www.accesspress.org History Note
Inside
“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. ■
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October 10, 2009
Tim Benjamin, Editor Our sixth annual Charlie Smith awards are just around the corner, on Friday, Nov. 6. We hope to see everyone who has attended in the past, and we invite those who haven’t been a part of “one of the best evenings of the year” to join us. The gather-
ing will be held at a new location, the Minneapolis Airport Marriott just east of the Mall of America. It’s got great accessibility and transportation options. Also, for the first time, we will be having a silent auction with many neat items to bid on. This year’s Charlie Smith Award winner is, like all the past winners, a real leader in our community. Anne Henry, over the years, has been a very strong and effective supporter of disability causes. Anne is the first award recipient who doesn’t have a disability, yet she is as strong a supporter of our needs as anyone can be. I know she will continue the struggle along side of all of us, carrying the disability torch. The board of directors had an impressive group of candidates this year (and several of them were highlighted in last month’s issue). I
hope that if the person you nominated wasn’t chosen this year, you will nominate her or him again next year, because leadership is not a one-year thing! Watch for updates on the event. After the celebration, watch for news and highlights on our great new interactive Web site at www.access press.org. Advocating Change Together (ACT) celebrated their 30th anniversary on Oct. 1, with a boat cruise party on the Mississippi River. We are proud of all the individuals who have been leading ACT and advocating change together for all these years, especially Mary Kay Kennedy, Rick Cárdenas and Kathy Sanders, who have filled leadership and management roles for many of the 30 years. I know that they give thanks, and all the credit for success, to the many people who work with ACT, and to
ACT members, for their dedication to one another and to their disability community. I wouldn’t be the first to say that ACT is a real grassroots, member-driven organization; there is no question about that. This group has traveled the globe sharing their message of equality and true justice for all. I wish them 300 more years of empowering people. UCare explains in this issue the upcoming changes to UCare Complete and the Minnesota Disability Health Options (MnDHO) program and how the changes will affect Axis care clients. For now it looks like most everything will remain as is. In 2010 UCare Complete will not be covering Medicare. I’m not really sure what ultimately that will mean to individual Axis care members other than having to make a decision on prescription drug coverage, Medicare Part D,
which alone may not be a big deal. But there may be some drug co-pays again and some drugs not covered—which could be a big deal to some of us. We’ll keep everyone informed; not just because I’m on the plan, but because I’m a big fan of the concept of effective coordinated care and independent choice. I think, or hope, that Axis is a plan that is leading the way for the future. I truly hope that it will remain a strong, viably and independent option for Minnesotans with disabilities. (See page 4.) Speaking about independent choice and options, the Disability Law Center is working with several other groups to stop the involuntary uses of electroconvulsive shock therapy (ECT) by doctors and institutions in Minnesota unless they have the individual’s permission or a specifically written court order. This treat-
ment is probably very effective for some, but it seems to me that performing this kind of invasive treatment against a person’s will is barbaric and completely against what all of us are struggling to achieve; individual self-determination. We are in the beginning stages of cold and flu season. The Minnesota Department of Health is very concerned about the potential for a very serious outbreak of the H1N1 flu. We all have to take all of the recommended precautions; get your flu shots, both seasonal and the H1N1, stay out of crowds, maintain good nutrition and consult your doctor, care coordinator or visiting nurse at the first sign of flu. Don’t panic, but keep people abreast of your health status—which I hope is good! ■
History Note
Institutionalized children lived in bleak conditions by Luther Granquist Minnesota has a long history of placing children in institutions. From January 1867 through October 1881 about 120 children were committed to Minnesota’s first Hospital for the Insane at St. Peter. Most of the older teenagers were said to have mania or depression, and many of them were discharged within six months to a year. For them, the hospital may have served a purpose. About 50 of these children, most of them 14 or younger, were labeled “idiot” or “imbecile.” Neither the trustees nor the superintendent of the institution wanted to serve them. The brief patient records reflect the attitude toward these children. The physician wrote that Carry, from McLeod County, was one of the “most
distressing & disgusting cases ever in the house” and that “fortunately for the attendants and the institution” her parents took her home. That same physician also wrote that a different child named Henry from Faribault County “on the whole was the most disgusting case ever admitted here.” For most of the children, the living area was a wide hallway, initially in the Ewing House, a three-story building in downtown St. Peter with an attached two-story frame building, or in the upper level of the south or north wings of the permanent hospital. Some of them did not even get a chance to live in a hallway. Two young boys, one 7 years old and the other 14, were confined to the same room and, it appears, to the same bed. The
physician wrote that one of them “whines & sways his body and shakes his hands with fingers sprawling or pounds and scratches himself.” The other was “in bed emaciated to a skeleton” with “limbs drawn up & muscles fixed.” There is no record of any treatment. A commission established by the legislature said both boys should be sent back to their county, but both died in 1878 before that was done. Of Pauline, a 10-year-old girl, the physician wrote “There is nothing of interest in this case” and that “she makes herself so disgusting to the other patients that she has to be kept isolated most of the time to avoid having her. . . abused by the other patients.” William, a teenager from St. Paul, was confined to his room
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 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
“owing to filthy habits.” Eightyear-old John from Isanti County was “so restless and troublesome to the other patients that he was not allowed on the hall with them, for fear that they will knock him over and hurt him.” He was confined to his bed all the time where he kept his head covered and whined and cried. William and John died at St. Peter. Pauline and about 20 other children were moved to The Upper Flat North, Third Hall, St. Peter State Hospital Photo from St. Peter Regional Treatment Center Museum the Experimental School for Collection, courtesy of Sara Witty Idiots and Imbeciles in Faribault in 1879. At that time, [The photo in the banner at the top of page 1 is courtesy of this move provided a better the Nicollet County Historical Society.] life for these children, but it established for a century the practice of keeping children like them in an institution. ■ The History Note is a monthly column sponsored by the Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities, www.mncdd.org and www.partnersinpolicymak ing. com
October 10, 2009
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Seasonal flu can also pose health risks by Jane McClure In the flurry of attention devoted to HIN1 flu, don’t forget that seasonal flu can also cause serious health risks for persons with disabilities. The Centers for Disease Control and Minnesota Department of Health offer many useful tips for those trying to ward off seasonal flu. Persons with disabilities should be especially mindful of the need to have a seasonal flu shot and to make sure their caregivers and family members are also vaccinated. Seasonal flu can strike quickly. Symptoms include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (more common in children than adults). Flu can lead to complications including bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of certain chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.
Seasonal flu, also called influenza, is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. The best way to prevent seasonal flu is by getting a seasonal flu vaccination each year. Vaccines are given either in the form of a shot or a nasal mist. According to the CDC, the flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions, and pregnant women. Nasal mist works best for healthy persons up to age 49. In Minnesota this fall there have been shortages of the seasonal flu vaccine. But state officials indicate that vaccine is still available, though doctors and through community flu shot clinics. To find out where to go to get a flu shot or flu vaccine (including FluMist, a nasal spray), contact your health care provider or visit www.mdh flu.com and click on Find a Seasonal Flu Shot
The problem of vaccine shortages may actually be a good sign, said Kristen Ehresmann, director of the Infectious Disease, Epidemiology and Control Division for the Minnesota Department of Health. “So many Minnesotans have been responding to our calls to get vaccinated early for seasonal influenza this year that the supply in the pipeline hasn’t been able to keep up with the demand,” she said. “But more vaccine is on the way, so keep checking back with your provider to find out when they will have it.” Minnesotans seeking seasonal flu shots who find their health care provider is temporarily out of vaccine should not be discouraged, state health officials say, but should keep checking with their provider to see when more will be available. Adequate supplies of seasonal flu vaccine are expected in the state, but some providers have already used up their
initial orders while others have not yet received theirs. Who is considered to be high risk for seasonal flu? People age 50 and older, and anyone of any age with a chronic medical condition or compromised immune system is at high risk. So are children six months through 18 years of age and pregnant women. Residents of nursing homes and other longterm care facilities need to be vaccinated, as do health care and personal care workers. If you are in a household with persons in the various risk categories or if you work with people who are considered high risk, it is also advised that you be vaccinated. “Getting the seasonal flu shot as it becomes available is an important step in protecting yourself from the influenza season that we anticipate in MN,” Ehresmann said. According to the CDC, every year in the United States on average 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from seasonal flu complications, including 20,000 children. About 36,000 people die from seasonal flu. That’s why seasonal flu vaccinations are important for you, day or week. They are more your family members and your likely to need to work (no paid personal care providers. The sick leave) when ill and they single best way to protect are at increased risk of infection related to their income and lack of health insurance (30% have no health insurance coverage). In the increasingly likely event of pandemic flu outbreak, direct care workers will be expected to care for their usual clients in the community, 30% of whom live alone, and one in five of whom have no other primary caregiver. They may also be asked to care for family, friends and other needy clients outside their caseload. Unlike their colleagues who work in institutions, home care workers don’t usually have access to standard infection control measures. In a survey conducted in Illinois in 2006, we found only 18% of home care workers reported having surgical masks available, none had access to N95/respirators, Only about one-fourth (27%) had gotten a flu shot in the previous year. As an essential part of the health care infrastructure, direct care workers should receive high priority for vaccination; antiviral prophylaxis and treatment; access to and training in use of respiratory protection; and paid sick leave. In addition, employers should make sure that N95 respirators are available to and fitted for their care giving staff in accordance with OSHA regulations, and healthcare workers should use the equipment as required by regulations and employer policies. ■
Caregivers need to stay healthy, flu-free too Compiled by Access Press staff The Minnesota State Council on Disability, Minnesota Health Department, World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control offer many helpful tips for persons who rely on caregivers. Many people who receive care have compromised immune systems or other special needs therefore keeping caregivers healthy in the face of the flu threat is crucial. The best way to prevent the flu from being spread by a caregiver is direct communication. It is essential to discuss with the caregiver, that if he or she does become ill, they should take all precautions not put you at risk. Contact your care provider and discuss this before the flu strikes. Personal preparedness efforts are critical when looking at maintaining personal health. If a person with a disability uses a direct care service such as a personal care attendant (PCA), visiting nurse or home health aide, it is important to discuss what the plans would be if the care provider were to become ill. Questions that need to be addressed are: Will someone else come in the usual PCA’s place? Has the caregiver received a seasonal influenza vaccination? If not, request that this person get vaccinated. When Novel H1N1 vaccine is available, ask that the PCA get vaccinated. Ask your care provider company about the type of flu prevention training the staff receives. Also ask, do I have other support services available to me if the care provider cannot come? Think of others such as family,
community members, and other organizations that may be available to assist. For health care workers and care providers: If you are a caregiver or a family member with questions, some Web sites provide useful information for caregivers. Learn how to care for a person with flu symptoms at home, and when to seek medical attention. Check the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Web sites. www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guid ance_homecare.htm, www. health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc /diseases/flu/h1n1/basics/ care/ www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/ and www. cdc.gov/H1N1FLU/ A recent Direct Care Network Newsletter outlined some of the issues caregivers must consider. This information was prepared by Jane Lipscomb, RN, PhD, Director, University of Maryland’s Work and Health Research Center. She is a Direct Care Association Board member. The remarks are excerpted from a presentation Lipscomb recently gave. If you’re a direct care worker who may be exposed to people with H1N1 flu, you should be fitted for a respirator and use it as needed to protect against becoming infected yourself. Direct care workers may be at increased risk for the H1N1 flu for a number of reasons: They travel between/care for multiple clients, many of them elderly and people with disabilities, over the course of a
against seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year. Fall is the best time to get vaccinated, but getting vaccinated later in the flu season—in December, January, and beyond—still provides protection, as flu season normally peaks in January or later. It typically takes about two weeks for a seasonal flu vaccine to take effect. Seasonal flu vaccines will NOT provide protection against 2009 H1N1 influenza. The 2009 H1N1 vaccine is currently in production and initial doses of licensed vaccine are expected to be available by October. Seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 vaccines may be administered on the same day, with the exception that persons who wish to receive live nasal-spray vaccines for both seasonal and 2009 H1N1 influenza. According to the CDC, they will need to receive those vaccines at least four weeks apart. Ask your medical professional for details specific to your specific health situation. In general, anyone who wants to reduce the chances of getting the flu can and should get vaccinated every year. Full protection from influenza this year may require at least two vaccinations for most people:
one for seasonal (regular) flu and one for Novel H1N1, so it’s not too early to start thinking about when and where you will get your seasonal flu shot. Children under age nine may require two doses of seasonal vaccine and are also in the recommended group to receive 2009 H1N1 vaccine. Some health care and vaccination providers have already received some of their orders for seasonal flu vaccine, and they are being encouraged to offer the flu shots to patients as soon as they have it. However, health officials say flu shots can be given at almost any time during the flu season. Seasonal influenza usually arrives in Minnesota in December or January, according to MDH. Seasonal flu shots are typically administered from October through January or February, with the bulk given in November. However, this year is different. Vaccine manufacturers and providers have attempted to make seasonal flu vaccine available earlier than usual so that when vaccine for the Novel H1N1 virus arrives, now expected to be by midOctober, the public and the health care system can focus on getting the H1N1 vaccinations. ■
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October 10, 2009
This Month’s Issue Sponsor
UCare Complete stays the course in 2010; UCare Connect expands to metro area Though some changes are in store for Minnesota health care programs in 2010, the Minnesota Disability Health Options (MnDHO) program, offered as UCare Complete, will continue to offer care, service, and coverage to Minnesota adults with disabilities. That’s the word from UCare (www.ucare.org), an independent, nonprofit health plan that contracts with the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) to offer UCare Complete for people with physical disabilities who live in the seven-county metro area. UCare also offers UCare Connect, a Special Needs Plan for people with physical and developmental disabilities, and mental illness, which enrolls members in 34 Greater Minnesota counties.
Though changes are planned, care and service continue First and foremost in the new year, UCare Complete members will continue to receive care coordination, necessary medical services, and homeand community-based services, said Ghita Worcester, senior vice president, marketing and public affairs, UCare. And AXIS Healthcare, UCare’s UCare Complete partner, will continue providing care coordination across all services. UCare Complete members must have a certified primary physical disability; be at least 18 years old and under age 65; be on Medical Assistance, with or without Medicare Parts A and B; and live in the UCare Complete service area of Hen-
We would like to acknowledge and thank UCare Minnesota for sponsoring our Web site and this month's issue of Access Press! We thank you and appreciate you!
nepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Dakota, Washington, Carver, or Scott counties. The program currently combines both Medical Assistance and Medicare benefits for enrollees known as “dually eligible” members. However, due to Medicare payment changes, UCare Complete will cover only Medical Assistance benefits starting Jan. 1, 2010, and no longer combine Medicare and Medical Assistance benefits. “This change required us to make some very difficult decisions,” said Worcester. “We cannot cover these deep Medicare reimbursements cuts from the federal government. So we acted to adjust UCare Complete and continue offering this valuable program to as many individuals as possible.” New in 2010 will be the need for dually eligible members who remain eligible for both Medical Assistance and Medicare to choose their Medicare benefits from Original Medicare, or from an additional health plan or standalone Part D (Medicare prescription drug coverage) plan. These members will need to choose a new Medicare Part D prescription drug plan with an effective date of Jan. 1, 2010. UCare recommends members begin this enrollment process
no sooner than Dec. 1, 2009, because if they enroll in a Medicare Part D plan before Dec. 1, 2009, they will be removed from UCare Complete. For UCare Complete enrollees who are only eligible for Medical Assistance, but not Medicare, “UCare Complete in 2010 will continue to provide these members with care coordination, necessary medical services, and home- and community-based services,” Worcester said. UCare Complete’s support structure for all members remains the same, too. UCare will continue to handle the administrative matters and provider network, which was created using input from people with disabilities. The network includes medical specialists, primary care physicians, dentists, and personal care attendants/assistants with the leading providers and care systems across the Greater Twin Cities area. AXIS Healthcare still provides the multi-disciplinary care coordination services through health coordinators who offer information, care coordination, timely care delivery, and are an on-call, around-the-clock resource. UCare will notify members of member meetings it is holding in November about plan
changes in 2010. UCare also suggests people contact the Disability Linkage Line (1866-333-2466 toll free, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The TTY number is 711) for Medicare or Part D plan details. “UCare has been a longtime program pioneer and advocate for people with disabilities,” said Worcester. “We are committed to UCare Complete and providing our members with resources they need to live healthy and independent lives.” UCare Connect expands to metro in 2010 UCare Connect is UCare’s innovative and voluntary plan designed expressly for adult Minnesotans who have physical or developmental disabilities, and/or mental illness. Like UCare Complete, it offers a personal and coordinated approach to care. It emphasizes prevention and management of chronic care needs, and helps to effectively navigate health and social service systems. UCare Connect is a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan that serves people certified as having a disability. DHS classifies UCare Connect as a Special Needs Plan for Medicaid recipients. It integrates
Medicaid and Medicare services for Minnesotans who are 18-64 years old; receive Medical Assistance without Medicare, or with Medicare Parts A, B, and D. Effective Jan. 1, 2010, UCare Connect will expand beyond its 34-county service area in Greater Minnesota to Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Dakota, Washington, Carver, and Scott counties in the metro area. UCare Connect members receive care from the same, extensive provider network serving the approximately 65,000 members of UCare’s UCare for Seniors Medicare Advantage plan. They can use UCare’s See-A-Dentist Guarantee to schedule routine dental appointments within 30 days, and receive care aboard UCare Tooth Care mobile dental unit. To learn more about the advantages of membership in UCare Complete or UCare Connect, contact UCare at 612-676-3554, or 1-800-7071711 (toll free). TTY: 612676-6810 or 1-800-688-2534 (toll free), between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Or, visit www.ucare. org and click on “Health Programs.” ■
ECT work group proposes more protections with forced treatment by Pamela Hoopes Minnesota law governing the use of involuntary electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is undergoing a review by a work group led by the Mental Health Consumer Survivor Network of Minnesota (CSN) and the
Minnesota Disability Law Center (MDLC). The group’s goal is to propose legislative changes that will strengthen individual’s rights in the process. The use of involuntary ECT in Minnesota became an issue of public debate this year when a Minnesota man challenged a court order that subjected him to a lengthy course of ECT
treatments against his will. Ray Sandford’s plight drew international attention and was widely publicized by groups including Mindfreedom. Recently Sandford’s involuntary treatments ended but only because the doctor ordering the treatments withdrew from his case. Many people voluntarily choose ECT as a form of treat-
Full lives for people with disabilities
Substance abuse treatment
for adults with cognitive disabilities Comprehensive program characterized by adaptation to learning styles, ‘whole person’ health and well-being approach to recovery, and slower-pace with frequent repetition. Residential and outpatient services available.
Phone/TDD 763.479.3555 www.vinlandcenter.org
ment. However, under Minnesota law ECT is considered an intrusive treatment that cannot be forced on an individual without a court order. A legal guardian cannot consent to ECT, and court orders authorizing involuntary ECT must contain reasonable time limits. The key Minnesota Supreme Court case of Price v. Sheppard sets out other requirements as well. Although Minnesota provides fairly robust protections compared to other states, the work group’s review of the law indicates that more could be done to ensure that individuals’ rights are protected before they receive this intrusive medical procedure against their will. A definite time limit for court orders would provide greater protection for individuals. Five other states have laws that specify a time limit for court orders for involuntary ECT, ranging from 45 days to one year. The work group is also examining the procedures governing involuntary ECT in the ECT - cont. on p. 14
October 10, 2009
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2009 Charlie Award winner
Her commitment to Minnesota’s disability community and its institutionalized children is recognized by Luther Granquist When Anne Henry, the recipient of this year’s Access Press Charlie Smith Award, is asked what she considered the most important issues she had worked on during her career at the Disability Law Center, she placed the “Welsch kids’ cases” at the top of the list. In 1980, Henry was part of a team of lawyers in the class action involving the rights of persons with developmental disabilities in Minnesota’s state institutions. She had primary responsibility for the issues relating to admission and discharge of children. As she discussed these issues with expert witnesses on both sides of the case, Henry realized how important it was to end admission of children to the institutions. The section on Special Procedures Regarding Admission of Children in the Consent Decree approved in September of that year was largely her work. That section stated that an appropriate community placement had to be developed within a year for any child with developmental disabilities admitted to a state institution. It also provided for hearings before the court monitor if a county requested an extension of time to develop a placement. She took responsibility for enforcing that section. Henry was uniquely qualified to focus on these issues. As a girl she planned to become a teacher. She graduated from the University of Minnesota with a major in child psy-
chology and obtained certification as a nursery, preschool and kindergarten teacher. After graduation she taught at a preschool for children of University of Colorado students and then at a University of Colorado laboratory school in Denver where children with disabilities were included in regular classes. Teaching was in her genes. Her mother, Elizabeth, taught English in Melrose after she graduated from the College of St. Benedict. Her father, Edward, taught political science and economics at St. John’s University for many years. The “kids’ cases” required a thorough analysis of each child’s individual needs. Henry recalled that many of the children had significant medical needs. A plan had to be developed to ensure that those services would be provided. Parents, social workers and sometimes doctors had to be convinced that the child would be safe. Henry was appalled at the intensive aversive behavioral programs implemented for some of the other children. She insisted that positive behavior programs had to be in place when these children were discharged. Henry said that she had a lot of help, primarily from Cathy Macdonald, the program specialist hired by the Disability Law Center to assist on these cases. But all would agree that Henry’s background and experience
and her ability to work through issues with all the people involved was a crucial component of a successful effort to end the practice of admitting children to state institutions. She simply said that it was a joy to work on bringing children back into the community. Henry had primary responsibility for another issue in the Welsch case that led to her work for decades in the Minnesota Legislature. The consent decree required that legislation be introduced to eliminate the fiscal incentive for counties to place persons with developmental disabilities in state institutions. For years counties had paid significantly more for services for persons in the community than for services in the state hospitals. Henry monitored the legislative proposals required to eliminate that disparity, but soon realized that her clients needed an ongoing voice there. She expanded the scope of her legislative work to address related issues such as waivered services, the Personal Care Attendant (PCA) program, and allowing children with disabilities to be eligible for services without regard to parental income. Getting rid of this “deeming requirement” was, she said, a huge step toward allowing children to live in their home communities. She said that the waiver has allowed a lot of families to get services flexible enough to meet the needs
of children so that they could grow up at home. These two issues exemplify her career. The kids’ cases demonstrate her insistence that individual needs must be identified and met. Her work on the fiscal incentive and related issues displays her mastery of the legal and policy issues presented. Henry is buoyed by the memory of the legislative action several years ago to capture unspent funds for persons on the waiting list for waivered services for persons with developmental disabilities. She recalled the successful efforts of the mid-nineties to preserve the PCA program and Tax Equity Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA), which provides health care for children with disabilities. But she asks sobering questions today. “Why is it that this rich nation requires people to
Anne Henry, 2009’s Access Press Charlie Smith Award impoverish themselves to get medical care?” The “greatest challenge,” she said, “is how to survive in an era of shrinking resources that has an over-
lay of extreme selfishness.” She challenges us to be vigilant so that we don’t slide back to policies and practices of times past. ■
Food, fun, silent auction items at annual banquet Attend banquet, donate to silent auction Tickets are still available for the Access Press Charlie Smith Award 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? Access Press is also offering organizations, businesses and individuals the opportunities to sponsor a table or tables. Rates are $1,000 and $500. Contact the newspaper if you would like to sponsor a table. Contact the newspaper at 651-644-2133 or dawn@ accesspress.org if you would like to donate. All donors will be recognized at the event, in the newspaper and on the Web site at www.accesspress.org ■
Diamond Hill Townhomes We are currently accepting applications for our waiting list at Diamond Hill Townhomes, a great property located near the Minneapolis International Airport. We have two and three bedroom townhomes that are HUD subsidized and rent is 30% of the total household's adjusted gross income. We have a large number of mobility impaired accessible units and we are scheduling appointments for persons in need of a mobility impaired accessible unit immediately. To schedule an appointment please call (612) 726-9341.
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October 10, 2009
Regional news in review . . . Crime victims, disabilities are studied People with disabilities are 1.5 times more likely to be victims of violent crime than nondisabled people, according to a U.S. Department of Justice Study. The study found that people 12 or older with disabilities in 2007 experienced about 716,000 nonfatal violent crimes, including rape or sexual assault, robbery and assault. They were also victims in 2.3 million property crimes, such as burglaries, motor-vehicle or other thefts. The study is the first of its kind. It indicated that the violent crime rate was 32 per 1,000 for people with disabilities 12 or older. That’s compared to 21 per 1,000 for the nondisabled for the same age group. Michael Rand, a co-author of the study who heads crime victim statistics at the Bureau of Justice Statistics, said it’s likely the disabled are victimized more because they are seen as easier targets. “It’s clear that overall, people with disabilities are more vulnerable to being a victim of violent crime than others,” he said. But the study isn’t clear as to what extent people with disabilities were targeted because of their physical status. Nearly one in five of the violent-crime victims believed their disability was the motivating factor. In one-third of the cases, the victims perceived offenders to be under the influence of either alcohol or drugs. One finding of the study is that young and middle-age people with disabilities were nearly twice as likely to be a victim as their nondisabled counterparts. Women with a disability were almost twice as likely to be a victim of a violent crime as their nondisabled counterparts. The rate was 35 per 1,000 people age 12 or older. Men with disabilities also experienced higher rates of violence. Sixteen percent of violent crimes against women with disabilities were committed by an intimate partner, such as a spouse or boyfriend, compared to 27 percent for women without disabilities. Five percent of violence against men with disabilities involved an intimate partner, compared to 3 percent for men without disabilities. The full study is available at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/ [Source: Associated Press]
Abercrombie’s must pay fine in autism case A controversy involving an Apple Valley teenager with autism and the retail giant Abercrombie & Fitch has resulted in a hefty fine from the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. But the store’s appeal of an $115,264 fine for discriminating against Molly Maxson was thrown out last month on a technicality. Abercrombie failed to send a document by certified mail. The Minnesota Department of Human Rights announced that it had penalized the clothing retailer after it didn’t let Maxson, an autistic teenager from Apple Valley, be accompanied by her sister in a fitting room at its Mall of America store in 2005. Store employees would not relent, even after Molly’s sister and mother explained that, because of her disability, the teen could not be alone. Maxson was 14 at the time. She said the store’s actions made her feel badly about herself. State officials also ordered Abercrombie to train its employees to accommodate customers with disabilities and to put up signs in its seven Minnesota stores about how customers can seek exceptions to the company’s one-person-per-fitting-room policy. Abercrombie appealed the fine and corrective actions, but sent the petition for the appeal to the Department of Human Rights by first-class mail, rather than by certified mail or handdelivery. First-class mail doesn’t comply with the procedures of the Minnesota Court of Appeals, so the court dismissed the appeal Sept. 15. Ian Laurie, an attorney for Maxson, said he had a communication from Abercrombie that indicated the company would no longer fight the penalties. “I think that the family is glad that this is finally over,” Laurie said. “Now we can kind of move on.” Michael Browne, legal affairs manager for the state Department of Human Rights, said he’s expecting the company to move forward on the agency’s orders. “It’s time to put up those signs,” Browne said. [Source: Star Tribune]
Stolen trike found, returned A St. Paul North End man, who is developmentally disabled, had his prized stolen trike returned after an extensive search. Ruag MacKay, 47, relies on the adult trike as his main means of transportation. It was stolen from his family’s backyard in late September. The red TriStar Adult trike was found a day later on the city’s East Side. No one has been arrested in connection with the theft. Police repaired the trike’s broken headlight before returning it to MacKay, who jumped onto the trike and rode it around his block after getting it back. MacKay is a well-known figure in the North End, shoveling
snow, cutting grass on vacant lots and helping to keep his neighborhood clean. He is often seen riding the trike, which has a white basket, bell and United States flag flying from it. He has been honored by the neighborhood for his volunteer work. His neighbors, Linda and John Jungwirth, led the effort to get the trike returned or replaced. Before the trike was found, offers of a replacement or funds to buy a replacement poured in. But his friends noted that MacKay, who is known as “Rugy,” really just wanted his old trike back. [Source: St. Paul Police Department, Access Press staff]
Federal grant to increase health care access The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has been awarded almost $35.3 million over five years to help uninsured Minnesotans receive health care through local access to care programs. The money will be used to make grants to community agencies for programs providing affordable coverage for preventive health care services to people who are not eligible for public programs and unable to afford private insurance. Minnesota was one of 13 states to receive funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The first-year grant is $4.6 million and the state will need to re-apply for funding each year to access the full $35 million. An additional $30 million from non-federal sources will be contributed to the total project funding primarily from in-kind services from community agencies and DHS. “Partnerships between state, local, and private entities are important in providing health care for the uninsured,” said Minnesota Human Services Commissioner Cal Ludeman. “These grants will help community health organizations provide preventative care.” Initially three community agencies will receive funding to expand local access to care programs, also known as multishare models, with funding provided by a combination of community sources, employers and enrollees: Portico Healthnet, which serves low-income uninsured individuals and families in Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey and Washington counties; HealthShare of Duluth, which will expand its multi-share program to include people in St. Louis, Carlton, Cook, Lake, Itasca, Koochiching and Aitkin counties; and PrimeWest Health that will create a program to serve Beltrami, Big Stone, Clearwater, Douglas, Grant, Hubbard, McLeod, Meeker, Pipestone, Pope, Renville, Stevens and Traverse counties. Up to 10,000 uninsured Minnesotans are estimated to receive coverage through the programs, which are expected to be open to people with incomes ranging from about $37,900 for a single person to $77,175 for a family of four. DHS will provide tools and assistance to community agencies to enroll people who are eligible in the local access to care programs or state health care programs. DHS will also expand the multi-share models statewide through grants and create a supportive infrastructure for the programs. The programs will be evaluated by the State Health Access Data Assistance Center at the University of Minnesota Division of Health Policy and Management in the School of Public Health. [Source: Minnesota Department of Health]
care for people who are poor and uninsured. The 3 percent tax increase proposed in the budget would bring in only $18 million toward that problem. The board will adopt a budget in December after three months of public hearings. [Source: Star Tribune]
Grants available to artists with disabilities Minnesota artists with disabilities can apply to receive a Career Advancement Grant of $1,250 from VSA arts of Minnesota. Seven grants will be awarded to individuals in any art discipline: visual, performing, written, media, etc. This year’s grants focus on rewarding upcoming artist projects. Funded for the 14th straight year by the Jerome Foundation, the program’s goals are to recognize excellence in arts produced by persons with disabilities; provide tangible encouragement and financial awards to artists with disabilities who wish to undertake creative projects to benefit their careers; and identify Minnesota artists with disabilities whose art is a serious pursuit guided by a personal, artistic vision. The program is open to any Minnesota resident (including 60 previous grant recipients) with a disability, using the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) definition: a person has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of a substantially limiting impairment to a major life activity, or is regarded by others as having a substantially limiting impairment. Persons whose artwork was prepared for educational credit are not eligible. For an application go to www.vsaartsmn.org, call 612-332-3888 or 800-801-3883, voice/TTY, or email jon@vsaartsmn.org Applications must be postmarked by Friday, Nov. 13. Please specify if you need a format other than print or e-mail (PC diskette, audiotape, Braille or large print).
Develop services for older Minnesotans
The Minnesota Department of Human Services has awarded $2.4 million in grants to community organizations throughout the state to help aging Minnesotans live independently and remain in their own homes as long as possible. The grants provide seed money to develop services that improve chronic disease management, link formal and informal long-term care services and promote independence for seniors. Examples of services funded include: caregiver support and education, home delivery of services, telehealth support, mobile health service programs, home modifications and repair, transportation, care coordination, homemaker services and health education. “We are very pleased to be able to award these grants to these innovative organizations,” said Loren Colman, DHS assistant commissioner for Continuing Care. “Our grantees this year have embraced change while also focusing on the needs of older adults across Minnesota. These grants recognize their forward thinking and desire to help others.” Funding is from the Community Service and Community Services Development grant program, which has funded 300 projects throughout Minnesota since 2001. More than 150,000 Minnesotans age 65 and over have benefited from improvements made as the result of the grants. Twenty organizations throughout the state were selected to receive grants in the counties where services will be provided. Cuts force property tax increase Hennepin County’s 2010 budget faces reductions in service [Source: Minnesota Department of Health] in a number of areas, as well as a 3 percent property tax increase needed in part to cover state cuts to state funding for health care. Finding a job can be difficult County Administrator Richard Johnson presented a $1.6 bilMore than 13 million Americans between ages 16 and 64 say lion budget in September to the county board. The total budget they have a medical condition that makes it difficult to find a job is down about 6 percent from this year’s $1.71 billion. or remain employed, which is nearly 13 percent higher than two But even after cutting 163 jobs and reducing capital improve- years ago, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Many more ments, the county still needs to raise property taxes by 3 percent individuals have some level of disability, and October provides solely to pay increased costs at Hennepin County Medical an opportunity to highlight their contributions and needs during Center, Johnson said. Those higher costs were caused by the National Disability Awareness Month. Organizations, includstate’s cancellation of General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) ing Allsup, a nationwide provider of Social Security disability for poor adults, he said. Hearing that, county commissioners representation and Medicare services, are helping to draw began their budget deliberations by blasting Gov. Pawlenty attention to this month’s observance. again for shifting the state’s budget problems to them. The Disabilities can result from chronic illness, injury or a county estimates that 40 percent of the state’s poor adults who combination of conditions affecting individuals. Earlier this were covered by the state program live in Hennepin County. year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) The tax increase is required “just because the governor cut the said more adults—one in five—report that they have a disabillegs out’’ from under thousands of low-income adults who ity. The CDC estimates 47.5 million people in the United States depended on assistance, Commissioner Gail Dorfman said. have a disability. The incidence of disability increases as Rather than raising state taxes, Pawlenty is “balancing the state people age. A CDC study found that 11 percent of those ages budget on the backs of property taxpayers in counties and 18 to 44 have a disability. The amount increased to 23.9 percent cities,’’ Commissioner Peter McLaughlin said. for ages 45-65, and 51.8 percent for ages 65 and older. “The General Assistance Medical Care cut is the biggest The five most common causes of disability among U.S. example for us,’’ he said. Pawlenty shifted those health care adults are arthritis or rheumatism, back or spinal problems, costs to the counties “at the same time he is opposed to national heart trouble, mental or emotional problems, and lung or health care reform.’’ respiratory problems, according to the CDC. Rounding out the Board Chair Mike Opat said residents may wonder “how can top 10 causes are diabetes, deafness or hearing problems, the property tax budget go up’’ in such economic times. But, stiffness or deformity of limbs/extremities, blindness or vision Opat said, the county pays $43 million a year to provide health News - cont. on p. 14
October 10, 2009
Directory of Organizations Minnesota’s Disability Community Newspaper VOICE LINE ADVOCACY
Advocating Change Together (ACT) V-651-641-0297 Arc Greater Twin Cities V-952-920-0855 Arc of Minnesota V-651-523-0823x115 Assoc. of Residential Resources in MN V-651-291-1086 Courage Center V-763-588-0811 Hearing Loss Assoc. of America (HLAATC) V-763-537-7558 MN Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities V-651-523-0829x112 MN Developmental Achievement-Center Assoc V-651-647-9200 Telephone Equipment Distribution Program V-651-297-1507 (MN Dept. of Human Services) TF-800-657-3663
ASSISTED-LIVING PROGRAMS Dungarvin, Inc. — Minnesota
COMMUNITY LIVING
Cooperating Community Programs DeafBlind Services Minnesota Dungarvin, Inc. — Minnesota Howry Residential Services Mary T. Inc. Metro Work Center, Inc. Opportunity Partners Reach for Resources REM Minnesota S MN Independ. Living Enterprises/Services
F-651-523-0829 F-651-647-9353 F-651-251-6388 TTY-866-206-6555
www.selfadvocacy.org www.arcgreatertwincities.org www.thearcofminnesota.org www.arrm.org www.CourageCenter.org www.hlaatc.org www.mnccd.org www.mndaca.org www.tedprogram.org
V-612-378-2742 V-763-588-0811 V-651-641-0491 V-612-869-3995
TTY-800-669-6442 TTY-763-520-0245 F-651-645-2780 V-651-457-4756
www.braininjurymn.org www.CourageCenter.org www.tandemresidential.com www.opportunitypartners.org
V/TTY-763-479-3555
F-763-479-2605
www.vinlandcenter.org
V-651-917-8322 V-612-362-8454 V-651-699-6050 V-651-917-9111x204 V-763-754-2505 V/TTY-612-729-7381 V-952-938-5511 V-952-988-4177 V-952-945-4952 V/TTY-507-345-7139
F-651-917-8311 TTY-612-362-8422 TTY-651-695-5802 F-651-917-1018 TF-888-255-6400 F-612-729-7382 TTY-952-930-4293 F-952-988-6728 F-952-922-6885 TF-888-676-6498
www.theccpinc.com www.dbsm.org www.dungarvin.com www.howryinc.com www.marytinc.com www.metroworkcenter.org www.opportunitypartners.org www.reachforresources.org www.remminnesota.org www.smilescil.org
V-651-209-3350 V-612-362-4437
F-651-641-8623
www.ccpcdcs.com www.cipmn.org
V-651-748-7436 V-612-752-8100 V-218-722-9700 V-320-259-5717 V-612-331-4584
V-507-494-0905 TTY-612-752-8019
V-320-529-6500x6271 www.mrc-mn.org www.mrc-mn.org www.mrc-mn.org www.upstreamarts.org
CCP Self Directed Services Community Involvement Programs
EDUCATION
Community Education Network on Disabilities Minnesota Resource Center Minnesota Resource Center - Duluth Minnesota Resource Center – St. Cloud Upstream Arts
Assistive Technology of Minnesota CCP Works! (Cooperating Community Prog.) Community Connections Partnership Community Involvement Programs Cooperating Community Programs Courage Center East Suburban Resources Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota Kaposia Inc.
TF-800-641-0059 F-952-920-1480 TF-800-582-5256 TTY-800-551-2211 TTY-763-520-0245
E-MAIL/WEB SITE
www.dungarvin.com
CONSUMER-DIRECTED COMMUNITY SUPPORTS
EMPLOYMENT/VOCATION
SECOND LINE
TTY-651-695-5802
Brain Injury Association of Minnesota Courage Center Tandem Residential TBI Metro Services — Richfield & W. St. Paul
Vinland National Center
www.accesspress.org
V-651-699-6050
BRAIN INJURY
CHEMICAL HEALTH
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V-763-479-8239 V-763-540-6833x305 V-763-540-6833x302 V-952-851-6181 V-651-917-8322 V-763-588-0811 V-651-351-0190 V-651-379-5800 V/TTY-651-224-6974
F-480-393-5587
TF-866-535-8239 www.atmn.org F-651-917-8311 www.theccpinc.com www.communityconnectionspartnership.org V-952-851-6193 www.cipmn.org F-651-641-8623 www.theccpinc.com TTY-763-520-0245 www.CourageCenter.org www.esrworks.org F-651-379-5803 www.goodwilleasterseals.org F-651-224-7249 www.kaposia.com
Directory of Organizations - cont. on next page
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.)
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October 10, 2009
Dir ector y of Or ganiza tions Director ectory Org anizations Minnesota’s Disability Community Newspaper VOICE LINE EMPLOYMENT/VOCATION (continued)
Lifetrack Resources — Minneapolis V-612-788-8855 Lifetrack Resources — St. Paul V-651-227-8471 Lifeworks Services, Inc. TF-866-454-2732 Merrick, Inc. V-651-789-6231 Metro Work Center, Inc. V/TTY-612-729-7381 Midway Training Services V-651-641-0709 Midwest Special Services, Inc. V-651-778-1000 Minnesota Diversified Industries V-651-999-8200 Minnesota Resource Center V-612-752-8102 Minnesota Work Incentives Connection V-651-632-5113 Opportunity Partners V-952-938-5511 ProAct Inc. V-651-686-0405 ProAct – Red Wing V-651-388-7108 Rise, Inc. V/TTY-763-786-8334 TBI Metro Services — Richfield & W. St. Paul V-612-869-3995 TSE, Inc. V-651-489-2595 University of Minnesota Disability Services V-612-626-1333
GOVERNMENT
Target Marketing at its finest! Advertise in Access Press and reach thousands in the disability community every month.
MN Gov. Council on Developmental Disabilities V-651-296-4018 Minnesota State Council on Disability V/TTY-651-361-7800 Social Security Admin. & St. Paul PASS Cadre V-651-290-0054 Telephone Equipment Distribution Program V-651-297-1507 (MN Dept. of Human Services) TF-800-657-3663
HEALTH CARE PLANS Cornerstone Solutions UCare
HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICES Dungarvin, Inc. — Minnesota In Home Personal Care Mary T. Inc.
www.accesspress.org
SECOND LINE F-612-788-8577 TTY-651-227-3779 TTY-651-365-3736 F-651-789-9960 F-612-729-7382 F-651-641-0976 F-651-999-8242 TTY-612-752-8019 TF-800-976-6728 TTY-952-930-4293 F-651-686-0312 F-651-388-9223 F-763-786-0008 V-651-457-4756 F-651-489-0410 F-612-625-5572
TF-877-348-0505 TTY-800-945-8913 F-651-290-3811 F-651-251-6388 TTY-866-206-6555
E-MAIL/WEB SITE www.lifetrackresources.org www.lifetrackresources.org www.lifeworks.org www.merrickinc.org www.metroworkcenter.org www.midwaytraining.org www.mwsservices.org www.mdi.org www.mrc-mn.org www.mnworkincentives.com www.opportunitypartners.org www.proactinc.org www.proactinc.org www.rise.org www.opportunitypartners.org www.tse-inc.org http://ds.umn.edu
www.mncdd.org www.disability.state.mn.us www.socialsecurity.gov www.tedprogram.org
TF-866-601-8962 V-800-707-1711
TTY-800-627-3529 www.cornerstone-solutions.org TTY-800-688-2534 www.ucare.org
V-651-699-6050 V-763-546-1000 V-763-754-2505
TTY-651-695-5802 www.dungarvin.com F-763-546-1018 www.inhomepersonalcare.com TF-888-255-6400 www.marytinc.com
HOUSING— CONSTRUCTION/REMODELING Accessibility Design Accessible Homes, LLC. Equal Access Homes, Inc. Susan Lasoff & Associates
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V-952-925-0301 V-612-978-1054 V-651-249-7751 V-612-872-7520
F-952-926-7712 F-651-554-3085 F-651-450-1330 F-612.338.2801
www.accessibilitydesign.com www.accessiblehomesllc.net www.EqualAccessHomes.com
Directory of Organizations - cont. on next page
Kent’s Accounting Service, LLC Kent Fordyce Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005
6371 Bartlett Blvd Mound, MN 55364 Fax: Call me 612-889-2959 fordyce6@aol.com
Computerized Desktop Publishing: Advertisements Brochures Catalogs Flyers Newsletters Newspapers Project Mgmt Scanning ... & More! Ellen Houghton 952-404-9981
presentationimages@ comcast.net
October 10, 2009
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Dir ector y of Or ganiza tions Director ectory Org anizations Minnesota’s Disability Community Newspaper VOICE LINE HOUSING — RENTAL
Accessible Space, Inc. HousingLink Mary T. Inc. National Handicap Housing Institute, Inc
V-651-645-7271 V-612-522-2500 V-763-754-2505 V-651-639-9799
INFORMATION AND REFERRAL RESOURCES ADA Minnesota Arc Greater Twin Cities Assistive Technology of Minnesota Minnesota State Council on Disability PACER Center, Inc. United Cerebral Palsy of MN
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www.accesspress.org
SECOND LINE
E-MAIL/WEB SITE
TTY-800-466-7722 www.accessiblespace.org F-612-521-1577 www.housinglink.org TF-888-255-6400 www.marytinc.com F-651-639-9699 www.nhhiaccessiblehousing.com
V-651-603-2015 V-952-920-0855 V-763-479-8239 V/TTY-651-361-7800 V-952-838-9000 V-651-646-7588
TF-888-630-9793 F-952-920-1480 TF-866-535-8239 TTY-800-945-8913 TTY-952-838-0190 TF-877-528-5678
www.adaminnesota.org www.arcgreatertwincities.org www.atmn.org www.disability.state.mn.us www.pacer.org www.ucpmn.org
V-612-334-5970
TF-800-292-4150
www.mndlc.org
V-763-795-0057
TF-866-795-0057
www.tamarackhti.com
Community Involvement Programs V-612-362-4434 Courage Center V-763-588-0811 Healthy Life Coaching (HLC) V/F-320-963-5976 Howry Residential Services V-651-917-9111x204 Lifetrack Resources — St. Paul V-651-227-8471 People Inc. Epilepsy & Mental Health Services V-651-338-9035
V-612-362-4452 TTY-763-520-0245 M-612-998-6452 F-651-917-1018 TTY-651-227-3779 TTY-651-338-1160
www.cipmn.org www.CourageCenter.org www.healthsangels.com www.howryinc.com www.lifetrackresources.org www.peopleincorporated.org
LEGAL
MN Disability Law Center
MEDICAL SUPPLIES/EQUIPMENT Tamarack Habilitation Technology
MENTAL HEALTH
PHYSICIANS Courage Center
V-763-588-0811
TTY-763-520-0245
RECREATION — ADAPTIVE HOBBY/EXERCISE/SPORTS/ARTS Courage Center Mind Body Solutions Miss You Can Do It Pageant VSA arts of Minnesota
V-763-588-0811 V-952-473-3700 V-651-389-9312 V/TTY-612-332-3888
RECREATION — TRAVEL/CAMPING Camp Winnebago Friendship Ventures Mind Body Solutions Ventures Travel, LLC Wilderness Inquiry
V-507-724-2351 V-952-852-0101 V-952-473-3700 V-952-852-0107 V-612-676-9400
TTY-763-520-0245 F-651-639-1088 TF-800-801-3883
F-507-724-3786 TF-800-450-8376 TF-866-692-7400 TF-800-728-0719
www.CourageCenter.org
www.CourageCenter.org www.mindbodysolutions.org www.2008msyoucandoit.org www.vsaartsmn.org
www.campwinnebago.org www.friendshipventures.org www.mindbodysolutions.org www.venturestravel.org www.wildernessinquiry.org
REHABILITATION (PHYSICAL, OCCUPATIONAL, SPEECH, AUDIOLOGY THERAPISTS) Courage Center Courage Center – Burnsville Courage Center – Forest Lake Courage Center – St. Croix DeafBlind Services Minnesota Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare In Home Personal Care Lifetrack Resources — St. Paul Telephone Equipment Distribution Program (MN Dept. of Human Services)
V-763-588-0811 V-952-898-5700 V-651-464-5235 V-651-439-8283 V-612-362-8454 V-651-291-2848 V-763-546-1000 V-651-227-8471 V-651-297-1507 TF-800-657-3663
RESIDENTIAL/GROUP HOME PROGRAMS
Capstone Services, LLC V-651-645-0042 Community Involvement Programs V-612-362-4403 CCP – Home Based Support V-651-917-8322 Dungarvin, Inc. — Minnesota V-651-699-6050 Fraser V-612-861-1688 Howry Residential Services V-651-917-9111x204 Mary T. Inc. V-763-754-2505 Opportunity Partners V-952-938-5511 People Inc. Epilepsy & Mental Health Services V-651-338-9035 Phoenix Residence V-651-227-7655 Restart Inc. V-763-588-7633
SERVICE DOGS
Hearing and Service Dogs of MN Helping Paws, Inc.
TTY-763-520-0245
www.CourageCenter.org
TTY-612-362-8422 www.dbsm.org TF-800-719-4040 www.gillettechildrens.org F-763-546-1018 www.inhomepersonalcare.com TTY-651-227-3779 www.lifetrackresources.org F-651-251-6388 www.tedprogram.org TTY-866-206-6555
F-651-645-2780 V-612-362-4417 F-651-641-8623 TTY-651-695-5802 F-612-861-6050 F-651-917-1018 TF-888-255-6400 TTY-952-930-4293 TTY-651-338-1160 F-651-227-6847 F-763-588-7613
www.capstoneservices.net www.cipmn.org www.theccpinc.com www.dungarvin.com www.fraser.org www.howryinc.com www.marytinc.com www.opportunitypartners.org www.peopleincorporated.org www.phoenixresidence.org www.restartincmn.org
V-612-729-5986 F/TTY-612-729-5914 V-952-988-9359 F-952-988-9296
www.hsdm.org www.helpingpaws.org
Directory of Organizations - cont. on next page
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11
Upcoming events To list an event, email access@accesspress.org Parent Involvement Month October is Minnesota Parent Involvement Month, a time to celebrate the important role parents play in their children’s education. The month is sponsored by the Minnesota Parent Center, Minnesota’s PIRC (Parental Information and Resource Center), a project of PACER Center. It is cosponsored by the Minnesota Department of Education, Minnesota Association of School Administrators, Minnesota Association of Secondary School Principals, Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association, Minnesota Association of Administrators of State and Federal Education Programs, and Minnesota PTA. This year, parents will be able to nominate their school in a statewide Family-Friendly School contest, find fun ideas on a family activities calendar, and take part in a variety of school activities highlighting the importance of parents being involved in their child’s education. Visit www.pacer. org/mpc/parentinvolvement month for more information. Parents can check with their local school district to learn about scheduled parent involvement events. FFI: Minnesota Parent Center, 952-8389000; toll free 800-537-2237 Nominations sought Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health (MACMH) seeks nominations of educators and juvenile justice professionals who have shown extraordinary achievement and/or leadership in the field of children’s mental health. The winners will be announced at a MACMH’s Fine Art Fundraising event Nov. 13th in St. Paul. Nominations due Oct. 19. FFI: 800528-4511, 651-644-7333 Education, support for memory loss The Amherst H. Wilder Foundation Community Services for the Elderly is pleased to offer “Memory Club,” an 11week long educational support group for persons recently diagnosed with early stage memory changes and their care 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 required. FFI: Kathryn Ringham, LICSW, 651-280-2295
(Mn-CCD) town hall forums, learn how the 2009 legislative session impacted Minnesotans with disabilities. Help shape future policies that promote innovative, economical, person-centered programs; and speak directly to legislators about your challenges and successes. Forum dates are 4-6 p.m. Tue., Oct. 13 at Moorhead Public Library, 118 South 5th Street, Moorhead; 6-8 p.m. Thu, Oct 15 at Bemidji 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 St 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); 6-8 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.mnccd.org Talking tips PACER Center is offering Tips for Talking with School Staff, a free workshop for parents of children with disabilities, 6:308:30 p.m. Mon, Oct. 12 at PACER Center, 8161 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington. Advance registration is requested. Parents will gain easyto-use, practical tips for communicating with school staff and resolving differences in effective ways. FFI: PACER at 952-838-9000 or 952-8380190 (TTY): Greater Minnesota, 800-537-2237 (toll free) or www.pacer.org
Instructional interventions PACER Center is offering “Intervention: A New First Step,” a free workshop for parents and professionals. It is 7-9 p.m. Tues, Oct. 13 at PACER Center, 8161 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington. Advance registration is requested. Response to Intervention (RTI) is a tiered approach that may provide additional instruction to elementary school students who have academic or behavior isTown hall forums set At the Minnesota Consortium sues. Students who do not benfor Citizens with Disabilities efit from the interventions may
be referred for a special education evaluation. Participants will learn what RTI is, how it works, how it may affect students with and without disabilities, and what role the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) plays. FFI: l PACER at 952-838-9000 or 952-838-0190 (TTY). In Greater Minnesota, call 800537-2237 (toll free) or visit PACER.org
the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs first Minnesota Veteran and Military Women’s Summit Oct. 16-17 at the Ramada Inn Mall of America. Women in the military and spouses are a strong group of accomplished individuals. The event will bring together women veterans, women currently serving in the military, female spouses, care providers and members of the community in a comfortable Veteran and Military setting to provide resources, Women’s Summit support and networking opRegistration is now open for portunities. Representatives
from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs will be on hand to answer questions. Although the event is free, registration is required and space is limited. FFFI: 651-296-2562, www. mdva.state.mn.us/women/ Summit2009.htm Arc Launches New Sibshops Kids who have a brother or sister with autism can make friends and have fun at a new Sibshop group in Roseville from Arc Greater Twin Cit-
ies. The group meets 6-7:30 p.m. the second Thursday of the month at Fairview Community Center, 1910 County Road B West, Room 143, Roseville. Sibshops use games and recreation to help kids ages 6 -12 expresses their thoughts and feelings about having a sibling with a disability. Participants explore common sibling issues such as teasing and problem-solving through activities and discussion. Sibshops are also an opportunity for participants to connect with Events - cont. on p. 14
Radio Talking Book • October 2009 Programming changes begin this fall Several program changes began this fall on Radio Talking Book. Consumer’s Advocate will air Tuesday at 2 a.m., replacing a World Safari repeat. The overnight repeat of Feminine Viewpoint moves to Wednesday at 2 a.m. People in the News will no longer be repeated. The entire two-hour advocacy block of Sunday evening programming, which includes It Makes a Difference, now airs overnight Thursdays. At the conclusion of the current book in November, the Sunday 4 a.m. U.S. and Us will be replaced with a repeat of Multicultural Press from the previous week. In addition to these changes, RTB is expanding the scope of the Teensight program, which airs Saturdays at 9 p.m. The new program is The T’s – Teens, Tweens, and Twenties. Dinner Bell, featuring restaurant reviews, is expanded to a full hour and will air on Saturdays at 5 a.m. For Addicts and Others will also expand, airing from 6:15 to the top of the hour Saturday mornings. RTB is moving Animal Watch from Saturday afternoon to Wednesday at 3 p.m., replacing World Safari. The vacated Saturday slot will host an expanded TV-Ality at 4 p.m. A new program, The Catalog Show, replaces TV-Ality Sundays at 12:30 p.m. Books Available Through Faribault Books broadcast on the Minnesota Radio Talking Book Network are available through the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library in Faribault, MN. Their phone is 1-800-7220550 and hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Their catalog is also online, and you can access it by going to the main website, http://education.state.mn.us , and then clicking on the link. If you live outside of Minnesota, you may obtain copies of books by contacting your own state’s Network Library for the National Library Service. Listen to the Minnesota Radio Talking Book, either live or archived programs from the last week, on the Internet at www.mnssb.org/ rtb. Call the staff for your password to the site.
promises a miracle. Read by Bernadette Flynn. Nine broadcasts. Begins Oct. 21. Potpourri • Monday – Friday 2 p.m. Do You See What I See? Nonfiction by Russell Targ, 2008. Russell Targ grew up visually impaired in the world of books and authors, but became a physicist who pioneered research in lasers and optics and co-created the Cold War spy program that focused on “remote viewing.” Read by John Beal. 10 broadcasts. Began Oct. 5. Choice Reading • Monday – Friday 4 p.m. Handle with Care. Fiction by Jodi Picoult, 2009. Charlotte and Sean wanted a healthy baby, but Willow is not. She is smart and pretty, and they consider her perfect as she is. But then a series of events force the parents to consider what if she had not been born. Read by Diane Ladenson. 15 broadcasts. Begins Oct. 12. PM Report • Monday – Friday 8 p.m. Presidential Command. Nonfiction by Peter W. Rodman, 2009. Qualities of personal leadership determine a president’s ability to guide his staff. They also shape policy and determine how policy is implemented. Read by Art Nyhus.15 broadcasts. Begins Oct. 20. Night Journey • Monday – Friday 9 p.m. Judas Horse. Fiction by April Smith, 2008. FBI Agent Ana Grey takes on an assumed identity to infiltrate a group of hardcore anarchists in Oregon. Hiding behind the façade of an animal rights group, they are actually planning an act of terrorism they call “the Big One.” Read by Judy McGuigan. 13 broadcasts. Begins Oct. 19.
Off the Shelf • Monday – Friday 10 p.m. A Person of Interest. Fiction by Susan Choi, 2008. Professor Lee is a suspect in a series of crimes. But a letter from someone out of his past leads him to believe the real criminal is an old Chautauqua • Tuesday – Saturday 4 a.m. nemesis seeking revenge. Determined to face his tormentor, Jacob’s Well. Nonfiction by Joseph A. Amato, 2008. Amato’s Lee sets off on a life-changing journey. Read by Amy Morris. family was like that of many Americans: poor, struggling 18 broadcasts. Began Oct. 8. immigrants seeking happiness. With genealogical sources, local and regional history, and family tales, Amato unearthed Evening Odyssey • Monday – Friday 11 p.m. the history of seven generations of his ancestors. Read by John American Rust. Fiction by Philipp Meyer, 2009. Left to care Mandeville. 12 broadcasts. Began Oct. 5. for his aging father in his industrial hometown, Isaac longs for Animals Make Us Human. Nonfiction by Temple Grandin, a life elsewhere. When he finally leaves with his best friend, 2009. Acclaimed animal scientist and autism advocate Temple they are caught up in a terrible act of violence that changes their Grandin has always had an ability to go inside the minds of lives. Read by Ray Christensen. 13 broadcasts. Begins Oct. 19. animals. She says, “Autism made school and social life hard, but it made animals easy.” Read by June Prange. 10 broadcasts. Good Night Owl • Monday – Friday midnight Begins Oct. 21. Who Do You Think You Are? Nonfiction by Alyse Myers, 2008. After Myers’ mother’s death, she wants only one thing: Past is Prologue • Monday – Friday 9 a.m. a box that has always been forbidden her which might tell her Nothing to Fear. Nonfiction by Adam Cohen, 2009. In the first why her parents were so unhappy. When her father died, Myers hundred days of FDR’s presidency, he and his inner circle was still a girl, but her mother retreated to cigarettes and swept away the old order and reinvented the role of federal resentment. Read by Sue McDonald. Six broadcasts. Begins government. By the time they were finished, government had Oct. 26. assumed responsibility for citizens’ welfare. Read by Susan Niefeld. 14 broadcasts. Begins Oct. 14. After Midnight • Tuesday – Saturday 1 a.m. Cry Wolf. Fiction by Patricia Briggs, 2008. Anna never knew Bookworm • Monday – Friday 11 a.m. werewolves existed until she became one herself. After three The Miracle at Speedy Motors. Fiction by Alexander McCall years at the bottom of the pack, she has learned to mistrust Smith, 2008. Ramotswe is busy investigating the case of the dominant males, and then she meets Charles. Read by Alletta woman looking for her family, when other issues arise. There Jervey. 12 broadcasts. Begins Oct. 15. ■ is a new bed which causes sleepless nights, and a doctor who Abbreviations: V - violence; L – offensive language; S - sexual situations
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October 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 Oct. is Art Beyond Sight Awareness Month Oct. 10, 18, 24 Walker Art Center, Bazinet Garden Lobby, 1750 Hennepin Ave., Mpls. Touch Tours incorporate touch and verbal description: Sat., Oct. 10; Sun., Oct. 18; Sat., Oct. 24, 11:30 a.m. Tix: Gallery admission: $10; $8 senior 65+; $6 student/teen with ID; free to Walker members and children 12 & under. For more info: Melissa Schedler: Phone: 612-253-3555; E-mail: Melissa.schedler@walkerart.org. Web: http://calendar.walker art.org/
A Look in the Mirror - The Memoir of a Deaf Performer Through Oct. 30 Nic Zapko performs in ASL at Dreamland Arts, 677 N. Hamline Ave., St. Paul ASL & Voicing: Thurs.-Fri, Oct. 8-9, 22-23, 29-30, 7:30 p.m. ASL Only: Sat., Oct. 10, 24, 7:30 p.m. Tix: $15 ($13 student); Phone: 651-645-5506 or Web: www. dreamlandarts.com/ Radio Golf Through Oct. 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
The Importance of Being Earnest Through Nov. 8 Guthrie Theater, 818 2nd St. S., Mpls. AD: 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: Re- Art Beyond Sight Month Touch Tours duced to $20 for AD/ASL, $25 Through Oct. 15 for caption-ing (reg. $24-60); Phone: 612-377-2224, TTY Mpls. Institute of Arts, 2400 612-377-6626. Web: www. 3rd Ave. S. AD Touch Tours guthrietheater.org/accessibil- begin by the Information desk ity in the front lobby: Tues., Oct. 13, Thurs., Oct. 15, 2 p.m. Tix:
Free; Register with Debbi Hegstrom: Phone: 612-870-3074 or TTY 612-870-3132; Email: dhegstro@artsmia.org Web: www.artsmia.org Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story Through 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 Through 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
Phone: 612-377-2224, TTY 612-377-6626. Web: www. guthrietheater.org/accessibility or www.stuartpimsler.com. STAGES Theater of Hopkins presents I Like Me through Oct. 25. AD is available on request. FFI: 952979-1111
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 612373-5650; TTY 612-3735655; E-mail: accessible@ orpheum.com Web: www. hennepintheatredistrict.org/ guestservices/aslad/
David Sedaris Oct. 14 Historic State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls. ASL: Wed., Oct. 14, 7:30 p.m. AD: request in advance. Tix: $42.50; Phone: 612-373-5639 or 5609; hotline 612-373-5650; TTY Tales from the Book of Longing 612-373-5655; E-mail: acces Oct. 8-18 sible@orpheum.com Web: Stuart Pimsler Dance & The- www.hennepintheatredistrict. ater at Guthrie Dowling Stu- org/guestservices/aslad/ dio, 818 2nd St. S., Mpls. AD: Fri., Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m. Tix: The Full Monty Reduced to $20 (reg. $26); 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 off for senior or UMAA member); Phone: 612-6242345. Web: http://theatre. umn.edu/utheatre dance 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: 651-224-4222, TTY 651-282-3099. Web: www. ordway.org/accessibility/ Ruined Oct. 16 – Nov. 22 Mixed Blood Theatre, 1501 South 4th St., Mpls. AD, ASL, Captioning: Thurs., Oct. 29, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $16 (reg. $22, $18 student/senior, $14group);Phone:612-338-6131. Web: www.mixedblood.com Hanuman & the Girl Prince Oct. 23 – Nov. 8 SteppingStone Theatre, 55 Victoria St. N., St. Paul. AD: Fri., Oct. 30, 7 p.m. ASL: Sun., Nov. 1, 3 p.m. Tix: Reduced
to $16 (reg. $11; child/senior $9); Phone: 651-225-9265; Email: info@steppingstone theatre.org Web: www.step pingstonetheatre.org The Louvre & the Masterpiece Nov. 1 Mpls. Institute of Arts, 2400 Third Ave. S. ASL: Sun., Nov. 1, 1 p.m. begins by the Information Desk. (On the second weekend of each month, free tours for visitors with memory loss, Alzheimer’s & friends are offered.) Tix: special exhibition admission charge; Phone: 612-870-3131 or TTY 612-870-3132; E-mail: dheg strom@artsmia.org Web: www.artsmia.org
Kling & Australia’s Tutti Ensemble, at Guthrie Theater’s Dowling Studio, 818 2nd St. S., Mpls. ASL: Thurs., Nov. 5, 7:30 p.m.; Fri., Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m. Captioning: Thurs., Nov. 5, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m. AD: Fri., Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Nov. 7, 1 p.m. Tix: Reduced (reg. $18-30); Phone: 612-377-2224, TTY 612-3776626. Web: www.guthrie theater.org/accessibility
Nov. Nights: A Midnight Dreary Oct. 29 – Nov. 15 Commonweal Theatre, 208 Parkway Ave. N., Lanesboro. ASL: Sun., Nov. 8, 1:30 p.m. Tix: Half-price (reg. $25, student $12), Phone: 507-4672525, 800-657-7025, E-mail: Working tickets@commonwealthe Oct. 23 – Nov. 22 Lakeshore Players, 4820 atre.org Web: www.common Stewart Ave., White Bear Lake. wealtheatre.org ASL: Sun., Nov. 1, 2 p.m. Tix: Hidden Yearning reserve two weeks in advance. Nov. 7-8 $10 for ASL patrons (reg. $20, $18student/senior);Phone: 651- Hidden Yearning and Silk 429-5674; E-mail: tickets Road Dance Companies at @lakeshoreplayers.com Web: University of St. Thomas, www.lake shoreplayers.com Brady Educational Center, Baumgartner Theatre, 2115 Summit Ave., St. Paul. CapThe Scarlet Pimpernel tioning, ASL & AD: Sat. & Oct. 23 – Nov. 21 Bloomington Civic Theatre at Sun., Nov. 7-8, 2:30 & 7 p.m. Bloomington Center for the (Spoken English, ASL & Farsi Arts, 1800 W. Old Shakopee will be open captioned). Tix: Rd. ASL: Thurs., Nov. 5, 7:30 $18, groups of 5 or more in p.m. (reserve at least a week in advance $10); Phone: 800advance) AD: Fri., Nov. 6, 838-3006. Web: www.brown 7:30 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $18 papertickets.com or www. (reg. $25, senior $22, student vsaartsmn.org $19); Phone: 952-563-8575. Web: www.bloomington I Never Slept with civictheatre.org Helen Keller Nov. 12-22 Moonlight and Magnolias Deaf Blender Theatre at Oct. 24 – Nov. 15 Charles Thompson Memorial Minnesota Jewish Theatre Co. Hall, 1824 Marshall Ave., St. at Hillcrest Center Theater, Paul (Nov. 12-14, 7 p.m.), at 1978 Ford Parkway, St. Paul. Paul & Sheila Wellstone CenAD: Sun., Nov. 1, 2 p.m. Tix: ter, 179 Robie St. E., St. Paul Reduced to $15 (reg. $22); (Nov. 18-21, 7, & Nov. 22, 2 Phone: 651-647-4315. Web: p.m.). ASL & Voice Interwww.mnjewishtheatre.org preting: All performances. Tix: $15; E-mail: andrew. Northern Lights/ oehrlein@deafblender.org Southern Cross Web: www.deafblender.org/ Oct. 24 - Nov. 8 or www.handtype.com/helen Interact Theatre, with Kevin keller/about.html ■
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October 10, 2009
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People and places
News about people in our community compiled by Access Press staff
State Council to present awards In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Minnesota State Council on Disability hosts its annual luncheon and recognition program. This year’s event is at the Holiday Inn, in downtown Duluth, Oct. 12. This year’s award winners are Chuk Hamilton, Minnesota Award; Wally Waranka, Mentorship Award; Rich Diedrichsen, Access Award to an Individual; Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Access Award to an Organization/Business; Minnesota Department of Transportation and SEEDS Program, Large Employer of the Year; Peggy and Al Villa, Small Employer of the Year; MN APSE (formerly the Association for Persons in Supportive Employment), Legislative Advocacy Award; and Disabled American Veterans of Minnesota, Above & Beyond Veterans Employment Award. The event is hosted by MSCOD in collaboration with PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT, a partnership between the Department of Human Services, the Department of Employment and Economic Development and MSCOD.
VSA honors artists VSA arts of Minnesota Arts Access Awards were presented Sept. 30 during an event at Vision Loss Resources in Minneapolis. This is the 12th year for the Jaehny Awards, which are given in recognition of outstanding accomplishments by artists, arts organizations, advocates and educators that help to create a community where people with disabilities can learn through, participate in and access the arts. Those who attended this year’s event enjoyed an exhibit of fiber arts by Lisa Dietz, Minneapolis. Nicole Zapko, Bloomington, was honored as the Most Active and Visible Minnesota Artist with Disabilities. Caryl Barnett, St. Paul, was honored as Outstanding Individual Actively Promoting Access to the Arts for People with Disabilities. The Outstanding Artist Educator of Students and Adults with Disabilities is Anne Krocak, Prior Lake. WACOSA, Waite Park was feted as the Outstanding Organization Actively Supporting Access to the Arts for People with Disabilities. VSA arts of Minnesota also honored the Voters of Minnesota, for having the vision to pass the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment during the 2008 statewide elec-
tion. Passage of this amendment will result in improved access to the arts for all people, including people with disabilities. The 2009 Jaehny Awards were created by Nancy Ann Miller of Eveleth.
Age and Disability awards given Recipients of the 2009 Age and Disabilities Odyssey awards were announced at the 10th annual Age and Disabilities Odyssey Conference held in Rochester recently. The awards recognize individuals and organizations as leaders and advocates in providing services to older Minnesotans and people with disabilities. Sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Human Services and the Minnesota Board on Aging, the Age and Disabilities Odyssey Conference is attended by health and human service providers, educators, planners and other professionals in the fields of aging and services for persons with disabilities. Conference attendees learned more about promising practices, state-ofthe-art programs and policy changes. Recipients were recognized in four categories: policy, innovation, service and community. The Policy Award was presented to the ElderCare Rights Alliance, Bloomington. This award recognizes public policy leadership, advocacy and education dedicated to improving the quality of life for seniors and people with disabilities. The ElderCare Rights Alliance received the award for developing and implementing the Vulnerable Adult Justice Project. This project was successful in passing legislation that tackles the growing problem of financial exploitation of vulnerable adults. The Innovation Award was presented to Karen Conrath, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation self-determination grant manager for Dakota County Social Services. This award recognizes the recipient’s innovations in direct service, coordination of services and community-based partnerships that increase the resilience, interdependence and quality of life for seniors, people with disabilities and their communities. The Service Award was presented to Polly Owens, program consultant, of PossAbilities of Southern Minnesota and an Olmsted County leader in person-centered planning, for exemplary practices, services and advocacy for seniors and their communities. The Community Award was presented to the Rochester/ Olmsted County Falls Preven-
tion Coalition. In collaboration with the Rochester Fire Department and Olmsted County Public Health and Community Services, the coalition brought together numerous partners to coordinate an assessment of falls in their county and to discover the common causes for falls. Their focus has been on keeping people living in their homes through falls prevention efforts, improving individual quality of life and reducing the burden on medical and first responder resources.
Nonprofit groups are feted The Minnesota Council on Non-Profits and MAP for Nonprofits have announced the winners of the 2009 Nonprofit Awards for Mission. The awards will be presented at a joint annual conference Nov. 5-6. National Alliance on Mental Illness of Minnesota is the winner for Advocacy. CaringBridge of Eagan won the Innovation Award. Carl and Eloise Pohlad Family Foundation will be honored for Responsive Philanthropy. Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial is the honoree for Anti-Racism Initiative Dakota Woodlands is the winner for Excellence in a Small Organization. Simpson Housing Services is honored for Excellence in a Large Organization.
New book by Raymond Luczak “Whispers of a Savage Sort and Other Plays about the Deaf American Experience” is the latest book by Access Press contributor Raymond Luczak. Luczak is a Minneapolis author, film maker and playwright, whose work was featured in the 2009 Minneapolis-St. Paul Fringe Festival. “Oh, why can’t the deaf community be more like a family?” is the plaint of a character in Raymond Luczak’s title play Whispers of a Savage Sort. It also goes far in characterizing the main thread that runs through his remarkable collection of work offered in this new volume. “Whispers of a Savage Sort and Other Plays about the Deaf American Experience” presents a progression of plays that depict Deaf people in situations well-known by the community’s members. Written to be signing-driven, these plays feature Deaf characters from the various strata of Deaf society. Each play centers on different yet equally familiar issues. Snooty brings to life the difficulties of surviving the social pecking order in a deaf
residential school. The main character’s only escape is a rich fantasy life in which he is in control. Doogle confronts its characters with the intrusion of technological communication devices parallel to the virtually forced intimacy of such a small, close community. Brought into stark focus by the specter of AIDS, Love in My Veins explores how trust, betrayal, and ultimately forgiveness can transform a Deaf couple’s love for each other in a Deaf community. The collection’s eponymous Whispers of a Savage Sort reveals the relentless damage that rumor and innuendo can do to a diverse group of Deaf individuals. The emotions, identities, and consequences created by Luczak in these dramas illuminate the Deaf American community in fascinating detail rarely seen in any medium today. The book is available on amazon.com and through Gallaudet University Press, the publisher.
New Community Shares director Community Shares of Minnesota announced that Matt Hunter has been hired as its new Executive Director, starting Oct. 1. “Being chosen to serve as Community Shares’ Executive Director is both an honor and a privilege,” said Hunter. “For the last 30 years, Community Shares of Minnesota has been rallying community support for social change in Minnesota. I am excited to join the members, board and staff to keep the social justice movement in Minnesota strong and growing.” Hunter comes to Community Shares from Friends for a Non-Violent World (FNVW), a Community Shares member organization, where he served as their Executive Director. Hunter is an ordained minister with the United Methodist Church with a Master of Divinity degree from Duke University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Oklahoma. “We are very excited that Hunter will be joining Community Shares. His skills and abilities are a great fit for us as we continue our work to raise financial support and increase awareness for the valuable social change work of our member organizations,” said Carol Watson, chair of the Community Shares of Minnesota Board of Directors. “Matt is joining Community Shares following a transition where we reorganized to meet the challenges facing our community. With his leadership, and with the support of our members, board and staff, we are poised for growth built upon
our long history of funding and support of social change in Minnesota. Access Press is a Community Shares member.
sociation also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.
MDA auction brings in almost $350,000
New leader for foundation
An impressive collection of unique and one-of-a-kind specialty items sparked bidder interest, bringing in almost $350,000 through the Telethon Online Auction to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Tucson, Arizona. From Sept. 1 – 15, hundreds of items donated by celebrities, sports figures, MDA sponsors and other friends of the Association were sold in such categories as Celebrity and Sports Memorabilia, Unique Experiences, Travel, Electronics, Kids and Baby Items. During the 15-day auction, held in conjunction with the 44th annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, MDA and celebrities with items in the auction helped spread word of the auction by taking to their Twitter accounts. “Days of Our Lives” star and “Biggest Loser” host Alison Sweeney tweeted daily to her almost 37,000 followers about some of the “Days” items available for bidding, prompting retweets from her friends actress Denise Richards (1.1 million followers) and entertainment news personality Giuliana Rancic (1.3 million followers). “Access Hollywood” host Nancy O’Dell also asked her Twitter and Facebook followers to donate items to the auction, which resulted in multiple children’s packages and celebrity items. “General Hospital” star Brandon Barash also tweeted daily about the auction. “These celebrities are part of our MDA family,” MDA President & CEO Gerald C. Weinberg said. “The fact that they helped promote the auction through Twitter added to the fun and excitement, and helped us reach out to a new audience.” Items with some of the best final bids included a VIP package to the 2010 Telethon, $10,050; a 2009 Softtail Cross Bones Harley-Davidson motorcycle, $15,050; a 2010 Honda Fit, $13,800; an autographed Roger Staubach and Tom Landry, Dallas Cowboys photo, $3,867; tickets to see ventriloquist Terry Fator at The Mirage in Las Vegas and have a meet and greet with him, $2,949; and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) event tickets and meet and greet with WWE Superstars and Divas, $2,525. MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The As-
Sheila O’Brien, formerly executive director of NEADS/ Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans, joins the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind and America’s VetDogs, leaders in the field of assistance dogs for people with disabilities, as of Sept. 14. O’Brien began her career in the field of assistance dogs in 1978 after working as a special education teacher. During her 30-year tenure at NEADS, she was the architect of several innovative programs to expand the use of service dogs for people with disabilities. An accomplished public speaker, O’Brien has been honored with the Massachusetts Governor’s citation and the Brookline community Foundation’s Unsung Hero award for her work on behalf of people with disabilities. “We’re very excited to have Sheila become a key member of the team at the Guide Dog Foundation and America’s VetDogs,” said Wells Jones, CEO of both organizations. “In her role as director of external relations, she will work in a variety of areas, from fundraising to program development to relationship building.” In addition to her work with NEADS, O’Brien also serves as an assessor for Assistance Dogs International, a worldwide coalition of assistance dog schools. “I am honored to be part of these amazing organizations that bring independence to so many through the use of canine assistance,” said O’Brien. ■
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October 10, 2009
EVENTS -
Cont. from p. 11
other siblings. Dates for the Fall 2009/Spring 2010 session are Nov. 12, Dec. 10, Jan. 14, Feb. 11, Mar. 11, Apr. 15 (note date change) and May 13. Sibshops are free for Arc members and $10 per child (each meeting) for others. Arc also offers 13 additional Sibshops at locations throughout the metro area, including two more locations in Ramsey County. FFI: 952-920-0855. Be a public policy advocate PACER Center is offering Speak Up for Special Education, a free workshop for parents of children with disabilities. It is 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thurs, Oct. 15 at PACER Center, 8161 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington. Advance registration is requested. This workshop is for parents who want to learn how to become public policy advocates. FFI: 952838-9000 or 952-838-0190 (TTY). In Greater Minnesota, call 800-537-2237 (toll free) or PACER.org
proach to Giving Care, 1-3 p.m. Sun, Oct. 25. This workshop is for both the person living with a disability and their caregiver. Discover the benefits of simple touch adjustments for alignment and grounding. Wear comfortable clothing. Basic yoga poses will be taught. Both are free but you need to preregister. Mind Body Solutions Yoga, 17516 Minnetonka Boulevard. FFI: info@mindbodysolutions.org Who wants breakfast? Caregivers for adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities are invited to participate in two breakfast events during National Family Caregivers Month in November, Arc Greater Twin Cities invites family caregivers of adults over age 40 who live in the northwest metro to a breakfast 9:30-11 a.m. Thu, Nov. 5, at Bakers Square, 221 County Road 10 NE, Blaine. Grandparents, aunts, uncles and other family members who care for a relative’s child with an intellectual or developmental disability are also invited to a breakfast 9:30-11 a.m. Thu, Nov. 5, at Curran’s Restaurant, 4201 Nicollet Ave. S., Mpls. Learn about Arc and meet new friends. Space is limited, so you need to pre-register. FFI: 952-920-0855
Free yoga workshops Two free yoga workshops are available An Introduction to Yoga for Disability is 1-3 p.m. Sun, Oct. 18. Learn how a mind-body practice transforms the experience of living with a mobility disability. Includes a discussion on the importance of recognizing sensations within the body. Some adapted yoga poses will be taught. FamA Fetching Good Time ily members and caregivers Hearing and Service Dogs of welcome. A Mind-Body Ap- Minnesota hosts The Fetching
Employment Employment ads are $22-$25 per col. inch. Oct 30 is the deadline for the November 10 issue. Mail to: Access Press, 1821 University Ave. #104S, St. Paul, MN 55104 FAX 651-644-2136 • Email: access@accesspress.org ASSSISTANT TO CFO FT, SMRLS’ St. Paul office. Know. of MS Office, Excel pref’d. Salary DOE. Resumes to: M.L. Giese; 166 E. 4th St. Ste. 200; St. Paul, MN 55101. EO/AAE.
Classifieds
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: One- and two-bedroom wheelchair-accessible apartments. Section 8 subsidized. Convenient SE Minneapolis location. Call 612-378-0331 for availability information. Equal Opportunity Housing.
dized. Convenient St. Louis Park location. Call 952-9359125 for availability information. Equal Opportunity Housing. Seward Square Apartments: We are currently accepting applications for our waiting list for barrier-free housing, in Minneapolis, that is federally subsidized. For an application, please call 612-338-2680. Equal Opportunity Housing.
Lewis Park Apartments: Barrier-free housing with wheelchair users in mind. Section 8 subsidized. One- and two-bedroom units. For more information on availability call 651-488-9923. St. Paul, MN. FOR SALE Equal Opportunity Housing. Sleep Safer Bed. Gently used, new rails, mattress, and Oak Park Village: One-bed- boxspring included. $2500.00 room wheelchair-accessible OBO. Contact Melissa (651) apartments. Section 8 subsi- 983-7903.
ing Exchange at 952-681-6122 dation. FFI: 612-630-6469, port one another, share successful parenting techniques, or e-mail gcarpenter@bloom www.hclib.org discuss the challenges and ington.k12.mn.us hopes of raising a child with Free computer, career FASD, and become better eduSupport groups offered development workshops The National Alliance on Men- Mpls Community and Techni- cated about the disorder. The tal Illness (NAMI) of Minne- cal College announces free FASD Relative Caregivers sota sponsors free support computer and career develop- Support Group is sponsored groups for families who have a ment workshops through its by Arc Greater Twin Cities relative with a mental illness. Continuing Education & and the Fetal Alcohol SpecLed by trained facilitators who Training Department. Select trum Disorders Regional Netalso have a family member workshops will be available at work. FFI: Janet Salo, 952with mental illness, the sup- no cost to participants through- 920-0855 Fun with music therapy port groups help families de- out the summer. Computer Families in the northwest metro velop better coping skills and skills workshops include Com- Help others manage finances who have a child with an intel- find strength through sharing puter Basics, Email Basics, RSVP/Volunteers of America lectual or developmental dis- their experiences. Family sup- Word 2007 Basics and Excel of Minnesota and AARP Founability are invited to enjoy a port groups meet weekly in St. 2007 Basics. Career work- dation need volunteers with free night of musical fun with Paul, either on Thursday eve- shops include Opening Win- good budgeting and organizaArc Greater Twin Cities 6-8 nings of on the second and dows: Online Tools for Your tional skills to help manage p.m Tue, Nov. 10, at Coon fourth Wednesdays. FFI: Career Transition; Opening finances of older or disabled Rapids Evangelical Free Karin, 651-489-4160 (Thurs- Doors: Proven Techniques for low-income individuals. Have Church, 2650 128th Ave. NW, days) or Anne Mae, 651-730- Landing a Job; and Power Sat- a few hours a month to volunCoon Rapids. Learn about the 8434 (Wednesdays) urdays: Opening Doors AND teer? Money Management Probenefits of music therapy by Windows for Job-Seeking Suc- gram staff will train and match music therapists from Mac- Need drama in your life? cess. FFI: 612-659-6500 or you with someone in the comPhail Center for Music. Then Become a PACER puppet vol- www.mpls.edu/continuinged munity. FFI: Money Management Program Coordinator, make music on a wide range of unteer! Volunteers memorize musical instruments and enjoy scripts and present puppet Caregivers Support Group 612-617-7821 a pizza dinner. This Family shows on disability awareness Parents and caregivers of chilBe a literacy volunteer Fun night is geared toward or bullying prevention to area dren with fetal alcohol specfamilies with children age 16 elementary students. Volun- trum disorder or FASD Fetal Last year, Minnesota Literacy and younger but is open to teers must be available during Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Council volunteers helped everyone. Space is limited, so the school day and have their (FASD) can join a caregiver’s more than 24,000 adults call soon to reserve your own transportation. The next support group organized by achieve their learning goals. place. FFI: 952-920-0855 volunteer training is 10 a.m.- Arc Greater Twin Cities. The Tutor immigrants, refugees 2:30 p.m. Tue, Oct. 20 at free group meets on the first and life-long Minnesotans in Preventing abuse & neglect PACER Center, 1861 Nor- Tuesday of each month from reading, writing and English. People with disabilities are mandale Blvd., Blooming-ton. 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. at Arc Tutor one-to-one, in a small victims of abuse and exploita- FFI: Jen Leuma, 952-838- Greater Twin Cities, 2446 group or as a classroom assistion at a higher rate than the 9000 or puppets@pacer.org University Ave. W., Suite 110, tant. Training, ongoing supgeneral population, and many St. Paul and at 6-8 p.m. on the port provided. Opportunities families worry about the safety Adaptive technology classes third Wednesday of each are available throughout Minof their loved ones with dis- Free adaptive technology month at Sabathani Commu- nesota. FFI: 651-645-2277, ext abilities. Making our commu- classes are offered by Hen- nity Center, 310 E. 38th St., 219. or volunteer@theMLC. nity safer for its most vulner- nepin County Library, at the Mpls. The group is an oppor- org ■ able citizens will be the focus downtown Mpls library, 300 tunity for participants to supof Preventing Abuse and Ne- Nicollet Mall. Classes are free glect, a community forum 1-3 but you must pre-register for Cont. from p. 4 p.m. Fri, Oct. 23, at Christ the these classes for persons who King Church, 8600 Fremont are blind or have low vision. event of an emergency. Cur- of the Office of Ombudsman Ave. S., Bloomington. The In addition to classes there are rent law allows medical direc- for Mental Health and Develdiscussion will identify what often volunteers available to tors to administer involuntary opmental Disabilities, the abuse and neglect are, exam- introduce patrons to the equip- ECT without a court order if Mental Health Association of ine barriers to services and ment and software available. they declare an emergency Minnesota, NAMI Minnesota, explore strategies for increas- Volunteer hours vary, so it’s situation. But the statutes pro- the Department of Human Sering the community’s capacity best to call ahead. The Blind vide little detail regarding pro- vices State Operated Services, to serve victims of abuse and and Low Vision Computer cedures or limitations for ECT Allina, MindFreedom (Minneglect. Register by Oct. 19. User group meets in Room in the event of an emergency. nesota branch), WellMind Cost is $15. Preventing Abuse N402 1-3 p.m. the second Sat- The issue of what emergency Association of Minnesota, and Neglect is hosted by urday of each month, with a conditions would justify the Lutheran Social Services, the SAGES, a collaboration of different speaker. David Tan- immediate use of forced ECT Governor’s Council on Develcommunity organizations that ner, Minnesota State Services is an initial focal point for the opmental Disabilities, the Office of the Ombudsman for work together to offer educa- for the Blind Technology Cen- work group’s discussion. Other issues under discus- Long Term Care, and the tion for parents and caregivers ter, portable media player and of people with disabilities. The netbooks, is featured Nov. 14, sion include the need to clarify Hennepin County Commitorganizations of SAGES are and a Christmas party is Dec. the definition of incompetency ment Defense Project. As of Access Press deadArc Greater Twin Cities, Da- 12. Attend a meeting and net- to give or withhold consent for kota Communities, Fraser, The work with others. Funding for ECT; the need for clear limits line, the work group had met Learning Exchange, Opportu- Adaptive Technology classes on when ECT can be forced on and was planning to have pronity Partners and ProAct. FFI: is provided by a generous grant individuals who have devel- posals ready by mid to Gina Carpenter at The Learn- from the Hudson Family Foun- opmental disabilities; and the late November. If the public clinical basis for balancing the would like to weigh in before benefits and harms of ECT as then, they should call or email compared to other treatments Pamela Hoopes at 612-746Cont. from p. 6 for mental health and other 3711, phoopes@midmnle gal.org. Or contact the work problems, and stroke. The number of adults with a disability is conditions. The Minnesota Legisla- group co-chair, Maureen likely to increase as the larger population of baby boomers grows older, said CDC officials. Other conditions that cause ture’s House Health Care and Marrin at CSN, 651-637-2800, disability in adults include cancer, autoimmune diseases and Human Services Policy and maureen.marrin@mhcsn.org The group will be posting immune disorders, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Oversight Committee heard neurological and degenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s testimony from work group some more detailed informadisease and ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). The U.S. Census participants on the topic in Au- tion such as summaries of curBureau also reports that nearly 11 million Americans, age 6 gust. The work group agreed rent law on the MDLC Web and older, need personal assistance with everyday activities. to provide legislators with sug- site (www.mndlc.org) so During October, communities, organizations and people from gested legislative changes in watch the site for further information. ■ all walks of life will make a point to recognize the value of November. In addition to CSN and Pamela Hoopes is the Legal every individual and their opportunity to get the most out of MDLC, work group partici- Director at the Minnesota Distheir life, no matter the severity or type of disability. pants include representatives ability Law Center. [Source: Allsup] ■ Ball, a gala fundraiser celebrating the organization’s 20th year. The event is Sat., Nov. 7 at Marriot Hotel Southwest in Minnetonka. Keynote speaker is author Karin Winegar. Individual and corporate sponsorships are available. FFI: Tickets, Jessica, 612-729-5986 ext. 152, jandeau@hsdm.org; Sponsorships, Janet, 612-7295926, jcobus@hsdm.org
ECT -
NEWS -
October 10, 2009
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ACT celebrates 30 years of activism with a cruise St. Paul-based Advocating Change Together (ACT) is celebrating 30 years of community organizing, promoting self-advocacy and taking on challenges. More than 150 people enjoyed a rainy Mississippi River cruise Oct. 1 to commemorate the anniversary and look back at all ACT has accomplished. “We have a lot to celebrate and be proud of,” said ACT board member Manny Steinman. “We’re not going to let a little rain stop us.” ACT is a grassroots social change organization. For three decades, members have worked to build the self-advocacy movement in Minnesota. One of ACT’s founders, Mel Duncan, was on hand to put the years in perspective. “Back in the late 70s it was a radical idea for people with developmental disabilities to speak on their own behalf and organize.
Today, it’s not radical anymore; it’s getting pretty mainstream.” In 1979, there was no selfadvocacy movement to speak of in Minnesota. Many persons with developmental and other disabilities were unhappy with a lack of control in their lives. They did not want to be service by well-meaning experts and parents’ groups. They wanted to make their own decisions and be in charge of their own lives. They wanted to speak for themselves. So they broke away from Arc and organized themselves as ACT. The founders and those who have joined them over the past three decades been organizing and working on issues small and large ever since. The celebration was a chance for some early ACT members—Minnesota’s selfadvocacy pioneers—to mix with today’s younger leaders.
Gloria Steinbring, a key player in ACT’s fight to pass Rule 40 back in the early 1980s, was especially proud of ACT’s style of organizing. “When we work on an issue, or put on a conference, or do trainings, we involve as many people with disabilities as we can at each step. And I mean every step: planning the big decisions, making the money decisions and doing the daily details. It’s slow, but it’s worth it,” she said. ACT’s many accomplishments include collaborating with disability rights groups around the world. A history exhibit developed by ACT was taken on a European tour last year. The group’s handbook, We Have Human Rights (2008), has been translated into several languages and is distributed worldwide through the Harvard Project on Disability. ACT helped build the coali-
ACT board members present the values of self-advocacy. Photo by John Berklend tion, “Remembering with Dig- coming folks. Making toasts. ber Larry Kennedy said. “ACT nity,” which provides markers Handing out certificates. has helped us build our orgaand important recognition for That’s what I am most im- nization, and see ourselves as persons who died while in state pressed with about ACT. part of a larger human rights institutions. People who were They’re not just talking em- movement.” Last spring buried anonymously are now powerment. They’re building Kennedy joined several ACT remembered, an effort which leaders for the whole commu- members to present at a hudraws grateful thanks from nity.” man rights conference in Qatar, families. Yet another highlight The evening’s featured en- in the Middle East. of ACT’s history is the docu- tertainment further testified to As the music drifted across mentary “Offense Taken,” ACT’s wide-reaching influ- the water and into the cold which was released last year. ence. A self-advocacy group night air, the party closed with The documentary focuses on from the Listen Center of a dance. With hips shaking disrespectful language di- Grand Forks, North Dakota, and bodies swaying, you got rected toward the developmen- came down to present a rendi- the clear impression that this tally disabled. tion of the musical Grease. I evening was not just about the Also on board for the river love ACT,” said Carla Tice of past. This is about a social cruise was a big contingent the Listen Center. “I’d go any- change movement in full from Self-Advocates Minne- where to celebrate these guys.” swing. Indeed, in the days imsota (SAM). ACT was a key Fellow Listen Center member mediately following the party, player in launching that state- Bev Kellor also said, “ACT ACT hosted a week-long huwide self-advocacy coalition. has taught our group a lot. Last man rights retreat in Farm“Look at all these self-advo- month I spent four days with ington, building on ACT’s cates helping put on this pro- ACT learning how to do dis- work as an emerging leader in Patty McGlynn, Kelly Lee of ACT, James Lee, William Roberts of the Listen Center in North gram,” said Wilber Neu- ability rights training. ACT connecting disability rights schwander-Frink, a SAM or- helped me see that I can do it.” and human rights. ■ Dakota, all having fun on the Betsy Northrop boat ride on the Mississippi. Fellow Listen Center memPhoto by John Berklend ganizer from New Ulm. “Wel-
H1N1 -
Cont. from p. 1
people 25 through 64 years of age with chronic health disorders or weakened immune systems and health care providers. It is likely that two doses of H1N1 vaccine will be needed, given several weeks apart. What if you are at high risk for flu complications? You need to plan to take additional precautions. Individuals at high risk include persons with chronic health problems like asthma, diabetes, heart or lung disease, metabolic conditions, and neurological and neuromuscular disorders. If you are not sure whether you are at higher risk, check with a doctor. If you are at high risk, talk to your doctor to develop a plan that meets your individual health needs. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop influenza symptoms. If you need antiviral drugs, they should be started within two days of symptoms for the best response. Contact your doctor to see whether antiviral drugs are needed if you have had close contact with others who have influenza symptoms. If someone else in your household is at high risk for complications from influenza, their doctor should be consulted to discuss a plan for what to do if they have close contact with
someone with influenza symp- not able to use your phone. toms or develop influenza List more than one person, (“ICE 1”, “ICE 2”, etc.) symptoms. Get emergency supplies together. Make sure you have Planning ahead everything you’ll need to get for a pandemic A pandemic or widespread by if you have to remain at outbreak of flu is something home for a period of time, up that everyone should prepare to two weeks, if possible. Esfor. Know your personal abili- sential items include: a supties and needs. Prepare as in- ply of drinking water (one dividuals and as a community gallon per person per day), a to be ready for a flu pandemic. supply of nonperishable food, Start getting ready NOW, be- a supply of prescription and fore any outbreak happens. over-the-counter drugs, mediThat means knowing what to cal supplies, and a standard expect, and making plans to first aid kit. Have a box or tub “ride out” a pandemic. of basic equipment including There are many things you a flashlight, battery-operated and your family can do now to radio, supply of batteries and prepare. The first is to stay a manual can opener. Stock healthy. Keep yourself in up on personal care products: shape. Eat nutritious foods, soap, toiletries, waterless don’t smoke, exercise regu- hand cleaner, extra glasses or larly, and get enough sleep. contact lenses, tissues and Get a flu shot every fall, so toilet paper, and any special you’re protected against ordi- items for infants or people nary “seasonal” flu. with special health needs. Develop a family emergency Make sure you have adequate stay-at-home plan. Know how kitchen utensils and you’ll reach family members, dishwashing supplies, as well care givers, and neighbors. as extra clothing and bedding. Keep a list of emergency phone Other needs include a notenumbers in a handy place. book and pen, whistle to atStore emergency numbers in tract attention, money and your cell phone under “ICE” credit cards, extra car keys, (“In Case of Emergency”), so medical and insurance inforsomeone else can call your mation and copies of other emergency numbers if you are important documents. Plan
ahead to stay active if you cannot get out, with extra reading materials, DVDs and other items to stay entertained. Prepare your community Find out what your own community is doing to prepare for the pandemic, public health and emergency response agencies, schools, businesses, voluntary agencies and organizations. Workplaces, organizations, places of worship and community gathering places are also making contingency plans. Schools and the business community have an especially important role. Make sure you are aware of plans for places you frequent. Now is the time to talk with your neighbors and find out what you can do to look out for each other during a pandemic. Pool resources to be better prepared. Identify the support systems you will rely on during an emergency, churches and faith communities, social or fraternal organizations, voluntary groups and organizations, etc. Figure out how you’ll keep up on the latest information during an emergency, TV, radio, phone contact, internet, posting of information in public
locations, etc. Allow for the fact that some communication systems may be down temporarily. Find out where you fit in and how you can help. Cities and counties are making plans to put in place and some local units of government will be setting up flu hotlines. If you’re not sure where to call, check with Minnesota Department of Health. The Twin Cities area phone number is 651-201-5000. For Greater Minnesota call 1-888-
345-0823. The TTY number is 651-201-5797. For an emergency preparedness guide for people with disabilities contact MSCOD at 651-361-7800 (v/tty) or 1-800945-8913 (v/tty) or www.dis ability.state.mn.us Another resource is www. disabilitypreparedness.gov/ Information about H1N1 can be found at: www.health. state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/flu/h1n1/index.html ■
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October 10, 2009
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