The mission of the Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) is to provide individuals who are blind or visually impaired the opportunity to achieve employment and independence.  We believe in the capacity of each blind person to achieve excellence, to be productive, independent and to be involved in the community.

We value each person as an individual and believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect.  We value activities that include, empower and enable individuals to make their own choices.

The Michigan Commission for the Blind Training Center (MCBTC) is committed to maintaining a safe and effective learning environment for all students and expects that everyone at the Center, both students and staff, will follow these policies and guidelines in order to assure that everyone's rights to respect and courtesy are honored.

Policies: All policies were formally adopted by the MCB Board of Commissioners at their April 24, 2006 meeting, to assure that the Training Center is run in an organized, fair and safe manner.

1. MCBTC shall maintain a learning environment that is free from harassment.  No student or staff shall be subjected to harassment by another student or employee.

2. The training center is a state facility and, as such, alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, and weapons are not permitted in the Center building or on the Center grounds at any time.  If a violation of this policy occurs, the student's program will be terminated, and if appropriate, law enforcement may become involved.

3. While we encourage students to learn to prepare meals independently in approved areas, no cooking or cooking devices are permitted in dorm rooms.  Food items are allowed in dorm rooms only if kept in closed re-sealable containers provided by the student.

4. In order to maximize opportunities to learn independent travel skills, no student shall park a motor vehicle on training center property, nor shall they operate a motor vehicle while participating in the training center program. 

5. The training center is a state facility and, as such, is required to maintain a smoke-free environment.  Outdoor smoking areas are designated for such use.

6. Except for family members, adult students shall not have students who have a legal guardian, or minors (anyone under the age of 18), in their dorm rooms or apartments, nor shall adult students enter the dorm room or apartment of a student who is a minor or who has a legal guardian.  No sexual contact is permitted between an adult and a student who is a minor or who has a legal guardian. 

7. Students are required to participate in all scheduled classes.  Three unexcused absences or excessive tardiness in a one month period shall result in program termination for the student.

8. It is the responsibility of the consumer, parent or legal guardian, rehabilitation counselor, and other designated staff to discuss and record in writing all special guidelines, procedures and instructions for any student as necessary to maintain health, safety, or special programmatic issues, that would impact participation in the center program for that student or other student(s) or staff.  Individualized guidelines, procedures and instructions may be written for any student with special programming needs.

Additional Policies for Students who have a Legal Guardian

Please note that the policies listed below pertain only to minor students or to other students who have a legal guardian:

9.  Students shall remain on Training Center grounds unless they have written permission of their legal guardian. 

10.  No sexual contact is permitted.

11. Only adult students will be assigned to second floor dormitory rooms.  Students who are minors or who have a legal guardian are not permitted on the second floor.