FLORIDA REHABILITATION COUNCIL FOR THE BLIND
PUBLIC FORUM

FLORIDA REHABILITATION COUNCIL FOR THE BLIND
PUBLIC FORUM

Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort
100 North Atlantic Avenue
Daytona Beach, FL 32118 
Thursday – October 23, 2014

Bruce Miles, Chair called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM.

Council Members Present:  (14)

Bruce Miles, Dan O’Connor, Robert Kelly, Donté Mickens, Sandra Martin, Patricia Lipovsky Sheryl Brown, Leanne Grillot, Lenora Marten, Sylvia Stinson-Perez, Jesus Garcia, Ben Grzesik, Vicky Magliocchino and Robert Doyle, Director. 

Council Members Present via Teleconference: (2) Dwight Sayer, Christopher White

Council Members Absent: (2) Joe Minichiello, Gloria Mills
 
Council Staff: (1) Alise Fields

DBS Staff Present: Tom Austin, Michelle Sampson.

Attendees: (2)

Paul Edwards, Becki Forsell (FRC)

Bruce Miles opened the Public Forum with a video on the Art of Rehabilitation Counseling by CRCC.

10 consumers were in attendance.

First consumer Comments:

Second Consumer Comments:

Third Consumer Comments:

Response:

Bruce Miles asks how if one of the consumers has a hearing impairment
The consumer responds that they have a hearing impairment.
Bruce Miles comments that the FRCB has a deaf/blind Council Member Victoria Magliocchino that may be able to offer some assistance with resources. 

Fourth Consumer Comments:

Fifth Consumer Comments:

Response:

Paul Edwards comments that the FRCB is happy to see consumer five doing so well and congratulates her on a job well done.  

Donte Mickens asks what the consumer’s thoughts about the FRCB are with holding public forums. Donte comments that the FRCB is constantly trying to improve outreach.
          Consumer comments that they are hearing of the public forum through the mail outs, emails and word of mouth. Consumer thinks that the FRCB is doing a good job with outreach about the Public Forum.

Sixth Consumer Comments:

Response:

Bruce Miles comments that the FRCB submitted a voting resolution that was drafted by Paul Edwards, to the legislature.

Paul Edwards read the FRCB’s voting resolution also submitted to the legislature.

Becki Forsell read the FRC’s voting resolution also submitted to the legislature.

Seventh Consumer Comments:  

Response:

Mr. Doyle thanks the consumer for their comments. Mr. Doyle responds that he is familiar with the programs challenges and that DBS is working to initiate a H.S. equivalency or other programs to bridge the need for a special diploma.

DBS employee responds that there was a GED program that was offered through a partnership through Daytona State College that was very successful.

Sheryl Brown asks how many people completed the GED program.

DBS employee says that she currently does not have the figures but the program was very successful. There was a 90% success rate.

Sheryl Brown asks that there a report be prepared for the next FRCB meeting to discuss special diplomas.

Paul Edwards comments that the issue being raised is a very good one. When training at the Rehab Center was discontinued the FRCB had extensive discussion. The Rehab Center raised the primary issue to the DBS and the FRCB in which both concurred that the discontinuing of training because of the conversions of the programs and the dollars being allocated to adult education and other programs throughout the state, there were not viable alternatives offered.

Paul Edwards comments that the FRCB proposed that DBS and organizations of visually impaired individuals throughout the State of Florida collaborate to gradually make GED programs more accessible statewide. The proposal lost all of the action elements when sent to Tallahassee for review. The idea was to gradually work to create a situation to develop and implement ways of becoming more accessible.

Sylvia Perez comments that the DBS should consider the collaboration with other organizations to make obtaining a GED more accessible. There should be other alternatives and advocacy for other programs and resources.

Robert Doyle comments that the DBS has been hearing issues related to the challenges of gaining more access to the GED program. There needs to be a determination of viability through DBS or through collaborative efforts with other organizations.

Sylvia Perez that the new regulations are in place for no more special diplomas and this will not change, students will now receive certificate of completions.

Paul Edwards comments that exams are not accessible for students to take to pass the assessments.

Eighth Consumer Comments:

No other consumers gave comment.

Public Forum adjourned at 6:30 PM

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