December 2005 Edition - Access Press by Access Press

December 10, 2005

Inside ■ Beep Ball— p. 3 ■ Living Independently— p. 6 ■ Communications In Gov.— p. 7

And the winner is . . . see pg 3

“Don’t go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first.”

— Mark Twain

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Mpls. MN Permit No. 4766

Volume 17, Number 12

Minnesota’s Disability

Community Newspaper

December 10, 2005

NCD Calls For Changes In Policy T by Mark S. Quigley

he National Council on Disability (NCD) released its annual progress report (http:// www.ncd.gov/newsroom/ publications/2005/ progress_report.htm) calling on the Federal Government to be more creative in program design; be more accountable in measuring the impact of civil rights compliance for people with disability; and provide greater crossagency coordination in man-

aging disability programs.

According to Glenn Anderson, Ph.D., NCD vice chairperson, “NCD’s examination of the status of disability policy discloses that incremental progress made in some areas is clouded by other major barriers and challenges that continue to block paths available to the general population. Gaps in necessary services and supports remain to the extent that far too many

Americans with disabilities are undereducated and unemployed.” NCD has identified several important and recurrent themes that need to be addressed. Program Design for a New Century In programs for people with disabilities, such as special education and vocational re-

habilitation, the need for innovative program design has been recognized, but the means for carrying it out remain matters of debate. How tightly should these programs be tied, in procedures or expectations, to their mainstream counterparts—No Child Left Behind in the case of education, and the Workforce Investment Act in the case of employment? The debate regarding the need

An Introduction To Braille by Herb Drill

for innovative approaches to program concept and design is taking place in a variety of ways. New program models; new definitions of services themselves and of target populations and stakeholder groups; new allocations of responsibility and authority among federal, state and private sector partners (including end-users and consumers themselves); and new criteria for measuring program outcomes and success—all of these can be seen to one degree or another in virtually every major piece of legislation discussed in this report. Accountability

eloved sage and scholar Rabbi Hillel asks all people a rhetorical question in the Hebrew writings Pirke Avot known as “Ethics of the Fathers.” The query is: “If I am not for myself, who is for me; and if I am only for myself, what am I;and if not now, when?” That long ago inquiry brings us to a moving tale told about touch. More to the point, or might we say “pointer,” it concerns 15 women in the 48-year-old Braille group at Congregation Ahavath Chesed. They are training to help the blind to read. On a recent Thursday morning at Congregation Ahavath Chesed, 15 women began training to join the congregation’s Sisterhood Braille Group. Seated in front of Perkins Braillers at 10 am at Ahavath Chesed, some of the women said they expected the nine-month course to be difficult.

The Perkins Brailler the women use at first is known as a Braille writer, and years ago Braille writers were costly, noisy, heavy, and needed frequent repair. In the 1930s, Dr. Gabriel Farrell, director of the Perkins School for the Blind in Massachusetts, wanted his printing department to produce a better machine. In the woodworking department, he found teacher David Abraham, who had training as a mechanic and experience designing and building machines that made stair railings. Dr. Farrell asked him to design a new Braille writer. With the help of Dr. Edward Waterhouse, a math teacher, the three men developed the specifications, and the prototype was completed in November, 1939. After World War II, production began.

A century before in Coupvray near Paris, harness maker Simon Braille and his wife, Monique, had a growing family. After they welcomed their fourth child, Louis, they discovered he was bright and inquisitive. But at age three, playing in his father’s shop, Louis injured an eye Brailler Perkins with a sharp awl. Infec-

Jack Gillrup, chief of Jacksonville,FL's Disabled Services Division, in his motorized wheelchair tion set in and spread to the other eye, leaving him completely blind. At 10, Louis was sent on scholarship to the Royal Institution for Blind Youth in Paris. It was French army captain Charles Barbier de la Serre who invented the technique of using raised dots for tactile writing and reading to allow soldiers to compose and read messages at night without light. Barbier adapted the system and presented it to the Institution for Blind Youth, calling the system Sonography, because it represented words according to sound rather than spelling. Louis discovered the potential of the basic idea and the shortcomings. By age 15, he developed the system that is now Braille, employing a sixdot cell and based upon normal spelling.

Back at Congregation Ahavath Chesed, Kaynn Davis saw the Braille transcription course as “an opportunity to help those who may need to read books in Braille. It sure will be a challenge, but I like learning something new.” Kathy Balistreri added, “It is something I always wanted to learn.” The City of Jacksonville, FL purchased a computerized transcriber which can take an e-mail in Microsoft Word format and turn it into Braille material. “Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, we do that for city-related events if need be,” said Jack Gillrup chief of Jacksonville’s Disabled Services Division. “In that regard, as a municipality we’re rather ahead of the curve.” In the Twin CitBraille - cont. on p. 14

Perhaps no single word is heard more often in the discussion of domestic policy today than accountability. At the same time, perhaps nowhere is the meaning of accountability more critically at issue than in the area of civil rights. NCD believes that vigilant civil rights enforcement is an indispensable component of any balanced effort to achieve equality of opportunity in society. But if statistical evidence were needed to justify this belief, one would be hard-pressed to produce it. Evidence of the costs of compliance to industry and government can readily be produced, but comparable data demonstrating the value of a just society or tracking the impact of vigorous enforcement on public attitudes and behavior over time is hard to define, let alone to collect. NCD supports the goal of extending accountability to as many programs and sectors as possible. While NCD believes that the costs of compliance with all laws should be minimized, NCD also strongly believes that emphasis on the dollar costs of compliance to government and business is premature, unless accompanied by reciprocal attempts to ascertain the costs

of noncompliance for individuals and for society as a whole. Cross-Agency Coordination

In light of the concerns about program accountability noted before, it is gratifying to note that President Bush’s New Freedom Initiative (NFI) recognizes the interconnection of programs and subjects. In 2004, NCD published its Livable Communities report (http://www.ncd.gov/newsroom/publications/2004/ LivableCommunities.htm). This report vividly showed how a variety of programs must work together efficiently in order to achieve a high quality of life for those they intended to benefit. As NCD’s work and common experience make clear, it is no longer possible to look at housing in isolation from transportation, at employment separately from health care, or at income supports in old age apart from long-term services and non-cash supports. The challenge is to shape this growing awareness into processes that will fulfill the promise of coordinated planning and programming. NCD does not underestimate the difficulties associated with such efforts. Throughout this report, readers will encounter these difficulties in illustrations of inconsistency or even conflict among programs, and in instances where the recognition of the need for coordination was sincere but achievement of the goal was largely lacking. Broadly speaking, as these examples show, the methods for implementing this next vital step in effective planning and budgeting are yet to be devised or put in place. ■ News Release: NCD #05– 501, November 17, 2005; For more information: 202-2722004 (202-272-2074 TTY); mquigley@ncd.gov

December 10, 2005

Tim Benjamin, Editor

appy holidays to every one! We at Access Press hope your New Year is far better than all your previous years. The days are passing faster then I can keep up with and much faster then I remember them doing when I was younger. Maybe, that is the way it’s supposed to be. I know if the days were as long as they were when I was 12 years old, I would be too worn out to do anything past noon. But wait a minute; I’m already too tired to do much after noon! Here’s to more energy for all of us as we head into the New Year! I mentioned in last month’s column that our Web site is doing great. Our Web master, Alice Oden, has written in much more detail this month

Jane Hampton has also been contributing frequently, and this month, in time for holiday visits to family and friends, she offers some helpful thoughts and tips on making a visit to someone’s house that may not be as accessible as you would like or are accusLisa Schmidtke has commit- tomed to. Jane presents some ted to writing a new regular inexpensive alternatives. column on products and services available for making Starting in 2006, the “DOT” life easier while living inde- area on the top of the front pendently. In her first install- page will feature Disability ment Lisa looks at home-de- Access Symbols. livered foods and groceries. She has given us some excel- Our topic this month is lent resources and insights on Braille and the universal costs and accessibility of these sign for Braile availabiltiy. services. We look forward to Herb Drill contributes a very Lisa’s new column; she has interesting article about some great ideas for the com- Braille and its history. ing months. Along with this article we have some other articles on the status of www. accesspress.org. I ask you all to visit the site and give us your thoughts on how we could make it more enjoyable, more informational, and easier for you to access. Please call us or write with any input.

pertaining to low vision. I don’t want to be a nag but, with only a few weeks left, don’t forget about Medicare Part D. Do your research and make an informed decision on what plan is right for you. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development along with several other disability organizations did an in-depth survey on employers and disabled employees. The survey didn’t find any new startling information but the survey did tell me that we need to continue spending a lot more time teaching employers how successful their businesses can be when they employ people with disabilities. The survey makes me think that the cost of em-

ploying someone with a disability is far outweighed by the loyalty, compassion and productivity of a person who hasn’t always had good job opportunities. One way we could all help is by getting more involved with the Minnesota Business Leadership Network (MnBLN). The Minnesota’s BLN has been struggling but is doing fabulous work and needs our support. There is talk that the national BLN conference could be held here in the twin cities. With community support that would be a great opportunity to bring awareness and add more business participation to the BLN which in turn will create more job opportunities. ■

Access Press Online Is Growing by Alice Oden

ou’ve had a long day, maybe even a long week or month. But now you’re finally kickin’ back with your favorite cup of brew in hand. And it’s your time to read the latest edition of Access Press. It is time to find out the who, what, where, when and why is happening in the disability community. Do you have a favorite writer? Maybe it is Jeni Mundl’s column about new, and sometimes, time-tested devices in disability technology. Do you have a favorite topic? Maybe it is the latest in State or Federal legislation. Or—do you just like to skim the headlines for titles that catch your attention? Like Self-advocacy Escan or The Spoon Theory. Whatever you like about Access Press, we exist to be there for you.

Press has kept readers in-theloop with news and information about the vast array of disability issues. Month after month, there are stories to spark your interest, to touch your heart, and to educate readers near and far. In the past year, Access Press has added extra pages—those new pages mean more space for stories, articles, photos and cartoons that add to your reading pleasure.

But did you know that Access Press online is growing, too? Yes, indeed! Over the past 17 months, the online edition of the paper has quietly blossomed into the web counterpart of the monthly print edition. And the good news is that every article that is printed in the newspaper is also published online. By checking out In This Issue, you can For the past 15 years, Access view the Accessible Perfor-

Access Press

mances or Upcoming Events, and you can also check out the Classified Ads or search for community resources under Organizations. It is all there with the click of your mouse.

for visually impaired and blind users. The graphics, such as the Access Press banner at the top of the page and the monthly DOT in the upper right-hand corner under the Search link, have alternate text for screen Access Press has been pub- reading. lished online since January of 2002. You can check out some In October 2005, an Access of the back issues by clicking Press search feature, powered on the Search link in the up- by Google, was added to the per right-hand corner of the web page. Search through the back issues and you’ll see that in July 2004, Access Press online was given an “extreme makeover.” The look and feel Dear Editor, of the online edition was re- I just wanted to commend designed to reflect the so-well- Access Press and Dao Xiong known print edition. from PACER for writing the article about Hmong children Since the makeover, Web us- with disabilities and what ers have enjoyed a very read- their parents can do to help able, online format and easy- them live full, productive to-use site-navigation fea- lives. It was great to have the tures. In February 2005, the same article in Hmong also! site was made more accessible Thanks, and I look forward to similar articles in the future. Mai

Co-Founder/Publisher (1990-1996) ................................................................ Wm. A. Smith, Jr. Co-Founder/Publisher/Editor-in-Chief (1990-2001) .................................... Charles F. Smith Board of Directors .......................................... JoAnn Cardenas Enos, Mike Chevrette, Mary Kay Kennedy, Kelly Matter, Tom Squire, & Kay Willshire Editor ........................................................................................................................ Tim Benjamin Financial Manager/Editorial Assistant ...................................................................... Terri Ricci Cartoonist .................................................................................................................... Scott Adams Production ..................................................................... Ellen Houghton at Presentation Images Office Assistant ........................................................................................................ Ekta Prakash Sales/Marketing ....................................................................................................... David Hadlich Distribution ........................................................................................................ S. C. Distribution 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 $25/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 $16 to $20.70/column inch, depending on size and frequency of run. Classified ads are $10, plus 45¢ per word over 12 words. Advertising and editorial deadlines are the last day of the month preceding publication, except for employment ads which are due by the 25th. Access Press is available on disk. Call MN State Services for the Blind, 651-642-0500 or 800-652-9000. Inquiries should be directed to: Access Press • 1821 University Ave. W. • Suite 104S • St. Paul, Minnesota 55104 • (651) 644-2133 Fax (651) 644-2136 • E-mail: access@accesspress.org • Web site: www.accesspress.org

Editorial material does not necessarily reflect the view of the editor/publisher of Access Press.

Back Issues page. This feature allows users to easily search the Access Press archives for topics of interest. Just type in a few words— let’s say Medicare legislation—for example. If you search for information on Medicare legislation, Google will bring up 23 Access Press articles that mention the topic.

So that is it, for now. Whether you like to kick back with your favorite cup of brew in one hand and newspaper in the other hand or you are a Web surfer through and through, Access Press has a format that works just right for you! Visit Access Press online at www.accesspress. org. ■

Letters To The Editor ...

✦✦✦✦ Dear Editor, The recent US Supreme Court decision, Schaffer v. Weast, has resulted in widespread media coverage which gives the impression that parents have effectively lost the right to advocate for their children. This impression is false and it is important for all concerned with the rights of kids with disabilities to set the record straight. While it would have been preferable that the decision ruled in favor of the parents and assigned the burden of proof to schools in all special education disputes, the decision does not have the cataclysmic implications claimed by some.

state burden of proof rules for special education cases were overturned. Many states, including Illinois, have state rules that expressly or implicitly assign the school districts the burden of proof in special education cases. These laws were not overturned and unless, or until, the courts overturn those laws, they remain in force. Second, the burden of proof is a highly important but technical litigation rule. Most cases are not so close that the burden of proof is the legal threshold by which the cases are determined. In cases which strongly favor parents or schools, the burden of proof should not be an issue.

Third, the Court recognizes that schools have a “natural advantage” in information and expertise. The decision emphasizes the importance of schools providing parents with “all records that the school possesses in relation to their child.” Equally or more important, it stresses the importance of “an independent educational evaluation. . . (based on) all the materials that the school must make available.” First, the decision expressly The court emphasizes that for avoided ruling on whether the process to be fair, the

parents must have a “realistic opportunity to access the necessary evidence” and have access to experts “with the firepower to match the opposition.”As some courts have dismissed the value of outside evaluations in comparison to the opinions of school evaluators, the Schaffer decision should make clear: 1) the importance of outside evaluators having access to sufficient information to make accurate findings, arguably including access not only to records, but also to observation of the child and program, and 2) that such outside evaluations must be given equal weight to the school’s evaluations. Some schools, based on media reports and advice from lawyers, may conclude that the Schaffer decision is a license to do less. While assigning the burden to the schools in all cases would have been an even stronger outcome in support of parents’ rights, the Schaffer opinion should not be read as blanket permission for schools to do what they wish or to provide inadequate programs. Matt Cohen

December 10, 2005

Catch The Rhythm Of Beep Ball by Clarence Schadegg

he cheers roll out from behind the fence and sail across the ball field as fans applaud their favorite players. While fans stand on the benches, a collage of voices rises and just as quickly falls as the batter takes his place at the plate. A hush blankets the crowd. The pitcher calls out, “Go, set, ready, pitch” as the “sixteen inch softball” is thrown underhanded. The batter, braced for action, swings the bat and the crack of the bat against the ball is heard around the ball park. I’m talking about the game of Beep Ball. Two years ago, the Illinois Comets defeated their sighted opponents in an exhibition game by a score of 150 to 4. In the second game of the season, the Saint Paul Lions outscored their opponents by twenty-two to five. “In our three exhibition fundraising games with sighted teams wearing blindfolds, which by the way were younger, bigger and stronger, we showed a rapid improvement to this sport as we developed from repeated fun-filled practices.” said Coach Dennis Stern of the Saint Paul Lions, He added, “But we had fun, and the main goal of coaching any team, any sport, anywhere, is to have fun and improve.” Although it is fun to win and to be a part of a team that wins, the real value in Beep Ball is it challenges the players to utilize their innate abilities. The workouts help build the ability to swing the bat as well as run better to catch balls. “Charles Fairbanks of the Telecom Pioneers created Beep Ball in 1964,” said Coach Stern. “Beep Ball was developed to make America’s favorite pastime-baseball, possible for all visually impaired and totally blind athletes,” said coach Stern. In Beep Ball, the only sighted players are the pitcher, the catcher and the people in the outfield. It is the outfield callers who make the calls that direct the defensive players about which way to run. All of the players are either blind, or they wear sleepshades if they have any sight. As a blind person, the first time I went up to bat, I sensed the same anticipation that coursed through my veins as I waited for the pitcher to throw a fast ball across home plate when I had more sight. Beep Ball is an audible version of baseball. The sighted

pitchers throw a sixteen inch sized softball that beeps. The pitcher sets the speed and the rhythm of each throw to the ability of the batter, and it is up to the batter to hit the ball as far as he or she can hit it.

pads and elbow pads because this form of ball is more contact driven then traditional baseball. The Beep Ball defense listen for the ball and the player in the section that the ball is hit runs to pick up the ball. If the infielder misses the ball, that person calls out ’it’s to my right or it’s to my left.’ The outfielder calculates the distance and which direction to run in order to catch the ball. Once stopped or caught, the person raises the ball high in the air to signal that ball has been caught.

Coach Stern stated, “There are only two bases –one ten feet off the third base line and one ten feet off the first base line, and when contact is made—bat on ball—one of the two bases at random starts to buzz. The hitter then runs to that base, and must make it there (100 feet away) before the defense blocks the ball Beep Ball is the type of sport and gets it in their grasp.” in which the players develop camaraderie with each other. A Minnesota Beep Ball team Not only is this a fun sport, but was formed after it disbanded it helps to tone up muscles, to in the early 1990’s. The St. lose weight and to build conPaul Lions modeled their four- fidence. It is a neat feeling to part pitching rhythm to that run at full speed while under of the Comets. The “former sleepshades. Pushing harder world champion Comets to run faster, players feel the pitchers, a team from Illinois, excitement and anticipation use a four-count in rhythm running to beat the defensive during the pitching process— players while they scramble go-set-ready-pitch. When the for the ball that was hit. pitchers on all the teams said pitch, the ball was in the air Hearing the sound of the bat about three feet from the bat- crack as the ball is hit as far as ter. Their pitchers know exit can be hit creates a thrilling actly where each hitter swings, feeling. The warmth of the and practice diligently to hit midday sun, the cheers from that spot,” said Coach Stern. fellow players and fans, and the mere fun of being in a He went on to state, “This ballpark contribute to this exfour-part rhythm helps the citing sport. The announcer’s batter gauge a swing on sound voice flows through the air rather then vision. The pitcher and his words spread out throws the softball underhand across the field as he anand calls out the four part nounces each play. Hushed rhythm. The softball is thrown voices from the sidelines whismore slowly then in traditional per an almost muted praise baseball. The catcher, also for the players. The announcer sighted, announces each calls out the hits and the strike.” misses, peeling off one myth and metaphor after another The batter, who wears about each player who goes to sleepshades if he or she has bat. The smoke from the charsight, hits the ball and runs to coal filled grills still fill the the base that buzzes. The air as the smell of hot dogs player runs the one hundred mushrooms across the park feet and touches the base for a lazily taunting the nostrils of successful play. the players with ghost pains of hunger as we wait our turn “There are six defensive play- to bat or take up our defensive ers in Beep Ball rather then positions. nine in traditional baseball,” said Coach Stern. The de- According to Coach Stern, fense positions are in three “Inventors of Beep Ball made rows of two people in each possible a game that gives enquarter of the field. Each pair joyment, exercise, camaradeof defensive players stands rie and confidence to hunthirty feet apart. And the in- dreds, and potentially thoufield stands 15 feet in front of sands of people.” The St. the outfield players. Sighted Paul Lions are eager to invite spotters call out the direction new members to join its winthe ball is hit, and it is up to ning team. Contact Dennis the defense to catch the ball. Stern about how you can join How we do it is different to the Saint Paul Lions or a Beep that of the defense positions Ball team for the 2006 season. in traditional baseball; for we He can be contacted at 651do not wear a pitcher’s mitt 699-1462. ■ and we do not position ourselves under a fly ball in excited anticipation to catch the airborne ball in the middle of our mitt. Defenders wear knee

The DOTs For 2006 by Terri Ricci

hank you to the readers who participated in the DOT contest in the past few months. It was very hard to decide what focus to take for the paper for the upcoming 2006 year; however, we had to choose, so Susan Lasoff won for her submission of the Disability Access Symbols. We have decided to run the Disability Access Symbols not only as the DOT on the front page, but we are going to explain the usage of one of the Disability Access Symbols each month and highlight an article that can give the reader some more information about how these symbols and their usage are beneficial to the disability community. Alice Oden also sent in 12 DOT ideas and we are going to use these DOTs on the Web site. So those readers who only read the Web version of our newspaper, you will have the benefit of these great ideas. If you don’t get to the Web site often, this might give you the incentive you need to read Access Press online. The Disability Access Symbols created by the Graphic Artists Guild Foundation in conjunction with the National Endowment for the Arts launched these symbols to be used to promote and publicize accessibility of places, programs and other activities for people with various disabilities. Organizations, both public and private, are working to be fully accessible to this country’s 54 million citizens with disabilities as well as foreign visitors. Organizations that receive government funding are required to provide accessible programs and services under Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. A more recent law, the 1990 Americans with Disability Act (ADA), extends accessibility provisions to the private sector in order to help

guarantee persons with disabilities employment and the right to enter the economic, social and cultural mainstreams. The ADA goes well beyond federally funded organizations to encompass private sector entities that serve the public, including cultural organizations that do not receive federal support, retail businesses, movie theaters, and restaurants. These symbols are intended to help you advertise your access services to customers, audiences, staff and other targeted public groups. Advertisements, newsletters, conference and program brochures, membership forms, building signage, floor plans and maps are examples of material that might display these symbols. You are encouraged to place these symbols next to the relevant information in all publications and media.

through their newspapers, marketing materials or company information. This month we are going to start out by featuring an article about the Perkins Brailler and how it enhances the lives of those who are unable to see. For more information about the symbols you can visit the Graphic Artists Guild at www. gag.org/resources/das.php or you may also obtain Mac or PC floppy disk copies of all the symbols by contacting the Graphic Artists Guild Foundation at 212-791-3400. The symbols to watch for in each upcoming issue include: Braille Symbol, Access for Individuals Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision, Symbol for Accessibility, Audio Description, Telephone Typewriter (TTY), Volume Control Telephone, Assistive Listening Systems, Sign Language Interpretation, Accessible Print, The Information Symbol, Closed Captioning, and Opened Captioning. We invite you to watch for each new symbol featured in the coming months, but if you can’t wait, you can go to the Access Press Web site at www.access press.org or at www.gag.org/ resources/das.php.

Any language accompanying the symbols should focus on the accommodation or service, not on who uses it. For example, “Ramped Entrance” may accompany the wheelchair symbol. This is important because not only do individuals in wheelchairs use ramps, but so do people with baby carriages, luggage, packBraille Symbol ages, etc. Language that fos• • ters dignity is important too. • • For example, “Reserved Park• • ing” or “Accessible Parking” may be used with the wheelBraille chair symbol to indicate that parking spaces are designated This symbol indicates that for people with disabilities. printed material is available in Braille, including exhibiAccess Press wishes to en- tion labeling, publications and courage all of the groups that signage. we provide papers for, such as our advertisers, readers, cor- Special thanks to the National porations, non-profit agencies Endowment for the Arts. and other companies to uti- Graphic design assistance by lize these symbols when pro- the Society of Environmenmoting their goods, services tal Graphic Design. Conor other information. If busi- sultant: Jacqueline Ann nesses are accessible, we also Clipsham © copyright 1995 hope that these groups share 2002, Graphic Artists ■ this information with others

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Affordable/Accessible Housing For Persons With Mobility Impairments Community Enrichment Through Housing Diversity

CALL 651-639-9799

December 10, 2005

Employers In MN See The Abilities Of Individuals

cting on the idea that it is usually better to ask questions than to make assumptions, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) recently cosponsored a business survey to identify and measure issues and perceptions about employing people with disabilities. DEED collaborated with the Minnesota Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Department of Human Services, and the State Council on Disability to conduct the survey. The survey supports DEEDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s continuing mission to promote the economic success of individuals, businesses, and communities by improving opportunities for growth. More than 600 Minnesota employers responded to the survey earlier this year. The results indicate that the vast majority of businesses are open to hiring individuals with disabilities; however, few businesses actively seek out this population. Significant findings from the survey include the following: The majority of employers thought that the costs of accommodations they spent were equal to or less than what they had

anticipated, and that the ben- disabilities in the workforce efits of providing accommoda- ranks among the top four tions outweighed the costs. statesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a testament to the integrity and intelligence of the The majority of employers is businesses in our state,â&#x20AC;? said ready to hire persons with dis- DEED Commissioner Matt abilities, but would like to Kramer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;However, an emknow more about services that ployment gap remains befacilitate such hiring, includ- tween capable persons who ing those that provide em- want to work, and the busiployment supports. nesses that could benefit by employing them. Closing this Employers regard Work Force gap represents an opportunity Centers as an asset, but em- to assist the growth and prosployers want more informa- perity of businesses and sigtion about services and how to nificantly enhance the quality utilize them. Most employers of life of Minnesotans with said â&#x20AC;&#x153;noâ&#x20AC;? when asked if their disabilities.â&#x20AC;? employees with known disabilities required accommo- Part of DEEDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission is to dations. However, when pre- alleviate employersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; concerns sented with a list of possible and uncertainty about hiring accommodations, 98 percent individuals with disabilities of employers have made at by providing information and least one process accommo- assistance to businesses to disdation and 93 percent have pel the myths and misconcepmade at least one physical tions associated with employaccommodation. ing individuals with disabilities. Appreciation, rather than Employees with physical or discrimination, is the goal. sensory disabilities rated equal More and more employers are to or higher than their co- discovering the extraordinary workers in similar positions pool of talent that workers on virtually all performance with disabilities represent. attributes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Understanding the business Employersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; concerns focus communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perceptions around safety, insurance costs about individuals with disand unfamiliarity with the abilities is crucial for our efAmericans with Disabilities forts to increase the participaAct. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Minnesotaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s participation of people with disabilition rate of individuals with ties in the workforce,â&#x20AC;? said

Kimberly Peck, DEED director of Rehabilitation Services. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The results of this survey will shape our recommendations for assisting businesses in employing individuals with disabilities. For example, we know from experience in other studies that people with disabilities actually have a slightly better safety record than all other workers, and that health, life, and accident insurance costs rarely increase due to hiring a person with a disability. So we need to do a better job disseminating this information to the business community.â&#x20AC;?

source manager from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Minneapolis, also reports very positive and rewarding experiences with hiring individuals with disabilities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Through the Minnesota WorkForce Centers, I have hired some individuals with the most positive attitudes I have ever seen,â&#x20AC;? said Fleming. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They contribute everyday to our organization and its customers. They have enhanced my life by just being around them! These fun-loving, hardworking, dedicated employees have met and beat the challenge in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;physically challengedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;!â&#x20AC;?

There are many success stories, like the story from Bryan Boesen, owner of Noble Parkway Mobil in Brooklyn Park. Boesen hired a person with a disability more than a year ago to operate the car wash area of his gas station/convenience store/auto service business. â&#x20AC;&#x153;[The employee] has turned out to be a very valuable asset,â&#x20AC;? said Boesen. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He is extremely dependableâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;always arriving before his scheduled start time. When shown his job duties, he does them exactly as he was shown. And it has been so great to see how his self-esteem has improved since starting his job here.â&#x20AC;?

The complete findings of the survey can be viewed online at www.mnddc.org. For information, guidance and resources about recruiting, incorporating, interacting and communicating with people with disabilities in your workplace go to www.deed.state. mn.us/rehab/adadiversity. htm or contact your nearest Work Force Center at 1-888-438-5627 (TTY 1-800-657-3973). For MN Relay dial 7-1-1.

Following are local contacts: Anoka Cty: 763-785-3369 Austin: 507-433-0573 Bemidji: 218-281-6033 Brainerd: 218-825-2035 Jeanne Fleming, human re- Cambridge: 763-271-3738

Cloquet: 218-723-4935 Crookston: 218-281-6033 Dakota Cty: 651-554-6560 Duluth: 218-723-4935 Fairmont: 507-931-5132 Faribault: 507-332-5471 Fergus Falls: 218-739-7565 Grand Rapids: 218-723-4935 Hennepin Cty N: 763-536-6037 Hennepin Cty S: 952-346-4303 Hibbing: 218-723-4935 Hutchinson: 507-537-7280 Internâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;l Falls: 218-723-4935 Little Falls: 218-739-7565 Mankato: 507-389-5579 Marshall: 507-537-7280 Mpls (N): 612-302-7068 Mpls (S): 612-821-4060 Monticello: 763-271-3738 Moorhead: 218-281-6033 North St. Paul: 651-649-5706 Park Rapids: 651-385-6336 Rochester: 507-285-7306 Roseau: 218-281-6033 St. Cloud: 320-255-4163 St. Paul â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Dntwn: 651-296-1464 St.Paul-Midway:651-649-5705 St.Peter: 507-931-5132 Shakopee: 952-346-4303 Staples (HS): 218-894-5404 Thief Rvr Falls: 218-281-6033 Virginia: 218-723-4395 Wadena: 218-739-7565 Washington Cty: 651-649-5706 Willmar: 507-537-7280 Winona: 507-453-2942 â&#x2013; Upon request, the information in this news release can be provided in an alternative format such as Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer disk.

We Can Learn From Others by Sue Lasoff Design for All, while maintaining the historic character of their old buildings. The historic fronts are left standing, while the interiors are totally renovated to create more functional and accessible spaces. Government provides funding to communities working on universal planning, collaborates with persons with disabilities and design professionals on this, and reinforces the integration of Universal Design in schools that educate design professionals.

We are currently accepting applications for our waiting list at Diamond Hill Townhomes, a great property located near the Minneapolis International Airport. We have two and three bedroom townhomes that are HUD subsidized and rent is 30% of the total household's adjusted gross income.

To schedule an appointment please call (612) 726-9341.

A particular residence for older adults with dementia used color and design exceptionally well. Several buildings were on one site, but each â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;houseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; was constructed of a different color and material on the outside, giving the feeling of being in a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;neighborhood.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Each house was di-

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vided into several wings or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;streets,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; and each street was identified by a different color which was repeated in the hallway and at doorways. On the wall at each individual apartment doorway, was the room number, residentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name and photograph, and personal nature symbol, all most pleasantly reassuring the person that he or she was â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;home.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Design in Scandinavia is integrated into the daily life of citizens. Some examples: â&#x20AC;˘ Automatic sliding doors everywhere, from shopping markets to residential facilities, without buttons to operate or doors hazardously swinging towards you; â&#x20AC;˘ Lever handles on all doors; â&#x20AC;˘ Outdoor plazas at residential facilities as well as public places, offer something for everyone: Benches to rest on, sculpture to view or touch, sensory gardens to experience, and playgrounds to explore. We can learn much from people in other parts of the world. Go visit! â&#x2013;

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We have a large number of mobility impaired accessible units and we are scheduling appointments for persons in need of a mobility impaired accessible unit immediately.

Residential facilities for persons with disabilities and older adults had many universal features, including: Individual apartments with accessible cooking facilities and private entrys for increased independence; 40" wide doorways; large windows allowing for

fresh air and sunlight; spacious bathrooms without walls, partitions or steps, flexible grab bars, and adjustableheight fixtures for both standing and seated persons.

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Regarding housing, it has historically been the philosophy of the Scandinavian countries that government should provide for all, and that everyone should have their own comfortable home.

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seats with padded head and foot rests for weary travelers, large visible glass elevators with fold-down seats, signage with international symbols understood by everyone regardless of reading or language ability and very light maneuverable baggage carts. All the accessible unisex bathrooms were very spacious, accommodating persons using wheelchairs, travelers with baggage, I arrived at the airport in Oslo, or parents with children. Norway, and knew I was in the land of good design. There Many cities in Norway are were comfortable reclining striving towards achieving

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was fortunate to receive a grant to travel to the Scandinavian countries and study Universal Design, or Design for All, as they refer to it there. The definition of Universal Design is: The design of consumer goods, physical environment, buildings, technology and services to be usable by all people, regardless of age, size or ability.

Susan Lasoff is an Occupational Therapist & Accessibility Specialist.

December 10, 2005

Disability Technology

‘Tis The Season Of Giving

The Season Is Upon Us

by BJ Clark

by Jenni Mundl

hether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, the holiday season is here. Children’s eyes twinkle at the shiny decorations, holiday cheer and scrumptious food. Children are the center of attention. The holidays are for everyone, whether five months or 105 years of age.

ties can experience the fun and benefits of movement with the Exer-Rider®. By moving the handlebars from side to side, children enjoy independent play. Upturned handlebars encourage trunk extension. Ages 11 through 14 PlayStation Adapter for Special Needs by Enabling Devices or K. Y. Enterprises What child doesn’t enjoy competing with the PlayStation? The controller is operational by switches, pressing a circular disk, or sip and puff. Imagine your child playing such games as Skateboard independently. The smile on his or her face will be priceless.

Presents are a part of the festivities along with the traditions, stories, and beliefs. Squeals of joy resound throughout the walls as gifts with bright colorful wrapping paper are opened. Children with disabilities are equally enchanted by this season. The realization of new toys and leisure perpetuate through Super Bubble Blower many products by specialized by Crestwood vendors, service providers and This device spews colorful online adapted equipment bubbles into the air. The stores. bubble blower is good stimulation for sensory deficits as Ages One through Five well as for those with low Switch adapters by AbleNet cognition. Turn the device on Many toys for the youngest and watch it create lots of big children are battery-operated. bubbles for you. The switch adapter is placed between the battery and batAges 15 through 19 tery case holder making the Cell Phones from ETI Engineering toy switch operable. Stuffed animals with movement or Have you walked down the musical objects simply go on high school hall recently after and off by hitting the attached school? Students talking on switch. cell phones are everywhere and text messaging is exAges 6 through 10 tremely popular. There are Adapted Racing Cars by large button cell phones, Enabling Devices voice-activated, voice output, Remote controlled cars are all and many other varieties. the rage. Enabling Devices Switch Adapted developed an easy-to-use remote car for children with dis- CD Player Boom box from Dragonfly Toys abilities. The enlarged joystick enables many to race their Music is part of being a teencar against other siblings and ager. There are new CDs friends. produced every day with more downloadable through Itunes over the Internet. Teenagers Mason Exer-Rider® by enjoy making their own CDs Mason Corp. Children with poor trunk con- and listening to them with trol and weak lower extremi- friends. This adapted CD

player and boom box is an excellent option providing independence for individuals with limited physical abilities. Simply attach a switch to this device, then let the music rip. Older Children Peter Pan said he would never grow up and many adults feel the same way. Just as the saying goes ... you are only as old as you think you are. There are many adapted games available for older children. Cardholders, Braille cards, large print games, and card shufflers are a few examples of gift ideas for the fun-minded individual. Computer games are available both online and as loadable software. Several online versions allow the homebound individual to play backgammon or hearts with people around the world. Real Arcade is a Web site with thousands of games which can be played for free in the limited version or purchased for around 9-15 dollars each. Some games even work well with voice recognition. The Art of Surprise This is a small sampling of adapted toys and devices available today. Search the Internet or browse through adapting catalogs for additional ideas. Before purchasing, you should consider the likes and dislikes of the user, their capabilities, and age appropriateness. The unique and special surprise you give will surely cause the recipient to shout for joy. Your heart will be full, and no doubt, tears will come to your eyes, as you witness the recipient’s fulfillment and exuberation at your gift choice(s). ■

Handi Medical is Your First Choice for Medical Products and Equipment Services. Visit Our Large Fully-Stocked Showroom Open to the Public • Wheelchairs (with complete repair service) • Walkers/canes, crutches

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he season of giving is nearing once again and as the song goes, “Santa is checking his list to see whether you have been naughty or nice.” For some of us, if Santa saw our credit card statement in January, we would immediately make the top of his naughty list. Many of us buy into the idea that “more is better” and go into debt buying gifts. While it is fun to give and receive, how much fun is it to pay off your credit card? So re-think gift giving, especially for those who may not be as mobile or live in a limited space. What gifts could you give that would not occupy space, collect dust or go unused? The following are some suggestions you might consider: • Bus pass or gift certificate for a taxi that serves their area. • Pedicures, manicures, massages; a spa day. Some places will even come to the home. • Hand and body lotion, body wash, cologne, bath consumables, etc. Ask about preferences. Most people have their favorites and may have fragrance allergies. • Gourmet coffee or tea. • Be sure to include batteries (rechargeable batteries are great) with anything you give that requires them. Just giving batteries is a winner— think of how many things we use that require them. • Magazine, newspaper, newsletter publications. • Computer lessons; learning how to use e-mail can allow someone to easily correspond with others. • Wreaths, flowers and bulbs, particularly seasonal ones. • A calendar that is personalized with family photos (available at Kinko’s and other printing stores). • Phone cards; good for long distance calling. • Tickets to movies, concerts, community theater, sporting events, etc. • Music—You can even personalize a tape or CD with

their favorites. • Photos of family and friends; include a photo album. • Postage stamps and stationary or all occasion cards. The stationary can even be personalized and you can also make return address labels. If you are really in the spirit, volunteer some time to help someone write a note or address cards. • Give a service; housecleaning, yard service, snow shoveling, etc. • Supplies for a favorite hobby. For people that need large print materials, consider: • Large print cookbooks, puzzles, word searches, playing cards, and other games. • Large numbered phones and photo phones. • Other assistive devices; large button remote control for TV, talking indoor/outdoor thermometer, easy grip keyholders. • Check out the Low Vision Store, Call 651-203-2200 for a free catalog or visit online at www.lowvisionstore.com. • Books on tape or CD are available for purchase, but you can have access to a whole library at the State Services for the Blind, 651-642-0500, TTY 651-642-0506. They offer free reading material in alternate formats to people who have trouble reading normal print due to a visual or physical limitation. Gift certificates are great and stores have made them available for everything from clothing to restaurants to pet supply stores. If you plan to give them do some checking first. • Is there an expiration date? • Does it have to be used in the store or can it be used online? • What if the place goes out of business? • Will a gift certificate actually be convenient for the person using it? • If you give a restaurant gift certificate, make sure they deliver and the certificate can be used in that manner.

If you give food, consider: • The person’s diet. Are they diabetic or a vegetarian? Consider their tastes. Maybe a gift certificate to their local grocery store might be best. • Amount of food; try not to give too much food that is perishable, it may go to waste. • Making meals that can be frozen in plastic containers. Attach a label with the contents (make the print large for those that need it), the heating time and the date the dish was prepared. Of course the greatest gift is when you give of yourself. You can make handmade gift certificates or coupons for various things. If you are not into calligraphy or art, you can make it on the computer. Here are some ideas: • Offer a day of ‘YOU’. For one day they have your undivided attention. This can include anything from spending time with them or shopping, mending, fixing, painting, cleaning, etc. You may want to put in dates that ‘YOU’ are redeemable and how far in advance they need to tell you. • Teach someone how to use a computer. • Read to someone. Bake with someone. Spend time with someone. • Give someone a ride to their place of worship, doctor’s appointment, hair appointment, etc. When you offer a ride to someone’s place of worship confirm the times. It is nice to arrive early and allow time to visit after the service. If giving a coupon or certificate for a ride somewhere, you may want to include information that tells the user the best times to redeem it, e.g. Sat. morning, Sun. afternoon. • Rake the leaves in someone’s yard, shovel the snow from someone’s sidewalk/driveway. • Help someone go through, organize pictures and record Giving - cont. on p. 7

December 10, 2005

Living Independently

Home Access Answers

Home Delivery

Visiting For The Holidays

by Lisa Schmidtke

by Jane Hampton, CID

f you’re one of the 27% Americans with a disability (Courage Center, 1999), I’ll bet you could use some help with your weekly errands. If you live in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, you’re in luck! The Twin Cities offers a wide variety of products and services delivered right to your door. You may already know of some but what’s holding you back? You may feel guilty about hiring someone to deliver a product or perform a task, but what’s the trade-off? With winter upon us, trips to the store and doctor can be difficult or dangerous. One of five elderly Minneapolis residents (21.2 percent) requires help with routine household chores (Courage Center, 1999) and a Wilder Research Center study predicts the number of seniors in the area will grow to 115 percent over the next 25 years. This demographic of baby boomers wants to stay in their home longer and with that, we are seeing more businesses and organizations that provide independent living resources. This column is the first in a series that will highlight some key “house calls,” or independent living resources that will simplify your life such as grocery delivery.

fers dependable grocery delivery in the Twin Cities. For a $5 delivery charge (on orders over $80), they’ll deliver a wide variety of products to your door the very next day. If dairy products and basic staples are all you need, try Dave’s Dairy Delivery, Meyer Bros. Dairy or Johnny’s Dairy Delivery. For those who live in an outer ring suburb, try Schwans and Beskau Home Delivery. I recently discovered DineWise and was impressed with their meal selection and nutritiously prepared foods. Their meals are flash frozen and can be delivered anywhere in the continental U.S. in boxed coolers. For a local, nonfrozen, healthy eating option, Seattle Sutton was built on the idea of helping people maintain their weight, blood sugar level and lifestyle with fresh meals you can either pick up or have delivered. If you have limited financial resources, organizations such as Meals on Wheels and Store to Door will help ensure you’re eating a balanced diet. Always be ready to entertain with Tastefully Simple easy-to-prepare gourmet foods. Schedule a party and invite your friends to sample their Bountiful Beer Bread…my favorite!

Grocery Delivery When my husband challenged me that we were spending more with our online grocery service than we used to at the grocery store, I did a little test. The result, after one month of shopping at my local grocer, we spent $100 more than the previous year, same month. I believe the reason was because of impulse buying that happened when I was in front of the food, smelling it—often, hungry. Simon Delivers of-

If your errand list could keep a person busy for days, consider hiring a home care assistant such as City Zen Concierge or Home Instead Senior Care. They’ll deliver your groceries, put them away and organize your meal planning. Do your own test and discover a life free of bagging groceries and long lines at the grocery store.

Resource Contact Information Simon Delivers: www.simon delivers.com; (763) 9714900 Beskau Home Delivery: http:/ /www.HomedeliveriesRus. com; 651-437-3669 City Zen Concierge: www.city zenconcierge.com/cityzen/ index.html; 612-605-1624 Dave’s Dairy Delivery: 612522-6335 DineWise: http://www.dine wise.com; 1-800-749-1170 Home Instead Senior Care: www.homeinstead.com/ default.asp Johnny’s Dairy Delivery: 763757-0173 Meals on Wheel: www.mealson-wheels.com; 612-7895007 Meyer Bros. Dairy: www. meyerbrosdairy.com; 952473-7343 Schwans: www.schwans. com; 1-888-SCHWANS Seattle Sutton: www.seattle sutton.com Store to Door: www.store todoor.org; (651) 642-1892 Tastefully Simple: www.taste fullysimple.com/web/ mzollman/ ■

Dear Jane, I am a wheelchair user and am planning on visiting my brother over the holidays. He has a rambler style home and therefore believes most of the access issues will be at a minimum….I have a hunch otherwise. Do you have any tips on ways to make his home more accessible for me during my stay? Susan, St. Paul, MN Dear Susan, Yes! There are lots of things that can be done to “temporarily” make your brother’s home more accessible and user friendly for your visit. Some of our clients who enjoy traveling have gone to the extent of creating a “suitcase of traveling products” that are always packed and ready to go. You may consider this. Here are a few suggestions to make your visit easier: Dining Table: One of the most important holiday moments is time eating the wonderful foods prepared for the holidays. Many tables do not provide adequate knee clearance below to roll a wheelchair underneath. The table can be easily raised by placing wood blocks below each table leg. To keep the table stable when resting on these blocks, create a hole into the wood block large enough for the table leg to recess into the block.

Housecalls Network contains a directory of resources that can help the growing population of seniors, disabled people and their caregivers live independently. Housecalls Network also sells aids for daily living and adaptive clothing. Housecalls Network does not endorse any particular provider. They assume no responsibility for transactions between the readers of this Entrance: Consider renting article and listed organiza- or purchasing a portable “suittions. case” style ramp. It may not provide the “ideal” slope to Do you have a topic you would enter the home independently, like to see in an upcoming but with assistance, you most issue? Please contact us at likely will be able to enter and 651-644-2133 www.access exit the home as needed. press.org, or by e-mail at access@accesspress.org. Door Widths: By removing a door from its frame, you can

achieve an additional 1” to 2” of clearance at a narrow door opening. Removal of the door can also protect it from occasional scratches you may cause when trying to pass through the doorway. Curtains can be hung in the door frame using tension rods for visual privacy. If you desire to keep a door on the frame for better privacy, “swing clear hinges” can be installed to position the door outside the clear opening, behind the door frame.

sible. If the vanity mirror is too high, use a hand-held mirror or one which can sit on top of the bathroom counter.

Bathing: For showering, hand-held shower heads are easy to install in place of an existing shower head and will assist in directing water spray when bathing. A transfer bench can be used with either Maneuvering: Remove fur- a bathtub or shower. Grab niture along primary pathways bars that clamp onto a bathtub to provide a minimum 36” rim are also available. wide path of travel leading to all areas of the home you will Sleeping Room: In the bedhave access to. In gathering room, remove any unnecesareas such as the living room, sary furniture and position the family room, dining room, bed next to a wall to provide etc., remove coffee tables, end additional clear floor space tables or even a chair to make along one side of the bed. If a place for you to be a part of possible, replace a double bed the conversation area. with a twin bed to achieve more wheelchair maneuverPath of Travel: Remove all ing space. area rugs and lightweight mats from primary pathways so they If the height of the bed is too do not restrict your movement. low to facilitate safe transfers, raise the bed by placing wood Kitchen: If you are planning blocks below in the same fashon helping in the kitchen, the ion as mentioned above for use of pull-out breadboards tables. Another solution work well providing a work- would be to purchase bed leg surface with clear knee space extenders which may be availbelow. Bread boards can also able at specialty bed and bath be used as an alternative work stores (these extenders are surface by strapping them typically used to raise a bed to across the arm of your wheel- provide storage below). chair. If you need help locating any Communication: Use of a of the above products, contact baby monitor can allow you to your accessibility specialist. communicate with someone They may also be able to help in the home if you need assis- you identify where you can tance—without involving all obtain “previously owned” other household members. equipment at a lower cost than new equipment. The Center Bathroom: If the toilet seat is for Independent Living in the too low, the installation of a area where your brother lives plastic riser seat works well may be able to help you coorand easily attaches to an exist- dinate rental of larger pieces ing toilet. Grab bars that at- of equipment. tach to the toilet seat also work well when installation of per- I hope some of these suggesmanent grab bars is not pos- tions are useful for you and your brother. Happy Holidays! ■ Accessibility Design was founded in 1992 to enhance lives through design and project management. They provide design, consultation, project management, and product recommendation services specializing in home access for individuals with disabilities at all stages of life. Do you have a question relating to Access? We’ll cover all of your questions in future issues of Home Access Answers. Please contact us at 651-644-2133 www.access press.org, or by e-mail at access@accesspress.org.

December 10, 2005

When A Alternative Forms Of Critical Incident Happens Communication And The Minneapolis Government by Danielle Engle

n an effort to understand emergency management planning, this reporter met with city officials in Hopkins and Plymouth, Minnesota. With this knowledge, individuals with special needs may take steps to mitigate such tragic incidents as occurred with Hurricane Katrina. Part One of this report describes the process for managing a critical incident beginning at the local [city] level and proceeding to the federal [FEMA] level. Police Lt. Dan Plekkenpol, the support services commander for Plymouth, described Plymouth’s emergency management plan. The plan is derived from MNWALK. This is an acronym for the state [Minnesota] requirements for a city. In other words, it outlines the things each city is required to have in its emergency management plan–see www.hsem. state.mn.us. These requirements are vital to a city in the event that its own resources are overwhelmed. When a critical incident occurs in a city, the first response is at a local level. Through the use of MNWALK, Plymouth has two source binders. One is a stepby-step procedure guide with special appendixes for managing critical incidents. Some examples of a critical incident are a school shooting, area flooding, tornado, chemical spill and a terrorist attack. Some are universal whereas others are specific to a region. In Minnesota regional threats include tornados, blizzards and flooding, to name a few. Plymouth is also a member of the North Suburban Planning Group. This group is comprised of suburban cities in the northern area of Hennepin County. The purpose of the group is to pool resources and

labor power in the event that a member city needs assistance in managing a critical incident. If more than one city is affected, this partnership ensures the most timely and efficient distribution of resources to affected cities. If the North Suburban Planning Group is overwhelmed by a critical incident, the next level of assistance is Hennepin County. The emergency management director of the affected city (ies) contacts the Homeland Security Emergency Management Division of Hennepin County. County wide resources are brought to the aid of affected cities. The Minnesota Homeland Security Emergency Management Web site www.hsem.state.mn. us includes a complete listing by county of the coordinators, assistants and directors for each planning group within Hennepin County.

When the county’s resources are overwhelmed, the next contact is the state duty officer. The 24-hour Minnesota Duty Officer Program offers a single point of contact for both public and private sector entities to request state-level assistance www.hsem.state.mn. us.

Lt. Plekkenpol encourages anyone with a disability to contact their local emergency manager to see what plans are in place. As someone with special needs, the individual may also benefit others by volunteering to help in the city’s emergency management planning for individuals with special needs. Voluntary organizations that service individuals with special needs may also benefit the greater community by becoming a member of NVOAD at a state or national level.

The scope of this program includes incidents such as hazardous materials, radiological exposure, natural disasters (tornado, flood, fire, etc.), aircraft incidents and a host of other events where state-level It is important to remember assistance is needed. that the first respondents in any critical incident are, by When (and only when) state law, local officials. In a disasresources are overwhelmed, ter with the magnitude of FEMA is contacted. At this Hurricane Katrina, Lt. point nationwide resources are Plekkenpol indicated that brought in to assist with the some loss of life is inevitable. incident. States (as well as It is important to maintain a counties) may also call upon clear perspective of critical other states within their re- incident management. Indigion. A region may be defined viduals are encouraged to reby, for example, shared threats member: When an entire city such as blizzards in Minne- calls 9-1-1, emergency response teams are stretched thin and time is critical.

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sota and Wisconsin. The purpose of Homeland Security Emergency Management programs from the local to the national level is the most efficient and timely distribution of resources to affected areas. Additional resources are also available through a program called National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster www.nvoad. org. There are also state divisions. The purpose of NVOAD is to coordinate planning efforts by voluntary organizations. Each member organization provides a thorough listing of the volunteer services and resources it provides. Member organizations include American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, Disaster Psychiatry Outreach, Mercy Medical Airlift, and a host of other organizations, including some in the government and private sector.

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“There are many things people with special needs can do to

by Kenneth Brown

eople with the disability of blindness/poor sight and those that may be deaf/hard of hearing use alternative forms of communication. Some of the alternative forms of communication include: Large print, American Sign Language, closed-captioning, audio-description, and technology based voice adaptive and/or print adaptive machines, etc. As technology advances, we are able to offer more and more alternative forms of communicating for those who may need it. Being able to communicate effectively with others is a vital part of our human experience and learning.

The city had an ethics video every City Council member, a produced for all city employ- representative from the ees and volunteer representa- Mayor’s office, and officials tives of the city to view. The in CPED (Community Planvideo was not originally pro- ning and Economic Developduced with closed-captioning ment) and had to basically or audio-description. The threaten them with a lawsuit video was presented to the based on the ADA and the disability committee in its in- Civil Rights Act before someappropriate format with the one, such as the Communicaexpectation we view it. We tions Director at CPED, would refused to view the video be- take responsibility for the ercause we have people on our ror and correct it committee that use alternative forms of communicating. We live in a capitalist society The city claimed it did not where “Supply and Demand” have any employees that used reigns supreme. If city govalternative forms of commu- ernment, companies, organinication so they did not have zations, and others used and to produce the video with these requested alternative forms of alternatives as it would have communication as a normal been cost prohibitive and there part of everyday communicaWith the passage of the Civil was not a request for the alter- tion, instead of as an afterRights Act and the American native format. thought that’s too late, bewith Disabilities Act, one lieve me, the paradigm shift would hope that people with The city’s position is that in supply and demand would disabilities would not continue people with disabilities that happen. With the increased to be treated as an afterthought. require alternative forms of demand for alternative forms Yet, this seems to be the case communication have to notify of communication, the numfrom Minneapolis City Gov- the City in advance so proper ber of companies offering the ernment/leadership and elected arrangements can be made. service would increase, causofficials. As a volunteer repre- There are two basic problems ing more competition, resultsentative on the Advisory with this position: (1) The ing in reduced cost and imCouncil for Persons with Dis- city constantly communicates proved service to persons with abilities and the Civil Rights with us daily on hundreds of disabilities and the commuCommission for the City of issues. How are we to know in nity. If the City has no emMinneapolis, I am troubled by advance what they want to tell ployees that are deaf/hard of the city’s actions towards per- us and when?; and, (2) Any hearing or blind/limited in sons with disabilities. communication that needs to vision, I beg the question as to be re-done to accommodate why not? Could it be that City mitigate their own circum- people with disabilities is go- Government is not a welcomstances, to help the locals help ing to be more expensive. If ing or inclusive environment them,” said Lt. Plekkenpol. City Government/leadership for persons with disabilities to “Ask your emergency man- and elected officials were more work? What do you think? agement director if the city diverse, aware of, and acceptoffers any brochures, pam- ing of persons with disabili- Please contact Access Press phlets or other items to help ties, the cost issue would not regarding your comments on this article. Our phone numyou prepare yourself for an be an issue. ber is 651-644-2133; e-mail is emergency.” The National Organization for Disabilities I personally met with almost access @accesspress.org. ■ www.nod.org offers free pamphlets with instructions for Cont. from p. 5 preparing emergency kits. By preparing these, individuals who the people are or what always appreciated by those provide evacuation teams and the event was, etc. you share with, but these ideas critical incident respondents • For grandparents, spend a will hopefully help you help a listing of assistive technol- day with your grandchildren yourself and your budget along ogy devices, medications, and do anything they want. the way. Get on Santa’s (and companion animals and other • For adult children, make a your own!) ‘Nice list’ this year items critical to the person’s weekly date with your par- by being nice to yourself, too. special needs. And remember, smiles and ents on Sunday morning. check-in phone calls are free! Incidence - cont. on p. 12 Your thoughts and gifts are ■

GIVING-

December 10, 2005

Alex Kern Scores! by Steve Serkland

raphic design student Alex Kern, barely into his freshman year at New Yorkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), is suddenly less the student and more the designer. Kernâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wining entry in a Mall of America (MOA) design competition was honored by eyecatching MOA billboards that went up in Minneapolis and St. Paul during October and November.

ing along fine before the MOA announcement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But afterwards,â&#x20AC;? he says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I had a sense of courage and determination to achieve beyond what my teachers expected. I found inspiration from this success.â&#x20AC;? Alex says that college life has given him a greater sense of freedomâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and of personal responsibility. With both conviction and considerable understatement, Alex says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Time management is important in college and can be Kern, 18, a 2005 graduate of challenging.â&#x20AC;? St. Louis Park High School, says the experience has been Mall of America spokes perâ&#x20AC;&#x153;exhilarating.â&#x20AC;? His first reac- son, Anna Lewicki, says that tion to the news, he writes art students were invited to from Rochester, was â&#x20AC;&#x153;a whoop, design watches as part of like Curly in the Three MOAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s major advertising Stooges.â&#x20AC;? Alexâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winning de- campaign, More Ways to Be sign, a wristwatch, features a You. The MOA campaign, sinister dragon whose head created by the Kerker agency, falls across the watch face. Minneapolis, also features The creature wraps its body jeans designed by Twin Citand tail about the wristband iesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; celebrities. Lewicki says in green and brown colors. that Kernâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winning watch deRunic letters evoke ancient sign was among fifty selected times. from about five hundred entries. Asked about the awardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impact on his studies, Alex says Alex charts his interest in art his work at RIT had been com- from early childhood. His

A few from the dozens of art assignments that kept Alex busy during his first semester at Rochester In!CCESS0RESS PDF 0stitute of Technology

mother observed an intense interest in drawing at age two. By his first year in high school, Alexâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s art was being expressed in video game creations and drawings that wowed his classmates and brought important encouragement from teachers. During his junior and senior high school years, Alex kept classmates and staff in stitches over a daily blackboard comic based on assorted alter egos. Alex says modestly that his cartoon work merely presented â&#x20AC;&#x153;my observations and strange humor.â&#x20AC;? Senior year work as a Student Assistant to St. Louis Park art teacher Trevor Paulson was an important stage in his preparation for college. Alex says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Learning how to help other students with their projects really helped develop my own skills of analysis, and my ability to shape artwork for visual effect.â&#x20AC;? Educators arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t shy about returning the praise Alex gives his teachers. St. Louis Park Chief Educational Case Manager and teacher Barbara Becker helps district students with hearing loss shape their high school careers. She talks with enthusiasm about Alexâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gifts in math, science and art. But Becker says â&#x20AC;&#x153;his strong belief in himself, his perseverance and the degree of responsibility he takes for his own learning might be greater gifts.â&#x20AC;? Asked to say more, Becker couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t prevent a smile. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He has an absolutely wonderful, twisted sense of humor,â&#x20AC;? she says. She adds that Alexâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s billboards have made him an inspiration for all of the districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s students this year, especially young students with hearing loss. Asked about the role deafness might play in his artistic creativity, Alex says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve pondered this. But even without my hearing, I learn. I see and

learn from shape, form, line, structure, unity, movements, emotions, ideas that life presents, interactions with nature. What I experience goes into my creativity and my art. Sometime I do think my deafness gives me wider creativity. But we all have differences and different influences, and everybody has their own way of finding their inspiration.â&#x20AC;?

municate better with deaf relatives. They began learning sign language in earnest soon after Alexâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hearing loss was diagnosed at fourteen months.

What three contemporary consumer products does Alex Kern, designer, find interesting? Alex considers the question, and offers these: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Appleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s iPodâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;white, sleek, futuristic. Canned popâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;playful colors and designs blend Alan Parnes, a counselor for with the idea of party. Quickpersons with hearing loss at silver clothingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;it fits with a the Minnesota Department of sense of summer and sport.â&#x20AC;? Portrait of Artist Employment and Economic Alex Kern, by the Artist Development, helps students About education, Alex Kern, in St. Louis Park make plans student, observes, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We all for their transition from school have to work big in our future His parents encouraged him to careers. Parnes, who first and must be prepared.â&#x20AC;? Asked to sketch a watch design. met Alex in his junior year, about advice he has for â&#x20AC;&#x153;Looks like it got me to be a says that Alexâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scholarship younger students, Alex re- winner,â&#x20AC;? he says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;weird!â&#x20AC;? and an already well devel- plies: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Always be who you oped focus on a career in art are. If you need help, seek Persons interested in inforand graphic design made him help from others you are close mation about vocational serstand out among students he to. Upon entering college, vices for persons with hearing has counseled. He adds, smil- expect to work hard, because loss, including youth and ing broadly, that Alex was they will pour assignments on young adults in transition from school to careers, may contact very likely the only St. Louis you.â&#x20AC;? Rubin Latz, State CoordinaPark student sporting, at that time, a very full beard. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It did Alex, who describes his par- tor for services to persons who give Alex a certain mature ents as his greatest support- are deaf or hard of hearing, look,â&#x20AC;? Parnes says. ers, says fondly, â&#x20AC;&#x153;They want MN Department of Employme to follow what is in my ment and Economic DevelopParnes was instrumental in heart.â&#x20AC;? Now that his design ment-Rehabilitation Services, facilitating Alexâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plans for has been presented on two St. Paul MN, 651-297-8269 attending RIT, home to the immense billboards seen by or 1-800-328-9095 (Voice), National Technical Institute thousands of people every day, 651-296-9141 or 1-800-657for the Deaf and a campus Alex says itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interesting that 3973 (TTY), 651-297-5159 rich in communication sup- he wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t very enthusiastic (FAX), or email: rubin.latz@ ports and technology for stu- about the competition at first. state.mn.us. â&#x2013; dents with hearing loss. Alex says the student body includes about 1,000 persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. Rochester, N.Y itself has been called the most deaf-friendly city in America, where almost every aspect of life is deafaccessible. Alex, who uses speech, hearing, and sign language to communicate, prefers to sign. Alex says there is deafness in his family but that his parents, Richard and Terry Kern, are not deaf. They had acquired some useful but very Alex Kernâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winning design was on billboards in downtown rudimentary signing skills be- Minneapolis at 5th and Washington, and on I-694 nortbound fore Alex was born, to com- at Hwy. 5 in Oakdale.

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December 10, 2005

Heitke Honored; Fraser Celebrates 70 Years

loomington resident Fred Heitke was named 2005 recipient of the Louise Whitbeck Fraser Award for enhancing the lives of people with special needs. The award was presented at Fraser’s annual benefit attended by 750 “friends of Fraser.” Fraser, a local nonprofit organization serving children of all abilities and adults with special needs, was also celebrating 70 years of providing community services. Having been involved since 1952, 88-year-old Heitke has a record of volunteerism and loyalty that is matched by few. He became involved with Fraser after moving to Minneapolis to find resources to

help his son, Jim, who had a seizure and suffered brain damage when he was 18 months old. A doctor told Fred and his wife to institutionalize their son, but that was unacceptable to the Heitkes who continued to care for him in their home. Upon arriving in Minneapolis, they saw a newspaper ad for Fraser School, which at the time was a K-12 school for children with special needs. According to Fred, visiting Fraser School was one of the most wonderful experiences he’s ever had. He couldn’t believe that anyone would offer to help care for, not to mention educate, a child with his son’s disabilities. But Fraser did, and in so doing,

Paul Camitsch Inducted

gave Fred and his family a raising activities than anyone, new lease on life. from turkey raffles to social dances. Today, at age 88, he The Heitke’s son attended still attends Fraser’s annual Fraser School from 1952 to benefit and plays 18 holes in 1965. At that time, school par- the FORE! Fraser Benefit Golf ents volunteered doing all of Classic. the physical labor around the school themselves—every- Fred says that he has been thing from sweeping to re- involved for so long because modeling. Fred was motivated he is grateful for the way that to help because the more the Fraser changed his life. He parents rolled up their sleeves, wants to do all that he can to the more kids they could serve. assure that Fraser will be here Fred says that he has never to serve children and adults met anyone like Mrs. Fraser. with disabilities, and their She never turned down a families, for many more gensingle family who wanted to erations. enroll their child. Fraser serves children with Together with other parents, developmental disabilities; Fred established a board of children who are at risk for directors to help with the busi- abuse and neglect; children ness side of the organization. with autism or severe emoHe was one of the first six tional and behavioral disorincorporators and served on ders; parents and families of the operating board for 18 children with typical and speyears. He remains active with cial needs; and adults with Fraser through its corporate developmental disabilities. and honorary boards. Over the For more information, call years, he has probably partici- 612-861-1688 or visit www. pated in more Fraser fund- fraser.org ■

Diane Cross, president and CEO of Fraser (left) and Steve Hoeppner, Fraser corporate board member (right) present Fred Heitke (center) with the Louise Whitbeck Fraser Award for enhancing the lives of people with special needs.

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by Pat Goodwin

aul Camitsch, a Courage Center volunteer with the Sports & Recreation Program, was inducted into The Boys’ Club of New York (BCNY) All Sports Hall of Fame. Camitsch, of Maple Grove, MN, is one of 15 honorees/ inductees who was honored at the BCNY Hall of Fame Dinner in New York City on November 2, 2005. Along with Camitsch, some of the other honorees—who represent a variety of sports—include Jim Brown, Frank Gifford, Dan Jansen, Carly Patterson, Dot Richardson, Gayle Sayers and Frank Shorter. This year’s event, put on by the BCNY which was founded in 1876, marks the 30th anniversary of the All Sports Hall of Fame Dinner. Honorees are individuals who have recognized the importance of sports in contemporary American society and its influence on children as a vehicle to promote and develop character, community and civility. The dinner is attended by more than 1,000 business, community and sports leaders. Camitsch, who began his sports volunteer career in 1985, has refereed wheelchair basketball in the Minneapolis area for 30 years. During that time, he traveled throughout the

North Central and adjacent conferences to recruit, train, evaluate and approbate referees and officials. In 1976, he started working at a number of National Wheelchair Basketball Tournaments and earned his International Wheelchair Basketball Federation License in 1981. Since then, he has refereed the 1988, 1991 and 1996 Paralympic Games and the 1986 and 1990 Men’s Gold Cup and 1994 Women’s Gold Cup. In the last few years, he was acknowledged for his accomplishments: 1999—honored for his contributions to the NWBA Women’s Division; 2004—recognized by the Minnesota State High School League for his service to the sport of basketball; and, 2005—inducted into the National Wheelchair Basketball Association Hall of Fame. Courage Center is a non-profit rehabilitation and resource center for people with physical disabilities, brain injuries, speech or vision impairments, or hearing loss. For more info, visit www.courage.org.

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Wheelchair basketball referee Paul Camitsch is shown with Courage Junior Rolling Timberwolves (left to right) Ben Kenyon, Sarah Binsfeld and Connor Downes. Camitsch was inducted into the Boys’ Club of New York All Sports Hall of Fame on Nov. 2.

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December 10, 2005

Helping Teens Plan For The Future: A New Web Site

hat is Youthhood .org? Youthhood. org (also known as The Youthhood) is a free, dynamic Web-based curriculum and tool to help youth set goals and plan for the future. Although the site addresses youth directly, it is intended to be used in classrooms, community programs, or any other settings where adults work with youth. The Youthhood includes information, interactive activities, and a wealth of other tools to help youth connect their future goals to their academic learning. Grounded in the principals of universal design, the site was launched April 11, 2005 by the National Center on Secondary Education and Transition at the University of Minnesota.

can support their dreams and plans for the future. It also helps youth understand and plan for post-high school education, training, and employment opportunities. The Job Center encourages youth to explore their interests, identify their skills, and discover what they still need to learn in order to achieve their employment goals. The Community Center focuses on leadership, mentoring, and community involvement and how development of skills and goals in these areas can lead to posthigh school success. The Hangout addresses belonging, friendships, and having fun. Youth learn about themselves, their relationships with others, and things they can do for fun in their free time. The Health Clinic focuses on health issues including managing health care and preventing health problems. It also addresses disabilities and chronic illness, health insurance, relationships, and sexuality. The Government Center outlines the rights of youth at school, at home, in employment settings, and within the court system. This unit also addresses legal rights gained at the age of majority. The Apartment helps youth explore their independence. This unit provides information on being safe, budgeting, using public transportation, finding a place to live, and more.

The concept of Youthhood, as well as its content and activities, is based on current research in positive youth development and transition planning and their impact on post-high school success. Youthhood puts research into practice through a unique and extensive blend of content, interactive activities, links to related Web sites, and planning tools that tie youthsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; future goals to their current academic work. In addition, the site provides a progressive learning experience. When a specific topic is explored, more activities are tried and more planning is done. In this way, My Youthhood: the youth learn more and are Interactive Features able to apply the information The Youthhood also includes to their own lives. several exciting interactive tools that can be accessed Welcome To through the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;My Youthhoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; The Neighborhood! sidebar. These can be used to The Youthhood is organized enhance learning in content like a neighborhood. Each sec- areas and youth can save and tion of the neighborhood pro- store these to our on-line datavides tools and information to base. These include the: Prihelp youth plan for the future. vate Journal: Here, youth can The High School helps youth log their thoughts, ideas, isexplore how their schoolwork sues, or anything else as they

work their way through the Web site. This journal is completely private, with access only to youth through use of their password; Activities Folder: Each content area has corresponding activities to reinforce what youth learn. These activities can be saved in the Activities Folder for viewing, editing, or printing at a later date; Life Map: The Life Map is a tool to help youth plan for the future. Youth can write down their goals, steps they will take to achieve their goals, and other important information related to what theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re learning on the Web site. Teachers can also use the Life Map for assignments. For youth with disabilities, the Life Map parallels the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and can be used by young adults and transition case managers in transition planning meetings; Class Notebook: Teachers, mentors, and parents can ask youth to write in their Class Notebook about what they have learned on a certain topic, and then comment on and grade their work. The Class Notebook is not private. Adults working with you have access to both the Class Notebook and the Life Map. These two tools can be utilized within the classroom or as homework assignments to emphasize content area information. Both can be viewed, comments can be posted, and grades can be assigned. The Teachersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Lounge The Teachersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Lounge isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just for teachers â&#x20AC;&#x201D; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s for all adults working with youth who use Youthhood.org. Here you can read about how The Youthhood was developed, receive instructions on how to use The Youthhood, create â&#x20AC;&#x153;classesâ&#x20AC;? and give feedback to the youth you are working Youthhood - cont. on p. 14

Upcoming Events January 14, 2006 Medicare Part D This presentation is intended to provide information on: Program Overview, Eligibility and Enrollment, and Extra Help. This workshop is intended for a broad audience: Persons with Medicare, Professionals, and those caring for persons with Medicare. Presenters: MN Area Agency on Aging (M-AAA); Day/ Time: Saturday/1pm to 3:30 pm; Location: Wilderness Inquiry, Conference Room, 80814th Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414, Phone 612676-9400; Sponsors/Contact: People Enhancing People 651-450-5960, PEPeople @msn.com, and United Cerebral Palsy of Minnesota 651616-7588, ucpmn@cpinter net.com. January 19, 2006 A Professional Workshop by Dr. Ross Greene This workshop is based on Dr. Greeneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s New Book Treating Explosive Kids: The Collaborative Problem Solving Approach MACMH is an education and advocacy group whose mission is to enhance the quality of life for children with mental health disorders and their families. CEUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s available from the Boards of: Nursing, Psychology, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Educators and Certificate of Attendance for Other Fields

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Day/Time: Thursday/ 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Location: Earle Brown Heritage Center, 6155 Earle Brown Drive, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430, Cost: $150 and includes lunch, Contact: For more information visit www.macmh. org. February 4, 2006 Taxes and Disabilities This will be a question and answer session from tax professionals who are themselves disabled or have extensive knowledge in the area of disabilities. Presenters: James Carlisle, P.A., (Carlisle Accounting), Scott Dehn, MBA, Eric Haukkala, CPA, MBA (Thomas Lewis and Assoc. P.A.); Day/Time: Saturday, 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm; Location: Wilderness Inquiry, Conference Room, 808-14th Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414, Phone 612-676-9400; Sponsors/Contact: People Enhancing People 651-4505960, PEPeople@msn.com, and United Cerebral Palsy of Minnesota 651-616-7588, ucpmn@cpinternet.com.

February 4, 2006 PACERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Third Annual HOT Party! With two stages of local live music, fabulous foods from Rudolphâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bar-B-Q and a full evening of entertainment, you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to miss the 2006 boogie bash. Have fun while supporting PACER programs for families of children with all types of disabilities. Learn more about participation options. Contact Information: 952-838-9000, 952-838-0190, 800-53-PACER toll-free. March 4, 2006 Service Animals This workshop will include a demonstration of service dogs followed by a question and answer session. Presenters: Hearing and Service Dogs of MN and Helping Paws. Day/Time: Sat., 1pm to 3pm; Location: Keewaydin Community Center, 3030 East 53rd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55410, Phone 612-370-4956: Sponsors/Contact: People Enhancing People 651-4505960, PEPeople@msn.com, and United Cerebral Palsy of MN 651-616-7588, ucpmn@ cpinternet.com

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December 10, 2005

News At A Glance . . . A Book Review: Learning vs. Testing

Mental Health Legislative Caucus Recognized

Choosing Medicare Prescription Drug Plans: Be aware of possible scams during enrollment period

at Wyman, of HowtoLearn.com, has just answered the prayers of parents who want their children to get higher grades and test scores. She is also the author of Learning vs. Testing: Strategies to Bridge the Gap. It is really a must-read for any parent whose child is a hands-on or auditory learner that needs higher grades and test scores. You and your kids can experience personal and educational success with help from some of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foremost experts for less than the cost of taking your family out for lunch. Learning vs. Testing draws on Patâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 30 years of experience teaching kids how to learn and offers simple, effective strategies that will make sure that your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s test scores truly reflect what your child knows. Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s already changed the lives of over 200,000 children using the strategies described in this book!

he National Alliance on Mental Illness of Minnesota (NAMI-MN) recognized 67 legislators this year for their ground-breaking efforts in forming the Minnesota Mental Health Legislative Caucus, the first of its kind in the country. The Caucus provides legislators with an opportunity to learn more about the many aspects of the mental health system and the problems faced by both children and adults with mental illness. NAMI-MN invited co-chairs of the Mental Health Legislative Caucus Senators Linda Berglin and Steve Dille, and Representatives Mindy Greiling and Bruce Anderson to accept the awards on Nov. 12, 2005 at the organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual state conference. In addition, all members of the caucus were sent special recognition awards. For more information contact Chuck Krueger at 651-645-2948 or via email at ckrueger@ nami.org.

s of November 15, 2005 Minnesota seniors should have made important decisions about the new prescription drug plans known as Medicare Part D. Minnesota Commerce Commissioner Glenn Wilson is reminding seniors and their families to beware of dishonest people that may attempt to carry out fraudulent schemes during the enrollment period. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is an abundance of information on the new prescription drug plans. Before you make a decision, take your time and do the research. It is the best way for you to protect yourself from scams,â&#x20AC;? said Commissioner Wilson. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Insurance regulators canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always stop fraud before it starts and people are not always able to get back the money they lose through deception. Make sure the company and the plan are legitimate.â&#x20AC;? Do not give out your personal information until you are certain

New School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing in MN that the person you are working with is from Medicare or a Does this sound familiar? You spend all night helping your child study for a big test. You KNOW they understand the oly Cross Institute is a brand new high school of material. And yet youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re both devastated when they bring ecumenical and international learning to open in the home another awful test score. Learning vs. Testing will help Fall of 2006 in the Twin Cities Metro. you understand whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening and CHANGE this vicious cycle of failure into SUCCESS for your child! We have included a program for deaf and hard-of-hearing students who wish to study the artsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;dance, drama, studio art To get more information about the book go to: www.howtolearn. and music. com/learningvstesting.html. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to greater learning success and a big boost in your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s self-esteem level. Our school curriculum is humanities based and arts strong. We do not ignore the sciences, math or technology at allâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;but we intend to integrate the arts into all subjects. We take New Book on Chronic Illness history, music and art as our strong points.

eeting the Challenge of Chronic Illness, Robert Kane, Reinhard (Jake) Priester, and Annette Totten. The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2005. Chronic conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, and Parkinsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disease are the principal cause of all sickness and death in the United States and account for the vast majority of health care expenditures. Although we now live in a world dominated by chronic conditions, health care is still organized around a commitment to treating acute illnesses.

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There is no way to enroll in a drug plan over the telephone unless you call the company. Do not give out your information to a solicitor. Also, payments cannot be made over the telephone. The plan you choose must send you a bill if you do enroll via telephone or Web. Sales associates of Medicare Part D cannot call after 9 pm or before 8 am by federal law.

Though you will have to pay premiums and deductibles, no one should charge you for assistance in filling out the forms. We want to invite deaf and hard of hearing students and their Make sure you know where your money is going. families from the Metro to consider joining our community. We will accept ninth grade students next year. We will add a Medicare Prescription Drug Plans will have the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Medicare class a year. We have a unique offering which makes Holy approvedâ&#x20AC;? stamp on each piece of material they send you. Any Cross (named after the St. Croix River) a very different school mail you receive regarding Part D without the seal is not and community. We require religion among the graduation approved by Medicare. requirements and handle the curriculum from an Interfaith point-of-view. We emphasize school community-building, Government agencies are on the lookout for fraudulent social skills, and moral and ethical development. companies and individuals. Please report any suspicious sales activities or phone conversations as soon as possible. To report Our school-wide meetings for â&#x20AC;&#x153;connectionsâ&#x20AC;? create an excellent fraudulent activity: venue for our spiritual-social-emotional learning program. â&#x20AC;˘ 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048) Discipline in the school will be firm, but fair and uniforms are â&#x20AC;˘ Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General required. We will have a sports program as well. The students at 1-800-447-8477 will have to take a one semester course in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Life Skillsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in which â&#x20AC;˘ Federal Trade Commissions ID Theft hotline at 1-877-438-4338 we teach manners, how to make a simple meal, how to balance â&#x20AC;˘ For suspected fraudulent activity of insurance agents, contact a checkbook, etc. Seniors will have a chance to travel for three the Minnesota Department of Commerce Consumer Response weeks in January for a special academic project. Team at (651) 296-2488 or 800-657-3602.

Meeting the Challenge of Chronic Illness examines current deficiencies in chronic illness care and explores ways to improve it. Addressing the challenges of shifting from the primacy of acute illness to the predominance of chronic conditions, the authors identify the components necessary to reorganize and reform health care: properly prepared health care workers; involved patients and families; appropriate use of new technologies, especially information systems; an appropriate role for prevention; and the creation of funding We will open the school if we have 60 or more students. There approaches that will provide necessary incentives. is some scholarship help and discounts for early registrations. Applicants should notify us by early February. Parents can call This book calls on policymakers, health care providers, and us at 651-379-5202 or email us at hcshamrocks@yahoo.com educators to address one of the greatest challenges facing the and read our website which is www.holycross-institute.org/ health care system. cover.htm - besides local students, we also welcome students from a distance and will find them host families. We also have More information and order form can be found at: www.press. a program and counselor for hard-of-hearing and deaf students jhu.edu/books/title_pages/8840.html who wish to participate in the arts.

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private insurance company participating in the Medicare program. Your Medicare number is just as important as your Social Security number. Be sure to protect it along with the rest of your personal information.

MCIL Upcoming Workshops And Events! Workshops Date/Time Individual Advocacy ........................... Dec 1: 10:30-11:30am American Sign Language ................... Dec 8: 10:30-11:30am Ramps/Modification ........................... Dec 15: 10:30-11:30am Event Disability/Culture &Community ....... Dec 9: 1:00-3:00pm Support Groups Traumatic Brain Injury w/disability . Dec 1: 6:00-7:00pm Traumatic Brain Injury w/disability . Dec 15: 6:00-7:00pm Chemical Dependency w/disability ... Dec 7: 6:30-8:30pm Chemical Dependency w/disability ... Dec 14: 6:30-8:30pm Chemical Dependency w/disability ... Dec 21: 6:30-8:30pm Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender w/Chronic illness w/ disability ... Dec 20: 6:00-7:30pm

Enrollment began on November 15, 2005 and runs through May 15, 2006. If you wait to enroll until after May 15, 2006, you may be assessed a 1% per month penalty for every month of delayed enrollment. There is no limit on this monthly late enrollment penalty, so the longer you wait after May 15, 2006 to enroll, the greater the premium can be. For more information regarding Medicare Part D â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Prescription Drug Plans: Contact the Minnesota Senior Linkage Line for free health insurance counseling for people on Medicare. They can be reached at 1-800-333-2433 or on the web at www. mnaging.org. Or for additional help, call 1-800-Medicare or visit www.medicare.gov. The Minnesota Department of Commerce also has a brochure entitiled What You Need to Know: Medicare and Medicare Supplemental Insurance which is available at www.commerce. state.mn.us that summarizes Medicare coverage, identifies the gaps in coverage, and describes the choices available for supplementing Medicare insurance in Minnesota.

Different Ramps

win Cities welcomes new ramp franchise owners.

Steve and Beth Gildersleeve are the new local franchise owners of American Ramp Systems. American Ramp Systems All of the above are being held at the Metropolitan Center for specializes in temporary to permanent steel ramps. These Independent Living 1600 University Ave. W, #16, St. Paul, ramps can be ordered and installed in a shorter time than MN, 55104-3834. For more information contact Laura Borton conventional ramps due to their modular construction. In at 651-646-8342 or by e-mail at laurab@mcil-mn.org. most applications, they also do not require a permit to install. For more information, contact Steve or Beth at 651-399-3075. News - cont. on p. 12

December 10, 2005

Medicare Part D

f you are a person with disabilities and on Medicare and Medical Assistance, beginning Jan. 1, 2006, most of your prescription drug costs will be covered by Medicare’s new prescription drug plan, Medicare Part D. This includes Medical Assistance with a spend-down and Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities. People with disabilities who are on Medical Assistance and Medicare should carefully review all of the Medicare prescription drug plan choices, know their prescription drug needs and enroll in a plan that best fits their needs. If beneficiaries do not enroll in a drug plan by Dec. 31, 2005, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will assign them to a Medicare prescription drug plan. Even though this plan will cover most prescription costs, it may not be the plan that is right for you. While the assigned plan ensures beneficiaries prescription drug coverage, it may change an individual’s existing coverage and it may not be the plan that covers all of their prescription drug needs. It is important for beneficiaries to know their personal drug needs and enroll in a prescription drug plan that best accommodates their needs. If beneficiaries feel the plan in which they have been

INCIDENCE- Cont. from p. 7 NEWS - Cont. from p. 12

In addition to the emergency assigned does not meet their management plan, Lt. needs, they may change their Plekkenpol emphasized the plan anytime. importance of working a plan before an incident occurs. By As Medicare Part D makes its testing a variety of critical inway across the state, it will cident scenarios, problems, affect approximately 90,000 needs and resource shortages Minnesota Medicare benefi- can be identified. Developing ciaries with disabilities. Ben- and working the plans at a eficiaries should have already local level helps to mitigate received a large volume of the crises and loss of life in a Medicare Part D information disaster situation. including important government notices and marketing Plymouth conducts table materials from various Medi- top exercises and critical care prescription drug plans. incident enactments To date Plymouth conducted As beneficiaries review their an active shooter enactment options, they should bear in at Armstrong and Wayzata mind that there are resources high schools. The exercises available to help them with included 150 students at the process. The beneficiary, Armstrong and 350 at their family members and Wayzata. They included role caregivers can receive free, players from the police and impartial assistance from the fire departments, ambulance Minnesota Linkage Line at 1- service and school district. 800-333-2433. The Linkage Enactment scenarios included Line is available from 8 am to the triage and transportation 7 pm Monday through Friday of the injured, air care heliand from 8 am to noon on copter transports, lock downs, Saturday. rally points and reunification points for students. Beneficiaries can also access Medicare Part D information Cities that meet the state reand prescription drug plan quirements for emergency choices through the Internet management planning are eliat www.medicare.gov or by gible to apply for grant money calling 1-800-MEDICARE. to conduct table top exercises and critical incident enactBefore you call, gather the ments. Follow-up reports are following information for ref- required from the participants. erence: your Medicare card; a This is another example of list of the prescription medi- problem identification and cations you currently are tak- crises mitigation in nationing, including names and dos- wide emergency management ages; and the name and ad- planning. dress of the pharmacy you prefer. ■ As residents with special needs, the important questions need to be asked first and foremost at the local (city) level of government. Individuals may also volunteer as a stake holder for table top exercises. Stake holders are those involved in the provision of resources or services as well as representatives of special populations. For Access Press readers, this is another avenue whereby individuals with disabilities may take steps to ensure that

emergency management plans include provisions for those with special needs. In summary, this article is not meant to mitigate the responsibility of FEMA or any other government entity involved in recent disaster situations such as Hurricane Katrina. Mistakes most likely occurred at many levels. What is most important now is for each individual to take steps to prepare for emergency situations. Each step taken at an individual level contributes to the response time available for emergency response teams to assist others with special needs.

Support Group for Families

he National Alliance on Mental Illness of Minnesota NAMI-MN sponsors free support groups for families who have a relative with mental illness. Led by trained facilitators who also have a family member with mental illness, the support group helps families develop better coping skills and find strength through sharing their experiences. Minneapolis: A family support group meets in Minneapolis at 6:30 pm on the first and third Fridays of the month. For information, call Lee or Laurie at 952-894-9109. Roseville: A family support group meets in Roseville at 6:30 pm on the second Wednesday of the month. For information, call Anne Mae at 651-730-8434 or Sue at 651-736-2291.

The reporter extends a special thank you to Plymouth Mayor Judy Johnson, Police Chief Michael Goldstein and Lt. Plekkenpol for assisting with Part One of this article. A special thank you is also due for Hopkins Police Chief Craig Reid and the seven volunteers for Long Beach, Mississippi Project for their assistance in understanding the importance of emergency management planning in local government. ■

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(651) 645-7271 or (800) 466-7722 ~ TTY/TDD (800) 627-3529 Housing Info: ext. 295 ~ Employment Info: ext. 297 (EOE/AA) Apply for housing or employment on-line: www.accessiblespace.org *Eligibility or selection of ASI services is not required to qualify for housing ASI services are not available in all locations

BDC Management Co. is now accepting applications for our waiting lists at the following affordable communities

Albright Townhomes Buffalo Court Apartments Elliot Park Apartments Evergreen Apartments Hanover Townhomes Lincoln Place Apartments Olson Towne Homes Prairie Meadows Raspberry Ridge Talmage Green Trinity Apartments Unity Place Vadnais Highlands Woodland Court Apartments

Minneapolis Buffalo Minneapolis Hutchinson St. Paul Mahtomedi Minneapolis Eden Prairie Hopkins Minneapolis Minneapolis Brooklyn Center Vadnais Heights Park Rapids

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December 10, 2005

Accessible Performances The following performances will be Audio Described (AD) for people who are blind or have low vision, or Interpreted in American Sign Language (ASL) for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Compiled by VSA arts of MN, 612-332-3888 or http://mn.vsarts.org. A Christmas Carol 11/1/5 - 12/24/5 By: Guthrie Theater, 725 Vineland, Mpls.; ASL & AD: Sat., 12/10, 1pm; Tues., 12/13, 7:30 pm; Tix: $16; 612-3772224, TTY 612-377-6626; www.guthrietheater.org Same Time, Next Year 11/4/5 – 12/31/5 By: Jungle Theater, 2951 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls.; AD: Thurs., 12/ 29, 7:30 pm; Tix: $8, 612-8227063; www.jungle theater.com The Nutcracker & The Mouse King 11/5/5 – 12/23/5 By: Commonweal Theatre, 206 Pky Ave. N., Lanesboro; ASL: Sun., 12/4, 2pm; Tix: half-price for ASL patrons/companions, 800-657-7025; www.common wealtheatre. org Disney’s Aladdin Jr. 11/15/5 – 1/6/6 By: Children’s Theatre Co., 2400 3rd Ave. S., Mpls.; AD & ASL: Wed, 12/14, 10:30 am; Fri., 12/ 16, 7:30 pm; Tix: 612-874-0400; www.childrenstheatre.org Live at the Funky Butt Jazz Club 11/17/5 – 12/17/5 By: Interact Ctr for Visual &

Performing Arts, 212 3rd Ave. N., Mpls.; AD: Fri., 12/2, 7:30 pm, and Sat., 12/3, 3pm; ASL: Sat., 12/3, 3 and7:30 pm; Tix: $12-$15, 612-343-3390; ASL/ AD patrons get $7 off at: 612339-5145,ext 11; www. InteractCtr.com or www. ticketworks.com

Holiday Traditions in the Period Rooms 11/25/5 – 1/8/6 Mpls. Institute of Art, 2400 Third Ave. S.; ASL: Sun., 12/ 4, 2:00 pm; Thurs., 12/8, 7:00 pm (Tours begin on the third floor in the Bell Decorative Arts Court); Sun., 12/4, 3:30 pm at the Purcell-Cutts House; A Winnie-the-Pooh Tix: Admission charged to muChristmas Tail seum; interpreted tour is free; 11/18/5 – 12/28/5 612-870-3131 or TTY 612By: Stages Theatre Co. at 870-3132, www.artsmia.org Hopkins Ctr for the Arts Mainstage, 1111 MainSt; La Befana ASL: Sun., 12/11 at 2pm, and 11/25/5 – 12/31/5 Wed, 12/14 at 12:30 pm; Tix: By: In the Heart of the Beast $11-14; 952-979-1111; www. Puppet & Mask Theatre, 1500 stagestheatre.org E. Lake St., Mpls.; AD: Thurs., 12/15, 10:30 am; Sun., Arsenic and Old Lace 12/18, 2pm; ASL: Thurs., 12/ 11/18/5 - 12/18/5 15, 10:30 am & 7:30 pm; Tix: By: Theatre in the Round Play- 612-721-2535 orinfo@hobt.org; ers, 245 Cedar Ave., Mpls.; www.hobt.org AD: Sun., 12/18, 2pm; Tix: $20; 612-333-3010; www. Black Nativity: A Celebratheatreintheround.org tion of Family, A Celebration For The Soul…Testify! The Little Prince 11/25/5 - 12/18/5 11/25/5 – 1/1/6 By: Penumbra Theatre Co. at By: Theatre de la Jeune Lune, Martin Luther King Ctr, 270 105 N. First St., Mpls.; AD: N. Kent St., St. Paul; ASL: Sun., 12/11, 7:00 pm, Tix: $13 Sat., 12/3, 8:00 pm; Tix: 651(reg. $20); TicketWorks 612- 224-3180 (specify ASL); 333-6200 or 612-332-3968 www.penum bratheatre.org x100; www.jeunelune.org

Seussical 12/2/5-12/18/5 By: Youth Performance Co. at Howard Conn Fine Arts Ctr, 1900 Nicollet Ave., Mpls.; AD & ASL: Sun., 12/18, 2pm; Tix: half-price; reg. $12, students or seniors $10; call in advance to confirm the service; 612-623-9080; www. A Christmas Carole Petersen youthperformanceco.com 11/26/5 – 12/31/5 By: Tod Petersen & the Carolettes Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Theater Latte Da) at Loring Play12/2/5-12/23/5 house, 1633 Hennepin Ave. S., By: SteppingStone Theatre at Mpls.; AD & ASL: Thurs., 12/1, Landmark Ctr, 75 W. 5th St., St. 8pm; Tix: $20; 612-209-6689 Paul; ASL: Sun., 12/11, 2:00 Ticket-Works; www.latteda. org pm; AD: Tue, 12/13, 11:00 am; or www.ticketworks.com Tix: $9; 651-225-9265; www. steppingstonetheatre.org Hanukkah Lights in the Big Sky Here’s Love: Miracle on 34th St 12/1/5-12/18/5 12/2/5-12/18/5 By: MN Jewish Theatre Co. at By: Rochester Civic Theatre, Hillcrest Ctr Theater, 1978 Ford 20 Civic Ctr Drive SE; ASL: Pky, St. Paul; ASL: Fri., 12/9, Sat., 12/10, 7pm;Tix: $10-15; 9:45 am, Tix: $6 students, adults 507-282-8481; www.rochester $12-15; 651-647-4315; www. civictheatre.org mnjewishtheatre.org

Christmas of Swing 11/26/5 – 1/1/6 By: Great American History Theatre, 30 E. 10th St., St. Paul; AD: Sun., 12/11, 2:00 pm;ASL: Sun., 12/18, 2:00 pm; Tix: Reduced to $15; 651-292-4323; www.historytheatre.com

Charlie & the Chocolate Factory 12/2/5-12/18/5 By: Fargo-Moorhead Comm Theatre, 333 4th St. S., Fargo; AD: Sat., 12/10, 7pm; ASL: upon request in advance; Tix: $7.50, less for seniors, students, ages 3-12; 701-235-6778, 877687-7469; www.fmct.org Villa America: American Moderns, 1900-1950 12/4/5 – 2/26/6 At the Mpls Institute of Arts; ASL-interpreted public tour of exhibit begins at the round bench in the museum lobby; Sun., 1/1, 2:00 pm; Tix: Admission charged to museum; 612-870-3131 or TTY 612870-3132, www.artsmia.org Perform. - cont. on p. 15

Easy Access Adventures

The Miracle Worker 12/2/5-12/18/5 By: Torch Theater at Mpls. Theatre Garage, 711 W. Franklin; ASL: Fri.-Sat., Dec. 2-3, 7:30 pm; Sun., Dec. 4, 2:00 pm; AD: Sun., Dec. 11, 2:00 pm, Tix: $18; Reduced to $11 for AD/ASL patrons; 612-870-0723; www.torch theater.com

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December 10, 2005

BRAILLE - Cont. from p. 1 ies, such projects are usually mainstreamed into public referred to the American school, and I think any child Foundation for the Blind. or even grown person in danger of losing their sight should Bernita Gilberstadt Congre- learn Braille.” gation Ahavath Chesed Braille Group founder, and The Braille group dates back one of the two blind proof- to 1957 and now proclaims 60 readers, told the Florida members. They translate the Times-Union she appreciates written word into Braille and the 15 women viewing the prepare embossed maps and course as a challenge because diagrams so a blind person many people are needed to can “see” a road. At present, learn how to turn printed the group is printing textbooks words into something blind for students in Jacksonville people can read. Gilberstadt and Arkansas. Past projects says it’s “necessary because include cookbooks, manuals more children are being for the American Red Cross

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YOUTHHOOD and religious texts for rabbis, students the letter “A” was priests, and ministers. one raised dot in the upper left of the left-hand column. By “Braille groups aren’t numer- 11 am, the students had typed ous,” said group president “A” through “J” in Braille, Jacqueline Lasky. In fact, her and by the time you read this group is the only one in north- —in print, mostly—the maern Florida. The group gets jority of the students will transfinancial support from the fer to a computer that uses congregation’s Sisterhood and translation software provided from some Lions Clubs. It does by the state of Florida. projects for the School for the Deaf and the Blind in St. Au- For the record, Ahavath Chesed gustine, FL, and “we are work- is Hebrew meaning “the love ing for a little boy in Arkan- of kindness as required by sas. His mother called to get God.” For more information, textbooks together because he contact the Congregation has a whole year’s worth. She Ahavath Chesed at 8727 San was desperate.” Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32217, 904-733-7078. ■ New group members are sought annually, since an av- Herb Drill writes and edits erage novel ends up being www.notaccessible.com and seven to eight volumes of is a charter member of the Braille characters, and each now international Society of volume takes a trained trans- American Business Editors lator about a week to do. Mem- and Writers. His e-mail adbers must learn the Braille dress is herbdrill@ableme. system. Instructor Thelma com Lebowitz told the present 15

Cont. from p. 10 with, and join listservs to re- funded by the Office of Speceive updates and support in cial Education Programs at using the site. the U.S. Department of Education through a grant award. About Us Go to www. ncset.org for more The Youthhood is a project of information. the National Center on Secondary Education and Tran- As part of NCSET’s sponsition (NCSET) at the Insti- sored grant activities, tute on Community Integra- Youthhood is provided at no tion, University of Minnesota, charge as a resource and tranwhich is funded by a five- sition planning tool for teachyear, $9.5 million grant from ers, community service prothe Office of Special Educa- viders, parents, guardians, tion Programs, U.S. Depart- youth with and without disabilities, and anyone else who ment of Education. may benefit from utilizing this NCSET provides coordinates site to help youth plan for the national resources, offers tech- transition from high school to nical assistance, and dissemi- adult life. For more informanates information related to tion on Youthhood, contact secondary education and tran- Pam Stenhjem at (612) 625sition for youth with disabili- 3863 or huntx010@umn. edu. ties to all 50 states and the ■ U.S. Territories. NCSET is

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December 10, 2005

ARTS.Cont. from p. 13 A Cowbeach Christmas 12/8/5-12/10/5 and 12/15/5-12/17/5 By: Stuart Holland at Spirit of the Lakes U.C.C., 2930 13th Ave. S, Mpls., ASL: Fri., 12/16, 8pm;, Tix: $15 at the door, no reser.

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FOR RENT Lewis Park Apartments: Barrier-free housing with wheelchair users in mind. Section 8 subsidized. One- and two- bedroom units. For more information on availability call (651) Joe & Fibber Find Christmas 488-9923. St. Paul, MN. Equal Opportunity Housing. 12/8/5-12/18/5 By: Bloomington Art Ctr Gallery Theater at Bloomington Holmes-Greenway Housing: Ctr for the Arts Black Box The- One and two bedroom wheelater, 1800 W. Old Shakopee chair accessible apartments. Rd.; ASL: Fri., 12/16, 7:30 pm; Section 8 subsidized. ConveTix: $8; 952-563-8587; www. nient SE Minneapolis location. Call (612)378-0331 for availbloomingtonartCtr.com ability information. Equal Opportunity Housing. Radio City Christmas Spectacular Seward Square Apartments: 12/9/5-12/31/5 Touring show at Historic We are currently accepting apOrpheum Theatre, 910 Henne- plications for our waiting list pin Ave. S., Mpls.; ASL: Sun., for barrier-free housing, in Min12/18, 2pm, Tix: $20-70; ASL neapolis, that is federally subsior AD offered if req. in adv: dized. For an application, please 612-373-5639 or 5609; hotline call (612) 338-2680. Equal 612-373-5650; TTY 612-373- Opportunity Housing. 5655; email accessible@orp heum.com; www.hennepin the Room For Rent: $300.00 all atredistrict.com/servicesd.asp utilities, includes phone, but not long-distance, Private Bedroom, shared bath and kitchen. Scottish Christmas Located in Eagan, contact Dale 12/17/5 Features Bonnie Rideout, at at 651-686-8742 Petters Auditorium, Benedicta Zeitgeist Sound Stage Arts Ctr, College of Saint 1/6/6-1/7/6 Benedict, St. Joseph; ASL: Sat., 12/17, 7:30 pm; Tix: $23-26; By Zeitgeist artists at Southern subsidy for companion; 320-363- Theatre, 1420 Washington Ave. 5777; www.csbsju.edu/finearts S., Mpls.; AD: Sat., 1/7, 8pm; tactile tour at 7:15 pm; Tix: $12 Cantus & St Paul Chamber (reg. $15); 612-340-1725; www. southerntheater.org 12/18/5 Performed at Stephen B. HumThe People’s Temple phrey Theater, St John’s Uni1/7/6 - 2/5/6 versity, Collegeville; ASL: Sun., 12/18, 2pm; Tix: $15-20; sub- By: Guthrie Theater, 725 sidy for companion; 320-363- Vineland, Mpls.; ASL: Fri., 1/ 5777; www.csbsju. edu/finearts 27, 7:30 pm; AD: Sat., 1/28, 1pm (free tactile tour 11am, reserv. needed); Fri., Feb. 3, SASE GLBT Reading 7:30 pm; Tix: Reduced to $16; 12/28/5 By: Morgan Grayce Willow and 612-377-2224, TTY 612-377Lisa Ann Berg at Intermedia Arts, 6626; www.guthrietheater.org 2822 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls., ASL: Wed., 12/28, 7pm; Tix: Church Basement Ladies 1/11/6 free; 612-822-2500;www.saseon Ongoing at the Plymouth Playline.org/home/calendar.html house, Best Western Kelly Inn, I-494 & Hwy 55, Plymouth, AD: Ghosts Wed., 1/11, 1pm, w/post-show 1/6/6 - 1/29/6 By: Theatre in the Round, 245 talk with blind actress Janet Cedar Ave., Mpls.; AD: Sun., Paone; Tix: Reduced to $16 (reg. 1/29, 2pm; Tix: $20; 612-333- $20); for AD grps Stacy Sham3010; www.theatreinthe blott at 612-871-2222 x114; www.plymouthplayhouse.com round.org

FOR RENT (continued) Oak Park Village: One Bedroom wheelchair accessible apartments. Section 8 subsidized. Convenient St. Louis Park location. Call 952-9359125 for availability information. Equal Opportunity Housing. PROPERTY FOR SALE 2 bedroom, 1 bath home in South Minneapolis (Lake Nokomis area) with some nice accessibility features -such as a ramp at the front door and main level laundry. Call me – to see this home with beautiful wood floors, a built-in buffet, built in cabinets and a wood burning fireplace. Doug Haugen, Lakes Area Realty. 651-238-0456

FOR SALE (continued) Trotter Treadmill: home/professional use. Two speed, 15% motorized elevation, digital readout. Very good cond. $850. (Cost new $3200). And also a Trapeze cost $75.00. Call @ 651-644-0435 or 651-269-5514 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan SE Minivan Sport V6 Auto 77,000 miles Entervan - power side door w/ramp $15,000 Power Wheelchair Invacare Pronto M51 Sure step Hardly used $2500 Call JP 651-4978042 MISCELLANEOUS Send Out Greeting Cards from home using your computer. Make someone smile_Send a card today! www.jansfree card4u.com

FOR SALE WANTED Minnesota Mobility: We specialize in affordable wheelchair A dedicated Lawyer/Paralegal vans. Contact us at 952-746- to aid a frustrated, dedicated disabled female veteran seek1800. ing retroactive benefits. Please 2004 Ranger 4 wheel drive help me to get justice! Only the heavy duty solo scooter. Never sincere and persistent need apused. Price $2500. Call 651- ply. Please contact Celeste 225-8956 on Sat and Sun only. Pearson at ksimms_04@ hotmail.com

Disease Prevention And Control Division Director $65,751 - $94,106 The mission of the Department of Health is to protect, maintain and improve the health of all Minnesotans. This position contributes to that mission by providing leadership, vision and direction for the Infectious Disease Epidemiology Prevention and Control Division of the Department. The position reports to the State Epidemiologist. This is a leadership position in one of the premier infectious disease prevention and control programs in the U.S., recognized nationally and internationally for the early identification of disease outbreaks, research and development of new disease surveillance methods. For more information on this position, along with application procedures, visit www. doer.state.mn.us. Refer to Requisition Number 05HEAL000434 for complete description and qualifications.

DIRECTOR OF PROSPECT RESEARCH Minnesota State University Moorhead seeks a Director of Prospect Research to develop information and confidential research profiles on prospective and current university donors; track and maintain alumni and prospect information; be responsible for providing proactive research, prospect screening, and prospect solicitation proposal tracking to support the university’s development activities. This professional must be able to organize, analyze, and synthesize complex materials; prepare concise research reports; and have a commitment to professional ethics, including confidentiality of information.

SUCCESS comes in stages.

At Wells Fargo, we provide an environment that supports the dreams and ideals of our team members—as well as our customers. And we’ve been doing it since 1852. Come experience a place where opportunity is as wide as the horizon. BUSINESS PHONE BANKER Answer calls in our Shoreview, MN inbound call center; communicate with business customers/bankers; resolve challenging inquiries; and promote company products/services in the form of sales referrals. We are looking for committed representatives with customer service/sales experience, excellent communication skills, and the ability to multi-task. Work hours are Monday–Friday 11:30am–8pm. Six-week paid training will be provided Monday through Friday, 8:00am–4:30pm. To apply for this position, please call 1-800-656-JOBS (5627) and ask for extension 98A to speak with one of our recruiters! You may call between 9am–11pm CST, 7 days a week. Start the next stage in your career today.

Send a letter of application, resume, a completed Minnesota State University Moorhead standard application form (found at www.mn state.edu/vacancy/standApp Form.htm <http://www.mn state.edu/vacancy/standApp Form.htm>) and name, address, and phone number of three current references to: Prospect Research Search Committee, c/o Carolyn Zehren, Chair; MSUM Office of Scholarship and Financial Aid; 1104 7th Avenue South; Moorhead, MN 56563. Application screening begins 12-20-05. For additional details, refer to www.mnstate.edu/vacancy/ unclassified.htm <http:// www.mnstate.edu/vacancy/ unclassified.htm>.

Refinished hardwood floors, new Amana appliances, custom lighting, 3 bathrooms, and a huge basement for family entertaining.

Contact Jennifer Bowman at 612-202-2945

Employment ads are $16-$17 per col. inch. Dec 29 is the deadline for the Jan 10 issue. Mail to: ACCESS PRESS, 1821 University Ave. #104S, St. Paul, MN 55104 FAX 651-644-2136 • E-mail: access@accesspress.org

The Minnesota Department of Health is an equal opportunity employer with a strong Required: a bachelor’s degree; minimum 2 years work expecommitment to diversity. rience with demonstrable skills in biographical and financial research; experience in using data-based management systems and on-line databases; excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to lead small task/work groups; and ability to prepare written reports. Experience in alumni relations/development/advancement or higher education administration is preferred. Demonstrated ability to work successfully with persons of diverse background, including sensitivity to their needs and concerns is desired.

Beautifully remodeled home that could be easily converted to a nice accessible home.

Lot size 81x153, excellent school district, blocks from new St Anthony Village, newer windows and siding, plus much more!!

Learn more at wellsfargo.com/jobs , searching by Requisition # 557151. Wells Fargo is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V.

AA/EOEE.

December 10, 2005

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