Michigan Commission for the Blind to Meet August 16, 2004, in Iron Mountain

Contact: Maura Campbell, 517.373.9280

August 5, 2004 – The Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) will hold its bimonthly meeting on Monday, August 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Pine Mountain Resort, N332 Pine Mountain Road, in Iron Mountain. The public portion of the agenda will begin at 10 a.m.

In addition to the regular updates by commission staff, the August meeting agenda will feature reports from the following community partners and clients, beginning at approximately 10:30 a.m.:

• Sara Menzel, Manager, United Cerebral Palsy-Michigan, Assistive Technology Center
• Rita Keilholtz, Regional Manager, Employment and Training Services, Goodwill of Northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan
• Robert Karvinen, Owner/Manager, Squint-less Products
• Randall Bianchi, Client
• Laura Fletcher, Business Enterprise Program Operator

The meeting site is accessible. Individuals attending the meeting are requested to refrain from using heavily scented personal care products, in order to enhance accessibility for everyone. People with disabilities requiring additional services or alternative formats in order to participate in the meeting should call Tish Kingaby at (517) 335-4265.

MCB provides opportunities for individuals who are blind to achieve independence and/or employment. The commission’s five-member policy board, appointed by the governor, oversees programs throughout Michigan and serves an average of more than 4,500 state residents annually. For more information, see the MCB Web site at www.mcb1.org or call MCB toll-free at 1-800-292-4200 (voice/TTY).

In December 2003, the Michigan Commission for the Blind became a part of the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG), the newest department of state government. DLEG is charged with promoting job creation and economic growth in Michigan by centralizing and streamlining the state's job, workforce and economic development functions under one department.

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