September 10, 2002
Inside ■ Dr. Judith E. Heumann — p. 3 ■ A Good Business Decision — p. 6 ■ A Look at MiCASSA — p. 9
Botox — Page 3
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“It’s important that people know what you stand for. It’s equally important that they know what you won’t stand for.” — Mary H. Waldrip Non-profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Mpls. MN Permit No. 4766
Volume 13, Number 9
SOURCES
RESOURCES
September 10, 2002
ELECTION 2002 MINNESOTA’S CANDIDATES FOR SENATE SPEAK Printed below, just as submitted, is each candidate’s response to this prompt: “We’d like you to pretend you are giving a speech to voters with disabilities—metropolitan and outstate, advocate and Average Joe alike. In your ‘speech,’ please tell these voters what you want them to know about your work on their behalf—past, present, and future.”
Norm Coleman, Republican
F
irst of all, thank you for the opportunity to address the issue of accessibility, which I’ve been involved with for nearly 30 years. My passion for creating fairness for disabled Americans is rooted in my college days. As a student working with the University of Iowa school administration, I helped write the plan to make classrooms and labs accessible for disabled students and faculty.
Jim Moore, Independent Party
I
t is always difficult to address a group such as the readers of Access Press without coming across in a placating manner. While those of us without disabilities are very sympathetic to the trials of the disabled, we can never truly comprehend what you face. There is no substitute for experiencing life with a disability. Those who have disabilities come across obstacles on a daily basis that most citizens take for granted such as access to public areas, access to adequate transportation, and
I continued my work on behalf of the disabled in the Human Rights office of the Minnesota Attorney General. There, as a prosecutor, I fought discrimination on behalf of disabled Minnesotans. Fairness is my guiding principle on the issue of accessibility. As Mayor I worked closely with my Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities. We vigorously pursued improvements in the city, for example, we provided complete access throughout St. Paul’s skyway system improving all access points. I’ll take this same dedication and passion for creating a fair environment for disabled Americans to the United States Senate. Today, there are more than most of all, medical assistance to make independent living easier. Personally, I have seen how both nonprofit groups as well as government programs have made day to day life significantly easier for my niece, my cousin and the daughter of my good friends. I enter politics from the private sector where I served the last 14 years as a commercial banker for small and mid-sized businesses. During this time, I witnessed strong opposition to public policy supporting the disabled, particularly ADA. The good news is that solid public policy always proves its worth in the long run. Those that once lamented construction mandates for compliance with ADA now embrace them (even the market values are higher for ADA compliant buildings), those that once feared stringent and
behalf of the handicapped, only then to then to go onto promise yet more bills which will never pass. This confusingly deflects the thoughts of the affected and attempts to diffuse responsibility. It pains me to see this.
54 million Americans with disabilities. While the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has done much to improve the lives of many Americans, significant barriers still exist to individuals with disabilities who try to fully participate in American society.
Ed McGaa, Green Party
I have listened to the concerns raised by Minnesotans with disabilities. I agree with them that they should have the same access to home ownership and rental opportunities as others. I agree with them that they should be afforded the opportunity to share in the recreational activities that others enjoy. I agree with them that they should have full access to parks and trails, with the security of knowing that the
hank you for this opportunity to write you. I do not intend to talk about various programs and how much money I would promise for each program that aids the handicapped because I would rather focus on the root cause of all the recent curtailments of many government subsidized programs. It is problematic to see the current incumbent Senator rave on what bills he introduced or co-sponsored on
costly work accommodations now recognize the quality workforce they tap into with relatively little effort. While politicians claim it took courage to pass ADA, the simple fact is that took visionary foresight and leadership. As Minnesota’s next Senator, I intend to carry on this tradition. I will work to ensure that the strides made with ADA are not cut back.
T
Paul Wellstone, Democrat (Incumbent)
I
welcome this opportunity to address Minnesotans on the issues that face the disability community. First, I I will work to ensure that join each of you in celebratadequate transportation op- ing the 12th anniversary of the tions are available to all historic Americans with Discitizens. abilities Act (ADA). The ADA has helped create a I will work to bring joint society where curb cuts, public/private sector solu- ramps, lifts on buses, and tions to affordable and acces- other access designs are sible housing. increasingly common. We have come a long way in I will work to ensure that attaining equal rights and devices enabling more inde- accessibility, but we still pendent living for the dis- have a lot of work ahead of abled are adequately covered us. Election - cont. on p. 8
I am a Sioux Indian and we have that habit of pointing out the real reasons for problems, like why so many programs for the handicapped and related medical bills just are not getting passed, such as the recent drug bill that has been introduced yet still sits collecting dust. This rich country could easily take care of its citizens especially the aged and the disabled. I come from a people who have a prominent saying, Respect for The Earth, ReChief among the challenges for the disability community today is the shortage of affordable, accessible housing. Whether it be housing subsidized by government or market rate housing, people are hard pressed to find wheelchair accessible housing for rent or for sale. We need more housing that includes universal design requirements—housing built with at least one accessible or easily made accessible entry and bathroom. Together we have had some victories on housing, advocating for HUD buildings where people with disabilities have found an affordable home. We must also continue to press for persons with disabilities to live in the least restrictive setting possible. I know we can make huge strides in this area because of some of the successes I’ve seen. I worked with David
spect for the Aged, Respect for your Offspring and Respect for Those in Need. The latter would include a respect and concern for those who have been impaired in some degree. We were a sharing and generous people and still keep those traits today. I have a sister whom I talk to at least weekly. This has been going on for decades and I see her often. She was physically handicapped from age six and went from braces to crutches and now a motorized wheel chair. I never think of her as handicapped and neither does her husband. In her earlier days she used to walk out to their barn to gather eggs and a huge Brahma Bull used to stay in a snug winter stall in that barn as Brahma’s do not Sheets to help him stay in his own home after his home care provider tried to pressure him into accepting hospitalization because of the difficulty finding home care nurses to fill all the hours of care he needed each week. Federal and state regulations are still biased in favor of nursing homes and institutional care providers over personal care attendant home services, which forces many people to live in nursing homes instead of at home, where it’s easier to obtain employment. I am very pleased with the Medicare program’s recent action that provides reassurance to persons with disabilities living at home, that they can continue to receive home health care even if they leave their homes for special nonmedical purposes. In some past instances, home health agencies and Medicare pay-