APPROVED

MICHIGAN COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND

APRIL 19, 2004

MICHIGAN COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND

TRAINING CENTER

KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN

MINUTES

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT

Ms. Jo Ann Pilarski, Chairperson

Mr. Robert Adler

Ms. Barbara Thomas

COMMISSIONERS ABSENT

Ms. Peeti Greene, Vice Chair

Mr. J. J. Jackson

Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) STAFF PRESENT

Mr. Patrick Cannon

Ms. Tish Kingaby

Mr. Leamon Jones

Ms. Melody Lindsey

Ms. Sherri Heibeck (DIT)

Ms. Sherry Gordon

Ms. Lisa Kisiel

Ms. Shannon Berkin

Ms. Ella Harrington

Mr. Roger Yake

Ms. Barbara Wile

Mr. Joseph Pelle

Mr. Bob Savage

Ms. Lynne Hall

Ms. Corda Moss

Ms. Mary Zemlick

Mr. John Boes

Mr. Dave Greenwald

Ms. Karen Harrington

GUESTS

Mr. Jeff Moyer

Ms. Jo Kozak

Dr. Jennipher Wiebold

Ms. Galyn Barnum

Ms. Karen Halstead

Ms. Dolly Roselip

Mr. John Kuehn

Ms. Caitlyn Snyder

Ms. Jean Moore

Ms. Ernestine Jefferson

Ms. Jacquelyn Ingram

Mr. Mohamed Fawaz

Mr. Ron Fellows

Mr. Robert Campbell

Mr. Harrison Halsell

Mr. Mike Seeley

Ms. Pat Tassie

Ms. Willie Jean Moore

Ms. Eleanor Chaney

Mr. Victor Getter

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

The Committee of the Whole was opened by Chairperson Pilarski at 9:02 a.m. 

COMMISSIONER ACTIVITIES

No activities to report.

COMMISSION 2005 MEETING DATES

Discussion was held regarding remaining 2004 and proposed 2005 meeting dates and locations.  Dates for 2005 were acceptable with the exception of Tuesday, February 22^nd.  The board agreed to move this date to Friday, February 25, 2005. The 2005 dates will be adopted in the regular session.  

Ms. Thomas inquired if her last meeting would be August 2004, as her term expires in September and she is not seeking reappointment.  Mr. Cannon said that, depending upon action taken by the Governor’s Appointments Office, Ms. Thomas may be asked to participate in one or two meetings beyond September.

The Committee of the Whole was adjourned at 9:20 a.m.

REGULAR MEETING

CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL AND DETERMINATION OF QUORUM

            The regular meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m.  Roll call was taken and a quorum was present.

MR. ADLER MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. THOMAS, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 17, 2004 MEETING, AS PRESENTED.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

MR. ADLER MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. THOMAS, TO APPROVE THE CORRECTION TO THE DECEMBER 15, 2003 MEETING MINUTES, AS PRESENTED.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

PROPOSED 2005 MEETING DATES

            Following discussion by the Committee of the Whole, Commission meeting dates for 2005 are selected as follows:

Friday, February 25 in Southfield
Monday, April 18 at the MCB Training Center, Kalamazoo
Friday, June 24 at the MCB Central Office, Lansing
Monday, August 15 in Sault Ste Marie
Monday, October 17 in Alpena
Monday, December 12 at the Michigan Works! Office in Lansing

MR. ADLER MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. THOMAS, TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED COMMISSION MEETING DATES, AS LISTED.  THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

PUBLIC COMMENT

            Ms. Caitlyn Snyder, former student at the MCB Training Center and a member of the Michigan Association of Blind Students, stated the Association’s support of a suggestion allowing the students to prepare some of their own meals at the center, as a means of furthering their independence.

BOARD CORRESPONDENCE

            There was no Board Correspondence.

DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Mr. Patrick Cannon, Director, presented Ms. Barbara Wile and Mr. Roger Yake, both staff at the MCB Training Center, with their service recognition awards for 30 years of service to the State of Michigan.

Mr. Cannon called attention to the written MCB Report included in the Commissioner packet and distributed via Newsline and the MCB listserv.

Mr. Cannon reported that the Vision 2020 initiative created four years previously was beginning to produce some pertinent results from the work of the Planning and Quality (PAQ) Team and the focus design teams.  This includes the current request to align MCB’s long range and short range strategic goals with visions, values and plans of the Governor’s Office and the Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG).  Mr. Cannon said nine ambassadors had been selected to represent the Commission in meeting DLEG’s overarching goals.  Their work over the past several weeks included a presentation at the combined field and training center staff meeting held Friday, April 16.  Following integration of comments and suggestions from that meeting, the draft strategic plan would next be referred to the PAQ Team at their meeting scheduled on Wednesday, April 21.

Regarding the highway funding legislation in congress, Mr. Cannon said the Transportation Equity Act, referred to as TEA-21, included an attempt to get funding language for a Model Accessibility Project in Washington, D.C., using Remote Infrared Audible Signage.  The proposal will be studied by a House and Senate conference committee.  Mr. Cannon said a presentation by Mr. Jeff Moyer, vice president of Marketing at Talking Signs, Inc. was scheduled for today’s meeting.

Mr. Cannon reported that the disability awareness interactive training series called Windmills is being scheduled for the Governor’s Executive Office staff, and that this training is already underway with the Department of Management and Budget with other departments expected to follow soon.

Mr. Cannon reported his attendance, along with Leamon Jones and the state director of Michigan Rehabilitation Services, Jaye Balthazar, at the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) Region V directors meeting, in Chicago last month.  Information covered included funding issues for public rehab agencies, and reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act.

Mr. Cannon said that Visions 2004, the third in a series of vendor fairs cosponsored by MCB and the Washtenaw County Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled, will be held May 5 at Washtenaw Community College, Morris Lawrence Building.  This event has been very successful, with over 1,500 people attending the last fair in 2002. 

Regarding the Mini Adjustment programs, Mr. Cannon said that 33 clients attended the session held in Ann Arbor in March.  The next program is scheduled in Farmington Hills the week of May 2.

Mr. Cannon said the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind will hold its spring conference in Bethesda, Maryland, April 28-30, which he will attend along with Ms. Beth White, Assistant Regional Supervisor.  Funding, particularly formula funding, and the impact of the nation’s fiscal woes on public rehabilitation services are among issues which will be discussed.

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

CONSUMER SERVICES REPORT

Mr. Leamon Jones, Director of Consumer Services, reported continuing efforts by staff in many community activities during the past two months, including attendance at vendor fairs, the Transition Conference in Frankenmuth, and the Developmental Disability Conference.

Mr. Jones said the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and Independent Living (IL) staff participated in Mini adjustment programs which is proving to be an excellent collaboration with the MCB Training Center staff, working with consumers who are experiencing vision loss and helping to provide more exposure on how the Commission can help them.

Future activities in which staff will participate include the Michigan Chapter Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired Conference April 22-23; an Oakland County career day in May, with career discussion in the afternoon and student/parent sessions scheduled for the evening; and the Choice Fair, May 20, at the Detroit Public Schools at which the attendance is anticipated to be several hundred students.

Mr. Jones announced the VR program had been successful in hiring Mr. Ed Haines in the Escanaba office, to provide teaching and counseling duties to people who are blind in that area. It is hoped that additional staff will be added to meet the needs of all programs.

Mr. Jones said a staff meeting for all IL staff is planned to look at procedures, policies and for an exchange of ideas to improve services.

The MiJobs Coalition is meeting regarding registrations for the Medicaid Buy-In program signed into legislation last year.  Mr. Jones said that approximately twelve people had signed up for this program so far.

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

REGIONAL REPORT AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS REPORT

            Ms. Sherry Gordon introduced the Kalamazoo Office staff and two community partners.

COMMUNITY PARTNER REPORTS

DisabilityResourceCenter – Ms. Karen Halstead, associate director, gave an overview of their organization which is a center of independent living covering nine counties in Southwestern Michigan.  Their home office is located in Kalamazoo which allows them to collaborate closely with the MCB Training Center staff and with Dr. Jennipher Wiebold at Western Michigan University.  Programs offered include social security benefit planning, an assistive technology loan fund, and a computer lab. 

Ms. Halstead said they have a very active disability rights advocacy program, led by Paul Ecklund, and a large consumer driven advocacy team which addresses many issues including transportation. 

MichiganWorks! KalamazooOffice – Ms. Dolly Roselip said their offices are located in Kalamazoo and Three Rivers and serve as an umbrella organization for multiple agencies all focused on finding employment. Programs include an adult services program working with economically disadvantaged adults over the age of 22, dislocated workers who have been laid off, employment services working with the general public, Michigan Rehabilitation Services, Goodwill Industries and Veterans Services.  Ms. Roselip said their office has a computer lab and offers workshops in computer training, interview and resume preparation, job counseling and job and resume posting services.  Ms. Roselip said their workshops at the MCB Training Center have been very productive.

            Director Cannon inquired as to the success of their Michigan Works! one-stop center as, in many cases, the centers are not very accessible.  Ms. Roselip said they were fortunate to have the MCB TC, WMU and, in particular, the Disability Awareness Resource Team (DART) that has a lot of people working very hard to address accessibility issues.  Mr. Cannon praised their exemplary service and said it is a model of how successful the one-stop could be for people with disabilities.

            Ms. Gordon said that, with Goodwill as the fiduciary agent, DART was the recipient of a grant, available October 1, to hire a Customized Employment Services Specialist located at the Michigan Works! office whose responsibilities will be to enhance services for individuals with disabilities.

MCB TECHNOLOGY FOCUS DESIGN TEAM REPORT

Ms. Sherri Heibeck, Mr. Roger Yake and Mr. Joseph Pelle gave a joint report on the progress of the MCB Technology Focus Design Team.  Ms. Heibeck, current co-chair of the team, explained she would be taking on responsibilities as co-chair of the Resource and Structure Team, and that Mr. Yake and Mr. Pelle would be the Technology Team’s co-chairs. Ms. Heibeck said both had a great deal of technology expertise.

Ms. Heibeck said the work of the team was presently focused on four areas: staff technology training, the MCB website, accessible vending machines and technology training at the MCBTC.  In November, Ms. Heibeck said a very successful staff technology training was held at the MCB Training Center.  Follow-up is in progress on the sessions held, and for future plans.  Ms. Heibeck said the website was an area of concern, and needed a lot of work, much of which has been delayed during the last year pending transfer from the Family Independence Agency (FIA) server to the Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG) server.  Because of accessibility issues, the website has not been easily navigable under FIA, however, the DLEG’s Information Technology (IT) staff have been very amenable to restructuring the website.  The Web Design Subcommittee, formed to address the restructure, comprises members from different programs or divisions and is currently studying the taxonomy. 

Mr. Pelle, promotional agent for the Business Enterprise Program (BEP), reported his area of focus is accessibility of vending machines.  Mr. Pelle is working with the new BEP operator at Cadillac Place in Detroit, and experimenting on the four banks of vending machines located there, with plan-o-grams, Braille signs, etc.  Complaints had been received that using clear Braille dynotape labels impairs the view for sighted customers.  Mr. Pelle is also looking at interactive technology, voice described and even wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) possibilities.  Mr. Cannon said he intended to raise the subject of accessible vending at the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind conference in late April.

Mr. Adler advised the Technology Team that in future, all Macintosh PCs will come with voice programs integrated, which might be a savings for people who could not afford the Jaws program. Mr. Yake said that sometimes the integrated voice programs tended to have limitations.

Mr. Yake said that MCB had long wished to develop a state of the art technology center, where products and equipment could constantly be researched and evaluated; however, space, staff and funding were all necessary components. In checking states that are successfully operating similar centers, such as the Texas Commission for the Blind, it was found that the commitment for such staffing and funding was extremely strong; the Technology Team is investigating possibilities and challenges for meeting these goals in the future.

Ms. Heibeck said surveys of both staff and users are ongoing to meet the technology needs of the Commission in all areas of the state.  Ms. Pilarski inquired about hiring additional technology trainers and Mr. Cannon said that currently there was a temporary delay on hiring, but that a technology trainer position was a high priority.  Additionally, Mr. Yake said trainers are contracted to help meet the needs of the clients.  Ms. Heibeck said that cash match arrangements were also being pursued to supplement funding.

TALKING SIGNS, INC. PRESENTATION

Mr. Cannon introduced Mr. Jeff Moyer, Vice President of Marketing for Talking Signs, Inc., a company founded by Mr. Ward Bond.  Mr. Moyer, based in Cleveland, would demonstrate the talking signs system, which is part of the Remote Infrared Audible Signage (RIAS), a term coined by the Access Board Public Rights of Way Advisory Committee incorporating the technology specifications to make such technology compatible among the various developers.

Mr. Moyer explained the history and creation of the talking signs technology which developed into the concept of taking a human voice, recording it on chips, and broadcasting it over invisible silent infrared light to be picked up by the end user on a receiver.  The receiver is one-directional and spreads like light, similar to a flashlight.  Mr. Moyer demonstrated the use of the receiver, approximately the size of a TV remote, which when pointed at a transmitter with a press of one button, receives a signal.  Transmitters are individually set to continuously repeat its unique signal, only being audible when a receiver is directed at it.  When permanent transmitters are installed at a building, they are configured to deflect any light which might distort its signal.  Transmitters may be used inside or outdoors, and there are transmitters for personal use at home.  Transmitters can also be installed in name badges to help identify attendees at a conference.

Mr. Moyer said that this system is used extensively in San Francisco, and in Japan, there are plans to add talking signs to all intersections. In the U.S., the Access Board wants to promote accessible pedestrian crossing technology which does not rely on hand-held receivers.  Mr. Cannon said it was hoped by the Access Board to use the technology at intermodal transportation centers, and a proposed Model Accessibility Project in Washington, D.C., is currently going though Congress under the Transportation bill.

Mr. Moyer said technology is evolving and that each talking sign transmits a unique digital domain code, a universal resource locator (URL), and Japanese firms are working to develop the next generation of personal electronics.  Cell phones will have talking sign receivers, global positioning satellite (GPS) technology, compass, Wi-Fi interconnect, etc., and the capacity to click onto a website or receive a signal or translation in multiple languages for both sighted or non-sighted persons. Ultimately mass production of these products will make them inexpensive to purchase.  Miniaturization is also a goal, so that receivers can be worn instead of being hand-carried, which currently poses additional burdens for persons with low vision who use canes, etc.  Recently, Dr. Osamu Sueda from Japan, visited Lansing and met with Mr. Cannon and Mr. Mike Hudson of Michigan State University and observed talking sign technology on the buses of Lansing’s Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA).  Dr. Sueda is currently working to establish an international standard so that frequencies are uniform worldwide.  Mr. Moyer feels talking signs for the blind and visually impaired are a civil right.

  Mr. Moyer said he would be available during the lunch break for questions and further demonstrations and would conclude his presentation following lunch.

Ms. Pilarski thanked Mr. Moyer and asked for a motion for the board to move into closed session.

MR. ADLER MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. THOMAS, TO MOVE INTO CLOSED SESSION TO REVIEW AND APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 17, 2004 CLOSED SESSION.  ROLL CALL WAS TAKEN AND THE MOTION WAS CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

The Board closed the regular session at 12:10 p.m. and reopened the regular session at 12:30 p.m.

MR. ADLER MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. THOMAS, TO ACCEPT THE INFORMATION RECORDED IN THE CLOSED SESSION MINUTES, AS READ.  ROLL CALL WAS TAKEN AND THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

Mr. Adler suggested that Commissioners Greene and Jackson be contacted and advised of the closed session minutes and that the three commissioners who were present affirmed the minutes as read.  Mr. Cannon said he would contact Ms. Greene and Mr. Jackson with this information and the offer to have the minutes read to them.

Recessed for lunch at 12:33 p.m.

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            Chairperson Pilarski reconvened the meeting at 1:15 p.m

TALKING SIGNS, INC. PRESENTATION (Cont.)

Mr. Moyer recapped his demonstration for persons joining the meeting, and played an audio recording of people praising the talking signs technology installed in the CATA buses, including  those serving the Michigan State University campus. The consensus of praise was the ability of visually impaired students to know exactly which bus was approaching or passing, and select the correct bus and/or remain under shelter until necessary. 

Ms. Pilarski thanked Mr. Moyer for his fine presentation.  As with the acceptance of curb cuts designed for people who are disabled and telephone relay service for people who are deaf, Mr. Moyer said that persistent advocacy by disability support groups and consumers would lead to talking signs installation for the blind and visually impaired.

MCB TRAINING CENTER REPORT

Ms. Melody Lindsey, director of the MCB Training Center reported that a successful field and center staff meeting had been held on April 16.  The meeting was very productive and feedback was received on issues such as updating the skills of blindness list; follow-up training in their home area for students who have concluded their training; and more cohesion between the field and center staff on training.

Ms. Lindsey said the center is looking at the request by students to prepare some of their own meals.  In an effort to also relieve the constant overtime demand on the kitchen staff, the continental breakfast served on Sundays will also be offered on Saturdays, along with box lunches or self-preparation of lunches by students.

Ms. Lindsey reported  that the Youth program will be conducted during the week of July 11 at Camp Tuhsmeheta.  Fifteen referrals are expected by May 15.

Student Experiences at the MCB Training Center

Ms. Lindsey introduced three students Ms. Jackie Ingram, Mr. Mike Seeley, and Ms. Pat Tassie.  All three were extremely positive in their outlook, after initially experiencing melancholy and hopelessness at their vision loss, and expressed their excitement at learning mobility and other skills and in particular, discovering the alternative avenues that have now opened to them to through the training and opportunities provided by the training center.  Ms. Lindsey complimented the students who she said were representative of a great student body currently attending the center. Ms. Pilarski also commended the students and their spirit.

World of Work (WOW) Program

Ms. Lindsey said the WOW program, named by Mr. Yake and undertaken by Ms. Lynne Hall and Ms. Mary Zemlick, was conceived to help students prepare for their careers, with resume writing, interview techniques and work experience.  Ms. Hall distributed a handout and described the program, which is a four-week class. 

Ms. Hall said students are selected by the counselors and classes have 3-5 students who must have experience in computer access. In the first week, the student must write a paper on the direction of their life, and complete a skills and abilities checklist from which they build on their strengths for interview purposes and work on improving their weaknesses.  The second week is spent creating resumes and completing job applications. The third week concentrates on interviews, with mock interviews, response preparation on typically asked questions and queries they might make of the interviewer, and critiquing.  During the fourth week, the students each make a five-minute presentation to the group, and explore the Michigan Works! Talent Bank online.  Speakers are invited to give presentations to the students throughout the program. 

Mr. Mohamed “Mo” Fawaz described his experience in taking this class and said it was an extremely positive and growing experience for all the students.  Discussion was held on the pros and cons of whether a job seeker declares his vision impairment on a resume.  Ms. Hall said she was impressed with the poise and confidence shown in follow-up taped interviews with students who had attended this class.

Thursday Night Student Discussions

Ms. Lindsey said she meets with students on Thursday evenings to discuss issues of blindness.  The meeting is for one hour and topics are meant to provoke discussion among the students about both positive and negative attitudes and opinions regarding blindness.  Mr. Cannon joins the group about every other month.  Student Mo Fawaz says he has attended many of these sessions and says it is a good meeting, because the students learn from each other’s experiences and opinions.

Immersion Into Blindness Program

Dr. Jennipher Wiebold, Assistant Professor, Blindness and Low Vision Studies at Western Michigan University (WMU) described the Immersion into Blindness program.  This experiential and innovative training program is funded under a grant awarded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA).  Eight students who are in either rehabilitation counseling or rehab counseling teaching (rehab), but who have not yet begun their rehab courses, will be selected for this course. Acceptance and recruitment of the students is underway from WMU and other universities with rehab programs.   This program is geared to facilitate a positive attitude in rehab students before they become counselors.

Students will be checked for their attitude toward blindness prior to the two-week program, and again at its conclusion.  The rehab students will wear sleep shades the entire time and will be admitted two at a time every two weeks.   Dr. Wiebold described their schedule which will fit in completely in a non-hierarchical manner with the center’s students and their activities.

Following the completion of the first year, evaluations will be made to see what changes are necessary.  Dr. Wiebold feels it is important that rehab students learn some skills of blindness while interacting with people who are blind or visually impaired, rather than be given a one hour or one day experience under sleep shades with no training in how to manage as a blind person.   Dr. Wiebold said that while a rehab student could empathize with blindness, it was the experience that would influence attitude development and she believed, improve their counseling abilities.  Dr. Wiebold welcomed suggestions regarding this program.

Mr. Cannon said the Commission was fully behind this program and concept and he believed the rehab students would be impressed at learning through this experience what people who are blind could accomplish.

Training Tracks at MCB Training Center

Mr. Dave Greenwald of the MCB Training Center, presented his suggestion of a way to improve the training options at the center.  Mr. Greenwald presented this at the joint field and center staff meeting on April 16, and said this idea was initially identified in a Services Delivery focus design team meeting.  Field staff had expressed concern because some consumers were reluctant to attend the center not understanding the scope and diverse choice of training opportunities. 

Mr. Greenwald felt it would be of merit to formalize several individualized training tracks, so the field staff could present these to the consumers and help them better understand their choices. Mr. Greenwald had solicited feedback from the staff at the Commission and received some suggestions.   Suggested tracks are vocational rehabilitation non-visual and semi-visual, visual independent living, deaf-blind, computer training, etc.  While these are all being taught at the center now, Mr. Greenwald felt it would be more encouraging for consumers to look a definitive outline to help them with their decision to attend the center, and be of assistance to field counselors and the training center staff in keeping on top of their student’s progress.  Ongoing reviews would be held and adjustments made as necessary.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Dr. Jennipher Wiebold said WMU is still encouraging and actively recruiting people to apply for the rehabilitation counseling programs.

            The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m.  The next meeting will be on Friday, June 25, 2004 at the Michigan Commission for the Blind Central Office location in the Victor Building, Lansing.  The Committee of the Whole meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. and the regular meeting will start at 10:00 a.m.

Jo Ann Pilarski, Chairperson

Date