June 2017 Edition - Access Press

PARTNERS IN POLICYMAKING P9

Volume 28, Number 6

June 10, 2017

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Access woes as skyway changes eyed

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TWIN CITIES, MN PERMIT NO. 4766

by Jane McClure

SKYWAY to page 4

I knew what it felt like to be on the outside, and have people look at you and think that you were less than what they were, just by having a disability.

-- Tom Olin

ADRIAN M. FREEMAN

Self-advocacy is a point of pride for Minnesotans with disabilities, many of whom spent hours at the capitol this session. This t-shirt says it all.

Legislative session's end was good news, bad news

by Access Press staff When the work of the 2017 Minnesota Legislature is reviewed, results for Minnesotans with disabilities are decidedly mixed. Several gains were noted but many requests must wait until 2018.

Gov. Mark Dayton and House and Senate leaders spent the last weeks of the regular session, and a four-day special session, clashing over spending. the

first batch of budget bills quickly fell to Dayton’s veto pen.

Failing to finish business by the regular session’s midnight May 22 deadline, legislators rolled into a special session that ended in the early morning hours May 26. One of the last bills that left the floor was health and human services, which is always closely watched

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LEGISLATURE to page 3

Longtime leaders feted

Many are honored for work during 2017 session

by Jane McClure When the Minnesota Legislature convenes in 2018, two longtime disability community champions will be missed.

The Arc Minnesota’s Steve Larson, who is winding down his work as senior policy director, will step down in July after his successor is named. Anne Henry, a mainstay at the Minnesota Disability Law Center, will retire this fall.

The two were honored May 23 with lifetime achievement awards from the Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MNCCD). Despite the uncertainties of a special legislative session, a large crowd gathered at the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Building to recognize Henry, Larson and several others who made a difference in 2017.

Larson was honored for his decades of advocacy work. Henry was saluted for her work on justice issues. Both said the award means a lot to them, and that they value their work with MNCCD. Board Chairman Randall Bachman said Larson and Henry have much in common.

“When I think of both of them certain adjectives emerge: commitment, caring, persistence, knowledge, and wisdom.

Both are idealists but grounded in the practical nuances of what it takes to impact public policy. Both exemplify the

ADRIAN M. FREEMAN

In Minnesota, skyways provide protection from the elements and access in downtown areas for residents, workers and business patrons. In St. Paul, a fight over skyway access and nuisance behavior is worrisome to people with disabilities.

Changes are proposed to the city’s skyway governance ordinance, including allowing a midnight shutdown instead of the current closing between 2-6 a.m.

That change in hours concerns Kari Sheldon, a St. Paul resident and a member of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities. After attending a recent press conference on skyway issues, Sheldon said any changes to skyway operations need to be carefully vetted by the committee and others organizations that advocate with and for people with disabilities.

“Changing the hours and making other changes could affect many people,” she said. “A lot of people with disabilities live and work downtown, especially at CHS Field and Xcel Energy Center.”

Changes will be heard at a City Council public hearing this summer.

Minnesota cities use different measures to operate and regulate their skyways. St. Paul’s system is described as a public-private partnership between the city and building owners. Building owners are required to provide skyway security, be it cameras, security staff or a combination of both. The city provides police protection but some building owners contend that isn’t enough.

Skyway scrutiny in the capital city is being triggered by ongoing behavior issues. A fight among youth last winter resulted in a chaotic meeting of angry downtown property owners and residents demanding action.

As Access Press went to press the St. Paul City Council was to decide whether the historic Railroader Printing Building on Mears Park could close its doors at 8 p.m.

Council members in May heard graphic descriptions of homeless people using the building skyway as a place to hang out, use drugs and alcohol, sleep, use as a bathroom and engage in other disturbing behaviors.

Building manager Jaunae Brooks showed the council a large suitcase filled with items left in the skyway, including feces-stained carpet, bottles of urine, discarded cigarettes, hypodermic needles, condoms, clothes and discarded food.

More frightening was an evening when Brooks and building security staff came in to check a restroom and found a man with a knife in there. Once Brooks found someone cooking outside of her office door, using a hot plate.

Sharing security and having walkthroughs from time to time didn’t work. “In a half hour can someone poop on my floor? Absolutely. Can someone tag my signs? Absolutely.”

The building has tenants who are leaving, including some who have been there for two decades. Current building tenant Mike Franklin and former tenant Patrick Connolly also addressed

Anne Henry, left, was presented an award by MNCCD Executive Director Sheryl Grassie and Board Chairman Randy Bachman. fundamental values that drive them to fight for the righteous cause. Both are well spoken and well respected both within the circles of the disability community, and with our broader partners at Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), and with the legislature.

Both have built a personal legacy that is the envy of anyone who advocates for health and justice.”

(Bachman’s tributes to Henry and Lar-

son appear on page 4.)

Larson is closing a long career that began in Olmstead County and continued with DHS. His advice to the group?

“Hang in there … You have to be in this for the long haul.” The Arc Minnesota, where he has worked since 2003, has records indicating that in Larson’s first legislative session, parental fees were a AWARDS to page 15

Pg 2

June 10, 2017 Volume 28, Number 6

EDITOR’S DESK

Tim Benjamin The 2017 legislative session ended on time on May 23, only to be followed immediately by a special session. Over the next three days, the Legislature finished the budget bills and sent them to Governor Dayton, who made a line-item veto on the budgets for the House and Senate. The governor wants legislative leaders to come back to the bargaining table to address budget and policy concerns in the education and public safety legislation. The Legislature may try to take the governor to court.

Meanwhile, policy and budget provisions for Health and Human Services are final.

We didn’t get the wage increases for home care workers. We didn’t get special assistance for the most vulnerable.

As Department of Human Services Commissioner Piper has written, most of the “savings” in the legislature’s DHS budget are cost shifts, and as federal

health care provisions change, these shifts could put at risk the quality of care for hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans. All but the top 10% of Minnesotans should be disappointed in the outcomes of this session. The bulk of our surplus was spent on tax rate reductions, which is helpful for a few.

The rest of us can be thankful only for the funding for improved roads and bridges.

It's been years since I've spent as much time at the Capitol as I did this winter. It reminded me how difficult the job is, to lobby for a cause. Every activist and lobbyist, whether they’re doing their job or making personal efforts for the greater good, deserves our applause for their civic engagement.

They help to keep democracy on the right track. It's very time-consuming, and for most of those I see or know,

It's been years since I've spend as much time at the Capitol as I did this winter. It reminded me how difficult the job is, to lobby for a cause.

Their legacy is a call for action.

Many of us can and should start mentoring and bringing younger people into the realm of civic engagement. lobbying is very stressful. Often, I think the stress of waiting is the most difficult part. After explaining your cause to as many policymakers as possible, all you can do is wait. You wait, and hope that promises given are realized, that all your research and passion were transferred to your legislator and that your legislator can lobby the cause as well as, if not better than, you.

An additional stress for me this year was knowing that several lobbyists and advocacy associates I’ve known over the years will soon be retiring. You'll read about their contributions to the community elsewhere in this issue, but for me, personally, Anne Henry and Steve Larson are two leaders I will sorely miss. They have both played significant roles in pretty much every piece of legislation that has benefited the disability community over decades.

In my book, these two cannot be replaced. They will have successors, and we can only wish those folks well in developing the breadth of Anne’s and Steve’s professional contacts, their deep historical knowledge, and the confidence that so many have in them, including most high-ranking Minnesota officials.

It's kind of fun to walk through the Capitol, the Senate office building or the House state office building and watch how many times someone nods at Anne

and Steve and says hello, and how often they are stopped to be questioned about this or that (usually, it’s something you had no idea they knew about, or, more often, it’s something you had no clue about). Also, it's great to look around and see all the people that one of these two has mentored, given direction to and worked alongside as mentors, to help support our disability community.

Their legacy is a call for action. Many of us can and should start mentoring and bringing younger people into the realm of civic engagement. We know we can't replace the wisdom of Steve and Anne but we can make them proud of each of us by giving what they gave to us: that constant help, those many answers, the hope and support. Someone did this for them, and one way we can show our appreciation would be to pay it forward.

Remembering that there were a lot of voices and advocates in the Capitol this session, I want to thank everyone who worked on all the disability issues throughout the legislative season. I hope that we can be more successful next year. Meanwhile, summer’s here and the time is right for dancing in the street.

Let’s get out there and advocate! ■

HISTORY NOTE

Olin has spent decades documenting civil rights movement The disability rights movement has had many people who have followed its story. Few have been more dedicated than Tom Olin.

Olin is considered to be the social documentarian of the disability rights movement. He began taking pictures in 1985 and has since spent many years building an incredible collection of iconic photos of the historic struggle for civil rights and inclusion by people with disabilities. Olin’s many photos are part of the ADA Legacy Project and the Disability Resource Center Disability History project. His photos have been exhibited at the Smithsonian and appeared in the Washington Post and numerous other publications and books over the years.

Twice, Olin took the Road to Freedom Bus around the country, in 2007 and 2014-2015 for the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. He has taken pictures around the country,

documenting civil actions and protests.

He has shot pictures as activists blocked traffic and of the famous “capitol crawl” in Washington, D.C. He has become a key figure in the disability rights movement, not just for his work as a social documentarian, but for his tireless advocacy spanning three decades.

In interviews, Olin has spoken about growing up with dyslexia and working in a rehabilitation hospital in Michigan as a young man. He has spoken of the challenges of getting hospital residents out to even see a movie, in the days before accessibility accommodations were mandated.

He studied video production while working as a personal care attendant in the Bay Area. His first photo series was of a person living with chemical sensitivities.

“It became a little show there in Berkeley, and then from there I just kept on taking photos” Olin said in an interview.

Volume 28, Number 6 Periodicals Imprint: Pending ISSN

Co-Founder/Publisher............................................................................................................Wm. A. Smith, Jr. (1990-96) Co-Founder/Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief.............................................................................. Charles F. Smith (1990-2001) Board of Directors................................................. Mohamed Alfash, Stephen Anderson, John Clark, Kristin Jorenby, .................................................................Jane Larson, Richard Dick VanWagner, Julius Williams, Kay Willshire, Mark Zangara Advertising Sales......... Michelle Hegarty, 612-807-1078 Cartoonist......................................................Scott Adams Executive Director.....................................Tim Benjamin Production........................................................ In-Fin Tuan Managing Editor........................................ Jane McClure Distribution............................................ S. C. Distribution Business Manager/Webmaster......... Dawn Frederick EDITORIAL: Editorial submissions and news releases on topics of interest to persons with disabilities, or persons serving those with disabilities, are welcomed. We reserve the right to edit all submissions. Editorial material and advertising do not necessarily reflect the view of the editor/publisher of Access Press.

He soon moved to Los Angeles and got involved with the movement to make UCLA more accessible. One of his photos of an ADAPT protest, of a protestor's hand handcuffed behind a wheelchair, is still used today. Olin considered his photos of the protest to be his start as a social documentarian for the disability rights movement.

Other memorable photos have been of mass demonstrations in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., and of many demonstrations by ADAPT, Not Dead Yet and independent living groups. Many activists will not be forgotten because Olin documented their activities. His collection includes about 500,000 images.

Olin recently was hospitalized at the Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital in San Antonio, awaiting a liver transplant. Because of his commitment to documenting the movement and the grassroots, he has almost never drawn a

salary. Sale of his photos provides barely enough for food and fuel. Lately he has been too ill to work so finances are more dire than usual.

A Go Fund Me account set up for post-transplant expenses as well as copays had a goal of $5,000. More than double that had been raised when Access Press went to press. Many people have donated to show their appreciation for Olin's work.

Olin would like to hear from people who have enjoyed his photos. Cards and letters can be mailed to Tom Olin, Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital, 8026 Floyd Curl Dr., San Antonio, TX 78229. ■ The History Note is a monthly column sponsored by the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, www.mnddc.org or www.mncdd. org and www.partnersinpolicymaking.com.

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June 10, 2017 Volume 28, Number 6

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Rotunda rings with calls for change, but is it enough?

LEGISLATURE From Page 1 by disability community leaders. The bill included some disability funding increases and long-yterm policy reforms.

Dayton made it known he wasn’t happy with the budget bills he finally signed. but he also wanted to avoid forcing another special session or worse, a government shutdown. The last state shutdown was in 2011.

The debate between Dayton and Republican House and Senate leaders isn’t over yet, as the governor line item-vetoed legislative operating dollars. In early June leaders voted to pursue legal action in the funding fight. Whether the squabble forces a special session this summer isn’t known.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services is analyzing the impact of spending changes. Commissioner Emily Piper issued a statement after Dayton signed the bill affecting her department.

“After many months of work and intense negotiations these last weeks, we are relieved to have ongoing funding and to put the prospect of a government shutdown behind us,” said Piper.

“However, the human services bill has many shortcomings, as Governor Dayton pointed out. To pay for a large tax cut, the legislature reduced human services spending by $463 million. That means many important priorities that the legislature and the governor both support were not included. These results are especially disappointing given the large state budget surplus.

“Even so, we were successful in securing funds that allow us to maintain and improve many critical services. We also received important investments in our direct care and treatment area, which serves some of the most vulnerable Minnesotans, and to shore up the aging technology infrastructure necessary to administer health care and economic assistance programs that serve more than one million people. These have been high priorities for at least the past two years and we are pleased to finally move this work forward.”

Gains, losses eyed

At the legislative wrap-up gathering for the Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, leaders acknowledged that top-tier legislative priorities passed in some form. Susie Schatz, who co-chairs the consortium’s policy committee, said that while it is encouraging to see gains made in some areas, work will start almost immediately on the 2018 session.

One huge disappointment this session was the fight for additional caregiver compensation. Despite a high-profile campaign, the Best Life Alliance was unable to muster support for a four percent pay increase and improved healthcare.

The Complex Care Coalition, which fought for added pay for those who provide the highest levels of care, got into the governor’s budget but failed to make the final cut. A push to help parents with disabilities, who cannot even ask their caregivers to do tasks such as shared laundry, also failed to pass.

Dayton had called for a three percent pay increase for caregivers under the SEIU contract but that was cut to 1.5 percent.

A number of programs in the areas of mental health, special education, housing and developmental disabilities did get needed funding increases. One big win was in Consumer-Directed Community Supports (CDCS), where budget methodology and exceptions process were changed. This is seen as making CDCS and self-direction work more effectively for children and adults with disabilities. The work has $35,000 attached for 2018 and $65,000 for 2019. The Arc Minnesota took the lead on CDCS. Lutheran Social Services led the successful quest to increase and expand the Minnesota Supplemental Aid monthly subsidy so more individuals can transition out of congregate settings and maintain independent housing. The legislation was touted as providing cost saving over time.

This year’s push to change the Medical Assistance (MA) spend-down, led by the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance, got some results. This would change policy so that people with disabilities who depend on MA services can keep more of their own income and savings to live successfully in community. The current spend-down of $792 per month will increase slightly. Advocates said they’ll be back next session.

The high-profile fight to lower parental fees for children on MA resulted in a 13 percent decrease. Another win was in employment supports, with three new services to be added to help people with disabilities obtain and maintain jobs paying above the minimum wage, in integrated community settings. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society chalked up a victory as there will be a palliative care advisory council created to improve quality and access to coordinated, supportive care during treatment of serious illnesses.

Lawmakers also provided an additional $496,000 in new funding for statewide self-advocacy efforts.

Public safety measures had mixed results. National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Minnesota was unable to get its policy language on solitary confinement and funding for mental health staff in the final bill. But legislators allocated $6 million per year for police training, specific to the areas of crisis intervention and mental illness; conflict management; and "recognizing and valuing community diversity and cultural differences," including implicit bias training.

Facilities get help

Facilities around the state got help in the bonding and health and human services measures adopted. The Minnesota Security Hospital in St. Peter received $70.2 million for completion of its phase two renovation, in the bonding bill. That same bill included $2.2 million for Anoka Metro Regional Treatment Center security renovations.

A new psychiatric hospital in Willmar got $7.5 million.

The Minnesota Security Hospital also

received $9 million for staffing for improved client care and staff safety. Staff members have been injured by patients there.

The bonding bill also included $500,000 toward a dyslexia institute of Minnesota facility in Olmsted County, $2 million for asset preservation at Minnesota state academies and $50,000 for security corridor design at the State School for the Deaf.

Dayton proposed a $1.5 billion bonding bill. He and state lawmakers agreed on $990 million.

Paratransit spared deep cuts

Many of the worst transit and paratransit cuts were curbed in the $6 billion transportation package that finally won approval. Paratransit and are to and transit were a focus this spring as rallies were held to decry what appeared to be sweeping cuts to the Twin Cities’ transit and paratransit system.

Dayton dropped his bid to raise the gas tax to fund transportation and tran-

sit. Republicans wanted to direct more money to roads and bridges but the two sides compromised. As it is, Metropolitan Council will receive funding for its current level of service. It also received one-time funding of $70 million, to help address a projected $67.5 million two-year budget deficit.

Most of the budget deficit is linked to Metro Mobility, which is facing increasing requests for service. The one-time funding doesn’t take away the need for a transit fare increase, for bus, light rail, commuter rail and paratransit services.

Rate increases are being discussed at public hearings throughout the region this month.

Fares for most services would go up 25 to 50 cents, with Metro Mobility riders paying 50 to 75 cents more.

Metropolitan Council officials have estimated that an increase could raise an additional $15 million more per year.■

June 10, 2017 Volume 28, Number 6

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FROM OUR COMMUNITY

Martin Luther King said: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” In reality, I think the arc of the moral universe is more like a roller coaster but hopefully, in the end, it will bend towards justice. When it does bend here Minnesota, we have Anne Henry to thank.

When I think of Anne, I think of another adjective—dogged—but not in a canine way. Well, maybe in a bulldog way. Whenever a moral dilemma presents itself, Anne is like a dog with a bone, she will not stop until she decides, and it’s finished and problem solved. Whether it’s taking on the tangle of Department of Human Services policies and procedures, the maze of legislation, and the data diving into the large legislative bill, or the advocacy for children, families, and who may be or may be, one of the vulnerable, Anne Henry is the champion. For those of us who have been fortunate enough to work with her, ask yourself how many times you’ve relied on her counsel, insights, and details to better inform others, your constituents about public policy and disability law? Ask yourself, who else is the fountain of this knowledge, and I doubt you could name another. Anne is the Wikipedia of disability issues in Minnesota.

Anne Henry is well respected and has worked tirelessly behind the scenes.

Anne has the vision to recognize and add the tiny verbiage to a bill that makes all the difference, to catch the little phrase or a whole paragraph that would be the poison pill from legisla-

Steve Larson work with people with disabilities goes back to the 1970s and 1980s where he started his career in Rochester and with Olmsted County.

Steve and his wife Joan began their careers working in group homes for persons with intellectual and developmental challenges. He knows what it’s like to be a direct service worker. He knows what it’s like to get his hands dirty in fulfilling a direct service worker's job responsibilities. Steve and Joan have done much to help people live in dignity.

Steve then moved up to become the director of Bear Creek Services, an organization dedicated to providing services in the community. Later, he was hired as the developmental disabilities supervisor for Olmsted County, where Randy Bachman, retired director of AXIS healthcare was supervisor and says, “Our supervisory sessions would go something like this: Steve would update me on what he was doing, would tell me what he was planning to do, and give me his insights on how to manage his division, and would outline for me how he was going to deal with its challenges. My response was OK, go do it.” Bachman said, “I never had to worry about him going off the rails.

While I technically supervised him, in reality we were both co-equal colleagues moving in the same direction.

Not having his fill of bureaucracy, Steve later transitioned into the state bureaucracy at the Department of Human Services (DHS) as director of the Disability Services Division. He could have stayed there and retired, but chose to jump into the nonprofit world and joined the Arc of Minnesota, as director, and

SKYWAY From Page 1 the council. “We all could share stories about the severity of the problem,” Franklin said. But instead of solutions, people are told to wait, allowing for more time for the skyway study process. He said it’s “almost comical” that the only person threatened with sanctions is Brooks.

“Frankly, it was just disgusting, going to work every morning,” Connolly said.

His company’s Railroader office was broken into twice and computers were stolen. “Because of the break-ins, our business insurance dropped us.”

But longtime downtown resident and disability rights activist Rick Cardenas said Brooks should not be allowed to close the skyway at 8 p.m. He said such a closing violates the Minnesota Human Rights Act and the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Heightened complaints about bad behavior in skyways have prompted city officials and the downtown district council, CapitolRiver Council, to convene a “skyway vitality working group” to review and suggest changes to the city’s skyway governance ordinance.

Anne Henry tion to new policy. She can bring forth from memory the sources that will inform our deliberations—and all the while keeping in mind who it is we are working to assist, and to empower in the community. Finally, I believe everyone is in awe of her courage, her willingness to speak the moral truth to those in power. As the Cowardly Lion says in the Wizard of Oz —who puts the ape in apricot—courage. Now that she is “retiring”, we have a challenge ahead of us who will take up the slack that her retirement will inevitably present itself to us. It has been an honor for all of us who have had the opportunity to know her and to work at her side.

Deputy Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) Director Dan Niziolek said the ordinance changes will be brought to the council in June. He said approving a change for Brooks before the recommendations can be completed would be premature.

Andy Flamm, who chairs the district council’s skyway committee, said that while there is sympathy for the problems, Brooks needs to provide the security required on the skyway. He said granting the 8 p.m. closing would bring requests from other building owners.

Flamm said he’d personally like to see all of the downtown building owners get together and create a holistic security system that works for everyone.

Rebecca Noecker, whose Second Ward includes downtown, said closing a skyway should be “absolutely the last resort.” While she agrees with Brooks’ contention that locking the doors at 8 p.m. has alleviated problems, closing defeats the purpose of having a skyway system.

Read more about the efforts to make changes at the city website, at www. stpaul.gov ■

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CREDIT:

Larson’s leadership made a difference for many people

CREDIT:

Henry's courage has been an asset to the disability community

Steve Larson later as the senior public policy director—a role custom-made for Steve.

In addition to his work at the Arc, Steve provided key leadership to MNCCD. His tireless work with the legislature and the governor’s office and DHS has been instrumental in getting services and supports for anyone with any kind of disability. Steve, now, it is time to put your weary feet up and retire. However, I am not sure anyone can replace them or match his legacy. But we will all need to step up to the plate to produce the contributions that Steve Larson has gracefully given our community.

Editor’s note: The tributes to Anne Henry and Steve Larson were written by MNCCD Board Chairman Randall Bachman.

DISABILITY RIGHTS MARCH & RALLY! WEDNESDAY, JULY 26 | 1 – 4 PM Join us in celebrating the Americans with Disabilities Act and reaffirming our Rights!

Come for some or all of the events • 1 p.m. Gathering & orientation (MN History Center) • 1:30 p.m. Disability Rights March to the Capitol • 2:30 p.m. Disability Rights Rally (Capitol Rotunda) • Featured speakers and entertainment Accommodations for the orientation and rally include ASL interpreters, CART, and audio description.

For more information or to confirm audio description services or to request a reasonable accommodation not listed above, please contact: Cindy at ADA Minnesota 651-603-2015 or cindyt@mcil-mn.org by July 7

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June 10, 2017 Volume 28, Number 6

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Sponsors make Access Press Charlie Smith Award banquet a success The Access Press Charlie Smith Award banquet pieces keep falling into place. Award nominees are sought, so make plans to submit the name of a deserving person or group by 6 p.m. Wednesday, August 9. Go to the Charlie Awards tab for details and a nomination form.

Call 651-644-2133 or email CSAnominations@accesspress. org with questions.

The award honors a person or group for providing outstanding service to Minnesotans with disabilities. Award namesake Charlie Smith was founding editor of Access Press.

He was a well-known Minnesota disability rights advocate.

This year’s banquet is Friday, November 3 at the Doubletree Hilton in Bloomington. The banquet wouldn’t be possible without its sponsors. Being a banquet sponsor is a proven way to bring visibility to a business, nonprofit group or organization. Sponsorship provides recognition not only to a large group of banquet attendees, as well as the newspaper’s many print and online readers.

Keyliners Level The first level is the Keyliners Level, at $300. In the pre-desktop publishing days,

sponsor logo will be displayed on special table signs and the organization/company name will be listed in the 2017 Charlie Smith Award Banquet program. The sponsoring organization/company will be recognized in the November and December 2017 issues of Access Press. Sponsors will receive two free rotating website ads during the months of choice, a value of $200. Proofreader sponsors will be listed on a special banner displayed at the banquet.

2016 award winner Cliff Poetz is shown with banquet emcee Nick Wilke. keyliners put the paper together. The sponsor logo will be displayed on special table signs and the organization/company name will be listed in the 2017 Charlie Smith Award Banquet program. The sponsoring organization/company will be recognized in the November and December 2017 issues of Access Press with a special ad.

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cess Press. Sponsors will receive two free rotating website ads during the months of choice, a value of $200. Editor-in-chief sponsors will be listed on a special banner displayed at the banquet. The sponsoring organization/company will be recognized by the emcee during the banquet. A table will be named in the sponsor’s honor the evening of the event. This sponsoring level also includes a free Access Press subscription, a value of $30 and one Directory of Organizations listing, good for one year, a value of $60.

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June 10, 2017 Volume 28, Number 6

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REGIONAL NEWS Accessible playground work underway

School district meets deadline

The Roseville School District met a May 31 deadline to provide a proposal to train staff members about what constitutes disability discrimination. That came after a U.S. Department of Education investigation found the district didn't adequately address claims that teachers had harassed a student with autism.

Ethlyn St. Claire raised the issue on behalf of her son who has autism and other developmental issues. He attended special education classes and occasionally sat in on other classrooms at Emmet D. Williams Elementary School. But over the course of a year, her son would come home with various claims of being bullied, harassed, demeaned, discriminated against and, on at least one occasion injured when a teacher restrained him too hard. Her son made a suicide attempt because he was tired of the treatment.

St. Claire took her concerns even further to the superintendent, the state Office of Civil Rights and the Minnesota Department of Education. Not satisfied with the school district response, she filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education. he federal agency determined the school, "only did a modest investigation, failed to adequately respond to the complaint and no immediate steps were taken to eliminate harassment” and gave the school district a May 31 deadline to develop a training policy for teachers, staff and administrators on what constitutes disability discrimination. With state review the training could be ready soon.

"I don't think people who work with kids with disabilities should treat students that way," St. Claire said.

Source: KTSP-TV

Neglect found in nursing home death

A Minnesota Department of Health investigation determined that neglect was involved in the death of an Annandale nursing home resident who went 15 days without receiving blood thinners. The resident at Annandale Care Center had had a stroke and was supposed to take Coumadin. But as a result of a series of errors the resident went 15 days without receiving proper Coumadin dosages. The medication was restarted and a second blood thinner administered by injection. But after 10 days on the medication, the resident complained of abdominal pain and was taken to the hospital. After a return to the nursing home and another hospitalization, the resident died. The death certificate indi-

COTTAGE-GROVE.ORG

Minnesota’s largest playground for children with disabilities is under construction at Cottage Grove’s Woodridge Park. The 24,000-square-foot playground will be completed by the end of September, said Molly Pietruszewski, the city’s recreation supervisor. The fundraising goal of $800,000 was reached on May 17, when the Lions Club International Foundation made the $100,000 donation.

Work had already begun on what would have been a slightly smaller playground. “But the Lions Club put us over the top,” she said.

Fundraising for the project started in 2013. The city is contributing $350,000, and more than 100 businesses, groups and individuals have donated funds. The park is one of several built in Minnesota in recent years that have special equipment allowing children using wheelchairs to play. It will include decks, slides, climbing areas, tunnels and swings. Developmental areas — designed to teach and strengthen children — will include interactive feature, musical instruments, and sand and water play areas.

The playground will be the size of eight tennis courts.

Source: Pioneer Press

cated the death was caused by acute blood loss because of an abdominal muscle bleed.

The facility must take corrective actions including changes in policies related to blood thinners, staff education and an audit of anticoagulant orders.

Source: Minnesota Department of Health

Woman jailed for swindle

A Coon Rapids woman found to be bilking vulnerable adults out of money while working for an organization that serves people with disabilities was ordered to spend two days in jail. Nichole Jacqueline Lindow was sentenced to two days in jail and to five years’ probation in Ramsey County District Court, for one count of financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult.

According to a criminal complaint, Lindow stole about $12,000 from eight vulnerable adults while employed as a supervisor of REM Ramsey facilities in 2014 and 2015. REM serves people with disabilities and neurological, brain or spinal cord injuries at several facilities in Ramsey County.

All of the vulnerable adults exploited by Lindow have diagnosed developmental disabilities and require help from staff to manage money. She was responsible for maintaining the personal financial records of REM Ramsey residents. She also accompanied residents to the bank to help them cash checks and withdraw money. Authorities linked her to 12 unaccounted-for transactions ranging from $200 to $2,600, the complaint said.

The account irregularities were found during a routine check and were reported to the Minnesota Department of Human Services and law enforcement.

When confronted, Lindow confessed to taking the money because of “financial issues” and she returned the cash.

Source: Pioneer Press

Bethel honors first BUILD graduates

Two years ago, Lauren Thysell had no interest in going to college. She was content to live at home in Wayzata and hang out with her mother. But this spring Thysell, who has Down syndrome, graduated from a special program at Bethel University in Arden Hills. She has two jobs, many great friends and her very own apartment.

Thysell, 26, is one of eight students in the first graduating class of the Bethel University Inclusive Learning and Development (BUILD) program. It’s one of only a few such

programs in Minnesota (and hundreds nationwide) to give students with intellectual disabilities a chance at college life.

Until recently, said Cathy Sallas, Thysell’s mother, “no one ever thought quite about college as a possibility” for such students. But when she learned that Bethel was launching its program in 2015, Sallas jumped at the chance to enroll her daughter.

Students who are part of the first class of developmentally-disabled students to graduate from Bethel University took a final exam in "life skills" as part of this unusual program, known as BUILD (Bethel University Inclusive Learning and Development) Thursday, May 25, 2017, in St. Paul, MN. Here, BUILD teacher Diane Iverson, left, says goodbye to her students, including Rita Ikeri, following the program's final class.

The two-year program at Bethel is based on what Sallas calls “a really wonderful concept” — the students live in dorms, and attend classes, with the help of other Bethel student “mentors” and professionals to provide them with extra support.

At Bethel, most of the classes are tailored to their special needs, including lessons on cooking, cleaning and social skills, as well writing résumés and interviewing for jobs.

Along the way, the students get a taste of independence and a chance to blend into the lakeside campus with hundreds of other college kids — playing sports, singing in the choir, working in the dining hall and learning to navigate the world on their own.

“I just loved being here at Bethel,” Thysell said, before breaking down in tears.

Sam Kohs, a 24-year-old classmate from Forest Lake, was asked if he was excited about graduation. “Yes and no,” he admitted. “I am happy and then not happy, because I don’t want to leave the dorm and all the friends. But also, I want to move on and get, like, a job.”

This fall, school officials hope to enroll 16 more students in the program.

Source: Star Tribune

Proctors schools violated law

The Proctor school district violated federal special education law when 43 middle and high school students were deprived of speech and language services for six weeks in 2015.

A family filed a complaint with the Minnesota Department of Education when it learned in November of that year that its child didn't receive services during the first six weeks of school. The student was to receive 16 20-minute sessions during that time. During the education department's investigation, it learned that none of the students in the middle and high school scheduled to receive speech and language services as dictated by their individualized education plans (IEPs) had received them. The lack of services violates the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Between the 43 students, 3,510 minutes of work required by their plans went unserved, according to the complaint decision. The school district was ordered by the state to notify parents of the lapse, and make up the missed time by the end of the school year. It also was directed to train the speech/language pathologist in the law's requirements. It has done that, according to the state education department.

Services weren't offered as directed because of the scheduling practices of the pathologist. Superintendent John Engelking said that there was a larger than normal number of students needing services that fall, and the pathologist spent that time scheduling, working with teachers and getting to know students instead of providing direct services.

Documents show the family that complained said it was told by the pathologist that her practice was to schedule services in the fifth or sixth week of school. Steps were taken to ensure the situation didn't repeat itself, said Tim Rohweder, principal of both the middle and high schools.

The challenge of scheduling is sometimes felt in smaller school districts, where a limited number of staff may serve many students.

Source: Duluth News-Tribune

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June 10, 2017 Volume 28, Number 6

PEOPLE & PLACES

Pg 7

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PRO-ACT

Alice Oden played a unique role in the history of Access Press, as the newspaper’s first webmaster. The Shoreview resident died May 29 at the University of Minnesota Medic al Center. She was 69.

Friends and family remember Oden as someone with a strong faith and a good outlook on life.

Alice Zimmerman, daughter of David F. and Margaret Zimmerman, was born December 9, 1947 in Waseca. She enjoyed growing up in a rural area, being in 4-H and enjoying activities with friends. She later married Dale Oden. The couple had two sons, Patrick (Elizabeth) and Ross (Jane), Judge Donovan Frank recently visited a ProAct work site in Eagan as part and grandchildren Andrew, Leah, Fitz, of a visit there to speak with workers.

Emily, Vyla and Matthew. Oden loved and enjoyed her family. She didn’t let disability Lake Minnetonka Conservation District board for 17 slow her down. years and served as chair from 2001-2004.

Oden held a degree from Metropolitan State UniAn avid sailor, Foster was an early member of the versity and was the Access Press webmaster for several Wayzata Yacht Club. He served on the club and Wayyears. Staff enjoyed emails from “Odenville” and her zata Community Sailing Center boards for many years, great sense of humor. chaired its race committee and was commodore from She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters 1975-1976. He helped train many new sailors with his Annette Bray and Annita Schlueter, and brother friend Ernest Brody, in what was known as the “Bert David C. Zimmerman. She is also survived by a sister and Ernie” show. He won many titles and was a regatta Rebecca "Becky" Thompson, and numerous cousins, official. In 2015 he was awarded the club’s first lifetime nieces and nephews. Services have been held. She was achievement award. buried in Waseca.

Foster enjoyed hunting. He sustained a disabling injury in 1967 as a result of a hunting accident. He was able to continue sailing and was a member of the United Foster was sailing expert States Disabled Sailing Team from 2007-2011, competAlbert “Bert” Foster is remembered as someone ing in regattas all over the world. whose love of sailing continued after a disabling acFoster was a devoted member of St. Martin's by-thecident. Foster, age 80, died May 22. He was a longLake Episcopal Church. time Deephaven resident, but had recently moved to He is survived by his wife Carmella, sons Albert, Spring Park.

Andrew and William and their families, stepchildren, Foster graduated from St. Louis Country Day School grandchildren, and siblings. A celebration of life is and Cornell University. He also attended the Harvard planned for Saturday, August 5th at Wayzata Yacht Business School Executive Program. He was CEO of Club. Memorial gifts are to be directed to the Wayzata Cir-Tec and American Plastics Exchange, and also was a Community Sailing Center or St. Martin's by-the-Lake broker at Dean Witter.

Church in Minnetonka Beach.

Foster represented the City of Deephaven on the

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Over the past four decades, the Minnesota Disability Law Center has helped countless Minnesotans with disabilities achieve better lives. The center staff received many well-deserved thanks and congratulations at The Arc Minnesota’s Public Policy Recognition Event on May 25 in Roseville. The center was celebrated for its advocacy and legal work that have protected the rights and services of people with disabilities in Minnesota.

The Arc Minnesota holds its Public Policy Recognition Event annually. The event puts a spotlight on the accomplishments of individuals or groups whose efforts in disability law and/or disability policy have benefited individuals with disabilities and their families. The event offers an opportunity for members of The Arc Minnesota and others in the community to celebrate each honoree’s achievements and to support the work of The Arc Minnesota.

The Minnesota Disability Law Center is the designated protection and advocacy system for Minnesota and addresses the unique legal needs of Minnesotans with disabilities. The center provides free legal assistance to individuals with disabilities statewide on civil legal issues related to their disabilities. All individuals with disabilities are eligible to receive help, regardless of age or income level.

Some client stories are personal. Mai Thor McIntosh, a former center advocate, began the center’s initiative on voting rights. She became a client when attorney Justin Page helping her to find an accessible van. Thor McIntosh cited this as one example of the dedication and effectiveness of center staff. She praised the entire staff’s integrity and the commitment to ensure that people with disabilities were being fully included in the community, and their rights were being upheld.

The Arc Minnesota Senior Policy Director Steve Larson shared his recollection of center activities and successes over the past four decades, through a power

THE ARC MINNESOTA

Minnesota Disability Law Center honored for service

The Arc Minnesota's Steve Larson, right, presents the 2017 Public Policy recognition award to Pamela Hoopes of the Minnesota Disability Law Center. point and his own many collaborations. Larson cited Luther Grandquist, a former staff attorney; Center Legal Director Pamela Hoopes and current staff attorneys Anne Henry, Bud Rosenfield and Dan Stewart.

Using scenes from the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” as a backdrop, Larson speculated about what life would be like if, like the movie’s main character, George Bailey, if the center had never existed. His conclusion is that without the center’s work, Minnesota’s citizens with disabilities would not have made great strides towards living and participating in the community, and they would not have the community services they benefit from today.

Larson then presented Hoopes with a plaque expressing The Arc Minnesota’s gratitude to the center for its four decades of service. Hoopes then gave kudos to her colleagues. She gave a special thank you to three Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid staff who are retiring after decades of distinguished service for the agency.

Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid’s Executive Director Cathy LAW CENTER From Page 15

BEER page 10

June 10, 2017 Volume 28, Number 6

Pg 9

PEOPLE & PLACES Partners in Policymaking marked 30 years’ service this spring by graduating its latest class. The graduates were honored with a ceremony in Bloomington. Gov. Mark Dayton declared graduation day, May 13, as Partners in Policymaking Day in Minnesota.

Class members learn how to more effectively advocate for themselves and their family members with disabilities. The leadership training program was started in 1987 by the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, to serve adults with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities. More than 950 people have graduated from the Minnesota program, which just put out a call for the 2017-2018 class. More than 27,000 people from around the world are program graduates.

This spring’s graduates have their own stories. Although aware of the value of the Partners program, Bonnie Pautsch-Dyakin delayed applying until her three boys were adjusted to their school settings.

Very familiar with separation and anxiety she experienced herself in school with serious dyslexia, her mother was always the best example of assertive behavior and consistently advocating for the best school setting.

Pautsch-Dyakin is raising a son with Down syndrome, a second son with autism and another with dyslexia. She credits her Partners training with training and encouraging her testify in a hearing

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Partners in Policymaking graduates class

(top) Bonnie Pautsch-Dyakin and family. (above) Sarah Reiners, center, is shown with Shelley Madore and Sen. John Hoffman. provide fully integrated experiences this spring against the parental fee for them. that is added to medical services.

Toni Malone joined the class She has been an avid advocate of her to be a stronger advocate for her sons being placed in the best school environment for their success.

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PEOPLE & PLACES Minnesota students receive National Unity Awards

Minnesota students and students’ organizations working to prevent bullying were honored May 25 by PACER Center’s National Bullying Prevention Center in Bloomington. The Unity Awards celebrate those who have made outstanding contributions to address and prevent bullying in their schools and communities.

“We hear hundreds of stories every year about individuals who make a positive impact and we are excited that a few of those amazing individuals were honored YOU ARE INVITED! at the event,” said Julie Hertzog, Community Shares Spring Social Hour director of PACER’s National Community Shares Spring Social Hour Bullying Prevention Center. “The Celebrating the Anniversary of the Unity Awards celebrate how much we appreciate the special contriAmericans with Disabilities Act butions that are being made across YOU ARE INVITED! Tuesday, June 13th the country to prevent bullying, YOU ARE INVITED! YOU ARE INVITED! YOU ARE INVITED! Community Shares Spring Social Hour and to create kinder, more inclu5:00Hour - Hour 7:00 pm Community Shares Spring Social Hour Community Shares Spring Social Community Shares Spring Social sive communities.”

Celebrating the Anniversary of the Company Bad Weather Brewing Celebrating the Anniversary ofof the Celebrating the Anniversary the Celebrating the Anniversary of the The Faces of Change, the youth Americans withDisabilities Disabilities Act 414 7th St W, Americans with Act advisory board of PACER’s NaAmericans with Disabilities Act Americans with Disabilities Act Bad Weather Brewing Company Tuesday, June 13th St Paul, MN 55102 Tuesday, June 13th tional Bullying Prevention Center, Tuesday, June 13th Tuesday, June 13th 5:00- -7:00 7:00 pm 5:00 pm - Paul, 7:00 5:005:00 - 7:00 pm pm selected the Faces of Change 414 7th Bad St W, St MN 55102 Weather Brewing Company Bad Weather Brewing Company Bad Weather Brewing Company Weather Brewing Company Award recipients.

Join usBad for our next Community Shares Social Hour at Bad Weather 414 7th StSt W, 414 7th Sample some craft beers, sodas, and appetizers 414 7th StW, W, 414 7th St W, Elaina Leitzke of Apple Valley Brewing Company!

Sample some craft beers, sodas, and appetizers St Paul, MN 55102 StPaul, Paul, MN 55102 St Paul, MN 55102 St MN 55102 while connecting with others dedicated servingto servingwas while connecting with others to dedicated the concerned about the attitudes and behaviors of staff and students the disabled community. disabled Join us for forfor ourour next Community Shares Social Hour atcommunity.

Bad Weather Join us next Community Shares Social Hour at Weather Join our next Community Shares Social Hour at Bad Weather Join usus for our next Community Shares Social Hour atBad Bad Weather Brewing Company!

Sample some craft beers, sodas, and appetizers Brewing Company!

Sample some craft beers, sodas, and appetizers Brewing Company!

Sample some craft beers, sodas, and appetizers those in her school with Brewing Company!

Sample some craft beers, sodas, and appetizers Itwhile iswhile aconnecting great opportunity to discuss local and national issuestoward threatening while connecting with others dedicated to serving serving the connecting with others dedicated to serving the with others to the It is a great opportunity todedicated discuss local and while connecting with others dedicated to serving the disabilities.

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We will also disabled community. national issues threatening the rights of those school principal and suggested It is a great opportunity to discuss local and national issues threatening It is a great opportunity to discuss local and national issues threatening It is a great discussadvocating local and national be opportunity signing atoletter forissues the threatening disabled community to the GoverIt isthe athe great opportunity to disabilities discuss local and national issues threatening the rights of those those with disabilities and access to services. services.

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We will also rights of with disabilities and access to We will also sensitivity training for staff, and with disabilities and access to services. will nor of Minnesota! berights signing letter advocating forfor thethe disabled community to the the Goverthe ofaa letter those with disabilities and access to services. will also be signing a letter advocating disabled community toWe the Goverbe signing advocating for the disabled community to Goverinitiated a peer advocate and mennor of Minnesota! also be signing a letter advocating for the disabled be signing a letter advocating for disabled community to the Goverofthe Minnesota! nornor of Minnesota! toring group. nor of Minnesota! community to the Governor of Minnesota!

Wayzata High School Unified Club is piloting a class that brings together students with and without disabilities in a physical education setting to focus on physical, relational and health topics.

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Tuesday, June 13 | 5:00 - 7:00 pm

PACER Center's Faces of Change Board selected the award winners. ered every student to take a stand against bullying. Activities included a Student Shout-Out board that highlights students’ positive action.

Watertown-Mayer Middle School invited a group of students to share thoughts on how they view bullying behavior within their school and online community. The students provided staff with a unique student perspective and helped guide school personnel to develop solutions to address bullying.

Eloise Berdahl-Baldwin of St. Paul was honored as a #WorldChanger, for her work creating PACER’s “Ask Jamie” column,

which offers advice and support to teens about bullying. John Schulzetenberg of Eveleth received the national United for Inclusion Award, which recognizes outstanding acts to help others feel like they belong and know that they are not alone.

The event was presented by PACER Center and the Faces of Change. The Bloomington Human Rights Commission provided the event space. Bloomington Mayor Gene Winstead and Human Rights Commission Chairman Dennis Kane addressed the group.

June 10, 2017 Volume 28, Number 6 Pg 11

Disability issues highlighted at large rally

ENJOY!

CELEBRATE THE ADA The Community Shares Spring Social Hour is an Americans with Disabilities Act celebration, 5-7 p.m. Tue, June 13 at Bad Weather Brewing Company, 414 W. 7th St., St. Paul. Sample craft beers, sodas and appetizers. Learn about disability community issues and sign a letter advocating for services, to be sent to Gov. Mark Dayton. Hosts are Access Press, Advocating Change Together, National Federation of the Blind Minnesota and Upstream Arts, along with Community Shares Minnesota.

a Lived Experience of Mental Illness. The exhibit is on display through Aug. 17, at Hennepin County Medical Center, Inspiration Cafe, 701 Park Ave., Orange Building, Level 3, Mpls.

Free. Café hours are 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. FFI: 612-836-9303, www.zagzum.org WHAT’S LEFT: LIVES TOUCHED BY SUICIDE - RECEPTION A multi-media exhibit designed to spur conversation about mental illness and suicide is at Great River Arts, Front and Satellite galleries, 122 First St. SE, Little Falls 56345 – plus satellite galleries at Family Medical Center and Morrison County Government Center. The exhibit is up through June during regular business hours. Free. It moves to Owatonna Arts Center in September. Additional hosting opportunities available. FFI for Little Falls: Sam Bruno, 320-632-0960, sam@greatart.org. FFI for hosting: Katie Marshall, 218-3262697, www.whatsleftmn.com

TAPPING INTO POSSIBILITIES RISE’s third annual “friendraiser” event, Tapping into Possibilities, is 5-7:30 p.m. Mon, July 17 at Bauhaus Brew Labs, 1517 Tyler St., Mpls. Advance tickets are one for $12 or two for $20.

At the door pay $15 and $25. Enjoy appetizers, live music and $5 craft beers. Raffles add to the fun. FFI: www.tappingintopossibilities2017.eventbrite.com

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SAFE SUMMER NIGHTS 2017 Join the St. Paul Police Department, St. Paul Public Schools and St. Paul Parks and Recreation for a special edition of Safe Summer Nights, "St. Paul 4 Kids". The event is 5-7 p.m. Tue, June 27 at Bridgeview School, 350 Colbourne St., St. Paul. Free. It will include a picnic-style barbecue cookout for children with special needs and their families and caregivers, face painting, a jump house, the K9 unit, mounted patrol, motors unit and more. FFI: St. Paul Police Community Engagement Unit, 651-266-5485.

SUMMER ARTS DISCOVERY A summer-long exhibition, showcasing works by 10 artists throughout Landmark Center on Rice Park in St. Paul. Artists submitted work themed around a collective or inclusive community. The exhibit opens to the public with a free reception, 5-7 p.m. Thu, June 15, 5-7 p.m. Enjoy light refreshments, meet the featured artists and tour the exhibit. Featured artists are Betsy Alwin, Debbie Boyles, Cathy Durso, Kyle Fokken, Sophia Heymans, Isaac S. Lewin, Judd Nelson, Aziz Osman, Andrea Ellen Reed and Craig Snyder. Learn creative techniques directly from selected artists during a free “Make It and Take It” workshop, 1-4 p.m. Sun, Aug. 13. FFI: www.landmarkcenter.org

REACH FOR RALPH Attend Reach for Ralph, Hammer Residences’ summer fundraiser, is 5:30-10 p.m. Thu, July 20 at Earle Brown Center, 6155 Earle GLENSHEEN ART SHOW: MARI NEWMAN Brown Drive, Brooklyn Center. The event benefits adults and chilHistory Theatre presents the blockbuster musical hit Glensheen, at History Theatre, 30 E. 10th St., St. Paul.

Mpls. artist has created art in almost every media, has won dren with developmental disabilities. Enjoy a casual atmosphere, OC offered 7:30 p.m., Sat, July 22 and 2 p.m., Sun, July 23. Large-print programs and assisted-listening demany awards and has had work in many galleries and publicadinner, auctions, games and beautiful outdoor space. Tickets are vices available at every performance. Tickets starts $25. FFI: 651-292-4323, www.historytheatre.com tions. She has vision and hearing loss. See her latest show at $75 if purchased before June 30. Ralph was a student who was Vision Loss Resources, 1936 Lyndale Ave. S. (at Franklin Ave.), part of Alvina Hammer’s first school for children with disabilities.

Mpls. The show is in the lobby, which is open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Rather than live in an institution, Ralph enjoyed a full life and grew PRIVATE LIVES Mon-Fri. It will be up through Aug. FFI: 612-332-3888, http://vsamn.org to adulthood at Hammer. He died in 1995 but his spirit lives on as inspiration Theatre in the Round Players presents the Noel Coward comedy of manners, for the Hammer logo, figure, statues, and event. FFI: www.hammer.org MORE EVENTS at Theatre in the Round, 245 Cedar Ave., Mpls. AD offered 2 p.m. Sun, June VSA MINNESOTA UNSUNG HEROES 25. Tactile tour offered at 1 p.m. based on reservations. Large-print programs VSA Minnesota is a statewide nonprofit organization that works to create a The Alive & Kickin senior ensemble, ages 65-92, presents an eclectic mix and assisted-listening devices available at every performance. Tickets $22. community where people with disabilities can learn through, participate in of songs, at Bloomington Center for the Arts, Schneider Theater, 1800 W. Other discounts available. FFI: 612-333-3010, www.theatreintheround.org and access the arts, at http://vsamn.org. The website has a comprehensive Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington. Shows are 7:30 p.m. Fri-Sat. June 9-10 and QUEER VOICES PRIDE READING calendar at the upper right-hand corner of its home page. For information 16-17, and 2 p.m. Thu, Sun, June 11, 15, 18. ASL offered 7:30 p.m. Sat, June Intermedia Arts’ Queer Voices reading series celebrates PRIDE at Minneapon galleries and theater performances around the state join the Access to 17. Notify the box office to request seating for ASL. Tickets $32, discounts olis Central Library, Pohlad Hall, 300 Nicollet Mall, Mpls. ASL offered 6:30 Performing Arts email list at access@vsamn.org or call VSA Minnesota, 612available. FFI: 952-563-8575, http://aliveandkickinmn.org/ p.m. Tue, June 27, with a book fair starting at 5:30 p.m. Tickets $5-25 sug332-3888 or statewide 800-801-3883 (voice/TTY). To hear a weekly listing AN AMERICAN IN PARIS gested donation at the door. FFI: 612-871-4444, www.intermediaarts.org of accessible performances, call 612-332-3888 or 800-801-3883. Access A touring company presents the unforgettable Gershwin musical, Ordway Press only publishes performance dates when accommodations are offered.

WHODUNIT? Music Theater, 345 Washington, St. Paul. OC offered 7:30 p.m. Thu, June 15.

Contact the venue to find out the entire run of a particular production and if BOLD-choice Theatre Company presents an old-fashioned mystery with AD and ASL offered 2 p.m. Sat, June 17. Tickets $39-$119.50; if using ASL or discounts for seniors, students or groups are offered. VSA Minnesota advissome common human questions, at Kitchi Gammi Club, 831 E. Superior captioning, request seating in that area. FFI: 651-224-4222, www.ordway.org es everyone to call or email ahead, to make such that an accommodation is St., Duluth. BOLD or Battling Obstacles Living with Disabilities is a theALL YOU NEED IS LOVE, VOLUME 2 offered, as schedules can change. VSA Minnesota can also refer venues and ater company for people with disabilities. Social hour is at 6 p.m., with Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus celebrates the 50-year anniversary of the theater companies to qualified describers, interpreters, and captioners. the performance at 7 p.m. Wed, June 28. ASL will be provided upon reSummer of Love, at Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 4th St. S., Mpls. Listening quest. Tickets $20 at the door. FFI: 218-724-5869, www.choiceunlimited.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES devices, large-print and Braille programs available on request. ASL offered 8 org/bold-choice-theatre.html.

Another web events listing is http://c2net.org (c2: caption coalition, inc., p.m. Sat, June 17. Tickets reduced to half-price for ASL patrons (regular $33which does most of the captioned shows across the country. Facebook is CIRCUS 1903 53); the interpreter will be located on the right side of the stage; an area another way to connect with performances. Sign up to connect with Audio Puppeteers from War Horse and magicians present a circus extravagannear that location has been designated as ASL seating, with locations on the Description across Minnesota http:// tinyurl.com/d34dzo2. Connect with za, at Ordway Music Theater, 345 Washington, St. Paul.

OC offered 7:30 orchestra and mezzanine levels. FFI: 612-624-2345, www.tcgmc.org ASL interpreted and captioned performances across Minnesota on Facebook p.m. Thu, June 29. AD and ASL offered 2 p.m. Sat, July 1. If using ASL or ENGAGING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN THE ARTS: COULD, http://tinyurl.com/FBcaption. Another resource is Minnesota Playlist, with captioning, request seating in that area. Tickets $34-$114.50. FFI: 651SHOULD OR MUST a recently updated website calendar with all the ASL-interpreted, audio-de224-4222, www.ordway.org Metro Regional Arts Council, with presenters from VSA Minnesota, scribed, captioned, pay-what-you-can shows and other features. Go to MIGHT AS WELL BE DEAD: A NERO WOLFE MYSTERY presents a free workshop on ways to welcome people with disabilities to http://minnesotaplaylist.com/calendar Park Square Theatre presents a world premiere play, at Park Square Thebecome part of arts events audiences, at Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, Arts festivals are held throughout the state. Check: www.exploreminnesota. atre, Proscenium Stage, 20 W. 7th Place, St. Paul. AD offered 7:30 p.m. Fri, 451 Lexington Pkwy N., St. Paul. Session is 1- 4 p.m., Tue, June 20. Free. com/index.aspx, http://festivalnet.com/state/minnesota/mn.html, www.fairJuly 7.

ASL offered 2 p.m.

Sun, July 9.

OC offered 7:30 p.m.

Thu-Fri-Sat, Free parking in the Wilder ramp or get there via bus or Green Line light rail. sandfestivals.net/states/MN/ July 27-29, 2 p.m. Sun, July 30. Assistive listening devices available. ASL/ Learn how to provide accommodations and attract people with a wide range AD/OC single ticket discount is half-price for patron and one guest with of hearing, visual, mobility, sensory and other needs to arts events. Hear code ACC (regular $40, $60; previews $27, $37). Other discounts available. experiences and learn about barriers. Discuss solutions including access FFI: 651-291-7005, www.parksquaretheatre.org needs, changes in publicity and what tools and resources are available.

Accommodations available for this workshop but request in advance. FFI: SUN IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE 651-523-6388, bethany@mrac.org Guthrie Theater presents an exploration of what it takes and costs to be an artist, at Guthrie Theater, Wurtele Thrust Stage, 818 2nd St. S., Mpls. OC ofFLY BY NIGHT: A NEW MUSICAL fered 1 p.m. Sat, July 8, Wed, July 23 and 7:30 p.m. Fri, July 14. AD offered Jungle Theater presents a romantic musical set in the 1965 East Coast 7:30 p.m. Fri, July 14. AD offered 1 p.m. Sat, July 15. ASL offered 1 p.m. Sat, blackout, at Jungle Theater, 2951 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls. AD offered 7:30 July 15 and 7:30 p.m. Fri, July 28. Free sensory tour at 10:30 a.m. Sat, July p.m. Thu, June 22. Assistive listening devices available. Contact the theater 15. Tickets reduced to $20 for AD/ASL, $25 for OC (regular $15-87). FFI: 612to request an ASL-interpreted show. Tickets reduced to $17 (regular $35377-2224, www.guthrietheater.org 45). FFI: 612-822-7063, www.jungletheater.com THE NEW GRIOTS FESTIVAL DANCING ON THE BELLY OF THE BEAST Guthrie Theater presents the work of 10 Twin Cities Black artists, at The Sage and Ivey Award-winning Off-Leash Area presents a show about Guthrie Theater, Dowling Studio, 818 2nd St. S., Mpls. AD, ASL and OC the complexities of adult orphanhood, at Ritz Theater, 345 13th Ave. NE, offered at 7:30 p.m. Thu, July 13. The festival also includes classes and Mpls. All 20 local dancers have lost parents, and work with local grief counopen working sessions. Tickets $9 general admission. FFI: 612-377-2224, selors and local health care institutions to conduct movement workshops www.guthrietheater.org with others who have experienced loss. Offered 8 p.m. Fri-Sat-Sun, June 23-25. The presentation has almost no spoken text. Large print programs MENTAL ILLNESS IS EXHIBIT’S FOCUS or audio description available upon request. Tickets by suggested donation, Hennepin County Medical Center Inspire Arts Program and ZagZum host $10-30. FFI: 612-724-7372, www.offleasharea.org Celebrating Creativity 2017: A Visual Art Exhibition Featuring Artists with

Our award-winning access services can help make your visit a memorable one.

Connect with us to learn more.

612.377.2224 • accessibility@guthrietheater.org guthrietheater.org Access programs at the Guthrie are sponsored by Travelers, Medtronic and Xcel Foundation

June 10, 2017 Volume 28, Number 6 Pg 12

OPPORTUNITIES CHILDREN & FAMILIES LEARN ABOUT MEDICAL BENEFIT The Minnesota Department of Human Services hosts three public meetings in Duluth June 21-22 to provide information about a medical benefit provided through the public Medical Assistance program and MinnesotaCare for people under age 21 with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related conditions. The benefit is designed to provide an early, intensive, and medically necessary intervention to address the functional skills and needs of children and youth with autism spectrum disorder and related conditions.

(Examples of related conditions include Rett Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.) Services are based on the family’s values and culture and include training and support for the family.

The first meeting is 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wed, June 21, at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center Paulucci Room, 350 Harbor Drive. All are welcome to attend. Parents of children with ASD or a related condition should inform the parking attendant and obtain free parking.

Meetings Thu, June 22 are for anyone who cannot attend June 21 and are held at DRCC, 5629 Grand Ave., Duluth. The 2:30-4:30 p.m. meeting is for professionals including potential EIDBI providers, county, tribal or managed care staff, clinicians, and advocates. The 5:30-7:30 p.m. meeting is for parents only. A limited number of free child care slots is available by reservation for this parents meeting. Caregivers have been trained to serve children with ASD. To request a child care slot, call Laura Birnbaum, St. Louis County Public Health and Human Services Department, at 218-726-2492 or email her at birnbauml@ stlouiscountymn.gov. A confirmation from Birnbaum is needed to reserve a child care slot. Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation to participate in these meetings should email: ASD.DHS@state.mn.us by June 15.

PACER WORKSHOPS SAMPLING PACER Center offers many useful free or low-cost workshops and other resources for families of children with any disabilities.

Workshops are at PACER Center, 8161 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington, unless specified. Workshops are offered throughout the state. Advance registration is required for all workshops. Ask if workshops are live streamed. Check out PACER’s website and link to the newsletter of statewide workshops that allows participants to pick and choose sessions catered to their needs. Getting and Keeping the First Job is 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tue, June 20 at PACER Center. Competitive employment is the cornerstone of a successful transition to adult living for youth with disabilities. This workshop will provide youth and parents with answers to important questions about preparing for and keeping a job. Improving learning outcomes for your child is offered 6:30-8:30 p.m. Mon, June 26 at PACER Center. This workshop will help families of young children ages birth to five learn about evidence-based practices and how they can be used to increase family engagement and improve learning outcomes for their children. Tech for Teens Club: Open Lab is 6-7 p.m. Thu, June 28 at PACER Center. Students are invited to practice the coding skills they developed in the Tech for Teens workshop series (Introduction to Coding and Video Games, Programming Robots, and Building Websites). FFI: PACER, 952838-9000, 800-537-2237, www.pacer.org

INFO & ASSISTANCE HEALTHY, INDEPENDENT LIVING Healthy, independent living is the focus of a conference sponsored by the Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MNCCD). Save the date of Tuesday, Oct. 3 and make plans to attend the conference at St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church, Mpls. The church is accessible.

Keynote speaker is Henry Emmons. Emmons is a doctor and author of the book, The Chemistry of Joy. The conference is for direct support staff, professionals working with people with disabilities, and people experiencing significant health challenges. CEU’s and certificates of attendance are available.

MN-CCD is seeking conference presenters, vendors, and sponsors. Make plans now to participate in or support the event. The consortium is posting details about the conference, so check on the website home page’s conference tab. FFI: www.mnccd.org

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT OFFERED National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Minnesota offers more than 300 free educational classes statewide each year, along with help in navigating the mental health system. NAMI also has more than 70 free support groups for people living with a mental illness and their families. NAMI Minnesota offers more than 300 free educational classes statewide each year, along with help in navigating the mental health system. In the Twin Cities NAMI has about two dozen family support groups, more than 20 support groups for people living with a mental illness, anxiety support groups, groups for veterans and other groups. Led by trained facilitators, groups provide help and support. Parent resource groups are facilitated by a parent who has a child with a mental illness and who has been trained to lead support groups. A group meets 6:30-8 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday at Eagle Brook Church, 2401 East Buffalo St., White Bear Lake. FFI: Jody Lyons 651-645-2948 x109.

Family support groups help families who have a relative with a mental illness. A group meets at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Wed at Centennial United Methodist Church, 1524 Co. Rd. C-2 West, Roseville. FFI: Anne Mae. 651-484-0599.

Open Door Anxiety and Panic support groups help people cope with anxiety disorders. One group meets 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. the second and fourth Thu in Room 104, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 700 Snelling Ave. S., St. Paul. The group used to meet at Goodwill/ Easter Seals. Another group meets 6:30-8 p.m. the first and third Thu at Woodland Hills Church, 1740 Van Dyke St., St. Paul.

Young Adult NAMI Connection is a free support group for persons ages 16-20. A group meets 7-8:30 the first and third Thu at Friends Meeting House, 1725 Grand Ave., St. Paul. The group is facilitated by young adults who live with mental illnesses and are doing well in recovery. A full calendar of all events is offered online. FFI: 651-645-2948, www.namihelps.org VISION LOSS GROUP OFFERS ACTIVITIES Vision Loss Resources provides free and low-cost activities in the Twin Cities for people who are blind or visually impaired. Life skills classes for those with low vision; card games, craft classes, book clubs, walking groups, dinners out, special outings and technology classes are among the offerings. Participants need to RVSP to participate. FFI: RSVP hotline 612-843-3439; activity phone 612253-5155, www.visionlossresources.org MCIL HOSTS CLASSES AND ACTIVITIES The Metropolitan Center for Independent Living provides many life skills classes as well as fun outings and events for people with disabilities. MCIL is at 530 N. Robert Street, St Paul and most activities are there or start there. Classes and events are listed on the website, www.mcil-mn.org. Click on “Classes Groups and Sessions” for updated information or to print their calendar.

Please give two weeks’ notice if the alternative format or other accommodations are needed. Events are free, accessible and mostly scent-free. FFI: 651-603-2030 ICICIL OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES ICICIL Independent Lifestyles, 215 N. Benton Drive, St. Cloud, offers a number of classes, events and other opportunities for Minnesotans with disabilities in central Minnesota. The center

DISABILITY RIGHTS MARCH AND RALLY Celebrate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and reaffirm what it stands for 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, July 26. The annual Minnesota ADA Celebration features a march and rally. Gather at the Minnesota History Center, 345 Kellogg Blvd. at 1 p.m. The march starts at 1:30 p.m. marchers will travel to the state capitol for a 2:30 p.m. disability rights rally in the capitol rotunda.

Enjoy featured speakers and entertainment. Accommodations for the orientation and rally include ASL interpreters, CART and audio description. Deadline to confirm audio description services or to request a reasonable accommodation not listed is July 7. FFI: Cindy at ADA Minnesota, 651-603-2015, cindyt@ mcil-mn.org

offers its own programming and hosts, other groups. One group it hosts is the St. Cloud Area Parkinson's Disease Support Group meets 1-2:30 p.m. the third Mon of each month. The center has a full schedule of its own activities including support groups, classes and more. FFI: 320-267-7717 ADULT SUPPORT GROUPS OFFERED AuSM offers free support groups for adults with autism spectrum disorder. Groups include those for adult family members, women with autism spectrum disorders and independent adults with autism. Check the website for upcoming groups. Groups meet at the AuSM offices at 2380 Wycliff St. FFI: 651-647-1083 ext. 10, www.ausm.org

VOLUNTEER OPEN THE DOOR TO EDUCATION Help adults reach their educational goals and earn their GED. Tutor, teach or assist in a classroom with the Minnesota Literacy Council. Give just 2-3 hours a week and help people expand their opportunities and change their lives through education. The Council provides training and support and accommodations for volunteers with disabilities. FFI: Allison, 651-251-9110, volunteer@ mnliteracy.org, http://tinyurl.com/adult-opportunities BE A FREQUENT FILER Ramsey County – Volunteer Services is looking for people who want to help in an office. Volunteer office assistants are needed in several areas. Multiple shifts are available, Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Midway area and downtown St. Paul locations have limited reimbursement for parking expense or bus fare is provided. Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age. Ask about accommodations. FFI: 651-2664090, Volunteer@co.ramsey.mn.us

ADVOCACY ADA ANNIVERSARY MARCH AND RALLY Planning is underway to mark the 27th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). ADA 27 –Protecting our Rights! The event is 1-4 p.m., Wed, July 26. A march from the Minnesota History Center lines up at 1 p.m., starts at 1:30 p.m. and ends with a 2:30 p.m. rally in the capitol rotunda. Enjoy speeches and entertainment. Accommodations for the orientation and rally include ASL interpreters, CART and audio description.

Deadline to confirm audio description services or to request a reasonable accommodation not listed is July 7. FFI: Cindy at ADA Minnesota, 651-603-2015, cindyt@mcil-mn.org

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June 10, 2017 Volume 28, Number 6 Pg 13

PEOPLE & PLACES Partners in Policymaking graduates 14-year-old son, who has Down syndrome. She values the skills she has gained through the class.

Malone is most passionate about full inclusion of all students in the educational system. She feels strongly that the federal education law, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, IDEA, must be changed since is does not address the importance of inclusion in the classroom.

Malone highly encourages individuals and parents to apply for Partners. Malone considers the time and energy invested will not be regretted.

She valued the outstanding and reputable professionals who spoke to the class and was inspired by the experience and drive of fellow classmates who want to advocate for people with differing abilities. "The experience will leave you feeling more capable and confident to fight for what (left) Toni Malone and family. (center) Shelly Madore and Jackson Larson. (right) John Fosdick and Sen. John Hoffman. is right."

Many of John Fosdick's friends encouraged him become a stronger advocate for her children so they can a car accident and uses a wheelchair. He is currently to apply for the class. He learned a great deal from the have the best life possible. studying business at the Anoka Ramsey Community history of what people with disabilities have gone through The program was a wonderful experience for her College and psychology at Concordia University. He was over history, of how people have been neglected and family and herself. From the class, she learned how to be impressed with the preparations and training provided by abused and forgotten about. Fosdick would recommend confident as an advocate and gained knowledge of how the class to gain advocacy skills and reach out to elected this class because of the opportunity to meet interesting to interact with her representatives at the capitol and officials. After a visit to the capitol, he was impressed that people. It expands goals outside of one’s comfort zone members of congress. "I would highly recommend anyone the "elected senators and representatives are not above when doing skits and role plays. It is well worth the time who is a self-advocate with a disability or for a family us, they're there for us. They represent our voices, so we and for a weekend and a vacation from work. raising a child with a disability to attend. The benefit need to advocate and speak to them about our needs."

Bemidji resident Sarah Reiners has five children. Two you get from learning how to communicate needs and tell Jackson learned that sharing stories puts a face to the issue were born with chromosome disorders. Over several your story to influence change is empowering!" and proves that it will have an impact on many lives. He years, she has built an online support group with parents Reiners has joined the Special Need Advisory Council recommends the Partners in Policymaking program as across northern Minnesota who are raising children with for her area. "You need to make a commitment." a powerful training experience to realize the value of disabilities. She applied for Partners in Policymaking to Jackson Larson had a spinal cord injury resulting from advocating for oneself and others with disabilities.

In Home Personal Care relocates

After 15 years in Golden Valley, In Home Personal Care has found a new home in St. Paul. The new address for home health care agency is 1330 Grand Ave. In Home was started by Kevin Sullivan, a young flight instructor who broke his neck in a 1984 diving accident.

Sullivan drew from that experience to found the agency so that others could maintain their independence and living in their homes while receiving quality care. In Home began in 1991 and continues to be a small, family-owned business. Erin Sullivan Govrik, founder Kevin Sullivan’s younger sister, is the executive director.

Learning, inclusion are grants’ focus

Paul’s Pals enriches the lives of children with disabilities by funding projects that improve access, foster learning and promote inclusion. The Twin Cities nonprofit organization works to enrich the lives of children with disabilities by funding projects that improve access, foster learning and promote inclusion. Paul’s Pals facilitates capital improvements that other non-profits struggle to fund.

This year Paul’s Pals will allocate $245,000 to be shared by six different Twin Cities organizations.

The Autism Society’s Paul Adelman Technology and Learning Center will use its grant to bring affordable and accessible services to underserved and at-risk communities, reaching over 500 users across the state. The center will continue to offer statewide, distance-learning and engagement to support the care and development of youth with autism.

Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute will use a grant to purchase adaptive sports and recreation equipment.

The institute will buy new sports wheelchairs and rock climbing equipment that will improve the adaptive sports program, including wheelchair basketball, softball, tennis

and power soccer. This will ensure that more than 200 youth with disabilities have access to quality equipment, reducing the barriers for fun and fitness.

In partnership with GameTime, Three Rivers Park District and Minnesota/Wisconsin Playground, Golden Valley Parks and Recreation will use its Paul’s Pals funding to build Schaper Park Inclusive Playground, the first fully-accessible playground in Golden Valley.

Wilderness Inquiry’s Paddling Beyond Boundaries program connects children and families with disabilities to rewarding and challenging outdoor experiences. The organization will expand this program with the addition of three adaptive sea kayaks, made possible by the grant.

More than 2,200 children with disabilities alongside their peers can enjoy the opportunity of outdoor recreation.

PACER Center will create a cutting-edge innovation lab to provide parents, professionals, and children with disabilities the opportunity to communicate, learn and increase their knowledge of assistive technology offering life-changing benefits -- greater independence, enhancements to learning and increased opportunities for employment.

Upstream Arts will use its grant to create mobile kits, which will include assistive technology and adaptive art supplies for use with interactive arts experiences. These experiences provide access to more than 2,000 children with disabilities to expand their communication skills, peer relationships, and self-esteem through artistic expression.

With game-changing upgrades and boosts to technology and equipment, the organization enables children with special needs to enjoy everyday activities others take for granted. Founded in 1996, Paul’s Pals aims to create a Minnesota where every child finds joy in life and learning because limitations are met with innovative solutions. For more information, visit: www.pauls-pals.org

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Access U has focus on disability

University of Minnesota journalism students got firsthand experience with a community news organization by creating the Access U website.

As part of the Brovald-Sim Community Journalism Practicum in the spring 2017 semester, students created an online news site for the disabled community at the University of Minnesota. The site was the main project of an upper-level journalism class.

“This year we decided on a different approach, one that would diversify the experience,” said Gayle Golden, who taught the course. “We asked the class to pool their talents to create their own news site for a community in or near campus. It worked beautifully. “The students decided on a mission statement for a site that would “connect students with disabilities by sharing stories about all aspects of life while also furthering discussion around access and stigma.” They discussed the project with guest speakers including Access Press Managing Editor Jane McClure.

Meeting students with disabilities to discuss issues was a challenge because some students with disabilities were initially wary. “Despite obstacles, when we ran into sources who would help, that allowed us to step into the community and see things from that angle. It was amazing to me,” said Barney Min, Access U’s web editor.

Among the stories are profiles of faculty and staff dedicated to mental health awareness or technology accessibility, features on blind and deaf students, athletes with disabilities, campus transition difficulties, building access issues, service animals, and more.

For student Chris Lemke, the community choice was even more meaningful than the many reporting skills he learned. “We chose a community of those who often don’t have a voice or who could use one,” he said.

Learn more about the project at https://tinyurl.com/ yc55n8km

WALLACE GROUP

PARTNERS to page 9

June 10, 2017 Volume 28, Number 6 Pg 14

RADIO TALKING BOOK NEWS FOR GREATER MINNESOTA The new news program 10,000 Tales began June 3 and continues at 9 a.m.

Saturdays. It consists of regional stories from newspapers around Minnesota that are not typically covered in other programming. The program Crosstime Café, which consists of science fiction short stories, moves to 3 p.m. Fridays and the Friday World Safari is combined with the Monday World Safari.

BOOKS AVAILABLE THROUGH FARIBAULT Books broadcast on the Minnesota Radio Talking Book Network are available through the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library in Faribault. Call 1-800-7220550, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The catalog is online at www.mnbtbl.org, click on the link Search the Library Catalog. Persons living outside of Minnesota may obtain copies of books via an inter-library loan by contacting their home state’s Network Library for the National Library Service.

Listen to the Minnesota Radio Talking Book, either live or archived programs from the last week, on the Internet at www.mnssb.org/rtb. Call the Talking Book Library for a password to the site. To find more information about Minnesota Radio Talking Book Network events go to the Facebook site at http://tinyurl.com/facebookMTBN Audio information about the daily book listings is also on the National Federation for the Blind (NFB) Newline. Register for the NFB Newline by calling 651-539-1424.

Access Press is featured at 9 p.m. Sundays on the program It Makes a Difference. Donate to the State Services for the

Blind at mn.gov/deed/ssbdonate CHAUTAUQUA* Tuesday – Saturday 4 a.m.

In a Different Key, Nonfiction by John Donvan and Caren Zucker, 2016. 21 broadcasts. Begins June 27. Nearly 75 years ago, Donald Triplett of Forest, Mississippi, became the first child diagnosed with autism. Since that time, there have been many battles waged by the families of those who have it. Read by Diane Ladenson.

BOOKWORM* Monday – Friday 11 a.m.

Everyone We’ve Been, Fiction by Sarah Everett, 2016. 12 broadcasts. Begins June 19. Addison Sullivan has been in an accident. In its aftermath, she has memory lapses and starts seeing a boy who keeps disappearing. She’s afraid she’s going crazy and the worried looks on others’ faces aren’t helping. L - Read by Nan Felknor.

THE WRITER’S VOICE* Monday – Friday 2 p.m.

Family History of Fear, Nonfiction by Agata Tuszyńska, 2016. 14 broadcasts. Begins June 14. Many Poles did not tell their children complete stories of their wartime exploits during World War II; many years had to pass before the stories of suffering and heroism could be told. Agata was 19 when she found out that she was Jewish, and heard stories about her mother’s secret past. Read by Ilze Mueller.

CHOICE READING* Monday – Friday 4 p.m.

Accession, Fiction by Livi Michael, 2016.

14 broadcasts. Begins June 20. Margaret Beaufort and Margaret of Anjou have fought to the bitter end to see their sons get the throne. The sides are ever-changing. Read by Eileen Barratt.

PM REPORT* Monday – Friday 8 p.m.

The Dictator’s Dilemma, Nonfiction by Bruce J. Dickson, 2016. 12 broadcasts.

Begins June 26. Following the Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989, most felt the days of the Chinese Communist Party were numbered. But the Party remains legitimate to the bulk of the public. Read by Chris Colestock.

NIGHT JOURNEY* Monday – Friday 9 p.m.

Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil, Fiction by Melina Marchetta, 2016. 12 broadcasts.

Begins June 22. Bish Ortley may have been suspended from active police work, but when his daughter is the survivor of a bombed bus, his detective instincts kick in.

He needs to find the person responsible.

L - Read by Robb Empson.

OFF THE SHELF* Monday – Friday 10 p.m.

The Mothers, Fiction by Brit Bennett, 2016. Nine broadcasts. Begins June 20.

Nadia has taken up with the pastor’s son and it has long-lasting consequences.

As Nadia hides the truth from everyone, she and her friends are shadowed by the choices they made in their youth. What if they had chosen differently? L - Read by Therese Murray.

POTPOURRI* Monday – Friday 11 p.m.

Making Roots, Nonfiction by Matthew F. Delmont, 2016. Seven broadcasts. Begins June 29. Alex Haley’s original, modest book proposal for Roots became a larger, more interesting, and much more complicated phenomenon. The book and television series was fifteen years in production.

Read by Jim Gregorich.

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GOOD NIGHT OWL* Monday – Friday midnight Fractured, Fiction by Catherine McKenzie, 2016. 10 broadcasts. Begins June 21. Julie and her family move across the country, hoping to evade a stalker who’s been terrorizing them. When she meets her new neighbor, it brings hope for a new beginning. But a simple conversation could set her life spinning off course. V, L, S - Read

by Pat Lelich.

AFTER MIDNIGHT* Tuesday – Saturday 1 a.m.

The Flame Bearer, Fiction by Bernard Cornwell, 2016. 13 broadcasts. Begins June 22. Britain is in a state of uneasy peace, so Uhtred of Bebbanburg can return home to take it back from his traitorous uncle. New enemies enter into the fight for England’s kingdoms, but Uhtred is determined that nothing will keep him from his birthright.

V - Read by Mike Piscitelli.

WEEKEND PROGRAM BOOKS Your Personal World (Saturday at 1 p.m.) is airing Hustle by Neil Patel, Patrick Vlaskovits, and Jonas Koffler. For the Younger Set (Sunday at 11 a.m.) is airing The Keepers

by Ted Sanders, and Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty. Poetic Reflections (Sunday at noon) is airing Whereas by Layli Long Soldier and Bestiary by Donika Kelly. The Great North (Sunday at 4 p.m.) is airing Everybody’s Heard about the Bird by Rick Shefchik.

Abbreviations: V – violence, L – offensive language, S – sexual situations, RE – racial epithets.

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June 10, 2017 Volume 28, Number 6 Pg 15

Longtime leaders feted

Many are honored for work during 2017 session AWARDS From Page 1

LAW CENTER

From Page 8

Haukedahl, and attorneys Anne Henry and Patricia Siebert were recognized.

Henry has been the chief public policy advocate for the center. Siebert has focused on legal issues for people with mental illness.

In 2015 and 2016, the center represented people in 81 of Minnesota’s 87

Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance. (right, small inset) Melissa Haley. (right) Self-advocates enjoyed the event. (left) Lookman Lasisi and Phillip Conley, Jr. capitol and meet with their lawmakers.

They agreed that while it’s not always easy to get people to the capitol every Tuesday, it is an important task. Conley said the two direct support professionals had to counties on issues related to their disabilities. The majority of these cases dealt with advocating for access community services needed for independence, such as Medicaid waiver services, PCAs, and mental health services; and enforcing clients’ individual rights. Read more about the center’s goals and current initiatives on its website: http://mylegalaid.org/ about/our-work/disability-law. ■

SAVE THE DATE!

2016 Charlie Award Banquet Friday, November 3, 2017 We’re already preparing for the 2017 Charlie Award Banquet.

We’d love to see you there!

We are currently taking nominations for this year’s winner.

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step out of their comfort zone and “practice what we preach” to their clients.

MNCCD also recognized six people for their advocacy work during the session: Heidi Myhre, Kurt Rutzen, Kelly Kausel, Lori

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concern. Years later he and others are still working on the same issue.

Larson urged self-advocates to continue to show up and make a positive difference through events including Tuesdays at the Capitol.

Henry said her work with MNCCD has had a great impact personally as well as professionally. She has enjoyed seeing self-advocates develop their skills, calling that transformation “astounding.”

But Henry cautioned the group that their work isn’t over, especially with major and detrimental changes looming at the federal level. “As Mother Jones said, ‘Don't mourn – organize’.”

“Who is going to take over your spreadsheet?” Bachman said to Henry. She is known for keeping a spreadsheet of all disability-related legislation.

The gathering was as much a time to look back and honor people, as it was to focus on what lies ahead. Ms. Wheelchair Minnesota 2017, Sheri Melander Smith, told those present that their participation during the 2017 legislative session didn’t go unnoticed. “It really does make a difference when you show up.” She urged the group to make the most of their lives, to be happy and to be powerful.

Other MNCCD All-Stars honors were also given. Citizen advocates from the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance showed up in force to receive the Outstanding Advocate Group Award. Members of the group joked that they would have to each keep the plaque for a couple of weeks, and have it travel like hockey’s Stanley Cup award does.

MNCCD Executive Director Sheryl Grassie said the self-advocates are “very near and dear” to her. She called them “fixtures” at Tuesdays at the Capitol events and noted that the members were up for anything they needed to do. The group was very involved in calling for changes to the MA spend-down limits.

Melissa Haley was honored as the Outstanding Citizen Advocate. Haley was honored for her behind-the-scenes work on legislation and with DHS. Her main focus is on autism policy and spending, with an emphasis on the parental fees issue.

Her response to the award? “It’s never about one person,” Haley said. She promised to persist when working on issues at the capitol.

Lookman Lasisi and Phillip Conley Jr. of Apple Valley Lifeworks were honored with the inaugural Outstanding Staff Award, for helping their clients get to the

Noland, Maia Uhirch and Devona Thomas.

Sen Jim Abeler (R- Anoka) was honored as a legislative champion. ■

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June 10, 2017 Volume 28, Number 6 Pg 16

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