MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Michigan Commission for the Blind is to provide opportunity to individuals who are blind or visually impaired to achieve employability and/or function independently in society.

VALUES

We value people who are blind, skills of blindness and statewide activities that include, empower and enable individuals to make their own choices...

We value comprehensive and coordinated statewide vocational rehabilitation services producing employment outcomes in integrated settings...

We value comprehensive and coordinated statewide independent living services helping older blind individuals remain independent...

We value individual choice and individualized services in developing and implementing rehabilitation planning...

We value all agency staff and other agencies and organizations that serve people with vision and physical disabilities...

and,

We value enabling technology that helps integrate consumers...

MCB VISION

Someday it will be said that Michigan is a great place for blind people to live, learn, work, raise a family, and enjoy life because:

1.  An excellent array of rehabilitation and education services are fully accessible to blind people,

2.  Blind people in Michigan believe in themselves and their capacity to achieve excellence,

3.  The state's general population believes in the abilities of blind people and understands what blindness is and what it is not, and

4.  Michigan employers understand, believe in, and hire people who are blind.

July 24, 2006

MCB PHILOSOPHY

"The Michigan Commission for the Blind believes…

…That the pursuit of employment and/or independence by blind persons is of primary social and legislative importance to be valued, aided and encouraged;

…That rehabilitation is a cooperative venture between the agency and the client, with the client having the primary responsibility for personal success and failure;

…That each person is different with different strengths, weaknesses, interests and aptitudes; and that each person requires rehabilitation consultation, planning and training specific to the individual ' s needs and desires;

…That positive attitudes toward blindness held by the general public, by employers, by Commission staff, and by blind individuals, are key factors leading to employment and independence for people who are blind;

…That participation and support by the client ' s family and community increases the probability of rehabilitation success;

…That anti-discrimination laws, policies, and procedures be upheld; and that affirmative action hiring by employers be encouraged;

…That input by organized and individual consumers is essential in developing effective rehabilitation program policies and procedures;

…That "skills of blindness," especially Braille reading and writing and cane travel, are essential to independence and employment;

…That the agency is to be responsive and respectful of state and federal government authority empowering and overseeing agency operations;

…That adequate state and federal appropriations be sought to meet the critical needs and growing demands of blind people of all ages;

…That research and technology promoting employment, independence, blindness prevention and vision enhancement be supported;

…That input of employees is essential to agency management; and, that employees should be provided with the supervision, guidance, training and work environment that moves them toward performance excellence;

…And,

…That public and private rehabilitation facilities, colleges, and training institutions are essential elements in the rehabilitation process."

Adopted by the Michigan Commission for the Blind in Muskegon , Michigan , September 11, 1987 .