APPROVED

 MICHIGAN COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND

APRIL 18, 2005

MICHIGAN COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND TRAINING CENTER

KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN

MINUTES

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT

Ms. Jo Ann Pilarski, Chair

Mr. J. J. Jackson, Vice Chair

Mr. Robert Adler

Ms. Sheila Ashcraft

Mr. Richard Grant

COMMISSIONERS ABSENT

None

MICHIGAN Commission for the Blind (mcb) STAFF PRESENT

Mr. Patrick Cannon

Ms. Tish Kingaby

Ms. Melody Lindsey

Mr. Leamon Jones

Ms. Susan Turney

Ms. Sherri Heibeck

Ms. Michelle Visscher

Mr. Joseph Pelle

Ms. Lucy Edmonds

Mr. Fred Wurtzel

Mr. Chris Rasmussen

Mr. Roger Yake

Mr. Bernie Kramer

Ms. Sandra Fortier

GUESTS/ATTENDEES

Ms. Nancy Simmons

Dr. Paul Ponchillia

Mr. Joe Sibley

Mr. Paul Ecklund

Mr. Joe Sontag

Mr. Michael Ellis

Mrs. Elizabeth Lennon

Mr. Joel Cooper

Mr. J.J. Meadow

Ms. Lydia Schuck

Mr. Edward Osmar

Ms. Carol Osmar

Mr. George Wurtzel

Ms. Linda Stacey

Ms. Marylee Alzner

Ms. Deborah Miela

Ms. Janet Wisswell

Ms. Dorothy Sanders

Mr. Tom Bernick                                   

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

The Committee of the Whole was opened by Chair Jo Ann Pilarski at 9:02 a.m. who announced the pilot internet audio-streaming of the entire meeting.  Ms. Pilarski asked the current Business Enterprise Program (BEP) trainees to introduce themselves prior to departing for class.

AUDIO STREAMING

          Mr. Michael Ellis of MEE, Inc. said he was pleased to assist the Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) in its first ever audio streaming broadcast of the meeting over the Internet, with the assistance of Mr. J.J. Meadow, of Stream Madness, who provided the server.  Mr. Ellis offered the board some directions to help the listening audience appreciate the broadcast in the best possible manner.

          Ms. Pilarski asked the board to introduce themselves to the listening audience. 

          Mr. Ellis explained his business, the services and training he provides, and the products he demonstrates in his bus which he takes all over the state of Michigan.

          Mr. Ellis also explained the Freedom Box technology, which is a trimmed CD product that can be used in any computer with speakers, a CD-ROM player, and connected to the Internet.  This provides an AOL-type service and a screen reader service which can be accessed from any computer via the CD.  Mr. Ellis distributed free 30-day trial packets.

          Mr. Ellis said MEE, Inc. would be sponsoring at least one child to go to Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, in September and that through campaigning with other entities, eight Michigan children who are blind are currently sponsored to attend.  The cost is approximately $1,200 per child.  In addition, Mr. Ellis said his company would also sponsor summer work activities for blind youth in four cities. 

COMMISSIONER ACTIVITIES

Ms. Sheila Ashcraft reported attendance at several meetings since December.  She began service on the Services Delivery Design Team meetings in December and February as MCB Board liaison to this group.  Items covered a wide range of issues such as job satisfaction which included updating job descriptions and pay equity.  Mr. Wurtzel outlined the standards and training for Business Enterprise Program trainees.  Ms. Ashcraft also attended a Consumer Involvement Council meeting in January, on behalf of Commissioner Jackson, at which many proactive opinions were expressed.  Ms. Ashcraft attended two of the training sessions during the BEP Annual Workshop and said she appreciated seeing how the various vendors reacted to different issues during the workshop and committees and also her interaction with them at the banquet.  Other activities included an excellent session on federal disability issues at a caucus session at Cobo Hall, which itself is an example of a venue with poor signage and accessibility; and attendance at a February Snowshoe Gathering.

Ms. Ashcraft complimented the efforts of the staff with the improvements in the MCB website which she said was often a critical first introduction of the Commission to the public.

Mr. Robert Adler attended a morning session of the BEP workshop and was especially interested in the presentation by BEP’s federal counterpart from West Virginia, describing their commissary program.  He urged BEP to consider this system, which could provide more jobs and be more efficient.  Mr. Adler also commented that he had hoped to have arranged a demonstration of Apple’s new computer operating system, which includes a screen reader, which he believes is very cost efficient.  Additionally, Mr. Adler said he had been in touch with the Michigan State Medical Society, and forwarded information to Director Cannon regarding inviting the incoming president, an ophthalmologist, to the June meeting.

Mr. J.J. Jackson paid tribute to Director Pat Cannon on throwing out the first pitch at the Detroit Tigers opening day ceremony, on behalf of the Governor.  Mr. Jackson said this demonstrated the Governor’s value of inclusion and what a blind person could accomplish.

Mr. Jackson attended part of the BEP Annual Workshop and commended the vendors’ work and their impact on employment of the blind and visually impaired.  Mr. Jackson said service awards were made to individuals in recognition of up to 30 years of service in the BEP program.  Mr. Jackson also attended the February Cultural Diversity Committee in Detroit, and topics included a presentation by Mr. Leamon Jones on outreach efforts to underserved populations; attitudes on blindness in African countries, and a presentation by the Director of Michigan State University African Studies Center.

Mr. Richard Grant attended a meeting of the Image and Identity team in April which dealt with specific action plans on outreach, such as service awards, website, brochures, educational items, etc.  

Ms. Pilarski commended the board in their proactive participation on the various committees.  Ms. Pilarski attended the BEP Annual Workshop.  Ms. Pilarski also attended the MCB Planning and Quality (PAQ) meeting which included an all staff audio conference and discussion on training center guidelines.  Ms. Pilarski will be attending a Maximum Impact leadership simulcast conference on technology on April 29.

REGULAR MEETING

CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL AND DETERMINATION OF QUORUM

          The regular meeting was called to order at 10:15 a.m.  Roll call was taken and a quorum was present.

MR. ADLER MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. ASHCRAFT, TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 25, 2005 MEETING, AS PRESENTED.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

MR. GRANT MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. ASHCRAFT, TO ACCEPT THE SCHEDULES OF COMMISSION MEETINGS FOR 2006 AND 2007, AS PRESENTED.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

PUBLIC COMMENT

          Mr. George Wurtzel, Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind, announced he had brochures available for the Camp Tuhsmeheta (Camp T) summer 2005 schedule and described the planned activities which could also be found on their website www.campt.org.  Mr. Wurtzel cautioned that Michigan had once had one of the best schools for the blind in the nation and it was necessary to make sure Camp T did not fall into disuse.

          Ms. Sandra Fortier, MCB, wished to thank her ophthalmologist who advises many people about the Commission.

          Mr. Joel Cooper, President/CEO Disability Resource Centers of Southwest Michigan, welcomed the Commission to the region and acknowledged the good work of the Commission and staff, in particular Ms. Lisa Kisiel and Ms. Sherry Gordon, and Mrs. Elizabeth Lennon, former MCB Commissioner, who had volunteered for 24 years at their center.  Mr. Cooper also reported the formation of the Resource Development Committee, a collaboration of partners of centers of independent living, MCB, and others.  A celebration is planned for the 15^th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act in Kalamazoo on July 26 to which he invited the board. 

          Ms. Lydia Schuck, speaking on behalf of both consumer organizations, said that while they are full of regret there is no school for the blind in Michigan, they recognize it would be impractical to believe it could be reopened.  However, the need has been expressed for longer term programs for children who are severely multiply impaired and for respite services on weekends for parents.  Parents of Older children believe it would be beneficial to have longer, intensive weekend programs, such as Texas School for the Blind’s successful programs, for high school students who would not be marked as absent from school.  Both organizations feel deep concern regarding the responsibilities of Michigan School for the Blind and the need for accountability on what activities and population they serve, as this directly impacts the services and funds provided by the Commission. 

          Mr. Edward Osmar, husband of a BEP vendor, said last year she had taken over the highway vending route of a previous operator and that he had reported to BEP staff that there was a discrepancy with the money he was making compared to the reported income of the previous operator.  Mr. Osmar said he followed up with calls to people in BEP, MCB, and DLEG.  He reported that last year they grossed $298,000 and that no one appeared to care that the previous operator misrepresented over $100,000 in gross sales and had not paid appropriate set aside fees, federal taxes, etc.  Mr. Osmar said he felt others were skimming profits in this program and this was a serious problem which needed looking into. Mr. Osmar claimed the BEP staff could have checked the sales by the three main suppliers (Coke, Hav-a-bar and Chicago Vendors) to verify the amount of sales, and in particular, he said Coke claimed to have sold more to the previous operator in their last year.

BOARD CORRESPONDENCE

          There was no Board Correspondence.

TECHNOLOGY PRESENTATIONS

LOW VISION SOLUTIONS

Ms. Nancy Simmons said she had been in business for 18 years and has a Low Visions Solutions store in Livonia.  Ms. Simmons said changes were happening rapidly in technology of low vision aids and reported that one of the older companies, Telesensory, had gone out of business. Ms. Simmons said repairs and service could still be carried out and warranties would still be honored.  Ms. Simmons described her wide range of products, and said that in many cases, prices were dropping in a rapid manner due to changing technology.   Ms. Simmons also announced their policy to give MCB clients a 10 percent discount.  Discussion was held on the need and potential for additional low vision aid retail outlets throughout Michigan.

WAYFINDING

Dr. Paul Ponchillia, Chair of the Department of Blindness and Low Vision Studies, Western Michigan University, reported his participation in a five-year project funded by National Institute for Disability Research (NIDR) on talking global positioning satellite (GPS) technology, the latest version of which is called BrailleNote GPS.   Dr. Ponchillia distributed outlines and explained the benefits and disadvantages of wayfinding, which is the ability to determine where a person was at any given time, the environment, and how to find a destination, navigating intersections, etc.   

Future developments include an integrated platform which Dr. Ponchillia said would be about the size of a cell phone; “dead reckoning” technology, which will include a gyroscope, altimeter and a pedometer, and will work inside buildings; wireless GPS databases on buildings and intersections.  Dr. Ponchillia was very enthusiastic about the GPS unit, but emphasized that GPS technology was expensive, that it was designed for orientation purposes for use by good travelers and was not designed to replace mobility skills.

MOPIX WEST MICHIGAN

Mr. Joe Sibley, chair of MoPix West Michigan and a member of the MCB Consumer Involvement Council, and Ms. Michelle Visscher, MCB Teacher/Counselor gave a presentation on MoPix, explaining that the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of Michigan, Michigan Council for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MCBVI) and MCB had given support and donations to help bring this technology to Michigan.  Ms. Visscher said this project will make accessible first run movies at theatres in West Michigan.

Mr. Sibley, a former client of MCB and the training center, complimented the Commission and its staff, and explained the technology, developed by WGBH in Boston and in use in over 20 states, allows people who are visually impaired to use a special wireless headset to hear a description of action on the screen and allows people who have hearing impairments to utilize a reflector in the theatre that attaches to the seat and shows the text of the dialogue.   Mr. Sibley ran a video describing the technology, which will be installed in Jack Loeks Studio 28 theatres in West Michigan, hopefully by July 4.  MoPix West Michigan is involved in sharing the cost of installation of this technology in the theatres, which will spread throughout Michigan as they are able to raise funds.   Mr. Sibley thanked the Commission for their support.

BRINGING TECHNOLOGY TO FOOD SERVICE

          Mr. Joe Pelle, Promotional Agent, and Ms. Lucy Edmonds, Secretary of the BEP, reported that it was a goal to make all vending machines in highway rest areas and state and federal buildings accessible to those who are blind who use Braille.  Ms. Edmonds said this project was initiated in three highway areas and the Victor Building, Lansing, and also in the BEP Training room at the center.  Manufacturers have started to put permanent Braille on the keypad of the vending machines and the wife of an operator has begun a business to produce Braille on plastic sheets to help the operators in keeping up to date on their products and keeping costs down.

          Mr. Pelle reported that a project at the Clare rest area involved adding credit card access to some of the vending machines, with the hope that families will be more inclined to buy several items at once, and also with the goal to add higher-margin products like cameras and sunglasses.  Technology will also allow the operator to check sales inventory and equipment from home, with alarm systems to alert the operator if there is a break-in.  Another program allows a debit card access.  Mr. Pelle said BEP is also working with MDOT, SBC Ameritech, Michigan Travel, MDNR on wi-fi access at various sites, including the Coldwater vending location, although there is a lack of education to the general public about these possibilities.  There is concern at MDOT that this accessibility may cause heavy traffic at the centers and cause jams on the off and on ramps.

Recessed for lunch at 12:10 p.m.  Concurrent demonstrations on all technology items presented during the day were held during the lunch period.

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          The meeting was reconvened at 1:30 p.m. 

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Mr. Patrick Cannon, State Director, called attention to the written MCB report distributed to the commissioners, and said before continuing his verbal report, it was a distinct pleasure to announce a certificate of recognition award for 35 years of service to Mr. Chris Rasmussen of the MCB Training Center staff. Mr. Cannon commented that Chris always brought a positive attitude to work.  Ms. Melody Lindsey presented the service award to Mr. Rasmussen, who appreciated the recognition and remarked on the changes since he began at the Center. 

Mr. Cannon reported that he and Susan Turney attended a Michigan Optometric Association legislative reception held April 13, at which they were able to do a lot of networking, communicating MCB's outreach plan to reach the optometric and ophthalmological community.   Mr. Cannon also spoke with the Dean of Optometry at Ferris State University regarding education of the students about MCB.

On April 13, MCBVI held its quarterly board meeting which Ms. Lindsey attended.  In the afternoon Mr. Cannon, along with Ms. Sherri Heibeck and Mr. Bob Robertson, joined the meeting to talk about the Commission’s Vision 2020 initiative and give an overview of the Action Plan.

Mr. Cannon said additional meetings included the first meeting of the newly formed 70+ member Council of Labor and Economic Growth (CLEG), a progression of the workforce investment boards, on which both he and Ms. Jaye Shamsiddeen, director of MRS, serve.  Also, the State of DLEG meeting had been held in March attended by several MCB staff, the focus of which was the creation of 30,000 jobs and 35,000 employer contacts in Michigan during 2005. 

Mr. Cannon and Mr. Leamon Jones attended the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) Region V directors meeting in Chicago in late March.  Mr. Cannon said this meeting may be the last Region V meeting due to the scheduled closure of regional offices by the end of September.   The reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) was a main item of discussion, including the proposed WIA Plus legislation which is deemed harmful by many to rehabilitation funding and services.  

Mr. Cannon said that, following requests made during the last commission meeting, information had been provided to the board on the MCB Internal Operating budget, and a letter had been sent under Chairperson Pilarski’s signature to the City of Detroit's Department of Transportation to express concern over their proposed cuts in transit service.

Mr. Cannon concluded his report by remarking on the first pitch at the Detroit Tiger game, which he had done at the request of the Governor.  He said this was not only a huge satisfaction to him personally, but that he was extremely pleased with the amount of media coverage it generated in which he was able to talk about MCB and its services, disabilities in general, and the message that it was important to focus on abilities of people rather than their disabilities.

MR. JACKSON MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MR. ADLER, TO ACCEPT THE DIRECTOR’S REPORT, AS PRESENTED.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

CONSUMER SERVICES REPORT

Mr. Leamon Jones, Director of Consumer Services, reported on the March RSA meeting in Chicago commenting that there was a great deal of concern about the reduction of 126 staff in regional offices to 60 staff, mostly inexperienced, under a central administration in Washington. 

Additional activities include the Region V Rehabilitation Continuing Education Program (RCEP) Resiliency Training sessions scheduled for May and July, which will concentrate on helping staff renew their spirit and skills;  a meeting on the Youth Low Vision program set for May 13 inviting all stakeholders to participate in providing input on proposed policy recommendations; internship opportunities for youth to work at BEP facilities during the summer which may result in increased participation in the vending program; participation by Shawnese Laury-Johnson in training in the early summer in National Employment Network, which establishes a central contact point for companies with multiple state locations; and a collaboration with MRS to present at the Disability Caucus meeting May 4 in Lansing.

MR. JACKSON MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. ASHCRAFT, TO ACCEPT THE CONSUMER SERVICES REPORT, AS PRESENTED.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

MCBTRAINING CENTER REPORT

Ms. Melody Lindsey, director of the MCB Training Center, reported that Paradigm, Inc. had been chosen to design the technology center, including improvements in the BEP training area, library and dormitory space.  The company has requested a questionnaire be completed by MCB in order to determine the requirements.  Ms. Lindsey thanked the Technology Team which had been very involved in this process.  Ms. Lindsey said in June, the Center driveways would be under reconstruction and repair.

The Rehabilitation Services Coordinator position was posted and Ms. Lindsey said over 50 applications had been received which were being reviewed for interview selection.

Other meetings attended by Ms. Lindsey included the Eastern Region staff meeting where discussion was held about a G.E.D. program at the center; the MCBVI Board Meeting, at which comments were made regarding changes in training center policies; continuation of the immersion program for students at Western Michigan University and discussion with Dr. Jennipher Wiebold about a presentation next year on the findings of this program; and activities for the Quest for Success week, July 17 at Camp T, including publicity prepared by Susan Turney and Shannon Berkin.

MR. JACKSON MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MR. GRANT, TO ACCEPT THE TRAINING CENTER REPORT, AS PRESENTED.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

FUTURE TRENDS AND CHALLENGES IN TECHNOLOGY

          Mr. Roger Yake, counselor and technology instructor at MCBTC, gave a brief overview of some of the challenges and benefits of upcoming technology.  Miniaturization of equipment is the main thrust, such as the flash or thumb drive which is replacing floppy disks, and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) which are about half the size of a BrailleNote.  Mr. Yake said a disadvantage is that controls are correspondingly smaller and harder to manipulate.  Work is being carried out by Microsoft and other companies on Internet II which will allow people to do everything faster through integration on the Internet.  Future developments include seamless integration, which will allow communication between multiple devices, and natural language commands.  Mr. Yake distributed a list of resource and internet links.

DESIGNING THE TECHNOLOGY CENTER AT MCBTC

          Ms. Sherri Heibeck, technology analyst with the Department of Information Technology, explained that as a result of discussion in various focus design teams, it was determined that the present facilities at the training center were not adequate for current or future technology training.  As a result, the request was made for a proposal to utilize the space in the most effective manner, for not only the technology training center but also the library, BEP and dormitory spaces.  Paradigm Inc. had been selected to prepare this proposal, with input by architects, mechanical and electrical engineers, with the understanding that part or all of the proposals could be selected for implementation at the discretion of MCB. 

TECHNOLOGY IN THE WORKPLACE AND SCHOOL

Mr. Paul Ecklund, Disability Resource Center, said that in his youth, he was diagnosed with juvenile macular degeneration, at which time there was no technology available to aid him.  Through his own experiences at school and work and the gradually developing technology, he has learned to utilize such items as ZoomText; the Olympus, a portable closed circuit TV system; and scan and read and text to audio options, which can download documents to an MP3 player.  Mr. Ecklund circulated several of the items, including an MP3 player the size of a cigarette lighter that contains the equivalent of two books.

Mr. Ecklund said Section 504 of the Rehab Act, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act were major stepping stones in helping with accommodation needs and a great deal of his work is in advocacy of these needs. 

BUSINESS ENTERPRISE REPORT

Mr. Fred Wurtzel, Manager of the program, reported that he attended a conference called BLAST (Business Learning and Superior Training) in Denver the week of April 11, at which 31 state BEP operators were in attendance. Topics included the deep concern regarding the RSA regional office eliminations; competitive operations by the National Institute of Severely Handicapped on military installations and commissaries; Randolph-Sheppard Act training; and a food show by 66 exhibitors.

Mr. Wurtzel said that at the recent BEP Annual Workshop, the Elected Operators Committee (EOC) reelected Joe Sontag as chair.

ELECTED OPERATORS COMMITTEE REPORT

          Mr. Sontag referred to a motion made at the September 2004 EOC meeting, that before any operator could be demoted and awarded a location, the location be first placed on the bid line with both licensed operators and potential operators being given an opportunity to bid on the location.  Mr. Sontag requested approval by the board of this policy change.

MR. JACKSON MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. PILARSKI, TO SUPPORT THE MOTION, AS PRESENTED.  COMMISSIONERS ADLER, ASHCRAFT AND GRANT ABSTAINED.  THE MOTION WAS NOT PASSED, FAILING TO ACHIEVE A MAJORITY VOTE.

           Commissioners Ashcraft and Grant said that, as relatively new commissioners, they did not feel they understood the BEP and its promotional system well enough to recognize the ramifications of supporting the motion.  Commissioner Adler said that he was deeply concerned by allegations made during Public Comment and that, although he believed that this policy change appeared beneficial, he would not act on any policy changes affecting this promotional system until a response had been made by Mr. Wurtzel to the very disturbing charges and to other innuendo he has heard and received via email about how the Business Enterprise Program works, including suggestions that cronyism and favoritism were frequently practiced.  While he said he would place no value on unproved innuendo, he felt that if proved true, some of these charges amounted to criminal acts, and that it was possible MCB was being defrauded of funds.

          Mr. Sontag expressed his disappointment that the board did not receive this motion in a timely fashion and before the recent allegations and although he had himself passed along some correspondence regarding these allegations, he was very willing to discuss this and other concerns to ensure that the Business Enterprise Program be held beyond reproach. 

          Ms. Pilarski asked that Mr. Adler, as board liaison to the BEP, be included in any discussion.  Mr. Cannon said he would develop a report in response to email messages, public comment and the anonymously signed letters and give these to Mr. Adler.  Mr. Wurtzel said he would welcome as much discussion as was needed with all appropriate parties.

          The board said this motion could be reintroduced at a future session.

MR. JACKSON MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MR. ADLER, TO ACCEPT THE BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM REPORT, AS PRESENTED.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

PUBLIC COMMENT

          No public comment.

ADJOURNMENT

MR. ADLER MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MR. JACKSON, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

          Ms. Pilarski invited audience listening via the Internet to send their comments and responses regarding the audio streaming.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:05 p.m.   The next meeting will be on Friday, June 24, 2005 at the Victor Building.  The Committee of the Whole meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. and the regular meeting will start at 10:00 a.m.

ADDENDUM - APPROVED AT APRIL 18, 2005 COMMISSION MEETING

MICHIGAN MICHIGAN COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND

MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 2006

Friday, February 24, Ann Arbor

Monday, April 24, Kalamazoo  – MCB Training Center

Friday, June 23, Lansing

Monday, August 21, Escanaba

Monday, October 16, Ludington

Monday, December 11, Lansing

MEETING SCHEDULE FOR 2007

Friday, February 23, Detroit - Cadillac Place

Monday, April 16, Kalamazoo  – MCB Training Center

Friday, June 22, Lansing

Monday, August 20, Marquette

Monday, October 15, Gaylord

Monday, December 10, Lansing