October 2010 Edition - Access Press

www.accesspress.org History

Inside ■ Get your tickets–pg 3 ■ METO settlement–pg 4 ■ Get out and vote–pg 5

“Wholeness does not mean perfection: it means embracing brokenness as an integral part of life.

Knowing this gives me hope that human wholeness—mine, yours, ours—need not be a utopian dream, if we can use devastation as a seedbed for new life.”

— Parker J. Palmer

Note Pg 2 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Mpls. MN Permit No. 4766 Address Service Requested

Volume 21, Number 9

Minnesota’s Disability

Community Newspaper

October 10, 2010

2010 Charlie Smith Award

Steve Kuntz believes in the value of meaningful work

by Jane McClure A man who has made it his work life’s mission to help people with disabilities find meaningful employment is the 2010 Access Press Charlie Smith Award winner. The award will be presented to Steve Kuntz Friday, Nov. 5 at the Minneapolis Airport Marriott in Bloom-ington.

For several decades Kuntz has been a tireless advocate for people with disabilities, beginning as a direct care staff at Courage Center and progressing into positions in which he has always worked to improve the lives of those of us with disabilities. He has worked persistently to place people into good jobs that have allowed people with disabilities to leave productive, meaningful lives. He has worked at Goodwill/Easter Seals and TBI Metro Services

(for what is now Opportunity Partners). He is currently a program specialist in rehabilitation services in the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).

“I’m very humbled and honored to receive the Charlie Smith Award,” said Kuntz. He and the late Charlie Smith were very good friends, and Kuntz served on the Access Press board several years ago, so the award is meaningful personally and professionally.

“This guy is absolutely tireless and relentless to ensure that people with disabilities have meaningful work,” said Rod Haworth, Kuntz’s supervisor at DEED. “Steve is a role model in our state for helping people with disabilities in the field of employment,” said nominator

Joani Werner. “He really believes in people with disabilities and their ability to work self-sufficiently.”

“I know he has personally had to fight the system to be able to do his job in the way that it needs to be done to really get good paying jobs with benefits for people and not just place people in “token” positions,” said Linda Wolford, manager, Disability Student Services at the University of Minnesota. “Steve works harder than anyone I know often sending out e-mails at 3 a.m. and working until late in the evening to do what it takes to get people with disabilities employed. His reputation as a successful placement specialist for vocational rehabilitation caused the state to create a position for Steve Steve Kuntz at work in his office at Anoka County Human Services in Blaine Photo by Ali Mohamed Award winner - cont. on p. 15

Guardianship issues affect individual voting rights

by Justin Page People with disabilities have the same voting right as any other citizens. But individuals with disabilities who are under guardianship or who live in residential facilities are often uncertain about their voting rights. During the 2008 presidential election, family members in Iowa and Nebraska tried to challenge the voting rights of their adult children. Know the law before casting a ballot.

right to vote has been revoked, and there is desire to restore that right, the individual should contact the court that ordered the guardianship and ask the court administrator to schedule a hearing to modify the court order. The next step is to petition the court to have the right to vote reinstated.

Any Minnesotan seeking to restore his or her voting rights is entitled to a court-appointed lawyer’s assistance.

Guardianship In Minnesota, only a court may decide whether an individual is not competent to vote. Individuals under guardianship have the right to vote unless a court has specifically revoked an individual’s right to vote.

If a person under guardianship is unsure of his or her legal right to vote, the first step is to check an individual guardianship order. If the order says nothing about voting, then he or she has the right to vote. If the court order states that an individual’s

Residential facility Individuals who live in a residential facility have the right to vote. A residential facility is a nursing home, an assisted living facility, a residential treatment center, a group home or a battered women’s shelter.

Vouching Individuals who cannot prove their residence at a residential facility are able to vote on Election Day by having an employee of the facility come to the polling place and “vouch” for them. Vouching

entails having the employee sign a legal oath stating they personally know that the resident resides in the precinct. A person who goes to the polling place with a voucher can register and vote on Election Day The procedures governing vouching are complex. The main requirements are for residential facilities to provide a certified list of names of current employees and the address of the facility to the appropriate county auditor at least 20 days before each election. Employees who vouch must be residents of Minnesota and eligible to vote. However, they do not have to live in the precinct in which they are vouching and there is no limit on the number of residents for whom an employee can vouch.

nesota law lets you designate a person (your “agent”) to pick up an absentee ballot, bring it to the voter and return it to the county auditor or city clerk where the voter lives. This is allowed only during the last seven days prior to the election and until 2 p.m. on Election Day. The agent must return the completed absentee ballot to the local election official’s office by 3 p.m. on Election Day for it to be counted.

In order to have an agent deliver a ballot, the voter must complete a Request for Agent Delivery of Absentee Ballot Form and an Absentee Ballot Application. These forms can be obtained from your local election official’s office.

Voters must have a preexisting relationship with the agent. Each agent is only allowed to deliver and return Voting by agent ballots for a maximum of three Persons residing in a resi- voters. dential facility who aren’t able to get to the polls on Election Voting in person with assisDay can vote in Minnesota by tance using a designated agent. MinVoters with disabilities who

want to vote on Election Day can ask for assistance at the polling place. Remember that while assistance is offered, a voter may decline it. No one may handle a ballot without the voter’s permission.

A voter can bring a helper to the polls. However, helpers can only assist a voter in casting a ballot. A head election judge may ask the voter and helper, “Are you being assisted or are you being influenced?” This is done to ensure that the voter is not being told whom to vote for.

Anyone coming to the polling place needs to talk to the head precinct judge for various types of assistance. Minnesota offers car side or motor voting, for voters who cannot get out of their vehicles. After arriving at a polling place, send someone inside to ask for help. The head judge will send out two judges of different political parties to help fill out the ballot. Judges of different parties help so that one party does not have undue influence.

Voters who vote at the polls can ask the head judge for assistance in filling out a ballot. Again, two judges from different parties will be assigned to assist.

Minnesota also offers AutoMark voting machines, which can be used to mark a ballot.

The machines are designed for voters with visual and hearing impairments. These devices mark a ballot but don’t count it. All ballots still have to be inserted in a counting device. Many cities and counties in Minnesota have one election judge per precinct who is specifically trained to help with the AutoMark.

Anyone with additional questions voting rights, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website at www.sos. state.mn.us. Now go out and VOTE! Justin Page works for the, Minnesota Disability Law Center. Access Press staff con-tributed to this article.

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October 10, 2010 Have you got Nov. 5 marked down on your calendars to attend the Access Press annual award dinner? We’ll have a silent auction that can’t be matched, with splendid donations and a raffle that won’t allow anyone to go home empty-handed. Again this year, the banquet will be at the Airport Marriott in Bloomington in one of the larger dining rooms, allowing all of us who use mobility devices to mingle without weaving through the obstacle course we encounter in a lot of banquet rooms. It’s a great opportunity to see old friends, make new ones and meet some of the leaders in the disability community. If you haven’t attended before, make this your first “Charlie Award” dinner; I’m pretty sure it won’t be your last. Be there or be square is what I say. Other more modern people say it’s a fantastic time. And by the way, those of you who have won the Charlie Smith award in the past

Tim Benjamin, Editor

are welcome as our guests, so please come and congratulate your colleague on becoming a member of the elite group of Charlie Smith Award recipients.

The 2010 award winner is Steve Kuntz. I was first introduced to Steve by Charlie Smith Jr. over 10 years ago.

Steve was one of the founding members of the Board of Directors of Access Press. Steve was also the board chair when Charlie got sick and asked me to take over as director. I think initially Steve was pretty leery that I didn’t have the journalistic experience needed, or enough background knowledge of the Minnesota disability community. Steve had every right to be concerned: I didn’t yet have the skills or the knowledge. I had to keep going for a long time on what Charlie called “the right temperament.” But Steve, along with many others helped me gain the skills I would need to

keep our paper going. The first year, Steve was the first number on my Access Press speeddial, and he was pretty much available to me all the time. If he wasn’t free when I called, I knew that he would get back to me before the end of the day.

That was one of the many values that Steve instilled in me: never go home without checking my phone and returning calls that same day. One of the most important things Steve gave me, as he helped me learn to work with the Access Press community and its board, was encouragement. He boosted my confidence that I could serve as director of Access Press and keep the paper going. I thank him for that and for all the mentoring he has done for me over the years. I was truly pleased to learn that the current board had selected him for this year’s Charlie Smith award.

Randall W. Bachman took over the executive director’s

position at AXIS Healthcare just over a year ago at a very troubled time for the organization. Bachman came to AXIS not trying to fill the shoes of his predecessor, who is a very good friend to many of us, but in his own shoes— and he hit the ground running.

Bachman’s confidence and business savvy has served him as well as the members of AXIS healthcare. He has negotiated new contracts with several of the state’s counties for continued care coordination, the mainstay of the original vision of AXIS healthcare.

Bachman still has plenty to do as director of AXIS, and he is very concerned that all the members have the correct information needed for the transition to a new Special Needs Basic Care (SNBC) program before January 1, 2011. On behalf of Bachman, I encourage all the members of AXIS to call the care coordinator as soon as possible to get things

moving so that none of your benefits would be eliminated.

Remember also that the Disability Linkage line can help, but if you have waiver services you must transfer your waiver to the county before you choose an SNBC. You could lose your waiver slot if it’s not done correctly and in the right order. So, please, call AXIS and make sure everything is in line for the transition.

Finally Nov. 2, will have come and gone before our next issue. Don’t forget to vote! We have articles this month giving you information and many of the details to make sure your vote is counted. We even have options on how to get transportation to your polling place.

See you at the polls. And at the Access Press awards dinner: go mark that calendar! ■

History Note

Families created the Worthington Crippled Children’s School

by Luther Granquist In the early 1950s, many children with physical disabilities were denied education in the public schools. Parents also lacked in-home support services and, often, any way to pay for needed therapies. At that time there were “hospitalschools” for “crippled” children in Illinois, Iowa, and the Dakotas. Although there were special schools for these children in metropolitan areas, the Easter Seals News for December 1952 reported that parents in the Twin Cities still sought that type of hospital-school.

Children with physical disabilities and their parents had fewer options in rural areas. In Worthington, Eugene Wing, a

businessman with a child with a disability who attended the Crippled Children’s School in Jamestown, N.D., determined that there were approximately 60 seriously handicapped children who needed education and treatment in the surrounding 12-county area. Wing eyed the buildings and grounds of the shuttered Southwestern Minnesota Sanatorium on Lake Okabena for a hospitalschool.

A multi-county commission operated the sanatorium, which had opened in 1917. As the number of tuberculosis patients decreased, an interim legislative committee recommended closing the facility.

In January 1955, Wing and representatives of the Minnesota Society for Crippled Children and Adults proposed to the sanatorium commission that the buildings be converted to a crippled children’s hospital, a proposal the commission didn’t adopt at the time. Wing then spearheaded formation of a non-profit corporation, Crippled Children’s School, Inc. When the sanatorium ultimately closed in 1957, the commission sold it to the new corporation.

Wing chaired the campaign to raise funds to renovate the old buildings. One of the fundraising brochures emphasized that there were no board-

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, Anita Schermer, Carrie Salberg, Tom Squire and Kay Willshire Editor ......................................................................................................... Tim Benjamin Assistant Editor ......................................................................................... Jane McClure Business Manager/Webmaster ............................................................ Dawn Frederick Cartoonist ..................................................................................................... Scott Adams Production ...................................................... Ellen Houghton at Presentation Images Distribution ......................................................................................... S. C. Distribution Advertising Sales ........................................................................................ 651-644-2133 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

ing schools for these children in Minnesota, the children needed special physical training, and for those reasons the public schools weren’t the answer. But the public schools had to be involved, for state policy required that the Worthington Public Schools provide special education services. These special education services, unfortunately, were limited to “educable” children, those with an IQ above 50, because state law didn’t require school districts to serve “trainable” children. Nevertheless, the school served many children with physical disabilities both from the surrounding counties and from throughout the state.

The Worthington Crippled Children’s School, later named the Lakeview School, operated from 1958 until 1996. In the latter years the number of

Pictures of children were often used to thank donors to the hospital-schools.

Photo courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society children with physical disabilities decreased, in large part because of changes in federal law. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act required access to public schools programs.

The Educational of All Handicapped Children Act (now IDEA) included a requirement for related services. Increased access to Medical Assistance enabled parents to obtain inhome support, PCA services, and therapy services without having to place their children away from home in a boarding school. ■

A Study of Orthopedically Handicapped Children in Southwestern Minnesota done by the Minnesota Department of Education is included in With an Eye to the Past on the Developmental Disability Council website at www.mn ddc.org/past/pdf/50s/58/58SOH-DEPTED.pdf The History Note is a monthly column sponsored by the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, www.mncdd.org and www. partnersinpolicymaking.com

October 10, 2010

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Charlie Smith Award banquet is Nov. 5; come and join us

by Access Press staff

Jolene Boyd, Michelle Schelp and Megan Henjum Plane tickets, collectibles, sports memorabilia, art prints, theater tickets, tasty treats and much more will be up for grabs at the Access Press Charlie Smith Award banquet 5:30-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5. The second annual silent auction and raffle has lots of great prizes.

Last year banquet-goers had fun competing for their favorites, and bidding against each other. Some items became the subject of good-natured bidding wars as people vied for prizes.

Proceeds from the silent auction and raffle go to Access Press. What better way to do your holiday shopping, pick up some unique and fun gifts, and help the newspaper at the same time?

Tickets are still available for the banquet at the Airport Marriott in Bloomington. The banquet, hosted by Access Press, is a great way for members of Minnesota’s disability community to get together and celebrate our accomplishments. It will also be fun to honor 2010 award winner Steve Kuntz, who has done so much for so many people, and to salute the other award finalists. Come and honor those who have given so much of their time and talents to help our community.

Previous winners of the Charlie Smith Award will also be recognized. They are: 2009—Anne Henry, of the Minnesota Disability Law Center, 2008—Pete Feigal, Co-Founder of Tilting at Windmills, 2007—Jim and Claudia Carlisle, People Enhancing People, 2006— John Smith, University of MN, 2005—Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MN-CCD), 2004 —Rick Cardenas, Co-Director of Advocating Change Together (ACT), 2003—Margot Imdieke Cross, Minnesota State Council on Disability.

Tickets are $45 per person or $325 for an 8-person table (save $35). Buying tickets as a table ensures you will be able to sit with your friends, or that you and co-workers can sit together. If you would like to help someone else attend the banquet, ask about sponsorships or consider sponsoring a person who is in need.

Anyone wanting tickets can call Dawn Frederick at 651644-2133 or email dawn@ accesspress.org You can mail your check for tickets to Access Press, Attention: Dawn, 1821 University Av. W., Suite 104-S, St. Paul, MN 55104 or drop off a check during newspaper business hours.

The highlight is the award given in honor of the late Charlie Smith, founding editor of Access Press. A delicious meal, musical entertainment by Larry McDonough, a raffle and silent auction are also part of the event. Enjoy social time before the meal and catch up with your friends.

Thanks go to banquet sponsors. Editor-in-chief sponsors are Courage Center and InHome Personal Care. Proofreader sponsors are Rise, Inc. and NHHI. Keyliner sponsors are Handi Medical and the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration. Please thank these sponsors when you see them, as they help make the banquet possible.

Contact Dawn at 651-6442133 if you have other questions about the banquet.

Many deserving people were nominated for the 2010 Charlie Smith Award. Here is information about some nominees. Read more about them at www.accesspress.org Jolene Thibedeau Boyd & Megan Zeilinger Henjum Community Involvement Programs, Bloomington From the nomination: Jolene and Megan have transformed a former “day program” to a program that offers inclusive, integrative and person centered employment services. CIP is now a leader in employment services for adults challenged by disability. The organization is 100% community based, with no inhouse, enclave, or sub-minimum wage work accepted.

Jolene Thibedeau Boyd is the Director of Employment and Community Supports, a division of Community Involvement Programs (CIP).

Megan Zelinger Henjum is the Employment Supports Program Manager. The Bloomington-based program is committed to connecting

Mimi and Tom Fogarty clients with people in their communities in the most natural settings possible. For people who choose to work part-time, or are currently seeking employment, a strength-based approach to facilitate each person’s involvement in his or her community.

Together, the two women lead a team with a mission to advance employment opportunities for persons living with developmental disabilities.

Boyd and Henjum believe that all people have unique talents and abilities, and that all people have something positive to contribute to our workforce.

CIP supports 130 people in finding and maintaining employment in their communities. Approximately 70% of the clients are employed by businesses in their communities.

When Boyd and Henjum joined CIP, only one or two people in the program had jobs.

Many were part of enclave and in-house crews. Today, 70% of the people supported by CIP are working in real jobs, paid real wages for real work. CIP helps people pursue their individual goals.

Tom & Mimi Fogarty Camp Courage North From the nomination: The unique blend of combined, professional abilities and their personalities made Tom and Mimi the perfect fit to be leaders for Courage Center and directors at Camp Courage North. The activities at camp would have continued without them but the energy and dedication that Tom and Mimi brought with them was extraordinary and the results were extremely successful camp programs that had a marked, positive impact on the lives of many people, within and without the disability community.

For more than 40 years, Tom and Mimi Fogarty have been involved with Camp Courage and Courage Center. Since 1985, they were directors and staff residents at Camp Courage North at Lake George, responsible for running the summer and off-season camp programs and maintaining camp facilities year round. The en-

Melvin Haagenson ergy they have given to the Courage Center organization (MSCCA before that) and the disability community far surpasses what could be expected of any typical employee.

Mimi will retire at the end of 2010 and Tom is eligible for retirement soon. Year ago Tom was Access Press founder Charlie Smith’s PCA while both attended St. Cloud State University.

Their camp work was not just a job but a lifestyle. They went above and beyond what any organization could expect from employees, on the job 24/7/365 for many years. They were Mom & Dad, friends and mentors to campers of all ages, camp staff, and neighbors.

Melvin Haagenson, Community volunteer From the nomination: Melvin Haagenson is literally always there when the disability community or the self-advocacy movement need his support. He’s not one to sit back and let others do the work. He has been known to wear a T-shirt that says, ‘I speak for myself’ and that has been his mantra for many years. He is the unwavering voice of self-advocacy and the personification of involved citizenship.

Haagenson is regarded as one of the unsung heroes of Minnesota’s disability activist community. He is a former board member of Arc Greater

Twin Cities and is currently active in its Public Policy Action Networks. He has been active in a number of self-advocacy organizations including People First Minnesota, where he served on the board and worked on more than 10 self-advocacy trainings throughout Minnesota. He has served on the board of Advocating Change Together (ACT) and played a key role in the formation of Self-Advocates of Minnesota (SAM). At SAM he served several terms on the leadership team and is currently an alternate for the metropolitan region.

In addition, he has been active in many projects relating to disability and self-advocacy.

He worked tirelessly on Remembering With Dignity, an effort to mark the graves of people with disabilities who lived and died in state institutions. During the past year he worked to get funding for the program restored in state legislation. He worked on the Institute on Community Integration’s “Offense Taken” video, which educated the community on the power of lanNominees - cont. on p. 15

Letter to the editor

Let’s share our experiences I’m writing in response to Ms. Young’s letter to the editor published in September’s Access Press titled “Need for PCA Oversight.”

I’ve had many experiences similar to Ms. Young (e.g. disrespect, abuse, theft, fear of not finding DSP/PCA replacements, fear of retaliation) and have tried many of the same “solutions” (e.g. informing the agency, requesting Department of Health or Department of Human Services investigations, initiating law enforcement interventions). I suspect many of us have experienced at least a few undesirable DSPs/PCAs, and those experiences have been hurtful and impactful. What can we do if we encounter such situations?

Document why we feel uncomfortable, unsafe, or disrespected, discuss the situation and appropriate behavior with that particular DSPs/PCA (if you feel comfortable), and let that particular DSPs/PCA go if the problem continues. Remember, it is your life and you are allowed to choose. You do not need to provide a twoweek notice, especially if you feel threatened, unsafe, disrespected, or abused either physically, sexually, verbally, culturally or spiritually.

Acknowledging there are always “a few bad pennies in the bunch.” I believe there are also

many tremendously compassionate and genuine DSPs/ PCAs out there. Which brings me to your question: What are the best places to find DSPs/ PCAs who share common goals? That is a good question, which I don’t have a fantastic answer for... at least yet.

For now, there are usually bulletin boards in neighborhood coffee shops and grocery stores. There’s Craigslist.

Many local colleges accept job postings for students. I’ve been recruiting DSPs/PCAs from a college near me for several years and it has worked very well for me—that just my experience and everyone has different preferences.

I’m currently working on a program to offer quick, safe, and individualized matching of direct support consumers and high-quality in-home professionals. Hopefully, it will be available to the public in a year. At some point down the road, we may explore adding a rating system for clients and DSPs/PCAs—if an individual’s rating gets too low or they are accused of abuse or fraud, we would remove them from our listings until they are cleared of those charges. Perhaps we could put together a mediation program to help resolve problems between clients and DSPs/PCAs? If you’re interested in providing

input on that project, feel free to contact me.

I think the answer to the challenges we’re experiencing today lie in helping each other more easily find compatible and trustworthy DSPs/PCAs. I don’t think the answer lies in more DSP/PCA oversight.

Unfortunately, we’ve tried using DSP/PCA oversight in the past, and while it’s helped to eliminate some of the “bad seeds”, it seems that eventually people find the loopholes.

Plus, as you pointed out, it’s difficult to gather enough proof that a crime occurred. Therefore, I think we have as much oversight as we can have while being effective. I believe if we add additional oversight, we’ll begin to experience more challenges — the many costs to us and our freedom will outweigh the benefits of netting a few more bad apples.

As far as encouraging and empowering you to advocate for yourself and others, I would say get involved to help develop solutions. Get involved with the Ombudsman’s Office.

Get involved with the Department of Human Services. Get involved with the project we’re working on. I believe there’s power in numbers. ■ Lance Hegland, Minneapolis, (612-378-7028 or lance_ hegland@yahoo.com)

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October 10, 2010

METO settlement reached; courts must sign off A $3 million settlement has been reached in a federal classaction lawsuit centered on the Minnesota Extended Treatment Options (METO) facility in Cambridge, and how the residents there were treated.

The proposed settlement was announced Sept. 14 after two days of talks; as Access Press went to press it hadn’t been yet been finalized by the courts.

The settlement requires approval by U.S. Federal District Court Judge Donovan Frank.

The lawsuit was filed by three families against the State of Minnesota and other defendants for restraining and secluding residents with developmental disabilities, prior to September, 2008. The families had children at METO. The three plaintiff families include Jim Brinker/Daren Allen, Elizabeth Jacobs, and Jim and Lorie Jensen, on behalf of their sons, Thomas, Jason, and Bradley.

Shamus O’Meara JD, lead counsel for the families and partner with the law firm of Johnson & Condon, P.A., said, “This settlement, if approved by the Federal Court, will establish lasting, positive change for the families who have been

through so very much in this difficult, emotional situation.

The State and the families have jointly agreed to develop effective policies and practices for the treatment and care of people with developmental disabilities, including those who are sent to state operated facilities. We recognize and appreciate the State of Minnesota’s commitment to partner with the families on this extremely important effort.”

He added, “This settlement is a defining moment for the families in this lawsuit, and for all families of people with developmental disabilities in Minnesota.”

Jim Brinker said, “Thomas was sent to METO for throwing paint at school. It took us a long time to get him out.

We are thankful for a settlement with the State and DHS which promises to develop appropriate protections to ensure that the most vulnerable in our communities such as those with developmental disabilities receive the treatment and respect they deserve.”

“Parents of children with developmental disabilities struggle every day to find answers and help,” Jim and Lorie

Jensen said in a statement.

“We believe the agreement allows DHS to work with the developmental disabilities community to create the necessary training and resources to help our family and other families who struggle with important decisions for their loved ones.”

“My son has been through much over the past three years.

I am hopeful that he can be happy and will now receive the appropriate treatment and care he needs for his condition,” said Beth Jacobs.

Dr. L. Read Sulik, M.D., assistant commissioner for Chemical and Mental Health Services at DHS, which oversees the METO program, said the department is pleased to reach a settlement and noted the practices described in the lawsuit had ended.

“The Department of Human Services recognizes the vulnerability of individuals with developmental disabilities who are in our care,” Sulik said.

“We are fully committed to working with families and the disability community to provide the safest and highest quality care for our most vulnerable citizens and will work to reduce and eventually eliminate

the reliance on seclusion and restraints in treatment settings.”

The lawsuit contended METO staff routinely restrained residents in a prone face-down position and placed them in metal handcuffs and leg hobbles, placed residents in seclusion and isolation rooms for extended time periods, and deprived them of visits from family members, among other claims. The lawsuit sought damages for violations of the federal civil and constitutional rights of residents with developmental disabilities, and asked the Court

to enter an injunction against the state to prohibit its restraint and seclusion practices, and to declare them unconstitutional.

The defendants have denied liability for all of the claims.

One key condition of the settlement is that the families and state officials would work together over the next 60 days to develop appropriate policies and procedures for use at METO and the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). The parties also agree to form a committee to include stakeholders within the developmental disabilities

community to study, review and modernize the DHS rule (Rule 40), which governs and protects people with developmental disabilities, to reflect current best practices, including the use of positive and social behavioral supports, and the development of placement plans consistent with the principle of the most integrated setting and person-centered planning, and development of an “Olmstead Plan” consistent with the 1999 U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Olmstead v. L.C., 527 U.S. 582 (1999). ■

AXIS ready to help clients in time of transition from MnDHO The Minnesota Disability Health Options Program (MnDHO) ends at the end of 2010, so service providers are working to get the word out and help clients plan for a transition. Although a series of community meetings, which ended in September, drew large crowds, there is still some confusion over the transition. There is also concern that not everyone will be affected has gotten word about the changes. Anyone who hasn’t planned for these changes could have his or her everyday life impacted.

MnDHO, also known as UCare Complete, ends Jan. 1, 2011. One of the organizations working on the transition is AXIS Healthcare. AXIS Healthcare was created to help people with long-term disabilities coordinate not only their health care needs, but also to assist them with living in the community whenever possible. MnDHO was created in partnership with UCare, AXIS, and the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Through this partnership, MnDHO members were able to have

their primary medical needs integrated with the county waiver services that help them live in the community.

AXIS is working closely with UCare and DHS to assist members with the transition.

Members can choose another health plan, or decide to go back to fee for service Medical Assistance. If MnDHO members are receiving waiver services, AXIS is working closely with UCare, DHS and the Counties to transition the waiver services.

“Our goal is to have our

MnDHO members experience as little disruption as possible,” said Randall Bachman, Executive Director at AXIS. “While this transition will present challenges for members, their families, and providers, it is possible for most MnDHO members to keep AXIS involved in their care coordination by choosing an SNBC health plan that has a contract with AXIS, and by choosing AXIS for their waiver case management.”

Fortunately, for people who want to keep AXIS involved in their care coordination, AXIS has a contract with Medica, and an agreement with UCare to provide care coordination through their Special Needs Basic Care (SNBC) programs. They are also in discussion with Metropolitan Health Plan (MHP) to provide services for Hennepin County residents through their SNBC program. In recent weeks, AXIS has negotiated contracts with Hennepin, Washington and Ramsey Counties to provide waiver case management services. They have submitted a proposal to Dakota County, as well.

While there is much information available on the DHS Website about the MnDHO transition, people with questions are encouraged to contact the Disability Linkage Line, their County Social Services Department, or their AXIS Healthcare coordinator.

“This is a time of great change for all of us,” said

Bachman. “Fortunately with these new contracts and agreements we see a way forward for us to continue our work for those who want us involved in their care coordination and case management. We look forward to our new partnerships, and most of all to continuing to serve those who need our help.”

Initially a pilot program, MnDHO evolved to become a program that maintained good health and simplified the lives of many Minnesotans with disabilities. The program was offered by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), UCare and AXIS Healthcare.

AXIS Healthcare, the primary care coordinating organization for MnDHO, was founded in 1997 by Courage Center and Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute as an innovative model of care for people with disabilities. Their experience providing health care services to persons with disabilities convinced them that neither the fee-for-service system nor the traditional managed care was able to deliver appropriate, cost-effective care.

Planning for MnDHO began in the 1990s. At the time it was hailed as one of the few times that people with disabilities had been actively involved in creating a solution to the health care maze they face daily. Many of the MnDHO clients receive home and community-based services such as

personal care attendant (PCA) and waiver services. The Department of Human Services will work with the counties to plan for the transition of these services from UCare to a client’s home county. For those who are eligible, home and community-based services will be managed through the county fee-for-service system.

Information on the changes is being posted on the MnDHO section of the UCare web site.

Go to www.ucare.org and choose “UCare Complete” from among the choices under the “Health Programs” tab on the top menu.

Other assistance is available.

Clients can call UCare at 612676-3200 or toll free at 800203-7225. The information is available in other forms to people with disabilities by calling 612-676-3200 (voice) or toll free at 800-203-7225 (voice), 612-676-6810 (TTY) or toll free at 800-688-2534 (TTY); or through the Minnesota Relay at 711 or toll free direct access at 800-627-3529 (TTY, Voice, ASCII, Hearing Carry Over), or 877-627-3848 (speech to speech relay service).

Or clients can call their UCare representatives at 612676-3554 or 800-707-1711 (toll free), or the Disability Linkage Line at 866-333-2466 (toll free). Clients who are hearing impaired can call the TTY line at 612-676-6810 or 800-688-2534 (toll free). ■

October 10, 2010

5

Get a free ride to polls, be ready to vote Nov. 2 Getting ready to vote Nov. 2 means getting organized. This fall Minnesotans will vote for members of Congress, a governor and state officers, state senators and representatives, and local office holders. The Access Press Web site, www. accesspress.org, has links to Minnesota political party Web sites. Also, watch your local papers for local candidate debates and interviews.

Learn more about voting in Minnesota at www.mnvotes. org To find your polling place and print off a sample ballot visit www.mnvotes.org and click on ‘Where do I Vote.’

Then type in your home address. Or call the Secretary of State at 651-215-1440 (Twin Cities) or 1-877-600-0078.

People with disabilities living in the Minneapolis or St. Paul metropolitan area can get a free ride to a polling place, by calling 1-877-50-RIDES. Several disability community groups have set up the rides program in the Twin Cities.

These groups need responsible, enthusiastic, nonpartisan volunteers willing to drive and operate accessible vans throughout the metro area on

Election Day. Driving shifts will be 3.5 hours and will be based out of St. Paul and Golden Valley. Volunteers may sign up for more than one shift. There will be a training session to learn how to use the lifts and tie downs. Two options are available to choose from: the evening of October 28 or October 29. Sign up and help remove the barriers to voting for people with disabilities. A link for the training is on the Courage Center Web site, at http://www.courage center.org/ContentPages/ getinvolved.aspx As of Access Press deadline no information was available about rides in other parts of Minnesota. If you use a ride service provider, in any part of the state, make sure you schedule a ride to the polls well in advance.

Minnesota allows voters to register at the polls, provided voters bring proper proof of identification and residency.

Voter registration remains current until you move, change your name, or do not vote for four consecutive years. Voters must be at least 18 years old on Election Day, are citi-

zens of the United States and have resided in Minnesota for 20 days immediately preceding Election Day. To register at your polling place on Election Day, you must prove identity and residency. To provide identity, bring one of the following with your current name and address to verify your residence in the precinct: a valid Minnesota driver’s license, learner’s permit, Minnesota ID card, or receipt for any of these; a tribal ID card or a valid student ID card including your photo, if your college has provided a student housing list to election officials.

Or bring to the polling place a valid registration in the same precinct under a different name or address; or a notice of late registration sent to you by your county auditor or city clerk. A voter registered in the same precinct as you who can confirm your address with a signed oath can help you register, as can an employee of the residential facility where you live who can confirm your address with a signed oath.

Use a photo ID with a previous address and a second piece

of information to provide identity and residency. The proper photo IDs are a Minnesota driver’s license, Minnesota ID card, United States passport, United States military ID card, Tribal ID card or a Minnesota University, College, or Technical College ID card.

Only certain types of bills can be used to prove residency.

These include a utility bill due within 30 days of Election Day:

such as telephone (landline, cell, VOIP, etc.), TV (cable, satellite, etc.), Internet services, electric, gas, solid waste, sewer services or water. A rent statement is valid only if it is dated within 30 days of Election Day and includes itemized utilities. A current student fee statement is also valid.

Don’t bring mortgage papers, bank statements, public assistance forms, pension checks

or other papers, even if your address is listed.

If you have questions about your right to vote or encounter any problems at your polling place call the Election Protection hotline starting Oct. 25: 1866-OUR-VOTE. Otherwise call the Minnesota Disability Law Center Voter Hotline on Election Day: 1-800-292-4150 or TDD/TTY: 612-332-4668.

■

Absentee voting provides ease, convenience this fall

by Patrick Timm Getting to the polls can be difficult for voters with disabilities. In some cases, polling places themselves can be difficult to get in and out of due to building design or lack of parking. Instead of voting in person, casting an absentee ballot provides convenience.

Minnesota offers all voters two ways to vote absentee: in person or by mail. To vote in person, a voter needs to visit his or her local election office.

Absentee voting for the Nov. 2 election began Sept. 17 and ends at 5 p.m. Nov. 1. Many election offices do offer weekend and evening hours just prior to an election. The Minnesota Secretary of State’s office can answer questions about absentee voting. In the Twin Cities area, call 651-2151440. In Greater Minnesota call 1-877-600-VOTE. Visit the office’s one-stop voter Web site at www.mn votes.org for more information about voting absentee, eligibility, and elections.

To vote by mail, download and mail in an application form from the Office of the Secretary of State’s website. You will receive a ballot in the mail and you must mail or drop it off at the local election office so it is received before 3 pm on Election Day, or call your election office and ask to have a ballot sent to you. Secretary of State has awarded more than $500,000 in grants to over 150 local governments to increase

polling place accessibility. But some voters may still find their polling place difficult to use and absentee is the only way to participate in the voting process.

The following people are eligible for assistance in receiving and returning an absentee ballot: patients in hospitals, residential treatment centers, nursing homes, residents of group homes, residents of battered women’s shelters, residents of assisted living facilities, voters who are disabled, and voters who would have difficulty getting to the polls because of incapacitating health reasons. If you qualify you can designate a relation to be an agent to help you vote absentee within seven days of an election.

Minnesotans with disabilities who were physically unable to go to the polls were among the more than 31,000 to cast their vote by absentee ballot in the Aug. 10 primary. This number far exceeded the 19,000 absentee ballots cast in the 2006 gubernatorial primary. The only election in the last 20 years to come close in absentee turnout was a highly contested DFL primary in 1998, between Skip Humph-rey, Mark Dayton, Mark Freeman, and Ted Mondale where 25,000 absentee votes were counted.

The increase this year was not unexpected. A highly contested DFL gubernatorial race, the move of the primary date

from September to August, vacations and other schedule conflicts led to more people choosing to vote absentee.

More than the date change may have impacted the increase in absentee ballots. Legislation passed following the Franken-Coleman Senate dispute has made absentee ballots more likely to be counted.

In the past absentee ballots were counted at the polling place on Election day, at the discretion of precinct judges.

If a ballot had an error there wasn’t time to correct it and have the ballot count.

Under new law, boards created at the county level now review voter information and contact the voter if any errors are found. That allows time to correct information and have a ballot properly cast. so they can be corrected and the vote cast. Previously, absentee votes with incomplete information were thrown out at the discretion of local precinct election judges, which lead to inconsistencies where a vote with the same error in different precincts may or may not be counted. In the new system, votes are counted by a uniform process so each ballot is treated equally.

Voters who want to track the status of their absentee ballots can do so now, through a new feature of the Secretary of State website. Secretary of State Mark Ritchie unveiled a new online feature that will

help voters check the status of their absentee ballots. The launch of the Absentee Ballot Lookup service is part of the Office of the Secretary of State’s continuing commitment to use technology to provide added convenience to voters. This service will streamline election administration resulting in cost savings to local governments and ensuring Minnesota is in full compliance with the recent federal Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act. “We anticipate that more than 150,000 Minnesotans will vote by absentee ballot this election year,” Ritchie said.

“This new service will give voters, especially our military personnel serving overseas an easy and convenient way to check the status of their absentee ballots.”

The online service informs absentee voters about the current status of their ballots with one of the following types of messages: • “Your absentee ballot application has been received.

• “Your absentee ballot has been sent to you on (date).

• “Your absentee ballot has been received.

• “Your absentee ballot will be counted.

• “Your absentee ballot has been rejected for (reason).

• “Your replacement ballot has been sent on (date).

In addition, the service will provide helpful links to addi-

tional voter resources such as county auditor contacts and a listing of candidates appearing on voters’ ballots. In cases where a replacement ballot is not sent, voters will be presented with options to consider if they want to vote in the election.

To use the secure service, voters must provide the following information: First and last name (name must match voter’s name entered on the absentee ballot application or voter registration); The same identification number the voter used on the absentee ballot application; Complete date of birth of the applicant.

Those voting absentee are encouraged to visit www.mnv otes.org to use the Absentee Ballot Lookup periodically to stay up-to-date about the status of their ballots. For convenience, the office is also posting a link to the service on its

Military and Overseas Voter web tool, which was designed by this office in partnership with the Overseas Vote Foundation to help military personnel and others serving overseas request their absentee ballots. Visit https://minne sota.overseasvotefoundation.org for more information.

Ritchie reminded absentee voters to pay special attention to the instructions in their absentee ballot materials and be sure to fill out the required forms completely. “The Absentee Ballot Lookup is a valuable resource that will keep voters informed and help alert voters to any problems that may occur while there is still time to correct them,” he said. ■ Patrick Timm is from Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota.

Access Press staff added to this article.

6

October 10, 2010

Regional news in review . . .

Access dispute headed to court A dispute over a shared driveway, which is used by a man with a disability, went back to Dakota County District Court Oct. 4 . For several months, Micah Olson’s family has needed a spotter to help back out of their 8-foot-wide driveway.

That’s because neighbor Jason Kustritz installed 10 metal Tposts sticking out of the ground at uneven lengths on his property, inches away from the shared driveway.

The Olsons said the metal T-posts have made accessing the house difficult for their disabled son, Micah, and hard for them to get in and out without damaging their car. Kustritz said the T-posts are temporary barriers to prevent the Olsons from repeatedly driving on his lawn.

The dispute wound up before the South St. Paul City Council in September, but city officials indicated that there is nothing they can do. City officials characterized the neighbors as one between neighbors, not something that involves the city. Previously city staff indicated the posts could stay.

“The only reason to have the post there, if they are not going to be developed as a fence is just to harass the Olsons,” said Justin Page, an attorney with the Minnesota Disability Law Center, who was representing Micah.

While T-posts are not dubbed as suitable building materials for fences in South St. Paul, the posts on Kustritz’s property were decided earlier not to constitute a fence.

The posts couldn’t be labeled as a public nuisance, either, because they were only affecting the Olson family, said Korine Land, city attorney.

“Unfortunately, this is one of those situations that I think that everyone sees that there is a hazard, but it’s not a public hazard and so for the city to interject itself into a private property matter is really an inappropriate expenditure of city funds,” Land said.

Disputes between the two neighbors about the driveway have gone on since September of 2008, according to the Olsons. The family has spent an exorbitant amount of money in litigation, Olson said.

[Source: Star Tribune, Southwest Review]

Latest nursing home abuse trial this month military experiences may be contributing factors for why they The trial for 20-year-old Ashton Michelle Larson, who faces charges of alleged abuse of residents at Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea, will start Nov. 15 in Rice County District Court. The trial is expected to take one week. It was moved from Freeborn County because of pretrial publicity. A pretrial hearing for Larson is set for Oct. 14.

Larson is the latest of the defendants in the nursing home abuse case to be tried. The alleged abuse took place from January through May 2008. Larson and five other young women are accused of abusing nursing home residents through various types of verbal and physical abuse. The case sent shock waves throughout the region.

Larson faces 17 counts, ranging from fifth-degree assault, criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult, criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult involving sexual contact, disorderly conduct by a caregiver and mandatory failure to report suspected abuse.

She and co-defendant Brianna Broitzman were charged as adults, while four others were charged as juveniles. The charges against the juveniles went through juvenile court.

Broitzman, who faces 15 counts, pleaded guilty in August to three counts of disorderly conduct by a caregiver as part of a plea agreement in the case. She will be sentenced Oct. 22, [Source: Albert Lea Tribune]

are in court.

Judge Richard Hopper has experience in this blend of traditional court and social experiment. He has presided over the county’s mental health court and has seen many of the same people stand before him.

The court uses mentors. Mike Bauman, a Vietnam era veteran whose father wrestled with what was then known as acute battle fatigue, mentors an Iraq vet in his 30s with multiple drunken-driving offenses. The program is administered by the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living. So far 32 mentors have gone through training and 18 have been matched with a veteran.

A Justice Department study in 2000 found that one in 100 vets was behind bars, and that veterans account for roughly 10 percent of people with criminal records. In Minnesota, 7 percent of the state’s prison population is veterans, but studies suggest those who have seen combat are a much higher percentage of that group. Many are Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, but the largest percentage of defendants appearing in front of Hopper have been Vietnam vets, many of whom have long histories in the court system.

[Source: Star Tribune]

Veterans have own court

Minneapolis-based Shelter Corporation broke ground Sept.

21 on a $6.3 million senior-housing facility in Oakdale. Cypress Senior Living at Red Oak Preserve will be a three-story apartment community with 39 rental homes for seniors, underground parking and a community room. The facility will offer one- and two-bedroom floor plans with rents of between $775 and $875 per month. The units will be priced affordably for elderly residents with household incomes at or below 60 percent of the median area income.

The project, located at 4994 N. Hamlet Ave., is to be completed and ready for new residents next spring. Hopkinsbased Frana Cos. is the general contractor. The Washing County Housing and Redevelopment Authority and the MinneRegional news - cont. on p. 14

Ground broken for new facility Veterans charged with crimes now have their own court in Hennepin County. A Sept. 27 Star Tribune article described how the veterans, some of whom have post-traumatic stress disorder and other disabilities, have their cases handled. The court began operating two months ago.

Patterned after similar courts emerging across the country, the Hennepin County project is the first in the state. It brings together parties from the criminal justice system and the Department of Veterans Affairs to focus on the specific needs of veterans. A handful of defendants have been accepted into the court, which requires intensive participation on everyone’s part. The courts are in response to the realization that veterans may benefit from specific interventions and plans, and that their

October 10, 2010

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-763-520-0725 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 PACER Center V-952-838-9000 Telephone Equipment Distribution Program V-651-431-5945 (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 Metro Work Center, Inc Opportunity Partners Reach for Resources REM Minnesota S MN Independ. Living Enterprises/Services

SECOND LINE TF-800-641-0059 F-952-920-1480 TF-800-582-5256 TTY-800-551-2211 TTY-763-520-0245 F-651-523-0829 F-651-647-9353 TTY-952-838-0190 F-651-431-7587 TTY-888-206-6555

E-MAIL/WEB SITE 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.pacer.org www.tedprogram.org

TTY-651-695-5802

www.dungarvin.com

V-612-378-2742 V-763-520-0312 V-763-754-2505 V-763-754-2505 V-651-641-0491 V-612-869-3995

TTY-800-669-6442 TTY-763-520-0245 TF-888-255-6400 TF-888-255-6400 F-651-645-2780 V-651-457-4756

www.braininjurymn.org www.CourageCenter.org www.marytinc.com www.marytinc.com 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-651-917-9111 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 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.co www.howryinc.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-612-624-6300 V-612-752-8100 V-612-331-4584

V-507-494-0950 F-612-624-8279 TTY-612-752-8019 F-480-393-5587

V-320-529-6500 x6271 www.ici.umn.edu www.mrc-mn.org www.upstreamarts.org

Brain Injury Association of Minnesota Courage Center Mary T. Inc. Home Health Mary T. Inc. Supportive Living Tandem Residential TBI Metro Services - Richfield & W. St. Paul

Vinland National Center

www.accesspress.org

V-651-699-6050

BRAIN INJURY

CHEMICAL HEALTH

•

CONSUMER-DIRECTED COMMUNITY SUPPORTS CCP Self Directed Services Community Involvement Programs

EDUCATION

Community Education Network on Disabilities Institute on Community Integration MRC - Minnesota Resource Center Upstream Arts

EMPLOYMENT/VOCATION

Assistive Technology of MN, DBA Equip A Life V-763-479-8239 CCP Works! (Cooperating Community Prog.) V-763-540-6833x305 Chrestomathy, Inc. V-952-974-0339 Community Connections Partnership V-763-540-6833x302 Community Involvement Programs V-763-559-0773 Cooperating Community Programs V-651-917-8322 Courage Center V-763-520-0564

TF-866-535-8239 www.atmn.org F-651-917-8311 www.theccpinc.com F-952-974-0307 www.chrestomathyinc.org www.communityconnectionspartnership.org V-952-851-6193 www.cipmn.org F-651-641-8623 www.theccpinc.com TTY-763-520-0245 www.CourageCenter.org

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.)

7

8

October 10, 2010

Dir ector y of Or ganiza tions Director ectory Org anizations Minnesota’s Disability Community Newspaper VOICE LINE

•

www.accesspress.org

SECOND LINE

EMPLOYMENT/VOCATION

East Suburban Resources V-651-351-0190 Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota V-651-379-5800 Kaposia Inc. V/TTY-651-224-6974 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 Work Incentives Connection V-651-632-5113 MRC - Minnesota Resource Center V-612-752-8100 Opportunity Partners V-952-938-5511 Partnership Resources, Inc. V-952-925-1404 Partnership Resources, Inc. - Minneapolis V-612-331-2075 Partnership Resources, Inc. - Older Adults Program V-952-746-6206 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

F-651-379-5803 F-651-224-7249 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 TF-800-976-6728 TTY-612-752-8019 TTY-952-930-4293 F-952-925-6055 F-612-331-2887 F-952-746-6209 F-651-686-0312 F-651-388-9223 F-763-786-0008 V-651-457-4756 F-651-489-0410 F-612-625-5572

GOVERNMENT

Minnesota State Council on Disability V/TTY-651-361-7800 TTY-800-945-8913 MN Gov. Council on Developmental Disabilities V-651-296-4018 TF-800-627-3529 Social Security Admin. & St. Paul PASS Cadre TF-866-667-6032 x10661, x10674, or x10640 Telephone Equipment Distribution Program V-651-431-5945 F-651-431-7587 (MN Dept. of Human Services) TF-800-657-3663 TTY-888-206-6555

HEALTH CARE PLANS Cornerstone Solutions UCare

HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICES Dungarvin, Inc.- Minnesota In Home Personal Care Mary T. Inc. Home Health Mary T. Inc. Hospice Services Mary T. Inc. Supportive Services

V-651-699-6050 V-763-546-1000 V-763-754-2505 V-763-754-2505 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 TF-888-255-6400 www.marytinc.com TF-888-255-6400 www.marytinc.com

V-952-925-0301 V-612-978-1054 V-651-249-7751

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.

Target Marketing at its finest!

AY! Call 651-644-2133 TOD ODA

www.disability.state.mn.us www.mncdd.org www.socialsecurity.gov www.tedprogram.org

TTY-800-627-3529 www.cornerstone-solutions.org TTY-800-688-2534 www.ucare.rg

Directory of Organizations - cont. on next page

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

www.esrworks.org www.goodwilleasterseals.org www.kaposia.com 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.mnworkincentives.com www.mrc-mn.org www.opportunitypartners.org www.partnershipresources.org www.partnershipresources.org www.partnershipresources.org www.proactinc.org www.proactinc.org www.rise.org www.opportunitypartners.org www.tse-inc.org http://ds.umn.edu

TF-866-601-8962 V-800-707-1711

HOUSING-CONSTRUCTION/REMODELING Accessibility Design Accessible Homes, LLC. Equal Access Homes, Inc.

E-MAIL/WEB SITE

F-952-926-7712 F-651-554-3085 F-651-450-1330

www.accessibilitydesign.com www.accessiblehomesllc.net www.EqualAccessHomes.com

October 10, 2010

9

Dir ector y of Or ganiza tions Director ectory Org anizations Accessible Space, Inc. HousingLink Mary T. Inc. National Handicapped Housing Institute, Inc

SECOND LINE

V-651-645-7271 V-612-522-2500 V-763-754-2505 V-651-639-9799

Fairview Rehabilitation Services Fairview Seating and Wheeled Mobility Handi Medical Supply Key Medical Supply, Inc. Liberty Oxygen & Medical Equipment Tamarack Habilitation Technologies

MENTAL HEALTH

Community Involvement Programs Courage Center Howry Residential Services Lifetrack Resources - St. Paul National Alliance on Mental Illness of MN People Inc. Epilepsy & Mental Health Services

PHYSICIANS Courage Center

V-612-334-5970

TF-800-292-4150

www.mndlc.org

V-612-273-6228 V-612-273-5560 V-651-644-9770 V-651-792-3860 V-952-920-0460 V-763-795-0057

TTY-800-824-1953 F-612-273-7360 F-651-644-0602 F-651-792-3867 F-952-920-0480 TF-866-795-0057

www.fairview.org/rehab www.fairview.org/rehab www.handimedical.com www.keymedicalsupply.com www.libertyoxygen.com www.tamarackhti.com

V-612-362-4449 V-763-520-0312 V-651-917-9111 V-651-227-8471 V-651-645-2948 V-651-338-9035

V-612-362-4452 TTY-763-520-0245 F-651-917-1018 TTY-651-227-3779 TF-888-NAMI-Helps TTY-651-338-1160

www.cipmn.org www.CourageCenter.org www.howryinc.com www.lifetrackresources.org www.namihelps.org www.peopleincorporated.org

V-763-520-0453

TTY-763-520-0245

www.CourageCenter.org

RECREATION-ADAPTIVE HOBBY/EXERCISE/SPORTS/ARTS Courage Center Mind Body Solutions VSA Minnesota

V-763-520-0537 V-952-473-3700 V/TTY-612-332-3888

TTY-763-520-0245 TF-800-801-3883

www.CourageCenter.org www.mindbodysolutions.org www.vsamn.org

V-507-724-2351 V-952-852-0101 V-952-852-0107 V-612-676-9400

F-507-724-3786 TF-800-450-8376 TF-866-692-7400 TF-800-728-0719

www.campwinnebago.org www.friendshipventures.org www.venturestravel.org www.wildernessinquiry.org

RECREATION-TRAVEL/CAMPING Camp Winnebago Friendship Ventures Ventures Travel, LLC Wilderness Inquiry

Sponsor

a

MEDICAL SUPPLIES/EQUIPMENT

www.adaminnesota.org www.arcgreatertwincities.org www.atmn.org www.disability.state.mn.us www.mssociety.org www.pacer.org www.ucpmn.org

p

MN Disability Law Center

TF-888-630-9793 F-952-920-1480 TF-866-535-8239 TTY-800-945-8913 TF-800-582-5296 TTY-952-838-0190 TF-877-528-5678

Issue Hel

ADA Minnesota V-651-603-2015 Arc Greater Twin Cities V-952-920-0855 Assistive Technology of Minnesota V-763-479-8239 Minnesota State Council on Disability V/TTY-651-361-7800 National Multiple Sclerosis Society - MN Chapter V-612-335-7900 PACER Center, Inc. V-952-838-9000 United Cerebral Palsy of MN V-651-646-7588

Become an

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

INFORMATION AND REFERRAL RESOURCES

LEGAL

www.accesspress.org

Call: 651-644-2133 TOD AY! TODA

dif fer enc e!

VOICE LINE HOUSING-RENTAL

•

ma ke

Minnesota’s Disability Community Newspaper

REHABILITATION (PHYSICAL, OCCUPATIONAL, SPEECH, AUDIOLOGY THERAPISTS) Cooperating Community Prog. (Home-Based Support)V-651-379-9711 Courage Center V-763-588-0811 Courage Center - Burnsville V-952-898-5700 Courage Center - Forest Lake V-651-464-5235 Courage Ceter - St. Croix V-651-439-8283 DeafBlind Services Minnesota V-612-362-8454 Fairview Acute Rehabilitation Center V-612-273-8660 Fairview Balance Center V-612-273-6521 Fairview M.S. Achievement Center V-612-672-2815 Fairview Rehabilitation Services V-612-273-6228 Gillette Children s Specialty Healthcare V-651-291-2848 In Home Personal Care V-763-546-1000 Lifetrack Resources - St. Paul V-651-227-8471 Telephone Equipment Distribution Program V-651-431-5945 (MN Dept. of Human Services) TF-800-657-3663

RESIDENTIAL/GROUP HOME PROGRAMS Capstone Services, LLC Community Involvement Programs CCP Home-Based Support Dungarvin, Inc. - Minnesota Fraser

V-651-641-0042 x211 V-612-362-4403 V-651-917-8322 V-651-699-6050 V-612-861-1688

F-651-645-7350 ww.theccpinc.com TTY-763-520-0245 www.CourageCenter.org F-952-898-5757 www.CourageCenter.org F-651-464-3547 www.CourageCenter.org F-651-439-0576 www.CourageCenter.org TTY-612-362-8422 www.dbsm.org F-612-273-4706 www.fairview.org/arc F-612-273-7360 www.fairview.org/balance F-651-645-2254 www.fairview.org/msac TTY-800-824-1953 www.fairview.org/rehab TF-800-719-4040 www.gillettechildrens.org F-763-546-1018 www.inhomepersonalcare.com TTY-651-227-3779 www.lifetrackresources.org F-651-431-7587 www.tedprogram.org TTY-888-206-6555

F-651-645-2780 V-612-362-4417 F-651-641-8623 TTY-651-695-5802 F-612-861-6050

www.capstoneservices.net www.cipmn.org ww.theccpinc.com www.dungarvin.com www.fraser.org

Directory of Organizations - cont. on next page

Your home, your independence . . . 763-546-1000 At In Home Personal Care, we pride ourselves not only on the help we provide, but also on our ability to listen. We understand that each of our clients has different needs at different times. Our quality home care services are formed around a plan that works for you and your individual situation.

Serving Adults and Children with Long-Term Needs since 1991

8441 Wayzata Blvd; Suite 130 Golden Valley, MN 55426

“ I have been an In Home client for at least 20 years. During that time I have received excellent, reliable, consistent care from PCAs and HHA’s trained and supervised by In Home.” - Jean T (Client)

Kent’s Accounting Service, LLC Kent Fordyce 612-889-2959 • fordyce6@aol.com Fax: 952-472-1458 6371 Bartlett Blvd, Mound, MN 55364 Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 & 2005

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October 10, 2010

Dir ector y of Or ganiza tions Director ectory Org anizations Minnesota’s Disability Community Newspaper VOICE LINE RESIDENTIAL/GROUP HOME PROGRAMS Howry Residential Services Mary T. Inc. Supportive Services Opportunity Partners People Inc. Epilepsy & Mental Health Services Phoenix Residence Restart Inc.

SERVICE ANIMALS Can Do Canines Helping Paws, Inc.

SOCIAL SERVICES Restart Inc.

TECHNOLOGY

Assistive Technology of MN, DBA Equip A Life Fairview Assistive Technology Program Gillette Children s Specialty Healthcare Marbesoft - Simtech PACER Center, Inc. STAR Program Tamarack Habilitation Technology Telephone Equipment Distribution Program (MN Dept. of Human Services)

VISION IMPAIRMENT Vision Loss Resources

www.accesspress.org

SECOND LINE

E-MAIL/WEB SITE

V-651-917-9111 V-763-754-2505 V-952-938-5511 V-651-338-9035 V-651-227-7655 V-763-588-7633

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.howryinc.com www.marytinc.com www.opportunitypartners.org www.peopleincorporated.org www.phoenixresidence.org www.restartincmn.org

V-763-331-3000 V-952-988-9359

F-763-331-3009 F-952-988-9296

www.can-do-canines.org www.helpingpaws.org

V-763-588-7633

F-763-588-7613

www.restartincmn.org

V-763-479-8239 V-612-273-6830 V-651-291-2848 V-763-755-1402 V-952-838-9000 V-651-201-2640 V-763-795-0057 V-651-431-5945 TF-800-657-3663

TRANSPORTATION RENTAL/SALES/MODIFICATION IMED Mobility

•

TF-866-535-8239 www.atmn.org F-612-273-7360 www.fairview.org/rehab TF-800-719-4040 www.gillettechildrens.org TF-888-755-1402 www.marblesoft.com TTY-952-838-0190 www.pacer.org TF-888-234-1267 www.starprogram.state.mn.us TF-866-795-0057 www.tamarackhti.com F-651-431-7587 www.tedprogram.org TTY-888-206-6555

V-651-635-0655

TF-800-788-7479

www.imedmobility.com

V-612-871-2222

F-612-872-0189

www.visionlossresources.org

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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 Embarrassment of Riches: Picturing Wealth Through Jan. 2 Mpls. Institute of Arts, 2400 Third Ave. S. ASL: Sun., Nov. 7, 1 p.m. Tix/Phone: 612-8703131 or TTY 612-870-3132; E-mail: dhegstro@artsmia. org Web: www.artsmia.org.

Sample Night Live Nov. 3, Dec. 1 Numerous performing artists at History Theatre, 30 E. 10th St., St. Paul. ASL: Wed., Nov. 3, Dec. 1, 7-10:30 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $10 (reg. $20); Online enter coupon code ASL. Phone: 612-201-4000. Web: www.samplenightlive.com The Master Butchers Singing Club Through Nov. 6 Guthrie Theater, 818 2nd St. S., Mpls. Open Captioning: Wed., Oct. 13, 1 p.m.; Sat., Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m. ASL: Thurs.-Fri., Oct. 28-29, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $20 (reg. $29-69); Phone: 612-3772224, TTY 612-377-6626.

Web: www.guthrietheater.org

Charlotte’s Web Through Oct. 24 Stages Theatre at Hopkins Center for the Arts, 1111 Main St., Hopkins. ASL: Thurs., Oct. 14, 10 a.m. AD: available on request. Tix: $11, $9 child/ senior, group $8.50; plus $1.50 per ticket handling fee; Phone: 952-979-1111. Web: www. stagestheatre.org

377-2224, TTY 612-377- 4222. Web: www.theaterlat 6626. Web: www.Guthrie teda.org or www.Ordway. org theater.org Anon Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Oct. 15-30 Oct. 13-16 20% Theatre Twin Cities at Normandale Community Col- Gremlin Theatre, 2400 Unilege Theatre, Fine Arts Build- versity Ave. W, St. Paul. ASL: ing, 9700 France Ave. S., Sat., Oct. 23, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Bloomington. ASL: Fri., Oct. Reduced to $10 (reg. $1215, 7:30 p.m. Tix: $10; ($5 $20); Phone: 612-227-1188; NCC student/staff/senior); E-mail: tickets@tctwentyper Dudley: Rigged for Laughter! Phone: 952-487-7462. Web: cent.org. Web: www.tctwenty Through Oct. 24 www.normandaletheatre.org percent.org History Theatre In collaboration with the Brave New WorkInherit the Wind My Name is Asher Lev shop at History Theatre, 30 E. Oct. 14-24 Oct. 16 - Nov. 7 10th St., St. Paul ASL: Sun., Tin Roof Theatre at Fargo- Minnesota Jewish Theatre at Oct. 17, 2 p.m. Tix: Reduced Moorhead Community The- Hillcrest Center, 1978 Ford to $15 (reg. $32); Phone: 651- atre, 333 4th St. S., Fargo. AD: Pky, St. Paul. AD: Sun., Oct. 292-4323; E-mail: boxofc Fri., Oct. 15, 7:30 p.m.; pre-show 24, 1 p.m. Tix: $22; Phone: @historytheatre.com. Web: description at 7:10 p.m. Tix: 651-647-4315. Web: www.mn www.historytheatre.com Reduced to $8 (reg. $15, stu- jewishtheatre.org dent/senior $10); Phone: Tin The Great Game: Afghanistan Roof: 701-205-5788, or FMCT: Rock of Ages Through Oct. 17 Oct. 19-24 701-235-6778. Web: www.tin Britain’s Tricycle Theatre at rooftheatre.org or www.fmct.org Orpheum Theatre, 910 HenGuthrie Theater, 818 2nd St. S., nepin Ave. S., Mpls. ASL: Sun., Oct. 24, 1 p.m. AD, capMpls. AD, ASL, Caption-ing: Evita tioning: Sun., Oct. 24, 6:30 p.m.

Part 1 - Wed., Oct. 13, 7:30 Through Oct. 31 p.m. Part 2 - Thurs., Oct. 14, Theater Latte Da at Ordway Tix: $24-76; Limited seats 7:30 p.m. Part 3 - Fri., Oct. 15, Center’s McKnight Theatre, available at lowest price level 7:30 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $20 345 Washington, St. Paul. AD, to ASL or captioning patrons. for AD/ASL (reg. $15-40); ASL: Thurs., Oct. 21, 7:30 p.m. E-mail accessible@broadway Captioning $25; Phone: 612- Tix: $29-35, Phone: 651-224- acrossamerica.com; Phone:

612-339-7007 or 612-3735639; hotline 612-373-5650.

Web: www.hennepintheatre trust.org/accessible Afternoon of the Elves Oct. 6-22 Youth Performance at Howard Conn Fine Arts Center, 1900 Nicollet Ave., Mpls. AD, ASL: Sun., Oct. 24, 2 p.m. Tix: Reduced to half-price (reg. $12, student 18 & under or senior 62+, $10); Phone: 612-6239080. Web: www.youthper formanceco.com Stone Soup Feeds the World Oct. 22 - Nov. 7 SteppingStone Theatre, 55 Victoria St. N., St. Paul. ASL: Sun., Oct. 24, 3 p.m. AD: Fri., Oct. 29, 7 p.m. Tix: $14; youth/ senior (age 55+) $10; Phone: 651-225-9265; E-mail: info@ steppingstonetheatre.org Web: www.steppingstone theatre.org The Frog Prince Oct. 15 – Nov. 7 Stages Theatre at Hopkins Center for the Arts Jaycees Studio, 1111 Main St., Hopkins. ASL: Sat., Oct. 30, 1

p.m.; Thurs., Nov. 4, 10 a.m.

AD: available on request. Tix: $11, $9 child/senior, plus $1.50 per ticket handling fee; Phone: 952-979-1111. Web: www.stagestheatre.org Gee’s Bend Oct. 15 – Nov. 7 Park Square Theatre, 408 Saint Peter St., St. Paul. AD, ASL: Sat., Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Reduced to half-price ($1850); Phone: 651-291-7005. Web: www.parksquaretheatre.org Life is a Dream Oct. 29 - Nov. 21 Ten Thousand Things Theater at Open Book, 1011 Washington Ave. S., Mpls. AD: Sun., Oct. 31, 4 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $18 (reg. $25; students on Sun. $15), Phone: 612-203-9502. Web: www.tenthousandthings.org Evil Dead: The Musical Oct. 22 – Nov. 7 Mpls. Musical Theatre at Illusion Theatre, 528 Hennepin Ave., Mpls. AD, ASL: Sun., Oct. 31, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $18 (reg. $25); Phone: 612-339-4944. Web: www.aboutmmt.org. ■

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October 10, 2010

Upcoming events To list an event, email access@accesspress.org Advocacy

File for guardianship When children who are disabled become adults, their parents or legal representatives may want to consider filing a petition for guardianship or limited guardianship. Hennepin County is offering a free session, Guardianship, Limited Guardianship and Conservatorship, to help families learn about this process. Session is 3-5 p.m. Thu, Oct. 14, 3 to 5 p.m., Hennepin County Library, Ridgedale, Room 172, 12601 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka. FFI: 612-5966631, www.hennepin. usadsinfo

Learn about immigrants Immigrants with Disabilities: Responding to Human Needs in our Midst is 10:15 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 24 in the Heritage Room, Richfield United Methodist Church, 5835 Lyndale Ave. S. Imagine being an immigrant or refugee from another country, struggling to learn a new language and customs, with a disability. Hared Mah, employment counselor with the Disabled Immigrant Association (DIA), will describe the assimilation of Somali Muslim immigrants with disabilities into the predominately Christian American culture and work force. Free. FFI: Give them a call BDevlinMN@aol.com Metro Center for Independent Living has set up a PCA Gain control, flexibility “You Need to Hear Me” callIf you are disabled and want in line The purpose of this more control, flexibility and call-in line is to provide conresponsibility for your care, sumers, PCAs/DSPs, famicome to a free information ses- lies, and interested others the sion about the Consumer Sup- chance to share anonymous port Grant. Sponsored by comments, reactions and Hennepin County’s Human concerns with Department of Services and Public Health Human Services and MinDepartment, the session will nesota Legislature regarding be offered 9-11 a.m. Mon, Oct. the impact of recent legisla18 at Hennepin County Library tive changes which are af– Ridgedale, Room 229, 12601 fecting their lives. How it Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka. works: Call 651-603-2009 Registration required. FFI: to connect to the “You need 612-596-6631, www.henne to hear me” message line. pin.us/adsinfo The caller will hear a short pre-recorded message. The Save Our Services (SOS) phone will not be answered, State-funded services for ensuring caller anonymity. people with disabilities are in The callers may leave a short peril because of Minnesota’s message describing the imbudget deficit. If disability pact of these changes on their services are important to a lives, or the lives of their member of your family who family. The messages can be has a disability, get an update complaints, concerns, sugon service cuts and learn how gestions or general comyou can advocate for contin- ments. Zip code will be ued funding at S.O.S. – Save asked for only so comments Our Services. The forum is 1- can be communicated to spe3 p.m. Fri, Oct. 15 at the Fel- cific legislators. lowship Hall, Christ the King Church, 8600 Fremont Ave. PCA survey S., Bloomington. Anne Henry, Courage Center is conductattorney with the Minnesota ing a research study examinDisability Law Center, will ing the effects of recent discuss disability-related changes to the PCA program health and human services cuts in an effort to inform future over the past decade, the cata- policy decisions pertinent to strophic budget picture for the Personal Care Assistance. next biennium, changes The purpose of this research planned or underway to re- study is to evaluate the efform or improve services, and fects of loss or reductions in potential cuts in disability ser- PCA hours or services. vices during the coming legis- Adults are eligible to comlative session. Lynne Megan, plete the survey about thempresident and CEO of TSE selves or any person they Inc., will present “Connecting know who has been receivwith Elected Officials,” strat- ing PCA services in Minneegies and tips for making your sota under Medicare or voice heard at the legislature. County Waiver. The study SAGES is a collaboration of questionnaire will take apcommunity organizations that proximately 5 minutes of work together to offer educa- your time. This survey may tion for parents and caregivers be completed online or of people with disabilities. $15 printed and mailed. FFI: charge; checks payable to ISD Leslie Nordgren 763-520#271. Pre-register by Oct. 13. 0440, leslie.nordgren@cour FFI: Gina Carpenter, 952-681- agecenter.org 6122, gcarpenter@blooming ton.k12.mn.us

Special events Charlie Smith banquet Access Press hosts its annual Charlie Smith Award Banquet Fri, Nov. 5 at the Minneapolis Airport Marriot, 2020 E. America Blvd., Bloomington.

Save the date for an evening of fun and help Access Press honor Steve Kuntz, the 2010 Charlie Smith Award winner.

Check page three for details.

FFI: 651-644-2133; dawn@ accesspress.org, www.access press.org Jeans to Gems Opportunity Partners’ sixth annual benefit gala is Fri, Oct. 15 at Sofitel Minneapolis, Bloomington. This year’s theme, “Jeans to Gems,” celebrates style, fun, and the mission to help people with disabilities build independence and gain new skills through advanced learning, deep community supports and meaningful work. A gourmet dinner, entertainment and silent and live auctions are features.

Tickets start at $100; sponsorships are available. FFI: Noel McCormick, 952-9122494, www.Opportunity Partners.org or nmccormick @opportun ities.org

Workshops, conferences ADA update What’s New under the ADA: Legislation and Regulation Update, Annual ADA Conference 2010 is 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Wed., Nov. 17 at Holiday Inn Mpls/St. Paul International Airport, 3 Appletree Square, Bloomington. Learn about the ADA Amendments Act regulations and the updated DOJ programmatic and architectural accessibility regulations from expert presenters at this one day, low cost, regional conference. $75 includes continental breakfast, lunch and materials. Overnight accommodations not provided, however a block of rooms has been reserved for this event. Sponsored by DBTAC-Great Lakes ADA Center, ADA Minnesota, Metropolitan Center for Independent Living and Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

FFI: 651-603-2015; 1-888630-9793; cindyt@mcil-mn. org Disability and employment The second annual Disability and Employment Conference is 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 15-16 at Earle Brown Center, Brooklyn Center. Registration for the conference is free and meals will be provided. Participants are expected to attend both days of the conference.

Planned Conference Topics include: Customized Employ-

ment and the Discovery Process; Self-Employment; Creative Funding Approaches for Job Seekers; Interest-Based Negotiation; Transition; Perspectives of Job Seekers and Employers; Results from MN Employment Policy Initiative Listening Sessions and Policy Issues from Community Action Teams. Sponsored by the Minnesota Employment Policy Initiative (MEPI) and the Minnesota Employment Training and Technical Assistance Center (MNTAT), to raise expectations about employment of individuals across disability groups, build momentum around employment and give participants tools and information they can take back to their communities. FFI: 651789-2819, www.mntat.org/ conference/register2010-1.asp Children’s mental health A free workshop for parents of children with challenging behaviors or mental illness, sponsored by NAMI-Minnesota, is 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tue, Oct. 12, at Fairview Community Center, 1910 Co. Rd. B West, Roseville. Learn the role of county crisis teams, de-escalation techniques and how to create effective crisis plans.

This workshop also provides information about resources in the community. FFI: Suzette, at 651-645-2948 x102.

Proposals due Deadline for proposals for presentations at the 2011 Minnesota Adolescents and Children’s Mental Health conference is Oct. 26. Prospective presenters should check the organization website or call for details. Also, the conference has a change in date, to May 1-3 2011, to avoid conflicting with Palm Sunday and Passover. It will be held at Duluth Entertainment Convention Center/DECC . FFI: 651644-7333, www.macmh.org Adaptive technology classes Free adaptive technology classes are offered by Hennepin County Library, at the downtown Mpls library, 300 Nicollet Mall. Classes are free but you must pre-register for these classes for persons who are blind or have low vision.

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

Volunteer hours vary, so it’s best to call ahead. The Blind and Low Vision Computer User group meets in Room N402 1-3 p.m. the second Saturday of each month, with a different speaker. Funding for Adaptive Technology classes is provided by a generous grant from the Hudson Family Foundation. FFI: 612-630-6469, www.hclib.org

Children and families

Thu, Oct. 14. Explore skills that parents can use to become more effective advocates for their child with a disability.

Special Time with an Advocate, an opportunity for parents to meet face to face with a PACER Center advocate, offered at three community locations: 1-8 p.m. Mon, Oct. 18 at Earle Brown Elementary School, 1500-59th Ave. N., Brooklyn Center; 4-9 p.m. Tue, Oct. 19 at Burnsville High School, 600 E. Hwy 13, Burnsville; and 3:30-7:45 p.m. Tue, Oct. 19 at Brooklyn Center High School, 6500 Humboldt Ave. N., Brooklyn Center. Parents can use this time to ask a PACER advocate any questions related to special education and to discuss their child’s learning. The advocate can also help parents develop a profile for their child that includes information they want school staff to know about him or her. Advocates who speak English and Spanish will be available.

Families Are Important: Understanding the Infant and Toddler Early Intervention Process in Minnesota, 6:308:30 p.m. Tue, Oct. 19 at Anoka Hennepin Staff Development Center, 2727 N. Ferry St., Anoka. For parents of young children ages birth to 3 years who have disabilities or developmental delays FFI: PACER at 952-8389000 or 800-537-2237 (toll free), or visit the PACER website at www.PACER.org

Bullying Prevention October is National Bullying Prevention Month, a project of PACER Center. It’s a time when communities nationwide can unite to raise awareness of bullying prevention. Everyone can find a way to join the cause.

The first-ever Run/Walk/Roll Against Bullying is Sat, Oct. 16. Registration and race packet pick-up begin at 9 a.m., followed by a four-mile run or 1.5-mile fun walk/roll at 10 a.m. at Mt. Normandale Lake, Normandale Blvd. and 84th St., Bloomington. Entry fee is $20 per person. Run/Walk/ Roll Against Bullying will go to PACER’s National Center for Bullying Prevention, which educates communities nationwide to prevent bullying through creative and interactive resources. FFI: 952-8389000; PACER.org/bullying Teens can sign an online petition, tell their story at www.bullying411@PACER.org, start a bullying prevention committee at their school, or join the TeensAgainstBullying Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube sites. They’ll find videos, blogs, and a toolkit of things they can do to address bullying at www.PACERTeens AgainstBullying.org.

Elementary school students can take the “Kids Against Bullying” pledge and learn how to respond to bullying at www.

PACERKidsAgainstBully Support groups, ing.org. The site features animeetings mated characters, celebrity videos, games and more. Educators Mental illness and parents can find free, creative classroom activities and The National Alliance on Menresources for K-12 students at tal Illness of Minnesota (NAMI-MN) sponsors free www.PACER.org/bullying. support groups for families who have a relative with a PACER offers services PACER Center offers useful mental illness. NAMI has 23 free workshops for families of family support groups, over children with disabilities. Reg- 20 support groups for people ister in advance for workshops. living with a mental illness, 2 All workshops are at PACER anxiety support groups, and Center, 8161 Normandale Vet Connection groups for reBlvd., Minneapolis, unless turning soldiers. Led by trained specified. Upcoming work- facilitators who also have a shops include: Getting and family member with mental Keeping the First Job, 7-9 p.m. illness, the support groups help Mon, Oct. 11. Competitive families develop better copemployment is the cornerstone ing skills and find strength of a successful transition to through sharing their experiadult living for youth with dis- ences. A family support group abilities. This workshop will meets in the St. Paul area at provide youth and parents with 6:30 p.m., on the second and straight answers to important fourth Wed. FFI: Anne Mae, questions about preparing for 651-730-8434. A NAMI Connection peer support group for and keeping a job.

A Fitting IDEA: Meeting adults recovering from mental the Mental Health Needs of illness meets bi-weekly in Children with Disabilities, Roseville.

Trained facilitators who are 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wed, Oct. 13.

Parents and professionals will also in recovery lead NAMI learn how to use the Individu- Connection groups. The group alized Education Program meets 6:30 p.m. 2nd and 4th (IEP) to help meet their stu- Wed at Centennial Methodist Church, 1524 Co. Rd. C-2 W., dents’ needs at school.

Six Skills for Effective Par- Roseville. FFI: Will, 651-578ent Advocacy, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 3364, www.namihelps.org ■

October 10, 2010

13

People and places

People in our community

Interact Theater celebrates its Ivey win.

Interact Theater wins an Ivey Award The 2010 Ivey award winners for excellence in Twin Cities theater included Interact Theater, which features creative people with cognitive and physical disabilities. Aaron Gabriel received an IVEY award Sept. 20 for his exceptional music compositions for Interact Theater’s Madame Majesta’s Miracle Medicine Show. The IVEYs, now in their sixth year, were held at the State Theater.

State council luncheon award winners In Honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Minnesota State Council on Disability hosts its 2010 Awards Luncheon on Thursday, Oct. 14 at the St. Paul RiverCentre.

This year’s award winners include Minnesota Award: Linda Wolford; Access Award: Target Field Access Advisory Committee; Employer of the Year Awards: Staples, Arden Hills (large), BLIND, Inc. (small); Outstanding Entrepreneur Award: Jan Bailey; Mentorship Award: Andrea Moore; Friend of the Council Award: Sen. Kathy Sheran and a Special Honor Award: Darcy Pohland, posthumously. Pohland was a longtime WCCO-TV reporter who died earlier this year.

The event is hosted by: The Minnesota State Council on Disability in collaboration with PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT, the Department of Employment and Economic Devel-

Access Press Executive Editor Tim Benjamin, far right, accepted a Jaehny Award. Other recipients were Sharon Pfau,l Perrin Boyd and BOLD-Choice Theater. opment and the Department of Human Services, UnitedHealth • Access Press, Minnesota’s disability and aging community Group and VSA Minnesota. Anyone wanting further informanewspaper, is one of the organizations honored by VSA tion can call 651-361-7800 or 1-800-945-8913 Minnesota. Access Press received the award for Outstanding Organization Alerting People with Disabilities to the Arts— VSA Minnesota bestows honors providing monthly coverage of accessible arts performances The 13th annual Jaehny awards are nominated by the public and artists with disabilities. to recognize outstanding accomplishments by artists, arts orga- • Sharon Pfau, St. Cloud: Most Active and Visible Minnesota nizations, advocates and educators that help create a commuArtist with Disabilities—artist active with We-R-Artists, nity where people with disabilities can learn through, particiwhich enables area artists with disabilities to share and sell pate in and access the arts. Two individuals and two organizaart. tions who value the arts are this year’s honorees. Each recipient • Perrin Boyd, Northfield: Outstanding Artist Educator of received an original artwork, this year created by Mark Davison Students with Disabilities— artist/clown who has worked of Minneapolis, called the “Jaehny” in honor of Jaehn Clare, a with schools on many projects involving students with disVSA Minnesota co-founder. The 2010 awards were presented abilities.

Sept. 13 at Park Square Theatre in St. Paul.

• BOLD-choice Theatre Company, part of Choice Unlimited VSA Minnesota is an affiliate of VSA: The International in Duluth: Outstanding Producing/Performing Group InOrganization on Arts & Disability, headquartered in Washingvolving People with Disabilities—directed by Annie Roseen, ton, DC. It is a nonprofit agency whose mission is to create a the theatre has created and toured shows by people with and community where people with disabilities can learn through, without disabilities. ■ participate in and access the arts. 2010 recipients where:

Pete’s Reflections

Camera obscura: On creating art

by Pete Feigal I’ve been thinking about things I learned in art classes or my own readings regarding art; insights from my own 30 years of paying the rent through art sales. And 30 years is to be respected because with arts, you don’t just come in, stamp your pay stub, do what is mandatory and get your check at the end of the week. To make money in the arts you have to come up with something new, funnier, cooler, better, more insightful, more heartbreaking, EVERY DAY, because you are only as good as your last piece. I’ve heard it a hundred times, people talking about artists, even great artists who just weren’t making the cut and were now on the way out.

And that shows you another terrible thing about making a living with art. Not only does it have to be good, but sometimes it doesn’t matter if it’s good or bad as long as the

public loves it. Being marketable is both a gift (money) and a curse, ( imagine the artists that had nine successful seasons on The Jeffersons, and what their artistic and personal self-esteem was left after that!)

These and other things are especially hard now that I’m unable to create art. Except in my head: little tidbits, little secrets that truly no one knows.

Secrets like many of the great masters may have traced everything they did. Caravaggio, Rembrandt, van Eyck. They all traced. Holbein, Diego Velazquez, they sat in the velvet dark of a murky tent and sketched the outside world that shined in through a small lens, or bounced off a curved mirror. Or, like a pinhole camera, just projected into their tiny dark rooms through a little hole. Canaletto, Gainsborough, Vermeer. They sat there in the dark for days, weeks, tracing the building or model in the bright sunlight outside.

Sometimes they even painted colors straight over the projected colors, matching the shine of a piece of armor or fabric as it fell in projected

folds. Camera obscura is Latin for “dark chamber,” or “dark cave.” These were the first cameras, using paint instead of silver oxide. As an artist myself, I’ve always felt that the Great Masters were trying to anticipate the camera, capturing greater and greater detail and accuracy. In the 19th century, when cameras were actually invented, artists, to keep working and getting paid, were forced to go in new directions with their work. How did something feel at that moment of time, how by distorting an image they could bring greater clarity to it, etc. and they created the beginning of Expressionism and Impressionism?

I’ve also been reading a lot of Plato. Plato said: “He who approaches the temple of the muses without inspiration in the belief that craftsmanship alone suffices will remain a bungler and his presumptuous poetry will be obscured by the songs of the maniacs.” I love that! “The Songs of the Maniacs” will be one of the chapters of my book I’m writing, or maybe even its title.

I’m beginning to understand some of these ancient sects that claimed they could work miracles, walk on water, heal the sick, or raise the dead.

They all claim that they could do this because they tortured themselves. They call this Asceticism. Their idea is that the visionary must live apart from the normal world, and reject pleasure and comfort and conformity in order to connect with the divine. They looked at pain as a spiritual tool, pain and deprivation.

The Buddhist monks sitting on roofs, fasting and sleepless until they reach enlightenment, isolated and exposed to the sun and the wind. Like the Christian Saint Simeon, who stood and rotted on his pillar, the standing yogis or the Native Americans who wandered fasting on vision quests or hung on hooks through their pectoral muscles in smoky teepees all for enlightenment. And Saint Veronica, whose only food was the five orange seeds, eaten in memory of the five wounds of Christ and all the women who starve themselves, in the nine-

teen century, who fasted to death out of piety.

Lord Byron, who fasted and purged and made his heroic swim of the Hellespont a romantic anorexic, Moses and Elijah who fasted to receive visions in the Old Testament.

English witches who fasted to cast their spells, whirling dervishes, twirling to exhaustion for enlightenment. ”Purification of the Soul,” until this last century, purification could

come from only one way, burning. You purified water, places, bodily wounds, by fire. No wonder that’s what they believed was the way to “purify” your soul, punishment, abstinence, hard work or meditation, extremes of physical conditions. A “burning” of the soul.

So where am I going with all this? Maybe people have to suffer, really suffer, before they can risk doing what they really love. ■

Learn about the ADA Amendments Act regulations and the updated DOJ Program and Architectural Accessibility Standards regulations:

What’s New Under the ADA: Legislation and Regulation Update Annual ADA Conference 2010 Wednesday, November 17, 2010 8:00 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.

Holiday Inn Mpls/St.Paul Internat’l Airport

Registration is available on-line at www.adagreatlakes.org Register early as space is limited

14

October 10, 2010

Radio Talking Book • October 2010 Progress with digital radios Many listeners have been eagerly awaiting Radio Talking Book’s (RTB) new digital radios. Listeners in the Bemidji, Moorhead, Roseau, Warroad, and Thief River Falls area are now listening digitally. Recently, the digital conversion was made in St. Cloud and digital radios are being shipped to residents there. The next areas scheduled for conversion are Buhl/Hibbing and Duluth.

The new radios are smaller than the old tabletop models most people have been using. The operation is fairly simple: one button controls the power, and a knob controls the volume. The antenna will be a bit different than the one on most of the old radios. It hooks onto the back but it looks more like a dangly wire than the traditional rabbit-ear antenna. It can be draped over a bookshelf, hung out a window, or wherever else listeners might want to use it for good reception.

The new radios can be turned on immediately, to seek the best digital signal and start working. Once a new radio is received listeners can send back the old radios. As the conversion continues, the old radios will at some point no longer be able to pick up a signal. Anyone with questions may call the Communications Center for assistance.

Find RTB on Facebook See interesting information about current RTB events on the Facebook site for the Minnesota Radio Talking Book Network.

Facebook is a free social networking website. Register for Facebook at www.facebook.com

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. Their phone is 1-800-7220550 and hours are 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The catalog is also online and can be accessed it by going to the main Web site, www.education.state.mn.us, and then clicking on the link. Persons living outside of Minnesota may obtain copies of books by contacting their 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 at the Radio for a password to the site.

Access Press is one of the publications featured on It Makes was between East and West. In today’s world the collective fear A Difference at 9 p.m. Sunday. is over terrorist organizations getting hands on a nuclear weapon and using it to effect chaos and societal collapse. Read Chautauqua • Tuesday – Saturday 4 a.m.

by Del Adamson. 15 broadcasts. Begins Oct. 20.

The Art of Choosing, Nonfiction by Sheena Iyengar, 2010.

Choice is a powerful tool to define ourselves and mold our Night Journey • Monday – Friday 9 p.m. lives. But what do we know about the wants, motivations, U Is for Undertow, Fiction by Sue Grafton, 2009. Kinsey biases, and influences that aid or hinder our endeavors? Read Millhone is approached by a man who claims he has rememby June Prange. 10 broadcasts. Begins Oct. 20. bered facts about the killing of a girl 20 years before. Reluctantly, Kinsey agrees to give him one day of her time. L –Read Past is Prologue • Monday – Friday 9 a.m.

by Amy Morris. 15 broadcasts. Begins Oct. 18.

The Vikings, Nonfiction by Robert Ferguson, 2009. The Viking age began in 793 with an attack on the monastery at Off the Shelf • Monday – Friday 10 p.m.

Lindisfarne. It continued until the destruction of the temple to Blooms of Darkness, Fiction by Aharon Appelfeld, 2009. The the Norse gods at Uppsala around 1090. Between those dates, Nazis have liquidated the ghetto, and Hugo’s mother has the Vikings made their presence known throughout Europe. brought him to the local brothel where a prostitute has agreed Read by John Mandeville. 20 broadcasts. Begins Oct. 18. to hide him. While she is entertaining Nazi soldiers, Hugo sits in her closet. L,S –Read by Alvin Apple. Eight broadcasts.

Bookworm • Monday – Friday 11 a.m.

Begins Oct. 25.

The Irresistible Henry House, Fiction by Lisa Grunwald, 2010.

Henry House was used as a practice baby for home economics Potpourri • Monday – Friday 11 p.m. classes when he was tiny. As a grown man, he needs to My Brain Made Me Do It, Nonfiction by Eliezer J. Sternberg, transcend that inner tumult of his childhood. Read by Laura 2010. As scientists explore how the brain works, it seems likely Rohlik. 15 broadcasts. Begins Oct. 26. that new findings will radically alter traditional understanding of human nature. One aspect of human nature already being The Writer’s Voice • Monday – Friday 2 p.m. questioned by recent developments in neuroscience is free will.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Nonfiction by Rebecca Read by Yelva Lynfield. 11 broadcasts. Begins Oct. 13.

Skloot, 2010. Henrietta Lacks was a poor Southern tobacco farmer whose cells became one of the most important tools in Good Night Owl • Monday – Friday midnight medicine. The first immortal human cells grown in culture, they The Privileges, Fiction by Jonathan Dee, 2010. Adam and are still alive today, sixty years after her death. V,L,S – Read by Cynthia believe in a future of boundless privilege. When that Jeanne Burns. 12 broadcasts. Begins Oct. 21. future doesn’t come fast enough, Adam is confronted with a choice. L – Read by Denny Laufenburger. 10 broadcasts.

Choice Reading • Monday – Friday 4 p.m.

Begins Oct. 26.

A Gate at the Stairs, Fiction by Lorrie Moore, 2009. Tassie Keltjin is a farm girl who moves to a university town as a college student.

After Midnight • Tuesday – Saturday 1 a.m.

She takes a job as a nanny. As she is drawn deeper into the life of Wanting, Fiction by Richard Flanagan, 2009. In 1839, Arctic this family, her life back home seems more and more alien to her. explorer Sir John Franklin and his wife adopt a young Aboriginal Read by Sue McDonald. L – 12 broadcasts. Begins Oct. 25. girl to conduct a social experiment on Christianity v. savagery.

Read by John Schmidt. Seven broadcasts. Begins Oct. 29.

PM Report • Monday – Friday 8 p.m.

The Nuclear Express, Nonfiction by Thomas C. Reed and Abbreviations: Danny B. Stillman, 2009. During the Cold War, the struggle V—violence, L—offensive language, S—sexual situations.

REGIONAL NEWS -

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Cont. from p. 6

sota Housing Finance Agency are involved in financing, as are two banks.

Shelter is a company that finances, develops, owns and manages market-rate and affordable multi-family and senior rental communities. Shelter Corporation, founded in 1993, is a Minneapolis-based corporation that finances, develops, owns and manages multi-family and senior rental communities throughout the United States. The Shelter management portfolio consists of diversified rental properties including urban and suburban, market rate and affordable, and family and senior.

Company principals have developed and acquired more than 15,000 housing units Shelter Corporation, founded in 1993, is a Minneapolisbased corporation that finances, develops, owns and manages multi-family and senior rental communities throughout the United States. The Shelter management portfolio consists of diversified rental properties including urban and suburban, market rate and affordable, and family and senior. Company principals have developed and acquired more than 15,000 housing units [Source: Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal, Shelter Corporation]

Lightning damages group home A lightning strike apparently triggered a blaze to that led to an evacuation of a group home in the 100 block of Crestridge Drive in Burnsville. Fortunately, none of the residents were injured and everyone got out safely.

Police and fire units received a call shortly before noon, Sept.

15, that a lightning strike had triggered a growing fire near the home’s gas meter. Authorities helped the caretaker evacuate the home’s residents, including two in a wheelchair, while firefighters cut holes in the roof to fight the flames, which had traveled to the attic. Neighbors also assisted in getting the residents out safely. Burnsville Fire Department and Center Point Energy arrived quickly to shut off the gas and put out the fire.

The building’s exterior and the attic were damaged, and the interior sustained smoke and minor water damage. No injuries were reported, and residents will be relocated until the house is habitable.

[Source: KSTP TV, Burnsville Sun-Current]

PCA is charged with theft A woman who worked as personal care attendant is accused of stealing medication and jewelry from a client who has multiple sclerosis. Kristin Michelle Poppa, 28, of Lakeville was charged last month in Dakota County District Court with three felonies, including theft, theft of a controlled substance and receiving stolen property.

Poppa allegedly stole from a patient she cared for as an employee of Custom Care LLC of Eden Prairie. Poppa took care of the client alone at her Farmington home during the day for two years.

The patient’s husband noticed earlier this year that some of his wife’s Vicodin pills were missing. In early March, he separated some of the pills and hid them in a dresser drawer. He counted the pills every few days as they began disappearing. He also noticed a missing gold bracelet. The bracelet and other stolen items later turned up at a pawn shop.

In the spring, the husband contacted Custom Care about the missing items, the complaint said. The company reported the incident to Farmington police. If convicted, Poppa could face up to 10 years in prison for theft of a controlled substance and up to five years for each of the other two charges. ■ [Source: Pioneer Press]

October 10, 2010

NOMINEES -

Cont. from p. 3

Steve Thovson

Alan M. Peters

guage. He has also worked on Fairgrounds and St. CathSelf-Advocacy online, a na- erine’s University. Marjorie tional self-advocacy Web site. Hammargren has also given talks on accessibility issues and written articles as an advoMarjorie and Betty Lou cate.

Hammargren Community volunteers Alan M. Peters From the nomination: CanDo Canines These women always say, “Look beyond the cane, look From the nomination: beyond the crutch, look be- Alan Peters has continued to yond the wheelchair and you ensure that at its core every will find a person capable of member of CanDo Canines upholds the standards of redoing many things.”

Marjorie and Betty Lou spect for each individual and Hammargren are residents of personal accountability for the Highland area of St. Paul. outcomes. He continues to purThey are longtime community sue economic avenues that advocates for people with dis- ensure all clients, regardless abilities, working with a theme of the ability to pay, will reof ‘Access and Acceptance.’ ceive these highly trained They are well-known in the dogs, veterinary care until home community for their placement, individual trainwork on a wide range of dis- ing, and necessary supplies ability issues. They have free of charge.

Beginning in 1987, Peters pushed hard for improved public accommodations, such as dedicated his life to creating installations of needed hand mutually beneficial relationrailings, restroom improve- ships between people with disments, creation of safer ramps abilities and specially trained and other accessibility features dogs. What began as a program in publicly owned and private to train homeless dogs to bebuildings. They have also lob- come the ears for people who bied for improved public ac- were deaf or profoundly hard cess at the Minnesota State of hearing has into an organiza-

AWARD -

15

tion that envisions a world in which every person who wants and needs an assistance dog can have one. Peters and his team now train assistance dogs for people with physical disabilities, diabetes, seizure disorders and autism.

Peters leads the only organization accredited by Assistance Dog International (a trade organization) in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa or Illinois that provides hearing, diabetes, seizure, autism, special skills, or facility-based assist dogs.

Steve Thovson Southwestern Center for Independent Living From the nomination: Steve works with a group of people that society sometimes is not nice to. He treats everyone who has a disability, big or small, everyone is treated alike.

Steve Thovson is executive director of the Southwestern Center for Independent Living, based in Marshall. The center offers a wide range of independent living services that assist people with disabilities in obtaining and maintain-

Cont. from p. 1

to hire people with disabilities in state jobs and to help the state become a model employer for people with disabilities.”

Kuntz’s success has attracted the attention of the federal government. When unemployment in the disability community is very high, Kuntz has a placement rate of well above the norm. Yet his clients and supporters note that he does his work quietly and without taking credit for himself.

“He is driven by a deeper mission to better the lives of people with disabilities and to do what it takes to make that happen. It is not about ego or publicity but rather about doing the right thing,” Wolford said.

“Steve has a unique ability to encourage people. I wasn’t around when Steve was involved in encouraging Charlie to start Access Press. But, if it wasn’t for Steve’s encouragement I wouldn’t have been able to take on the role of executive director of the paper and be as successful as I have,” said Access Press Ex-

ecutive Editor Tim Benjamin.

Kuntz said he believes that people with disabilities deserve a chance to have meaningful work. “People with disabilities inspire me every day,” he said. “I admire their resilience and their wanting opportunities and the American Dream. People want to work, to find transportation and to live independently, and I want to be part of that. The people I work with are truly incredible people and they have taught me so much.”

Kuntz has many stories about clients who have inspired him. One man, Randy Booker, went back to work following a brain injury. Booker has been at 3M for 16 years. “Every Nov. 1, on the anniversary of his starting his job, he sends me a letter and thanks me.”

Kuntz’s commitment to the community goes beyond his job. He has served on the Americorps Advisory Committee. He is currently involved in activities including the employer focus group of the Anoka Workforce Center. He also helps people in his free time and stays in touch with

friends, helping them in their time of need. One activity he enjoys is making sure friends with disabilities can enjoy Twins games.

“Steve has lived his life in the spirit of Charlie and I can think of no one who deserves this award more,” Wolford said. “He truly embodies the spirit of the Charlie Smith award in the social change that his efforts have brought about and the improvements that have been made to the lives of people like me with disabilities — whether that be through placing someone in a job or just being their friend.

Kuntz is a native of Dickinson, North Dakota. He is a graduate of Normandale Community College and the University of Minnesota. He and his wife Wendy have two children, Alyssa and Anthony.

They live in Crystal.

Tickets for the banquet are available by calling 651-6442133. Read a longer version of this story online at www. accesspress.org ■

ing the greatest control over their lives. The SWCIL service area includes 10 counties of southwestern Minnesota: Cottonwood, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Rock, Redwood, and Yellow Medicine.

One of the huge challenges for Thovson and the SWCIL staff is the higher level of isolation rural people with disabilities may face, due to a smaller population, lack of transportation and lack of services.

Often, a child or adult with a disability may be the only person with that disability in his or her community. This sense of isolation can be difficult for children where conformity is the key to popularity and success and difference means inferiority. One way to reduce the isolation and lack of support experienced by many rural residents with disabilities is through recreational services. Thovson has had to educate local officials about their obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), to offer accessible services to the community. One of his goals is to see more accessible sports in his area.

One the SWCIL’s great success stories is the Challenger baseball team. The Challenger baseball team is a way to reach children with disabilities not old enough for transition services. ■

Employment Employment ads are $22-$25 per col. inch. Oct. 29 is the deadline for the Nov. 10 issue. Mail to: Access Press, 1821 University Ave. #104S, St. Paul, MN 55104 FAX 651-644-2136 • Email: access@accesspress.org

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The rest is on pg "17" 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.

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October 10, 2010

16

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