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“No sensible decision can be made without taking into account not only the world as it is, but the world as it will be.”
■ Meet Anne Henry- pg 5 ■ Directory of Organizations- pp7-10 ■ ACT anniversary- pg 15
— Isaac Asimov Page 2 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Mpls. MN Permit No. 4766
Volume 20, Number 10
Minnesota’s Disability
Community Newspaper
October 10, 2009
Know what you must do to fend off a bout with the flu information from the Minnesota State Council on Disabilities and Access Press staff Having a disability alone may not place some at higher risk for complications from the Novel H1N1 Influenza (flu). People at high risk for complications from influenza (including seasonal and Novel H1N1 influenza) are children under 5 years of age (especially those under age 2), people with underlying medical conditions (such as heart, pulmonary or kidney disease, asthma, diabetes, neurological or neuromuscular disorders, or a suppressed immune system), pregnant women, and people over age 65. But all people with or without a disability need to think about their own health situation and how to reduce the spread of HINI by following the guidelines; the guidelines are the same for the general
population, though they add some planning considerations for persons with disabilities. Do all you can to prevent the spread of different types of flu. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the main way that all influenza viruses spread is from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes. This can happen when droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person are propelled through the air and deposited on the mouth or nose of people nearby. Influenza viruses may also be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets on another person or an object and then touches their own mouth or nose (or someone else’s mouth or nose) before washing their hands.
Practice good respiratory and hand hygiene, clean your hands often, with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub. Soap and water will need to be used if your hands are soiled with food, grease, dirt or other substances. Because many bathroom facilities aren’t accessible to individuals with physical disabilities and soap dispensers are typically located out of reach for typical wheelchair/scooter users, be sure to carry and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer or other waterless hand sanitizer. Remember, you should wash
with soap and water if your hands are soiled if possible because alcohol-based hand sanitizers won’t work under these conditions. Because germs can live so long on surfaces, it is recommended to carry and use alcohol-based hand sanitizers after touching surfaces—especially after reading Braille and tactile signage. Avoid sharing personal items. That includes items like drinks, food, or eating utensils. Since H1N1 is spread by coughing and sneezing, cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue—or your elbow if you are able. Hands should not be used to cover a cough or
sneeze. If you are coughing and sneezing and are not able to cover your coughs/sneezes, please consider staying home until you are no longer coughing and sneezing. Stay home if you have flu symptoms. That means a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or greater, with cough and/or a sore throat. Stay home for 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of medicines that reduce fever like Tylenol or Motrin. Other symptoms that may occur with influenza include runny nose, headache, body aches, and, sometimes with Novel H1N1 influenza, vomiting and diarrhea. Stay home for 24 hours after your fever is gone even if even if you are on antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu (oseltamivir) or have had a flu test that is nega-
tive. Flu tests are not always accurate. Contact your clinic BEFORE you make an in-person visit to a medical facility. It’s important not to spread the flu, so call first and discuss your need to be seen in a clinic setting. If life-threatening conditions exist, contact 911 immediately. Get a seasonal flu vaccine as soon as possible. (See related story.) In addition, get a vaccination for Novel H1N1 influenza when available. The vaccine is likely to be available in late September or October. Initial target groups for H1N1 vaccination are pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, people age 6 months to 24 years, H1N1 - cont. on p. 15
Accessible park ideas taking shape h hhh Shh
These — and so much more— could be yours. See page 5 to learn how to win some wonderful prizes, enjoy a great meal and be part of the Charlie Awards ceremony!
Don't miss out. Act NOW!
Xcel High Bridge is potential park site by Jane McClure About 50 acres of land below St. Paul’s Mississippi River High Bridge could be transformed into an accessible children’s playground, as well as space for the St. Paul Police Mounted Patrol and an offleash dog park. Ideas for the land are being discussed by area residents, prospective park users and land owner, Xcel Energy. A group including St. Paul Parks and Recreation, Planning and Economic Development (PED), Police, the Riverfront Corporation, neighborhood residents and parents of special needs children has been discussing ideas for the property, at the request of Ward Two Council Member Dave Thune. “We’d like to hear peoples’ ideas for the site and what they’d like to see put down there,” said Thune. The site was vacated when the old High Bridge power plant was torn down in 20072008. Xcel would maintain ownership of the property but would give the city a longterm lease for its use. No set
timeline has been announced for developing the park, which would need city as well as Xcel corporate approval. High Bridge Plant Manager Jim Zyduck said the possibilities of public use of the site are intriguing. Although any plan would have to be approved by Xcel at the corporate level, Zyduck believes there would be support for public use of the space. “The idea of providing play opportunities for children with special needs is especially exciting,” Zyduck said. The West Seventh/Fort Road Federation is the district council or neighborhood association for the area. Federation President David Bredemus said the ideas for the park would bring recreation features the community doesn’t have. It would also develop a prime riverfront site. “There is a lot of interests in seeing something happen with that land,” he said. Thune said he’d like to see the park meet needs that aren’t met by other St. Paul parks. He
has fielded numerous requests from parents of children with disabilities, who’d like to see the City of St. Paul build an accessible playground. Most of the city’s parks don’t have equipment that can be easily used by children with disabilities, such as swings designed for use by children in wheelchairs. One parent who spoke at a recent neighborhood meeting has a child in a wheelchair. The family has to travel elsewhere to find a park their child can enjoy. “There’s all kinds of equipment kids with disabilities can use,” said Thune. He is also interested in seeing if park space can be designed for children who need quiet time, having heard a need for that from the parents of an autistic child. Another idea that community members have expressed interest in is having the St. Paul Mounted Patrol horses stabled in a building at a park. The horses currently are stabled in Lake Elmo, and have to be transported back and forth when they are needed for patrols or special events. The
horses could be stabled at the park. The horses could also be available for volunteer activities with disabled children, including the “We Can Ride” program. A third idea that has found support is putting in a senior citizen exercise area or exercise trail with trail stations to test agility and fitness. Thune said he hears a number of requests for such equipment. Those concepts and other ideas are being sketched into plans by the Riverfront Corporation. A lot of things would have to fall into place before any park proposal is developed, said Gregory Page of the Riverfront Corporation. The city’s budget constraints mean that other private partners might have to be brought in to cover the park costs. But Thune, neighborhood residents and city staff said they believe there would be many prospective partners to help with a park, given the unique nature of what is proposed. ■