September 2009 Edition - Access Press

www.accesspress.org History Note

Inside

“The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.”

■ Internships - pg 3 ■ Skyway stories- pg 5 ■ Phillips awards winners - pg 6

— Edward “Ted” Kennedy Page 2 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Mpls. MN Permit No. 4766

Volume 20, Number 9

Minnesota’s Disability

Community Newspaper

September 10, 2009

Anne Henry is 2009 Charlie Smith Award winner

by Jane McClure Anne D. Henry, JD is the 2009 Charlie Smith Award Winner. She was chosen by Access Press Board of Directors from a field of nominees solicited from community members and will be honored Friday, Nov. 6 at the sixth annual Charlie Smith awards banquet. The banquet is sponsored and organized by Access Press. Details about the banquet and silent auction appear elsewhere in this issue.

Henry is a staff attorney at the Minnesota Disability Law Center, a statewide program of the Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis that is the designated federally funded Protection and Advocacy program for people with disabilities in Minnesota.

“Anne has been one of the strongest advocates for people with disabilities in the state of Minnesota,” said Access Press Board Chairman Mike Chevrette.

“Not only is Anne Henry an outstanding advocate for the disability community, she is also a compassionate and allaround good person,” said Tim

Benjamin, executive director and editor of Access Press.

“For more than 30 years, Henry has advocated for the rights of people with disabilities. Early in her career Henry served on the trial team that brought the seminal Welsch v.

Likins lawsuit that lead to the closing of state hospitals for people with developmental disabilities,” the nomination stated.

Welsch versus Likins is a landmark case in Minnesota disability law. It began in 1972 and wound up at the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 1975.

The case challenged the conditions in six of Minnesota’s institutions that housed the developmentally disabled.

Two basic claims were made that institutionalized persons are constitutionally entitled to habilitation services and are entitled to live in the least restrictive setting.

Luther Granquist, a longtime Minnesota disability law attorney and disability historian, worked with Henry on th case. “For more than a quarter of a century, Anne’s knowl-

edge of disability issues and laws and her persistent and passionate work at the legislature and with dozens of committees and task forces has molded and held together the advocacy efforts of Minnesota’s disability community,” he said. Others agree, citing her tenacity, wealth of knowledge and determination.

Henry has continued to advocate for people with developmental disabilities while broadening her expertise to include the entire Medicaid and Medicare system. She is widely acknowledged to be one the top experts in the state on health care issues affecting people with disabilities and a highly skilled policy advocate.

Her dedication and expertise have garnered Henry many awards, including the national Public Interest Hall of Fame Award from OMB Watch (2003), the Elizabeth Hubbard Award for Outstanding Leadership from the Minnesota Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (1993), the Ombudsman Award for Excellence (1992), and the Min-

nesota State Bar Association Bernard Becker Award (1991).

The nomination also stated that, “Henry’s work has improved the lives of countless people with disabilities and their families and communities by protecting people with disabilities’ right to independence and self-determination, and by ensuring that people with disabilities have the opportunity to live independent lives in the community with the services that they need.

Mastering the intricacies of health care policy and legislative and policy advocacy, Henry has used her skills to push Minnesota’s health and service systems further in the direction of supporting people in the community than most would have ever thought possible when the Welsch case was first brought. The nomination also noted that although Henry Anne Henry, 2009 Charlie Smith Award winner has worked in the field of disability law for more than 30 “She combines this substan- knowledge of how to persuade years, she has toiled in relative obscurity. Her knowledge of tive knowledge with highly policy makers to change laws, state law and public policy is developed legislative and using all of the tools that a described as “encyclopedic.” policy advocacy skills, and Awards - cont. on p. 15

Home for disabled youth not welcome in Centerville

by Access Press staff Since 2001 Zumbro Houses Inc. has operated modest homes for individuals ages 15 through 19. These youth haven’t been able to live inde-

pendently due to a lack of independent living opportunities along with some of their own emotional or behavioral issues.

Chris Onken, founder and

president of Zumbro House has developed 14 Twin Cities locations as well as several out-of-state homes for developmental disabled youth. The

2009 Access Press banquet and Charlie Smith award ceremony Friday, Nov. 6 Minneapolis Airport Marriott, Bloomington

Charlie Smith

Tickets $45 per person or $325 for table of eight Get yours today!

Details on page 7

homes, at all of their locations, have generated little attention until now. That changed when the housing provider tried to open two new homes in Centerville this summer.

Anoka County Social Services has had a good relationship with Zumbro Houses for years and initially gave its okay to purchase and develop two group homes in Centerville, in southwestern Anoka County.

Anoka County already has approximately 100 foster homes that house people with developmental disabilities.

County social services officials had asked Zumbro House to develop a couple of group homes in the area for county families whose sons who had grown up and needed on independent living environment.

Because the homes are recognized as single-family dwell-

ings, Zumbro House had no legal obligation to make the neighbors aware of their plans for the homes. The change in home ownership would be treated like the sale of any home to any new owner where the neighbors or city councils would not receive notification.

After much controversy erupted about the home, Zumbro House dropped plans to develop a home in Centerville for the four developmentally disabled youth.

That decision was made after an Aug. 14 neighborhood meeting held across the street from the intended group home, where 125 residents attended opposing the home. Many spoke out against the plan due to their concerns about safety of the neighborhood if the home opened there.

Meanwhile, Zumbro House

officials and the families of the teenage boys tried to figure what to do. One boy has been living in a group home in Mankato. His parents were only able to visit every other month and had been looking forward to him moving closer to their family home, Onken said, to Star Tribune reporter Lora Pabst.

In interviews with Access Press and other media, Onken said, the planned homes had already been vandalized. He feared for the safety of the young men that would be moving into the new location Onken also said it would be difficult to find another foster care provider that’s seen anything like this before. “This is an affluent community and we were able to get into a foreclosure house at a very good price.

Zumbro - cont. on p. 4

2

September 10, 2009 It’s time for the Charlie Smith Award banquet, a gathering that we all look forward to. It’s an evening of real camaraderie and good spirits for Access Press readers and supporters. This year is going to be extra special; we are at a new location with more space for wheelchairs and more available public transportation. We will be introducing the Access Press silent auction—with all kinds of fun items, including a vintage designer dress, tickets to all kinds of activities, and coupons for van rentals, just to mention a few. And of course we have the Charlie Smith award winner, who is someone I am are very proud to call a friend.

Many of you will agree. Anne Henry from the Minnesota Disability Law Center is our winner this year. Anne is a true

Tim Benjamin, Editor

representative of what the award stands for. She is a real inspiration and public servant for all of us, and like all of our past winners, was a respected friend of Charlie Smith’s. I know that she and Charlie were very close and that he thought the world of her and her abilities to advocate for our communities. I recall Charlie wanting to have a sit-in at thenGov. Arne Carlson’s office to protest cuts in the PCA program. But Charlie insisted that he needed above all to get an okay from Anne, so that the group could make sure that they would not break any laws.

He also wanted to ensure that they’d have legal representation: most importantly so that there’d be someone reliable to get them out of jail if need be.

I think Charlie’s intention was to go to jail that night but, as he

said: not for all night! As it was, no one went to jail. The state troopers had no way to get the wheelchairs to the jail, and Metro Mobility needed a 24-hour notice, even if it was the state patrol making the request.

There’s been some controversy in the news this last month that is very concerning.

A neighborhood in Centerville, in Anoka County, protested against the opening of a group home for some young developmentally disabled boys in their area. One of the neighborhood’s stated concerns was that these boys might include sex offenders. It was made very clear that none of the boys were sex offenders. They are simply young men who deserve to live independently in a community. The planners informed neighbors that there

would be adult staff on hand 24 hours a day to help support and monitor the young men’s needs. It’s hard to imagine what would have taken place if it was another minority group.

Where was the outrage on these young people’s behalf? There are many who believe that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has solved all our problems, and that the disability community is not discriminated against. This is just one example of how our battle for equal rights and respect goes on.

The passing of two members of the Kennedy family in August has been a true loss to the disability community.

Eunice Shriver and Senator Ted Kennedy were public leaders who worked with real commitment to bettering the lives of many, especially those with

disadvantages and disabilities. Eunice Kennedy Shriver had a lifetime record of supporting and advocating for the Special Olympics, making the games a forum where people with disabilities could excel in athletics and get the accolades that they deserved for a lifetime of hard work in developing physical and mental prowess. Ted Kennedy was very involved in creating laws that outlawed discrimination against people with disabilities. He was a powerful legislator who also very obviously cared about the health of his country and about health care for its citizens. I do hope that his dream will soon come to reality with affordable healthcare for all Americans. But that’s another editorial. ■

History Note

Teaching contract in June 1881 was very different

by Luther Granquist George H. Knight, the superintendent at what was then called the School for Idiots and Imbeciles at Faribault, wrote to Susie Smith, the teacher he had hired for the school year to begin in September. Knight’s letter outlined the terms of Smith’s 1881 employment contract:

except Saturday when there will be only a morning session.

Two evenings in each week we have dancing and other exercises for one hour and the children meet Sabbath afternoons for an hour’s singing.

This is the extent of your regular duties except for general oversight which everyone in the house is expected to have.

You will not be required to pass an examination nor need you bring a certificate, but you will have to bear your traveling expenses.

Dear Miss Smith, Your salary will be two hundred dollars a year for the first year including food, washing, etc., allowing six weeks vacation. We have twenty-two children whose school hours are from half past eight until half past eleven with a half hour recess, and from half Yours very truly, past one till half past three G. H. Knight

In that era, Knight and other staff members lived in the large building that housed the school. Smith could not continue teaching the following year because of illness. With increased enrollment, the school employed a lead teacher, Miss M. E. Powers, at a salary of $500 per year, and Hattie Wilson, at a salary of $200 per year. The schedule and duties remained the same.

■ The History Note is a monthly column sponsored by the Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities, www.mnddc.org or www.mncdd.org and www. partnersinpolicymaking. com

Access Press Co-Founder/Publisher (1990-1996) .................................................. Wm. A. Smith, Jr. Co-Founder/Publisher/Editor-in-Chief (1990-2001) ....................... Charles F. Smith Board of Directors . Brigid Alseth, Mike Chevrette, Kelly Matter, Christen Munn, Anita Schermer, Carrie Selberg, Tom Squire and Kay Willshire Editor ......................................................................................................... Tim Benjamin Assistant Editor ......................................................................................... Jane McClure Business Manager ................................................................................. Dawn Frederick Cartoonist ..................................................................................................... Scott Adams Production ...................................................... Ellen Houghton at Presentation Images Webmaster ...................................................................................................... Alice Oden Distribution ......................................................................................... S. C. Distribution Advertising Sales Manager ................................................................... Raymond Yates Access Press is a monthly tabloid newspaper published for persons with disabilities by Access Press, Ltd. Circulation is 10,000, distributed the 10th of each month through more than 200 locations statewide. Approximately 650 copies are mailed directly to individuals, including political, business, institutional and civic leaders. Subscriptions are available for $30/yr. Low-income, student and bulk subscriptions are available at discounted rates.

Editorial submissions and news releases on topics of interest to persons with disabilities, or persons serving those with disabilities, are welcomed. We reserve the right to edit all submissions. Editorial material does not necessarily reflect the view of the editor/publisher of Access Press.

Paid advertising is available at rates ranging from $12 to $28 per column inch, depending on size and frequency of run. Classified ads are $14, plus 65 cents 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.

Inquiries should be directed to: Access Press • 1821 University Ave. W. • Suite 104S St. Paul, Minnesota 55104 • 651-644-2133 • Fax 651-644-2136 Email: access@accesspress.org • Web site: www.accesspress.org

An early classroom at Faribault State Hospital Photo courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society The photo in the banner at the top of page 1 is a copy on onion skin paper, 1879-1892, of the Faribault State School and Hospital Superintendent’s correspondence stored at the Minnesota Historical Society, Box 109.H.9.1 (B).

September 10, 2009

3

Start of school year a time for transitions and plans

by Nancy Sopkowiak With the start of another school year, students and young adults with disabilities need encouragement and support for success. Transition and transition services for youth was a timely topic, hosted by Independent Lifestyles, on Aug. 18 in St. Paul. David Hancox, Executive Director at the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL), entertained and enlightened the group at the workshop Transition: The Journey From Safety of Home to Independence in the Community.

Hancox recommended that we ask our students (and ourselves) to explore how we would finish these statements: I want…I don’t want…I like…I don’t like…

“We’re all in this alone together,” said Hancox. He encourages students, parents, and professionals to work together for progress. He presented a study done in 2005 called What Minnesota YOUTH Think about Transition. The study asked students their knowledge, thoughts and opinions

about transition. Hancox noted that 11% of the students didn’t know their disability diagnosis and 15.3% thought they didn’t have a disability. He encouraged students to learn about themselves and their needs.

Hancox emphasized talking to young individuals with disabilities about their aspirations.

He suggested this process needs to begin with children as young as toddlers. He believes there is a hole in the current system where youth are often not even asked about their hopes and dreams.

Hancox talked about how our choices today will affect our future. He suggested that we each need to set up goals for our lives.

He described the importance of transitions services for youth with disabilities, focusing on the Individual Education Plan (IEP). In the United States an IEP is mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The IDEA requires public schools to develop an IEP for every student

David Hancox, Executive Director at the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living, talking about transition. with a disability who meets the federal and state requirements for special education.

The IEP must be designed to provide the child with a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). The IEP refers both to the educational program for a child with a disability and to the written document that describes that program.

Hancox tells each student – “It’s Your IEP.” Students should be active in their IEP and make their needs known.

It is also important for students to clearly explain what they want.

The most important person at the IEP meeting is the youth, Hancox said. He suggests that each student prepare for meet-

DEED invests $1.5 million in stimulus funds for internships About $1.5 million is available to finance as many as 169 paid internships for Minnesotans who have significant disabilities. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s (DEED) Vocational Rehabilitation Services will pay for the internships using part of its $6.3 million federal economic stimulus allocation from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

“We believe it’s an exemplary use of economic stimulus dollars,” said DEED Commissioner Dan McElroy.

“These internships will be available for virtually any job, with any employer, anywhere in the state, and they offer valuable work experience to Minnesotans whose disabilities might otherwise be viewed as barriers to employment.”

Interns will be paid the minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, although employers may augment that wage if they wish.

Employers will have considerable scheduling flexibility for any interns they hire under the program. The only restrictions are that each intern must work between 10 and 40 hours a week up to a minimum total of 260 hours and a maximum total of 520 hours.

Funding is available to any company or organization that wants to take advantage of this opportunity to identify and recruit new talent and to expand their network for potential employees.

The internship program will

operate under an agreement between Vocational Rehabilitation Services and several of Minnesota’s Community Rehabilitation Providers (CRPs), a network of nonprofit organizations that provide services for people with disabilities.

Under the agreement, any current client of Vocational Rehabilitation Services is eligible to participate, with the caveat that the internship position must match the employment goal on his or her employment plan. The CRPs will manage the program, provide direct services and handle the payroll. Vocational Rehabilitation Services will reimburse the CRPs for interns’ wages, as well as for services such as intake fees, employer taxes,

site development and other costs associated with the internship program.

Funding for the internship program runs through Sept. 30, 2011.

DEED’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services offers services through its Vocational Rehabilitation, Extended Employment and Independent Living programs to assist individuals with disabilities to prepare for, find or keep jobs and careers of their choice. It assists businesses to recruit, employ and retain qualified candidates with disabilities ranging from entry-level to experienced professionals, with education levels spanning from high school to graduate degrees. ■

ings in advance. He urged students inventory their strengths and weaknesses, consider what kinds of accommodations have been made for them in the past, and be specific about what areas assistance is needed in.

He described who attends an IEP meeting: the student’s parent(s) or guardian(s), a special education teacher, at least one regular education teacher, a school representative who knows about school resources and an individual who can interpret the child’s evaluation results (often the school psychologist).

Other individuals are sometimes invited, including speech and occupational therapists, professionals who have worked with or assessed the child, or someone to assist the parent in advocating for their child’s needs, and the child.

Surprisingly, the student is sometimes left out of the pro-

cess.

About 20 professionals and five consumers gathered around a row of tables in the conference room. The professionals included social workers, transition program directors, and independent living skills workers. They described working with high school-age youth and young adults.

“I found it valuable to hear what the students thought in the study that was conducted.

It is valuable to hear what the students have to say to know how to incorporate a better program for them. It was important to hear that transitioning needs to be incorporated as early in an individual’s life as possible. Transitioning is not always easy for individuals and learning the steps to ease that transition was of value,” said Amy Gapinski, program director at OpportuTransition - cont. on p. 10

4

September 10, 2009

Neurological disorder research lab at risk of closing

By Michael Cohn Think what life would be like for families running from doctor to doctor asking what it is that causes my child who has one or more of the following symptoms: clumsiness and difficulty controlling the body and speech problems. The family would also be dealing with the child’s night blindness and a loss of peripheral vision, caused by degeneration of the retina.

Some individuals eventually lose the ability to walk, talk, or chew food and become totally dependent on others for all their needs.

Symptoms vary greatly from one person to the next, partly

ZUMBRO -

because genes can differ. Different mutations within a gene can also cause varying forms of the disease.

Neurodegerneration with Brain Iron Accumulation (NBIA) is a rare, inherited, neurological disorder. It has been known as HallervordenSpatz Syndrome in the past.

The most common symptom is involuntary muscle cramping, called dystonia.

NBIA affects one in 1,000,000 individuals. Four families in Minnesota are known to be affected by NBIA, with a few hundred families worldwide. For these families, there is fear that the one

lab doing research on NBIA may be closing due to lack of funding.

Dr. Susan Hayflick, professor of molecular and medical genetics, pediatrics and neurology at Oregon Health and Science University is considered the world’s leading expert on NBIA. Her lab has been primarily responsible for finding two major NBIA genes called PANK2 and PLA2G6, in 2003 and 2006 respectively.

For Hayflick, her research is a way of life. She has dedicated the past 17 years to finding a cure for NBIA disorders and helping families dealing with NBIA. A minimum of

ing to pay attention and alert me and other elected officials as to what was happening, this situation could have resulted in a very different outcome” She also thanked other public officials for their efforts in a blog statement. Sivarajah went as far as using Margaret Mead’s famous quote “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Sivarajah may have spoken out without regard for the consequences. The Disability Law Center is investigating whether public officials can make “discriminatory opinion” without violating state or federal fair housing laws and whether any type of action should be taken against Sivarajah.

In a column on the controversy, Star Tribune columnist Gail Rosenblum said that a better Mead quote would be “The solution to adult problems tomorrow depends in

tional $10.4 billion designated to NIH with stimulus funds.

The institutes were flooded with 18,000applications. Only 2% could be awarded grants.

Hayflick learned in late June that her latest application for an NIH research challenge grant was rejected. She is concerned that a second request will suffer the same fate later this month.

The families that have loved ones with NBIA worry about the loss of the research and treatments. Hayflick’s research has allowed families the relief and knowledge of knowing what the disorder is and to help plan a course of treatment

to help relieve symptoms.

Without funding they and other families will lose the opportunities available.

U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden of Oregon submitted a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee seeking funding for Hayflick’s lab. NBIA families immediately started a letter-writing campaign asking the committee to approve the funding.

For more info, go to www.

NBIAdisorders.org ■

Letter to the Editor

Cont. from p. 1

It would have allowed us to move into a city where we couldn’t normally have located.”

He assured the neighbors that the residents that would be moving into the Zumbro House would not be sexual offenders, and agreed on that stipulation in the contract.

Onken claimed the neighbors reaction was “discriminatory” and that Zumbro House would not take any legal action to the situation even after putting thousands of dollars into developing the home.

What has complicated the issue is one county commissioner’s behavior in the wake of the outcry over the Centerville home. Anoka County Commissioner Rhonda Sivarajah has applauded the Centerville neighborhood for their efforts in keeping the Zumbro group home out. On a blog (www.nozumbrohouse. com) Sivarajah stated “Without concerned citizens in this neighborhood who were will-

$250,000.00 is what it will take for the research to continue for the next two years. That figure doesn’t include a salary for Hayflick.

The genetic research being done will help with the diagnosing of NBIA. If the research is able to continue, ways may be found to do early detection during prenatal checkups.

Methods to slow the progression if not cure the disorder earlier in the stage of the disorder are also being sought.

In March, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) offered approximately $400 million in challenge grants to researchers as part of an addi-

large measure upon how our children grow up today.”

The youth who would be housed at Zumbro’s two Centerville facilities may be able to live in another location in Anoka County after all.

Anoka County Community Action Program (ACCAP), a nonprofit organization, has agreed to buy one of the houses.

ACCAP officials said that Anoka County had asked ACCAP if they could purchase the house because Anoka County felt some responsibility for the unforeseen outcome to the group homes. Locations for the new homes haven’t been announced.

Everyone involved apparently just wants to move on and forget about the Centerville controversy while the parents of the young men are delighted that their sons will be moving closer and into an environment that is more welcoming. ■

I appreciate the opportunity to share my health care concerns. I live with chronic illness, disabilities and am a breast cancer survivor. I am especially concerned about the health care needs of the disability community.

I passionately support efforts that will create a health care system that covers all Americans, ends pre-existing condition exclusions, eliminates lifetime caps on benefits, curbs costs responsibly and ensures respect for all.

My doctor prescribes medications for me, and the meds give me side effects. Several prescriptions cause dry mouth, which promotes tooth decay.

Also, my breast cancer radiation treatments caused more damage to my teeth and gums.

Bad news—my back teeth started crumbling. My health care team was searching for a good sedation dentist for a year and a half. Many dentists wouldn’t take my case due to the low compensation rate through my Medical Assistance coverage.

The last MA dentist I saw told me I needed four or five teeth pulled. When I objected, he said they might be able to

just pull three teeth. My parents couldn’t take watching my mouth fall apart anymore.

They paid for me to see their dentist, and she restored 6 of my teeth.

One tooth could not be saved. My nurses at AXIS Healthcare helped me see a great MA sedation dentist to get the tooth pulled. Unfortunately this dentist only pulls teeth, so I still need to find a good primary dentist.

I have read that Gov. Tim Pawlenty is balancing the Minnesota state budget by cutting services. I understand he is cutting dental services for people on Medical Assistance —along with other cuts to health care for those on MA. I’m grateful that I receive Social Security Disability, Medical Assistance and Medicare help. I’m also very worried about cuts to health care programs for myself, friends and family members.

All Americans deserve to have high quality health care, and I want to stand up and be counted on the issues. A few steps that I have taken recently: I watched President Obama’s online forum on August 20th to inspire health care re-

form. 280,000 Organizing for America supporters gathered to participate. Remember one thing: Nothing is more powerful than millions of voices calling for change, said the President. To view a recording of the Forum: http://my.barack obama.com/page/content/ hcphoneboothhost.

I attended a Telephone Town Hall meeting with U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar on August 23rd. 10,000 Minnesotans joined the call to discuss Health Care Reform. To hear the recording: http://klobu char.senate.gov/telehall.cfm I recently joined the MNCCD Healthcare Reform Committee, which works on the issue of healthcare reform and how it will affect the disability community in MN. To learn more about this committee, please contact Anni Simons.

(Anni Simons, Coalition Coordinator, MN Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities: ASimons@arcmn.org Nancy Sopkowiak, Maple Lake Weblog: http://Hope Ability.wordpress.com ■

September 10, 2009

5

Skyway access in St. Paul generates more debates

by Jane McClure Bringing Cray Research to downtown St. Paul is a boon for the city, but is it going to be a bane for those who use skyways? Narrowing of the skyway in Cray Plaza (formerly Galtier Plaza) has raised red flags for skyway users, including members of the downtown disability community. CapitolRiver Council, the district council representing the downtown area, also has concerns.

Debate over changes to the skyway is expected to continue this fall. The district council’s development committee voted in August to support Cray’s plans for renovations around the second-floor skyway areas, with the understanding that the square footage of public skyway space would be equal to or greater than the amount of space before. The district council’s Skyway Governance Committee is pushing for the skyway to be 12 feet wide. That recommendation goes to the full district council in September.

Cray officials and the company’s architect say the skyway renovations, when completed, will meet accessibility requirements. Department of Safety and Inspections Director Robert Kessler said the plans do meet requirements for accessibility.

Downtown resident and Advocating Change Together (ACT) Co-Director Rick Cardenas said people with disabilities are very concerned about the narrow passageways in part of the skyway. “Personally, I think the city is 5050 on how they view physical accessibility for persons with disabilities in St. Paul. I think that there has been an ongoing disregard for persons with disabilities as city policy.” He wants skyway width to remain at 12 feet and to avoid creating pinch points where none existed before.

Cray began remodeling the building, which overlooks Mears Park, this summer. The company will move more than 200 workers to downtown St. Paul from Mendota Heights.

City officials are proud to have landed the company. Mayor Chris Coleman used the building as a setting for his 2010

city budget address. But as preparations got underway for that move, walls began to go up along the skyway, narrowing the passages.

Cray officials contend that when the remodeling is complete there will be a net gain of 500 square feet of space for skyway users, allowing easier access through that building and to its neighbors including the YMCA. Architect Kevin Rolfes said the access would be improved and that Cray would meet standards for access.

The changes have met with skepticism not because of Cray but because of what changes could mean for other skyways.

“There are building owners who’d like to lease skyway space to private developers,” said John Mannillo, a longtime downtown property owner and manager. But doing so would set a precedent

If access becomes more difficult, St. Paul’s skyway system could become a bridge to nowhere. for the entire skyway system.

“When we slowly start dismantling the skyway system we take it away from everyone in the city.”

Skyway access can also be impacted as buildings change

in use ands tenants over the years. ‘”It (Galtier) was built to be a much more public building than it is now,” said Bob Spaulding, a longtime CapitolRiver Council board and committee member. He said

that while many welcome Cray and the jobs and people it brings, the changes to the skyway and potential for precedent-setting have to be considered. ■

Skyways: A deaf-blind man’s view from above

by John Lee Clark I’m sure there are many who say they love St. Paul more than any other place on earth, but for me to say that would be an understatement. That’s because living anywhere outside

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of downtown St. Paul would be like being in jail. I live in the heart of the skyway system in downtown, and for me it is freedom. You see, I am both deaf and blind.

Many deaf-blind Americans live within invisible prison walls. No, it’s not because of deaf-blindness itself, but because many places don’t have the transportation, services, and access that would make it possible to be independent without hearing and sight. So, in many places, deaf-blind people feel stuck, just as anyone without legs would feel stuck if there’s no wheelchair and there are no sidewalks outside. But St. Paul isn’t one of those bad places for people with slightly different bodies.

Minnesota has some of the nation’s very best transportation services and other apparatus for accessibility.

The skyway system, though, is the frosting on the cake. It is so much easier to get around through skyways instead of crossing streets outside. It is not safe for me to cross a street on my own, so to do that, I hold up a card and hope someone will come along soon, see it, read it, and then offer to help me across. That works, and I do that if I am traveling beyond the skyways. But it’s so wonderful when I don’t need to hold up that card and wait in the cold.

Thanks to the skyways, I can experience the same ease that most people do. Most

things out there are designed for people’s convenience, but they’re for hearing and sighted people. If you feel like coffee, you can drive to the nearest coffee shop. And that’s going to be very near you from anywhere you may be coming.

But many of my fellow deafblind citizens don’t have that privilege. They have to call paratransit to book a ride three days later-imagine how bad their hankering for that mocha latte must be by then! But I can just up and go. Just elevator down to the skyway level and then tap the tip of my white cane on the variously textured surfaces through different buildings.

After living here for five years, I know downtown St.

Paul like the back of my hand.

But the landscape in my mind is very different from what you might see and store in your mind. I wouldn’t be surprised that there are many ugly sights, such as all those bland logos of fast food chains. Perhaps the skyways feel claustrophobic to some, and to others they may be just another gray patch of corporate America. But for me, they’re more than pure beauty. They’re freedom. ■ John Lee Clark is a poet and writer in St. Paul. He is author of Suddenly Slow: Poems and Deaf American Poetry: An Anthology. This piece appeared in this year’s St. Paul Almanac.

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September 10, 2009

Regional news in review . . .

Non-profits provide free access The Minneapolis City Council approved 51 applications for Wireless Community accounts Aug. 28. The accounts are free wireless Internet accounts for non-profit organizations that in turn provide free computer access to the public. The free accounts will be good through 2010.

“It is not enough to just invest in state-of-the-art wireless Internet technology, we also have to make sure that more people than ever can have access to that technology,” said Mayor R.T. Rybak. “These free wireless Internet accounts are a great example of how we are going above and beyond what other communities have done to deliver Internet access to our residents and businesses.”

“We are very fortunate that the wireless network allows us the unique opportunity to fund programs that help bridge the digital divide,” said City Council Member Elizabeth Glidden, who is a member of the Digital Inclusion Fund Advisory Board.

“By increasing free access to technology and educating more people on how to use it, we can give them the skills necessary to get a good education, a good job and access to the information and services they need online to improve their lives.”

The Wireless Community accounts were awarded to agencies that provide public computer access, technology literacy training, and/or technology support for underserved communities. Applications were reviewed by the City of Minneapolis staff and the Digital Inclusion Advisory Board, which made recommendations to the City Council last month regarding which organizations will receive the free accounts.

The selected agencies will also receive free monthly subscription vouchers that they can use to recruit volunteers who can assist with staffing and training in their community technology centers. In total, $15,000 in free service vouchers will be distributed, in addition to the free accounts.

Later this year, city staff will complete a second call for applications, with targeted outreach to groups that serve people with disabilities, seniors, charter schools, and agencies/organizations that serve populations or geographic areas.

The Wireless Community accounts are the latest examples of how Minneapolis residents are benefiting from the robust

community benefits agreement negotiated between the City of investigates charity fraud, said it could not reveal whether it is Minneapolis and USI Wireless, the company that built, owns investigating the operation.

To complicate matters, if the charity is not registered with a and manages the wireless network throughout Minneapolis. state and does not provide an accurate address or phone number [Source: City of Minneapolis] to callers, it’s very difficult to investigate them, said Rich Phony veterans’ group criticized Cowles, executive director of the Minnesota Charities Review Janie VandenBosch’s blood boils when she receives tele- Council. phone solicitations from a group that calls itself the Minnesota [Source: Star Tribune] Disabled Veterans. The caller has offered to send her plastic bags, light bulbs and other items in exchange for a donation.

Radio Talking Book goes to China Problem is, VandenBosch works for Minnesota Disabled Radio Talking Book, a program of Minnesota State Services American Veterans (DAV) — and her group has nothing to do for the Blind, is extending its reach far beyond Minnesota this with the calls. summer. Dave Andrews, chief technology officer for the ser“Sometimes I think I should just let them send me the bags so vice, visited China as a consultant for a new Chinese nationI can see who they are,’’ said VandenBosch, who coordinates wide radio reading service. The service there is sponsored by clothing donations to the state DAV. She was interviewed by TCL Electronics and the China Charitable Foundation. the Star Tribune about the confusing calls. “But I’m also The Chinese foundation intends to establish and fund a hearing about them from people who donate clothes to us. They nationwide radio reading service, using the same technology say, ‘You called us 10 times this week. What’s happening?” and type of radios developed for Radio Talking Book. The Officials say Minnesota is being hit by a fundraising scam Chinese service would be available in 200 to 500 cities. that has been active in other parts of the country. Nobody knows Chinese officials indicate it will take about one year to get who is behind the phone calls, where they are being made from service up and running, creating the largest such service in the and what the money is used for. In Minnesota, a live caller or world. a prerecorded announcement claims to represent “Minnesota [Source: Radio Talking Book] Disabled Veterans,’’ confusing itself with the 89-year-old Disabled Veterans of America.

‘Cash for clunkers’ affects charities But not a penny of the money goes to the roughly 40,000 While the federal government’s “cash-for-clunkers” was a disabled veterans in Minnesota or the 2.5 million nationally, huge hit with car buyers looking to snap up rebates of up to said Tim O’Connor, executive director of the DAV Depart- $4,500 for trading in gas-guzzlers for new fuel-efficient cars, ment of Minnesota. Likewise, Minnesota chapters of the Para- some charities that rely on vehicle donations for funding say lyzed Veterans of America and the Veterans of Foreign Wars they’re receiving fewer cars and trucks. report no affiliation with the callers. Both groups have heard Others, though, call the program a boon for prompting from people who are concerned about or confused by the calls. awareness and activity in an economically distressed market.

“It’s disgraceful,’’ said O’Connor. “You have disabled vet- The trend is being followed by Minnesota charities that rely on erans, some amputees, from World War II up to Afghanistan vehicle donations, and by similar charities around the nation. and Iraq being taken advantage of. Our members have Purple Many charity operators and economic observers say it’s too Hearts, they’ve been prisoners of war. soon to determine how the clunkers program will ultimately Minnesota Disabled Veterans is not a registered charity in affect giving. The program ended in August. More than 12,000 Minnesota, the attorney general’s office said. The office, which Regional news - cont. on p. 14

September 10, 2009

7

Baby Journal

Being a mom brings me such peace

by Mai Thor Ask me what I did with my life up until January 27, 2009.

I would say whatever it was, it wasn’t as important as what I was doing on January 28, 2009.

That was the day my son was born. Everything else that happened before that day seems a little less relevant now. Can you believe it was seven months ago? Matthew is now 18 lbs. and 27 inches long. He is a big boy! What a blessing though, and what a person he has become.

As a new mother with a disability, I’ve thought often about the challenges and barriers I had to overcome before the baby came along. Trust me, there have been a lot. But if you know me, you’ll know that I’m not the kind of person to wear my heart on my sleeve.

I thought living life as a disabled woman made me who I am. Then, I became a mom.

Being a mother is like all of the challenges and barriers that I have had up to this point rolled up in a wiggly, chubby-

cheeked bundle of happy slobber. And it’s all happened within the last seven months!

Motherhood is by far the hardest—repeat—hardest job in the world. Now I have come to a new conclusion: when I became a mom, I realized the potential of the person that I could become. I strive to be that person every single day for my son.

Life as a disabled mom is not much different from the life of any other mom with an infant. There are diapers, feedings, waking up at night and everything else. But there’s the stuff other moms don’t have to worry about. If you are a wheelchair user and you get frustrated with places in public that are not accessible, try having a baby. I’ve never felt the impact of accessibility more than now…not to mention gravity and other basic laws of physics as well.

For me, it’s being able to carry the little tike on my lap and have both hands free to

push, getting him onto and off the floor when he wants to play, getting him in and out of the crib—so many little logistical things that other moms wouldn’t think about. I’ve managed well so far. I haven’t dropped Matthew…yet. His head is so hard though, that if I did he’d probably be stunned for a second or two and then start blowing raspberries again.

As much as I want to, I can’t pick him up straight off the floor from my chair. It might be a tad uncomfortable for him and not to mention, I would break my back. So, I have to get out of the chair, get on the floor with him, put him on the couch, get back in the chair, then pick him up from off the couch. Whew! Did you get all that? What takes two seconds for an able-bodied mom takes me about two minutes. But it gets done. And it teaches me and my son a great lesson in patience.

In the pregnancy journal I described the lack of products

Attend banquet, donate to the silent auction The Access Press Charlie Smith Award presentation is just part of the newspaper’s annual banquet, planned for Friday, Nov. 6 at the Minneapolis Airport Marriott in Bloomington. Tickets are $45 per person or $325 for a table of eight. The event is open to all in the disability community but tickets do sell quickly, so get your today. Call 651644-2133 or email dawn@ accesspress.org for information.

This year’s banquet will not only feature music, a talk and the Charlie Smith Award presentation, it will include a silent auction and raffle. Proceeds from the silent auction and raffle will be used to support the operations of Access Press, Minnesota’s disability community newspaper.

Win gift certificates, tickets, a handmade bird house, original art, a garden seat, collectibles, a basket of Mrs. Meyer’s cleaning products and other items and support the

newspaper. Donations are still needed and are tax-deductible. Gift cards, phone cards, new merchandise and handmade items are needed.

Or why not donate a bottle of wine, a handmade afghan, books or things that you like?

Donors will be recognized at the event, in the newspaper and on the Web site at www.accesspress.org Contact the newspaper at 651644-2133 or dawn@access press.org if you would like to donate. ■

New program seeks arts mentors, youth candidates Imagine where you would be if you hadn’t had that one person, sometime during your teens, who helped you start down a path that got you to where you are today. VSA arts of Minnesota is announcing a new program. The Arts Mentoring Project (AMP) will pair Minnesota students with disabilities and people working in the arts field. Transition-aged youth with disabilities will be able to meet and make connections with adult mentors, thanks to funding from Pathways to Employment, a division of the Minnesota Department on Employment and Economic Development (DEED). During September, 2009, VSA arts of Minne-

sota will seek arts-interested young people in Rochester, the Twin Cities, central Minnesota and the Arrowhead Region. Then, using a list of people currently employed in the arts, a list of mentor/mentee pairs will be created to work together over the next six months to explore aspects of that particular career. AMP will go beyond the high-visibility arts careers that first come to mind—rock musician, actor, gallery artist, dancer— and include careers such as graphic design layout artist, music critic, arts administrator, advertising copywriter, lighting designer, art handler and more.

Some mentor/mentee pairs

will join VSA arts of Minnesota staff at this year’s Disability Mentoring Day being held at the Duluth Convention Center Oct. 13. This event will bring together local employers and transition-aged youth from around the state so that the students can get to know more about the world of work and learn about the various employment opportunities available to them. If you or someone you know might be interested in participating in the Arts Mentoring Project, either as a mentor or mentee, contact Craig or Jenea at the VSA arts of Minnesota office, 612-332-3888 or 1-800-8013883 or via email at info@ vsaartsmn.org ■

for disabled moms. That still holds true. So what we’ve done is improvise, taking things for new moms and making them useful for us. Matthew has a sling used when he was a newborn. Now I simply strap it around him like a seatbelt so he doesn’t fall off my lap when we are out and about. We also made a crib door that swings out, allowing me to get him in and out. It was a bit easier when he was tiny. Now that he’s a big boy, it’s getting harder to pick him up. One day, I will bend over to get him and he’ll be so heavy that we will both topple over.

Luckily, Matthew is smart.

Once he starts sitting up and standing on his own, it will be easier. He’s an easy baby overall and in all honesty; I was pleasantly surprised at the ease with which my transition into motherhood occurred. He is so ridiculously happy and funny that I don’t even watch Friends reruns anymore.

The best part about having him in my life is how happy he makes me. Every part of my day could go wrong and put me in a bad mood but when I see him smile, I feel better.

I always thought that motherhood would make me feel and look haggard, stressed and

Matthew at six months old. tired. Although I do get tired, nothing else applies. Being a mom brings me such peace and purpose that I can’t even begin to describe. Before Matthew I was always on the go, doing things for others and

fighting some kind of fight.

Now, my main focus is on him and it has made me realize that all that fuss was unnecessary. I want to be present in the moment with him so that he knows just how much he is loved. ■

8

September 10, 2009

People and places

News about people in our community compiled by Access Press staff Courage Center Names 2009 Phillips Award Recipients Courage Center, a nonprofit rehabilitation and resource center, has announced its 2009 Jay and Rose Phillips Awards winners. The awards are presented annually by Courage Center to people with disabilities who have achieved outstanding vocational and community success. Courage Center also presents a Caregiver Award, which acknowledges and honors a behind-thescenes caregiver vital to the success of a person with a disability. Each winner received $2,000 and was feted at the Medtronic Celebration of Courage Gala Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Depot in Minneapolis.

This year’s Phillips Award recipients are Employment awards Barbara Barr, Edina, Commercial Lines Underwriter, Employers Mutual Companies, Minnetonka. These days, not many employees can say they’ve been with a company for 46 years. Barbara Barr can.

But when she first arrived in Minneapolis from Breckinridge in the early 1960s, people with disabilities were considered “unemployable.” “Business after business turned me down until I applied at Em-

ployers Mutual Companies,” said Barr. In her current job she works with a safety dividend program for bulk oil dealers providing loss control measures.

James Hegstrom, River Falls, Wis. Placement Coordinator-Rehabilitation Services, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Blaine. Hegstrom is a true role model for the people with disabilities with which he works. As a placement coordinator with DEED, he matches peoples’ skills with job openings. In addition to this one-to-one job placement, Hegstrom works to create relationships with businesses to in to help people with disabilities compete and interview for employment.

Susan Maus, Burnsville. IT Solutions Strategist, Fairview Health Services, Minneapolis.

In June 2000, Maus was involved in a car crash, which resulted in a spinal cord injury. During her rehabilitation, she worked hard and learned what tools would provide her the greatest independence.

Prior to her injury, she worked for Fairview Health Services.

Following rehabilitation she returned to Fairview part-time as a lead business analyst for information technology solu-

tions. In 2008, she was promoted to her current, full-time position.

Caregiver Award Claire and Warren Braun, Mounds View. Those who know Claire and Warren Braun marvel at how they manage their household and lives.

Through competence, compassion, perseverance and phenomenal scheduling feats, they keep their large family immersed in church and community events as well as school and extra-curricular activities.

The couple made a choice to care for special needs children after the birth of their first child, more than 30 years ago.

Since then they had three biological children, adopted six children and took care of 73 foster children. Soon, two more will be adopted by the Brauns. Currently, 12 family members live at the Braun home while four more children are adults, living independently.

Their goals were simple: provide a family who loves them, meet all their physical needs, provide education and advocate for each so they can become productive and welladjusted adults.

Courage Center is a Minneapolis-based rehabilitation and resource center that advances

Claire and Warren Braun, center, enjoyed a summer day with some of their family members.

The Brauns are among the 2009 Phillips Award winners.

Photo credit: Courage Center the lives of children and adults experiencing barriers to health and independence. The Phillips Awards are made possible by a grant from the Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation and is open to residents of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and North and South Dakota whose physical disability is of such severity that successful employment during the last three years represents a significant accomplishment.

Braille instructor dies Sandra J. Emslander, a longtime Braille instructor at Vision Loss Resources, passed away Aug. 21 after a battle with breast cancer. She was 62 years old and lived in Minnetonka.

Emslander taught at Vision Loss Resources for 39 years, where she changed and im-

proved countless lives. She is being honored by Vision Loss Resources on its Web site.

Many people wrote in Emslander’s guest book at Washburn-McReavey Edina Chapel, which handled her services. They described her kindness, her infectious laugh and constant presence at Vision Loss Resources. “Sandy was always able to see people with her heart—she never needed her eyes,” said Terri Steinhoff of Jordan, “She touched souls with her compassion and sense of humor.”

“Sandy will always be with us,” said Mary Barlow of Richfield. “She never wanted to leave Vision Loss Resources and she won’t.”

She was preceded in death by her mother, husband Lawrence and an infant twin brother. She is survived by her

father, Robert Peternell, sisters Kathy and Cheryl, nephew Mark and his family; and many other relatives and friends.

Rise award winners named Rise hosted its annual Celebrate Rise! The event, which pays tribune to the men, women, businesses and partners who help the organizations. Rise is a human services agency that supports people who have disabilities and other barriers to employment and housing. Its clients are in the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.

Award winners are Housing Partner of the Year: New Pathways, Cambridge and Salvation Army Harvest Corps, Coon Rapids; Community Partner of the Year, Susan Anderson, Caring Connection, Greater Twin Cities United Way; Corporate Community Leader of the Year: Sue Puva, Cummins Power Generation; Business Partner of the Year: HOM Furniture, Coon Rapids; Employer of the Year: Doubletree Guest Suites, Minneapolis and Fulfillment Distribution Center, St. Cloud; Business Partner of the Year: Print Craft, St. Paul.

Rising Stars were also honored for their extraordinary attitudes, achievements and perseverance. The honorees are Nikki Anselment, Community Integration Program— Coon Rapids; Julie Embree, Anoka County Mental Health Housing Supporters; Peter Holmberg, Anoka County Mental Health Housing Supports and Job Placement; Greg Kelly, Mental Health Treatment Study; Robert McKay, Community Integration Program—Coon Rapids; Troy Ostriech, Community Integration Program—Coon Rapids; Ryan Templey, Supported Employment Services, Hennepin County and Marcus Williams, Community Integration Program, Anoka.

Another group of honorees People/places - cont. on p. 9

September 10, 2009

9

Programs for youth with disabilities get key grants Five $100,000 “Innovation in Transition” grants will fund projects exploring creative approaches to job placement and career development for people ages 14 to 25 years old that have significant disabilities. Working closely with employers throughout Minnesota, the projects will involve multiple governmental, educational, and nonprofit organizations.

“We expect that these pilot projects will help us, along with our community partners and employers, develop new models to better serve young people whose disabilities might be viewed as barriers to their ability to find meaningful work and live independently,” said Minnesota De-

partment of Energy and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner Dan McElroy.

DEED’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services awarded the grants using part of its $6.3 million federal economic stimulus allocation from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. DEED anticipates career development opportunities for at least 120 young people in metro and rural parts of the state, as a result of the grant.

THE FIVE PILOT PROJECTS Introduction to Green Technology, White Earth Band of Ojibwa, Vocational Rehabilitation. Fifteen young people with disabilities, who are enrolled members or de-

scendents of a federally recognized tribe, will participate in this project. Participants will build and install solar panels to provide supplemental heating in their family homes, while exploring the renewable energy industry through field trips, expert speakers, and research activities. In addition, students will receive training on how to create business and marketing plans. Each participant who completes the course will receive a stipend. The project gets underway this fall.

MEC/VECTOR School-to Career Transition Program.

This collaborative project involves the Minnesota Employment Center for People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (MEC) and the Vocational

Education Community Training & Occupational Relations Transition Program (VECTOR) from Independent School District 287 in Brooklyn Park, Richfield and Eden Prairie. The project will enroll 30 young people who are deaf or hard of hearing and focus on overcoming communication challenges. The University of Minnesota Institute on Community Integration will evaluate the project and developing standards that could be replicated for other kinds of disabilities.

Digital Media, Communications and ComputerBased Careers, PACER Center. Twin Cities-based PACER Center (Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational

Rights), in partnership with Bemidji State University and South Central College in St. Peter, will offer internships for up to 20 young people with disabilities to learn the skills required in digital media, communications and other computer-based careers. Participants will earn competitive wages as they produce video vignettes that describe programs and services for people with disabilities. Partnering schools will offer internships for eight to 10 students in each of the two communities: a yearlong program in Bemidji and a semester-long course in St. Peter. Videos will be disseminated on Facebook, YouTube and partner Web sites. PACER staff will present parent work-

shops focusing on strategies that help youth with disabilities prepare for, find and keep a job, and provide advocacy and information services on youth employment issues.

Employment First Anoka County. Employment First Anoka County (EFAC) will offer 40 young people with a wide range of disabilities the opportunity to obtain industry sector skills, training and career education. The goal is to obtain integrated employment in health care industry jobs, with competitive wages and benefits, for 30 participants.

The project is designed to be replicated by other highgrowth industry sectors, service populations and geoGrant - cont. on p. 14

PEOPLE/PLACES - Cont. from p. 8 are champions of the mission, who are Rise, Inc. staff members. The honorees are Derek Haug, service team leader, Central Minnesota Works; John Leggate, service team leader for transportation services; Jean Stephenson, receptionist at Rise’s corporate offices and Maureen Trost, service team leader with DataAbility.

National Courage Award to Jordan Thomas Jordan Thomas has been honored with Courage Center’s National Courage Award. The annual award recognizes an individual’s contributions to the health, welfare and rehabilitation of people with disabilities. The award was presented during the Medtronic Celebration of Courage Gala Aug. 15.

Four years ago, at the age of 16, Thomas was scuba diving in the Florida Keys with his family when the boat’s propeller struck him. He lost both of his legs from the calf down.

After a period of therapy and rehabilitation, he returned to high school in Chattanooga, Tenn., rejoining his teammates on the golf and bowling teams for his senior year. He will soon begin his junior year at the College of Charleston.

While hospitalized after his injury, Thomas was touched by the kids he saw who would never be able to achieve their dreams because they did not have the money to continue their recovery and rehabilitation. Part of the reason, he discovered, is that the current way insurance companies pay for prosthetics and orthotics does not begin to cover the costs, especially for growing children. Thomas wanted to help these children, so with the help of his family, at just 16, set up the Jordan Thomas Foundation to raise money for disadvantaged children with

traumatic injuries who needed prosthetics and orthotics.

Now, at age 20, Thomas is making a difference in the lives of disadvantaged children. To date, his foundation has raised $350,000, which is changing the lives of three children. He is also active in advocating for change in the way insurance companies cover prosthetics and orthotics. His advocacy has been instrumental in bringing the issue to national attention. New Jersey Congressman Robert Andrews has introduced the Prosthetics and Orthotics Parity bill. “To be included in this remarkable company of prior winners is a tremendous honor,” said Thomas. “I am grateful to Courage Center for this award and furthering the recognition of the foundation and its mission to help kids in need of prosthetic devices.”

In addition to the National Courage Award, this year Thomas was named Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). A recent CNN interview features Noah Parton, one of the children his Foundation is helping.

PACER, teen star target bullying Hollywood Records pop music sensation and Disney Channel star, Demi Lovato recently announced a partnership with PACER Center’s National Center for Bullying Prevention to help champion their anti-bullying movement.

With this announcement, Lovato, whose new album “Here We Go Again,” skyrocketed to the #1 position on the Billboard album charts earlier this year, now has a platform for a cause she cares about deeply.

It might be hard to imagine that Demi Lovato was the target of bullying when she was younger, but she was and she now has joined forces with the Minneapolis-based PACER Center. Lovato will support the non-profit national center by appearing on PACER’s new TeensAgainstBullying.org Web site. Teens Against Bullying is an innovative bullying prevention educational resource where teens themselves participate in the creative process of developing concepts, content, artwork and the voice for the site.

“We are so fortunate to have

Accessible Space, Inc. has upgraded its five original houses in Minneapolis and St. Paul. This is the renovated kitchen of one of the homes. Each house received new paint, floor coverings, kitchen cupboards and roofs. Funds for the project were provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Demi join our Teens Against Bullying movement,” said Paula F. Goldberg, executive director and co-founder of PACER. “Our mission is to engage, educate and empower teens to care about the issue and Demi will certainly raise the level of awareness of the importance of bullying prevention. Her personal experiences with bullying have made her passionate about educating others about this cause.”

Families, students, schools, organizations and other groups can partner with PACER (at PACER.org) to prevent bullying in several ways. Activities and materials such as contests, toolkits and online bullying prevention training will be available at TeensAgainst Bullying.org on August 8th and are already available online at KidsAgainstBullying.org (for elementary school kids).

According to a recent study

by The National Association of School Psychologists and the U.S. Dept. of Justice, 160,000 kids of all ages stay home from school every day to avoid the stress that comes from being confronted by a bully or bullies.

For more info, visit PACER. org, TeensAgainst Bullying. org, KidsAgainst Bullying.org or call 952-838-9000. ■

10

September 10, 2009

TRANSITION nity Manor.

Hancox expressed his admiration for a remarkable program manager at MCIL who has her master’s degree. In her youth she was counseled to not attend college, because she has a disability. She followed her dream despite the lack of encouragement. An MCIL consumer in the audience related that she feels very inspired by this program manager’s accomplishments.

“If she can do it, maybe I can too.”

MCIL is the Twin Cities Center for Independent Living and follows a policy of hiring individuals with disabilities, said Hancox. In this way consumers have direct contact with others who are living their dreams. Fiftythree percent of program staff, seventy-one percent of managers with decision making authority, and eighty percent of MCIL Board Members are people with disabili-

Cont. from p. 3 ties.

The MCIL Transition Program is driven to assist young adults with disabilities, to make a successful transition from high school to post secondary education, employment and self-directed living. For more information contact Nick Wilkie, Transition Specialist.

Independent Lifestyles, Central Minnesota’s Center for Independent Living, offers transition classes at area high schools through the BRAVO program. BRAVO stands for blended resources achieving vocational outcomes. For more information contact Cara Ruff, Executive Director: carar@independentlife styles.org.

Resources for youth in transition: Minnesota Association of Centers for Independent Living: www.macil.org/. Minnesota’s Shared Youth Vision Activities: www.deed.state. mn.us/youth/syv/syv.htm ■

No more shut-ins Wade Harris: He got people moving, gave them hope

by Greg Cornish There are only a few people who have a profound effect upon your life. Let me tell you about one. It was nine years after I fractured my neck, in about 1979 or 1980. I hadn’t done anything in my life to make a real positive step forward. I’d taken some college courses and done small things to occupy my time. But I had this deep-rooted feeling that most disabled people couldn’t really make it on their own and only a lucky few could. Surely quadriplegics couldn’t.

I was at a point in my life where I was catching a glimpse of hope, though.

The disabled were becoming active and demanding a chance to prove themselves.

My friend Michael Bjerkesett was helping lead the charge by forming the United Handicapped Federation. I was buying into the fact that I might in fact be able to contribute to society, if even in a small way.

But I really had no business skills and no one was extending a hand to open the door for any exciting jobs.

My friend Smitty told me, “Greg, I know this man, a Dodge dealer, who wants to do something for the handicapped. He was skiing with his family in Colorado and his son took a fall and never got up. He was 14. He broke his neck and died. I told him that he could finance a small transportation company to transport handicapped people around at a low cost. I think you and Tom Boettcher should run it and I’ll help.”

Smitty was a nurse’s aide at the VA and Tom Boettcher was a quadriplegic I knew from the VA. We had a mutual disrespect for each other. It was an odd pairing but it worked and to this day Tom and I are friends.

The Dodge dealer, Wade Harris, wanted to interview us.

We met at Southside Dodge in Savage. By the end of our

meeting Harris pledged two fully equipped Dodge vans and $50,000 to get us started.

None of us really knew what a fully equipped handicapped van was. If you weren’t capable of getting in and out of a car, or couldn’t pay $45 per mile for a ride to the doctor, you were what they called a shut-in. Shut-in was a very popular term in those days.

You never hear that word anymore.

The timing was perfect. Metropolitan Transit Commission had been sued and forced to become more handicappedaccessible. Metro Mobility was in its infancy.

Harris gave us an office near Highway 13 and I-35W, access to company resources and two vans that were long-band radio-equipped. We would soon be one of the first demand/response transportation systems for the disabled in the country.

There was one small hurdle.

We didn’t know how to outfit the vans for multiple passengers. That didn’t stop us. I got out paper and pencil. We wrote down our ideas and I designed the features. I had no engi-

neering experience—just a want and a need and a glimmer of hope. Under Harris’ suggestion we went through all the “what ifs.” I took the designs to Dunwoody Institute and found an instructor with a golden heart who decided his students could fashion everything for us at no charge.

Handicapped and Senior Citizens Transportation Service was born. (It later became part of Metro Mobility.)

We needed to raise $20,000 to match a grant and organized a benefit. Several Minnesota Vikings promised to appear.

A week from the event rain was predicted and we had only $5,000 in pledges. Harris stopped work one day and called in favors.

The benefit was a disaster.

It sprinkled all day and no Vikings showed up to autograph anything. But no one noticed because no one showed up for autographs. The only ones there were the volunteers and organizers and there were lots of those. But I felt so alive at that point in my life. I saw lives changed and I was a part of it. We were supplying rides at $4.80 per ride and our near-

Wade Harris, 1936-2009 est competitors’ cost was $20.

Harris later began a van conversion company called Rollx Vans, which became very successful. He passed away Aug. 29.

I can only imagine how many lives have been changed by Wade Harris as mine was. I don’t know if you’d called me a success or not. I’ve tried to help others as Wade did. I feel successful now because I have hope. Wade and others like him instilled that hope in me.

I’ll die with that hope. So how my success is measured by others is not all that important. No matter how one measures Wade Harris—he was a success story. ■

Wade Harris, 1936-2009 Wade Harris, 73 of Apple Valley, died surrounded by his loving family on Aug. 29.

He had been hospitalized after due to complications following heart surgery. Born in Oklahoma in 1936, Wade Harris transformed his life by meeting and marrying Nancy Andrews, then moving to her family’s home state of Minnesota in 1962. He supported his family by working as a car salesman through the 1960s.

In 1970 Wade and Nancy founded Associated Leasing.

In 1973 Wade acquired the first of four car dealerships when he bought Southside Dodge.

The death of Wade and Nancy’s son, Tony, in 1978 compelled Wade to make an impact in the disability community. “I know if Tony had survived, he would have been in a wheelchair for the rest of his life,” was a driving tenet for the Harris family. Wade Harris went on to found Rollx Vans which modifies vehicles to be used by those in a wheelchair. In 2004, he created the charity Wounded Warriors which has provided free accessible vans for more than 70 injured veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Wade Harris was preceded in death by his sons Tony Harris and Jeff Phillips and siblings Doug, Kathy and Doyle. Survived by his loving wife Nancy, daughter Lori (Herb Ward), son Michael (Corinna Harris), and beloved grandchildren Charlie, Tony, Jazz, and Josie. A celebration of his life is 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at the St Paul Town and Country Club, 300 Mississippi Blvd N., St Paul.

Memorials preferred to the Wade Harris Scholarship Fund. ■

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 Franklin Lane Apartments Hanover Townhomes Lincoln Place Apartments Olson Towne Homes Prairie Meadows Talmage Green Trinity Apartments Unity Place Vadnais Highlands Willow Apartments Woodland Court Apartments

Minneapolis Buffalo Minneapolis Hutchinson Anoka St. Paul Mahtomedi Minneapolis Eden Prairie Minneapolis Minneapolis Brooklyn Center Vadnais Heights Little Falls Park Rapids

(612) 824-6665 (763) 684-1907 (612) 338-3106 1-800-661-2501 (763) 427-7650 (651) 292-8497 (651) 653-0640 (612) 377-9015 (952) 941-5544 (612) 623-0247 (612) 721-2252 (763) 560-7563 (651) 653-0640 (320) 632-0980 1-888-332-9312

1 BR 2 BR 2 BR 1 BR 1 & 2 BR 1 BR 2 BR 1 BR 2 & 3 BR 2 BR 1 BR (sr) 2 BR 3 BR 1 & 2 BR 1 BR

(Please call each individual site for specific building information.

All listings are accessible.)

September 10, 2009

11

Upcoming events To list an event, email access@accesspress.org A Different Point of View A free exhibit featuring art work created by children with autism, and information on services provided by Fraser – a school for children with autism, is on display through Sept. 28 in the Hennepin Gallery, A Level, Hennepin

information, visit: www.fraser. for the tournament. FFI: 612- disability and their caregiver 904-1420, www.mcpf.org is deeply intertwined. Learn org or www.artshop.com about various approaches for Healing practice for giving care, how to develop Golf tournament set caregivers healthy boundaries and how to The Morton Cure Paralysis Fund Golf Tournament and Attend a free workshop by build a healing mind-body fundraiser is 1 p.m. Thu, Sept. Mind Body Solutions and learn practice. Wear comfortable 10 at Majestic Oaks Golf Club, how the healing process be- clothing. Basic yoga poses to Ham Lake. This is the 14th year tween a person living with a energize and restore will be taught as part of this workshop. Pre-registration required, limited space. 1-3 p.m.

Sat, Sept. 13 at Mind Body Books Available Through Faribault ally, the cameras turn away and those closest to her have no one Solutions Yoga, 17516 Books broadcast on the Minnesota Radio Talking Book to help but themselves. Read by Stevie Ray. 11 broadcasts. Minnetonka Blvd. FFI: email info@mindbodysolutions.org Network are available through the Minnesota Braille and Began Sept. 7.

Talking Book Library in Faribault. Their phone is 1-800-722MSS Walk & Roll 0550 and hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

PM Report • Monday - Friday 8 p.m.

In celebration of Midwest SpeTheir catalog is also online. Access it by going to the main Hot, Flat, and Crowded. Nonfiction by Thomas L. Friedman, th cial Services’ 60 anniversary, website, http://education.state.mn.us, and then clicking on the 2008. The two biggest challenges of today are America’s loss a Walk & Roll event is planned link. If you live outside of Minnesota, you may obtain copies of of focus and the global environmental crisis, which is affecting 8-10:30 a.m.

Sat, Sept.

13 at books by contacting your own state’s Network Library for the everything from food to fuel to forest. Minnesota native FriedMall of America in BloomNational Library Service. Listen to the Minnesota Radio Talk- man believes the solutions to the two problems are linked. Read ington, Enjoy an art show, live ing Book, either live or archived programs from the last week, by Malcolm McLean. 21 broadcasts. Begins Sept. 21. entertainment from local on the Internet at www.mnssb.org/rtb. Call the staff for your singer/songwriter Adam Svec password to the site.

Night Journey • Monday - Friday 9 p.m.

The Demon of Dakar. Fiction by Kjell Eriksson, 2008. All and a performance by Tony Chautauqua • Tuesday - Saturday 4 a.m. clues in the murder lead to a popular restaurant named Dakar. Redmond. Pre-registration Bottlemania. Nonfiction by Elizabeth Royte, 2008. With sales But almost everyone involved in the restaurant has secrets in his encouraged. Volunteer and second only to soda, bottled water is on the verge of becoming past. And then there is another murder. L—Read by John sponsorship opportunities available. FFI: 651-778-1000, our most popular beverage. Only now, with the industry ac- Edmunds. 14 broadcasts. Began Sept. 8. www.mwsservices.org counting for billions of dollars, have we begun to question the environmental and social fallout of what we’re drinking. Read Off the Shelf • Monday - Friday 10 p.m.

Assistive Technology

by June Prange. Seven broadcasts. Begins Sept. 24.

The Brass Verdict. Fiction by Michael Connelly, 2008. DeWorkshop fense attorney Mickey Haller’s new case was inherited from a Arc Greater Twin Cities and Past is Prologue • Monday - Friday 9 a.m. murdered colleague. When he finds he himself is now a target, the Minnesota Disability Law Now the Drum of War. Nonfiction by Robert Roper, 2008. he teams up with Detective Harry Bosch to find the killer. V,L Center invite parents of transiThough Walt Whitman was a nurse during the Civil War, his —Read by Neil Bright. 16 broadcasts. Begins Sept. 16. tion-age students with intelbrother fought in it and died in a prison camp. The family letters lectual and developmental disreflect an archetypal family during the conflict. L—Read by Evening Odyssey • Monday - Friday 11 p.m. abilities to learn how to weave Arlan Dohrenburg. 18 broadcasts. Began Sept. 2.

In the Dark. Fiction by Brian Freeman, 2009. The violence of Jonathan Stride’s past is spilling into the present. A friend of a assistive technology into their Bookworm • Monday - Friday 11 a.m. murder victim is writing a book about the murder and uncom- child’s future plans at Assistive The World According to Bertie. Fiction by Alexander McCall fortable secrets are being revealed. V,L—Read by Neil Bright. Technology, the Common Thread: Transition to ComSmith, 2009. Six-year-old Bertie’s biggest problem is that his 15 broadcasts. Began Sept. 9. munity Living and Employmother views him as a project. But now he has a little brother ment, at 9 a.m.-noon Tue, Sept. who he hopes will distract his pushy mother. Read by Judith Good Night Owl • Monday - Friday midnight Johannessen. 13 broadcasts. Begins Sept. 10.

Chasing Darkness. Fiction by Robert Crais, 2008. Cole got his 15 at Arc Greater Twin Cities, client acquitted on a murder case. Now that client has commit- 2446 University Ave. W., Potpourri • Monday - Friday 2 p.m. ted suicide, leaving evidence that he was a multiple murderer Suite 110, St. Paul. Workshop Honeymoon in Tehran. Nonfiction by Azadeh Moaveni, 2009. after his release. L—Read by Jack Rossman. 10 broadcasts. is free for parents and $25 for professionals. FFI: 952-920Azadeh went to Iran to cover the rise of Ahmadinejad for Time Begins Sept. 14.

0855. magazine. Then she fell in love. As she prepared for marriage, the country’s harshness fell away. Read by Marylyn Burridge.

After Midnight • Tuesday - Saturday 1 a.m.

15 broadcasts. Begins Sept. 14.

The Spa. Fiction by Fay Weldon, 2008. The ten women at the Making Changes Together Spa exchange life stories. They are all high-powered women DSPAM (Direct Support ProChoice Reading • Monday - Friday 4 p.m. who have burned paths through their worlds, destroying men fessionals of Minnesota) sponSongs for the Missing. Fiction by Stewart O’Nan, 2008. When along the way. L,S—Read by Licia Swanson. 13 broadcasts. sors Making Changes Together 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun, Kim disappears, people do everything to find her. But eventu- Begins Sept. 28.

Sept. 13 at the Columbia Golf Abbreviations: V - violence; L – offensive language; S - sexual situations Manor, 3300 Central Ave., N.E. Mpls. Recognize and celebrate the essential support Kent’s Accounting direct support professionals, Service, LLC direct care workers, personal care assistants, personal attendants, in-home support workKent ers, and paraprofessionals who Fordyce provide quality support to inCertified QuickBooks dividuals with disabilities. Free ProAdvisor food and beverages, awards, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 prizes, kids’ games, haircuts, manicures and more. And pay only $10 to be a member of DSPAM but also NADSP (National Association of Direct Support Professionals) and DCA (Direct Care Association). Volunteers and dona6371 Bartlett Blvd tions are needed as well. FFI: Mound, MN 55364 Muhannah Kakish at 651-755Fax: Call me 1513 or mskeyesltd@yahoo.

612-889-2959 fordyce6@aol.com County Government Center, 300 S. 6th St., Mpls. This exhibit is designed to raise awareness of autism. It showcases the talent of children with autism who have created artwork through Artshop, a program offering art instruction to children with disabilities. For more

Radio Talking Book • September 2009

com or Colleen Timbers at 651-789-6230 or colleent@ merrickinc.org Attend golf tournament The Collision Center Golf Tournament is a benefit for Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota, at 9 a.m. Sun, Sept.

13 at Castlewood Golf Club, Forest Lake. $80 per golfer or $20 for the afternoon meal only. Enjoy prizes, contests and fun. Reservations requested. FFI: John, 612-8018551 Computer workshops for beginners PACER Center offers Computer Skills and Resources to Close the Digital Divide, a free workshop series for parents who have children with disabilities and who are computer beginners or have limited access to technology. The workshops are at Project for Pride in Living Learning Center, 1925 Chicago Ave.Mpls. Participants may attend any or all of the sessions. Advance registration is requested. Classes start Thu, Sept. 17. FFI: PACER, 952-838-9000, 952838-0190 (TTY), 800-537-2237 (toll free), www.PACER.org Block party planned SMILES hosts its fifth annual block party 3-7 p.m. Fri., Sept.

18 at Madison East Center., 1400 E. Madison Av., Mankato. Enjoy music, food, entertainment, information, hands-on art and more at an event that celebrates diversity sand everyone’s abilities.

Don’t just think about disability awareness—be it! SMILES Center for Independent is sponsor. Volunteers, donations and support are welcome.

FFI: 507-345-7139, 1-888676-6498, www.smilescil.org Creative Options conference Creative Options, a one-day energizing conference for people with disabilities and the staff who support them, is 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon, Sept. 21 at Eagan Community Center.

This year’s featured speaker is John O’Brien, an internationally-known advocate for people with disabilities. He will also be involved in breakout sessions. FFI: Susan Hilden, 651-365-3731 or shilden@lifeworks.org NAMI—Walks 2009 The 2009 NAMI—Walks for the Mind of America is 1 p.m.

Sat, Sept. 26 at Minnehaha Park, Mpls. The goal is to raise $250,000 with 2,000 walkers.

FFI: 651-645-2948, 1-888NAMI-HELPS, www.nami helps.org Events - cont. on p. 13

12

September 10, 2009

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. Selected performances offer reduced admission prices for the patron and one companion. When calling a box office, confirm the service (ASL or AD), date, time, ticket price and anything else needed, e.g. length of performance, etc. If you attend a show, please share your feedback with the performing organization, interpreter, and VSA arts of Minnesota.

Accessible performance information is compiled by VSA arts of Minnesota, 612-332-3888 or www.vsaartsmn.org

See www.accesspress.org for complete listing and for Accessible Movie Theaters The Mary Tyler Moore Show Sept. 11-26 Torch Theater Co. at Mpls.

Theatre Garage, 711 W. Franklin. AD: Thurs., Sept. 17, 7:30 p.m. ASL: On advance request. Tix: Pay what you can (reg. $25-30); Web: www.torchtheater.com Accomplice Sept. 11 - Oct. 3 Rochester Repertory Theatre, 103 7th St. NE. ASL: Fri., Sept.

18, 8 p.m. Tix: $20; student/ senior discount; Phone: 507289-1737; E-mail: Box Office@RochesterRep.org; Web: www.RochesterRep.org Becky’s New Car Sept. 11 - Oct. 4 Park Square Theatre, 408 St. Peter St., St. Paul. AD & ASL: Sat., Sept. 26, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Reduced to half-price ($1850); Phone: 651-291-7005. Web: www.parksquare theatre.org Brighton Beach Memoirs Sept. 11 - Oct. 4 Lakeshore Players, 4820 Stewart Ave., White Bear Lake. ASL: Sat., Sept. 19, 8 p.m. (if reserved 2 weeks in

advance) Tix: Reduced to $5 for ASL (reg. $20, $18 student/senior); Phone: 651-4295674; E-mail: tickets@lake shoreplayers.com Web: www.lakeshoreplayers.com

p.m.; Sat., Oct. 10, 1 p.m.; Sensory Tour 10:30 a.m. ASL: Thurs.-Fri., Oct. 29-30 at 7:30 p.m. Captioning: Fri., Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $20 for AD/ASL, $25 for captioning (reg. $24-60); Phone: 612Funny Money 377-2224, TTY 612-377Sept. 11-27 6626. Web: www.guthrie Rochester Civic Theatre, 20 theater.org/accessibility Civic Center Dr. SE. ASL: Fri., Sept. 25, 8 p.m. Tix: Treasured Alliances $23.50, $20.50 senior, $13.50 Sept. 17-26 student; Phone: 507-282- Anodyne Artist Co., 825 8481. Web: www.rochester Carleton St., St. Paul. ASL: civictheatre.org Fri., Sept. 18 & Thurs., Sept.

24, 7 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $5 Sweet Honey in the Rock for ASL (reg. $12); Phone: Sept. 12 651-642-1684; E-mail: ano Petters Auditorium, College of dynearts@gmail.com Web: Saint Benedict, St. Joseph. www.anodyneart.org ASL: Sat., Sept. 12, 7:30 p.m.

Tix: $28, Senior $24, Faculty/ Super Monkey Staff $18, Youth/Student $10; Sept. 17 – Oct. 4 Phone: 320-363-5777; E- Jon Ferguson Theater at mail: dwolford@csbsju.edu Guthrie Dowling Studio, 818 Web: www.csbsju.edu/fine 2nd St. S., Mpls. AD/ASL: Sat., arts or www.sweethoney.com/ Oct. 3, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Reduced about/asl.php to $20 (reg. $18-30); Phone: 612-377-2224, TTY 612-377The Importance of Being 6626. Web: www.guth Earnest rietheater.org/accessibility Sept. 12 – Nov. 8 Guthrie Theater, 818 2nd St. S., Mpls. AD: Fri., Oct. 2, 7:30

Mary’s Wedding Sept. 18 - Oct. 25 Jungle Theater, 2951 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls. AD: Thurs., Oct. 1, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $10 (reg. $24-36); Phone: 612-822-7063 Web: www.jun gletheater.com/ Aphra’s Attic (2 short comedies by women writers) Sept. 19 - Oct. 4 Theatre Unbound at the Lowry Lab Theatre, 350 St. Peter St., St. Paul. AD: Sun., Sept. 27, 2 p.m. Tix: sliding scale $1224; Phone: 612-721-1186; Email: info@theatreunbound. com Web: www.theatreun bound.com VSA arts of Minnesota Autumn Auction & Cabaret Sept. 20 VSA’s annual fundraiser features the cuisine of India at the new OM Restaurant, 400 First Ave. N., Mpls. Chef Raghavan Iyer speaks, Nirmala Rajasekar performs veena; silent auction. AD, ASL, CART: Sun., Sept. 20, 2-5 p.m. Tix: $40 ($45 after Sept. 11); Phone: 612-332-3888 v/tty; or by mail from VSA arts of Minnesota, 528 Hennepin Ave. #305, Mpls. 55403. E-mail: info@ vsaartsmn.org Web: www. vsaartsmn.org

Kevin Kling, center, is featured in a production he wrote, Northern Lights/Southern Cross: Tales from the Other Side of the World. It opens Oct. 24 and runs through Nov. 8 at the Guthrie Theater. It is an Interact Theater production. FFI: 612-377-2224; www.guthrietheater.org

The Pearl Fishers Sept. 26 - Oct. 4 The Minnesota Opera sings in French with English captions projected above the stage at every performance at Ordway Center for Performing Arts, 345 Washington St., St. Paul.

AD: Sun., Oct. 4, 2 p.m.; preopera discussion at 1. Tix: Reduced to half-price (reg. $20-200); Phone: 612-3336669; TTY 651-282-3099 Web: www.mnopera.org Funny Money Through Sept. 26 Old Log Theater, 5185 Meadville St., Greenwood. ASL: Sun., Sept. 20, 2 p.m. AD: Thurs., Sept. 24, 1:30 p.m. Tix: ASL $22 (reserved seating); AD $17.50 (general admission) (reg. $19.50 - $32); (lunch extra); Phone: 952474-5951. Web: www.oldlog. com

Disney’s Mary Poppins Through Sept. 20 Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls. ASL: Sun., Sept. 13, 1 p.m. (AD must be requested in advance) Tix: Reduced to $30 (reg. to $83); Phone: 612-373-5639 or 5609; hotline 612-3735650; TTY 612-373-5655; Email: accessible@orpheum. com Web: www.hennepinthe The Romance of Magno Rubio atredistrict.org/guestservices/ Through Sept. 27 aslad/ Mixed Blood Theatre, 1501 South 4th St., Mpls. AD, ASL, The Foreigner Captioning: Thurs., Sept. 12, Sept. 25 - Oct. 4 7:30 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $16 Fargo-Moorhead Community (reg. $22, $18 student/senior, Theatre, 333 Fourth St. S., $14 group); Phone: 612-338Fargo. AD: Fri., Sept. 25, 7:30 6131. Web: www.mixed p.m. ASL: on request in ad- blood.com vance. Tix: Reduced to $8 (reg. $20, senior/student $14, child A Look in the Mirror—The $8); Phone: 701-235-6778. Memoir of a Deaf Performer Web: www.fmct.org Oct. 1-30 Nic Zapko performs in ASL at Wait Until Dark Dreamland Arts, 677 N. Sept. 25 – Oct. 25 Hamline Ave., St. Paul ASL Bloomington Art Center’s & Voicing: Thurs.-Fri, Oct. Gallery Theater Co. at Bloom- 1-2, 8-9, 22-23, 29-30, 7:30 ington Center for the Arts, p.m. ASL Only: Sat., Oct. 3, Black Box, 1800 W. Old 10, 24, 7:30 p.m. Tix: $15 Shakopee Road. ASL: Thurs., ($13 student); Phone: 651Oct. 8, 7:30 p.m. AD: Fri., 645-5506 or Web: www.

Oct. 9, 7:30 p.m. Tix: $18, sr dreamlandarts.com/ $16, student $14; Phone: 952563-8575. Web: www.bloom Radio Golf ingtonartcenter.com Oct. 1-25 Penumbra Theatre, Martin Luther King Center, 270 N. Kent St., St. Paul. ASL: Sat.,

Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m. AD: Sun., Oct. 18, 2 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $31, student $11 (reg. $38, student $18; specify ASL or AD) Phone: 651-224-3180; Email: boxoffice@penumbra theatre.org Web: www. penumbratheatre.org Fargo Oct. 2 Walker Art Center Cinema, 1750 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.

AD: Fri., Oct. 2, 7:30 p.m.

Tix: $8 ($6 Walker members).

Contact Melissa Schedler, Phone: 612-253-3555; Email: Melissa.schedler@ walkerart.org. Web: http:// calendar.walkerart.org/ event.wac?id=4915 Buddy–The Buddy Holly Story Oct. 2 – Nov. 1 History Theatre, 30 E. 10th St., St. Paul. ASL & AD: Sun., Oct. 18, 2 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $15 (reg. $32); Phone: 651292-4323; E-mail: boxofc@historytheatre.com Web: www.historytheatre. com King of Shadows Oct. 2 – Nov. 1 Pillsbury House Theatre, 3501 Chicago Ave. S., Mpls. ASL: Sat., Oct. 17, 7:30 p.m. AD: Sun., Oct. 25, 3 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $10 (reg. $10-20); Phone: 612-825-0459; Email: info@pillsburyhouse theatre.org Web: www.pills buryhousetheatre.org Women and Art Oct. 4 Mpls. Institute of Arts, 2400 Third Ave. S. ASL: Sun., Oct. 4, 1 p.m. Free ASL-interpreted public tours the first Sun. of each month (beginning by the Information Desk) and, on the second weekend of each month, free tours for visitors with memory loss, Alzheimer’s & friends or care partners. Tix/ Events - cont. on p. 15

X

September 10, 2009

EVENTS -

13

Cont. from p. 11

partners. Groups will feature weekly topics by followed by peer group discussions in a safe environment for learning and sharing. Sessions are 10 a.m.-noon, Wed, Oct. 7-Dec. 16 at Wilder Center, 451 Lexington Parkway North, St. Paul. Cost is free but donations are appreciated. Screening and pre-registration reHope for Recovery quired. FFI: Kathryn Ringham, Workshop The National Alliance on Men- LICSW, 651-280-2295. tal Illness of Minnesota Town hall forums set (NAMI Minnesota) hosts a free, one-day education work- At the Minnesota Consortium shop that provides families and for Citizens with Disabilities individuals with information (Mn-CCD) town hall forums, on mental illnesses, practical learn how the 2009 legislative coping strategies, and hope for session impacted Minnesotans recovery. The workshop is 9 with disabilities. Help shape a.m.-3 p.m. Sat, Oct. 3 at Re- future policies that promote gions Hospital, Teeter Library innovative, economical, per(east building), 640 Jackson son-centered programs; and St. Registration requested. FFI: speak directly to legislators about your challenges and sucNAMI, 651-645-2948 cesses. Forum dates are 6-8 p.m. Thur, Sept 17 at St. John’s Education, support Episcopal Church, 1111 Coofor memory loss The Amherst H. Wilder Foun- per Ave South, St. Cloud; 1:30dation Community Services 3:30 p.m. Mon, Oct. 5 in St. for the Elderly is pleased to Paul at video conference sites, offer “Memory Club,” an 11- more info at www.mnccd.org; week long educational support 4-6 p.m. Tue, Oct. 13 at group for persons recently di- Moorhead Public Library, 118 agnosed with early stage South Fifth Street, Moorhead; memory changes and their care 6-8 p.m. Thu, Oct 15 at Bemidji Jeans to Gems Save the date of Sat, Sept. 26 for the Fifth annual Opportunity Partners gala, Jeans to Germs. The event is at the Mpls Marriot Southwest, Minnetonka. FFI: 952-938-5511; www.

OpportunityPartners.org

Now Playing

The movie Adam, which is currently playing in theaters, centers on a young man with Asperger’s syndrome and the changes a new neighbor brings to his life. Romance can be risky, perplexing and filled with the perils of miscommunication—and that’s if you aren’t ‘Adam,’ for whom life itself is this way. In this heartfelt romantic comedy, Hugh Dancy (‘The Jane Austen Book Club,’ ‘Confessions of a Shopaholic’) stars as Adam, a handsome but intriguing young man who has all his life led a sheltered existence - until he meets his new neighbor, Beth (Rose Byrne, “Damages,” ’28 Weeks Later,’ ‘Knowing’), a beautiful, cosmopolitan young woman who pulls him into the outside world, with funny, touching and entirely unexpected results. Their implausible and enigmatic relationship reveals just how far two people from different realities can stretch in search of an extraordinary connection. (from Moviefone) Dancy and Byrne are shown above.

If you watch films online, PBS’s POV Program has another film worth viewing; Filmmaker Kim Longinotto provides an unusual look at a school for troubled kids in this documentary.

The Mulberry Bush School is an institution offering educational and treatment options for disturbed youngsters, many of whom have severe anger issues and have committed violent acts against their family and friends. However, at Mulberry Bush, the staff works under the principle that their students are not inherently violent, and that their aggressive nature can be overcome with proper treatment and understanding. With nearly three staff members for every student, Mulberry Bush provides an oasis of understanding for youth with fragile and unsettled psyches, and Hold Me Tight, Let Me Go documents both the severity of their problems and the progress that can be made. Hold Me Tight, Let Me Go was screened in competition at the 2007 Amsterdam International Documentary Film Festival. From Mark Deming, All Movie Guide See this movie in its entirety at www.pbs.org/pov/holdmetight/ The web site also includes an update on the students featured and how they are doing.

City Hall, 317 - 4th Street NW, Bemidji; 6–8 pm, Thu, Oct. 22 at Goodwill/Easter Seals, 553 Fairview Ave N., St. Paul; 6:30–8:30 p.m. Thu, Oct. 29 at YMCA, 200 S. A St, Marshall; 6-8 p.m. Thu, Nov. 5 at Buckham Memorial Library, 11 Division Street East, Faribault; 6-8 p.m. Thu, Nov. 12 at ABC (Ability Building Center), 1911 - 14th St NW, Rochester; 6:30-8:30 p.m., Thu, Nov. 12 at Bloomington Civic Plaza-Council Chambers, 1800 West Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington; 1-3 p.m. Tue, Nov. 17 at Residential Services of NE MN, 1309 Rice Lake Road, Duluth (next to Sylvan Learning Center); 68 p.m. Tue, Dec. 1 at Courage St. Croix, 1460 Curve Crest Blvd West, Stillwater; 6-8 p.m.

Thu, Dec. 3 at Kingsley Commons, 4550 Humboldt Ave North, Mpls; 6-8 p.m. Thu, Dec. 10 at Powderhorn Park Recreation Center, 3400 - 15th Ave S., Mpls. FFI: Anni, 651523-0823, ext. 112 or ASim ons@arcmn.org to register.

Walk-ins also welcomed. ASL interpreters will be available at each event. www.mn ccd.org Comment period underway The Vocational Rehabilitation program staff in the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is considering amendments to the program rules for a state and federally funded program that provides services to eligible people with disabilities. The program provides help for people to prepare for, enter, retain and regain employment. Comments on the rules are being sought from the public. The deadline to submit comments is October 9.

The Notice of Intent to Adopt Rules, the full text of the rule changes, and a Statement of Need and Reasonableness is available at http:// deed.state. mn.us/agency/ rule.htm If the proposed rules affect you in any way, you are encouraged to participate in the rulemaking process. There are many proposed changes, on setting up business plans, mileage reimbursements, help with child care and other program features. Comments or questions on the rules and written requests for a public hearing on the rules must be submitted to Roberta Pisa, Department of Employment and Economic Development, Vocational Rehabilitation, First National Bank Building, 332 Minnesota Street, Suite E200, St. Paul, MN 55101 or by e-mail to Roberta.Pisa@state.mn.us If 25 or more persons submit a written request for a hearing, a public hearing will be held on Thu, Oct. 29 at the Rondo Community Library, 461 N. Dale St., St. Paul.

Support groups offered The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Minnesota sponsors free support groups for families who have a relative with a mental illness.

Led by trained facilitators who also have a family member with mental illness, the support groups help families develop better coping skills and find strength through sharing their experiences. Family support groups meet weekly in St. Paul, either on Thursday evenings or on the second and fourth Wednesdays. FFI: Karin, 651-489-4160 (Thursdays) or Anne Mae, 651-7308434 (Wednesdays) Adaptive technology classes Free adaptive technology classes are offered by Hennepin County Library, at the downtown Mpls library, 300 Nicollet Mall. Classes are free but you must pre-register for these classes for persons who are blind or have low vision.

In addition to classes there are often volunteers available to introduce patrons to the equipment and software available.

Volunteer hours vary, so it’s best to call ahead. The Blind and Low Vision Computer User group meets in Room N402 1-3 p.m. the second Saturday of each month. Attend a meeting and network with others. Funding for Adaptive Technology classes is provided by a generous grant from the Hudson Family Foundation. FFI: 612-630-6469, www.hclib.org Free computer, career development workshops Mpls Community and Technical College announces free computer and career development workshops through its Continuing Education & Training Department. Select workshops will be available at no cost to participants throughout the summer. Computer skills workshops include Computer Basics, Email Basics, Word 2007 Basics and Excel 2007 Basics. Career workshops include Opening Windows: Online Tools for Your Career Transition; Opening Doors: Proven Techniques for Landing a Job; and Power Saturdays: Opening Doors AND Windows for Job-Seeking Success. FFI: 612-659-6500 or www.Mpls.edu/continuinged Caregivers Support Group Parents and caregivers of children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder or FASD Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) can join a caregiver’s support group organized by Arc Greater Twin Cities. The free group meets on the first Tuesday of each month from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. at Arc Greater Twin Cities, 2446 University Ave. W., Suite 110, St. Paul and at 6-8 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at Sabathani Commu-

nity Center, 310 E. 38th St., Mpls. The group is an opportunity for participants to support one another, share successful parenting techniques, discuss the challenges and hopes of raising a child with FASD, and become better educated about the disorder. The FASD Relative Caregivers Support Group is sponsored

by Arc Greater Twin Cities and the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Regional Network. FFI: Janet Salo, 952920-0855

portunities are available throughout Minnesota. FFI: 651-645-2277, ext 219. or volunteer@theMLC.org

ACT anniversary Advocating Change Together (ACT) will mark its 30th anniversary with a Mississippi River cruise. The event is 5:30 p.m. Thu, Oct. 1 with passengers boarding at Harriet Island in St. Paul. Enjoy live music, food, a cash bar and program, with a party at Harriet Island after the cruise. $50 recommended donation or give what A Fetching Good Time you cam. RSVP by Sept. 25.

Hearing and Service Dogs of FFI: 651-641-0297 Minnesota hosts The Fetching Ball, a gala fundraiser celebratMSCOD Awards Event ing the organization’s 20th year. The Minnesota State Council The event is Saturday, Nov. 7 on Disability hosts its annual at Marriot Hotel Southwest in awards event Mon, Oct. 12 in Minnetonka. Keynote speaker Duluth. Keynote speaker is is author Karin Winegar. Indi- Kathy Martinez, an internavidual and corporate sponsor- tionally recognized disabilityships are available. FFI: Tick- rights leader who was nomiets, Jessica, 612-729-5986 ext. nated as assistant secretary for 152, jandeau@hsdm.org; the Office of Disability EmSponsorships, Janet, 612-729- ployment Policy (ODEP) by President Barack Obama. The 5926, jcobus@hsdm.org Minnesota Award, Access Help others manage finances Award, Large Employer of the RSVP/Volunteers of America Year Award, Small Employer of Minnesota and AARP Foun- of the Year Award, Outstanddation need volunteers with ing Entrepreneur Award, good budgeting and organiza- Above and Beyond Veteran’s tional skills to help manage Employment Award and Legfinances of older or disabled islative Advocacy Award will low-income individuals. Have be given. FFI: 651-361-7800 a few hours a month to volunteer? Money Management ProHeel and Wheel gram staff will train and match Hearing and Service Dogs of you with someone in the com- Minnesota hosts the 16th anmunity. FFI: Money Manage- nual Heel and Wheel Walk 9 ment Program Coordinator, a.m. Sat, Sept. 26 at Phalen 612-617-7821 Park in St. Paul. Enjoy music, a dog fashion show, games for Be a literacy volunteer dogs and people, and a oneLast year, Minnesota Literacy mile or three-mile walk. Help Council volunteers helped raise funds to provide service more than 24,000 adults dogs. FFI: Shelly, 612-729achieve their learning 5986 ext. 115; sheimer@ goals. Tutor immigrants, refu- hsdm.org ■ gees and life-long Minnesotans in reading, writing and Access Press welcomes subEnglish. Tutor one-to-one, in missions for the events lista small group or as a class- ings. Email to: access@access room assistant. Training, on- press.org or call 651-644-2133. going support provided. Op-

14

September 10, 2009

REGIONAL NEWS -

Cont. from p. 6

cars were traded in by Minnesotans during the month of cash for clunkers — one of the highest numbers in the nation.

“It is logical that many charities would be hurt,” said John List, an economics professor at the University of Chicago who has studied fundraising. “But it’s intuition right now. All the experts are guessing.”

Charities either sell the donated vehicles to raise funds or rehabilitate vehicles for the needy. Minnesota has about 200 charities that solicit vehicle donations, with the charities getting about 8,000 vehicles a year. Car donations generate an estimated $8 million a year for Twin Cities nonprofits. But this year, Courage Center expects to raise $500,000 less from car donations. Nationally, major charities such as Volunteers of America and the Society of St. Vincent De Paul are reporting a 15 percent reduction during the month-long period.

The crunch on car donations isn’t uniform: Some local charities actually saw a slight increase this summer—in part because of concerns by loyal donors. But most charities say even the value of their donated vehicles has declined and they worry about the long-term repercussions of pulling so many cars out of the pool of potential donors.

Donated cars are the top fundraiser for Courage Center, which typically raises about $2.4 million a year that way, said Kelly Buttler, director of in-kind giving at the Courage Center in Golden Valley. “Any changes that happen in the auto industry affect our donation program.’’ As for the effect of cash for clunkers, Buttler said, “it’s a little depressing, but at least it’s ending.’’

[Source: Star Tribune, KARE-11, Associated Press]

within a facility has a direct, immediate, negative impact on patients and their care -- and that is what the House bill will do.”

The new analysis of the House bill’s Medicare funding reductions over ten years, combined with the $12 billion 10-year Medicare cuts just put into effect by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), is computed by the AHCA Reimbursement and Research Department, using the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) score of both HR 3200 and the recent CMS funding rule, along with Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) utilization data. All 50 State Cut Data Available at www. ahca.org.

Care Providers of Minnesota is an association representing over 500 providers of long-term care, senior housing, and home- and community-based services. It was created in 1947 as a supportive partner to nursing homes. Its job then, as it is today, is to serve the needs of long-term care providers and support them in giving their clients the highest quality care.

More information can be found at www.careproviders.org.

[Source: Care Providers of Minnesota]

Millions in cuts looming A new American Health Care Association (AHCA) analysis of the pending U.S. House of Representatives’ health reform bill, combined with the impact of a recently-enacted Medicare regulation cutting Medicare-funded nursing home care, finds seniors in Minnesota requiring nursing and rehabilitative care will face total funding cuts of $654 million over ten years.

Nationally, seniors’ Medicare cuts will total $44 billion over ten years, prompting Minnesota’s long-term care community to warn that Minnesota seniors’ care needs are endangered by the House bill, as are the jobs of more than 893 caregivers in Minnesota alone.

“The bottom line is that Medicare funded nursing home care will be substantially undermined by the pending House health reform bill. We urge lawmakers to use the last weeks of August to revise its plan so that Minnesota seniors are helped by the reform measure -- not hurt by it,” said Patti Cullen, CEO and president, Care Providers of Minnesota. “Arguments being made that seniors’ benefits will not be reduced by the House bill ignore the fact that when Medicare cuts provider reimbursement, providers, in turn, are forced to cut staff because labor expenses comprise 70 percent of facility costs. Cutting staff

Sanford case results in hearing Ray Sanford, a 55-year-old Columbia Heights man forced to undergo electro-shock treatments against his will, has been assigned a new psychiatrist. He also has a new attorney, who is moving to change his guardianship.

Before the changes, Sanford received more than 40 involuntary electroshocks also known as “electroconvulsive therapy” or ECT. The treatments were not only administered against his wishes but also against the wishes of his family. The treatments were administered on an outpatient basis.

He recently asked for help from the group MindFreedom, which kicked off a Ray campaign activating people internationally.

Sanford said because of his campaign his new psychiatrist— who opposes forced electroshock—has been officially approved. But the controversy over his treatment may have implications for other Minnesotans. On Aug. 10 the Minnesota Legislature held a public hearing to discuss electroshock treatments committed Minnesota residents. No action was taken at the hearing but information presented there could serve as a basis for future state laws. For more information, go to www.mindfreedom.org [Source: MindFreedom]

No charges filed in fall Two nursing assistants won’t be charged as a result of a June accident that killed a well-known Roman Catholic priest and Army chaplain. The New Hope City Attorney’s Office announced in late August that charges wouldn’t be filed in connection with the accident and death of the Rev. Tim Vakoc.

Vakoc, 49, was paralyzed in 2004, in a roadside bombing in Iraq. Vakoc needed round-the-clock care and was being moved from a wheelchair to his bed at St. Therese nursing home in New Hope June 20 when the accident occurred. He fell from a lift, sustained a head injury and died the same day in a Twin Cities hospital.

The state Office of Health Facility Complaints at the Minnesota Department of Health released a detailed account of the accident in August. The two nursing assistants have been fired and will not be allowed to work in another facility. They can be disqualified from such work by state law, but can appeal the ruling.

The investigation found no neglect by the nursing home, but blamed the two nursing assistants, saying they gave “incongruous” explanations of what happened that day. The investigation revealed that nothing was wrong with the lift itself, but raised questions about how it was being used.

The state report also indicated that “the statements made by the [nursing assistants] are incongruous with what happened.”

If they had followed procedure and monitored the patient properly, the report said, “They would have been able to describe what occurred.”

After the state report was released, Father Tim’s brother, Jeff Vakoc, issued a brief statement: “Regarding the premature loss of our son and brother, we have received the Minnesota Department of Health ... report and are currently reviewing it.

At this point we are considering the findings contained in the report and, on advice of counsel, we cannot make further comment.”

[Star Tribune, KSTP-TV] ■

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Ellen Houghton 952-404-9981 presentationimages@ comcast.net

Cont. from p. 9

graphic locations. EFAC partners include Anoka County WorkForce Center, Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Anoka Technical College, six north suburban school districts (Anoka-Hennepin, Spring Lake Park, Fridley, Columbia Heights, Centennial, and St. Francis), Anoka County Community Transition Interagency Committee, Anoka County Human Services, Employers Association of Minnesota, University of Minnesota Institute on Community Integration, and Rise, Inc. Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota. This project will enroll 20 students in the Willmar area who have emotional or behavioral disorders

or mental illness, as well as students with these disabilities who have dropped out of school, become involved in the court system, lack a support system or have not succeeded in other employment programs. Project goals include providing transferable skills to participants, placing at least 80 percent of them into competitive employment, and creating solid evaluation and sustainability plans. Goodwill/ Easter Seals will partner with CashWise Foods, Kandiyohi County Community Corrections, Rice Memorial Hospital, Woodland Centers, and the University of Minnesota’s National Resilience Resource Center. ■

Target Marketing at its Finest!

Advertise in Access Press and reach thousands in the disability community every month.

September 10, 2009

AWARDS -

15

Cont. from p. 1

lawyer has available,” the nomination stated. “Her level of skill and energy in this area is unique; literally no one else in the state can match her technical expertise.”

Charlie Smith Jr. was the founding editor of Access Press. The annual award is given in his honor. With the help of his parents, Rose and Charlie Smith Sr., he started the newspaper in 1990. Access Press remains Minnesota’s statewide disability community newspaper and is one of only a few such papers in the United States.

Until his death in 2001, Charlie Smith was a tireless advocate for Minnesota’s disability community. He was a fixture at news events and at the state capitol. He was active in a number of organizations and was well-versed in state and federal law and issues. The award is given in his name to honor people who have contributed as much to Minnesota’s disability community as he.

Past Charlie Smith Award winners are: 2008: Pete Feigal, Tilting at Windmills 2007: Jim and Claudia Carlisle, People Enhancing People 2006: John Smith, University of Minnesota 2005: Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MN-CCD) 2004: Rick Cardenas, co-director of Advocating Change Together 2003: Margot Imdieke Cross, Minnesota State Council on Disabilities Access Press has also announced the names of four other finalists for the 2009 award. Listed in alphabetical order, they are: U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison Ellison represents Minnesota’s Fifth District. He was elected in 2006. Prior to that he served in the Minnesota House of Representatives, elected to that body in 2002. His nomination states that “Congressman Ellison has been a longtime leader and champion as a disability rights advocate and ally.

As a state rep, he has voted for, authored and encouraged disability laws and policy that help people with disability. He continues this work in Congress, as he supported the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Amendment Act and other federal bills.”

Ellison is also praised for his willingness to not only give the disability community an audience, but also to encourage and promote participation in the election process. He held meetings with community members, recruited volunteers from the community and spoke at several events specifically for the disability community.

He wins praise for getting people involved in the campaign who may not have been involved before.

He also hired a staff member with a disability to do outreach during the campaign.

“Keith’s belief that every vote counts – no matter what your background, socio-economic status or disability – is hard to find these days among other progressive officials,” his nomination stated.

Mike Gude Gude is a communications associate at the Arc of Minnesota. He is also a very active member of the Justice and Peace Coalition of the Church of St. Francis Cabrini in Minneapolis. He is also very active with Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MN-CCD). His nomination centers on his work with his church parish.

“Mike is relentless in his advocacy efforts on behalf of persons with disabilities,” his nomination stated. “During the legislative session, he organizes letter-writing campaigns at his church to use parishioners to write in support of or opposition to bills that impact the lives of people with disabilities. He educates parish members on the legislative process and challenges members to become involved and responsible voters.”

EVENTS -

By doing this Gude has made other parish member aware of the needs of people with disabilities, and how funding cuts will impact that. Many parish members didn’t have that level of awareness before meeting Gude and learning about key issues from him. His nomination also praised his writing skills and his ability to communicate effectively about issues of concerns to the disability community.

Brian McCarthy Owner of McCarthy Builders in Minneapolis, McCarty is nominated for extensive volunteer work as well as outstanding contributions as a builder. He is involved with Fishing for Life, which helps inner city youth learn to fish; the Cerebral Palsy of Minnesota Society, the MS Society and Boy Scouts of America.

He is praised for his work ethic in running a small business, volunteer work and commitment to his family. “He is an inspiration to all he helps because of his ability to live with his own disability,” his nomination stated.

“Brian has lived with cerebral palsy for his entire life.

He lives to help others and make their lives more enjoy-

Cont. from p. 12

Phone: 612-870-3131 or TTY 612-870-3132; E-mail: dhegstrom@artsmia.org Web: www.artsmia.org Driving Miss Daisy Oct. 7-11 Tin Roof Theatre Co. at FargoMoorhead Community Theatre, 333 Fourth St. S., Fargo.

AD: Fri.-Sat., Oct. 9-10, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $8 (reg. $15, student/senior $10); Phone: Tin Roof: 701-2055788, or FMCT: 701-2356778. Web: www.tinroof theatre.org or www.fmct.org.

Tales from the Book of Longing Oct. 8-18 Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater at Guthrie Dowling Studio, 818 2nd St. S., Mpls. AD: Fri., Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $20 (reg. $26); Phone: 612-377-2224, TTY 612-377-6626. Web: www. guthrietheater.org/accessibility or www.stuartpimsler.com.

373-5650; TTY 612-3735655; E-mail: accessible@ orpheum.com Web: www.hen nepintheatredistrict.org/ guestservices/aslad/ The Full Monty Oct. 15 – Nov. 8 Theater Latte Da at Ordway Center’s McKnight Theatre, 345 Washington, St. Paul. AD & ASL: Sun., Nov. 1, 7 p.m.

Tix/Phone: 651-224-4222.

Web: www.theaterlatteda.org or www.Ordway.org Big Love Oct. 16-24 University of Minnesota Theatre & Dance at Rarig Center, 330 21st Ave. S, Mpls. ASL & AD: Thurs., Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m.

Tix: Reduced to $10 (use code ASLAD; reg. $15 advance/$17 door; $2 discount for senior or UMAA member); Phone: 612-624-2345. Web: http:// theatre.umn.edu/utheatre dance

The Thugs Oct. 9-25 Red Eye Theater, 15 W. 14th St., Mpls. AD: Fri., Oct. 9, 8 p.m. Tix: Pay-as-able (Reg. $18, $8 student); Phone: 612870-0309. Web: www.redeye theater.org

Little House on the Prairie Oct. 13-25 Touring company at Ordway Center, 345 Washington, St. Paul. AD & ASL: Sat., Oct. 24, 2 p.m. Tix/Phone: 651224-4222, TTY 651-2823099. Web: www.ordway.org/ accessibility/

101 Dalmatians Oct. 13-18 Touring company at Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls. ASL: Sun., Oct. 18, 1 p.m. AD request in advance.

Tix: Reduced to $28 for ASL (reg. to $73); Phone: 612-3735639 or 5609; hotline 612-

Ruined Oct. 16 – Nov. 22 Mixed Blood Theatre, 1501 S. 4th St., Mpls. AD, ASL, Captioning: Thurs., Oct. 29, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $16 (reg. $22, $18 student/sr, $14 grp); Phone: 612-338-6131. Web: www.mixedblood.com

able and livable. Whether one is looking to remodel, modify or rehab their home, Brian is your guy. He is most definitely an inspiration to those who live with disabilities because he runs his own business.”

The nomination cited McCarthy’s work with universal design and accessible housing, enabling hundreds of community members to enjoy their own homes. Through installation of ramps, lifts, roll-in shower, lower countertops and other improvements, McCarthy and his firm have had a positive impact on many lives.

Rachel Tschida Tschida is director of communications and community relations at AXIS Healthcare.

“Rachel has worked passionately, purposefully and persistently to shine a spotlight on the needs and rights of people with disabilities,” he nomination stated. “The wheels of government turn slowly. She has served countless hours serving on work groups, task forces, committees, commission and alliances – the unglamorous work that often doesn’t get noticed but facilities incremental changes in public policy. It is often the ‘unsung heroes’ behind the

scenes who are able to affect/ influence change in public policy.” She works hard to get people with disabilities active and in the public eye, as a means of increasing awareness of issues.

During the 2009 legislative session, Tschida is credited with work to make sure cuts to MnDHO and other disability services were not more severe.

Her activities include Leadership Twin Cities Class of 2003-04, Women’s Health

Leadership Trust, Humphrey Policy Fellow 2006-07, Healthcare Reform Review Council, Health Access Commission, Advisory Council on Managed Care for People with Disabilities; Health and Human Services Work Group; Poverty Issues and People with Disabilities; Quality Assurance Stakeholder Group; Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, board member, Sunny Hollow Montessori and Catalyst Foundation. ■

Check us out at www.accesspress.org ❖❖❖❖ Please support your Access Press advertisers.

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Reach 11,000 Active, Interested Readers with Access Press Classifieds. $13 up to 12 words, 60¢/word thereafter. Must be prepaid. Mail with check to: Access Press, 1821 University Ave W, #104S, St. Paul, MN 55104 • 651-644-2133 FOR RENT

Holmes-Greenway Housing: 9125 for availability informaOne- and two-bedroom wheel- tion. Equal Opportunity Houschair-accessible apartments. ing.

Section 8 subsidized. Convenient SE Minneapolis loca- Seward Square Apartments: tion. Call 612-378-0331 for We are currently accepting availability information. Equal applications for our waiting Hanuman & the Girl Prince Opportunity Housing. list for barrier-free housing, in Oct. 23 – Nov. 8 Minneapolis, that is federally SteppingStone Theatre, 55 Lewis Park Apartments: subsidized. For an applicaVictoria St. N., St. Paul. AD: Barrier-free housing with tion, please call 612-338-2680.

Fri., Oct. 30, 7 p.m. ASL: Sun., wheelchair users in mind. Sec- Equal Opportunity Housing.

Nov. 1, 3 p.m. Tix: Reduced tion 8 subsidized. One- and to $16 (reg. $11; child/senior two-bedroom units. For more 3BR/2bath lower Duplex in $9); Phone: 651-225-9265; E- information on availability call Edina. Wheel-chair accessible mail: info@steppingstone 651-488-9923. St. Paul, MN. ramp, bedroom, Roll-in theatre.org Web: www.step Equal Opportunity Housing. shower. Lovely neighborpingstonetheatre.org hood, 2 car garage. Available Oak Park Village: One-bed- 9/15. $1500/month + utilities.

The Rainmaker room wheelchair-accessible Lawn/snow removal included.

Through Oct. 24 apartments. Section 8 subsi- 1st month/last month rent plus Commonweal Theatre, 208 dized. Convenient St. Louis security deposit. Contact: Parkway Ave. N., Lanesboro. Park location. Call 952-935- 612-961-8698 ASL: Sun., Sept. 13, 1:30 p.m.

Tix: Half-price (reg. $25, student $12), Phone: 507-4672525, 800-657-7025, E-mail: tickets@commonwealtheatre.

Employment ads are $20-$22 per col. inch. org Web: www.commonweal Aug 31 is the deadline for the September 10 issue. theatre.org ■ Mail to: Access Press, 1821 University Ave. #104S, St. Paul, MN 55104 FAX 651-644-2136 • Email: access@accesspress.org

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16

September 10, 2009

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