NORFOLK, Neb. – The director of Disability Services at Northeast Community College has been recognized for work with a state agency.
Representatives from the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (NCBVI) were on the Norfolk campus recently to thank Mary Balaski for her advocacy of students who have been clients of the agency.
Connie Daly, Lincoln District Supervisor for NCBVI, said this is the first time the commission has made this type of presentation. The plaque reads, “In appreciation of your advocacy of students with disabilities. This recognition is presented is presented to Mary Balaski with gratitude from the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired.”
Daly thanked Balaski for her support of their clients.
“Your work really inspired us to work better with the colleges. For your advocacy for a client that we had attend here recently and for all the clients that you serve, you must know that you are truly an inspiration,” Daly said. “We really value all the services that you have provided our clients to be be so successful during their time at Northeast.”
“It is joyful when we see students be successful,” Balaski said, “especially after we learn their stories and in how much they have gone through.”
Balaski said she has appreciated the work of NCBVI, signaling out John Schmitt, of Norfolk, recently retired vocational rehabilitation counselor II, who was on hand for the presentation.
“It's been a joy to work with John. He’s been a great advocate and I just appreciated that he was always there for us. And I cannot thank the commission enough. Your work is really special.”
The Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired provides a wide variety of services aimed at empowering blind and visually impaired Nebraskans to live independently, attain higher education, and find, retain, and advance in their careers. Programs include vocational rehabilitation, in-home and short-term residential training, independent living skills, provision of adaptive technology and independent living aids, youth services, financial aid, and assistance to blind entrepreneurs.
Northeast Disability Services staff support the college mission as they collaboratively work with faculty, staff and students to identify reasonable accommodations, services, and resources that promote equity and inclusion both inside and outside of the classroom. This includes students who have any kind of disability including learning, emotional, physical, or cognitive, as they may need adjustments to access their academic, social, or residential environment while attending Northeast.
To learn more about Disability Services at Northeast Community College, visit northeast.edu/support-services/disability-services. For more information on the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, go online to ncbvi.nebraska.gov.
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PHOTO CUTLINE
Mary Balaski, director of Disability Services at Northeast Community College (center) is presented an award of appreciation by representatives from the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (NCVBI) recently on the Norfolk campus. The award recognizes her advocacy for clients of the agency. Also pictured are Connie Daly, NCBVI Lincoln District Supervisor, and John Schmitt, of Norfolk, retired vocational rehabilitation counselor II at NCBVI.