January 2001 Edition - Access Press by Access Press

Inside Universal HealthCare Bill — p. 8

Volume 12, Number 1

Canadian Health Care — Page 9

SOURCES

January 10, 2001

“Jazz to me is . . . pain swallowed in a smile..” — Langston Hughes

RESOURCES

January 10, 2001

AT THE CAPITOL IN 2001 Priorities For The New Session by Nathan Halvorson

he 2001 Minnesota Legislative Session began on Jan. 3rd and will run through mid-May. This year, legislators will make decisions concerning health care, transportation, housing, education, human services, and welfare reform that could impact the community of people with disabilities. The following is a list of disability organizations and some of the issues important to them in this legislative session.

Minnesota State Capitol

Wound Clinic Closes by Nathan Halvorson

he Minimally Invasive Care Center (MICC), which houses the Abbott Northwest Wound Clinic, closed its doors on December 31st. Ultimately, the reasons for the clinic’s closure were the very high cost of care and insufficient funds to meet those costs. Pat Hartwig, Vice President of Operations for the clinic— which has provided complete services to patients with complex, chronic and non-healing wounds such as diabetes and arterial injuries—cited several factors that led to the clinic’s financial challenges. First, the clinic never developed a consistent model of clinical care. She states, “we had eight physicians…practicing in eight different ways.” Also, clinicians had no database that could track, over a broad population of 450 people per month, a patient’s level of improvement. As a result of these inconsistencies, the clinic could not determine the best methodologies for treatment of a wound. Hartwig contends, “ we didn’t have any means of saying to a payer ‘Here’s why you should pay for the wound

care because here’s what we’re seeing in the way of improvement.’” Another aspect of the clinic’s financial troubles involves extremely poor reimbursement rates from medical payers. As Ms. Hartwig indicates, “We have discounts with some of our payers such as Medicare in excess of 70 percent” meaning “we get less than 30 cents on the dollar for any charges we bill. So that leaves very little opportunity to even be able to cover costs.” She continues, adding “Within the years that the wound clinic has been in operation, the government compliance issues have changed around billing where Medicare patients are concerned, making it difficult for us to process claims on these patients. So even if we provided the care as cost-effectively as possible, we still have huge challenges as a hospital in being able to submit claims to Medicare.” A final issue that Hartwig brings up is the space used by the Wound Clinic. The Abbott Northwestern “hospital

setting…is an extremely expensive piece of real estate,” she insists. All of these factors combined—space, reimbursement from payers, and expenses due to inconsistencies in care and tracking models—have resulted in such a financial strain for the clinic that remaining open in its current form was no longer feasible, says Hartwig. Hartwig maintains that she struggled in making the decision. “It’s not our intent to make money on these patients. Our intent is to provide clinically high-quality care in a cost-effective model that is reimbursable by payers. It’s unfortunate. We don’t like closing programs here and we don’t do it frequently and we don’t do it easily. So we feel we’ve exhausted every opportunity we have with the clinic open to make change occur.” Both clinicians and patients of the Wound Clinic are equally upset by its closing. Jan Chevrette, a nurse with the wound clinic since it began seven years ago, predicts that patients will have diffiWound - cont. on p. 4

The Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MNCCD) has established a broad-based coalition to help address the Medical Assistance (MA) Income Standard. The income standard is the amount of income seniors and persons with disabilities who need Medical Assistance are allowed to have if they are unable to work. CCD believes that this income standard “is grossly inadequate to pay even basic expenses and must be raised.” The coalition project, called the “100% Campaign,” proposes to raise the income standard to 100 percent of poverty, or $695/month, for a single adult, up from the current standard of $482/ month which is more than 30% below the poverty level. In addition, the Campaign is asking the legislature to raise the asset limits to equal the current state prescription drug program limits of $10,000 for a single adult and $18,000 for a married couple. This will provide uniformity between these state programs. The MNCCD Work Incentive Committee proposes to Allow MA-EPD participants to keep assets if they are unable to work.

Currently, people with disabilities enrolled in the Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD) program who become unemployed are forced to spend down their assets, including retirement savings, in order to remain MAeligible. The MNCCD Work Incentives Committee is concerned that a person could return to work for a couple years, develop a modest savings account and then see it evaporate within a couple of months if a health problem kept them off the job for longer than two months. The Committee proposes to freeze assets for a person enrolled in MA-EPD who is unable to continue working for a period of one year from the person’s last date of employment (for life, in the case of retirement benefits). Advocating Change Together (ACT) is continuing its campaign to urge the State of Minnesota to make a public apology to all persons with developmental disabilities who have been involuntarily committed to state institutions, and is seeking to have the State “commit itself in their memory to move steadfastly to ensure that all Minnesotans with developmental disabilities who in the future turn to the state for assistance will receive the appropriate assistance they need.” ARC Minnesota wants to give the consumer more control over the funding for their support services. Funding would allow an increase in consumer choices and options, a reduction in administrative costs of the system and an overall simplification of the complex service system.

ARC is seeking a legislative proposal to reform the public guardianship system for the 4,300 public wards in the state who have developmental disabilities, by shifting responsibility from the counties to a state agency or a multi-purpose non-profit organization. ARC will be promoting legislation aimed at addressing the shortage of personal care service workers, including increasing wages and expanding health insurance options for direct care staff. ARC is seeking increased federal funding to allow people to receive day training and habilitation services while living with their families. Also on the agenda is securing adequate funding to continue to provide entry cost assistance and home ownership counseling to persons with disabilities seeking to become homeowners. The Association of Residential Resources in Minnesota (ARRM) will provide steps in shifting control from government and providers to people with disabilities, removing constraints that prohibit more effective use of resources/ consumer control. ARRM also seeks to increase caregiver wages to the average personal income in Minnesota – $14.50/hr – in the next two years, and would like to develop tuition credit and career training programs, encouraging quality staff to build careers as caregivers. The Brain Injury Association of Minnesota will ask for funding for the Extended Employment Program (DES) to create a choice of supported-employment groups for people with brain injury. Also, the group wants state funding to replace federal

2001 - cont. on p. 6

January 10, 2001 The 2001 legislative session has begun. Our Governor gave his State of the State address on January 4th. The first week of the session was largely taken up by members listening to the Governor and getting their new committee assignments.

our elected officials need to be dragged, kicking and screaming, into acknowledging the importance of these issues.

mounted a massive propaganda campaign that succeeded in convincing many Americans that a single-payer system could never work in We do have a number of en- this country. lightened legislators, and these are the ones who carry our But Senator Wellstone has legislation. Once we explain found a unique approach: let the problem and they under- the states do it. Minnesota stand it, they admit that there already has MinnesotaCare, needs to be a change. You which would be a perfect first each have that power. If each step toward meeting the reof you contact your legislator quirement of universal care set and explain the issues impor- forth in Senator Wellstone’s tant to you, they may become bill. He will be re-introducing one of the enlightened ones. his bill in the coming months; be sure to let your legislators *** know what you think.

It looks like another year in which the disability community will be asking the legislature and Governor to support a host of important and, in some cases, costly programs to benefit people with disabilities in Minnesota. Every year at this time I feel slighted by the Governor and the leadership of the legislature. Disability issues Senator Wellstone is at it again, are never mentioned. introducing a bill that makes The disability community in common sense. In 1994, when Minnesota is the fastest grow- Bill Clinton introduced singleing minority in the state. The payer health care, the Republiissues facing us will probably can establishment, in alliance face everyone eventually. Yet, with the insurance industry,

Charlie Smith Editor

***

est to many of you, since it seems we are still being told what a bad system this is and how we can’t try it in this country. *** Last month I said I had contracted a serious illness, and the rumors have been flying in the disability community. To clear things up, let me say that I have esophageal cancer. I started chemotherapy the day after Thanksgiving. My capable oncologist has informed me that I will be undergoing various treatments for the next 4-5 months, after which I will expect a full recovery.

On page 9 you will find an article explaining some myths Again, I would like to thank and realities about the Cana- everyone for their support dian health care system. I and positive energy. thought this might be of inter-

Community Loses Ground At Statistics Forum by John Tschida, Courage Center

esearch findings unveiled in late October at the seventh National Disability Statistics and Policy Forum show that many challenges still face a majority of individuals with disabilities.

national experts in disability research showed that the disabled continue to lag behind their non-disabled peers in income, employment, access to the Internet, and social participation.

tics Center and the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, attracted more than 100 academics, policy professionals and advocates.

those with disabilities and those without “has remained largely unchanged over the past 14 years.” For those with severe disabilities, the “employment gap” is 49 percent.

Perhaps the most startling Despite record economic The forum, held annually in news of the day came from growth throughout the 1990s, Washington, D.C. and spon- Mary Daly of the Federal Rea series of presentations by sored by the Disability Statis- serve Bank of San Francisco. While many economically vulnerable populations made gains throughout the 1990s business cycle, including single mothers, African Americans and Hispanics, people with disabilities actually lost ground.

The real question, of course, is why? Recent changes in public policy at both the state and federal level have attempted to eliminate barriers to employment for those with disabilities who currently rely on public programs for income, health insurance, or both.

After 43 years of transporting the disabled community in the Twin Cities, Handicabs, Inc. proudly announces that we have changed our corporate name to

Transit Team Inc.

This change became effective January 1, 2001. Transit Team Inc. remains committed to providing safe, efficient, courteous and professional transportation.

“The employment and earnings of men and women with disabilities fell over the entire 1990s business cycle, although less so in recovery than in recession,” she said. While most Americans saw their family income rise an average of $3,500 during the peak growth years of 1993-1997, “people with disabilities did not,” Daly said.

LaPlante and a colleague from UCSF, Stephen Kaye, examined the decline in labor force participation and asked whether functional limitations were preventing people from working, or whether poor health was a factor. They found that the employment gap narrowed significantly when health status was considered. So while a disability is present, “the real problem is poor health,” LaPlante said, adding that while this finding has many policy implications, “it can be helpful in trying to identify the size of the available workforce.”

Mitchell LaPlante, director of the Disability Statistics Center at the University of CaliforniaSan Francisco (UCSF), acknowledged that the gap be- But others said studies such tween the employment rates of as these are asking the wrong questions.

ACCESS PRESS Co-Founder/Publisher (1990-1996) ................................................................... Wm. A. Smith, Jr. Editor/Publisher/Co-Founder ............................................................................. Charles F. Smith Cartoonist ..................................................................................................................... Scott Adams Production .......................................................................... Presentation Images, Ellen Houghton Editorial Assistant ................................................................... Nathan Halvorson & Jeff Nygaard ACCESS PRESS is a monthly tabloid newspaper published for persons with disabilities by Access Press, Ltd. Circulation is 11,000, distributed the 10th of each month through more than 200 locations statewide. Approximately 650 copies are mailed directly to political, business, institutional and civic leaders. Subscriptions are available for $15/yr. Editorial submissions and news releases on topics of interest to persons with disabilities, or persons serving those with disabilities, are welcomed. Paid advertising is available at rates ranging from $14 to $18/column inch, depending on size and frequency. Classified ads are $8.00, plus 35 cents/word over 20 words.

“What we really ought to be asking is how does the disability interact with the physical environment — and stop defining disability as an inability to work,” said Andrew

Imparato, president of the And while the established data American Association of collection systems have not People with Disabilities. yet adapted to meet this challenge, researchers have forged The issue raised by Imparato is ahead with telephone surveys twofold: the large federal data and alternative methods. sets used by researchers do not have a consistent defini- Other findings presented at the tion of disability; and none of conference tried to show that them correspond with the defi- both individual and environnition contained in the Ameri- mental factors limited social cans with Disabilities Act. participation for people with Many conference presenters disabilities. Transportation admitted to feeling hamstrung was cited as a major hurdle, by the lack of available data on with 44 percent of disabled inthe disabled population. The dividuals reporting at least most commonly used tools, some difficulty. As difficulty including the National Health with transportation increased, Interview Survey and the Cur- social outings and visits from rent Population Survey, tend friends showed a correspondto define disability in medical ing decrease. This may help to terms and limitations rather explain why more people with than one’s interaction with the disabilities are turning to their environment. computers to connect with the outside world. This issue has been raised before. In a 1998 report by the While fewer people with disNational Council on Disabil- abilities (43 percent) are online ity, ‘Reorienting Disability when compared to individuals Research,’ a plea was made to without disabilities (57 peradopt a uniform definition of cent), the value gained from disability based on environ- the experience is much greater mental barriers rather than for the disabled. Robert Leitman physical impairment. All fed- of Harris Interactive reported eral agencies collecting infor- that “48 percent of adults with mation on gender and race were disabiltiies said that the also asked to gather informa- Internet has significantly imtion on disability. The report proved the quality of their lives, served as the basis for a Con- while just 28 percent of adults gressional hearing and suc- without disabilities reported cessfully brough attention to the same.” Adults with disboth the lack of disability data abilities also spend twice as available and the philosophi- much time online (20 hours per cal shift in viewing disability week) as those without disas something other than a abilities (10 hours per week). physical defect. Stats - cont. on p. 7

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January 10, 2001

New Disability Resources IN BRIEF . . . . Dialogue On Service Delivery On The Web

Arc Hennepin County and an opportunity for consumers January 31, 2001; 7:00-8:30pm

by Jennifer Sheehy

ew features have been added to a government Web site to help employers do a better job employing workers with disabilities and to help journalists do a better job reporting on issues that affect those with disabilities. The new Employers’ Resource section and Media Resource section have been added to www. disAbility.gov.

about health, housing, education, transportation, recreation and employment. The new Employers’ Resource section provides businesses access to information that facilitates recruiting, hiring and making easy, low-cost accommodations for employees with disabilities. The new Media Resource section will offer journalists and broadcasters information on appropriate language for reporting about people with disabilities, interviewing tips, and a growing bibliography of publications and films that depict the disability experience.

Hennepin County Commissioner Penny Steele will copeople with disabilities are host a Town Meeting titled, working full or part time; eight “How Well are You Being of every ten who are not dis- Served? A Dialogue on Serabled are actively employed. vice Delivery.” The meeting is

The task force chaired by Secretary Herman is currently collaborating with leading Internet dot-com employment businesses such as Monster.com, BrassRing.com and Webhire.com to integrate disability related employment support tools into their services. Addi“At a time when our nation is tion of these tools will not only experiencing record levels of assist the dot-coms’ employer employment, the unemploycustomers in recruiting and ment rate is unacceptably high hiring people with disabilities, for individuals with disabilibut will also provide job candities,” Secretary of Labor Alexis dates with pre-employment M. Herman said. “This Web portal is another tool to sup- Already, disAbility.gov has tools such as resume writers port employers and job seek- been accessed by more than and links to federal governers in the effort to increase the 160,000 people and has won ment job search services. acclaim from other Web sites. employment rate.” CBS.com has listed dis- “We are pleased that some of Secretary Herman chairs the Ability.gov as one of the 100 America’s most successful Presidential Task Force on most useful Web services in online employment companies Employment of Adults with America. A recent study by have made it a priority to help Disabilities, which was estab- the Harris Research Group in- employers benefit from the lished in 1998 to create a coor- dicates that adults with dis- contributions that employees dinated and aggressive strat- abilities spend twice as much with disabilities can bring to egy to increase the employ- time on the Internet as indi- business,” said Becky Ogle, ment of people with disabili- viduals without disabilities. executive director of the task ties to a rate as close as pos- The survey also found that force. “We hope others will sible to that of the general adults with disabilities are much join us in our effort.” more likely to report that the population. Internet has significantly im- “Monster.com is excited to be The Web site, announced by proved the quality of their lives. part of this comprehensive Web portal for individuals with President Clinton on the 10th Anniversary of the Americans Despite today’s robust disabilities. We are committed with Disabilities Act in July, economy, citizens with disabili- to providing the services and offers a vast array of resources ties are continually underrep- tools that enhance career pofor individuals with disabili- resented in the nation’s work tential for all job seekers,” said ties, including information force. Only three of every ten Jeff Taylor, CEO of Monster.com. “Working with the Presidential Task Force on Employment of Adults with Disabilities allows Monster.com to further strengthen its mission of empowering people who want more out of Home Care Services their career and their life.” Available 24 hours per day

to share their feedback on the quality of the county services they utilize and to exchange ideas and opinions with county officials. The meeting will take place Wednesday,

at Hennepin County Ridgedale Library, Robert H. Rohlf Room, Ground Level; 12601 Ridgedale Drive in Minnetonka. RSVP prior to the meeting by calling Arc at (952) 920-0855.

Journal Seeks Creative Writing And Art Mined, a literary and art jour- other language accepted. If Notes: Make all names of pernal of, by and for person who have experienced mental illness/emotional disturbances, seeks poetry, short stories, creative non-fiction, and black line art from mentally ill or emotionally disturbed writers (no direct essays nor editorials). Submit up to five poems, one prose piece, or three line drawings at a time (line drawing may include writing). Poems in an-

possible, get a translation. Payment is one copy if accepted and copyright reverts to author/artist upon publication. The sound of the piece, as well as its appearance in print is important.

sons and places fictional. Include Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope for return of manuscript.

Mail to James Livingston and Sonny Steinmetz, Editors, C/O Walker Community United Limits: Poetry Maximum 38 Methodist Church, Box 7588, lines 40 characters wide, Prose Minneapolis MN 55407 Maximum 500-1000 words

NAMI Holds Event January 19th NAMI of Hennepin County and main meeting at 7:30pm. talking about and reading from meets Jan. 19th, at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church at 50th and Knox in South Minneapolis—support groups at 6:30pm

Pete Feigal, President, will his new book about people speak and this month’s guest with mental illness/brain disis John Trepp, the executive orders, “Lodge Magic.” director of Tasks Unlimited

Courage Center Art Search Courage Center in Minneapo- cluding Christmas, Hanukkah, Entries will be accepted lis invites artists ages 1-18 with and Thanksgiving. disabilities to submit works for consideration for the 2002 Child The 2002 Child Art Calendar and the 2002 Art Search will be Art Calendar. featured products of Courage Courage is also conducting its Cards, sold to help support the 2002 Art Search, open to art- programs and services of Courists of all ages, which seeks art age Center. suitable for holiday cards in-

through February 15, 2001 for the Child Art Calender search. Contact Kathy Graves at (612) 928-7003 for guidelines.

on Employment of Adults with Disabilities was established by executive order of President Clinton in March of 1998. The Task Force consists of the

heads of 18 government agencies. Tony Coelho serves as vice chair. Information about the Task Force also is available at www.disAbility.gov. Q

“We are extremely pleased to be able to participate in this worthy endeavor. The technology industry has proven itself to be an area where people with disabilities can truly excel,” said James Sale, Executive Vice President of BrassRing.com.

Entries for the 2002 Art Search will be accepted from April through June 1, 2001. For guidelines, call (763)520-0211.

The Presidential Task Force

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January 10, 2001

Religion and Disability

WOUND - Cont. from p. 1 culty finding adequate care elsewhere. Patients have the following four options for continuing care: 1. Patients can meet with the doctors who worked at the wound clinic at their own practices. 2. Patients have the option of going to other private health care clinics. 3. Patients may specifically seek out other wound clinics in the area. 4. Patients may order supplies through the pharmacy at MICC and seek care independently or at home. A number of problems stem from these options. The first, Chevrette says, is that many doctors “won’t have time in their schedules to meet with new patients at their practices.” The physicians at the wound clinic already meet with 12-15 patients in half a day at their private offices. Accessibility is another very important issue in receiving new services. Even if a patient is able to find time with a doc-

tor, the office most likely will not be equipped with Hoyer lifts or have enough space for people who use wheelchairs— some of the amenities at MICC. Similarly, accessibility to transportation to a clinic not as centrally located as Abbott Northwestern may be difficult for people who have chronic wounds.

in order to continue the care plan for that patient.”

Chevrette raises concerns “that case histories and records won’t transfer and patients will have to start from scratch”— redoing the tests necessary to formulate these files, instead of receiving treatment for their wounds. She also predicts an increase in the number of paPlus, patients will be chal- tients admitted to the emerlenged to find doctors who are gency room and a rise in the knowledgeable and trained to number of cases requiring amputation as a result of the care for their wounds. Wound Clinic’s closing. In addition, people will have to schedule multiple appoint- A local activist for disability ments for complete treatment. rights, Dorothy Balen, rouIn contrast, the MICC Wound tinely went to the wound clinic Clinic included the capability for care. She shares Chevto run x-rays and provide phar- rette’s frustration with the maceuticals, casting, bone clinic’s closing. Balen says, scans and other tests. A per- “The clinic was full of the eldson could receive full care in erly, elderly with chronic wounds. For these people in just one visit. the inner city to go to a suburb Directors at MICC, though, are for alternative care or to even currently assisting patients in search for alternative care is the process of finding new fa- just asking too much.” She also cilities. As Hartwig says, “we’ll praised the staff for consiswork with the wound clinic tently being “very profesphysicians to develop the ma- sional, very concerned and terials that a physician needs very knowledgeable,” and doubted whether or not patients, who were referred to MICC initially because others had already failed in providing care, could find such expert care at other clinics. Both Chevrette and Hartwig hope that the wound clinic will reopen its doors soon. The next three months involve a restructuring project, led by Chevrette and Nurse Jennifer Todd, to develop a more costefficient clinic with a standard model for care. Hartwig elaborates, “I’m very optimistic that over the next three months this group is going to put together a plan…We’ll support them administratively.” If Chevrette and Todd are successful, they will reopen a new clinic soon. If not, they will lose their jobs and hundreds of people will have to seek out less convenient and less extensive sources of care. Q

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Souls – A Spiritual Journey by Sr. Jo Lambert

would like to share with you an excerpt from a very interesting and spiritually-stretching book, The Five Stages of the Soul, by Harry R. Moody, Ph.D. and David Carroll. This book looks at the development of the soul in five stages: the call, the search, the struggle, the breakthrough, and the return. It starts out with this list of the whys and hows of the spiritual journey. “1. From a spiritual perspective the purpose of life is to achieve soul-realization. There is a transcendent spiritual quality within the heart of every man and woman, a potential known and sought after from time immemorial. If fully awakened, this spiritual quality removes seekers from the ordinary sorrow and confusions of life, and provides heightened states of aliveness, joy, and certainty. The meaning and purpose of life is therefore not hidden but clear. It is to find and awaken this higher part of ourselves. We call this higher part the soul. “2. The importance of spirituality is largely ignored in modern society. All of us are born with a degree of spiritual potential. But due to the immeasurable and intangible nature of spirituality and because we live in a materialistic age, the existence of this invisible potential remains largely speculative and unacknowledged. It has not always been this way. Up to the last century the greatest philosophers, scientists and artists believed in a Divine Intelligence, and sought to integrate it into their teachings. It is only our present scientifically-oriented age that ignores the importance of religio-spiritual values in a person life, and that denies the universality and in many cases the possibility of transcendent states of consciousness. “3. Spirituality completes us. The idea of a search of the soul presumes that the ordinary man and the ordinary woman are, in a manner of speaking, unfinished. In this sense, we are all incomplete beings, with many secret and hitherto unexplored parts of ourselves that lie fallow all our lives unless they are awakened and cultivated. Human beings, this idea insists, have the possibility of achieving a state of being which far surpasses anything we ordinarily know, and which far exceeds both the emotional and intellectual boundaries set by our ordinary, everyday consciousness. We can be different people than we are; it is possible. Some would even in-

sist that this transfiguration from the ordinary to the extraordinary is the very quintessence of all spiritual undertaking. “4. Spiritual awakening is most likely to happen in the adult years. Though a person’s spiritual potential can express itself at any point in the life cycle, even in early youth, it tends to become most active during the adult years. Expressions of spiritual interest are especially likely to appear after people have lived though a certain number of life experiences: the birth of children, the death of parents and other loved ones, and begin to question whether their present life gives them the gratification they’re seeking. Yet while there is no question that deep psychospiritual changes typically occur during mid-life and beyond, there are also individuals who go through all the stages of awakening during first half of life. According to tradition, Jesus died at age thirty-three. Shankara, the greatest exponent of the. Hindu Vedanta., lived only thirty-two years. The spiritual journey, in other words, while it is most likely to unfold in the middle or later years, cannot be ultimately tied to a specific age. In fact, when all is said and done this journey should be understood not so much as a time bound system, but as a story, a metaphoric model that portrays the higher life in all its mysterious and manifold possibilities.

“5. Spirituality unfolds in a series of steps and stages. I call these steps the stages of the soul. All of us are invited to participate in this drama of self transformation at some point in our lives. There is no guarantee, however, that we will take advantage of the chance when it comes. Some people choose not to. While the invitation to the spiritual journey is a birthright, it is entirely our own choice whether or not we embark on the journey once we

are called. “6. Spiritual awakening requires struggle and effort. Unlike physical aging, the spiritual function within a person does not unfold and progress automatically according to a biologically preprogrammed schedule. Our spiritual capacity exists as a possibility only. If it is to unfold in all its five stages, it must be intentionally and consistently encouraged over a period of time via struggle, commitment, and effort. “7. Not everyone passes through all the stages. Though the stages of the soul tend to follow one another in sequence, this sequence is not written in stone. There is no way of predicting whether a person will pass through all the stages from beginning to end. A person may, for instance, experience the first stage, but go no further. Unlike our inner biological clocks the development of the soul unfolds according to a schedule of its own that is independent of both manipulation and desire. As with the growth of a plant, spiritual potential can be watered and nurtured, but it cannot be coerced into flowering. “8. Each person’s experience of the stages of the soul is different. Every person experiences the stages of the soul in a different way. Each person’s spiritual journey is unique. At the same time, enough similarities exist between individual journeys to allow us to speak in terms of patterns and to identify a common chronology. The unfolding of the spiritual stage can be observed in other people and can be experienced with undeniable certitude within ourselves. “9. The Stages of the soul are spiritual stages. By spiritual I mean that the experience of the five stages shifts our center of being away from the external

Religion - cont. on p. 5

January 10, 2001

On Mental Illness/Brain Disorders

Commentary

Why They Fear Us

Profit Before People –

by Pete Fiegal

Clinic Closing An Insult To The Community

n the “E.R” season finale, popular characters Carter and Lucy are brutally stabbed by a man they’ve been treating for schizophrenia. Lucy dies and Carter is physically and emotionally scarred.

insects, corrupt police and other members of the “establishment,” Black/Latin alley slayers/muggers/“gang bangers,”our own technology run amok, drug lords, Arab terrorists, right-wing vigilante groups, and people with menOn ABC’s short-lived series, tal illness, either as maniacal, “Wonderland,” set in a fictional unstoppable serial killers, or as hospital’s psychiatric and cool, insane geniuses. emergency services ward, within the first ten minutes we In 1960, filmmaker Alfred witness medical staff discuss- Hitchcock helped us focus on ing a patient who has just bit- this last category in his effecten off and eaten his mother’s tive and frightening masterfinger, patients in a group piece, “Psycho” giving the therapy session arguing and public a catchy label, and us an talking about doing violence, unfortunate stereotype. and a schizophrenic man walking into the middle of Times In the tenth century, the unSquare, pulling out a handgun known terror in the dark was and shooting a police officer in represented by “Grendel,” the the head before he turns the murdering monster of the epic gun on the crowd. poem”Beowulf.” Our own culture reacts in similar ways. ”NYPD Blue” shows a What we don’t understand, “psycho” with an unknown we fear. And what we fear, mental illness, serial raping we hate. It’s hard to find reaand murdering young girls. son or purpose to the killings In the Oscar-winning movie at Columbine High School, or “Silence of the Lambs” we are how three strangers, here in given not one, but two men- the Twind Cities, could shoot tally ill serial killers, Hannibal a kid off his bicycle simply for “The Cannibal Lector,” and the experience. It’s hard to find “Buffalo Bill”, nicknamed be- the “whys” for so many of the cause “...He skins his humps.” terrible things that happen in I could go on and on... the world. And right now, mental illness is an interesting, The University of Pittsburgh exciting “sexy” place for the recently released their findings media and show business to of a 24-year study of how put a lot of the “whys.” It’s people with mental illness/ easy and convenient to explain brain disorders are portrayed some unexplainable action, in the movies, on TV shows with “He’s crazy.” It’s also lazy and in fiction. They discov- and often wrong. ered that 78 percent of the time we are shown as violent psy- Statistics show that among chopaths. people with treated mental illness, there is no more chance We also see in our newspapers of one of them doing a violent and on TV, daily stories about act than anyone from the genbrutal crimes with a mental eral population, in fact there is health connection: a man with a 1% less chance. However a history of depression, mur- they are much more likely to be dering seven people in his the victim of a violent crime. If workplace because his wages untreated there is a greater were about to be garnished by chance of violence both to oththe IRS. A woman who was ers and ,especially, to themonce treated for depression selves. But the statistics are kills her sister in a domestic still minor compared to other dispute. Two high school kids causes of violence, like in Colorado on anti-depres- alcohol, which is a contributsants bring weapons into their ing factor to almost 90 percent school and kill over a dozen of violent crime in America, but classmates and teachers. which is never focused on because of drinking’s acceptabilAs we move this month into ity in our culture, and because the twenty-first century, it’s it is old hat, not “sexy” enough, interesting to look back over not sensational enough for the the pop culture villains of the media. last century. These icons represent our country’s nemesis, Whenever the TV reports, “The our fears and insecurities in- alleged killer had a history of carnate, our “boogey men.” mental illness” whether it was These movie/novel/TV “vil- two weeks or 30 years before, lains” from 1901 till 2000 have it is one more “electric shock”, included through the decades: one more conditioning factor, Native Americans, mobsters, like the decades of “Norman outlaws and gunfighters, Na- Bates” and “Hannibal Leczis and Japanese, Red Commu- tors.” It hurts us and our faminists (Chinese/Russian/North lies. And even though many Korean/Vietnamese/Internal), terrible and sad situations and huge radioactive animals and emotions can come as a result

of mental illness and it’s stigma, let’s be clear about basic human behavior: Alcoholism is not mental illness. Drug addiction is not mental illness. Loneliness is not mental illness. Isolation is not mental illness. Greed is not mental illness. Sadness is not mental illness. Misogyny is not mental illness. Callousness is not mental illness. Selfishness is not mental illness. Rage is not mental illness. Violence is not mental illness. The main reason why this illness is so terrifying to the public, why we are feared, is because of unpredictability. With the illness, if it is not treated effectively, there is a chance of uncertain behavior, a chance for ”X-Factor,” an unpredictability, an unknown that fiction writers love to scare us with. The answer on a national level is to approach this disease as we do all other diseases: to understand it, to educate the public and to offer effective treatment for everyone who needs it. To bring it out into the light of day and remove the mystery and dread this illness has been shrouded in since the Dark Ages. The answer on a personal level is to see ourselves as ambassadors, spokesmen and women for our illness. If we are responsible about seeking help when we need it; if we stick to treatment plans; if we’re honest and open about our disease; if we return judgment and prejudice with kindness and forgiveness, we will turn this conditioning and uneducated stigma around by our own personal example. It won’t happen without enormous cost to both our nation’s coffers and to our own personal lives. But that’s how we change the world. The price we pay will be worth it a thousand times over, and we can give a gift to our children and our children’s children. A gift of less fear to the new century. Q

by Charlie Smith

he closing of the Wound Clinic at Allina Health System’s Abbott Northwestern Hospital, reported in this issue of ACCESS PRESS, is a clear case of placing the search for profits above the well-being of people with disabilities and chronic illnesses. Pat Hartwig, Vice President of Operations for the clinic, cites as their first reason for closing the clinic that the center had no database to track how people were getting their wounds taken care of. She makes this argument despite the fact that 450 people pass through the clinic each month and see improvement in their wounds. I am one of those people. I have been a patient at the wound clinic off and on for seven years. Over that time I have gotten to know Jan Chevrette, Jennifer Todd, and the nurse manager at the clinic, plus four or five of the doctors who practice there. All of these people are committed to finding unique and personal ways of meeting the highly specialized, individual needs of each of their patients.

RELIGION - Cont. from p. 4 world and toward the inner life of the soul, encouraging a sense of disengagement from the ordinary problems of daily living, and increasing our commitment to virtuous behavior, kindness, generosity, unselfishness, and love. These stages raise our normal state of consciousness to a higher transpersonal level that awakens new and extraordinary faculties within us, creates a desire to give back to the world what we have gained spiritually and to devote ourselves in service to others.” Q

The reason such clinics exist in the first place is that most primary care physicians lack expertise in treating the slow-toheal wounds, pressure sores, and tissue damage associated with many types of disabilities. In my own case, pressure sores on my feet have been a chronic problem, which is not uncommon for people with quadriplegia. Each time I went to the Wound Clinic with one of my unique wounds, it would take a team of 3 or 4 people to brainstorm on how, exactly, to heal the wound and to prevent it from coming back. A wound that does not receive proper treatment can become a life-threatening crisis. A clinic such as the Allina Wound Clinic saves hundreds of thousands of dollars by providing needed preventive care in an outpatient setting, preventing amputations and keeping people out of expensive and alreadyovercrowded emergency rooms. By allowing people to receive specialized preventive care in a specialized setting, patients are allowed to retain

their dignity while they cope with chronic and difficult health problems. In recent months we have often heard the managed care industry tell us how important their role is because they are providing the care that is preventing people from getting sick. The closing of Allina’s Wound Clinic seems particularly ironic in this context. The list of reasons given by Ms. Hartwig for closing the Clinic – lack of data, difficulty in billing, and high real estate values – is an insult. It is an insult to people with disabilities and to all the members of our community who have been willing to give managed care organizations a chance to come through on their promises to provide cost-effective care as part of the overall goal of improving the health of the population. To express your opinion on Allina’s decision to close the Wound Clinic, call Pat Hartwig at Abbott Northwesternat 612/863-3028. Q

Hello Nicole:

Nicole is recovering from an illness this month. Her column will return in next month’s issue of Access Press. Get Well Soon Nicole! Question? Complaint? Comment? Write to Nicole: % Access Press, 1821 University Ave. W,#185 N; St. Paul, MN 55104; HelloNicoleAccess@yahoo.com

Mark Huges’

Disability Viewpoints Jan. 20: A show about the East African Deaf Connection

Feb. 10: A show with guest Dan Reed, author of “Paid For Privilege.”

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January 10, 2001

AT THE CAPITOL IN 2001- Cont. from p. 1 demonstration grants which currently pay for hospital discharge/community reintegration. The development of local community supports will increase self-sufficiency and reduce the need for public services. Other issues important to the Brain Injury Association of Minnesota are an 8-year cycle to create equality in services for people with brain injuries with other disability groups and programs and laws that push for brain injury prevention, such as seatbelt enforcement and an adjustment in the legal blood alcohol level from 0.10 to 0.08. The Minnesota Coalition for Children with Disabilities seeks to retain the current system of funding for special education, and supports legislation to reduce class sizes in special education and to provide disability behavior training for all teachers and paraprofessionals. The Coalition also aims to improve the system for preventing maltreatment of minors, and will work to establish a pilot project to support interagency funding of effective intensive interventions for young children with Autism.

munity Mental Health Programs would like MA rates readjusted so reimbursement is increased to more closely match a person’s actual cost of service. MACMHP will also advocate for additional Medicaid and Medicare financing in hopes that mental health coverage would receive parity with other health services. The group will also push laws that prevent a reallocation of surplus funds to non-disability organizations. Plus, the group will aim to develop community-based MH care while decreasing hospital/institutional care. As do many other disability organizations, MACMHP endorses development of clientcentered care that is individualized, least restrictive, normalized, and recovery-oriented. Courage Center will fight all efforts to weaken the ADA. Any ADA revisions which provide interpretation of the law for building purposes will be monitored by Courage.

Health care is another focus for the Center. In addition to upholding legislation for the parity of mental health reimbursements, Courage wants to advance the inclusion date for the state’s discount drug The MN Association of Com- program for people with dis-

abilities from July 1, 2002 to July 1, 2001. Courage Center also maintains the efforts of the 100% Campaign. Other priorities on Courage Center’s agenda include LRT accessibility, funding for Metro Mobility, special education subsidies, improving on the current workforce shortage and the availability of assistive technology. Minnesota Home Care Association will introduce legislation that allows providers of home care services to bill Medical Assistance for transportation reimbursement for employees. The group will also develop a formula that allows Minnesota to tap into the federal portion of Medical Assistance. The Metropolitan Center for Independent Living will actively support the 100% Campaign and the ME-EPD work mentioned above. MCIL will also support certain changes in transportation, including long-term planning for Metro Mobility, and alternative transit options such as accessible taxies. In addition, MCIL will present to legislature an Affirmative Action Goal for people with disabilities.

The Mental Health Legislative Network will seek to force health plans to cover mental health services like other health conditions. MHLN will also seek to stop cost-shifting from the private to the public sector. MHLN’s agenda also focuses on supported employment, housing shortage, family involvement, and children’s mental health services. The group will also monitor the Olmstead decision and its implementation. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Minnesota Chapter will actively support the 100% campaign, and the MA-EPD assets campaign, and will seek to ensure that all counties in the state have transportation services for people with disabilities. The group also supports equal salaries with labor market for health care workers, supports expansion of the MN Prescription Drug Program to include people with disabilities (see last month’s ACCESS PRESS), and increases in compensation for state health care workers. You are encouraged to take part in this legislative process. The legislature provides assistance for persons with

special needs and barrier free access to public hearings. And, regional cable channel 6 televises much of the legislative action. To find out more, you can contact:

Minnesota Relay Service— deaf, hard of hearing, speech impaired and hearing people via the telephone (651) 6029005. Q

More information on legislaSenate Sergeant at Arms (651) tive priorities will be in next month’s issue of Access 296-1119 House Sergeant at Arms (651) Press. 296-4860

Help For Disabled Beneficiaries by Ron Ausan

isabled Social Security beneficiaries whose benefits have ended because of earnings from work and who have again become unable to work because of their medical condition may now request reinstatement of benefits without filing a new disability application. This expedited reinstatement of benefits is a welcome provision of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 (TWWIIA). The various provisions of this law assure that more Americans with disabilities have the opportunity to participate in the workforce and lessen their dependence on public benefits.

To take advantage of this provision, beneficiaries must be unable to work because of their medical condition. They must file the request for reinstatement of their benefits with Social Security within 60 months from the month their benefits terminated. Beneficiaries may receive provisional (temporary) benefits — as well as Medicare and Medicaid — for up to six months while their case is being reviewed by Social Security using the medical improvement review standard. If they are found not disabled, these temporary benefits will generally not be considered an overpayment. Q

Metro Transit

January 10, 2001

Weather Presents Additional Challenges To People with Disabilities byAmy Farrar

inter can be a difficult time for anyone to get around, but for people with disabilities, the issues are amplified. This winter seems especially irksome, given the increased amount of snow, ice, and frigid temperatures we’ve been experiencing in Minnesota compared to our more recent, mild winters. These kinds of conditions create problem spots for people with disabilities, including the high potential they create for isolation, difficulty getting adequate transportation, and the increased cost of living expenses. John Tschida, director of Public Policy and Research at Courage Center, outlined the issues faced by people with disabilities in Minnesota during the winter months. When many people think of the issue, he said, they think of people in wheelchairs. But getting around is a problem for people with any number of disabilities, said Tschida. Some examples he provided are people with fibromyalgia, who experience pain in the cold weather, and people who walk with canes or have difficulty walking at all. Snow removal can represent one of the biggest problems for people with disabilities. In Tschida’s neighborhood, the local Cub Scouts often shovel snow for people who can’t do it themselves. Rick Cardenas, co-director of ACT (Advocating Change Together), thinks this winter is actually less of a problem than previous years for people with disabilities. He said the city and bus companies have been diligent about clearing snow at loading areas for buses and at curbs.

lem for people with disabilities during the winter months. Tschida cites the Twin Cities’ current Metro Mobility program as not meeting the needs of disabled people in the metro area. “As the public policy director here, I talk with legislators and with people who run the program,” he said. “I recognize they have a very difficult job to do.”

als must stay at work until 7 p.m. for the same reason. This is arranging your life to meet the needs of the transportation system.”

Tschida explains that the government-run program simply doesn’t have enough buses to accommodate everyone. According to him, state lawmakers are scared of the $16 to $17 per ride in public subsidies (translating into $19 million a year) that it takes to run the program (people who use the system pay about $2.50 during peak hours). Things usually smooth out in the summer, he adds, because people with disabilities can get to regular buses, and many regular buses are now equipped to accommodate people in wheelchairs.

The center also uses documented complaints for testimony at the Legislature. This year is a budget year and an important one for Metro Mobility to get more funding from Despite the system’s prob- the general fund. lems, Jacobson said, “When comparing 1999 to 2000, our In addition to transportation ridership is actually up 2.7 per- problems, higher heating and cent, at over a million rides.” electricity costs during winter represent a significant chalJacobson said Metro Mobility lenge for people with disabiliis taking a variety of ap- ties. For many disabled people proaches to keep the ride de- who receive health insurance nial rate down, such as a through government-subsisupplemental service that has dized programs, increased heatadded ten extra buses, offers ing and electricity costs can 3,000 rides a month at peak force them to make some tough time, and contracts with addi- decisions. “They have to make tional providers. Another ex- some hard decisions because ample he provided was assured they’re living on a fixed budrides, wherein anyone using get,” Tschida notes. Often, Metro Mobility three days a these increased costs can mean week can use a taxi or private much less discretionary inprovider through a voucher come these people could be system. using to get to the store to buy groceries or widen their social Metro Mobility differs from circle, he said. other bus programs because the drivers come right to the Is Minnesota ahead or behind patron’s door and assist them other states in offering assiswith getting into the buildings tance to people with disabilithey are going to. For many ties during the winter? Tschida people with a disability, they says the state does a good job do not have the option of tak- with its energy assistance proing a regular bus or taxi if they gram to help all disadvantaged cannot get to it. people in making their electricity payments, and that some Lolly Lijewski, an advocate at states do better, but some do the Center for Independent worse. Living, said the center provides a list of private providers As far as transportation goes, who provide transportation to Tschida said that when compeople with disabilities (rides paring Minnesota to other are expensive, at more than $16

But the months from December to February represent the worst months of the year for people trying to get rides through Metro Mobility, because the denial rates are the highest during these months. The percentage of denial rates range from three to six percent. “But those numbers don’t capture the number of people who have stopped calling [for rides] because they know they won’t get them,” Tschida said. Most often, he continues, people call in to get rides either to go to a doctor appointment or to get to and from work.

Getting to and from work is a huge issue, he said. “We have employees here at Courage Center who are scheduled to arrive at 9 a.m. but are arriving at 7 a.m. because that was the But Tschida says transporta- only ride available to them. tion is always an ongoing prob- Some of these same individu-

Dave Jacobson, general manager at Metro Mobility, agreed that improving the program has been extremely challenging. “Every year we ask for additional funds. We’re pretty limited in what we can do.” Jacobson notes that a legislative study has given Metro Mobility several areas to focus on to try to improve the system.

per ride). The center also provides a “frustration hotline” for people who tried to get rides through Metro Mobility but were denied. Lijewski states the center prefers that people contact Metro Mobility’s customer service number first (see below) so that documented complaints can be registered by Metro Mobility.

states, “We haven’t found a real good system anywhere, particularly when it comes to states with very cold weather.”

Tschida admits that resources for people with disabilities can often be difficult to find, but they are out there. Some of his suggestions include contact- • Handiworks Program (a program of the Greater Mining the Metropolitan Center neapolis Council of for Independent Living (see Churches; chore and mainnumber below), local scout tenance program based on troops for snow shoveling, availability of workers): local churches and schools, (612) 721-8687. and local newspapers. He said the Internet is also a resource, because people can order food • Public Works of Minneapolis: (612) 673-5720. or other items on-line and have them delivered to their homes. • Metropolitan Center For Independent Living: Lolly “I encourage people to reach Lijewski, (651) 603-2022. out to organizations and not Frustration Hotline: (651) be home-bound,” Tschida 603-2022 (call Metro says. “There is assistance out Mobility’s customer serthere—it may not be easy to vice number first, at (651) find, but there are people will602-1111). ing to help. People need to pick up the phone.” Cardenas agreed with Tschida, com- • City Information and Complaint Office (for problems menting that people should with snow removal in Saint talk with their legislators and Paul): (651) 266-8500. city council members about putting state funds currently planned for rebates to more • To report unsafe sidewalks or to find out where to get effective use. free sidewalk sand in Minneapolis, call (612) 673Organizations and Resources: 2441. Q • Senior Ombudsman’s Of-

STATS - Cont. from p. 2 More individuals with disabilities said the Internet made them feel more connected to the world around them (44 percent) than did people without disabilities (38 percent). Researchers acknowledged the interwoven nature of each of these subjects: employment, income, social interaction, and access to technology. The common factor to

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them all is money. “Without money, you can’t participate in anything,” said one conference participant. Getting more of it into the hands of people with disabilities through employment, said Mary Daly, is the “major policy puzzle that must be solved before the rewards of economic growth are shared by all.” Q

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January 10, 2001

WELLSTONE PROPOSES UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE ACT by Jeff Nygaard

ince the defeat of President Clinton’s health care initiative in 1994, the subject of universal health care has virtually disappeared from the national agenda. For the most part, the health care legislation now offered by our national leaders has to do with prescription drug coverage under Medicare, a patients’ bill of rights, or other piecemeal approaches to the American people’s discontent with the health care system. The bold exception in the United States Senate is the recent introduction by Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone of the Health Security for All Americans Act, S. 2888. This bill would assure “quality, affordable health care for all Americans” by requiring every state to create its own system of universal coverage, with significant funding supplied by the federal government. The

bill was introduced this past July in the Senate; companion legislation has been introduced in the House by Washington State Representative Jim McDermott and 21 co-sponsors. Although little-reported here in his home state, Wellstone believes that his bill is the first step in putting universal health care “back on the front burner where it belongs.” In a speech on the Senate floor when the bill was introduced, Wellstone said “America’s doctors and nurses know how to cure disease better than anywhere else in the world. Well, now it is time to treat America’s worst malady—45 million uninsured Americans, and millions more underinsured Americans who are spending far too much of their monthly pay check on health care costs. All the doctors and all the nurses and all the other health care providers in America can-

not solve this problem nor right eral government. Wellstone ing loopholes on wealthy istered systems to ensure this injustice, but we in the believes that a single-payer individuals and large corpouniversal health insurance Congress can!” coverage equal to the benrations. plan, similar to the system in efits provided” to members 4. Acknowledging that it Canada, might actually be the Under the Wellstone bill each best approach for the United of Congress and other fedwould take some time for the state would be required to States to take. However, in a eral employees. The states states to implement their uniprovide“universal, affordable, bow to the current political rewould have 5 years to reach versal care plans, the bill and comprehensive” health alities in this country, the Health the goal of 100% coverage. would immediately enact care benefits to 100% of its Security for All Americans Act 2. The federal government into law a patients bill of residents that would be equal is not a single-payer plan. Inrights (as previously subwould provide the funding to the benefits provided to stead, Wellstone points out mitted in the U.S. House) necessary for the states to members of Congress. The that the 50 U.S. states could and the provisions of anassure that no citizen pays states would have 5 years to reach the goal of universal other previously-submitted more than a small percentput the plan in place. bill that would “prohibit disage of their family income for coverage “in a variety of ways: crimination or retaliation coverage under their plans with an employer mandate, with Disability-Friendly against health care workers (ranging from one-half of one a combination of public and Provisions who report unsafe condipercent for the lowest-inprivate initiatives, with single tions and practices which come families to 7% for uppayer, or some other method.” Two provisions of the (For more information on the impact on patient care.” per-income families). Wellstone plan will be of par- Canadian single-payer system, 3. The bill anticipates substan- 5. The bill would establish a ticular interest to readers of see the article page 9.) tial “direct savings in [over“Health Care Quality, Patient ACCESS PRESS. Title VI of the all] health care expenditures Safety, and Workforce Stanbill, entitled “Long-term and There are 8 key provisions in resulting from the implemendards Institute” within the Home Health Care,” would the Health Security for All tation of this Act,” with adfederal Department of Humandate the Secretary of Health Americans Act: ditional funds coming from man Services. The Institute of Human Services to “conthe federal government and would improve patient duct studies and demonstra- 1. Each state would be required drawn from the projected safety and quality of care by tion projects...designed to idenbudget surplus and from addressing the recentlyto devise a way to “establish tify model programs for the taxes raised by closing exist- Wellstone - cont. on p. 9 and implement State-adminprovision of long-term and home health care services,” and “report any recommendations for legislation to expand or continue such studies and projects.” In a separate section of the bill is a requirement that any American entitled to benefits under either Part A or Part B of the Medicare program “shall be provided full mental health and substance abuse treatment parity under the medicare program.” State Plans, Federal Funds The Wellstone plan would be administered on the state level, with minimum standards set and funds provided by the fed-

NOTICE: REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS SAINT PAUL PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY SECTION 8 PROJECT-BASED RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM The Saint Paul Public Housing Agency (PHA) announces the availability of its Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance Program. The PHA wishes to improve the existing rental housing stock and increase the supply of affordable rental housing available to low income households. Proposals will be accepted from owners, developers or other ownership teams who agree to rehabilitate or construct dwelling units for occupancy by tenants eligible for Section 8 rental assistance. Upon acceptance and approval of the proposal and completion of the construction or rehabilitation, the PHA will provide rental assistance to eligible Section 8 applicants who agree to live in the rehabilitated or newly built units. Financing for the construction or rehabilitation of the dwelling units must be arranged independently, as such funds are not available through the PHA. The property must be located in the city of Saint Paul. Owners must be willing to enter into a Housing Assistance Payments Contract with the PHA for a minimum of one year. PHA goals for the program include contributing to the upgrading and long-term viability of the city’s housing stock; increasing the supply of affordable housing and locational choice for very low income households; integrating housing and supportive services; and promoting the coordination and leveraging of resources. The PHA, through this RFP, does not promise to accept any proposals and specifically reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to waive any formal proposal requirements, to investigate the qualification and experience of any proposer, to reject provisions in any proposal, or to obtain new proposals. Proposals which do not meet basic program requirements or which are not sufficiently detailed or in acceptable form may be returned for completion or rejected by the PHA. The PHA is accepting all applications through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) SuperRFP process, scheduled for release December 4, 2000. You can obtain more information and an application and guidebook by contacting the MHFA Multi-Family Division at 651-297-3294 or 1-800-657-3701, checking the MHFA web site at www.mhfa.state.mn.us, or by contacting Rita Ander, PHA Section 8 Programs Manager, at 651-298-5079. Applications are due to MHFA no later than 4:00 p.m. on February 1, 2000.

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

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January 10, 2001

Canadian Health Care: Myths And Realities by Jeff Nygaard

here is much misunderstanding in the United States about the health care system in Canada. This article will briefly describe the nature of the system that serves our neighbors to the north, and attempt to address some of the most prevalent myths circulating in the media about Canadian health care. In Canada each resident is issued a health insurance card – similar to a Social Security card in the U.S. – which entitles them to go to any doctor, anywhere, anytime and receive any covered service, for which there are no deductibles, copayments, or dollar limits. Covered services are defined as “all medically necessary services,” and are defined below. A 1999 survey showed that almost 85% of Canadians said the medical care they and their families received in the last year was good, very good or excellent. This follows the pattern of earlier surveys. Overall, the Canadian health care system, called “Medicare,” is a system in which the federal government sets national standards for health care and assists in the financing of the system. The management and delivery of health care services is the responsibility of each individual province (equivalent to our states). Canada does NOT have a system of “socialized medicine,” with doctors employed by the government. What they have is a national health insurance system — a “single payer” — which pays for most services delivered by doctors, most of whom are private practitioners who work in independent or group practices and have a high degree of autonomy. The system is referred to as a “national” health care plan in that all provincial and territorial hospital and medical insurance plans are linked through adherence to national principles set at the federal level. The five principles of Canadian Medicare are: Public Administration: The health insurance plan of a province must be administered and operated on a non-profit basis by a public authority accountable to the provincial government. Comprehensiveness The plan must insure all medically necessary services provided by hospitals and physicians. Insured hospital services include in-patient care at the ward level (unless private or semi-private rooms are medically necessary) and all necessary drugs, supplies and diagnostic tests, as well as a broad range of outpatient services. Chronic care services are also insured, although some payment in respect of accommodation costs

may be required by patients who more or less permanently reside in the institution. Universality The plan must entitle 100 percent of the insured population (i.e., eligible residents) to insured health services on uniform terms and conditions. Accessibility The plan must provide, on uniform terms and conditions, reasonable access to insured hospital and physician services without barriers. Additional charges to insured patients for insured services are not allowed. No one may be discriminated against on the basis of income, age, health status, etc. Portability Residents are entitled to coverage when they move to another province within Canada or when they travel within Canada or abroad. The principles of Medicare have the support of an overwhelming majority of Canadians. Myths About Canadian Health Care Myth #1: The Canadian health care system does not work as well as the U.S. system. ABC News recently referred to Canadian health care in general as facing “a very serious situation.” Statistics do not back this up. Canadians live longer than Americans, have a lower infant mortality rate, have more nursing home beds, and more nurses. Canadians have higher survival rates for most cancers. The United Nations Human Development Index, which ranks countries according to their citizens’ education, access to health care, and average income, has ranked Canada at the top of the list for the past seven years. Myth #2: Long Waits for Care There are no waits for urgent care or primary care in Canada. There are waits for specialist care and elective surgery, stories of which are widely reported in the U.S. press. In fact, there is no reliable data that would allow us to assess whether the problem is system-wide and prevalent, or merely anecdotal. Myth #3: Health Care is Rationed in Canada. Health care is rationed in every nation of the world, since no nation provides unlimited resources for health care. The difference is in how those resources are allocated. In the United States health care is rationed by ability to pay, with decisions often made by private entities such as insurance companies or HMOs. In Canada, every province manages its own health care spending based on a democratic process that assesses both the system’s ability to pay and the

citizens’ needs for care. Decisions about the acquisition and distribution of expensive hightech equipment, for example, are based on demonstrated need balanced against desires to avoid unnecessary duplication or under-utilization. Myth #4: Taxes in Canada Are Too High Personal income taxes are higher in Canada, in some income classes, than in the U.S., and lower in others. Canadian Social Security taxes are lower than the U.S. Overall, tax revenues as a percentage of the national income are higher in Canada than in the U.S. However, this fails to take into account the value of social benefits, such as family allowances, tax credits, and health care. When those are factored in, the average after-tax and after-transfer income of Canadian workers actually about 0.1% higher than in the United States. A recent study by Standard and Poor concluded that if the costs of private-sector health and education services, which are principally publiclyfunded in Canada, are added to the US tax bill, there is no difference in the overall tax burden. Myth #5: Canadians Are Pouring Over the Border to Get Health Care. Fewer than 0.1% of Canadians surveyed in 1998/ 99 reported receiving health care in the United States. Studies suggest that many of those treated were long-term visitors, such as “snowbirds” ages 65 and over who spend winters in the U.S. Myth #6: Doctors Are Fleeing Canada to Practice in the U.S. Doctors are a highly mobile group of professionals, but there is no mass exodus of Canadian doctors. Approximately 569 physicians left the country in 1998 compared to 659 in 1997, a drop of 14%. While the total number of physicians leaving fluctuates from year to year, the proportion of those leaving to the total physician supply has remained stable at approximately one to

two per cent since the 1980s. The number of physicians returning to practice in Canada increased by 41% from 227 in 1997 to 321 in 1998. The 321 returning physicians represented 0.6% of the total physician supply for 1998.

Americans also travel to Canada and borrow health care The Canadian health care syscards so they can take advan- tem has some significant probtage of free Canadian health lems, including fights over fiscare. Again, it’s impossible to cal control between the states know how many people do and the federal government this, but Ontario recently went and sometimes-disorganized through the expense of mak- methods of allocating reing everyone get picture IDs sources. Canadians will be Myth #7: The Canadian Health in an attempt to reduce the quick to point out that similar Bureaucracy is Inefficient problems exist in the United problem. Despite overall better health States. And while the Canaoutcomes in Canada, Canadi- Myth #10: The Health System dian system provides coverans spend less on health care isaDragonCanada’sEconomy age to every one of its citizens, than the United States. Per A 1999 study by KPMG, the 45 million Americans—includcapita, Canada spends about international business advi- ing 11 million children–are now $1,785 per year on health care, sors, comparing business costs without any health insurance compared to $4,178 in the U.S. in North America, Europe and at all, with unknown numbers As a nation, Canada devotes Japan found that Canada has more underinsured. Despite 9.5. of its Gross Domestic Prod- the lowest business costs. A the restructuring of Canadian uct to health care, while the significant advantage was health care in recent years, U.S. spends 13.6%. In both Canada’s lower labor costs surveys show that over 90% of cases, the United States spends resulting from lower employee- Canadians prefer their health more than any other nation in sponsored benefits, especially care system to the U.S. model. Q the world. Insurance overhead medical insurance. costs in the U.S. run between 10% and 15% of total system costs; in Canada that number is about 1%. Total administraCont. from p. 8 tive costs in Canada – including hospital administration and publicized issue of work- ity care guaranteed with paphysician’s office costs — is place errors, including on- tient protections; real income about 14% of health care going study of “how pa- protections; and honoring of spending in Canada, as comtient safety issues and health care workers.” pared to about 25% in the U.S. workplace conditions are linked” to those errors and When in his speech introMyth #8: The Canadian Systo overall quality of care. ducing the Health Security tem is Going Broke 6. The Institute would also for All Americans Act last As in the United States, bud“study and report to Con- July, Wellstone concluded get cutbacks were the norm in gress and the President by saying that the problem Canada in the early 1990s, and legislative recommenda- of uninsured and underinhealth care was no exception. tions for adding a compre- sured Americans “is a probWith the return of a balanced hensive, accessible, and af- lem that isn’t going away on budget in 1998, the Canadian fordable prescription drug its own, but there is a solugovernment increased fundbenefit to Medicare.” tion.” He then called on all ing for national health care by Americans who are con$11.5 billion, the largest single Wellstone maintains that his cerned about this issue to new investment ever made by bill, by allowing states maxi- “join thousands of your felthe government. mum flexibility while estab- low citizens who have allishing federal responsibility ready written to members of Myth #9: Many Canadians for setting standards and pro- Congress, and call and write Come to the U.S. for Health viding funding, gives the your Senators and RepresenCare. One of the ways that United States the best chance tatives and ask them to join Canada keeps their health care at the present time to meet the in bringing quality, affordcosts down is by running their goals of “universal coverage; able health care coverage to hospitals at or near capacity. comprehensive benefits as all Americans.” Q When there are unexpected degood as Congress gets; qualmands, patients are sometimes sent across the border to U.S. hospitals. Costs are paid by the Canadian provincial government. If someone goes to Ramsey County invites you to join us in building a better the U.S. for care and it isn’t community through public service in the following fields: paid for by the province, there is no way to track that care. • Administrative, Management and Technical Services

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

WELLSTONE -

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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) A REVOLUTIONARY APPROACH FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

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January 10, 2001

Access To Employment Accessible Performances The following performances will be Audio Described (AD) for people who are blind or have low vision, or Interpreted DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS in American Sign Language (ASL) for people who are deaf Join dynamic non-profit org promoting social integration & or hard of hearing. environ awareness through outdoor adventure, research & training. The Dir of Ops is resp for strategic- oversight, dev & “You’re a Good Man, Charlie implementation of safe, high quality natl outdoor adventure Brown”; ASL/AD Sat Jan. programs serving people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. 13, 2:00 – ASL: Allen English, Req exc supervisory, speaking & writing skills, & ability to plan Laura Becker; AD: Rick & implement activities invl board, staff, customers and vols. 8+ Jacobson; Ordway Theatre, yrs prof outdoor exp & MBA pref. $50 - 65K + exc ben. (651)-224-4222, TTY 282-3100;

Employment ads are $14 per col. inch; Jan 31 is the deadline for the Feb 10 issue. Mail to: ACCESS PRESS • 1821 University Ave. • #185N • St. Paul, MN 55104 • FAX 651-644-2136 • E-mail: access@mninter.net PAYROLL SPECIALIST The Bergquist Company seeks a Payroll Specialist for their worldwide headquarters in Chanhassen, MN. This person will be responsible for all aspects of the payroll function and a wide variety of administrative duties requiring initiative and independent judgement. This individual is responsible for the payroll of approximately 350 employees consisting of hourly and salaried employees. Requires 5 years payroll processing experience a strong knowledge of ADP or like system. A 2-year degree in Accounting or related field strongly preferred. Previous experience working with Spectrum a plus. Accurate and strong data entry skills, a professional demeanor, excellent time management and organizational skills required. Must have good communication skills, excellent math aptitude and basic accounting skills.

adv.s More . 11 on p

Wilderness Inquiry 808 14th Ave SE, Mpls, MN 55414 (612) 676-9400 For full JD see www.wildernessinquiry.org/jobs list.html

“The Elves & the Shoemaker”; * ASL Sat, Jan. 13, 2:00 + Jan. 10 school shows – Interpreters: Ann Pierce & Amy Bursch; Central Minnesota Children’s Theater, (320) 2595463; runs Jan. 8-14.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Wilderness Inquiry (WI) Join dynamic non-profit org promoting social integration & environ awareness through outdoor adventure, research & training. The Admin Asst is resp for promoting WI’s mission thru high quality cust svs via phone answering, accurate data entry & support to all depts. 5 yrs office exp & BA. Mac exp a plus. Exc sal & ben. Apply: Wilderness Inquiry, 808 14th Ave SE, Mpls, MN 55414. (612) 676-9400 www.wildernessinquiry.org/ jobs list.html

The law amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide automatic U.S. citizenship to a child born outside the. United States if: • at least one parent is a U.S. citizen; • the child is under 18 yrs; and • the child is residing in the

“Number Seven”; ASL Fri, Jan. 26, 8:00 — Interpreter: Stephanie Meyer; show runs Jan. 18-27; 3 Legged Race at Theatre Garage, (612) 332-3200 “2” (Hermann Goering); AD Sun, Jan. 28, 2:00 – Audio Describer: Mari Griffin; Theatre in the Round, (612) 333-3010 “Watermelon Hill”; ASL Sat., Feb. 3, 8:00; Fri, Feb. 9; AD Sat, Feb. 17, 8:00; Audio Describer: Mari Griffin; Great American History Theatre, (651) 292-4323

“Sundiata, the Lion King of “Empty Places”; ASL Sat, Jan. Mali”; ASL Tue, Feb. 6, 11:00 13, 8:00; Rochester Civic The- a.m. — Interpreters: Amy atre, (507) 282-8481 Bursch & Anne Pierce; Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, “Dancing Wheels”; ASL/AD (320) 363-5777 Thur, Jan. 18, 7:30; MSU Moorhead, Hansen Theatre. “Blood Wedding” ; AD Sat, (218) 236-2271. Feb. 10, 1:00 (sensory tour 11:00) – Describer: Laurie Pape Hadley; ASL Fri., Feb. 16, 7:30 – Interpreters: Patty Gordon & Anthony Verdeja; Guthrie Lab, (612) 377-2224, (800) 848-4912, TTY (612) 377-6626

Disabled Children May Become Citizens Sooner

To apply, please send your resume to 18930 W. 78th St., new law, the Child CitiChanhassen, MN 55317, zenship Act of 2000 (Pubfax to 952-835-0430 or lic Law 106) which was signed e-mail to October 30, allows certain blind jobs@bergquistcompany.com. and disabled children to become U.S. citizens more quickly and, therefore, eligible for Women and people of color Supplemental Security Income are encouraged to apply. benefits sooner. Equal Opportunity Employer.

“The Visit”; * ASL/AD Sun, Jan. 21 — show runs Jan. 1828; Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre, (701)235-6778

United States in the legal and physical custody of the citizen parent pursuant to a lawful admission for permanent residence. The law also applies to some children who are adopted by a U. S. citizen parent. The provisions are effective 180 days after enactment. Q

“Saturday Night Fever”; AD/ ASL Sun, Feb. 11, 2:00; AD: Mari Griffin; ASL: Paula Gajewski Mickelson; Orpheum Theatre, (612) 373-5650 or (612) 989-5151 “The Story of Hope”; AD Tuesday, Feb. 13, 11:00 am; ASL Sun, Feb. 18, 2:00; SteppingStone Theatre (651) 225-9265

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“Special Class”; * ASL/AD Sat, Feb. 24, 2:00 — runs Feb. 23-24; Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre (701)235-6778 “The Box Car Children”; ASL Wed, Feb. 28, 11a.m. — Interpreters: Amy Bursch & Anne Pierce; Stephen B. Humphrey Theater (320) 363-5777 * Selected performances are eligible for Reduced Admission Prices through Access to Theatre. For more information contact VSA arts of Minnesota, mn@vsarts.org, (612) 332-3888 or statewide (800) 801-3883 (voice/TTY).

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“Dream Play”; ASL Sat, Feb. 24, 8:00; Make ASL reservation by Jan. 26; U of M Theatre at Rarig Center, (612) 624-2345

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“About Face: Stories of Immigration”; AD/ASL Sun, Feb. 18, 2:00; Youth Performance Co. at Howard Conn Fine Arts Center, (612) 623-9080; runs Feb. 9-25

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“To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, adapted by Christopher Sergel; ASL Tues, Feb. 13, 10:00 am; Tues, Feb. 20, 10:00 am; AD Thursday, Feb. 22, 10:00 a.m.; Audio Describer: Mari Griffin; Great American History Theatre (651) 292-4323

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The City of Minnetonka is seeking an individual on a full-time basis to write for, redesign, reorganize and maintain the city’s web site and Intranet. This position will also be responsible for other general communication duties, such as maintaining electronic bulletin board and maintaining process for posting electronic versions of internal documents in .pdf format. Requires minimum of two years of post high school education/training in communications, computer/technology or other related field or equivalent experience, proficiency with IBM compatible PCs, knowledge and ability in two of the following: html, xml, Active Server Pages, Internet development tools including MS Front Page and Adobe Go Live, Adobe Acrobat, SQL Server, ability to communicate in clear and concise manner, both orally and in writing. Preferred qualifications: local government experience, experience working with developing and maintaining interactive functions of web sites and Intranets, experience with writing for the web and graphic design and desktop publishing expertise. Salary Range: $33,718 to $37,464, with excellent benefits. A city application form must be submitted. To obtain an application, call the JobLine at (952) 939-8212 or www.ci.min netonka.mn.us. Application deadline is January 16, 2001. CITYOFMINNETONKA 14600 MINNETONKA BLVD MINNETONKA, MN 55345 AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

More adv.s on page 10

Access To Employment

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

Social Services Legal MENTAL HEALTH STAFF Part-time ENVIRONMENTAL LEGAL SECRETARY

DATABASE COORDINATOR Do you enjoy using computers to solve problems & have an interest in the legal field? Faegre & Benson LLP, Minnesota’s second largest law firm, is seeking applicants for a Database Coordinator opening in our Litigation Support Services department. Using current industry software packages, you will provide ongoing support to legal teams using created databases; assist with database creation and the development of case- specific user interfaces; assist with our data conversion process; along with a wide variety of other duties. Our ideal candidate will work well under pressure, be detail-oriented, have exceptional analytical & communication skills, and possess the abilities to multitask, prioritize and exercise excellent judgment. One to two years experience or bachelor’s degree required. Prefer experience with Word, Excel, Access, DBText Works, Concordance, Summation. Please note that this is not a programming position! 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: FAEGRE & BENSON LLP 2200 Wells Fargo Center 90 South Seventh Street Minneapolis, MN 55402 Fax: 612-336-3846 Internet: HR@Faegre.com

SECRETARY PCL Construction Services, Inc., is a large general contractor with extensive operations throughout North America. As a result of significant growth in our level of business activity, we have an immediate vacancy for an experienced secretary in our Burnsville District office. The successful candidate should possess strong computer skills along with a high level of proficiency in MS Office software programs. In addition, the candidate should have well developed editing and proofreading skills as well as an ability to work independently and organize multiple projects. Familiarity with technical construction/engineering terminology is desired. We offer an exceptional benefit program including medical, dental, life, disability 401 (k), 3 weeks of vacation and more! Send confidential resume and salary requirements to: Personnel Manager PCL Construction Services, Inc. 12200 Nicollet Avenue S. Burnsville, MN 55337 (No phone calls or walk-ins please) AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER M/F/D/V STAFF ATTORNEY Central Minnesota Legal Services seeks staff atty for Mpls. Office. Fam. law, with sub-spec. in govt. benes. and/or housing pref. Bar admis. desired but new grads. considered. Post- law school poverty law exp. pref. Salary: $28,000 (if adm) - $33,578, D.O.E. Paid fam. health, life and disability insur. Send resume, references and writing sample to Joan A. Lastine, Executive Director, CMLS, 430 First Avenue North, #359, Mpls., MN 55401. Appl. deadline 1/31/01 or until filled. EOE.

January 10, 2001

Rise Housing, Inc. a progressive non-profit community based mental health services agency is seeking a full-time mental health staff working with families and some single adults to resolve housing problems and to provide individualized highest quality case management services. Our team, serving the Anoka County community is seeking a highly motivated, principled, self starter to join us in providing comprehensive rehabilitative services for persons living with psychiatric illness who may also struggle with chemical health, domestic violence, survivor or sexual abuse issues. This is not a residential program.

Faegre & Benson LLP, Minnesota’s second largest law firm, is seeking a legal secretary to work in our Environmental group on Mondays, Tuesdays and alternating Fridays. Candidates should have 3-6 years of legal secretarial litigation experience, excellent organizational skills, proficient word processing skills and typing of 70+ wpm, and a team orientated, flexible work style. We offer competitive wages and benefits, including retirement savings plans, and transportation discounts including the Metropass. To learn more about our current job opportunities and for additional information about Faegre & Benson, visit our web site at www. faegre.com. For consideration, please send your resume and salary history to Human Resources:

FAEGRE & BENSON LLP A qualified candidate will have 2200 Wells Fargo Center a bachelor’s degree in human 90 South Seventh Street Minneapolis, MN 55402 services, preferably in social Fax: (612) 336-3846 work and two years experience E-mail: HR@faegre.com providing mental health services. Experience with transi- Web site: www.faegre.com tional housing, rental subsidies and fair housing issues a Equal Opportunity Employer plus. Familiarity with poverty Librarian issues, public benefits and housing will be very helpful. LEGAL Interest and commitment in ADMINISTRATIVE working with families is very ASSISTANT important. Driver’s license required. Applicants with expeLooking for a change rience and comfort with advobefore the new year? cacy roles and responsibilities will find this position an espeFaegre & Benson LLP, a leadcially good match. ing Minnesota law firm, has an opening for a legal administraExcellent benefits and great tive assistant in its Corporate working environment. Salary -Finance practice group. This range based on experience and position offers an interesting qualifications. Please send reand fast-paced work opportusume to: nity in a professional work environment. Ideal candidates Rise Mental Health will have at least 3 years legal And Housing Services secretarial experience; excelAttn: Rebecca Fink lent organizational and com8406 Sunset Road munication skills; proficient Spring Lake Park, MN word processing skills; key55432 boarding at 60+ wpm; and a www.rise.org team-oriented, flexible work Equal Opportunity style. Faegre & Benson LLP Employer offers competitive wages and an excellent benefits package, VICE PRESIDENT FOR including a discounted bus STUDENT AFFAIRS program--Metropass. For additional information about Minnesota State University Faegre & Benson, visit our web Moorhead (formerly Moor- site at www.faegre.com. Please head State University) is seek- send resume and salary hising a Vice President for Stu- tory to Human Resources: dent Affairs to begin July 1, 2001. Initial Screening is Feb- FAEGRE & BENSON LLP ruary 5, 2001. Please consult 2200 Wells Fargo Center web site http://www.mnstate. 90 South Seventh Street edu/vacancy/ for further inforMinneapolis MN 55402 mation or call 218-236-2075. Fax: 612-336-3846 MSUM is an AA/EO Employer/Educator.

Legal CASE ASSISTANT Are you looking to gain experience in the legal field? This could be the position for you! Faegre & Benson LLP, a leading downtown Mpls. law firm, has an opening for a case assistant 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 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 Internet; HR@Faegre.com Equal Opportunity Employer Legal TRADEMARK LEGAL SECRETARY Faegre & Benson LLP, a downtown Mpls. law firm, has a great career opportunity for a legal secretary in its Intellectual Property practice group. This position offers interesting and satisfying work opportunities in a professional work environment. Candidates should have 3+ years secretarial experience, preferably in a law firm; trademark experience preferred; excellent organizational and communications skills; proficient word processing/ computer skills; keyboarding at 70+ wpm; and a team-orientated, 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:

Internet: HR@Faegre.com

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

SRF Consulting Group, Inc., a fast growing, well-established civil engineering, transportation, and planning firm has openings for the following positions: SURVEY CREW CHIEF Survey Crew Chief to lead and develop GPS surveys. GPS survey experience required. Topographic mapping and construction survey experience preferred. TRAFFICENGINEERING TECHNICIAN Technician to work on a variety of traffic projects including signal design. Requirements include a two-year drafting degree, experience with Microstation, and an interest in traffic design. Knowledge of AutoCad a plus. ACCOUNTING/ BOOKKEEPER Full-time or part-time bookkeeper to assist with accounts payable, billing, data entry, filing, copying and supplies. The ideal candidate will have 1-3 years related experience, including 10-key calculator skill and a strong working knowledge of MAS 90, Lotus 123, MS Word, Excel and Access. GRAPHICDESIGNER Graphic designer with strong organizational skills to perform a wide variety of design tasks including photo-library cataloging, archiving and 3-D rendering. Qualifications include 1-3 years of experience with a thorough knowledge of Quark Xpress, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. Experience with Dreamweaver, Adobe Acrobat and HTML preferred. Strong communication skills, a positive attitude and a willingness to learn a must. We offer excellent salary and benefits including 401(k), profit sharing, vacation and sick leave. Interested candidates may send resumes to SRF Consulting Group, Inc., One Carlson Pkwy. N., #150, Plymouth, MN 55447; fax to 612475-2429; or e-mail to hr@srfconsulting.com; EOE

CLIENTSERVICES COORDINATOR Direct callers/rec.msg.; conduct phone/in-person interviews of potential clients; messenger work; min. typing; other tasks as assigned. Need good comm. Skills, relate to low-income community, good judg., work well under pressure. $20,670 to $29,667, D.O.E. Full family health benes. Start approx. 2/01/01. Resume & cover let. 1/31: Judy Hollie, CMLS, 430 – 1st Ave. N., Ste. 359, Mpls., MN 55401-1780. Apps. Accepted until filled. EOE

January 10, 2001

CLASSIFIEDS

$$ for client or staff referrals

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

MISCELLANEOUS

Scooters For Sale. Amigo legend XL (2 new batteries), Pride Sundancer. Both excellent condition. Asking $1,200 each. Call Alden at (612) 789-4130.

Jan Snook’s, Helpful Hints Computer Guidebook is simple and understandable. Hard covered book covers Word, Excel, and tips for the Internet. Jsnook1234@aol.com (612) Must Sell: Invacare Ranger II 378-2610 $19.00 Shipping. powerchair. New, still warranted, never used. Cost $10, Omni Frame, Inc., custom pic484.20. Will sacrifice for ture framing. Make your pic$3,000.00 or best offer. Contact tures stand out with quality Ken or make sure to leave mes- mats and frames. Randall J. sage! (952) 898-3587, Almquist (612) 788-4330. Burnsville. Oron Griffitt Carpentry: Electric Wheelchair: Action Decks, Remodeling, Home ReRanger II storm series. $7000 pair, Basement Finishing. Advalue. Ridden in twice—like ditions, Ramps, and Accessinew. Will sell for $2400. 763- bility. Free Estimates. Call Rob 427-0521. (612) 636-2846. 1988 Ford Econoline Conversion van, automatic. Has power lift for wheelchiar, sent converts to bed. Runs good. 125,500 miles. $2,500. (651) 2579583

Sponsorship levels: Basic (low income) . $5.00

St. Auben’s Carpet Cleaning—2 average sized rooms for $55. Also available: furnace, ductwork and fireplace cleaning services. Call (612) 823-3805 or (612) 721-5105.

“Words of Love” is a CD by Snoopi Botten, a musician with cerebral palsy who writes and performs inspirational songs using a synthetic speech system. To order, call (612) 8727233 or visit Snoopi’s website at http://hometown.aol.com/ dectalk/myhomepage/ index.html.

....Sick of not getting your calls returned? ....Tired of constant PCA turnover? .....Do you just feel like a number? SERVICESWEOFFER:

• Personal Care Attendants/Home Health Aides • On-Call Staff • Company Car For PCAs With... “Car Trouble”...

For Reliable, dependable and punctual nurses, TMA, CNA/ PCA, call Charleston & Charlmars at Workers Availability Home Health Care at (651) 291-8754

In Home Personal Care Care St. Louis Park

(952) 929-5757 Home Care With A “Personal” Touch Since 1991

FORRENT Holmes-Greenway Housing One and two bedroom apartments designed for physically handicapped persons. Convenient SE Minneapolis location. Call (612) 378-0331 for availability information. Equal Opportunity Housing.

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

Lewis Park Apartments: Barrier free housing with wheelchair user in mind. Section 8 subsidized. One- and two bedroom units. For more information on availability call (651) 488-9923. St. Paul, MN Equal Opportunity Housing.

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SPONSORS OF ACCESS PRESS: Thanks to the following sponsors for supporting ACCESS PRESS this year. ------------------------------------- BASIC SPONSOR ------------------------------------Margaret Beier Patricia Guerrero Beth Jensen Debra Johnson Ericka Johnson Rosanne Kramnicz Steven McKeever Kathleen M. Miller Cindy Moore Jane & Albert Olson Carla Reichenberg Paul W. Taylor Kelli N-E Wysocki ------------------------------------- FRIEND SPONSOR ------------------------------------Sue Abderholden Mary Andresen David Baldwin Kathy Ball Marisa Bennett Mike & Karen Bjorgan Susan Blaylock Maynard Bostrom Bob Brick Wendy Brower Carlyn Bryngelson Susan Bulger Deah Cain Lynne Corneli Stephanie Cunningham Marty Cushing Justin & Yoshiko Dart Jolene Davis LeRoy deBoom Neil Doughty Craig Dunn Mel Duncan Lee Ann Erickson Robert J. Geldert Candace/David Gislason Tom Gode Rep. Kevin Goodno Nadine & Andy Groven John Hoffman Bradley J. Holmes Ellen & Skip Houghton Judy Hunt Cindy & Gregory Johnson Deb Johnson Ericka Johnson Linnea Johnson Hoff Barb Kane Mary Kay Kennedy Diah Kinion Beth Knutson-Kolodzne Eugene Kook Sherry Lampman Sue Lasoff David Larson Linda Larson Linda Lattin Dorothy McCoy William O’Dowd Margery Pilhofer Dwight & Chris Porter Barbara Proehl Virginia Puzak Kelly Rathcke Kim Rezek Stuart Rosen Ginger Rudberg Patricia Rydeen Elizabeth Smith Adele Spavin Helen Thompson Gerry and Barb Tollakson Caryl Wattman Mary Frank-Wawokiyawin Teri Welcher Curt Wiehle David Wood Accord Health Care Services All Temporaries, Inc Alliance for the Mentally Ill of MN Arc of Anoka/Ramsey Cty Arc Suburban Arc Minnesota Best Care Blue Sky Designs, Inc. Brain Injury Assn. of MN Consumer Council of The Alliance for the Mentally Ill Disabled Dealer East Suburban Resources Equity Services-St. Paul Franciscan Sisters of St. Paul Forensic Alliance of Mentally Ill Fraser Community Services Home Health Care JQ-P, Inc. Kaposia MBW Company Metro Mobility Service Center Staff MN Bio Brain Association MN Developmental Achievement Center Assoc. (MnDACA) NAMI New Dimensions Northeast Contemporary Services Kelly Rathcke Resource RISE Inc. S.M.I.L.E.S. United Cerebral Palsy of MN

------------------------------------- BRONZE SPONSOR ------------------------------------Steve Alarik Anonymous Susan Asplund David Baldwin Jeff Bangsberg Jill Bedow Janet Berndt Bill Blom Anita Boucher Tom Brick Rick Cardenas Michael and Janice Chevrett Margot Imdieke Cross Chris Duff Robert Gregory Luther Granquist Doris Groven Roger A. Hoffman Dianna Krogstad LoRene Leikind Lolly Lijewski Christopher Meyer Cliff Miller Bill Niederloh Michael Otubushin Louise Pattridge Catherine Reid & Liddy Rich Rick Ryan John Smith Peter & Pamela Stanfiel Mary Jane Steinhagen J. Quinn Tierney Candace Warne Jerrold Wood Joe & JoAnn Zwack Dept. of Occupat’l Therapy-U of M Div. MN Rehab. Assoc Job Placement & Dvlpmt FastServ Minnesota Work Incentives Connection Merrick Companies Pat Siebert, MN Dis. Law Ctr. National Results Council New Ways ------------------------------------- SILVER SPONSOR ------------------------------------Scott Beers Robert E. Buuck Catherine Eilers M. Therese Gockenbach Martha Hage Judy Haaversen David and Susan Houghton Lynn Noren Michael Otubushin Dean Doering & Lisa Scribner Kevin Sullivan Arc Hennepin County Help Yourself Job Placement and Development Division, MN Rehab Assn Mental Health Consumer/Survivor Network Mpls. Advisory Committee St. Paul Mayors Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities Twin City Transportation Vinland Center ------------------------------------- GOLD SPONSOR ------------------------------------David M. Dreier Shirley Larson Ronna Linroth Bridget & Diane Smith In Homes Personal Care ------------------------------------- DIAMOND SPONSOR ------------------------------------Rapit Print ------------------------------------- BENEFACTOR SPONSOR -------------------------------------

------------------------------------- IN HONOR ------------------------------------Anne Henry by Karen Adamson Cecelia Bilbrey-Baer by Patrick J. Bilbrey Jaehn Clare by Candice Warne Kyle by Joe & JoAnn Zwack “The good work the paper does!” by Diane Sprague Work Incentive law by LeAnne & Larry Dahl U of M Occupational Therapy Education Program by Erica Stern

------------------------------------- IN MEMORY------------------------------------Troy Fahlenkamp and Valerie Birosh by David Dreier Mabel Heuer by Dawn Doering Miss Irene MacKaloney by Roger Hoffman Bill & Renee Smith by Becky J. Bugbee-Tong Bill Smith by Joe & Peg Figliuzzi Uncle Bill & Aunt Renee Smith by Mary & Henry Pattridge Bill & Renee Smith by Helen Thompson Bill Smith by Kathy & Paul West Linda Wolford in memory of Tony Lebahn