December 12, 2005 - The Michigan Commission for the Blind (MCB) presented its 2005 MCB Achievement Awards today during its December commission meeting at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing.  These awards are presented annually to MCB clients selected for their excellence in achieving their goals for employment and/or independent living.  Awards are also presented to exemplary employers and organizations that have worked in partnership with MCB.  These are the award recipients:

Carolyn Houston of Flint received an Achievement Honor Roll Award.  When she began working part time at Sam's Club, she worried that her vision loss might limit her ability to work.  The Michigan Commission for the Blind assisted her by providing computer screen text enlargement software, glasses, and computer training, which all helped her to maintain her employment and transition into full-time work.  She is currently working full time for Sam's Club as a product demonstrator.  Due to her skills, hard work, and outgoing personality, she has maintained her employment in spite of reductions in staffing at the store.

Mamie Louisa Moore of Detroit received an Achievement Honor Roll Award.  She was a professional seamstress until she lost her vision due to glaucoma and thought she would never sew again.  Last year she met with an MCB counselor and received instruction in mobility and using a white cane.  She attended a week-long MCB "Mini Adjustment Seminar" to begin learning skills of blindness, and then enrolled at the MCB Training Center in Kalamazoo for eight months.  At the center, she excelled in Braille, adaptive cooking skills, and computers, and she also learned adaptive sewing techniques that have allowed her to sew again, without vision.  Since returning home in May, her new skills have allowed her to be independent in her home and community and to return to sewing.

Jose Moreno of Holland received an Achievement Honor Roll Award.  He is both deaf and blind as a result of Usher Syndrome.  He became an MCB client while in his junior year of high school, and MCB staff provided services and funding to help him attend summer training at the Helen Keller National Center for the Deaf/Blind and successfully complete high school.  During that time, he was recognized by the mayor of Holland for his volunteer work and was honored as a model citizen.  He then attended a nine-month program at Northern Illinois University and completed training at the MCB Training Center in Kalamazoo.  He was accepted into the cabinetmaking program at Michigan Career and Technical Institute in Plainwell—the first DeafBlind student to enroll.  Within four months of graduation, he interviewed for a job with Great Lakes Woods in Holland, and he was immediately offered a job.  He is highly regarded by his employer and co-workers, and he has received raises during his employment.  He helps his mother with living expenses and is saving to buy a new car for his family to drive.

Don Pablo's restaurant of Flint received an Employer Honor Roll Award.  They have been open to developing employment opportunities for MCB clients, and three individuals were hired during the last fiscal year.  This employer has shown an ongoing cooperative approach that benefits both the business and their employees.

Community Connections of Flint received a Community Partner Honor Roll Award.  Community Connections, a part of Michigan Community Services, has been very effective in placing MCB clients into employment as well as providing long-term follow-up services.  They have also assisted MCB in providing independent living skills training to clients.

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 that annually serve an average of more than 4,500 state residents who are blind or visually impaired.  Visit the Michigan Commission for the Blind website at www.michigan.gov/mcb or call MCB toll-free at 1‑800‑292-4200 (voice) or 1‑888-864-1212 (TTY).

The Michigan Commission for the Blind is a part of the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG), which is investing in Michigan's future by helping to create the jobs of today and tomorrow, ensuring that our children and adults have the skills these jobs demand, making Michigan a better place to do business, and training and placing those who need jobs now.  For more information about DLEG, visit the department's website at www.michigan.gov/dleg.