APPROVED

MICHIGAN COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND
AUGUST 21, 2006
STATE OFFICE BUILDING
ESCANABA, MICHIGAN

MINUTES

COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Ms. Jo Ann Pilarski, Chair
Ms. Sheila Ashcraft, Vice Chair
Ms. Velma Allen
Mr. Richard Grant
Ms. Geri Taeckens

COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
None

MICHIGAN COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND (MCB) STAFF PRESENT
Mr. Patrick Cannon
Ms. Tish Kingaby
Ms. Melody Lindsey
Mr. Leamon Jones
Ms. Sherry Gordon
Ms. Susan Anderson
Mr. Ed Haines
Ms. Christine Pada
Mr. Tom Ford

Ms. Amy Maes

Mr. Bob Karvinen

Ms. Kelly Guy

Mr. Rod DesJardins

Mr. John Victory

Mr. Mike Ellis

Mr. Larry Scott

Mr. Tim Taylor

Ms. Brenda Taylor

Ms. Marlene Paavalainen

Mr. Jack Anderson

Mr. Alec Malmstead

Mr. Andrew Stone

Ms. Karen Halverson

Ms. Joan Boucher

Ms. Dolores Deziel

Mr. Don Thackwray

Ms. Virginia Thackwray

Mr. John Nelson

Ms. Connie Davidson

Ms. Marieda Charlebois

Ms. Denise Sisson

Ms. Doroth Charlebois

Mr. Kenneth Netchy

Mr. Bill Park

Ms. Sara Gagnon

Mr. Robert Mosenfelder

Ms. Rosemarie Hanson

Mr. Clarence Hanson

Ms. Marie Neubauer

Ms. Sue Brown

Ms. Barb Zenter

Mr. Larry Zenter

Ms. Sharon Burton

Mr. George Wurtzel

Ms. Lillian Grzyb

Ms. Lucy Holland

Ms. Rachel Jackson

Ms. Kathy Ortman

Ms. Amy Poier

Ms. Elsie Dow

Ms. Claudine Myrvich

Mr. Jim Beauchamp

Ms. Katherine LaMarche

Ms. Lillian LaBlond

Mr. Joe Marsicek

Ms. Jean Savord

Ms. Carol Muscoe

Ms. Elaine Ohman

Mr. Steven Ohman

Mr. Bob Farrell

Mr. Paul Gayeff

Mr. Curtis Watley

Mr. Leo Neubauer

Ms. Luanne Haye

Ms. Brenda McLaren

Mr. Lowell Kohlman

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

The Committee of the Whole was opened by Chair Jo Ann Pilarski at 9:10 a.m. Ms. Pilarski welcomed Dr. Velma Allen, the new board member appointed by the Governor. Dr. Allen had previously served on the board from 1993-2001, and was also a previous Superintendent for the Michigan School for the Blind. The meeting was audiostreamed over the Internet, with a new opportunity for the listening public to send in brief comments via email.

COMMISSIONER ACTIVITIES

Referring to written reports Commissioners had previously shared with each other, Ms. Geraldine Taeckens reported a visit to Camp Tuhsmeheta (Camp T), and attendance at both the Ad Hoc Committee on Training Center Services meeting July 31 and the Image and Identity Team meeting August 14.

Mr. Dick Grant reported a visit to Camp T and a meeting with Ms. Constance Zanger of MCB's Business Enterprise Program (BEP), who gave him an orientation on the BEP and took him to various operator facilities. Mr. Grant plans to attend the next Elected Operators Committee meeting on September 16.

Ms. Sheila Ashcraft reported that the Service Delivery Focus Design Team meeting scheduled in August had been canceled; the next meeting is scheduled for September.

PREVIOUS ISSUES

Ms. Tish Kingaby reported that the quarterly report on the progress of the Director's 2006 performance objectives were emailed to the board July 14. Discussion was held regarding the 2007 and 2008 board meeting dates, specifically in relation to switching locations for the June and August meetings. Meetings in Lansing are currently held at six month intervals to allow for an equitable time period at which such items as the Business Enterprise Program and Elected Operator Committee reports might be included. Ms. Pilarski withdrew the request to consider switching the summer meeting sites.

CONSUMER DIALOGUE

Mr. John Victory opened the consumer dialogue session which allows interaction between attending members of the public and the board and assists in building trust and relationships. The topic was "How Does a Blind Person Like to be Treated" and comments were also invited to be sent in by listeners via email to mcbpubliccomments@comcast.net. Comments will be included in a compilation to be kept over the next several meetings.

REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL AND DETERMINATION OF QUORUM

The regular meeting was called to order at 10:38 a.m. Roll call was taken and a quorum was present.

Welcoming Ceremony

Dr. Carol Bergquist, Project Director for the Hannahville Indian Community said that, as explained in her presentation to the board in Sault Ste Marie the previous August, there is no word for disability in the native language as everyone is seen as a gift from the creator and accepted as they are. As the Hannahville Indian Community is located very near to Escanaba, Dr. Bergquist had arranged for a presentation by Mr. Earl Meshigaud, Director of Potawatomi Culture, Language and History, whom she introduced.

Mr. Meshigaud greeted the audience in native language and said that he had learnt from his father the importance of viewing and understanding the world and its people using other ways than sight. He said it is the people with sight that have most difficulty understanding the Indian culture, because they have no imagination in regard to the meanings of their rituals. He explained many greetings in native language, which he said was very much more descriptive than the English language. Mr. Meshigaud used sage in a smudging ceremony explaining this is used to remove anything that might be bad and to give a beneficial start for the day, which is all the creator promises a person. He explained the ritual of the sweat lodge which is used as a healing process.

Mr. Meshigaud said that to be successful in working with Native Americans, people should not look down on their culture or rituals and that when asked a question, to remember that their response periods are generally much greater because they give a great deal of thought to their answers. Mr. Meshigaud explained the courtesy of giving small gifts, such as a small wrap of tobacco called a prayer tie, when meeting or greeting Native Americans and to accept their hospitality when offered. In conclusion, Mr. Meshigaud said it would be helfpul for many groups to continue to share cultural beliefs and promote better understanding. Dr. Bergquist said that Mr. Meshigaud had been invaluable in helping her understand how to offer programs that were culturally relevant.

Ms. Pilarski thanked Mr. Meshigaud for his interesting and informative presentation.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND MEETING SCHEDULES

MS. ASHCRAFT MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MR. GRANT, TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 23, 2006 MEETING, AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

MS. ALLEN MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. TAECKENS, TO ACCEPT THE REVISION TO THE 2007 MEETING SCHEDULE AND TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSED 2008 MEETING SCHEDULE, AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

BOARD CORRESPONDENCE

There was no Board correspondence.

WEST REGION/ESCANABA OFFICE STAFF REPORTS

Ms. Sherry Gordon, acting West Region Manager, introduced the Escanaba Office staff to whom she said congratulations were in order for the very high attendance at the meeting and the hard work they performed preparing for the meeting.

Mr. Ed Haines, a Rehabilitation Teacher/Counselor, listed the counties he covers and reported on the excellent coverage and response the Upper Peninsula (U.P.) team is able to give now that it has a full complement of staff. There are no waiting lists and this allows staff to participate in local outreach, staff training and committee participation, and community collaboration efforts. Mr. Haines complimented the other three members of the staff and thanked the consumers for attending and showing the community cared about blindness issues. Ms. Christine Pada, a native of the U.P., is a vocational rehabilitation counselor who covers ten counties in the U.P. Ms. Pada has just completed her first year, and highlighted several success stories. Ms. Susan Anderson, administrative support person, has been with the Commission for 27 years and provides valuable experience and knowledge. Mr. Tom Ford, an independent living specialist, is a previous employee who had retired and is now working on a contractual basis for the Commission. All the staff commented they took great satisfaction in their work.

Ms. Pilarski inquired whether the staff had knowledge of the excellent transportation system in Munising, and Mr. Haines introduced Mr. Rod DesJardins, Mayor of Munising. Mr. DesJardins said all credit went to Michelle Cody, Alger County Public Transportation (ALTRAN) director, who also runs the Commission on Aging. ALTRAN has 28 handicapped accessible buses that provide dial-up services to Munising's 2500 person population and 10,000 population of Alger County.

Community Partner Reports

Superior Alliance for Independent Living (SAIL) - Ms. Amy Maes, Executive Director said that SAIL was the Center for Independent Living (CIL) that served the entire U.P. About five staff work in the main office in Marquette, with contract staff working in Houghton and Sault Ste Marie and it is hoped to get more staff in other communities. SAIL provides information referral services to people with disabilities, advocacy for systemic services, such as transportation, and Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility issues, Social Security, housing, accommodation, etc. With attendance at all but one Pow Wow in the U.P., they have had an increased level of outreach and response to the Native American communities. Future activities include grants for mentoring programs, youth initiatives, and an assistive technology conference for students and their families which is planned for November 18 in Sault Ste Marie.

Squintless - Mr. Bob Karvinen, Business Owner from Munising, said his company Squintless provided low vision devices for people who are visually impaired. He said his most recent focus has been the Automark voting system which allows persons who are blind or visually impaired to vote privately and independently. He encouraged blind people to go out and use the system and thanked the SAIL staff for their assistance in Marquette.

Goodwill Industries of Northern Wisconsin & Upper Michigan, Inc. - Ms. Kelly Guy said she works in the placement and supportive employment programs, helping people with special needs to choose and obtain and maintain competitive employment within the community. Her work involves development of resumes, applications, interviewing skills, pre-employment (soft skills), as well as on-site modifications, pre-employment assessments, and benefits and earned income monitoring. Offices are based in Houghton, Sault Ste Marie, St Ignace, Marquette and in Wisconsin.

Pathways- Mr. Rod DesJardins, Supported Employment Coordinator for Alger and Luce Counties, said that Pathways is a community mental health service agency in the U.P. that provides life-long service to people with differing abilities. Pathways employs a process called ESCRT, Employment Services Case Review Team, comprised of representatives from Pathways, a caregiver, guardian or family, Michigan Works!, Michigan Rehabilitation Services, etc., to help any developmentally developed person who has expressed a vocational desire to achieve their goals. Work involves many of the community partners in attendance at the meeting.

Ms. Gordon concluded her report with an update on West Region activities, including cash match agreements which provide services to consumers with partners such as Intermediate School Districts, SAIL, etc., and participation in youth mentoring and internship programs. Ms. Gordon reported that Mi Connections, the high school high tech project, was unfortunately being cut short in Michigan due to funding problems, and would end in 2006 instead of 2008. Discussions are under way to see if the program can be continued under different funding sources.

In conclusion, Ms. Gordon said that former MCB client, Mr. Tim Taylor, now a Business Enterprise Program operator, would be providing the catering for the meeting, along with his partner, Brenda.

In regard to an inquiry about the use of the Automark system, Ms. Maes said SAIL had worked closely with many county clerks and that it had generally been very successful.

Director Pat Cannon made a special presentation of a plaque to Melody Lindsey, MCB Training Center Director, who would be concluding her employment at MCB on August 25, and thanked her for her dedicated service.

Recessed for lunch at 12:15 p.m.

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The meeting was reconvened at 1:10 p.m.

MCB DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Mr. Cannon welcomed Commissioner Allen back to the board. Mr. Cannon referred the Board to the written MCB Report and information previously submitted to the Board and posted on the MCB website. In particular, Mr. Cannon commented on the National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns (NAMRC) Conference, which nine staff attended and complimented very highly.

On the subject of diversity, Mr. Cannon said efforts were under way to integrate MCB's Cultural Diversity Committee more fully into the activities of the Planning and Quality Team (PAQ). In recent months, the PAQ had been expanded to more effectively engage stakeholders, inviting both consumer organizations to designate two individuals to represent their organization on the PAQ team, as well as the chair of the Consumer Involvement Council. Also included on the PAQ are liaisons for the current focus design teams: Service Delivery, Technology, Image and Identity and Structure and Resources. Mr. Cannon reported that in future, the liaison from the Cultural Diversity Committee, Ms. Debbie Wilson of the Flint Office, would be included on the PAQ, to allow more regular interaction and to address more effectively some of the recommendations coming from the Cultural Diversity Committee.

Mr. Cannon said that on July 26 there was a kick-off ceremony, as part of the celebration of the anniversary of the ADA, at the Celebration Cinema in Lansing, as the MoPix technology was brought to the mid-Michigan area. Mr. Cannon explained the MoPix technology which combines rear window captioning for people who are deaf and descriptive audio for people who are blind, so that they may more fully enjoy the movie experience.

Mr. Cannon said that, as a result of outreach efforts by Susan Turney to the ophthalmology and optometry communities, he had been invited to make a presentation at the August 10-11 conference of the Michigan Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons MSEPS to urge their assistance in providing referrals to MCB for their patients facing sight loss. Mr. Cannon said he felt the presentation went very well, and MSEPS had indicated a desire for future presentations. He noted that while attending the MSEPS conference, he and Ms. Turney had an opportunity to interact again with actor Jeff Daniels who was at the conference facility. Mr. Daniels had attended the MCB Training Center earlier this year to receive tips on how to effectively portray a blind person in the movie, "The Lookout." Mr. Daniels reported that the movie had concluded shooting and that his time at the Training Center was helpful in achieving a credible portrayal of a blind guy. He also offered to advocate that the new movie be described so that it may be fully enjoyed by individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

Mr. Cannon also said that Ms. Turney's work on the website is proving to be very worthwhile and contains links to the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB), the Michigan Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired (MCBVI), the American Council of the Blind (ACB), and National Federation of the Blind (NFB), many of which address issues and differing opinions of etiquette and protocols in interacting with people who are blind. Mr. Cannon said that MCB does not have a published document on this subject, however, they do utilize a video produced by AFB, as well as a Blindness Awareness Survey which is used in awareness training.

The next mini adjustment program takes place in Lansing the week of August 27 and Mr. Cannon said Commissioner Taeckens would be attending two days of that training. Upcoming activities include the Michigan Works! Conference September 10-12, at which Mr. Cannon will make a presentation on the One Stop Inclusion Report previously submitted to the board. Additional articles in the MCB Report include legislation on access to health care and the invitation by the Governor to four MCB TC staff people to participate in the Labor Day Bridge Run.

MR. GRANT MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. TAECKENS, TO ACCEPT THE DIRECTOR'S REPORT, AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

MCB CONSUMER SERVICES REPORT

Mr. Leamon Jones, Director of the Consumer Services Division, highlighted sections from the written MCB report, and reported that Independent Living staff are participating in fairs and classes to expand services to the older blind.

Numerous transition activities were carried out during the summer and Mr. Jones said many students had opportunities to participate. In particular, the Business Enterprise Program summer work experience had a successful second year with more participants this year who were provided an opportunity to experience a career possibility. Many school districts are expressing interest in developing cash match agreements to provide services to blind youth, and collaboration continues with Michigan Works! centers to improve inclusion efforts.

Mr. Jones reported on the visit by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) staff from Washington which included a town hall type meeting with the statewide independent living services and community and government agencies discussing issues such as employment, training and transportation. RSA also visited MCB staff in different offices to seek input on the services provided by MCB and issues which were encountered. Ms. Ashcraft inquired whether the needs of the Commission had been diminished in any way as a result of the closing of the regional offices. Mr. Cannon said that the centralized RSA staff liaison, James Sirmon, would assume responsibility for two states just as the previous regional liaison had, and that while there would be some changes in working with new personnel, he did not anticipate any detrimental effects. Mr. Cannon said he was very pleased with the interactions with the RSA staff.

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

MCB TRAINING CENTER REPORT

Ms. Melody Lindsey, Director of the MCB Training Center, reported the promotion of Roger Yake as the new Technology Specialist. Mr. Yake will be working with students and consumers throughout Michigan and also to work with the counselors and teachers at regional staff meetings to determine future needs. Ms. Lindsey said Roger's previous position of rehabilitation counselor would be filled when the new Training Center director was on board to commence the selection process, and that in the meantime, Ms. Faith Meadows would be carrying out the duties of rehabilitation counselor.

Ms. Lindsey has met with Braille teachers and reported a Braille proficiency report is in place which the teachers complete on students who take the Braille class for longer than one month.

Ms. Lindsey reported a recent improvement at the Center with the wiring of an audio induction "loop" assistive listening system which allows participation in conversations and meetings by people who are DeafBlind, and said training is provided in its use. Another improvement was the re-surfacing of the track at the back of the Center. Also, through American Printing House quota funds, mini guides requested by the Mobility and Orientation staff have been purchased for use by the DeafBlind in improving travel skills.

Ms. Lindsey said other activities include second interviews for the Maintenance Supervisor and the conclusion of the Immersion Project being conducted in collaboration with Western Michigan University, at which prospective rehabilitation counseling students stay at the Center for a two week period under sleepshades.

Ms. Lindsey reported that until a new director is hired for the Training Center, Peggy Jackson and Jim Baird would be splitting coverage duties in the interim period, and a meeting would be held with each to review those duties and the staff reporting to them.

Ms. Lindsey said that her experience at the MCB Training Center emphasized her belief that students do well in peer groups, such as mentoring each other and discussing issues at their Thursday nights meetings, and she hoped students would be encouraged to take on more challenges, such as conducting tours to new students when they can mentor others. Ms. Lindsey thanked the board and director for the kind remarks they had made, and said she had benefited greatly and learned a tremendous amount during her experience at the Center.

MS. TAECKENS MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. ASHCRAFT, TO ACCEPT THE MCB TRAINING CENTER REPORT, AS PRESENTED. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Ms. Connie Davidson from Menominee County Intermediate School District thanked the Commission for the Youth Low Vision Program and the work by the Escanaba staff to introduce that program into their school; she applauded the great collaboration among agencies in the U.P. She also requested help in any way to seek more teacher consultants for the visually impaired in the educational system.

Ms. Carol Muscoe, District Manager for Michigan Rehabilitation Services covering the U.P., said their office worked closely with the MCB Escanaba staff which she praised for their positive and affirming attitudes; she thanked everyone for traveling to the U.P.

Mr. Jack Anderson, Benefits Counselor for United Cerebral Palsy of Michigan, said they were ending a five year grant to help people understand the effects of employment on their benefits, and that the next four years would also include helping with transition activities. He thanked MCB for past and future help.

Mr. John Nelson, Zone 1 Manager, Department of Human Services, said he had worked with the MCB Escanaba staff on various issues, and that he found them to be excellent in their attention to detail, prompt response, and notable care for children.

Mr. Bob Karvinen, owner of Squintless, said he hoped MCB would encourage everyone to use the Automark voting system.

Dr. Carol Bergquist, Hannahville Indian Community, said she also participated in the RSA visit on different days as representative for the only Native American project in the state to be funded by RSA and as a Mi Connection site, and as a member of both the Statewide Independent Living Council and the Michigan Rehabilitation Council. She said she was proud to be part of Michigan's great collaborative community and that many staff and consumers had represented MCB very well during the visit. Ms. Bergquist said a future activity is planned October 25 at Hannahville with MCB and other partners to refine a process on outreach efforts at an Indian community. Ms. Bergquist thanked the board for inviting Mr. Meshigaud to present at the meeting.

Mr. George Wurtzel, Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind, said last year about 109 sessions at Camp T were attended by approximately 70 campers and that this year there was a substantial attendance increase to 178 campers plus 18 sighted children from Greenville. Mr. Wurtzel thanked MCB for their help and support of Camp T, and described upcoming activities at the camp.

Ms. Sharon Burton described Camp T and encouraged both children and adults to look into attending their programs, and also said 17 of 25 staff employed at Camp T were blind or visually impaired.

Ms. Pilarski asked whether there were emails to read which had been sent in during the meeting; unfortunately, Mr. Mike Ellis reported he had not been able to resolve a printer connection problem. Two individuals forwarded their comments via email as follows:

Mr. Mike Geno, MCBVI, congratulated the board on its audio streaming and email interaction, and hoped that meetings might also be recorded and archived on the MCB website. Mr. Geno also invited all participants to the MCBVI convention, October 6-7-8 in Wyoming, and said information was available at 877-254-6393.

Ms. Janeile Cannon said [in regard to consumer dialogue] that she appreciated it when someone quickly understood that her blindness was not the most interesting thing about her. She also congratulated the people in the UP who came to attend, no matter the distance traveled.

Mr. Cannon said that in closing he wished to remind people of the upcoming two annual fall consumer conventions being held: October 6-7-8 for the Michigan Council of the Blind and Visually Impaired, and November 10-11-12 for the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan. Mr. Cannon encouraged board members to attend. Ms. Ashcraft encouraged the consumer organizations to send out agendas at the earliest opportunity.

ADJOURNMENT

MR. GRANT MOVED, SUPPORTED BY MS. ASHCRAFT, TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:10 p.m. The next meeting will be held on Monday, October 16, 2006 at the Ramada Inn, Ludington. The meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m.

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Jo Ann Pilarski, Chairperson

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