, and 

Be it further resolved that this organization do everything within its power to secure passage of this legislation. 


Resolution 05-06 Supporting Blind Entrepreneurs

Whereas, blind entrepreneurs throughout Michigan have established various businesses which produce goods and services which would be of value to the Michigan Commission for the Blind and its clients; 

Whereas, it has often been the case that the Michigan Commission for the Blind has assisted in the establishment of such businesses; and 

Whereas, the primary role of the Michigan Commission for the Blind is to secure and promote employment for the blind throughout the State; and 

Whereas, the Michigan Commission for the Blind often purchases needed goods and services form businesses not owned or operated by the blind when these same goods and services are available from blind entrepreneurs; and 

Whereas, blind business owners and operators are positive role models for other blind persons and the general public: 

Therefore, be it resolved by the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan in convention assembled this 13th day of November, 2005 in the city of Pontiac Michigan, that 

This organization strongly encourages the Michigan Commission for the Blind board to adopt policies that would give priority when purchasing goods or services to Michigan based businesses owned or operated by blind persons with secondary consideration to blind owned businesses outside of Michigan:

Be it further resolved that the Michigan Commission for the Blind establish a list of these businesses and distribute it widely including placement on the MCB web site:  and 

Be it further resolved that the Michigan Commission for the Blind take a prominent role in promoting the utilization of these blind owned and operated businesses to all public and private agencies and businesses around the State which may have a need for the products or services offered. 


Resolution 05-07 Employment by the Michigan Commission for the Blind 

Whereas, the unemployment rate of the blind is still over 75% while at the same time the unemployment rate for the general public is substantially less; and 

Whereas, the primary purpose of the Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) is to promote the employment of the blind throughout Michigan; and 

Whereas, the hiring of qualified blind persons for staff positions sends a positive message to MCB clients as well as other employers throughout the State: 

Therefore, be it resolved by the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan in convention assembled this 13th day of November, 2005 in the city of Pontiac, Michigan,  that 

This organization call upon the Michigan Commission for the Blind board to adopt polices that would give a priority to the blind when hiring for staff positions within the agency: and 

Be it further resolved that the Michigan Commission for the Blind actively seek out qualified blind candidates for such positions by means  which utilize aggressive recruiting techniques including contact with consumer organizations and other agencies service the blind and hiring outside firms to seek out qualified candidates: and 

Be it further resolved that any organization doing business with Michigan Commission for the Blind be strongly encouraged by the Michigan Commission for the Blind to hire qualified blind persons and show a demonstrated record of hiring blind persons. 


Resolution 05-08 The Education of Blind Children

Whereas, the acquisition of age appropriate daily living and personal management skills by blind children is essential for successful adjustment into adulthood;

Whereas, such specialized skill training is not readily available in most Michigan communities;

Whereas, P.A. 260, which established the Michigan Commission for the Blind states that the Michigan Commission for the Blind is responsible for co-coordinating all programs for blind children in Michigan; and 

Whereas, all programs for blind children should have the involvement of blind staff and/or blind role models: 

Therefore, be it resolved by the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan in convention assembled this 13th day of November, 2005 in the city of Pontiac, Michigan, that 

This organization requests the Michigan Commission for the Blind to establish new programs or work with existing programs throughout the State which have positive attitudes about blindness and teach age appropriate daily living and personal management skills to blind children: and 

Be it further resolved that these new or existing programs contain a component to provide parent training and the involvement of parents in the blind child’s training:  and 

Be it further resolved that the Michigan Commission for the Blind only partner with programs which hire a significant number of blind persons for the staff of such programs.   

This page was last modified October 24, 2006 11:43 AM EST.