September 2000 Issue

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Inside DPPD — p. 6

Volume 11, Number 9

Gore’s Proposal Explained — Page 7

SOURCES

September 10, 2000

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“Today’s opportunities erase yesterday’s failures.”

— Gene Brown

RESOURCES

September 10, 2000

SSA REGIONAL MEETING Social Security Administration (SSA) Discusses Work Incentives

by Jim Czechowicz

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Commissioner Of SSA Speaks

by Charlie Smith, Editor

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n August 1t, the Social Security Administration (SSA) held a forum in Chicago for Region V (Region V is comprised of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin). The forum was entitled “Federal Policy— State Opportunities: Models and Strategies for an Inclusive Workforce.” The purpose of the meeting was to provide public education on improving employment outcomes for people with disabilities.

During the forum I had the opportunity to interview Commissioner Apfel, the head of SSA. Our conversation focused on the recently passed Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act (TWWIIA). Under the new legislation, SSA will pick states to be demonstration projects. SSA will study these states for three to four years before implementing TWWIIA nationally. Minnesota is vying to be a demonstration project.

Currently people who are on Social Security Disability In-

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come (SSDI) cannot earn more than $700 per month. If they go over this limit, they lose their SSDI. The demonstration will allow people on SSDI to earn more than $700: for every $2 they earn over the $700, their SSDI will be reduced by $1.

AP: I understand that under the new legislation SSA is going to do some demonstration projects. What are the criteria for the demonstration projects? When will they be picked?

Apfel: I don’t have the timeline on when they’re going to be picked. Our goal is to develop 2-for-1 demonstrations. What we need to be able to show is that the $700 cliff does create a significant disincentive to work.

The Social Security Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program has a bridge of sorts and the SSDI program does not. Clearly the goal here is to be able to show what the implications of a 2-for-1 program would be in terms of work

activity and to be able to start building the case to be able to do something about the cliff at whatever the Substantially Gainful Activity (SGA) level is. We have new regulations that’ll be going into effect to index the SGA. I would like to see today that we have a law change to move towards a phase down so that there isn’t a hard number limit. If you look at the history here for retirees—retirement earnings tests, years and years ago, used to be an absolute dollar amount. And then over time became a threshold—where basically you lose x dollars for every x dollars of payments. It does not make sense to eliminate an earnings test for basic disability because eligiblity for benefits should not be based on disability alone with work being irrelevant to that. Instead, I would like to be thinking about the disability benefit, the cash benefit as we did with the retirement earnings test where the more one earns, the less they receive over time.

The way to start building that is through the demonstrations Comm. Apfel - cont. on p. 8

n Tuesday, August 1t, 2000, in Chicago, the St. Paul Plan to Achieve Self Sufficiency (PASS) cadre took part in a national/regional forum on disability, entitled “Federal Policy-State Opportunities: Models and Strategies for an Inclusive Workforce.” This gathering was another in a series of similar meetings held at various locations throughout the United States over the past year. One purpose for these forums is to bring together representatives from all facets of the disability community — providers, consumers, advocates — to exchange information, raise awareness, and increase the understanding of all parties involved in the laws and the lives of persons with disabilities.

Chicago Regional Commissioner, Jim Martin, opened the conference with gracious introductions and pertinent opening remarks. (Later on, Mr. Martin was part of a panel discussion and did the wrapup for the event.)

Next, SSA’s Deputy Commissioner for Disability and Income Security Programs, Dr. Susan Daniels, gave an informative and inspirational powerpoint presentation. Dr. Daniels recounted SSA’s past, present, and future, and some of SSA’s recent successes and challenges, in the area of service delivery of benefits to people with disabilities and their families.

The status of the implementation of the “Ticket to Work” legislation, and Office of Employment Support Programs’ (OESP) new website, were among the updates given by

SSA OESP Deputy Associate Commissioner, Mike Greenberg. Mike is confident that the “ticket” regulations will be in place by Sept 1, 2000, and that, by Jan 1, 2001, the “ticket” can be used by people with disabilities in selected states.

Along the same decidedlyupbeat theme, Mike gleefully reported that OESP’s website, www.ssa. gov/work, currently boasts 15,000 hits per week, compared with only 1000 per month one year ago.

Then a palpable hush, borne of collective respect for the man and his position, descended upon the ballroom, as Commissioner of Social Security Administration, Mr. Kenneth Apfel, gave the keynote address. A masterful orator, Mr. Apfel expressed his pride in the fact that the Workforce Improvement Act (WIA), and the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act (TWWIIA), are laws enacted during his tenure as SSA commissioner.

Said Commissioner Apfel: “TWWIIA and WIA are examples of how an educated, informed, activist, hard-hitting, and involved citizenry can change the laws and governance of society.” Continuing his praise for TWWIIA and WIA, Mr. Apfel recalled SSA’s 65th anniversary this month: “Just as there was a need 65 years ago to encourage inclusion and independence for America’s senior citizens, I am proud to be part of this system of laws (TWWIIA and WIA) that encourages that same spirit of inclusion in the workforce and independence for persons with disabilities...” He continued, “when I

began my career in rehab almost 30 years ago, independence and inclusion were just dreams.”

Commissioner Apfel reiterated what persons with disabilities know very well: that access to affordable health care is the single biggest barrier to work.

He also emphasized that only when persons with disabilities can trust SSA to give consistent and correct information, will they be more willing to risk losing their benefits. “I would like people with disabilities who wish to work, to view SSA as helping, not inhibiting,” said Apfel. Other measures affirming return-towork by persons with disabilities are, according to Commissioner Apfel, “individual empowerment (e.g., the ‘ticket to work’ legislation), a change to SSA’s internal structure (e.g., creation of OESP), the indexing of Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), raising the Student Earned Income Exclusion, easy ‘on-off’ benefits processes, and communication between SSA and other federal agencies such as the Department of Labor and Health and Human Services.”

In response to an audience question, Mr. Apfel said that he is against the notion of eliminating SGA altogether.

Mr. Apfel believes SGA can and should be a “ramp”, not a “cliff.” In that way, he says, SGA can actually be an incentive to encourage return to work.

After lunch, the forum’s audience of hundreds continued to hear from panels of notable leaders in the disability community on a variety of topics,

SSA Conf.- cont. on p. 8

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September 10, 2000 to go to work may have a bigger impact than the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

When people with disabilities are fully integrated into the workforce, the general population will be forced to interact and understand disability issues firsthand.

Charlie Smith Editor

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he Social Security articles on page 1 talk about a meeting that was held on August 1st to discuss the Work Incentive legislation which was recently passed on a federal level. This legislation will have some of the most profound impacts on people with disabilities. People being able

The other issue on page 1 is a conversation with Commissioner Apfel, the head of Social Security. During the interview, I was struck by the commissioner’s openness and genuine candor when it came to employing people with disabilities. I truly believe he wants this effort to go forward as fast as possible. Unfortunately, it may be four or five years before the Clinton proposals fully take effect.

**** Margot Imdieke-Cross has written an article about the difficulties she had accessing the new commuter car. (See below) Unfortunately, too many people with disabilities can relate to her experience. It becomes very frustrating when in today’s world, 10 years after the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), people still are not providing adequate access. What I think may be the most frustrating of all is people’s attitudes — they just don’t have a clue sometimes when it comes to providing accommodations for people with disabilities. Studies over the years have shown that making things accessible benefits society at-large.

Advocating Change Together (ACT) many years ago produced a button which read “Attitudes are the real disability.” More and more, I am becoming a believer in that saying. If we could change societies attitudes towards people with disabilities, I think almost everything else would fall in place. **** The Disability Culture article this month deals with a difficult issue (see page 5). In part, it raises the issue on whether or not genetic testing should you be used to weed out certain disabilities before birth.

This raises a whole host of ethical questions, if you know your child is going to be severely disabled and you’re able

to prevent it should you? On one side, you have disability leaders saying “disability brings richness to our society” and on the other side you have a parent saying “do I really want to be forced to deal with all the problems and issues disabled child/adult will have.” This debate will most likely never be resolved.

Both sides are equally divided and have valid viewpoints. **** I urge everyone to vote in the September 12th primary. Study up on the likely candidates for your Representatives and Senators. This will be an important election and we need to participate. In October we will carry information on the US Senate race.

Commuter Car Access? Still In Question!

by Margot Imdieke-Cross

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am continually amazed at how stupid otherwise fairly intelligent people can be. I sometimes convince myself that it is merely my perception of the situation, that there was some intelligence mixed in with the facts. On August 10th, though, when I visited the site of the future commuter rail station and sought to check out the train car for access, I truly found a group of people who were too

far gone to be believed.

A reliable source at the Met Council told me that if I wanted to view the commuter train car that we in the state of Minnesota would probably be using someday, I should head over to a downtown parking lot between 4:00 and 5:30. So on a hot and sweaty Thursday afternoon, I ventured into downtown Minneapolis, paid my $2.00 in the parking lot and

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headed directly over to the ager, was suddenly next to me and I demanded to know why commuter train display. there weren’t enough ramps.

I located the ramped entrance He looked at me and said into the train car—it was be- “We’ve got all the ramps that hind a fence. Now, to find the were available.” Available? entrance through the fence. Available from where? Did he The opening in the fence was do an exhaustive search quite a distance from the throughout the State of Minramped train car entrance and, nesota, or even the City of to make matters worse, the Minneapolis? Could he possientrance through the fence bly be telling me that in all of wasn’t accessible. There was a the Twin City area he could curb, ground covered with only find that single metal ramp wood chips, a rather steep in- that was placed by the entrance cline and a boardwalk consist- of the train car? Available? I ing of 8' pieces of plywood was truly stumped, could there which were placed together in be a severe metal ramp shortan awkward and disjointed age that I’m not aware of, a manner. shortage which could seriously impact our access into An individual from Northstar functions similar to this comimmediately approached who muter train display? It didn’t wanted to know if he could matter though, according to carry me down to the board- Tim, the train was preparing to walk. I said no and sarcasti- leave in one minute. I looked cally asked if this apparent lack him squarely in the eyes and of access was their definition said “I was told that the train of access. The moment grew car could be viewed from 4:00 increasingly heated as more to 5:30.” and more representatives of Northstar showed up and, with “Oh, no,” he replied, “that’s blank expressions and inane when the ice cream social was chatter, tried to figure out what happening, the train is leaving to do. It was apparent to me for Coon Rapids in one that I needed two ramps—one minute.” I repeated what I had to bring me up the curb and one been told and refused to back on the other side of the curb to down. get me down to the boardwalk.

Suddenly, a maintenance crew Tim Yontose, the Project Man- arrived and the crew leader asked if there was something he could do. “Do,” I said, “I need some ramps!”

ACCESS PRESS

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Editorial submissions and news releases on topics of interest to persons with disabilities, or persons serving those with disabilities, are welcomed.

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“You’ve got it!”—he didn’t miss a beat. As the crew leader shouted out orders to his crew, it quickly became apparent what

he was doing. He had his crew disassemble the ramp that was leading into the train car and place it at the curb. Again he shouted “Gentlemen, I need you to…” and six bodies flew into action. I looked around me and noticed that the onlookers and passengers, who had previously been simply annoyed with the woman in the wheelchair holding up their trip, were now visibly horrified at what was happening. I signaled the crew leader and called “Let’s forget it, I’m getting real self-conscious here.”

(that’s hard to believe, but let’s just make that assumption), but has anyone at Northstar ever heard of the Americans with Disabilities Act? It was signed into law 10 years ago! O.K., so let’s look at the big picture here, the players in this fiasco—Northstar, the MN Department of Transportation and the Met Council—have had anywhere from 10 to 27 years to get their act together and, in my opinion, the only people I’m talking to, who have any sort of clue, are the maintenance guys!

He insisted, “Ma’am, it’s my job to make sure people can get on the train, and I’m going to do my job!” With that he flew back into action.

The maintenance guys got me to the door identified as the wheelchair accessible entrance, by whom I don’t know.

As soon as I came through the door, an individual representing the manufacturer greeted me. I looked around and asked “ Where’s the wheelchair seating, the tie downs, the accessible restroom?”

As the maintenance crew was busy establishing an accessible path of travel for me, I took the opportunity to impart a few words of wisdom to Tim and his staff, or, more specifically, anyone within earshot.

They didn’t have one good reason for what happened.

Someone dropped the ball, someone decided that access to the curb and boardwalk wasn’t necessary, but it would look good to have a ramp propped up to one of the car doors.

“At the other end of the car,” he answered. The car was packed with people, the aisle was narrow, I would never make it to the other end of the train car. The idiots had identified the wrong door and I had run out of time and patience. I signaled the crew guy that had guided me over the boardwalk and up the ramp and we departed. I had barely gotten down the ramp when it was whisked away and the train started on its way to Coon Rapids.

I couldn’t believe my ears. Since the passage of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, access has been required in projects that receive or benefit from federal funding. O.K., maybe the commuter train system isn’t get- I seriously question if we ting a lick of federal funds Access - cont. on p. 4

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Model Cities Offers Free Diabetes Program

by Dori Gbolo

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September 10, 2000

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IN BRIEF . . . .

Dual Recovery Support Group T his group meets every to 6 pm at the Apollo Resource Paul. Participants learn and

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odel Cities Health Cen ter is offering a free clinic for people with diabetes to help them learn to live with the disease and to raise awareness.

The clinic will offer free testing and will teach self-management to those clients who are diabetic.

“It is critical to reach out, especially because many people are either unaware they have diabetes or they do not know how to keep it under control,” said Dori Gbolo, director of clinical programs at MCHC and manager of the diabetes clinic.

Diabetes disproportionately effects minority groups therefore MCHC wanted to be on the front line in offering help.

Those groups particularly effected by the disease include African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and Native Americans.

Between nine and 10 percent of African Americans and Hispanic Americans have diabetes. Among Native Americans, diabetes can affect up to 50 percent of adults.

“We can’t stress enough how important it is for our clients to come in and learn if they have diabetes but also learn how to control it. Many people are worried that they will never be able to control the disease and that just isn’t true,” Gbolo noted. “We are here to provide the help clients need.”

Diabetes is rising as the U.S. population ages and as more Americans become obese. The disease is the leading cause of adult blindness, end-stage kidney disease, and amputations of the foot or leg. In addition, people with diabetes have an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Death rates are twice as high among middle-aged people with diabetes as among middle-aged people without diabetes. Currently 16 million Americans have diabetes, at an estimated cost to the nation of around $100 billion each year.

and University Avenue) The MCHC clinic is part of the National Diabetes Education Program campaign called Control Your Diabetes for Life. The National Diabetes Education Program recommends that all people with diabetes get a diabetes blood test twice a year and talk with their health care providers about reaching their hemoglobin AlC goals. Research shows that keeping hemoglobin AlC levels at less than seven percent may reduce the risk of diabetes complications by 50 to 80 percent.

Thursday evening from 5 pm Center (651-227-6321) in St. practice a 12-Step Traditional format.

MCIL’s GLBT Support Group Support services for GLBT of each month meets 7 pm to 9 2001 TTY for more informapeople with disabilities.

Weekly support group meets Wednesday at 7 pm-8:30 pm.

Social night on the first Wed.

Self-help Support Group - New Location Recovery, Inc., offers a self- location at Lutheran Church of south lot of the church. For help method for dealing with depression, anger, fear, anxiety, or phobias. Starting Monday, August 21st Recovery, Inc. will have a new weekly meeting

For more information about the free MCHC diabetes clinic call (651) 290-9200. Model Cities Health Center is a full service health and dental clinic. Regu- The Hennepin County affililar clinic hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. ate of the National Alliance for Monday through Friday. Af- the Mentally Ill (NAMI) meets ter hours prompt care for the third Friday of every month non-life threatening health problems is open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday - Thursday and The MCHC diabetes clinic noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. Q is held on Thursdays at the Model Cities Health Center, 430 N. Dale St. (near Dale The ninth annual “Made In the Shade Walk, Run and Roll” gives walkers, runners and wheelers the opportunity to take a spin around Lake Calhoun for the benefit of people with mental retardation and related disabilities. It will take

Bring Your Boss to Lunch!

Thursday, Oct. 26, 2000

pm. MCIL also provides inde- tion. MCIL is a scent free facilpendent living services and ity. GLBT people with any information/referral. Call 651- disability welcome.

603-2028 voice and 651-603-

Peace, 47 Century Ave. S., Maplewood. The meetings are at 7 pm, free and open to the public. Take Century Ave. South off of I94 and park in the

information about the new Maplewood group or other groups call Donna, at 612-8245773.

NAMI Support Group Information at Mount Olivet Lutheran 9:00pm, Pete Feigal, President Church, at 50th & Knox in South (651) 310-9923.

Mpls. Support Groups at 6:30pm, Main Meeting 7:30-

Made In The Shade Walk, Run & Roll On Sept 30th place on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2000, at Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis. The registration booth and starting line will be located at Thomas Beach. The event is coordinated by Arc Hennepin County, Community Involvement Programs and

Partnership Resources, Inc. For more information, contact Arc Hennepin County (952-9200855) or the other coordinating agencies. Details are also available online at www.madein theshade.org.

Summit Avenue University Club 420 Summit Ave., St. Paul

The Saint Paul Mayor’s Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities is hosting a luncheon to recognize employers who hire people with disabilities.

Call Roger Schwagmeyer at 651-266-8891 for more information and to reserve your place.

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METROPOLITAN CENTER for INDEPENDENT LIVING MCIL offers services for people with disabilities, their families and friends, service providers, and interested community members in the 7-county metro area.

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September 10, 2000

Hello Nicole:

On Mental Illness

Nothing I’d Asked For, But Everything I’d Hoped For

by Pete Fiegal

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y July column, “George vs. ‘The Inner Tyrant”’ got a lot of interest from people who asked me to go into more detail about how my “Tyrant” works, and what works to stop him.

get well, I’ll never get what I want, I’ll always feel this way, I’ll always be left behind, I’ll always be alone, I’m ugly, I’m stupid, no one will ever love me. Whatever is “me” somehow slipped away, and I’ll never get it back. I’m damaged Self analysis is a little bit tricky, and wounded beyond repair, but it seems that the “Tyrant” and this is what I deserve.” is always there to ambush me, especially when I feel desper- That’s a small example of the ate or alone, when I feel ex- ‘Inner Tyrant’ on a nice day. hausted or defeated, when I’m It’s a formidable opponent, but in despair and isolated. And it’s not unbeatable. What like a wounded animal, I in- works the best for me is when stinctively return to my an- I can summon up enough mercy cient familiar place of darkness, to hit the “Tyrant” with reality. my old cave of pain. I curl up in I sometimes reason with it, the well-known dirty straw of sometimes soothe it, somemy injured psyche and “com- times get righteously pissed at fort” myself in the old habit of it: ripping at my wounds: “I am 45, but those years “I’ve lost the best years of my weren’t wasted. In reality those life to this illness. I’m 45, crawl- were the best years of my life, ing death-quick into middle because of all the learning I did age, and for 30+ years of that about myself and the world. time, I’ve battled coma-deep I’ve battled a disease that can depression.” be as lethal as cancer, a disease that strikes not just the “I’ve lost the chance for any body, but the soul, and I’m still financial security. When I was here. I’ve been given a PHD sick, I couldn’t work, when I course on the human condicouldn’t work, I had no insur- tion, something that is precious ance. My credit history is de- beyond measure.” stroyed by having enormous hospital bills that I couldn’t “I don’t have much money, pay, so they sent the bill to never have, and maybe never collection agencies that will. But because I’ve lived in hounded me for years. (They poverty, I feel grateful for what are so kind to you in the hospi- I do have. I know that I live like tal, and so unkind to you when a king compared to most of the you get out that it makes you world. Because I did without sick again so you have to go for so long, a simple meal seems back to the hospital where they like a banquet, a beater car that are so kind to you...)” gives me independence seems like a limo, a room to lay my “I’ll always have a beater for a head seems like a palace.” car, I’ll always rent a crummy, little apartment, I’ll always get “I will probably never have a my clothes at Goodwill, I’ll al- child, and that breaks my heart. ways eat at McDonalds, I’ll But I’m so lucky to be working never have a family, no chil- with other people who have dren, no grandchildren. I’ll been wounded, and they trust never get to travel to all the me and look up to me, and they places I’ve read about, that are my children, my family.”

I’ve dreamed about. I’ll never

“And as for my wounds and my scars, they haven’t destroyed me, they’ve made me who I am. My scars are all on the front, not on my back. I’ve always stood and fought.”

“And when I get to heaven, and have to answer for the time I was given, God isn’t going to ask to see my bank book. He isn’t going to ask to see my medals and awards. He’s going to ask to see my wounds, my scars, what battles I went through, what I sacrificed to help myself and the world.

What pains I took on behalf of others.”

It doesn’t work 100%, but it’s a start. It’s one weapon against despair, because I’m not damaged beyond repair, and I don’t deserve to suffer. And the same goes for all children of God. I asked God for strength, that I might achieve; I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey I asked for health, that I might do greater things I was given infirmity, that I might do better things, I asked for riches, that I might be happy.

I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men; I was given weakness, that I might feel the need for God; I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life; I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for but everything I had hoped for; Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.

I, among all men, am most richly blessed.

(Prayer of an unknown, wounded confederate soldier) Q

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Dear Nicole, I am really bothered by my disability’s effects on my appearance. At seventeen, I only weigh fifty pounds. I fit into a size fourteen in little girls! I get really sick of people thinking that I starve myself. I don’t know what person in their right mind would want to be THIS thin. It seems like everywhere I go there’s someone trying to stuff a big plate of food down my throat so they can “fatten me up.” I feel really strange at restaurants or when I eat in front of a group of people because they always take notice at what I order and how much of it I eat. I don’t eat as much as everyone wants me to because, well quite frankly, I have no where to put all that food!

Another thing I don’t like is how it takes me FOREVER to eat. I try to turn down invitations to go out to eat but this makes people think I am really weird too! I just don’t know what to tell them anymore and, honestly, I think they are all rude to be so in my face about it. Don’t you? What would you tell people who kept saying you are “TOO SMALL!” as if YOU didn’t know!

ability making it hard to chew but my problem was greatly compounded by my nervousness over eating with everyone commenting and shaming me for my eating habits. Since then, I have figured out how to make foods edible to me by blending them or overcooking so that my weight is no longer a problem. However, the nervousness and self consciousness about eating has not gone away as emotional scars take much longer to heal.

It is hard enough trying to “fit in” as a disabled person without having special negative attention drawn to our differences. I think that it would’ve been so easy for someone to say to me, “Is there anything I can do to help you eat?” Part of the reason my weight problem went on so long is that I was too ashamed to tell anyone I was having trouble chewing. I already felt bad about myself and so this would prove there was something wrong with me. I made the choice to starve rather than let people think there was something wrong with me.

It¹s easy to react defensively when others are pressuring you. You have every right to be angry. But if I were going to do something different than I did, I would have tried harder to just be open. To say, “Yes I know my weight bothers me too but I can¹t eat that plate of food because” or “I know you are trying to help but what you¹re doing is making me feel worse.” You need support not force. This style of talking might be more helpful in getting support. On the other hand, if you need to just be rude or silent sometimes that is perfectly OK, you are only human.

ACCESS -

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

There is nothing wrong with you for being small. You are a valuable person regardless of your weight, appearance or ability. It is unfortunate that people can be so insensitive and judgmental. But, by watching them, we see how important it is to be caring and sensitive toward others. One caring person can make all the difference in the world.

— Nicole

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.

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Yes, I do think it is rude for people to be so intrusive and overbearing about your eating. Unfortunately, a lot of people just don’t know how to approach this kind of problem - it seems so simple: “Just eat!”

I remember getting very angry when people tried to force me to eat like I were an obstinate child. I know they were worried about me and thought they were doing what was best, but, because no one understood my issues, there was an underlying condescension and impatience in their demand to eat.

For all of us, disabled or not, what others think of us is of Sincerely, Too Small utmost importance. Of course there are always those who Dear Small, say they don’t care what other people think, but they are not I can really relate to this ques- being honest. Everyone cares. tion because when I was fif- We want others to respect us teen years old I weighed forty- and like us. Human nature is eight pounds. It also took me social and naturally we want to forever to eat and people were fit in and be accepted. Our teen constantly telling me I looked years are when we are sup- Eventually I found that allike a starving person. My low posed to be learning how we fit though I believed “everyone” weight was caused by my dis- in. It makes a lot of sense that was disgusted about my weight there were a few people who cared and weren’t judging me. With the support of Cont. from p. 2 these people I gradually started should put our trust in a com- cause this could have been a to talk about my problems eatmuter company that can’t even charge of discrimination in- ing. Talking about it not only provide basic access to a site. stead of an article in this news- opened the way to begin solvIt concerns me that the guy in paper. Give the maintenance ing the problem but also eased charge worried more about the guys a raise! And the next some of the burden around my train leaving on time than he time you plan to do some- deep dark secret. When we are did about a legal obligation to thing that includes the pub- in pain we need love and acprovide access. Additional lic, maybe you should use a ceptance; if instead we receive words of wisdom for Northstar: little common sense, or, if you harsh judgement the hurtful Get with the program; provide can’t find any, consult some- results can be long lasting. the access that’s required by one who knows more about Even now I am uncomfortable law, and that includes site ac- access than you do, shouldn’t eating because of all the time I ate under scrutiny and shame. cess. Smarten up quick be- be hard! Q

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your weight, trouble eating and people’s reactions to you would be especially painful right now, although I am sure it would bother anyone of any age to be treated the way you are.

Question? Complaint?

Comment?

Write to Nicole: % Access Press, 1821 University Ave. W,#185 N; St. Paul, MN 55104; HelloNicoleAccess@yahoo.com

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September 10, 2000

Disability Culture

Religion and Disability

Disability As Human Variation

Introspection & Spirituality

by John Schatzlein

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by Lolly Lijewski

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ecently, I found a manuscript on “Disability As Human Variation,” by Richard K. Scotch and Kay Schriner. It raises some interesting, and to some people, possibly disturbing ideas.

Will the “rights-based” model of disability serve us well as we move into the 21st century?

Scotch and Schriner agree that a civil rights based model of disability has brought people with disabilities into the mainstream. It has given us IDEA and the ADA. Equating the prejudice and discrimination that people with disabilities experience to that of people of color or other minority groups has been useful in moving forward the cause of disability rights, but it does not go far enough.

bal economy develops, that people with disabilities may be left farther and farther behind.

In fact it may work the opposite. We are seeing a move in marketing toward customerspecific advertising. If you visit a web site it may ask you what products you wish to receive information on and then send you information on only those products. You can customize the kind and amount of news you wish to receive in your email box.

This kind of specific customization certainly has ramifications for personal privacy, but it may have an unexpected effect on the participation of people with disabilities in society.

Those in power in the market place are beginning to understand the value of “narrow casting,” or nitch markets. A “hands-free” cell phone has more application than for someone who is unable to use their hands to hold a phone. For better or worse, non-disabled drivers find this a useful device as well.

like AIDS or cancer. It does mean that we need to take a closer look at our motivations for such research and at the ramifications of our actions resulting from such cures. It also means we should be looking at the way we create systems and institutions and ask ourselves if these creations provide increased access to more people, or do they erect new barriers to societal participation?

very now and then it is important to take some time to took inside and see what we think about our spirituality values. Perhaps we look at where they came from or ask ourselves if we made a conscious choice about them and we didn’t, should we adjust some of our thoughts.

With our ever-increasing awareness of continued racism (profiling), prejudices of and toward persons with differences such as physical, cognitive or mental functioning, partner choices, cultural or ethnic differences, we much challenge ourselves to grow and change when necessary.

While I was reading from Sharing the Journey, by Ellen Cook, for an ongoing spirituality group we do for persons with developmental disabilities, I found a exercise that made me think about faith or spirituality issues relating to persons with developmental disabilities, While doing this, I quickly realized it applied to a much broader population of people: all of us.

With minor modifications to language, I present this reflection tool. Take some time to see where you fit. Think about why you responded the way you did. See if you need to adjust your position, Take the outcome and apply it positively so that you support growth, inclusion and true respect and concern for all persons. It may apply to our positions relating to any person that is different from ourselves. I like to use the term functional limitation rather than disability. We can have In a model of human variation, functional limitations and abilities at the same time. the word disability will probWhere Do You Stand? ably no longer apply. Currently, this word is useful in its acknowledgement of the dif- If you agree with either of the following pairs of contradictory statements, put an X next to the ference between the in con- statement on the adjoining line. If you agree with neither statement put an X in the middle of the gruency of the person’s differ- line. If you tend to agree with a statement, but not fully, put an X fairly near the statement. ence, (i.e. paraplegia,) and the dominant part of the human God, or one’s higher spirit, is the cause of God, or one’s higher spirit, does not cause continuum, which is non-dis- all things, including functional limitations. functional limitations. abled. The word disability forces non-disabled people to Life can be fine even for a family with a Life can never again be quite as good after stare that difference in the face. member who is functionally limited. a functionally limited member comes into a In the model of human variafamily. tion, disability simply “is.” It’s a valued part of the human People who are significantly functionally Functionally limited people have the same continuum. limited do not need to “work” to get to religious needs as anyone else and need heaven. religious, sacramental and/or spirituality It is important to note here that education. at any time we move between the models of disability within Children should be brought up with the If a Faith Community does not meet the society, which we have talked same faith or spirituality principles as their special needs of a child, the family should about in this collumn and in parents. switch to a better congregation. previous columns. While the disability rights movement If a person is functionally limited, she or he Functionally limited people bring gifts to clearly has moved into a “inter- will never be able to fully participate in the Faith Communities and should be fully actional,” or minority model Faith Community. welcomed. perspective of disability, the systems, which people with disabilities must navigate on a will be forced to take a closer Please patronize your daily basis, are still transition- look at the disability experiAccess Press Advertisers — ing from a medical model to a ence as their family members and tell them where minority model mode of pro- move into that portion of the viding services. continuum. Q you heard about them.

Scotch and Schriner say that there will always be those who live on the margins even within the community of people with disabilities. There are always human variations that concepts such as Universal Design do not address. There will always be people for whom accommodations made, generally as a result of civil rights The concept of a “human varialaws like the ADA, will not tion model,” in essence resuffice. verses the hypothesis of the “moral model.” The “moral Several years ago, in an inter- model,” says that if you have a view for this column, I spoke disability something is intrinwith Paul Longmore, disability sically wrong with you. The historian. He said at that time very existence of a person with the individuality of disability a disability in the moral model may be its greatest lesson to sets the cosmos off balance. contribute to society. By that he meant that within the com- In the model of “human variamunity there are variations tion,” disability is only a part of even within the specific seg- the continuum of human expements of the community such rience. If one tries to eliminate As the baby boom generation as; blindness, deafness, spi- disability the human con- ages and more people acquire nal cord injured, etc. tinuum is set off balance. age-related disabilities, this variation will become a larger As a blind person what works Throughout history, as we part of the human continuum. for me may not work for the have sought to eliminate dis- Again, non-disabled people next blind person and so on, ease, invariably another dishence, the concept of human ease, or more than one disvariation. ease, has taken the place of that which we tried to elimiOne would think that as our nate. This does not mean that society becomes more techno- we should stop trying to do logically advanced and the glo- research on cures for diseases

Lolly Lijewski is the Manager of Advocacy Services at The Metropolitan Center For Independent Living—(651) 603-2022.

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September 10, 2000

Health Care In Minnesota Prospects For People With Disabilities

by Jeff Nygaard

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ast month ACCESS PRESS described the failure of the State of Minnesota’s attempt to enroll people with disabilities in “managed care” health plans. This month we will talk about the positive legacy of the years-long process called the Demonstration Project for People with Disabilities, or DPPD, with emphasis on what was learned from the process.

The Positive Legacy of DPPD One thing that the DPPD process gave the community was an ongoing face-to-face discussion between people with disabilities and the people involved in providing health care to the community. In numerous meetings over the past five years, hundreds of Minnesotans met to work out contract terms, to analyze provider systems, to identify areas of

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unmet needs, and to envision a new health care model for the state. In the process, people with disabilities developed relationships with county workers, state workers, and health care providers. The result is that lines of communication were established, and the gap between consumers and providers of health care began to narrow.

In a June meeting held to assess the DPPD, a consumer stated that one result of the process was that “the DHS [State Department of Human Services, the agency in charge of coordinating health care in Minnesota] started listening to people with disabilities,” with the result that there is now a “less adversarial” stance on the part of the community toward the DHS. Other people echoed this theme of improved communication between public employees and the disability community, agreeing that all sides - consumers, officials, and providers - now understand the issues better. For one consumer, the entire process underlined an important point: “There are fine and car-

Speech Disabled and Need Help Using the Telephone?

ing providers in the community!” Perhaps the fact that this truth had gotten lost tells us something of the degree of disconnect between health care consumers and providers under the current system.

Principles for a New System While the DPPD experiment has been abandoned as a failure, there is nonetheless wide agreement that, as the DHS’ Pam Parker put it, “We know the system isn’t very efficient, and it doesn’t work very well for people. We know the system can work better.” And out of the DPPD process a tentative consensus has begun to emerge as to the principles that must underlie whatever healthcare system does evolve to replace the current fragmented and inefficient one. As enunciated by Kathleen Schuler, Minnesota Disabilities Health Options coordinator at DHS, a health care system should emphasize:

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A HOLISTIC APPROACH. The system should focus on the “big picture” of a person’s life, concentrating on wellness rather than sickness.

SELF DETERMINATION. Health care recipients should be in charge of their own care to the maximum extent possible.

DISABILITY COMPETENCE. Health care providers should have experience and expertise in meeting the particular needs of people with disabilities.

ADA ACCESSIBILITY. Health care services should be fully accessible and aimed at providing the same options for people with disabilities as are available to the general public.

COORDINATED CARE. Different providers, services, and helpers should all

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be “on the same page,” with their efforts supporting and reinforcing each other.

INDEPENDENT LIVING. Care should support people to live independently in the community. The DPPD process began with cost-saving as the primary motivation. However, as the process went on, evidence began to emerge indicating that the level of unmet healthcare needs in the state of Minnesota up to now is greater than had been imagined. This led the DHS’ Schuler to say that, during the DPPD process, “self-determination and better care became primary, costs secondary.”

Since very few people with disabilities have the means to pay for their own care out-ofpocket, the ultimate responsibility for providing necessary funding falls to the state and federal governments. As one parent of a child with multiple disabilities stated, “The most effective way to change things is to work with the legislature.”

What Comes Next?

One health care administrator told ACCESS PRESS, “What we hear over and over is that the system is broken. Period.”

While there is much agreement on this point, among providers, consumers, and state and county officials, there is less agreement on exactly what Everyone agrees that “better should replace the current feecare” will require better man- for-service Medicaid/Mediagement and coordination. care system.

And, as disability health-care analyst Jim Verdier points out, At the present time, there is “Care coordination costs only one voluntary managed money.” He explained that, care system available to people while “sometimes you can fund with disabilities in Minnesota. the increased costs by the sav- AXIS Healthcare, a collaboraings that care coordination tion between the Courage Cenbrings in terms of reducing ter, Sister Kenny Institute, and overuse/misuse of resources, the health plan UCare Minnepoor coordination and ineffi- sota, is a pilot project of manciencies or ineffectiveness in aged health care that serves a the current system,” it is unre- small number of people with alistic to expect cost savings in disabilities (roughly 30) who the short term, due to the costs have enrolled on a voluntary of transition and the unknown basis. They hope to be fully costs in any new system of open to enrollment by January attempting to meet currently- 1st, according to spokesman Chris Duff. ACCESS PRESS unmet needs. reported on the AXIS program Again and again, advocates, in the July issue. For more recipients, officials, and experts information on AXIS, call 651stressed the importance of 641-0887. adequate funding in providing good health care to the citizens This past March the Legislaof Minnesota. Citing only one ture authorized the Department of many possible examples, of Human Services to “impleactivist Jeff Bangsberg pointed ment demonstration projects out that the disability care sys- to create alternative integrated tem is facing an acute shortage delivery systems” for people of caregivers, due in part to the with disabilities “that provide low hourly wage paid in the increased coordination, imstate.

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September 10, 2000

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Social Security: Al Gore’s Proposal Explained

by Jeff Nygaard

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n June, Access Press focused on George W. Bush’s proposal for Social Security.

This month we will look at candidate Al Gore’s side of the “debate that could dominate the presidential campaign.”

The most important feature of Mr. Bush’s proposal for the future of Social Security is that he would take some money out of the current Social Security system and divert it into private Personal Retirement Accounts, or PRAs. This approach is often (and somewhat misleadingly) referred to as “privatization.” Candidate Gore unambiguously rejects this idea. Gore’s proposal would retain the essential character of the Social Security program as a “pay-as-you-go” system of social insurance, with the costs and risks spread among the entire working population.

While their different answers to the question “To privatize or not to privatize?” is the essence of the differences between the two candidates, there is more to the story. Mr. Gore also proposes to alter the traditional funding of the pro-

gram in a significant way, and to address some of the aspects of the program that have become increasingly unfair to American women.

Effects on Disability and Survivor Benefits Mr. Gore promises that his plan would involve no benefit cuts, and by choosing to retain the basic “pay-as-you-go” character of the program, that would most likely be true for the one third of Social Security beneficiaries who are Americans with disabilities, survivors and their families. Under Mr. Bush’s PRA system, benefits paid by traditional Social Security would almost certainly have to be cut to pay for the costs of transition to the new program.

These cuts would greatly affect recipients of disability and survivors’ benefits, since the PRA accounts would be designed strictly to provide retirement income.

Increased Progressivity in Funding Mr. Gore’s proposal would make a significant change in the financing of the Social Security system by, in effect, switching from a total reliance

on a flat payroll tax to a system progressive and the current ways that the program has these women by, on average, partially paid for out of general Social Security tax is some- fallen short in protecting about $600 a year. what regressive. women. revenues.

Secondly, Gore proposes inTwo notes of caution: First of First of all, the formula used to creasing benefits for elderly In a nutshell, what Mr. Gore all, Al Gore could only be Presicalculate Social Security benwidows. Currently, a retired proposes is to use the money dent until 2009 at the latest.

His efits is based on a 35-year work couple receives Social Secuin the general budget surplus plan calls for the diverting of life.

Each year out of the rity benefits for both the husto pay off the national debt. He this money to begin in 2011. workforce spent caring for kids band and the wife. A woman would then dedicate the money who has not worked will reExactly how he would bind the or an ailing parent counts as that would have been spent on ceive ½ of her husband’s benactions of the president and/or zero in calculating benefits. paying the interest on that debt efit, and her husband will rethe Congress after he is gone is Since women do most of this - some $100-200 billion per year ceive his full benefit, so the not at all clear.

Secondly, there work, this means that up to starting in 2011 - and apply it to couple will receive one-andare many factors that could now women have been, in efpaying Social Security benone/half times the single benreduce the size of the projected fect, penalized by Social Secuefits. This would extend the efit. If the wife also worked for surpluses upon which his rity.

Mr. Gore proposes a credit solvency of the program from wages, she receives her bengrand plan depends.

There is system that would increase the currently-projected 2037 to an obvious danger in counting Social Security benefits for Gore - cont. on p. 10 the year 2050. one’s chickens before they Mr. Gore’s proposal would in- hatch. volve a significant shift in the Benefits for Women responsibility for paying benThe other major initiative proefits in the future. Here’s how: posed by Mr. Gore would inSince interest on the national crease benefits for women. debt is paid for out of general Women tend to live longer than revenues, and Social Security men and thus rely more heavily benefits are paid for by a tax on on the guaranteed, lifelong, and wages (and only wages up to inflation-protected benefits $72,000/year) Mr. Gore’s proposal would in effect shift a provided by traditional Social significant share of the fund- Security. Beyond retaining ing of Social Security from the these protections of the curpayroll to the income tax, which rent system - protections that is the source of most of our would not exist under a private general revenues. This would account system - Mr. Gore probe a more progressive funding poses making two changes that system, since the income tax is would address some of the

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September 10, 2000

COMM. APFEL - Cont. from p. 1 and also through the ticket and new regulatory changes all built in towards a framework towards work. It would seem to me that this is a few years off to document such a program, but that is the way we’re moving. That would be my hope in the long term.

AP: Another issue that is happening in Minnesota, and we’re not sure why, but, in MN, the western side of the state is service through Denver and then the other side of the state is serviced through Chicago.

What’s happening is that Denver’s people are giving answers that differ from the answers of the Chicago people.

The work incentive connection that’s working with both and also the people in Western MN that are served by a couple centers for independent living are getting different answers for the same questions.

Apfel: What we will do, what I’ll do today is bring the Denver people and the Chicago people together to hash through all of the issues and if there are some problems with communication that’s exactly the current that we need to clear up. So, what we should do is bring this back as an action-item to Denver and to Chicago and set something up to get them formed together and on the same page with both regional people in Western and Eastern Minnesota.

[On the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, President Clinton proposed three new changes to the Social Security system: 1) Make automatic adjustments each year to the substantial gainful activity level (currently $700) for individuals with impairments other than blindness, based on any increases in the national average wage index.

2) Increase the maximum amount from $200 to $530 that an SSDI beneficiary may make in a month during the nine-month Trial Work Period. This would allow people to ease into employment without using up their Trial Work months until they are really ready to go to work on a regular basis. The new amount would be increased each year, based on Social Security’s national average wage index.

3) Increase the maximum monthly (from $400 to $1,290) and yearly (from $1,620 to $5,200) Student Earned Income. Exclusion amounts we use in determining Supplemental Security Income eligibility and payments, and automatically adjust the monthly and yearly exclusion amounts each year thereafter based on any increases in the cost of living index.]

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AP: How quickly are the recent proposals that Pres.

Clinton announced going to go into effect?

Apfel: They will go into effect on Jan. 1. The regulations come out this week in proposed form.

There will be comments of course. And then the final regulations are probably 90 days away, for an effective date of Jan. 1st. I don’t envision any significant changes to the proposals. I anticipate the comments are all going to be very favorable. This is part of our changing of the mindset away from cash eligibility, eligibility determination and more towards incentives for work. I think all three of them are pretty important steps. On all three of them, the most important thing is to establish index as a principle that what we’ve seen over time, and, you’ve known this for years, is that basically there’s an ad hoc increase for a period of time that can be years and years and years.

Now, it will take, after this regulation takes effect it will take some action by a future commissioner to de-index a program, which I think will cause quite a bit of commotion. So I think once established, we changed the boundaries and dynamics very significantly for all three. The one that will affect the least number of people is the student program.

I think the effect of this one in the long-term might be understated. This could create an incentive for people with disabilities to go back to school because it could be another income source that can come from being on the SSI benefit.

To be able to have up to $50100 a year of added income so that could create an added incentive to go back to school.

And the other one is also, as you know, so many people, even with complete degrees, aren’t working. The unemployment rate is still really high for persons with disabilities with bachelor’s degrees. So creating the opportunity to be able to test the workforce during school, I think, is one of the important things to be able to do. All of these things I think are not just additive. I’m hoping that all of these things become multiplicative.

AP: So that each person can pick the different options they need.

change that overall dynamic.

And I have all of these things arranged — both the ticket, the health care extensions, the medicaid expansions, the changes in regulations, the major increase of SGA. A year ago now the indexing. Are all aimed in trying to create a dynamic for change, with much more of a focus on work.

process and it will change, and I know every-body’s been looking forward to it, but I know when our office got flooded with calls after the signing of the TWWIIA bill. People wanted to know “OK can I go to work now?” The answer was “No. Just wait.” All of the regulations have to be drawn up.

the fact that “people with disabilities should not have to wait one more day.” You know I think that’s true, but what you had to tell people is that it’s not today. That there are some opportunities Health Care is triggering I think it’s October 1, which is good. SGA is now in effect, which is a big bump up, it helps. The new one — indexing — would be next AP: I’ve been disabled for 33 Apfel: I’m going to give a quote January 1. The ticket will be years now. One of the things in here from Pres. Clinton about starting in the first dozen states that I find is that people want to go to work, they really do.

Whether it’s a part time job at a K-Mart or Wal-Mart.

Cont. from p. 1 For myself and many of my friends, Vocational Rehab paid including Medicaid buy-in SSA disability benefits. The our education, we graduated and interagency cooperation. panel stated that they hoped from college, and we ran into new and future legislation will the barriers to work which were Following this segment, a par- focus on making going on and always the Medicaid, health- ticular question from an ad- off SSA’s programs as unobcare and Social Security rules. vocate drew much attention trusive as possible. [Ed. note: This is really an exciting time from the panel: “How can we This writer is proud to add that for everyone and it’s real evi- (advocates) enthusiastically for the past four years, and dent with our Medicaid buy-in promote returning-to-work with demonstrable success, the in Minnesota. All the people for our clients if, by so doing, 40 or so PASS specialists that are rushing into work, and they are possibly, irrevers- throughout the nation have I think it’s great that Social ibly, severing their benefits- helped make returning-to-work Security is looking at chang- connection with SSA/SSI?” more plausible, more accesing all of these programs, but The panel’s response was to sible, and less scary to perto be honest it’s one of those say that this conundrum sons with disabilities. things where we want it now. (“paradox,” if you will) is, in a We want the 2-for-1, we want sense, the eternal question The last segment of the forum to show that we do want to go faced by persons receiving was spent in state-by-state to work — and you’re right it is a risk — when the demonstration goes into effect, how long will those demonstrations be?

And we’ve heard that there may only be 200 people eligible for a demonstration. That seems really odd to us.

or so in January. I don’t know if Minnesota is going to be one or if it’s Wisconsin or Illinois. Once that decision gets made, there will only be some states at first as it starts to move forward towards a three-year implementation. It’s going to take time. As far as I’m concerned the faster the better.

AP: We join in with you there.

Well, thank you very much. Q

SSA CONF. -

Apfel: I don’t want to think about the size or the scope.

The one thing that I’ll say about that and I’ll probably say more about that in here is that big institutional change takes time and it really does.

Legislation takes time and implementation takes time. It’s not just an on/off switch. Look at the job training network that you’re hearing about now for the first time. Really this is an area where they have not served persons with disabilities historically. And now there’s a new system to really offer the opportunity for a really significant increase in their service space. It’s going to take some years for them to start to learn how to do that right and to provide the right opportunities and, as much as I would love to provide the right opportunities right away, the only thing I’ve learned in my years of advocacy and in government is it takes time. It takes absolute shoulder-to-thewheel hard work and perseverence, but what I’m excited about is that I see us starting to significantly move in the right direction in terms of those changes. I’d like it all now, too.

But, when I think back to years and years ago, we’ve come an awful long way

Apfel: And also between higher amounts, extended health care coverage, that we’re changing the dynamics so individuals will risk work. I think that right now for years it’s a risky proposition –potential for losing health care, for losing benefits.

Once you lose benefits, how do you get back on the system? Is there a change in condition or a change in working AP: There’s no doubt that it circumstances? We’ve got to really is exciting that it’s in

breakout sessions. These sessions were designed to brainstorm and hypothesize about issues of local importance and relevance.

The St. Paul PASS cadre would like to thank the organizers and presenters for the opportunity to attend this informative event.

If you have a question about this conference or any returnto-work subject, please contact the St. Paul PASS cadre at 1-800-551-9796. Q

Renaissance

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September 10, 2000

Changes In Hennepin DPPD - Cont. from p. 6 County Services From ADA prove access to quality services, and mitigate future cost increases.” (S.F. No. 2901, Sec. 10, Subd. 23)

by Joanne Rafferty

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he Hennepin County CareS planning team continues efforts to create a better health care delivery management system. To gain a better understanding of the current focus within Hennepin County, Jim Ramnaraine, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Coordinator for Hennepin County (HC) provided history to changes that have benefited both HC consumers and staff in over 10 years of service within the county. His position is the direct result of passage of the ADA legislation passed July 26, 1990 and signed into law by President George Bush.

changes for individuals. Supervisors are now more aware of what people’s rights are under the ADA, in addition to being accountable to the county for making necessary accommodations to employees.”

Ramnarine’s role has changed from “the strict implementation and oversight of ADA practices to working 1:1 with county employees with job retention issues.” He often finds himself assisting employees/people who are ‘newly disabled’ and therefore unfamiliar with the available resources.

He directs people to resources related to a specific disability.

For example, in assisting a person newly diagnosed with ataxia, Jim would define ataxia, then, find informational resources, and locate local support groups.

“The most significant changes I’ve seen are changes in the attitudes with two groups of people, the people with disabilities and supervisors of employees with disabilities,” said Jim.

Since many of the architectural changes and training of both supervisors and providers (vendors) have reached a satisfactory stage, he estimates 60% of his time is now spent with ADA issues/training and 40% directed to cultural diversity. He mentions,“for Hennepin County as an employer, there are more incentives to work with people and their health conditions to support longer term employment, to work through the process together.” The process may

He continued “more consumers are asking for their rights from employers and health providers”. Since they are better educated, knowing that ADA exists, consumers now know what accommodations may be available.”

In one example, he described assisting a consumer/employer with a hidden disability asking to work part-time rather than full-time for reasons related to functional limitations.

He added, “Since completing ADA training, supervisors are now more open to making

involve obtaining information from a doctor, implementation and evaluation of the accommodation alternatives, and/or ongoing case management.

Ramnarine also coordinated special events highlighting the progress of the ADA. On Wednesday, August 2 the ADA Celebration/Tech Fair took place in the Government Center, which included updates of assistive technology devices used within the county, such as specialized computers, chairs, lifts, and listening devices.

HC Adult Services also scheduled four showings of “Disability Culture Rap”, a 22 minute video and opportunity for discussion which looks at issues like freedom of choice, disability pride, independent living, the power of language and images, sexuality, community and right to live with dignity. After viewing the video, Paul Norman, Program Manager in the Disability Service Group, Adult Services Department, commented “there are additional persons who are differently-abled so the work must continue until all realize their full potential.”

If you would like information about Adult Services, Managed Care Initiatives contact Joanne Rafferty at 612.348.7327 or TTY 612.596.6758. Q

In accord with this authorization, the State Department of Human Services is developing a program called Minnesota Disability Health Options (MDHO). This will be a managed care health plan with voluntary enrollment for Medicaid-eligible adults with a primary physical disability who

reside in Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, or Dakota counties.

For more information on MDHO, call Kathleen Schuler at DHS, 651-297-2070.

Many advocates agree that the Demonstration Project for People with Disabilities has left us with improved communication and higher levels of trust between the community of people with disabilities and those who serve them. The process has also brought into

focus a set of goals that appear to be more clear and widelyshared than before the DPPD began, and a more realistic idea of the true financial costs of a health-care system for people with disabilities. Activists and officials alike hope that this legacy of knowledge and trust can pave the way for the creation of a new system in which, as one activist put it, “people with disabilities control their own care.” Q

Martha Hage’s RADIO SHOW Disabled & Proud, It’s Not An Oxymoron September 12th Preempted for a broadcast of election results.

September 19th Dennis Bartlett from Freedom of Speech discusses advances in assistive technology for people who are blind.

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September 10, 2000

GORE -

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Access To Employment

EMPLOYMENT ADS ARE $14 A COL. INCH; SEPT 29 IS THE DEADLINE FOR THE OCT 10 ISSUE. Cont. from p. 7 Mail to: ACCESS PRESS • 1821 University Ave • #185N • St. Paul, MN 55104 More Advs on page 11 efit and he receives his. Under Fax 651-644-2136 • E-mail: access@wavetech.net current law, if the husband dies Administrative ENTRY LEVEL OR EDITOR FOR the wife is entitled to a single EXPERIENCED TEACHER CUSTOMIZED TESTS benefit, the larger of the two.

POSITION HOSPITALITY This could result in her ben- SERVICES ASSISTANT AGS, a leading publisher of efits being cut almost in half. tests and instructional materi- William Mitchell College of Faegre & Benson LLP, als, is seeking to fill an Editor Law invites applications for a Under Mr. Gore’s plan, wid- Minnesota’s second largest position in Assessment Ser- tenure track position in its J.D. ows would be allowed to re- law firm, has an immediate vices. This person will perform program, to begin the 2001-2002 ceive 75% of pre-widowhood opening for a Hospitality Ser- copy editing and content edit- academic year. Candidates with benefits, which his campaign vices Assistant. This position ing for test development interest in any area of the cursays will result in increased will assist in ordering food for projects, and will work with riculum, including clinical and benefits for 3 million women. meetings; setting up various design and production staff in teaching skills, are encouraged functions & meetings; main- planning and creating experi- to apply. Candidates should Mr. Gore’s two initiatives for taining log books of food or- mental and final components. have excellent academic crewomen would consume about ders & inventory, along with The Editor is responsible for dentials and at least three years 5% of projected Social Secu- numerous other duties. Candi- the accuracy and integrity of of professional experience; we rity surpluses. As stated dates should have at least 1 all product components, which are looking for persons who above, there are risks involved year administrative experience; must meet contractors’ unique demonstrate scholarly interest, in committing to the spending strong computer skills & at- requirements exactly. The po- teaching aptitude, strong comof money that exists only in the tention to detail; ability to com- sition requires the highest pos- mitment to public service, and future. municate successfully with sible level of proofreading ac- the ability to work with the many different personalities; curacy and exacting attention bench and bar. Persons seekHow the candidates’ propos- and a team-oriented work style. to detail. The ideal candidate ing their first teaching post als would actually fare in the We offer a competitive salary will perform well in a dynamic and experienced law teachers, Congress remains to be seen. and an outstanding benefits and intellectually demanding are welcome to apply. A J.D. or Currently, no Republicans sup- package, including a dis- team environment. Two years equivalent degree is required. port Mr. Gore’s plan. On the counted bus program-Metro- editing experience is required; other side of the aisle, a num- pass. For additional informa- experience in test publishing is The College is an equal opporber of Democrats have ex- tion about our law firm, visit a plus. Bachelor’s degree in tunity employer. We urge appressed support for the type of our web site at www.faegre. English, psychology, or related plications from members of individual account orientation com. Please send your resume field is required. Please check groups historically under-repthat Mr. Bush has proposed. and salary history to Human www.agsnet.com for informa- resented in the legal profesResources: tion about AGS. Interested sion and those individuals who Many things can change beapplicants may forward resume will increase our faculty divertween now and inauguration FAEGRE & BENSON LLP and salary requirements to: sity. day. Nevertheless, based on 2200 Wells Fargo Center AGS - JH; 4201 Woodland Rd; the positions taken by the can90 South Seventh Street Circle Pines, MN 55014, fax To receive maximum considerdidates so far, the 2000 presiMinneapolis, MN 55402 to 763-355-2078, or email to ation, applications should be dential campaign seems to proreceived at the College by OcFax: 612-336-3846 jobs@agsnet.com. EOE vide a definite choice to voters tober 15, 2000.

E-Mail: HR@Faegre.com on the issue of Social Secu- Web Site: www.faegre.com Full-time PRACTICAL rity. Q NURSINGINSTRUCTOR Applicants should send a cover letter addressed to Professor Equal Opportunity Employer Hennepin Technical Eric Janus, Chair, Faculty ApCollege, Eden Prairie pointments Committee. Include Campus resume, list of references, and Full-time Practical Nursing In- additional material that may be structor at Eden Prairie Cam- influential in the recruiting propus beginning as soon as can cess. be arranged. Teach courses on campus and supervise clinical Mail to: The following performances “Always and Forever” * ASL/ settings. Candidate must have William Mitchell will be Audio Described (AD) AD Fri, Oct. 6, 8:00 – Illusion a Bachelor of Science in NursCollege of Law for people who are blind or Theater, 612-339-4944; runs ing. Recent relevant experience ATTENTION: Renate have low vision, or Interpreted Sept. 21 – Oct. 14 in an acute care setting and the Behrendt, Room 354 in American Sign Language ability to acquire a MnSCU 875 Summit Avenue (ASL) for people who are deaf “Maui and the Soul of the Sun” Vocational Teaching License St. Paul, MN 55105 or hard of hearing. * ASL/AD Sat, Oct. 7, 8:00 – #070302 is necessary. Must be Theater Mu, 612-340-1725 willing to work a flexible For further information, con“Out of Order” ASL Sat, Sept. schedule. Call Darren Hoff, tact Professor Janus at (651) 16, 8:00 — Rochester Civic “Talullah” AD/ASL Sun, Oct. 763-550-2172 or fax resume 290-6345 (e-mail: ejanus@ Theatre, 507-282-8481 8, 2:00 –State Theatre, 612-373- to 763-550-2181. HTC is an AA/ wmitchell.edu) or Renate 5650 or 612-989-5151 EOE employer.

Behrendt at (651) 290-6467 “The Cripple of Inishmaan” (e-mail: rbehrendt@wmit AD Sun, Sept. 17, 2:00 – The- “Lyle, Lyle Crocodile” ASL chell.edu) atre in the Round Players, 612- Wed, Oct. 11, 11:00 a.m. — 333-3010 Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, AA/EOE 320-363-5777 “The Fantasticks” ASL Sat, Independence Crossroads, Inc. Sept. 23, 7:30 –Lyric Arts “Meet Me at the Fair” AD/ Pocket Theatre, 763-422-1838 ASL Sat, Oct. 14, 8:00 — Great COUNSELOR/ADVOCATE American History Theatre, 651“Mufaro’s Beautiful Daugh- 292-432 Individual needed to provide services to the disabled commuters” ASL Fri, Sept. 29, 10a.m. nity. Duties include in-home counseling, support group facili— College of Saint Benedict, * Selected performances are tation, information/referral, public education and advocacy 320-363-5777 eligible for Reduced Admis- with legislators. sion Prices through Access to “CRASH with Friends”AD Theatre, for more information MA degree in counseling or related field preferred. BA/BS Sun, Oct. 1, 2:00 – College of St. contact VSA arts of Minne- acceptable. Must have reliable transportation. Excellent benCath-erine, 651-690-6700 sota, mn@vsarts.org, 612-332- efits and competitive wage provided.

3888 or statewide 800-801“Stamping, Shouting and 3883(voice/TTY).

Contact Rob at (952) 854-8004 for more information. nfo@in Singing Home” * ASL/AD dependencecrossroads.org Wed., Oct. 4, 10:00; Fri., Oct. 6, 7:30 – Children’s Theatre Co., Equal Opportunity Employer 612-874-0400

Accessible Performances

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Legal LEGAL SECRETARY $26,7618 - $36,164 annually Salary commensurate with legal experience

SRF Consulting Group, Inc., a locally owned, growing and well-established transportation and engineering firm has openings for the following positions:

The Minnesota Attorney SENIOR CIVIL ENGINEER General’s Office is seeking legal secretary candidates to Civil engineer wanted to prework in St. Paul. To be consid- pare and design plans for highered, a candidate must have: way/municipal projects. Must have BS in Civil Engineering • completed a post-secondary with 4+ years experience, PE program for legal secretary, and project management expelegal administrative secre- rience preferred. Must have tary, legal administrative as- strong written and verbal skills. sistant or an equivalent; or eighteen months of experience working as a legal secy/ legal adm. asst.; or an equivalent combination of both; and • a typing speed of 65 wpm with a minimum of 92% accuracy.

Employees are eligible for benefits such as health, dental and life insurance, paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, a retirement plan, and pre-tax benefits.

Qualified candidates interested in being considered for vacancies should submit their resume along with a cover letter to Annette Gratke, Human Resource Generalist, Suite 200, 525 Park Street, St. Paul, MN 55103 or by fax at (651) 297-2079. A State of Minnesota Employment Application will be sent to those candidates who submit a resume to the above address or fax.

Questions, may be directed to Annette Gratke at (651) 297-5964.

CIVIL ENGINEER/WATER RESOURCES Engineer to plan and design drainage systems for municipal and highway planning projects. The ideal candidate will have a BS in Civil Engineering with an emphasis on hydrology and water resources as well as experience with hydrologic and hydraulic modeling. Good verbal and written communication skills required.

In addition to varied and exciting work in a positive atmosphere, SRF offers competitive salary and benefits, pay for all hours worked, 401 (k) & profit sharing. If you want a career with strong growth potential in one of ENR’s Top 500 design firms, send your resume to SRF Consulting Group, Inc., One Carlson Pkwy. N., #150, Plymouth, MN 55447; fax to 763-475-2429, or e-mail to hr@srfconsulting.com.

EOE

Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer INFORMATION ASSISTANT

Gray Plant Mooty, a downtown Mpls. law firm, has the following open positions:

The City of Minnetonka has a COMPUTER SUPPORT full-time employment oppor- SPECIALIST - EVENING tunity for an Information As- Hours are 4:00 p.m. to Midsistant. night, M-F. Primary responsibility is backup of Novell NetDUTIES: Operates and an- work. Other duties include proswers the: main switchboard, viding support to firm memgreets the public, processes bers kind occasionally to firm incoming/outgoing mail, ac- clients. Prefer Novell operatcepts homestead applications, ing System experience and/or orders office supplies, and as- education Microsoft applicasists other departments with tion experience helpful. miscellaneous clerical tasks.

PARALEGAL Previous receptionist experi- EMPLOYEE BENEFITS ence required. Public service Experienced employee benefits paralegal for a sophisticated orientation a must. and varied benefits practice.

SALARY; $26,800 - $29,800 Must have experience in prewith excellent fringe benefits. paring qualified plans, summary plan descriptions and A city application form must cafeteria plans. Knowledge of be submitted. To obtain an ERISA and IRS Code required. application, call the JobLine at (952) 939-8212 or www.ci. We offer a professional work minnetonka.mn.us. Applica- environment, a culture emphation deadline is September sizing work/ life balance, & excellent salaries & benefits 18,2000. (including medical, dental, profit sharing and 401k). Send CITYOFMINNETONKA 14600 MINNETONKA BLVD resume &letter to: HR, Gray MINNETONKA, MN 55345 Plant Mooty, 3400 City Center, 33 S. 6th St., Mpls, MN 55402, or fax to: 612-333-0066.

An Affirmative Action Employer Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer

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Access To Employment

September 10, 2000 EMPLOYMENT ADS ARE $14 A COL. INCH; SEPT 29 IS THE DEADLINE FOR THE OCT 10 ISSUE.

Mail to: ACCESS PRESS • 1821 University Ave. • #185N • St. Paul, MN 55104 • Fax 651-644-2136 • E-mail: access@wavetech.net Legal CASE ASSISTANTS Faegre & Benson LLP, a leading downtown Mpls. law firm, has openings for case assistants in our Litigation Support Services department. Responsibilities include: document coding, reproduction of documents, number stamping, preparing materials for depositions & trials, along with working on various special projects.

Ideal candidates will have previous clerical cal experience; excellent communication skills; proficient computer skills; strong attention to detail and a team-oriented, flexible work style. Faegre & Benson LLP offers competitive wages and an excellent benefits package, including a discounted bus program--Metropass For additional information about Faegre & Benson, visit our web site at www.faegre.com. Please send resume and salary history to Human Resources: FAEGRE & BENSON LLP 2200 Wells Fargo Center 90 South Seventh Street Minneapolis, MN 55402 Fax: 612/336-3846 e-mail: HR@faegre.com website: www.faegre.com Equal Opportunity Employer

LIBRARY CLERK Part-time Faegre & Benson, Minnesota’s second largest law firm, is seeking candidates for a Library Clerk to work from 1-5 p.m. every afternoon. You would be assisting with maintenance of main & satellite libraries with responsibilities including: shelving books and other library materials; updating subscriptions filing; data entry and other clerical responsibilities to help support Library Services. Candidates should have computer experience, be proficient with alphabetic and numbering systems for filing; attentive to detail; and have a team-oriented work style. We offer competitive wages and an excellent benefits package. For additional information about our law firm, visit our web site at www. faegre.com. Please send your resume and salary requirements to Human Resources: FAEGRE & BENSON LLP 2200 Wells Fargo Center 90 South Seventh Street Minneapolis, MN 55402 Fax; 612/336-3846 e-mail: HR@faegre,com website: www.faegre.com Equal Opportunity Employer

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*********************** Computer LEGAL SECRETARIES PROJECT SUPPORT SPECIALIST Faegre & Benson LLP, Minnesota second largest law firm, Faegre & Benson LLP is seekhas various career opportuni- ing a highly self-motivated ties available for entry-level Project Support Specialist to and experienced legal adminis- work with an energized team of trative assistants in our litiga- individuals supporting 650 tion and transactional practice users on a MS NT network. groups. These positions offer This position offers an opporinteresting and satisfying work tunity to work on leading edge opportunities in a professional technology such as NT server, work environment. Experienced SMS, ITS, Office 97, Windows candidates should have 1-6 95, Intranets and videoyears litigation or transactional conferencing. You will contribexperience; excellent organi- ute to all of these areas, with zational and communication the primary focus on supportskills; proficient word process- ing end users. We are seeking ing skills; keyboarding at 70 individuals highly knowledgewpm; and a team-oriented, flex- able in PC hardware and softible work style. ware usage, installation, configuration and troubleFaegre & Benson offers com- shooting; and interested in petitive wages and an excel- advancing their career and lent benefits package; includ- working in a dynamic environing generous paid time-off, ment. We support education Firm-paid sick child care ser- for Microsoft certification and vice, ChildrenFirst - an emer- are interested in candidates gency back-up child care ser- either already on the track or vice, retirement savings plans, who have completed their transportation discounts in- MSCE certification. cluding the Metropass, and much more. To learn more about Two to three years experience our current job opportunities is required along with 4-year and for additional information degree in computer science or about Faegre & Benson, visit related discipline. Experience our web site at www.faegre. with SMS administration is com. For consideration, please highly desirable. This position send your resume and salary also participates in a weekend history to Human Resources: on-call rotation schedule. We FAEGRE & BENSON LLP 2200 Wells Fargo Center 90 South Seventh Street Minneapolis, MN 55402 Fax: 612/336-3846 E-Mail: HR@Faegre.com Web Site: www.faegre.com Equal Opportunity Employer *********************** Accounting MEMBER ACCOUNT COORDINATOR A law-related assn is seeking a FT person to primarily assist with activities related to the dues/subscription process (processing dues and subscriptions, responding to member/staff inquiries, assisting with year-end procedures); prepares monthly financial reports for sections; performs all accting procedures for a foundation. The successful candidate should have approx two yrs of accting exp, have excellent customer service skills, exp managing workflow to meet deadlines. Exp using Solomon accting software and MSOffice software are pluses. Please send resume and salary requirements to Director of Administration, 600 Nicollet Mall, #380, Minneapolis, MN 55402. E O E

offer a professional environment, competitive wages and excellent benefits including a discounted bus program— Metropass. For additional information about Faegre & Benson, visit our web site at www.faegre.com. Please send resume and salary history to Human Resources:

Legal SECRETARIES Faegre & Benson LLP, a leading downtown Mpls. Law firm, has openings for legal secretaries in its Corporate-Finance and Real Estate practice groups. Ideal candidates will have at least 3 years legal secretarial experience; excellent organizational and communication skills; proficient word processing skills; keyboarding at 70+ wpm; and a teamoriented, flexible work style.

Faegre & Benson LLP offers competitive wages and an excellent benefits package, including a discounted bus program--Metropass. For additional in-formation about Faegre & Benson, visit our web site at www.faegre.com. Please send resume and salary history to Human Resources: FAEGRE & BENSON LLP 2200 Wells Fargo Center 90 South Seventh Street Minneapolis, MN 55402 Fax: 612/336-3846 e-mail: HR@faegre.com website: www.faegre.com Equal Opportunity Employer LITIGATION ASSOCIATES Leonard, Street and Deinard seeks entry level or junior associates for its litigation practice. Applicants should have strong academic credentials, experience or interest in employment litigation and commercial litigation a plus. Send resume and transcript to Dianne Dimond, Leonard, Street and Deinard, 150 South Fifth Street, Suite 2300, Minneapolis, MN 55402.

Equal Opportunity Employer.

FAEGRE & BENSON LLP 2200 Wells Fargo Center 90 South Seventh Street Minneapolis, MN S5402 Fax: (612) 336-3846 E-Mail: HR@Faegre.com Website: www.faegre.com Equal Opportunity Employer VOLUNTEER TENANT ADVOCATE Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis seeks full-time VISTA vol to work as tenant advocate. One-year position conducting outreach, ed & advocacy for tenants. Special emphasis placed on working with low-income tenants living in housing in need of serious repair. Attorneys/non-attorneys elig. Diverse economic. social or cultural exper a +. Spanish, East African, or Hmong lang skills a +. VISTA vols receive $750 monthly living exp stipend, + travel/training exp, hlth ins. Send cover letter & resume: Lila Zamora, LAS, 2929 4th Ave S, #201, Mpls, MN 55408. Apps accepted until filled. Full job descrip avail (612-827-3774). E O E

Compensation includes competitive base salary plus generous commission plan, great benefit program including health, dental, vision, and 401K. Please check us out on the web at agsnet.com. Interested applicants may forward resume to: AGS - JH; 4201 Woodland Rd: Circle Pines, MN 55014, fax to 763-355-2078 or email to jobs@agsnet.com.

EOE

dvs e 10 re A n pag o M o

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

DATABASE SPECIALIST

Faegre & Benson, a major Minneapolis law firm, has an exciting opportunity for an experienced secretary or Administrative Assistant in our Information Services group. This person will report directly to the Director of Information Services. Responsibilities include: answering phones for IS administrative staff, maintenance of department calendars, files, invoices vendor contracts, service agreements and software licensing. This person will also be responsible for the distribution of department mail in addition to coordinating and scheduling department meetings.

Faegre & Benson LLP, Minnesota’s second largest law firm, is seeking applicants for a Database Specialist opening in our Litigation Support Services department. You will create & design databases, develop customized interfaces, provide data manipulation & analysis services, manage our data conversion process, provide ongoing support to legal teams using custom designed databases, provide direct consultation & training to legal teams regarding software packages, monitor & staff help line, provide database support, along wit a wide variety of other duties. Our ideal candidate will have at least 2 years experience in the development & implementation of automated applications to litigation matters. In addition, you will be able to work well under pressure, have a strong sense of urgency, exceptional analytical & communication skills and the ability to exercise excellent judgment. Two to three years experience or bachelor’s degree in related discipline required; additional education in computer sciences/application field is desired. Prefer experience with Word, Excel, Access, DBTextWorks, Concordance, Summation. We offer a professional work environment, competitive wages and excellent benefits. For additional information about our law firm, visit our web site at www.faegre.com. Please send resume and salary history to Human Resources:

Successful candidates should have 2+ years secretarial/administrative experience; word processing, spreadsheet and database experience; keyboarding at 50+ wpm; excellent organizational and communication skills and a team- orientated work style. We offer a professional work environment, competitive wages and an excellent benefits package, including a discounted bus program—Metropass. For additional information about Faegre & Benson, visit our web site at www.faegre.com. Please send resume and salary history to Human Resources: FAEGRE & BENSON LLP 2200 Wells Fargo Center 90 South Seventh Street Minneapolis, MN 55402 Fax: (612) 336-3846 E-Mail: HR@Faegre.com Website: www.faegre.com Equal Opportunity Employer

INSIDE SALES REPRESENTATIVE AGS, a leading publisher of educational and assessment products is seeking an Inside Sales Representative to be based out of our corporate headquarters in Circle Pines.

This position will be responsible for selling, servicing and maintaining customer accounts for assigned territory in accordance with planned goals and profit objectives.

Some travel is required. To qualify you must have a Bachelors Degree and 2 years successful telephone sales experience.

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FAEGRE & BENSON LLP 2200 Wells Fargo Center 90 South Seventh Street Minneapolis, MN 55402 Fax: 612-336-3846 Internet: HR@Faegre.com Equal Opportunity Employer

Ramsey County Ramsey County invites you to join us in building a better community through public service in the following fields: • • • • • • • •

Administrative, Management and Technical Services Building and Facility Services Clerical and Secretarial Services Community and Social Services Court, Legal and Law Enforcement Services Property Records/Revenue Services Public Works and Transportation Services Parks and Recreation Services Contact our Job Hotline for a recorded list of current job openings at:

(651) 266-2666 Ramsey County Personnel Dept.

430 RCGC West 50 West Kellogg Boulevard Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102 (651) 266-2700 or (651) 266-2728 (TDD) You may also view a list of current job openings and other useful Information, or download application materials, on internet at: www.co.ramsey.mn.us

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September 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 INVACARE wheelchair in very good condition, made specifically for tall person, narrow seat, high back, black, leather arms. 612-473-3430.

4 Wheel Scooter 1999 Celebrity Pride XL—Top of the line, like new, Guaranteed. $1,750.00/BO. Lift avail. Paul 763-420-7742.

Uni-lift, simple electric, platform is 26x36. Like new condition. $400/offer, call Deb at (651) 459-2466.

1986 Ford Econoline Conversion Van. Manual wheel chair ramp, lowered floor, 96,000 miles. Runs great. New brakes,

some rust. $2,450.00 Ron 612- Sue Lasoff, OT. Consult on 521-4643. making homes and buildings accessible and safe for people MISCELLANEOUS with disabilities and elderly Gary Reyzer’s Lawn Service. persons. 612-872-7520 We do big jobs or little jobs. In business for 20 years. Serving Jan Snook’s “Helpful Hints Coon Rapids, Forest Lake and Computer Guidebook” is the North side of St. Paul. Av- simple and understandable. erage yard, 100-150’, is $40. Hardcover book covers Word, Excel, and tips for the Internet.

(763) 755-2613 JSnook1234@aol.com (612) “Words of Love” is a CD by 378-2610 $17.00 Shipping.

Snoopi Botten, a musician with cerebral palsy who writes and EVENTS performs inspirational songs October, 26-28, Women’s using a synthetic speech Health and Wellness Expo, system. To order, call 612-872- Minneapolis Convention Cen4772 or visit Snoopi’s website ter. 250+Exhibitors, 3 Speakat http://hometown.aol.com/ ers/Entertainment Stages and dectalk/my homepage/.

MORE! www.HealthExpos. com, 24 hour hotline (952) 953-

1130; Exhibitor Information (952) 924-0643.

FOR RENT 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 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

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.

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