March 2000 Issue by Access Press

Inside Legislative Update — p. 7

Volume 11, Number 3

A Bad Law — Page 6

SOURCES

March 10, 2000

“You can’t test courage cautiously.” — Anne Dillard

RESOURCES

March 10, 2000

COMPLAINTS FILED Metro Mobility Charged With Discrimination by Jeff Nygaard

Michael Doudy and Advocacy Manager Lolly Lijewski Explain their Human Rights Complaints Against Metro Mobility at a Press Conference, March 21.

Ending Phone Fear: Speech to Speech Assists Community

harging discrimination in access to public transportation, 12 individual users have filed state human rights complaints against Metro Mobility. At a press conference held in St. Paul on February 22, users of the local paratransit service stated that the problems posed by denied trip requests, late rides, and poorly-organized and lengthy trips, are seriously affecting the quality of life for people with disabilities in the Twin Cities. Lolly Lijewski, advocacy manager at the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living, stated that the problems have become so severe as to make equal access to public transportation in the Twin Cities “at best, a struggle; at worst, just a dream.”

by Christine Tomlinson

ommunication technology has exploded in the last 10 years. We have a world at our fingertips. And yet, one of the most common devises of modern communication, the telephone, is a source of fear for many people with speech difficulties. Not only can it be difficult for them to get their message across, it’s hard to even be given that chance. Often the person on the other side of the line will just hang up. A new service from Minnesota Relay is available in Minnesota, and increasingly nationwide, opening up a world of communication and the potential for independence that just hasn’t existed before for many people with speech difficulties. Speech to Speech (STS) builds on the proven concept used by Minnesota Relay in that it provides inter-

pretive services between the people on either side of the line. But whereas TTY is geared to people who are deaf or hard of hearing, STS targets people with a range of speech difficulties, from a mild stutter to a problem serious enough to warrant a speech synthesizer. Rosemary Schaefer is an enthusiastic supporter of STS. You can hear it in her voice. Before STS, very few people would have had a chance to hear that inflection over the phone. “Sometimes I tried [calling] by myself,” said Schaefer, “and they would hang up on me.” She said she calls businesses as well as friends now, with the service. STS makes it easier for someone who normally didn’t use the phone to handle every day transactions, like arranging doctor’s appointment, doing business,

“It’s great. I have more independence,” says Schaefer “Independence means everything to me because people don’t want to do anything you can’t do for yourself. Because I want to do everything for myself.”

Those filing the complaints with the Minnesota State Department of Human Rights (DHR) state that the problems with Metro Mobility have gotten worse over the past one to two years. The list of problems cited by the complainants echo the long list of complaints reported in the December 1999 edition of Access Press (“Metro Mobility: Users Unhappy, Possible Violation of Federal Law”). Reported problems include persistent difficulties getting to and from work (sometimes severe enough to result in loss of job), difficulty in keeping volunteer and social commitments, and a general inability to plan and carry out normal life activities that involve transportation, such as shopping or attending church.

Sara Meyer, STS coordinator, does outreach for the program. Speech - cont. on p. 4

“We all have our individual issues with how Metro Mobility is doing things,” said

or even making an emergency phone call. But that is just the beginning of the benefit. The call is a three-way conference call, with a trained communication assistant helping to interpret the words of the person with a speech disability, asking for whatever clarification is needed, repeating, or spelling words. With three people involved in the call and interpreting, it is communication firsthand.

rider David Swanson, one of those filing a complaint. “But we all have one common goal: Grabbing the attention of Metro Mobility and saying ‘There’s a problem.’ And the problem is not the drivers, and it’s not the passengers. It’s the system.” The complainants say that two positive outcomes can be expected as a result of their filings. First of all, they hope that the DHR investigation that is carried out as a result of their charges will validate and provide official documentation of their charges. The larger hope is to “draw attention to this issue and to make the point that this is a significant problem which is making people’s lives difficult,” said Lijewski, adding that “We need the decisionmakers to understand how significant the problem is, and we need for them to take action.” The action that advocates are seeking is increased funding for Metro Mobility, up to the level needed to meet the current, and growing, demand. Official statistics from the Metropolitan Council, the agency in charge of Metro Mobility, state that, at present, about 95 percent of requests for rides are granted. This means that about 125 requests are denied each day in the Twin Cities, a rate that Metro Mobility general manager Dave Jacobsen says has been increasing. Activists say that anecdotal evidence suggests the real denial rate is significantly higher than this, and point out that the aging of the Baby Boomers will push demand much higher in coming years. Planning documents recently released by the Metropolitan Council back up this

claim, predicting a 50 percent increase in demand for Metro Mobility service by the year 2020. In 1999 Metro Mobility provided 992,000 rides, which is 38 percent fewer than the 1.6 million rides provided. in 1990. Thus it appears that the number of rides offered is decreasing at the same time that the number of trip denials is increasing. Speakers at the press conference repeatedly stated that the problems basically stem from a lack of funds, which results in shortages of vehicles and drivers. Such shortages are known in the transit business as “capacity constraints.” Lijewski stated that these capacity constraints put Metro Mobility “out of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),” pointing out that the law requires a public paratransit system to provide service that is “comparable” to that provided by the regular-route public transit system. Her statement appears to be in accord with a recent ruling by the chief counsel for the Federal Transit Administration, which stated that such capacity constraints are “incompatible with a comparable paratransit system, and the rule will be to prohibit [such constraints].” In other words, the law says that a lack of funding is no excuse for a paratransit system’s service being inferior to a city’s fixedroute service. In at least three other cities around the country, lawsuits have been filed against paratransit services that have trip denial rates similar to that of the Twin Cities. A suit Metro - cont. on p. 9

March 10, 2000

Council’s long-term plan. If Metro Mobility is not serving its customers today, what’s going to happen in the future? It appears to me that the Met Council would rather be dragged in to court than face up to the fact that Metro Mobility has some serious problems, which need to be addressed immediately.

Charlie Smith Editor

ur leads story details 10 people who have filed discrimination suits against the Metro Mobility with the State Human Rights Department. I applaud these individuals for taking this action; there is no doubt the service Metro Mobility provides has been going downhill within recent years. Metro Mobility riders have the right to receive a ride when they need it. The Metropolitan Council, who oversees Metro Mobility and is responsible for it’s funding, has shown a lack of all leadership in this area. When the Met Council put

together an extensive longterm plan for transit in the metropolitan area, there was very little attention paid to Metro Mobility. This again shows a lack of leadership. This program deserves adequate funding and planning for the future. It is expected that in the next 10 to 15 years the number of potential riders could double or triple. This type of growth must be planned for and should have been part of the Metropolitan

It is my belief that the providers are working very hard to provide as many rides as they can with the resources they have available to them. Unfortunately, they take the brunt of the complaints from riders. This also goes for the service center; they are trying to make changes to the system, trying to squeeze out as many rides as they can from the providers. This puts the enormous stress on both the service center staff

New Appointments To The State Council On Disabilities O n, March 1, Governor Jesse Ventura today announced the appointment of eight people to the Council on Disability: Carson Stensland of Bemidji was diagnosed at age 32 with Multiple Sclerosis. For 17 years, Stensland and his wife owned and operated a group home for developmentally disabled people. In 1994,

he turned the group home over to Lutheran Social Service. He is now serving as a volunteer representative payee for 18 clients. Geraldine Drewry of Hampton has a parent with a disability. Drewry is familiar with many of the adaptive aids that enable individuals to accomplish seemingly impossible challenges. Julianne Degen-

MINNESOTA STATE COUNCIL ON DISABILITY Applicants sought for the Minnesota Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities (MNYLF 2000) Selected MNYLF student delegates are high school juniors and seniors who demonstrate: Community Involvement, Involvement in extracurricular activities (sports, arts, music), Leadership potential, Academic achievement, An ability to effectively interact with other students The MNYLF 2000 will be housed at the University of Minnesota July 23-27, and will include activities at the State Capitol along with recreational activities. For an application or more information contact our office. 121 E. 7th Place • St. Paul, MN 55101 651-296-6785 V/TTY 1-800-945-8913 V/TTY; Fax: 651-296-5935 E-mail: council.disability@state.mn.us

hardt of Woodbury has been a quadriplegic since 1977. Joan Willshire of Minneapolis is reappointed and will serve as chair. She has been disabled for 16 years and volunteers for disability issues. Gary Beringer of Stacy is the president of the Chisago County Disabled Support Group. Kay Fritz of Mankato is the parent of a child with a disability. John Schatzlein of St. Paul is a program director for the Office for Persons with Disabilities at Catholic Charities. Robert Cooper of St. Paul holds a BA degree in government from Gallaudet University and had a congressional internship at Office of Senator Robert Dole ((R—KS) in 1990. Cooper was born deaf and is active in the disability community. The 21-member council advises the governor, legislature, service providing agencies and the public on the needs and potential of people with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities. It also provides information regarding available services and opportunities, and advocates needed plans, programs and policies Q

ACCESS PRESS Co-Founder/Publisher (1990-1996) ................................................................... Wm. A. Smith, Jr. Editor/Publisher/Co-Founder ............................................................................. Charles F. Smith Cartoonist ..................................................................................................................... Scott Adams Production .......................................................................... Presentation Images, Ellen Houghton Editorial Assistant ....................................................................................................... Max Sparber ACCESS PRESS is a monthly tabloid newspaper published for persons with disabilities by Access Press, Ltd. Circulation is 11,000, distributed the 10th of each month through more than 200 locations statewide. Approximately 650 copies are mailed directly to political, business, institutional and civic leaders. Subscriptions are available for $15/yr. Editorial submissions and news releases on topics of interest to persons with disabilities, or persons serving those with disabilities, are welcomed. Paid advertising is available at rates ranging from $14 to $18/column inch, depending on size and frequency. Classified ads are $8.00, plus 35 cents/word over 20 words. Advertising and editorial deadlines are the 30th of the month preceding publication; special scheduling available for camera-ready art. Access Press is available on tape. Call MN State Services for the Blind, 651-642-0500 or 800-652-9000. Inquiries should be directed to: ACCESS PRESS • 1821 University Ave. W. • Suite 185N • St. Paul, Minnesota 55104 • (651) 644-2133 • Fax (651) 644-2136 • E-mail: access@wavetech.net.

many people with speech difficulties will be able to place a call to anyone they want and be understood. This must be a liberating experience.

and the providers without looking at the real issue: lack of funding and adequate planning. At this point, our only hope is that the Met Council will take these human rights complaints seriously and will immediately seek additional funding to improve the service short-term, then take a real world approach to planning for the future. **** Many of us take using the phone for granted. For people with speech difficulties, making a phone call can be a nightmare, including hang ups because the person on the other end of the line thinks its a joke or the person calling is drunk. This happens every day. Speech to Speech is trying to resolve these issues (see page 1). Now, for the first time,

If you know anybody who could benefit from the service, please let them know. Sara Meyer would be more than happy to come out and demonstrate how the service can benefit people. **** The legislature is in full swing and many of the bills concerning people with disabilities are moving through the process. Two of these bills need our help. The cost of living increase for the personal care attendant program is well received in the Senate, and Kevin Goodno in the House of Representatives is working very hard to find the funding for this program. The

house leadership still needs some encouragement to find funding for this program. The latest word on the bill which would expand the Senior Prescription Drug Program so it will cover people with disabilities, is that the Senate is having a hard time finding funding. Phone calls are needed to Sen. Roger Moe to encourage him to find funding for this important program. **** Of all the candidates running for the U.S. Senate, I feel Dr. Steven Miles is the best candidate. He understands how a universal health care program would benefit everyone nationally. He also understands disability issues and has been a strong advocate for people with disabilities.

Martha Hage’s RADIO SHOW Disabled & Proud, It’s Not An Oxymoron March 21: Pledge week—samples from the best of the show! March 28: Raising children with disabilities, featuring Chris (a young man with hemophilia) and his mother Jacquie April 4: Using magic to explode stereotypes. KFAI

Every Tues.

7:30 p.m.

106.7 FM — St. Paul

90.3 FM — Mpls

METROPOLITAN COUNCIL NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON ADOPTION 43F HOUSING AGENCY PLAN The Metropolitan Council’s Livable Communities Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the Public Housing Agency Plans and receive public comment The Public Housing Agency Plan is required by HUD. The Plan includes basic housing agency policies, rules and requirements concerning its operations, programs and services. The Plan is intended to be a convenient source of information for public housing residents, participants in the tenant-based assistance programs and other members of the Public. The Plan includes one-year program goals such as maximizing utilization of Section 8 program funding The five-year plan includes long-term goals such as establishing and operationalizing up to 300 units of public housing in sub-urban locations, To the extent practicable, the PHA plans will eventually consolidate all PHA information that is required to be submitted under existing HUD planning and, reporting requirements into one document. The public hearing will he held:

3:30 p.m., Monday, April 17, 2000 Metropolitan Council, Council Chambers Mears Park Centre Building 230 East Fifth St. St. Paul, MN 55101

The Housing Agency Plan is available for public review at the HRA administrative offices, located at 230 East.Fifth Street in St. Paul, and on the Metropolitan Council’s Website at www.metrocouncil.org. All interested persons are encouraged to attend the hearing and offer comments. People may register in advance to speak by calling Sue Putz at 651-602-1584 or TTY at 651-291-0904. Upon request, the Council will provide reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities, In addition to speaking at the hearing comments may be made in the following ways: Written, faxed, e-mail and voice mail comments to: Sue Putz, Metro HRA 230 East Fifth St. St. Paul, MN 55101 Telephone: 651-602-1584; Fax: 651-602-1313 Email: susan.putz@metc.state.mn.us Comments must be received by Friday, April 14, 2000,

SPECIALIZED TRANSPORTATION

612-529-5019 • 651-483-9143 MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDER Drivers Wanted! Call for more information.

Book Review

Sisters, Brothers, and Disability, A Family Album by Linda Larson

airview Press has published a wonderful book for children. Sisters, Brothers, and Disability, A Family Album, by Lydia Gans. It gives us a matter of fact glimpse at the lives of families who live with disability. There are engaging black and white photographs of brothers and sisters in their daily lives. There are brief vignettes accompanying the photos. Parents and siblings voice how their lives changed when disability happened in their family. We also hear from children with disabilities.

that the book draws out is that siblings and parents need support. The families who are able to deal with disability the most positively are the families that seek out support groups and support from extended family and friends.

Sisters, Brothers, and Disability A Family Album

In picture and story, the author has given us a brief glimpse into the lives of children with disabilities and their families. Life is stated in matter of fact terms. A variety of disabilities are portrayed. There is only one story of sensory loss, that of having blindness. There is no portrait of a person who is deaf. This exclusion is, to me, a great loss. Was there no-one, who was deaf, who wanted to be in a book about disability because that person saw him (her)self as coming from a different culture and not part of the disability community? This is an important concept of which the disabled and nondisabled alike need to have a better understanding. The way disability enters a family is described matter-offactly. There is a good balance between accident, genetics and illness as the cause of disability. Disability is shown for what it is, a part of life and living. There are families from a variety of cultures, economic backgrounds, rural and urban, from all over the United States. We also are given a brief glimpse into how families deal with obtaining services. Some fare better than others. Another important concept

IN BRIEF . . . . Discover The Leader In You Help Yourself Inc. will be putting on a “Discover the Leader in You” seminar for an affirmation of what your own personal leadership qualities are. Scott Rostrom from the Minnesota Council on Disabilities has created an innovative approach to discovering your

to drugs, bashed his head in with a baseball bat. This is told in a very sensitive way, with assurance that the father is imprisoned and cannot harm anyone again. This may be a little too frightening for more Hennepin County NAMI (afsensitive children. filiate of the National Alliance for the Mentally III) meets the Sisters, Brothers, and Disabil- third Friday of every month at ity, A Family Album, portray Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 26 families in their daily lives. at 50th & Knox in South Mpls. This is an excellent resource Consumer and family support for teachers with students K-3. groups at 6:30 P.M., Main I would highly recommend it Meeting 7:30-9:00 Pete Feigal for any classroom or family President (651) 310-9923 with young children, who want to know more about disability, children and their families. Q

The story that most touched me was the young boy who, without being asked, makes sure his neighbor, a young classmate with a disability, gets from his home to the bus safely every day. He also accompanies the classmate home after school. No thanks necessary, no payment, just a true In the introduction to the book, random act of kindness. Lydia Gans states that, “This Linda Larson is a Disability book could not have been writ- There is one portrait of a young Advocate, Teacher and Parten twenty-five years ago. In boy who has brain injury be- ent the United States, it is a rela- cause his father, while addicted tively new concept that children with disabilities should live at home with their brothers 29 exceptional children. 26 courageous families. and sisters, go to public school, One powerful book. and play with neighborhood children.” The book is dedicated to Ed Roberts; “He was a good friend and an ardent fighter for independence”. My by Lydia Gans own personal thanks to Ed. Because Ed fought to receive an education, it was easier for call (800) 544-8207 me to go to college. Yes, things fax (612) 672-4980 have indeed changed over the Fairview Press see www.amazon.com past 25 years.

March 10, 2000

leadership potential. Everyone has leadership abilities. Before you leave the seminar you will know what your leader abilities are and have a certificate to prove it. Come to the Lunch/ Seminar to build self-esteem. and have fun doing it! Please RSVP at the Help Yourself

office tel. #: (651) 646-3662 Talk to Rene. Date: March 11th, Saturday. Time: Noon to 3:00 p.m. Place: at MCIL in St. Paul 1600 University Ave. W. 55404 Cost: $7.00 per person or donation (Metro and lunch costs will be reimbursed if requested.)

NAMI Support Groups Bio-Brain’s weekly, 7:00 p.m. Monday night support and information meetings will be at the Bio-Brain offices in Edina at 6950 France Ave S., suite 18. Support groups for individuals meets the 1st and 4th Monday of each month- also at 6950 France but in the lower conference room at 7:00 p.m. On Monday, March 20, 2000 at

7:00, Mr. Jeffrey P. Scott, attormey, will be the featured speaker. He will look at the special legal problems of persons with disabilities and examine a number of options for protecting them. This workshop is important to families who want to provide ongoing support

Arc Workshop For Teens Arc Hennepin County, the Social Inclusion is an intro- p.m. Arc Hennepin County; duction to the University of Minnesota’s YES I CAN program. YES I CAN is a social inclusion program designed for use by schools and recreation programs seeking to increase social opportunities for middle and senior high school students with disabilities. MonWHAT: Can I Join? A Path to day, March 13,2000, 6:30 - 8:30 University of Minnesota Institute on Community Integration, parents of middle and high school students with mental retardation and related disabilities and professionals who work with students with disabilities.

4301 Highway 7; Suite 158; Minneapolis. To register, or for more information, contact Arc Hennepin County at (952) 920-0855, or TTY (952) 920-0977. Paulson to run for South St. Paul City Council

Daryl Paulson Runs For City Council Daryl Paulson, disability rights founder of Paulson and Co., an sory Committee for People with advocate, announced on Feb. advocacy agency based in Disabilities. For more informa28 his candidacy for City Coun- South St. Paul. He is also a tion contact People for Paulson cil Member. Mr. Paulson is the member of the St. Paul Advi- Campaign at (651) 455-3202.

Art Of The Eye Premiers National Tour A unique exhibit of work by Art of the Eye II looks at ways

You’re invited to an Open House for the

Minnesota Work Incentives Connection! Who:

You and the staff of the Minnesota Work Incentives Connection

Where: Our new location. . . 2200 University Avenue, West, Suite 240, St. Paul, MN 55114 When: Friday, March 31, 2000 2:30 p. m. to 4:30 p. m. What the heck for: To enjoy a little food and fun on a Friday afternoon! Find out how the Minnesota Work Incentives Connection can help you navigate complex Social Security, Medical Assistance and other rules that affect people with disabilities who work. (Trust us-It’s not as boring as it sounds!) How to get here: Our office is located at the corner of University Avenue and Vandalia Street in St. Paul. Take the Cretin/Vandalia exit off Interstate 94 and go north on Vandalia Street to University Ave. We share space with State Services for the Blind at the far end of the building, 2200 University Ave., Suite 240.

artists with vision impairments will open its national tour at Saint John’s University in Collegeville from March 12 to April 30. Art of the Eye II, the Second Exhibition on Vision, features 42 works, and includes three artists from Minnesota— Tara Arlene Innmon, Minneapolis; Jon Leverentz, New Brighton; and Scott Nelson, Minneapolis, who was the originator and curator of Art of the Eye in 1986. The exhibit will be open in the Alice R. Rogers and Dayton Hudson Galleries on the SJU campus, daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., until 9 p.m. on Thursdays. Admission is free.

of seeing and at reconstructing ideas commonly held about people who are blind. The exhibit is co-presented by VSA arts of Minnesota and Saint John’s University in collaboration with Delta Gamma service sorority. Audio described and tactile tours as well as Braille and Large Print guides to the exhibition will be available. For transportation opportunities to St. John’s, call VSA arts of Minnesota, 612-332-3888, voice/TTY. For information on the exhibit, call 320-363-2701.

If you are a consumer or a provider and know health care can and must be done better, we need to hear from you.

Please call us by March 20th if accommodations are needed: Main number: 651-632-5113 From Greater Minnesota: 800-976-6728 TTY: 651-632-5110 The Minnesota Work Incentives Connection is a joint project of the Minnesota Department of Economic Security, the Minnesota Department of Human Services and the Social Security Administration.

A REVOLUTIONARY APPROACH FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

651-641-0887

March 10, 2000

Hello Nicole:

SPEECH - Cont. from p. 1 Minnesota has made an aggressive effort since the program’s inception in September 1999 to get the message directly to the people who need it. Meyer has been working tenaciously to get the word out about STS. While Meyer only does outreach part time for the service, she has 15 years of experience working with the communities that include people with speech difficulties. Jim Alan, program administrator for Telecommunications Access for Communications Impaired Persons (TACIP), knew that with Meyer’s experience, she was the only one for the job. “This is a very difficult thing to market,” said Alan, “unless you actually get into peoples homes or visit them in some other quiet location where you can spend an hour or two with people and get them perhaps to overcome some fears about using the telephone because of concerns about how they sound to other people.” The fear of the phone is not always easy to overcome. “Calling was the whole fear I had,” said Jeff Vanderveer, an STS user. “Even if I didn’t have to give an interview, I would be afraid to be rejected.” Meyer recognizes the learning process that goes into using STS. The users of STS have often abandoned the notion of using the phone, more so than even those with hearing loss who now use TTY. “I know that it’s going to take twice as long [as TTY] for people with speech differences,” says Meyer, “because we need to learn telephone skills, need to be comfortable using the phone. And you also have a human interface, not an electronic one.” Minnesota has been very successful, though in helping people to overcome the ob-

stacles and begin using the service. Minnesota’s call volume is the fastest growing and third highest in the nation for the program. Alan says this is due to Sara Meyer and the direct outreach approach in Minnesota, the only state to do this kind of outreach. He says other states have had success through word of mouth, but he recognizes the value of going directly to the source.

The FCC is currently soliciting comments on the mandating of STS federally by March 2000. Support is growing.

Meyer believes the success of the program in Minnesota has its roots in the social service system. She said that those in Minnesota in the helping/providing professions have set the stage for STS to be accepted. “Their education, their awareness, all of that has been given so much good attention “There’s thousands of people that as soon as you bring a new in MN that would be able to tool along they jump on it.” benefit from this program,” said Alan. “We’ve got one out- Even though STS faces some reach person. We need more obstacles for its acceptance by a community uncomfortoutreach staff.” able with the telephone, the STS works for people with a service itself isn’t a hard sell. variety of speech difficulties, It’s toll-free unless there are from cerebral palsy, multiple long-distance charges. The sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, service is also set up with a Huntington’s chorea, database for returning callers amyotropic lateral sclerosis, so they can store information head injury, other degenera- to be accessed quickly by the tive diseases or the effects of a communications assistant, like stroke. It also works for some- address information, so that one with a stutter, or other the caller doesn’t have to speech difficulty that makes struggle to repeat lengthy inthem uncomfortable on the formation. Callers can also test phone. Callers can use talking out the service with a trusted machines with the program, too. friend in order to build a comfort level with the phone, and Schaefer wants to help spread then move on to other calls. the word about the program. “I use my talking machine with The program is relatively new, STS. It will help other people but the commitment of the with talking machines, because people involved has always the STS does save a lot of been there. Alan said, “The time,” she said. “I think that is first time I saw it demonstrated, frankly it brought a tear to my wonderful.” eye. And I made up my mind The program is funded with a that was probably three years portion of the $.12 per month ago - that we were going deTACIP surcharge on each tele- ploy speech to speech as soon phone access line in the state. as we possibly could.” Q

Patronize your Access Press Advertisers. They bring you your paper.

Dear Nicole, I have been spending each afternoon with my 17-yearold son, Ted. I spend the morning home schooling my daughters and then we go to the hospital. Ted’s accident was five weeks ago. He is basically the same since the accident. He does open his eyes some times. He does NOT respond to any commands and is still in a coma. If (or when) Ted does come out of the coma he will not be the same Ted that we all knew. How do you mourn for a son that is still alive, but will never be the person you knew? Sincerely, Lost Mother

Dear Mother, First of all, I have to tell you that I feel totally inadequate to answer your question. You are dealing with a situation that must be so painful, difficult and unexpected I really doubt that anyone who hasn’t actually been in your shoes can help you as much as you deserve and need to be helped. I strongly recommend you seek out some kind of support system for people who have had severely injured children. I know right now is probably not the time you want to be seeking anything out, but when you feel ready I would start by asking your son’s doctor, a hospital psychologist or trying the United Way in your area. There is nothing amiss in needing to mourn for your son even though he is still

alive. Although your son is alive, there is much you and he have lost. I’m sure it’s true that he will never be the same person you knew before the accident, but I don’t think you will ever be the same person either or your family or anyone else who is close to Ted. Something like this effects everyone and I think it’s really important that you try to allow any anger, sadness and mourning within yourself or anyone else who is missing the lives you had before this trauma. It’s only natural to feel angry or sad or any other way you feel no one wanted it this way.

grate than if he had just graduated from high school, but it might help to consider how we normally deal with these smaller life changes in order to somehow put your grief in perspective and maybe see that in some way you have dealt with this situation before. You have lived through many life changes and although this one may certainly be ten thousand times worse, you have integrated life changes before, you have felt angry, sad and frightened of the future before and in some of the same ways you will integrate your son’s accident and the reMaybe it would help to think a percussions. little about other life altering events and how we integrate Right now I think you are them into our lives. For ex- doing the best thing posample, when a child graduates sible. Going to the hospital, from high school, or college or sitting by his bed, possibly gets married, there is always a talking to him or holding his part of the celebratory cer- hand, just letting him know emony that is a mourning for you care and you love him, that part of the person (and these are all vitally imporourselves) that is lost in the tant no matter what the fuchange. In these cases, we try ture brings. All you can do to put emphasis on the bright- is your best. Maybe your ness of the future but if you best today is not your best think about our thoughts and tomorrow, that’s OK. You feelings during these events are dealing with one of the you will see that, for much hap- most difficult challenges life piness as there is for the imag- can present so please try to ined future, there is an equal be easy on yourself. amount of sadness, mourning and recounting of the life and — Nicole relationship which is lost in the change. We mourn for the Question? Complaint? child who will never come home Comment? with tales of high school again, Write to Nicole: or the new woman who starts % Access Press, her own family and will never 1821 University Ave. W, be the daughter she was be#185 N; fore. St. Paul, MN 55104; HelloNicoleAccess@ I realize that your son’s change yahoo.com is unimaginably harder to inte-

HOUSING AND PERSONAL CARE SERVICES Accessible Space, Inc. (ASI) offers subsidized one and two bedroom apartments for individuals with physical disabilities. We have housing in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, St. Cloud, Brainerd, Grand Rapids, Hibbing, Austin, Marshall, Willmar, and Duluth. The apartments are fully wheelchair accessible and each building has a central laundry room, large community room, secured entry and an on-site caretaker. ASI also offers shared personal care services 24 hours a day, at most locations, for adults with a physical disability and/or traumatic brain injury who qualify for Medical Assistance. For more information call (651) 645-7271 or (800) 466-7722. For services or housing call Lisa, for employment as a personal care attendant call Al or Kellie.

Accessible Space, Inc.

March 10, 2000

Disability Culture

On Mental Illness

Museums Have A Lot To Learn From The Field Of Disability Studies

Indiana Jones And The Heart Of Courage

by Simi Linton [Following is part one of a not just for what they say about ments? two series.] the position of disabled people in our society, but also for how In our discussions on the steerurators at the Smithsonian they make us think about the ing committee for the Institution’s National representation of disability. Smithsonian conference, our Museum of American History starting point was that acaall have stories to tell of people A recent event offerd a useful demic and cultural institutions who show up with a family starting point for exploring need to go beyond what they heirloom to donate to the col- those issues. The Smithsonian are already doing to respond lection: great-aunt Millie’s sponsored a conference on to legal mandates to make their wedding dress, a sewing ma- “Disability and the Practice of facilities accessible to disabled chine found in a country cabin, Public History,” for curatorial people: They need to integrate a hand-carved wooden leg, a and educational staff members ideas about people with disglass eye. The guards are in- of museums, scholars in aca- abilities into their exhibits, structed to refuse such offer- deme, public historians, and scholarship, and curricula. Too ings. But on May 13, 1995, a activists. Coincidentally, the often, museums have focused security guard at the Castle, conference began on May 13, primarily on providing access the Smithsonian’s administra- just four years to the day since to their buildings and to their tion building, called to say that the perplexing arrival of Ed public-education programs, someone had left a beat-up Roberts’s wheelchair at the but have paid scant attention wheelchair with a note saying Smithsonian. (The confer- to the content of their exhibits that it was to be donated to the ence’s site on the World-Wide and what those presentations American-history museum. It Web is http://www. si.edu/ say — or don’t say — about turned out that the chair be- nmah/youmus/dpph.htm) disability. Similarly, colleges longed to Ed Roberts, a and universities and their facfounder and deeply respected The conference was geared to- ulty members have tried, with leader of the disability-rights ward exploring the subject of varying degrees of sincerity, movement from the mid-’60s disability in museums of his- to make their facilities and until his death, in March 1995. tory, but a similar meeting could courses available to disabled The wheelchair had been left be organized for personnel in people, but have not, in genby a friend following a memo- museums that focus on art, eral, integrated material from rial service for Roberts at the science, natural history, chil- disability studies into their Rayburn House Office Build- dren, and more. Such meetings curricula. ing. As curators deliberated could address a number of about the disposition of the questions that would help I’d like to suggest that access chair, they came to learn not museums engage more actively and content are “of a piece,” only how renowned Roberts with disability as subject mat- rather than separate endeavhad been among disabled ter. What recent scholarship ors. Museum buildings and people, but also how little they might help a curator consider exhibit designs are not neutral; or other museums had done to the metaphoric, symbolic, or they are “read” by visitors and illuminate and explicate the his- realistic representation of dis- shape the way that all people tory of disability in the United abled people in a painting? How interact with the contents of a might a natural-history mu- museum. The imposing federal States. seum examine adaptation of and Greek-revival design of Meanwhile, in other offices in individuals and species many traditional museums crethe vicinity of the Mall, the through the lens of disability? ate the look of a venerable forfocus was on another person’s What kind of museums or tress, designed to protect art wheelchair — or rather on the types of exhibits could exam- and edify visitors. The imposrepresentation of the one that ine concepts such as eugenics ing sets of stairs that lead into had belonged to Franklin and euthanasia? How might such museums tell us who is Delano Roosevelt. News re- children’s museums create in- invited and who is not. ports usually reduced the is- clusive exhibits so that nonsue to whether a memorial to disabled and disabled children In contrast, consider the F.D.R. should depict him using could use them together? How Guggenheim Museum in New a wheelchair. Yet a more com- might museums assure physi- York City. No stringent access plex dialogue occurred among cal access for people with mo- codes were in place when Frank academics, activists and mu- bility impairments, and access Lloyd Wright designed the seum officials over the need for people with cognitive, sen- building, and I doubt that he for historical accuracy in me- sory, and other kinds of impair- conceptualized the grand spimorials, the ways that the presence or absence of the chair would affect the symbolic qualities of this memorial, and whether the absence of the Metropolitan Area Transit, Inc. chair would say more about a need in our own time to hide SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION Roosevelt’s disability, or PROVIDER about the desire during his own era to do so. “On Time Every Time

M.A.T.

The discussions about Roberts’s and Roosevelt’s wheelchairs are indicative of a dialogue that is emerging in cultural and academic institutions across the United States. I am a disabled woman, and I find the debates compelling,

or we will buy you lunch”

by Pete Feigal

ost people spend their lives doing everything they can to avoid conflict and struggle. But imagine if we went so see an adventure movie, and there were just positive things going on. Imagine that Indiana Jones never did a stupid thing that almost got him killed, or if he never had a phobia about rats or snake. Imagine if it was just like he was walking around the university and someone says, “Dr. Jones, there’s this artifact hidden in a cave.” He says, “Gosh, let’s go get it,” and then the next scene they come back and say, “Well, we got it, everything went fine.” That isn’t an adventure movie. We wouldn’t pay seven bucks for that, it wouldn’t be worth it. Yet in our own lives, it seems that we spend so much energy trying to avoid conflict that we miss the point. It is conflict and struggle that actually give us opportunities to discover who we really are and what. amazing gifts we possess. We miss the point that each of us is Indiana Jones. Each of us is Ulysses, Odysseus, sailing home from Troy. But if we can reawake, re-light our pilot lights and say, ‘Wow. I’m alive. What’ s it all about, what can I ral ramp as a wheelchair-access feature. But I use a wheelchair and can report the visceral excitement that I feel when I descend the spiral, and I know that it influences the way in which I interact with the art. Further, I have visited the museum in a manual wheelchair and in a motorized one, and the experiences are quite different. In the manual chair, I tend to move quickly, because of the effort it takes to brake and slow my progress. In the power chair,

Culture - cont. on p. 7

do to make a difference?” Then, at that moment, we are the heroes of our own classic, timeless, spiritual adventure, this great Indiana Jones movie that is our lives. We already know the movie is. going to end, so the point is not to live forever; the point is to be heroic. And each of us can be heroic in everything that we do. Each of us can be courageous. The word “courage” comes from the Latin cor, or “heart.” To be courageous means “to put one’s heart on” or “to follow your heart.” And that’s what we all need to do: reawaken and follow our hearts.

realizing that by giving us equality in health coverage, we can become happier and healthier, as well as better employees and taxpayers. If they don’t do this simply because it is the right thing to do, then they can do it because it’s the financially smart thing to do.

Our legislators can be heroic by not staying simply politicians, but by becoming leaders. Our cause is THE CAUSE of the 21st century, a cause not unlike the Civil Rights struggles of the ‘ 50s and ’60s. If they take a chance and lead us, they will not only create a place of honor for themselves Our media can be heroic by in history, but they will also portraying people with brain come to the aid of millions of disorders in other ways than registered voters. sensationally, as violent psychopath, as they do 78 percent And you, consumers and famof the time. Instead, they can ily members, can be heroic, by show us to be people like any staying alive. By getting up in others: moms and dads, broth- the morning. By taking your ers and sisters, good people meds, or seeing your therawith a terrible disease who, if pist; by not isolating yourtreated, are no more likely to selves, by doing everything commit a violent crime than they can to heal. You can be any other group. heroic by being kind to those who have hurt or abandoned Our medical professionals can you. You can be heroic by not be heroic by approaching and giving in to bitterness and desolving the medical mystery of spair. You can be heroic by brain disorders with the same making every word, gesture, excitement and passion they’ve action, moment, and relationshown for every other disease ship become precious and imThey can stop allowing mental portant We can be heroic by illness to lag behind all other building new dreams, and by illnesses in research, money, reminding ourselves that there manpower and especially in is nothing wrong with us. We attitude and perception. are wonderful people who happen to have a terrible disease, Our faith provides can be he- but we am not our disease. The roic by understanding that by passion, commitment and courwelcoming those with this dis- age we bring to this cause is ease into our churches and what will end the stigma and synagogues, this will be what discrimination that we have will fill their pews in the 21st always faced with this “politicentury. cally incorrect” disease. It is what will make a better world Our Insurance companies. and for our children and our employers WA be heroic by children’s children. Q Handi Medical Supply 2505 University Avenue West St. Paul, Minnesota 55114 At Hwy. 280 & University Avenue

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March 10, 2000

Marathon Winner State Health Care Insurance Rules Weakened “Crash” Nelson by Jeff Nygaard

by Luke Pederson

hen you watch this year’s Boston Marathon, April 17, keep your eyes peeled for Minnesota’s own Layne Nelson. Nelson will be competing in the event’s wheelchair division. Despite recently turning 40, he posted one of his fastest times in the 1999 Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, which qualified him for the Boston Marathon. Nelson most recently competed in, and won, the wheelchair division of the Millennium Marathon in Hamilton, New Zealand. How does one decide to go half way around the world for a marathon? “I saw an advertisement for the event in a magazine,” said Nelson. “I have some friends in New Zealand and they’re always asking me to visit, so I thought I’d go visit and race in the Millennium Marathon.”

the Kaiser Roll. Then, after getting a new chair, he entered the Twin Cities Marathon. As he was coming down John Ireland Boulevard at 30 mph, he crashed into a pole. What is it that keeps bringing him back? “It’s obviously not the safety aspect,” said Nelson. “I like going fast. You get a good workout, and it keeps me from getting over-stressed.”

Nelson has been working as one of the assistant coaches for the Courage Center track team also. He said working with the young racers has really made him work hard. “Last year I did more speed work, instead of my usual long distance training, and I had my two fastest times.” The Boston Marathon is an event in which racers usually have fast times, and Nelson is hoping for a personal best. “I’d love to The Millennium Marathon was break two hours.” the first marathon of the new millennium. Located south of Come April 17, watch one of Auckland, on the country’s the world’s premiere racing north island, the rolling course events and hope the only turned out to be similar to that “crashing” you hear, or see, is of the Twin Cities Marathon. Layne Nelson breaking the finNelson held off 12 racers from ish line with his personal best five different countries, post- time. Q ing a time of 2:25. “I was pretty happy [with the time] considering the weather [60 degrees with intermittent rain] and my knowledge of the course,” said Nelson. “I arrived in New Zealand five days before the event to do some training, recover from jet lag and get used to the weather.”

insurance to their workers; only 64 percent of small employers did so. Acknowledging the rapidly-rising cost of health insurance, the 1999 Legislature passed a law called the Small Employer Alternative Benefit Plans; Pilot Project. Unfortunately, rather than attempt to address the root cause of health-care inflation, the legislature chose instead to simEmployers who offer health ply shift some of the costs of insurance to their workers in necessary care onto individual Minnesota may offer any pack- workers. age that is on the market, as long as it meets certain mini- The law directed the Commismum standards of coverage. sioner of Commerce to develop Until now, small employers guidelines that would allow wanting to provide the mini- health plans in Minnesota to mum coverage could choose alter or eliminate coverages that between two different insur- would otherwise be required ance plans. Under the new by law, in order to enable emguidelines, small employers can ployers and covered persons now choose from a set of three to better manage costs and new insurance packages, and coverage options.Despite the all offer substantially less cov- legislature’s stated intent, the erage than the previous two actual process of developing the guidelines included no inminimal plans did. put from covered persons or The costs of providing health their advocates. Instead, the care are more difficult to bear Commerce Department infor small businesses than for vited representatives from large ones. As of 1995, 95 per- business and the insurance cent of large employers (50 or industry to participate in more employees) offered health deciding what benefits to he commissioner of the Minnesota State Department of Commerce announced a plan in January that could seriously weaken the rules governing the health insurance that small employers provide for their workers. Advocates say the new rules could devastate existing mandated health insurance coverage.

THE DARKER FACE OF THE EARTH

Nelson, who works for the State of Minnesota as an acquisition management specialist, participated in his first race July 1983, less than a year after a car crash left him a paraplegic. He finished the 5K [kilometer] Kaiser Roll in third place. Since then, he has done hundreds of races including 36 marathons. “My rehabilitation counselor, Gwen White, at St. Mary’s in Rochester suggested wheelchair racing. At the time, it was just becoming a popular sport,” said Nelson. “For me, I do it more or less as a means to stay physically fit.” Nelson said he tried playing softball and basketball, but that ended in 1987, when he was hit by a car while changing a tire. The injury to his shoulder ended his participation in those two sports, but he was still able to race. He has had more than his share of mishaps while racing too, thus earning him the nickname “Crash”. In July 1988, he hit a curb during the Run for the Roses in Roseville, which wreaked his racing chair. He was able to finish though, using his street chair. A week later he borrowed a chair and crashed in

By Rita Dove Directed by Lou Bellamy March 3 - April 1, 2000

Take the ancient Oedipus myth and set it on a Southern plantation, combine it with a passionate call for freedom and you have Rita Dove’s shattering new drama. It’s a story you won’t soon forget. With this production the Guthrie honors the generosity of Target Foundation.

incorporate into each plan. As developed by the industry, the proposal is that the health insurance offered by small employers no longer need cover such things as: Chemical dependency and mental health services; Pre-natal care; Coverage for lymes disease; Reconstructive surgery of any sort, including breast reconstruction following mastectomy (chosen by one-third of mastectomy patients); Anesthesia & for children under five and people with disabilities Of particular concern to readers of Access Press is that the new policy would allow insurers to deny coverage to infants and other dependents who have disabilities, dependents who use ventilators to breathe and require private duty nursing or personal care assistance services, and children who have emotional disorders and need residential treatment services. The weakening of requirements has drawn protests from women’s groups, nurses, psychologists, advocates for people with disabilities, and the Cancer Society, among others. Sue Stout, a registered nurse and member of the Minnesota Nurses Association, says the new rules would put employees health at risk due to glaring omissions in coverage. The list of non-covered items under the new plan, which includes more cuts than we have space to list here, comes from a disclosure notice drawn up by the Commerce Department. The disclosure notice tells employers that you have purchased a health benefit plan that does not include many of Minnesota’s health care man-

dates, [emphasis in original] and then lists the services not covered. Perhaps reflecting the lack of input from consumer advocates, the disclosure notice will be made available only to the employers who purchase the plans, and not to the workers who will be covered by them. Workers thus run the risk of being surprised by unexpected bills for uncovered health care services which had been previously covered and of which they had not been notified. While the intent of the law appears to be to increase the availability of employer-provided insurance, the new rules may have some unintended negative effects. Health care consumer advocates point out that workers who cannot afford to pay out-of-pocket for previously-covered services may simply go without needed care. Such under-insurance serves to degrade the quality of health care that workers receive, and may not actually save money. As an example, the Minnesota Women’s Consortium stated when voicing its opposition to the new rules, The consequences of medical neglect during pregnancy could result in far more expenses in the long term. Since these expenses will not be covered by the private insurance industry, the increased costs will ultimately be born by the taxpayer. Before any new reduced-benefit policies can be offered to small employers, eligible insurance companies will have to develop specific plans, attach a price to them, and submit the plans to the Commerce Depart-

Benefits - cont. on p. 8

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Legislative Updates

March 10, 2000

Metro Mobility Legislation by Mark Wilde

3 percent would be in addition to the 3 percent adopted in 1999 and scheduled to go into effect July 1, 2000. The bills have met committee deadlines in the House and Senate. While nearly every legislator supRaise the Medical Assistance ports the bill, the reality is that Income Standard (SF2726 and it will be hard to secure the $27 million needed against comHF3129) Currently a person on medical peting tax cut proposals. assistance must spend down their income to $467 a month. Coalition for Children with This limit will be increased by Disabilities: Legislative Up$17 on July 1. This bill would date provide an automatic increase School Safety: Several bills are each year for people on Medi- moving through the legislacal Assistance. These bills are ture that tries to address the still awaiting a hearing in both school safety issue. Two of them, (HF 2621 Folliard/SF 2979 houses. Pappas and HF 2633 Luther/SF Expand Senior Prescription 3043 Scheid) expands school Drug Program (SF2860 and districts’ health and safety plan to include plans for student HF1769) On January 1, 1999, Minnesota and staff safety. HF 2633/ started a new program that al- SF3043 contains broader lanlows qualified seniors on Medi- guage including peer mediacare to have their prescription tion, at-risk counseling serdrugs covered by the state. vices, etc. Several other bills However, the program does relax data privacy provisions not include people with dis- so that information can be abilities. These bills expand the shared to protect students. HF senior prescription drug pro- 2672 Westerberg/SF 3019 gram to people with disabili- Knutson clarifies that school ties and increase the asset lim- officials that share data from its and financial eligibility for the juvenile court system are all participants. Currently there immune from liability if they is concern that the governor share the information in good will veto this proposal because faith. Another bill, HF2833 he does not support new McGuire/SF 2892 Kelly, allows data sharing between schools spending this year. and probation officers and creStaff Compensation (S.F. 2503 ates a “chain of command” for sharing that information in a and H.F. 2967) S.F. 2503 and H.F. 2967 would school district. This informaprovide direct care staff in home tion would become part of the and community based pro- student’s education record grams for people with disabili- until they graduate. The bill ties and nursing homes an ad- was amended in the Senate to ditional 3 percent increase. The exclude records of petty of-

s we go to press, the following is an update of disability legislation. We will continue to keep you informed as to the progress of this legislation.

fenses and will probably be further amended to make sure s the legislature gets unthat delinquency records are der way, at least two bills eliminated from a student’s have been introduced to inpermanent education record crease the levels of funding for once the court disposes of it. Metro Mobility by as much as $4 million a year. Another bill, The enormous surplus raises introduced in the House by hope that the legislature will Representative Westrom, is appropriate money for special calling for a system report from education costs. The Coalition the Metropolitan Council, has introduced a bill, HF 3893 which oversees Metro MobilSeagren/SF 3570 Robertson ity. that would increase the percentage the state pays for spe- One bill, SF2940, suggests an cial education staff from 68 increase of $4 million in Metro percent to 85 percent. Mobility funding. The proposed legislation states that One last issue is the effect of $2 million must be directed to MFIP, Minnesota’s welfare services on the streets, and the program, on families who have other $2 million “must be used a child with a disability. Susan to increase wages for Metro Klingenberg, a parent of a 7- Mobility drivers.” year-old who has autism, gave moving testimony in the house Lack of qualified drivers has and senate about how her fi- been a big problem for Metro nancial worker threatened to Mobility for the last few years. take away part of her check if A severe worker shortage, she did not get a job. Her son’s coupled with low wages, has disability causes her to get no led to many paratransit vans more than two hours sleep a sitting in the parking lot while night, requires her to attend people with disabilities sit many meetings and doctor’s stranded at home. appointments during the day and even though she receives Gene Martinez said that SF2940 a small amount of PCA hours, and its companion bill, HF3249, she must be present when the will help alleviate some of the PCA is there. Her worker sug- problems getting good workgested that she institutional- ers, but there will still be a long ize her son. Many groups are way to go. pushing for an exemption for families who have a child who is eligible for PCA services or would meet the SED criteria under the Children’s Mental Heath Act. Additionally, we want to ensure that there is a review process before any sanctions occur. Q

According to Martinez, the starting wage for a regular route Metro driver is $10.50 an hour plus benefits. In comparison, Metro Mobility drivers are paid only $8.50 and hour to start.

now, the paratransit operation is not integrated with other forms of transportation in the metro area, and the Met Council needs to do some long range planning.

Martinez also said Metro Mobility drivers can expect smaller raises then their regular route co-workers “It’s ironic,” he told the crowd at the Disability Day event, “Metro Mobility drivers are expected to have more training because they are dealing with vulnerable adults, but they are paid less.”

Martinez said the disability population is expected to dramatically increase in Minneapolis and St. Paul over the next few years. By 2010, he said there would be a 48 percent increase in the demand for assisted transportation services.

The Council and legislators also need to be looking at how Call for Report Metro Mobility fits into commuter rail, light rail, and all the Another bill recently intro- other alternative transportation duced in the House by Repre- proposals floating around. sentative Westrom also comes at an important time, advocates “There definitely needs to be say. With the increased atten- some soul searching; about tion focused on Metro Mobil- what we want the program to ity by the Human Rights com- look like 10, 20, 50 years down plaints, it is a good time to the line,” Martinez said. “It’s demand more accountability getting to be a crisis situafrom the Metropolitan Coun- tion.” cil, which manages the budget of Metro Mobility and Metro Sen. Dave Johnson (DFLTransit. Bloomington) sponsors SF2940, which is waiting for a Although details of the bill, hearing in the transportation HF3962, are sketchy, Martinez budget division. Rep. Alice said it is asking the Council to Hausman (DFL-St. Paul) spongenerate a report on the future sors HF34249. Q of Metro Mobility. He said right

DO Y OU WISH IT YOU W AS EASIER… WAS …to hear callers clearly?

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CULTURE - Cont. from p. 5 although it is capable of going very fast, I tend to go at a slower pace and stop more frequently. When anyone moves quickly through an exhibit, whether walking or riding, the themes of the show, or the progression of a single artist’s work over time, are more apparent. A slower pace, on the other hand, helps focus attention on individual pieces. Museums would do well to consider how designs like the Guggenheim’s shape the experience of content, and the way that disability interacts with those elements. Q Simi Linton is the co-director of the Disability Studies Project at Hunter College of the City University of New York, a consultant on disability and the arts, and the author of Claiming Disability: Knowledge and Identity (New York University Press, 1998).

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Minnesota Department of Human Services

March 10, 2000

Hennepin County Cares Broadens Its Planning Efforts T

he Hennepin County CareS (HCCS) planning team continues to seek out Medical Assistance (MA) consumers and their representatives to help create a better health care delivery management system. In recent months, the HCCS planning team has been asked to work with another planning team in Hennepin County on a managed care initiative, the Minnesota Disability Health Option (MDHO). Like DPPD, this new Department of Human Services (DHS) project allows for a new health care system to be developed for MA consumers with disabilities, highlighting service coordination through many different avenues. But unlike DPPD, MDHO has a functioning health care system already in place in the Minnesota Senior Health Options (MSHO) program, which serves people over the age of 65. With this structure in place, the program will only need enhancements to

meet the unique needs of MA MDHO RFP was closed on consumers with physical dis- December 31, 1999, and did not abilities. afford the County enough time to respond. The Board asked MDHO will be an extension of DHS for more time and was MSHO to include enrollment granted an extension to reof MA eligible consumers ages spond by July 1, 2000. 18-64 with physical disabilities. Enrollment in MDHO will The County continues its be voluntary. MDHO will be DPPD planning efforts. HCCS unique in that it is able to com- planning team will continue to bine Medicare and Medicaid attend meetings at the State (MA) funding, and coordinate and to offer input to DHS as both acute care and long term they reevaluate and restruccare services for this popula- ture DPPD at the State level. tion. Planning for MDHO will be On December 14, 1999 the quick paced, but consumer inHennepin County Board of volvement will still be a key Commissioners approved a advisory tool in the response resolution authorizing a re- to the RFP. The planning team sponse to DHS’ MDHO re- will continue to inform conquest for proposals (RFP). The sumers and other stakeholdboard stated that with Metro- ers regarding the next phases politan Health Plan (MHP), the of both initiatives. If you would County’s health plan and a like additional information current MSHO provider, along about MDHO, please call with the experience of the DPPD Joanne Rafferty at (612) 348planning team, County staff 7327 or Ingrid McKay at (612) will be able to assess the po- 347-3520. Q tential for MHP to become a contractor to this program. The This column is a paid insertion by the Hennepin County Demonstration Project for People with Disabilities.

Accessible Arts Performances Wed., 3/15, 7:30 p.m., ASL Informal reading & discussion by poet/essayist Morgan Sat., 3/11, 8; & Sun., 3/12, 3:00, Grayce Willow. “You Can Take “Sweet Honey & the Rock”, the Poet Out of the Place” O’Shaughnessy Aud., 612- Ramsey County Library, 673-9230 Fri., 3/17, 7:30; “The Darker * Sat., March 11, 8:00 p.m., Face of the Earth”, Guthrie “Diary of Anne Frank”, Park Theater,612-377-2224,800-848Square Theater, 651-291-7005 4912, TTY 612-377-6626 Interpreted in American Sign Language (ASL)

Sat., 3/11, 7:30 p.m., “God’s Favorite”, Eden Prairie Performing Arts Ensemble at Hennepin Technical College Auditorium, 612-949-8453

Fri., 3/24, 10 am “Robin Hood”, Nine Mile Creek Theatre, 612948-8746 Tues., 3/21, “Evelyn Glennie, percussionist”, Schubert Club, at the Ordway Music Theatre, 651-224-4222 Tues., 3/21, 10a.m., “Starry Messenger”, Children’s Theatre Co., 612-874-0400

Thurs., 3/18, 7:30 p.m., “The Darker Face of the Earth”, Fri., 3/24, 7:30 p.m., “Starry Guthrie,612-377-2224,800-848- Messenger”, Children’s Theatre Co., 612-874-0400 4912, TTY 612-377-6626

Sat., March 18, 2:00, “The Wed., 3/22, 10:00 a.m., “A Piece Sun., 3/12, 2:00 p.m., “A Scarlet Pimpernel”, Ordway of Rope”, Great American Holocaust Mosaic”, Stages Music Theatre, 651-224-4222, History Theatre, 651-292-4323 TTY 651-282-3100 Theatre Co., 612-979-1111 Sat., 3/25, 8:00 p.m., “A Piece of Thurs., 3/16, 10:00 a.m., “A Sat., 3/18, 1p.m., “Robin Hood”, Rope”, Great American History Holocaust Mosaic”, Stages Nine Mile Creek Theatre, 612- Theatre, 651-292-4323 Theatre Co., 612-979-1111 948-8746 Arts - cont. on p. 10

BENEFITS - Cont. from p. 6 ment for approval. To date, no companies have done so. A spokesman in the Commerce Department stressed that it is possible that none will, as the entire set of guidelines is simply a new minimum standard, with no requirements for participation. Advocates ex-

pressed surprise that the guidelines, which were developed to save money, were issued before any estimates were done as to how much money might be saved, thus making it impossible to relate the value of the terminated services with any hoped-for savings. The Legislature charged the Commerce Department with devising new health care insurance rules that would enable employers and covered persons to better manage costs and coverage options. Instead,

what the new rules issued by the Commerce Department appear to have done is to shift some costs of necessary health care from employers onto their workers and, ultimately, onto state taxpayers. While we may end up with more insured workers, many of those workers may end up joining the ranks of the under-insured, resulting in decreased quality of care and increased costs. And, after all is said and done, half-a-million Minnesotans will still have no insurance at all. Q

ACT adv

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Metro Transit Adv

P ARTS - Cont. from p. 8

METRO - Cont. from p. 1 against the New York City Transit Authority was recently resolved out of court, with the city agreeing to reduce its denial rate from over four percent to one percent.

ing of their complaints and subsequent investigations will bring about a negotiated solution to the problem, thus making any possible legal action unnecessary.

a better integration of the paratransit system with the regular-route and light-rail transit systems, and the development of “a more thoughtful and concerted long-term plan” to assure that the system can, The complainants in the Twin When asked about the specif- in the future, adequately serve Cities stress that, at the present ics of what they hoped to ac- the needs of people with distime, they are not filing a law- complish with their complaints, abilities in the Twin Cities. suit against Metro Mobility, spokesperson Lijewski said and have no plans to do so. that activists hoped to see, The Minnesota Department of They clearly stated that they first of all, more availability of Human Rights will consider the hope the publicity and docu- rides. In addition, added complaints and conduct an mentation provided by the fil- Lijewski, they would like to see investigation into the facts of the claims. If the evidence supports the claims of discrimination, the Commissioner of Human Rights will issue a determination that there is “probable cause” to credit the claim of a violation of the Minnesota Home Care Services Human Rights Act. At that Available 24 hours per day point the Department will attempt to help the parties to Specializing in the care of Children • Adults • Elderly achieve a settlement, which may be a legal settlement or We provide Personal Care Assistants • Home Health may be negotiated outside of Aides • Homemakers • Live-in Caregivers • Nursing the courts. The average time Our Rehabilitative Services include: Physical/ required for the Department to Occupational/Speech/Respiratory Therapies issue a determination is ten months. Q PCA Provider Organization MA/Waiver/Medicare Certified

March 10, 2000

Thurs., 3/23, 8p.m., “Amadeus” Audio Described by Peter Shaffer, Cnty Stearns Theatrical Co. at the Paramount * Sat., March 11, 8:00 p.m., “Diary of Anne Frank”, Park Theatre, 320-259-5463 Square Theater, 651-291-7005 * Sat., 3/25, 8:00 p.m., “The Govern. Inspector”, Theatre de Sun., 3/12, 2:00 p.m., “A Holocaust Mosaic”, Stages la Jeune Lune, 612-333-6200 Theatre Co., 612-979-1111 Fri., 3/31, 7:30 p.m., “The Miracle Worker”, The Barn Thurs., 3/16, 10:00 a.m., “A Commu. Theatre, 320-235-9500 Holocaust Mosaic”, Stages Theatre Co., 612-979-1111 Sat., 4/1, 7:30 p.m., “The Miracle Worker”, The Barn Community Sun., 3/12, 2:00 p.m., “A Holocaust Mosaic”, Stages Theatre, 320-235-9500 Theatre Co., 612-979-1111 * Sun., 4/2, 3:00 p.m., “Song of the Pipa”, Theater Mu, Thurs., 3/16, 10:00 a.m., “A Minneapolis, at Southern Holocaust Mosaic”, Stages Theatre Co., 612-979-1111 Theater, 612-340-1725 Wed., 4/5, 11am, “Jekyll & Sat., 3/25, 1:00 p.m., “Robin Hyde”, St. John’s U, Stephen Hood”, Nine Mile Creek B. Humphrey Theatre, 320-363- Theatre, 612-948-8746 5777 Tues., March 21, 10a.m., “Starry Fri., 4/7, 8:00 p.m., “Lex-Ham Messenger”, Children’s Follies of 2000”, Lex-Ham Theatre Co., 612-874-0400 Community Theatre at Dunning Recreation Center, Fri., 3/24, 7:30 p.m., “Starry Messenger”, Children’s 651-645-3207 Theatre Co., 612-874-0400

Sat., 3/25, 8:00 p.m., “A Piece of Rope”, Great American History Theatre, 651-292-4323 * Sat., 3/25, 8:00 p.m., “The Govern. Inspector”, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, 612-333-6200 * Sun., 3/26, 3:00 p.m., “La Nona (The Granny)”, Mixed Blood Theatre, 612-338-6131 Wed., 3/29, 7:00 p.m., “Rennie Harris Pure Movement Dance Co.”, Ordway Music Theatre, 651-224-4222 * Sun., 4/2, 3:00 p.m., “Song of the Pipa”, Theater Mu, Minneapolis, at Southern Theater, 612-340-1725

* Selected performances are eligible for Reduced Admission Prices through Access to Theatre. For more information contact VSA arts of Minnesota, 612-332-3888 (voice/TTY).

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March 10, 2000

Access To Employment

More Ads On Page 11

Employment ads are $14 per col. inch; Mar 31 is the deadline for the Apr 10 issue. Mail to: ACCESS PRESS • 1821 University Ave. • #185N • St. Paul, MN 55104 • FAX 651-644-2136 • E-mail: access@wavetech.net SRF Consulting Group, Inc., a growing and well-established transportation and engineering firm providing services throughout the Midwest, has openings for tile following positions: SENIOR STRUCTURAL/ BRIDGE ENGINEER Duties include preparation and design of construction plans for bridge and structural projects. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor of Civil Engineering with an emphasis on structural engineering and 4-6 years experience. PE and project management experience preferred. ENTRY LEVEL STRUCTURAL/BRIDGE ENGINEER Prepare and design bridge and structural plans. Requirements include a Bachelor of Civil Engineering with an emphasis on structural engineering. STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN Assist in the preparation of bridge and structural plans, 2 Year technical degree and Autocad experience required. Experience with Microstation a plus. We offer a competitive salary and benefits. Interested candidates may fax resumes to (612) 475-2429; email to www.sirconsulting.com; or send to One Carlson Pkwy, N., #150, Plymouth, MN 55447. EOE

ADVERTISING SALES Part Time Access Press is seeking experienced print ad sales person. We are a monthly newspaper with a disability focus. Commission plus stipend. Send resume and references: 1821 university Ave. W., Suite 185 N, St. Paul, MN 55104, FAX 651-644-2133, Email access@ wavetech.net. EOE

U OF MN EXTENSION SERVICE Sherburne County, Elk River EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MN; Child & Youth Development or Community Resources Central Region Agricultural, specialization. Requires bache- Tourism, & Natural Resources lor’s degree in a field of study, Task Force. Office location in which, when combined with Staples, MN, 1/2 hr. west of relevant work experience, Brainerd. projects a well-rounded knowledge of youth development The executive director proand education along with the vides programmatic leadership following skills and abilities: and administrative oversight effective communication, team- for the regional team, creating work and collaboration; ability a partnership between the to express enthusiasm and use University and its citizens and innovation in relating to youth directing research, educational and adults, ability to manage and outreach funds to support multiple tasks concurrently. sustainable rural development. Preferred qualifications include: course work in develop- Required: A bachelor’s demental characteristics of youth, gree; demonstrated experience leadership development, com- in facilitating, organizing, & munity development, diversify leading public groups through programming, volunteer needs decision-making and planning assessment and experiential processes; strong skills & abililearning; experience in work- ties in communications, human ing or volunteering with youth relations, leadership, team or family service agencies, and building, the ability to work the following skills and abili- with diverse groups, & the ties: teaching methods, educa- ability to work effectively in tional program needs assess- academic & rural community ment, organization, develop- environments. ment, design, delivery and evaluation of educational pro- Preferred: A master’s degree; grams; networking; work with training and/or experience remedia; supervisory skills; work lated to agriculture, natural with economically and/or cul- resource management or susturally diverse audiences; com- tainable development is highly puter user, volunteer manage- desirable. ment; applied research, leadership; and basic grant writing. Deadline for receipt of application materials: April 12, 2000. For application materials and complete position announce- To apply: send cover letter ment call Extension Human describing how your backResources, (612) 624-3717; ground & education relate to or check web site at http:// the position, current resume, www.extension.umn.edu/ transcripts, & three letters of Deadline for receipt of applica- reference to: Extension Human tions: March 10, 2000. The U of Resources, 260 Coffey Hall, M is an equal opportunity edu- 1420 Eckles Ave., St. Paul MN 55108. Call or check web site cator and employer. for complete position description: (612) 624-3717; http:// To Reach www.extension.umn.edu/ units/director/positions.html. Thousands of EXTENSION EDUCATOR

Active and Interested Readers: Call Access Press at 651/644-2133

The U of M is an qual opportunity educator and employer.

U OF MN EXTENSION SERVICE NORTHEAST DISTRICT DIRECTOR

GRAPHIC COMMUNICATIONS TEACHER

MANAGER PRIVATE CARRER SCHOOL LICENSABLE

Office location Duluth, MN. Provide overall leadership for personnel and programming in the multi-county district.

Full-time tenure track teaching position beginning August 2000. Appointment will be Asst. Professor with a salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. Responsibilities: teach courses in the Digital Design curriculum option within the Graphic Communications program: including but not limited to, Beginning and Advanced Computer Imagery and Beginning and Advanced Desktop Publishing. Survey and Seminar topics as needed. Additional duties will include: student advising, student growth and development, service to the department, university and community. Participation in program advisory board, curriculum and course development.

The Minnesota Higher Education Services Office, a state agency, is seeking consumeroriented candidates to manage licensing of private, for-profit career training providers.

The University of Minnesota Extension Service is the major outreach arm of the University of Minnesota whose mission it is to “connect community needs with University resources.” Required: Master’s degree; min. 5 yrs prof. experience and demonstrated commitment to inclusivity/diversity; skills & abilities: communication, program development, administrative leadership, supervision, team-building, problem solving, & creativity. Preferred: Degrees appropriate to job responsibilities; additional training or course work in administration, team building, leadership, program development. Demonstrated success in program leadership; administrative leadership experience, including supervision; experience in continuing education outreach programs.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE Requirements include an M.F.A. or other equivalent terminal degree in visual arts by date of employment. Professional experience in the design and production of printed and electronic media preferred. A visual arts degree with emphaDeadline for receipt of applica- sis in digital design or election materials: 4/21/2000 or until tronic media disciplines and all final candidates have been teaching experience is preferred. identified. To apply: send cover letter describing how your background & education relate to the position, current resume, transcripts, & 3 letters of reference to: Extension H.R., 260 Coffey Hall, 1420 Eckles Ave., St. Paul MN .55108. Call or check web site for complete position description: (612) 624-3717; http://www.exten sion.umn.edu/units/director/ positions.html. The U of M is an qual opportunity educator and employer.

The Manager of Private Career School Licensure establishes application procedures, assists schools in understanding licensure requirements, evaluates applications and approves schools that meet licensure standards, investigates consumer complaints, determines if a license should be revoked or not renewed, and assures that students are protected if a licensed school closes. Qualified candidates must have a commitment to consumer protection; ability to apply evaluation standards fairly, consistently and promptly; excellent listening and diplomacy skills; and attention to detail. Preferred qualifications include three years experience in vocational education management, student advising, or evaluation of vocational education curricula, preferably with a career school, corporate training program, or accrediting/approval agency. Baccalaureate degree required. Master’s degree or higher in vocational education, curriculum and instruction, or other related, field preferred, For More information, see our Webste at www.mheso.state. mn.us.

APPLICATION INFORMATION AND DEADLINE For application materials and other information contact: Dr. Michael Ruth, Graphic Communications, Moorhead State University, Moorhead, MN 56563, or, email at: ruthm The Manager of Private Career @mnstate.edu. School Licensure is an unclasVacancy notice may be found sified state employee. Review at: wwwww.moorhead.msus. of applications will begin March 15, 2000 and continue edu/vacancy/Index.htm. until position is filled, To apReview of completed applica- ply, forward resume and cover tions will begin March 20, 2000, letter highlighting qualificato continue until position filled. tions for this position to: MSU is an equal opportunity/ Minnesota Higher Education Services Office affirmative action employer. Human Resources Office 1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 350 St. Paul MN 55108-5227 EEO/AA

Arc Hennepin County Offers April Workshops

re Hennepin County will offer a variety of upcoming workshops, also known as Arc-Shops, designed for the needs of individuals with mental retardation and related disabilities and their families. ArcShops scheduled for April are:

4301 Highway 7, Suite 158; Minneapolis. Arc Hennepin County and AccountAbility Minnesota team up to offer tax assistance to people with mental retardation and related disabilities and their families. Appointments must be made in advance by calling Arc Hennepin County at (952) Tax Assistance Program. 920-0855orTTY(952)920-0977. Monday, April 3, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Arc Hennepin County; Life Planning for Persons with

Disabilities. Tuesday, April 11, 6:30 - 8:45 p.m. at Creekside Community Center; 9801 Penn Ave. S.; Bloomington. This ArcShop helps families plan for the future of a loved one with mental retardation or related disabilities. It covers wills, healthcare power of attorney, supplemental needs trusts, probate, long-term care and more.

Resource Center Open House. Tuesday, April 18, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. at Arc Hennepin County; 4301 Highway 7, Suite 158; Minneapolis. This open house celebrates the newly stocked and reorganized Arc Hennepin County Resource Center, which offers families a wealth of information about mental retardation and related disabilities.

Parent Passages: The Journey After School for Young Adults. Saturday, April 29, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Arc Hennepin County; 4301 Highway 7, Suite 158; Minneapolis. This ArcShop gives parents an opportunity to share their experiences of having a child with mental retardation or related disabilities who is entering adult life (ages 18-30). Discussion topics will include

employment, community housing options and adult services. To register, or for more information, contact Arc Hennepin County at (952) 920-0855, or TTY (952) 920-0977. Q

March 10, 2000

Access To Employment EMPLOYMENT ADS ARE $14 A COL. INCH; MARCH 31 IS THE DEADLINE FOR THE APR 10 ISSUE. Mail to: ACCESS PRESS • 1821 University Ave. • #185N • St. Paul, MN 55104 • Fax 651-644-2136 • E-mail: access@wavetech.net RECEPTIONIST

SRF Consulting Group, Inc., a progressive, growing and We offer a competitive salary well-established landscape arand full benefits. The ideal can- EXTENSION EDUCATOR chitecture, planning, and engididate should have experience neering firm providing services 3 positions available, working in a team environment, Child & Youth Development. throughout the Midwest, has possess strong interpersonal openings for the following skills, have a creative edge, All positions require: A positions: and have a working knowledge bachelor’s degree, excellent of Windows and word pro- verbal and written communi- LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT cessing. Experience working cation skills, acceptance into Prepare and design of landwith diverse cultures helpful. graduate school or academic scape architecture/urban deApply in person: LNB, 1925 achievement at a level qualify- sign plans for visible commuNicollet, Mpls., Mon-Thurs ing the applicant for admis- nity projects, The ideal candi9-4 p.m. Agency application sion to graduate study. date will have a degree in landrequired EOE. scape architecture from an accredited school and 1-3 years, All positions prefer: A Construction master’s degree; a degree in experience with strong CADD WAREHOUSE SECRETARY education or youth related and freehand graphics skills, major; computer knowledge, Excellent verbal and written A Bloomington-based general grant writing; teaching meth- communication skills a must. contractor has an immediate ods; experience managing volopening for a Warehouse Sec- unteers; networking; media LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT retary at their Savage, MN fa- work; community involvement PROJECT MANAGER cility. Position includes: moni- or development; educational Duties include the coordination, management quality astoring inventories, shipment program needs assessment. surance, and cost control for of materials, costs, telephones. landscape architecture/urban Cottonwood County, Computer experience necesdesign projects, Must be regWindom, MN, 100% time. sary, Construction backistered with at least 5 years Deadline: 3/31/2000 ground helpful. Excellent benexperience, including project efits, salary commensurable management. Requires strong Rock County, Luvurne, MN, with experience. 50% time. Deadline: 3/22/2000 public speaking and written skills, as well as experience with Please forward resume includa variety of job types. * Sherburne County, Elk ing salary expectations, to: River, MN, 100% time BOR-SON Construction, Inc,, We offer a competitive salary Deadline. 3/10/2000 P.0. Box 1611, Minneapolis, and benefits as well as a team * Sherburne County also has MN 55440, Attention - J. Boe some additional requirements/ oriented work environment. preferences. Please obtain Interested candidates may fax EOE/AA complete position announce- resumes to (612) 475-2429; OFFICE COORDINATOR e-mail to www.srfconsulting. ment for details. com; or send to One Carlson Join the KTCA/2, KTCI/17 team To obtain complete position Pkwy, N. #160, Minneapolis, as administrative support for announcement & application MN 55447 . EOE out national production promaterials, download from Web fessional staff. Here you will ATTORNEY page: www.extension.umn. contribute in a wide range of edu/units/director/positions/ So. MN Regional Legal Sertask areas such as research, html or call U of MN Human vices seeks Mgr. Atty, for its document formatting, travel Resources at (612) 624-3717. Migrant Legal Services Unit. arrangements, scheduling and The U of MN is an equal op- MN lic. w/5 yrs, prac. exp. req.; record keeping. In addition, this portunity educator and em- know, of Imm/Natual. law & is an opportunity to execute pov. law req.; Sp. speaking pref. ployer. independent projects. PC proSalary DOE, Resumes to: Jessie ficiency is a must. HS or equivaTEACHERS Nicholson; SMRLS; 46 E. 4th lent & 2 yrs office support exMN CERTIFIED St.-Ste. 700; St. Paul, MN perience required, A FT posiJune 12 thru August 18 55101. Ph. #651-228-9823 for tion with an excellent total comcomplete job announcement. pensation package. Submit let- Various schedules available. ter, resume and salary require- Team plan, implement & evalument by 03/15/00 to: Box 327-0; ate work & project based learnKTCA; 172 E. 4th St.; St. Paul, ing activities that develop MN 55101. EEO/AAP. thinking & basis skills & that foster career exploration for 14-16 year olds in coordinated ATTORNEY employment & education proSo. MN Reg. Legal Services gram. Teaching licensing & seeks Atty. to work in St. Paul experience with diverse popuon housing cases. Salary DOE. lations required Apply in perResumes to: M.L. Giese; son: LNB, 1925 Nicollet, Mpls. Ramsey Cty adv SMRLS; 46 E. 4th St. - Ste. Mon-Thurs 9-4 p.m. Agency 700; St, Paul, MN 55101 application required. EOE EO/AAE University of Minnesota Extension Service

WORK INCENTIVES SPECIALIST Temporary, 3 year position lion The MN Dept. of Economic Security—MN Work Incentives Connection Project is seeking two Work Incentive Specialists. Responsible for providing individual consultation and training to professionals and individuals with disabilities relating to Social Security and Medicaid work incentives and the effect of earned income on individual’s public benefits. Knowledge of Social Security and Medicaid work incentives; Social Security and other public benefit programs; and vocational rehabilitation programs essential. Good communication skills; persistence and patience; ability to manage multiple priorities; and strong team skills also necessary. Two years experience working directly with individuals with a variety of severe disabilities and a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required. Job is located in the Metro area with some travel required. Salary: approximately $32,468. Send resume with cover letter highlighting your experience working with people with disabilities and with work incentives to Barb Smith, MN Work Incentives Connection, 2200 University Ave. W., Suite 240, St. Paul, Mn. 55114. Application deadline: 4-14-00, Phone (651) 632-5113. EOE/AA

e 10 pag n o dvs re A o M

UNIVERSITY OF MN EXTENSION SERVICE SUMMER POSITIONS AVAILABLE Summer Intern Positions, in diverse areas relating to youth development, agriculture, and natural resources. Assist county staff in selected counties throughout Minnesota with Extension programs. Positions vary from 8 to 13 weeks. Required: enrollment in an undergraduate program related to youth, agriculture, or natural resources at a four-year institution, completion of sophomore year and a valid driver’s license & use of an automobile for job-related travel. Ideal candidates will have an interest in working with youth & adults, good communication skills, leadership ability, good judgment, sense of responsibility, and an interest in an extension career. Deadline for receipt of applications: 3/l/2000. For application materials, call Extension Human Resources, (612) 624-3717. The U of MN is an equal opportunity educator and employer,

Minnesota State University, Mankato invites applications for two professional positions. Director of Learning Center. Primary responsibilities include overall direction, development and management of the Center, which provides academic support for a diverse population of students. Master’s degree and three years experience required.

Director of Disability Services Office. Half-time position. Primary responsibilities include development, implementation and management of support services for eligible students with disabilities. Master’s degree and two years experience or baccalaureate degree and ten years of experience required. For complete information on qualifications for both positions, see Website at hhtp:/ /www.mankaro.msus.edu. Academic and Administrative Alexandra House, Inc., domes- Job Postings are posted within tic violence services for women the heading of Administration. and families has the following Salary commensurate with experience, excellent benefits employment opportunities: package. AA/EOE OUTREACH ADVOCATES Provide direct advocacy services and community education to battered women and their families in community settings. Fulltime positions. FAMILY ADVOCATE Provide direct advocacy services and community education to battered women and their families in a residential setting. Fulltime position. Applications will be accepted until positions are filled. Send cover letter/resume to: Deb Olson Administrative Services Manager Alexandra House, Inc. P.O. Box 49039 Blaine, MN 55449-0039

This Could Be Your Adv. —

Reach 11,000 Active and Interested Readers, Call 651- 644- 2133

EQUALOPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Don't Miss An Issue! Subscribe Today! $15 Buys A Full Year (12 Issues) Of Access Press Name _____________________________________ Street _____________________________________ City ______________________________________ State ______________ Zip ____________________ Telephone _________________________________

Recruiter ------------------------------------- 651-266-6476 24-hour Jobline ------------------------------ 651-266-6502 TDD/TTY ------------------------------------ 651-266-6501 Personnel Fax -------------------------------- 651-292-7656

Limited income subscription: $5 I have an idea for editorial coverage. Please call me. I’ve enclosed my check for $15. Start my subscription. Send your advertising rates. MAIL TO: ACCESS PRESS; 1821 University Ave. W., #185N, St. Paul, MN 55104. (651) 644-2133

March 10, 2000

CLASSIFIEDS

Reach 11,000 Active, Interested Readers with ACCESS PRESS Classifieds. 8 up to 20 words, 35¢/word thereafter. Mail with check to: ACCESS PRESS, 1821 University Ave W, #185N, St. Paul, MN 55104; (651) 644-2133 FOR SALE 3 and 4 Wheel Mobility Scooters, Scooter lifts and ramps. New scooters from $1,975.00. Free in-home demonstration. Sales and services. FastServ Medical. (320) 654-0434 (St. Cloud) or toll free 1-888-565-0434.

Must sell! 1994 Ford E150 Handicapped Conversion Van. New Crow River Electric Lift and 6” floor drop. Very clean. Black with gray striping, cruise, power windows and locks. 69,000 miles. $15,000 best offer. Call: (612) 892-1247.

3 and 4 Wheel Scooter Repair. We repair Amigo, Bruno, Electric Mobility, most brands. New and used scooters for sale. Buy, sell & trade. FastServ Medical. (320) 654-0434 (St. Cloud) or toll free 1-888-565-0434.

E & J Record Vision rigid frame wheelchair. 14” width seat, 24” regular & primo tires. Excellent condition. $1000 or B.O. Call Jaime @ (218) 624-4737 or (651) 765-9195.

1984 GMC Vandura conv. van. Raised roof, crow river lift, w/ extra folding platform. 98,000 mi., many new parts. No rust, TX winters. Very sharp van in exc. condition. $9000/offer, call Deb @ (651) 459-2466. Uni-lift, simple electric, platform is 26x36. Like new condition. $400/offer, call Deb @ (651) 459-2466.

1986 Ford E-15O Van w/ wheelchair lift, lowered floor, 6-way seat AC, rear heat, 1983 Ford van with wheelchair 126,000 miles, $5,300/ best oflift, $1000. 612-672-9342. fer. Call Tony 593-9502.

MISCELLANIOUS

FOR RENT

Please help me locate a housing situation where I will be allowed access to the holistic health items that I need to recover, without the restrictive regulations of nursing homes. I am a lady in a wheelchair, and I am also seeking caregivers (PT or FT, temporary or longer term, excellent opportunity for learning), advocates and friends. Call Laura or Rob at (612) 572-9302 or Eva Hanson at (651) 646-8342. Call anytime.

Lewis Park Apartments: Barrier free housing with wheelchair user in mind. Section 8 subsidized. One- and two-bedroom units. For more information on availability call (651) 488-9923. St. Paul, MN Equal Opportunity Housing. Holmes-Greenway Housing One and two bedroom apartments designed for physically handicapped persons. Convenient SE Minneapolis location. Call (612) 378-0331 for availability information. Equal Opportunity Housing.

Seward Square Apartments: We are currently accepting applications for our waiting list at Seward Square Apartments in Minneapolis. Seward Square is barrier-free housing and is federally subsidized. For an application, please call (612) 338-2680. Equal Opportunity Housing.

THE FRIENDS OF ACCESS PRESS The Friends of ACCESS PRESS are vital to the papers success. We need your continued support to keep publishing. Your gift entitles you to a one year complimentary subscription to ACCESS PRESS.

Sponsorship levels: Basic (low income) . $5.00 Friend ......... .$25.00 & up Bronze ......... $75.00 & up

Silver .............. .$150.00 & up Gold ................ .$350.00 & up Diamond .......... $500.00 & up

Benefactor ... $1,000.00 & up

ACCESS PRESS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Checks should be made out to ACCESS PRESS. Your contribution is tax deductible. Please mail your sponsorship to ACCESS PRESS, 1821 University Avenue West, Suite 185N, St. Paul, MN 55104. Your help is crucial if ACCESS PRESS is to continue being the voice for people with disabilities! Thank you.

SPONSORS OF ACCESS PRESS: Thanks to the following sponsors for supporting ACCESS PRESS this year. ------------------------------------- BASIC SPONSOR ------------------------------------------------------------------------- BRONZE SPONSOR ------------------------------------Beverly Ammons Margaret Beier M. Cotcamp Sue Abderholden Susan Asplund David Baldwin Jerry Dempsey Patricia Guerrero Beth Jensen Jeff Bangsberg Jill Bedow Janet Berndt Ericka Johnson Rosanne Kramnicz Steven McKeever Tom Brick Rick Cardenas Michael and Janice Chevrette Kathleen M. Miller Cindy Moore Jane & Albert Olson Margot Imdieke Cross Stephanie Cunningham Chris Duff Carla Reichenberg Ramona Sherer Paul W. Taylor M. Therese Gockenbach Luther Granquist Robert Gregory Kelli N-E Wysocki Diane Greig Lori Guzman Judy Haaversen Roger A. Hoffman David and Susan Houghton James R. House ------------------------------------- FRIEND SPONSOR ------------------------------------Dianna Krogstad Lolly Lijewski Ronna Linroth Lynda Adams Cheryl A. Anderson Matt Liveringhouse Paul & Corrine McNamara Christopher Meyer Mary Andresen David Baldwin Kathy Ball Joline Gitis & Steven Miles Bill Niederloh Manley & Ann Olson Don & Maggie Bania Marisa Bennett Patrick Bilbrey Louise Pattridge Mary & Henry Pattridge Catherine Reid & Liddy Rich Mike & Karen Bjorgan Susan Blaylock Bill Blom Rick & Debbie Ryan John Smith Peter & Pamela Stanfiel Maynard Bostrom Anita Boucher Bob Brick Mary Jane Steinhagen Erica Stern Eric and Caroline Stevens Wendy Brower Carlyn Bryngelson Susan Bulger J. Quinn Tierney Julie Wegscheid Linda Wolford Deah Cain Cathy Carlson Lynne Corneli Jerrold Wood Joe & JoAnn Zwack Marty Cushing Jolene Davis LeRoy deBoom AC Transportation Bridgeton Healthways Co. Neil Doughty Christine N. Drew Mel Duncan Dept. of Occupat’l Therapy-U of M Div. MN Rehab. Assoc Job Placement & Dvlpmt Craig Dunn Lee Ann Erickson Tom & Mimi Fogarty Merrick Companies Pat Siebert, MN Dis. Law Ctr. Dr. Robert A. Ganz Candace/David Gislason Tom Gode National Results Council Rep. Kevin Goodno Robert Gregory Nadine & Andy Groven Jimmie Hanson Ken Hennessey Anne Henry ------------------------------------- SILVER SPONSOR ------------------------------------Ellen & Skip Houghton Judy Hunt Beth Jensen Scott Beers Robert E. Buuck Catherine Eilers Cindy & Gregory Johnson Ericka Johnson Linnea Johnson Hoff David Grosvenor Martha Hage Dean Doering & Lisa Scribner Barb Kane Corbin Kidder Janet and Bill King Arc Hennepin County Courage Center Beth Knutson-Kolodzne Ann Kranz Sherry Lampman Help Yourself Job Placement and Development Division, MN Rehab Assn Sue Lasoff David Larson Linda Larson Mental Health Consumer/Survivor Network Mpls. Advisory Committee Linda Lattin LoRene Leikind Donna Liveringhouse Multiple Sclerosis Society Sister Kenny Institute Dorothy McCoy Tim McMillan Senator John Marty Twin City Transportation Vinland Center Cliff Miller Kathy Moran William O’Dowd Amy Olmscheid Dwight & Chris Porter Barbara Proehl ------------------------------------- GOLD SPONSOR ------------------------------------Virginia Puzak Julee Quarvee Peterson Mary Rapson Shirley Larson MATRIX Advocare Network Margaret Perryman Kim Rezek Stuart Rosen Ginger Rudberg Mary E. Rupert Patricia Rydeen Art Sauter ------------------------------------- DIAMOND SPONSOR ------------------------------------Elizabeth Smith Adele Spavin Diane Sprague Chris Berndt North Memorial Health Care Rapit Print Helen Thompson Gerry and Barb Tollakson Cathleen Urbain Caryl Wattman Mary Frank-Wawokiyawin Teri Welcher ------------------------------------- BENEFACTOR SPONSOR ------------------------------------Curt Wiehle David Wood Beth Wright Deluxe Corporation Handicabs Accord Health Care Services All Temporaries, Inc Alliance for the Mentally Ill of MN Arc of Anoka/Ramsey Cty Arc Suburban Arc Minnesota ------------------------------------- IN HONOR ------------------------------------Best Care Brain Injury Assn. of MN Kyle by Joe & JoAnn Zwack Consumer Council of The Alliance for the Mentally Ill Disabled Dealer Anne Henry by Karen Adamson Duluth Consumer & Family Regional Resource Ctr East Suburban Resources U of M Occupational Therapy Education Program by Erica Stern Equity Services-St. Paul Franciscan Sisters of St. Paul Work Incentive lawby LeAnne & Larry Dahl Forensic Alliance of Mentally Ill Fraser Community Services ------------------------------------- IN MEMORY------------------------------------Goodwill/Easter Seals Rochester Equipment Loan Home Health Care Bill & Renee Smith by Helen Thompson Kaposia Mankato Consumer & Family Reg. Resource Ctr MBW Company Troy Fahlenkamp and Valerie Birosh by David Dreier Bill & Renee Smith by Becky J. Bugbee-Tong Mabel Heuer by Dawn Doering Mental Health Assoc. of MN Mental Health Consumer Survivor Network of MN Bill Smith by Joe & Peg Figliuzzi Metro Mobility Service Center Staff MN Bio Brain Association Michael Graf by E. Alexandra Gray Bill Smith by Kathy & Paul West MN Developmental Achievement Center Assoc. (MnDACA) New Dimensions New Ways Northeast Contemporary Services Rise ------------------------------------- FOUNDATION SPONSOR ------------------------------------Park Rapids Consumer & Family Reg. Resource Ctr Resource The Medtronic Foundation S.M.I.L.E.S. St. Cloud Consumer/Family Reg. Resource Ctr United Cerebral Palsy of MN