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October 19, 2007

GOVERNOR APPOINTS EAGLE AND WOLFE TO COMMISSION

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has announced the appointments of two new MCB commissioners:

Mark A. Eagle of Lansing, candidate for the 71st District State House of Representatives, is appointed to represent blind persons for a term expiring September 30, 2010.  He has served on MCB's Consumer Involvement Council, representing college students and has been the CIC chair for the past year.  In 2002 he was a Michigan Youth Leadership Forum student and the following year was a delegate to the National Youth Leadership Forum representing people with disabilities in Michigan. 

Margaret Wolfe of Ann Arbor, librarian coordinator at the Washtenaw County Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled, is appointed to represent the general public for a term expiring September 30, 2010.  She has worked with MCB on many events such as the bi-annual VISIONS technology fair, and she has received a number of awards including the 2003 New York Times Librarian Award and the 2006 Library of Michigan's State Librarian's Excellence Award. 

In a message to staff, MCB Director Patrick Cannon expressed his appreciation for the dedicated service of former commissioners Sheila Ashcraft and Dick Grant, and invited staff to join him in extending congratulations to Commissioner Eagle and Commissioner Wolfe on their appointments and in welcoming them to MCB service.

WINDMILLS TRAINING FOR CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION

On October 4, MCB Director Pat Cannon provided a two-hour Windmills disability awareness training to a group of 40 Michigan Department of Civil Rights commissioners and department staff at the Capitol Commons Center in Lansing, as a part of a day-long training program on disability rights and disability awareness.

Windmills is a nationally-acclaimed, high-impact attitudinal training program developed by the California Governor's Committee for Employment of Disabled Persons.  The curriculum consists of 11 sections that use participation and discovery as learning vehicles.  The Windmills training modules are interactive, informative, fun, and always effective in addressing the attitudinal barriers that can interfere with interactions with persons with disabilities and compliance with state and federal civil rights laws.

Pat Cannon is a certified Windmills trainer who has conducted hundreds of awareness training workshops for employers, service providers, businesses and other groups throughout Michigan and the nation.  Windmills Training Programs can be tailored to suit the specific needs of any organization interested in more effective interactions with people with disabilities.

ANNUAL CONSUMER CONVENTIONS IN PONTIAC AND KALAMAZOO

Michigan's two statewide blind consumer organizations will hold their annual fall conventions in Pontiac and Kalamazoo, each expected to attract nearly 100 members, friends and partners, including MCB Commissioners and staff.

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) of Michigan will hold its convention, October 19-21, at the Marriott Centerpoint in Pontiac.  The Michigan Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired (MCBVI), affiliated with the American Council of the Blind (ACB), will hold its fall convention in Kalamazoo, November 2-4, at the Holiday Inn West.  Both consumer conventions enable blind individuals and their families to learn about emerging issues affecting the blind, identify and prioritize advocacy goals, network with individuals in the blind services field and to enjoy good food and fellowship.

MICHIGAN REHAB CONFERENCE IN GRAND RAPIDS

The Michigan Rehabilitation Conference (MRC) is scheduled for October 24-26 at the Amway Grand Plaza and DeVos Place in Grand Rapids. This annual conference is the premier conference for rehabilitation professionals in the state. It is co-sponsored by the Michigan Rehabilitation Association and the MARO Employment & Training Association. The title for this year's conference is "Invest in Ability - It Makes Good Sense."

Two staff members of the Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) will receive awards at the 2007 Michigan Rehabilitation Conference in Grand Rapids on October 25. 

MINI-ADJUSTMENT PROGRAM IN ANN ARBOR

MCB's final Mini-Adjustment Workshop of the year was held in Ann Arbor, August 19-24, at the Holiday Inn, located near the University of Michigan campus.  The 36 MCB clients attending the week-long Mini-Adjustment Program workshop were introduced to a variety of skills of blindness, such as cane travel, Braille, managing time and money, adaptive kitchen skills and other skills to enhance independence.

An Employment Readiness Seminar for job-ready consumers was held in conjunction with the Ann Arbor Mini program, on Thursday, August 23, serving five Commission consumers.  Seminar participants received information regarding social security benefits and work incentives, as well as information about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and how it relates to employment of persons with disabilities. 

The 2007 Minis included:  February in Sterling Heights; March in Big Rapids, May in Gladstone (near Escanaba); and August in Ann Arbor.  During the year, a total of one-hundred twenty (120) clients attended these Minis, with sixty-seven (67) being Independent Living Program participants, and fifty-three (53) Vocational Rehabilitation clients. 

Plans are being finalized for four Mini-Adjustment Program workshops next year, with the first one set for Traverse City, March 2-7, at the Traverse City Holiday Inn.  Additional 2008 workshops will be held in Saginaw (May), Farmington Hills, (August) and Kalamazoo (end of October - early November).

Over the last few months, the Consumer Services staff has been very busy in providing timely services to the consumers within the State.  The summer months were unique in a variety of ways.  The staff was instrumental in expanding transitional opportunities for several students over the course of the summer.  As a result of their diligent efforts, three new summer transition programs, Summer Employment Excursion (SEE) in Genesee County (in collaboration with Goodwill), Bear Lake Camp and Fishtales, were initiated to provide additional opportunities for students to participate in summer programs that provide personal adjustment training, pre-employment assessment and job development, along with some actual job shadowing and work experience.  The summer internship through the Business Enterprise Program provided another area where MCB's consumers could gain valuable work experience as well as exposure to possible careers in the food industry.  The Bear Lake Camp provided another unique opportunity for several youths where they were able to participate in simulated work tasks.  This activity was very effective for many of the youths who did not have any exposure to work situations.  The vocational staff worked collaboratively with community agencies and intermediate school districts to make sure that as many students as possible would have a chance to learn about work requirements and expectations and to develop personal skills. 

The eight summer programs provided MCB students an opportunity to gain valuable experience in personal adjustment and skill assessment as well as pre-employment and employment options over the summer months.  A total of 88 students participated in the following summer programs:  Fishtales, Bear Lake Camp, Summer in the City, Quest for Success, Macomb Summer Camp, Detroit Summer Youth program, Summer Employment Excursion and the Business Enterprise Summer Internship.  The summer programs emphasized the importance of students developing personal skills as well as receiving information regarding career options.  Two of the summer programs, the Detroit Summer Youth program and the Summer Employment Excursion provided participants with paid work experience, and one student received a permanent part-time position.  MCB will continue to work with school districts and other community agencies to promote transition opportunities for youths.

The Consumer Services managers are taking the lead in developing agreements with Area Agencies on Aging and the Office of Services to the Aging to increase vocational and technical training and job placement assistance for blind and visually impaired individuals within their communities.  The managers are working closely with a number of the Area Agencies on Aging in the central and southeast part of the state to develop agreements that will expand programs for seniors.  The managers are also working closely with the Centers of Independent Living to include them in the transition activities with the school districts.  Meetings with Community Mental Health (CMH) agencies have been initiated to increase their involvement in the transition activities for youths while they are in school.  As a result, these relationships will produce valuable support to students prior to their graduation.  The CMH involvement is vital in the development and success of supported employment consumers.

MCB and MRS are collaborating with the school districts to integrate the MI Connections program into more schools, so that students with disabilities would have an opportunity to receive training in high tech careers.  MCB will be working closely with the coordinator of the program to ensure that more opportunities will be available for students who are visually impaired and blind.  Shannon McVoy, a vocational counselor who has worked with the program since its inception, has agreed to provide training to staff on the use of the Guidepost which is the central focus of the MI Connections program.  Several areas in the state are in various stages of implementation of this program in their districts.  MCB will continue to closely monitor the progress of the program to make sure the MCB consumers are participating in the MI Connections activities. 

Consumer Services staff are working diligently to provide opportunities for individuals who have completed their vocational training successfully and who are ready for job placement assistance by offering job readiness seminars at each of the Mini Adjustment programs.  Participants receive instructions on how to conduct an effective job search.  They participate in mock interviews and received assistance in resume writing and assessment.  Participants often receive interviews from local employees in the area as well as job leads through Michigan Works!  The staff continues to collaborate with community agencies to participate in job fairs in order to inform their job readiness consumers of employment opportunities.  Several staff participated in a job expo sponsored by United Way and the Michigan Works! organizations held at the Michigan State Fairground in early October where more than 100 employers were seeking candidates to fill job vacancies.

The Telephone Log project was initiated in August to monitor MCB's activities as they relate to information calls received in each office monthly, referral sources, MCB programs, and the number of packets mailed to persons seeking information regarding MCB's programs and services. At this time tentative data regarding the project's outcome is being analyzed to determine how effective the project will be and the ways that the results can be utilized to assist MCB in statistical reporting.

The Consumer Services staff has completed another successful year of providing rehabilitation services to more than 3,500 consumers throughout the state for Fiscal Year 2007.  The Youth Low Vision program provided services to 450 youths in the area of low vision evaluations, low vision consultations and devices.  The Vocational Rehabilitation program successfully assisted 285 consumers with employment of their choice.  The Independent Living program was successful in assisting more than 1,150 consumers with skills that will enable individuals to maintain themselves within their home and community environment.

The Training Center is pleased to welcome Marla Walker as its new Domestic Services Aid.  Marla has assumed the position formerly held by Chris Rasmussen, and began her employment with the MCBTC on October 8.  Marla is presently taking part in her two week center based training under the blindfold and she is to be commended for her dedication to this training.  Marla is even participating in after-hours activities, on her own time, while wearing her blindfold.  Her enthusiasm is fantastic.   

Industrial Arts instructor Will Droll returned to work on October 1, 2007 after an absence of four and a half months.  The TC family is extremely pleased to have Will back again and grateful to Dave Bowden for ably filling in while Will was away. 

Three job openings are currently posted for the training center.  All are for rehabilitation instructors, but each position caries with it some special requirements which will enable the TC to improve the scope and comprehensiveness of the training offered in Kalamazoo.  One rehabilitation instructor will work in the Supportive Services Department, providing instruction to students during evenings and occasional weekends.  This individual will reinforce the lessons taught during the day, and supplement them with additional training as appropriate.  This individual must be qualified to teach orientation & mobility, as well as the other instructional subjects. 

The second new instructor will work closely with clients who are deaf-blind, and must also be qualified to provide orientation & mobility instruction.  This individual must possess skill in tactile sign language and other communication options for persons who are deaf-blind.  As the TC is in the process of designing and implementing a more complete program to meet the complex needs of this population, it will be essential to have an instructor who is skilled in these areas. 

The third posting requires expertise in the area of industrial arts.  The job opening will fill the position vacated by the retirement of Jim Baird, in May 2007.  The TC initially received approval to recruit within MCB for this position, but in order to attract a sufficiently large pool of candidates with experience in woodworking, a broader recruitment scale was necessary.  Industrial arts experience is required here, because the now retired employee was able to provide substitute teaching in that area.  Presently, the TC's instructors can substitute for their absent colleagues in all instructional areas except wood shop.  Additionally, Jim Baird often provided consultation and training in "job in jeopardy" cases across Michigan, when they involved manufacturing, building and related trades.  This service was quite beneficial and resulted in the preservation of many existing job situations and the establishment of new ones. 

The center continues to await approval to post the position of Departmental Manager 14.  This position, when filled, will oversee the dietary and supportive services areas, and will also act as assistant director.   

Bonnie Betz has served as co-coordinator of the Mini Adjustment Programs for many years, working along-side Jim Baird.  With Jim's retirement, Bonnie assumed the leadership role in the Mini Adjustment Program and her new partner and coordinator is Shig Toda.  Each Mini takes place in a different quadrant within the state of Michigan, and is housed at a local hotel.  Between thirty and fifty clients come together on a Sunday evening and remain until Friday, participating in an intensive blindness skills training program.  Staff from throughout the Commission provide teaching services, while the program coordinators handle everything from negotiating the hotel contract, through recruiting instructors, preparing the week's schedule, planning meals, assigning rooms and room-mates, handling last minute hotel problems and taking midnight phone calls from worried clients.  Shig Toda is a rehabilitation instructor working in the Kalamazoo field office.  Shig possesses particular expertise in the area of access technology, is himself blind and extremely competent.  Bonnie and Shig have shared an office for years, but have always worked in completely different programs.  Now they have joined forces, along with Rose Beville-Sprinkle as contract reviewer and detail person, to create a new and dynamic Mini Management team.

Corda Moss, Administrative Assistant to the Training Center Director, graduated Magna Cum Laude, on Saturday, October 6, 2007 with her Bachelors degree in Family Life Education from Spring Arbor University.  The staff and students of the Training Center extend sincere congratulations to Corda for this excellent accomplishment. 

October 8 marked the one year anniversary of Christine Boone's appointment as Training Center Director and the event was recognized in a particularly unique manner as the TC staff gave Ms. Boone an anniversary staff meeting that will not soon be forgotten.  They also presented her with a musical selection written in her honor.  This was given to Ms. Boone in song and later in Braille, suitable framed and accompanied by a survival certificate. 

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES REPORT

The impact of the FY 08 budget deliberation took its toll on most state government agencies and MCB was not exempt.  MCB expenditures for the month of October could not exceed one twelfth of FY 07's budget and this was problematic for a couple of reasons.  First, DMB asked that as many purchases as possible be delayed until FY '08 in order to conserve FY '07 state funding.  Although MCB had funding, DMB's restriction was placed on all agencies across the board so MCB had many purchases that had to be postponed.  The upside is that unexpended FY '07 funds can be carried forward to FY '08.  An additional issue was college tuition payments.  Approximately one third of Vocational Rehabilitation funding is spent on college costs for clients.  The payment for college costs are generally incurred in August and September.  Some of the college costs were postponed to the FY '08 budget not knowing that there would be a budget cap for the month of October.  This resulted in creative budgeting in order to meet the needs of MCB clients.

MCB is in the final stages of closing out the FY 07 budget.  There are a couple of match fund agreements that are still pending for FY 07 including a supplemental request to allow the payment for Newsline funding from the sale of the School for the Blind to be included in MCB's appropriation.  The FY '08 budget issues were a contributing factor to the supplemental being signed.

MCB will receive an additional three quarters of a percent of Michigan's allotted funds for Title I Vocational Rehabilitation funds for FY ‘08.  This is the final increase, making MCB's share fifteen percent from now on.  This year's increase will be approximately $700,000.  However, increased staff cost, increased college tuition, along with several delayed BEP projects will take a big share of the additional funds.

MCB has three requests to fill vacancies pending:

1 - A Departmental Manager 14 at the Training Center to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Peggy Jackson. It has been changed from an RN Manager to a Department Manager to better reflect the needs of the center.

2 - A Rehabilitation Counselor 9/10/11 in the Detroit Office to fill the vacancy left by the recent resignation of Rasheen Clark.

3 - The Secretary 8 position in the Kalamazoo Regional. This position had been approved and a candidate identified but the hiring freeze hit before the person could be offered the job.

Two new people started during the past month - Patrick Duthie is the new Promotional Agent with the BEP and Marla Walker is the new Domestic Services Aide at the Center.

In response to the joint effort from the Governor's Office and the Office of Great Workforce Development, the Department of Labor & Economic Growth has been active in the "One Great and the Super 8" project. This is an initiative to improve the way state government performs. Each bureau within DLEG was asked to submit ideas on how services could be improved or systems could be re-done. The "One Great" chosen by the DLEG Executive Team was an idea from the Office of Media and Public Relations in Detroit. Suggestions were also submitted for consideration as one of the "Super 8" and MCB sent in four proposals. Currently, twelve "finalists" have been selected for review to select the DLEG "Super 8" choice.  At least one of the final 12 proposals is from MCB.

MCB participated in three events recently to provide information on MCB programs to potential consumers and those who employ or provide services to these individuals.

On September 25, MCB co-sponsored the Capital Area Michigan Works Fall Job Expo at the Lansing Center along with Capital Area Michigan Works, Lansing Community College, and Fox 47 TV.  More than 1500 job seekers and 61 employers had the opportunity to learn about MCB services at this event, and MCB Communications and Outreach Coordinator Susan Turney and Lansing Counselor Nichole Wright were busy answering questions throughout the afternoon event.

Also on September 25, Leamon Jones and Diamalyn Gaston attended the annual Hispanic Heritage Month Luncheon at the Capitol.  MCB was invited by the Commission on Spanish-Speaking Affairs to participate in this event.

MCB was provided a complimentary booth courtesy of the Michigan Optometric Association at the MOA's annual Contact Lens and Primary Care Seminar, held October 10-11 at the Lansing Center.  More than 850 optometrists, optometric technicians, and optometry students were in attendance, and eye care professionals requested a total of 800 MCB brochures, which have been mailed to their offices (via Free Matter).  In addition, approximately 500 copies of the Independent Living brochure were pre-ordered, to be sent to eye care professionals' offices as soon as these are available.

The MCB Business Services brochure is online on the MCB website, and print copies are expected from the printer soon.

Business Enterprise Program Report

Five of the April 2007 BEP students are now employed in vending facilities in Lansing, Battle Creek, and Grand Rapids.  And, on October 1, five new students commenced the fall 2007 session of the BEP Training.  The students have been introduced to program rules and regulations, business plan development, vending machine operations, snack bar operation and have completed the ServSafe sanitation portion of the class.  It is anticipated that these students will complete their classroom training in December and their on-the-job experience in February.  If they are all successful, the program will have trained 12 new operators in the past 12 months. 

Results of the U S Postal Services survey of food services in Michigan's post offices is complete and was forwarded to the program in early October.  Commission staff met with Stephen Leavey, MCB's liaison in Washington, to discuss the details of the contract between the postal service and the Commission for the Blind to provide food service in all of Michigan's post offices where the building population meets a minimum population standard.  It is expected the new service will begin in the new calendar year.

New BEP opportunities are anticipated at the following locations:

1. Michigan State Police Headquarters - In mid-September, BEP contacted Ms. Terri Fitzpatrick, director of DMB's Real Estate Division.  It was an opportunity to brief Ms. Fitzpatrick, who is responsible for all state owned and occupied real estate, as to the mission and goals of the Business Enterprise Program.  Although Ms. Fitzpatrick is relatively new in this position, she readily understood the importance of food service in state buildings, and supports the program's goals.

The State of Michigan has plans underway to construct a new State Police Headquarters in downtown Lansing.  Construction will commence early in 2008 and the building is expected to be complete in the summer of 2009.  Initial architectural drawings did not include food service in the building.  However, after the meeting with Ms. Fitzpatrick, she identified a prime first floor location for a snack bar and locations for vending machines.

2. Lewis Cass Cafeteria  - Due to disintegrating drainage pipes, the Lewis Cass cafeteria had to unexpectedly be closed for emergency repairs that would prevent structural damage to the building.  While the cafeteria is closed, DMB will also do other remediation and upgrades on this floor of the building.  BEP is establishing a temporary snack bar operation on the 1^st floor to preserve some income for the operator.  Work is commencing with a food service designer to re-open a brand new café in that space.  The new café is expected to open in late 2008.

The Business Enterprise Program continues to work with the Elected Operators Committee on several projects which have been discussed in earlier BEP reports to the Commission.  The Committee has approved an updated Operator Selection System and will put the proposed system to a vote of all the operators at the Committee's November meeting. 

The Promotions and Seniority and the Locations and Promotions Subcommittees have been working together to develop and update the BEP Operator Annual Evaluation.  These subcommittees, working jointly, have developed a revised document that has been forwarded to BEP staff and the Elected Operators Committee for review.  It is the goal of the Committee to implement the new BEP Annual Evaluation in the spring of 2008.

BEP staff has also commenced working with the EOC Training Subcommittee to develop an OJE Evaluation that more accurately reflects the training provided and the nature of the BEP facilities.

Addendum

Update on Implementation of Recommendations from the Ad Hoc Committee on Training Center Services

The Ad Hoc Committee identified three of its goals as being of highest priority, and the training center staff has begun by focusing on these three areas.  During the 2008 fiscal year, additional goals will be added to these initial three.   

Goal 1: Expanded Facilities

A. Off campus development. While initial contacts were made with local Housing Authority experts, the TC director requested that she be given a year to work on improving existing programs before beginning this new venture.  The MCB director approved this request. 

B.      BEP development; increased capacity:  On October 1, 2007, five individuals entered the Business Enterprise program training class that is hosted by the MCBTC.  Prior to their arrival, Ms. Boone prepared a set of room and board guidelines for the trainees to follow.  The guidelines were approved by BEP Manager Constance Zanger and trainer John McEntee, before being implemented.  They were then given to all in-coming trainees in advance of their arrival at the TC.  These guidelines were necessary because BEP trainees are no longer training center students, in the traditional sense.  Having successfully completed all of their personal adjustment training as a necessary prerequisite to enrollment in the BEP training class, the trainees live in the TC dormitory and eat in the TC cafeteria much as they would on a college campus.  In keeping with this distinction, they are entitled to a greater degree of privacy in their rooms, and they are expected to accept greater responsibility in providing for their own weekend meals and travel to and from the center for shopping and other excursions. 

C. On campus development:  In the spring of 2007, a small committee began meeting for the purpose of updating all of the interior signage at the TC.  This was necessary because classroom signs were out of date, class description signs had become obsolete and office signs did not include the names of occupants.  The Committee completed its work in May, and sent the abstract to the printer.  All signage was to be produced in Print and Braille, written in white lettering on a dark blue background for excellent contrast.  At this time, the signs have been delivered to the TC no less than four times, and continue to have numerous, serious errors.  Spelling has also been an on-going problem, in both print and Braille.  The latest sign delivery is scheduled to take place on Thursday, October 18.  Five errors remained after the last delivery.  The sign committee, and the entire training center staff, is hoping that this delivery will be error free, and that the new signs can be installed immediately. 

The last TC report indicated that the center's surveillance and security system had been completed and activated.  In the intervening months, several staff members, including Mary Carter, Corda Moss, Dan Grover and Rose Beville-Sprinkle, have become adept at making new proximity cards, as this must be done for each arriving student and new staff person.  Nearly all exterior center doors are locked at all times.  Exceptions include the west entrance and two doors situated opposite one another across the courtyard.  The west door brings visitors into the building adjacent to Mary Carter's greeting station; and the courtyard doors enable staff and students to cut off a considerable amount of walking when traversing the center from one end to the other.  This latter situation is very beneficial to students who tire easily, leaving them more energy for the important task of completing their center training.  The center's north doors, which face the side parking lot, are now locked.  This change has proved to be quite surprising to clients and other visitors who have been coming to the training center since its inception, and have always gained admittance through those doors during business hours.  Now, persons must buzz support services in order to be admitted.  Posted signs direct visitors to the main entrance in the west face of the building.  Inevitably, these changes have become necessary, as reasonable precautions in protecting the safety of all those who live and/or work at the Training Center.   They have improved building security, while still enabling staff and students to enter and exit the building freely as long as they have their proximity cards with them. 

Goal 3 - Continuous learning for staff, consumers, partners and community.

Provocative Vision -  Promote Continuous Learning to Achieve Universal Understanding of Blindness and Blind People.

Due to the budgetary hardship on the State level, MCB's annual Technology conference will not take place during Thanksgiving week this year.  On Monday November 19, two excellent staff training seminars will take place.  Dave Greenwald is planning a training in service delivery to older individuals who are blind.  This event is most exciting because most of those who will be providing training, are themselves MCB staff members who work as rehabilitation counselors and teachers in the field.  Many of these individuals have been providing quality independent living and rehabilitative services to the older blind population for upwards of twenty years.  The training center teaching staff will benefit tremendously from the knowledge and experience of their colleagues. 

Marge Spencer, working with Mary Zemlick, and Cindy Caldwell and Dee Robertson of the Deaf-blind unit, are planning a seminar to increase the staff's knowledge of issues concerning persons who are deaf-blind.  Guest speakers from the Helen Keller National Center will add their noted expertise to the day's event. 

Goal 7 - Expanded programs and improved services for all blind.

Provocative Vision: Leave No Consumer Behind

A.      Youth:  A task force has been assembled, with the charge of creating the outline for a comprehensive summer youth program.  The program should last for approximately six weeks and should focus on building skills that blind and visually impaired youth have traditionally failed to learn in school.  Evening activities will be included in the program, to help students apply the skills they are learning during the day and as an essential outlet for the boundless energy of the young.  Christine Boone has contacted Western Michigan University's Department of Blindness and Low Vision Studies and received positive feedback with regard to WMU students earning practicum and/or internship hours by working to staff evening programs at the TC during the summer. 

B. Seniors: See #2, Goal 3, above. 

C.      Consumers with multiple disabilities:  The Committee on the Deaf Blind meets again on October 18, and will begin to establish the curriculum for a center based program exclusively designed to serve individuals who are deaf-blind. 

          The training center's posting for a rehabilitation instructor with skill in the provision of tactile sign language and orientation & mobility instruction for persons who are deaf-blind, will close on October 19, and it is anticipated that a staff member can be working in this position by the end of this calendar year.