January 2012 Edition - Access Press

Winter Carnival is coming!

Volume 23, Number 1

Arc, selfadvocates wary of legislation

Pioneering polio doctor remembered

by Steve Larson and Access Press staff

Advocates for special education are keeping a close eye on the 2012 Minnesota Legislature. That is in part because of actions during the 2011 session that threatened their programs.

The Arc Minnesota will make protecting Minnesota’s special education laws and rules a top priority for 2012.

That means being vigilant to guard programs and services against cuts or elimination.

One bill proposed but not passed last year would have eliminated more than 50 Minnesota special education laws and almost 30 Minnesota special education regulations. Sponsored by Sen. John Pederson and Rep. King Banaian, this bill would have jeopardized education services for students with disabilities and restricted parents’ voice on education policy and services. Fortunately, this bill wasn’t approved. It didn’t receive a committee hearing.

Pederson and Banaian argued last session that the bill would reduce paperwork for teachers and school districts, letting teacher spend more time with students. However, there has been no factual data supplied that identifies Minnesota laws/rules as the cause of this “paperwork burden” Special Ed - p. 4

January 10, 2012

www.accesspress.org

Sister Elizabeth Kenny

Dr. Richard R. Owen’s recent death is a reminder of the days when polio was a misunderstood and widely dreaded disease. Owen was a polio survivor who founded the Post-Polio Clinic at Sister Kenny Institute in Minneapolis, and was widely regarded as a guru and pioneer in postpolio treatment. He could draw on his medical expertise as well as his personal experiences from his Indiana childhood to help countless people.

As he recalled: “In 1940, at age 12, I contracted polio. Muscles in my legs and torso were paralyzed and then left weakened, and I was no longer able to stand or walk unsupported. . . .”

Read more about his remarkable life in the History Note on page 2.

Wheelchair athlete wants right to compete

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“All that is valuable in human society depends upon the opportunity for development accorded the individual.”

— Albert Einstein

By Access Press staff

Rose Hollermann, a 15-year-old wheelchair athlete, has sued the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL). The WatervilleElysian-Morristown High School sophomore and Courage Center basketball star wants the right to compete alongside runners at high school athletic events.

Hollermann’s attorney Justin Page, from the Minnesota Disability Law Center, filed the civil lawsuit Dec. 8 in Minnesota’s Fourth Judicial District. Hollermann is alleging discrimination under the Minnesota Human Rights Act. The MSHSL Board of Directors will consider the lawsuit, and Hollermann’s request to compete with other runners at the board’s February meeting. The league also has a sports medicine advisory committee, which is studying the issue.

Hollermann is a well-known wheelchair athlete, with outstanding abilities. She is also a good student, with a 3.35 grade point average.

She told KARE-11 recently that the issue is one of fairness. “I just think it’s important for everyone to be treated equally and to have the same opportunities,” she said.

Hollermann competes in basketball, track and field, and sled hockey. She has used a wheelchair since sustaining a spinal cord in- Rose Hollermann is suing the MSHSL. jury in a 2001 motor vehicle accident. According to court documents, Hollermann uses her wheelchair about half of the time and is able to walk about half of the time. She cannot run or compete in sports activities while on her feet.

Athlete - p. 15

Minnesota Reading Corps

Volunteer tutor teaches reading and so much more

by Shelli Lissick

Learning to read is tough enough. But learning to read, write and speak English as a second language while living with a disability, poses unique challenges. With hard work and the support of parents and teachers, Monica Maldonado overcame these specific challenges as a child. Today, she shares her personal experience and passion for reading and making a difference by helping elementary school students.

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Maldonado was diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) when she was three years old. At the age of 11, Maldonado’s family moved from Puerto Rico to Rochester for her father’s job. She enrolled in special education classes and quickly learned English as a second language. After graduating from high school in 1999, Maldonado went on to earn her kindergarten through eighth grade education licensure from Augsburg College in Minneapolis.

Maldonado is applying her education and first-hand experience helping students learn to read as a tutor in the Minnesota Volunteer tutor - p. 14

NEWS DIGEST

Learn how one family became effective self-advocates, thanks to a training program offered by Partners in Policymaking.

Page 3 The 2012 session of the Minnesota Legislature starts Jan. 24. Find out what the Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MN-CCD) has as priorities.

Page 4 Deaf activist Douglas Bahl has settled his police brutality case with Ramsey County.

Page 6 Don’t get the winter blues. Fun activities and events await in our Accessible Fun calendar.

Page 11 Read about the recent NAMI-Minnesota award winners.

Page 13.

INSIDE Regional News, pg 6 People & Places, pg 13 Accessible Fun, pg 11 Monica Maldonado is a Minnesota Reading Corps volunteer. She is shown at the right with one of her students.

Photo by Shelli Lissick

Events, pg 12 Radio Talking Book, pg 15

Pg 2 Jan. 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 1

EDITOR’S DESK

Tim Benjamin

With the start of the new year, the mass media is full of diets and fitness and other personal-improvement features. What’s on my mind is making life better for our community in general. We all have a lot to be thankful for; the advancements every year in independent living have been amazing. But this year as much as any other, we have a lot of work ahead of us to protect our independence, to maintain our health, to strive for higher employment and educational levels, and to further our ability to become or stay employed and successfully contributing to society. As people with disabilities, we have to try a little harder, be a little more persistent, be a little more expressive and show our confidence a little more than others might in order to be accepted. It’s still a world that looks the other way when people are different from the norm.

Fortunately, we have so many role models—nationally, people like Ed Roberts, Justin Dart, Harriet McBryde Johnson, Judith Heumann, James S. Krause, PhD; and right here in our own backyard, Charlie Smith, John Schatzlein, Margot Cross, Rick Cárdenas, Jeff Bangsberg, John Tschida, Jennifer Mundl, Rose Hollermann and so many more. I really believe that

each of us has to do all we can, in whatever way we can, to push on and become role models ourselves for our next generation. Each one of us needs to start mentoring young people, or newly disabled people, and help them recognize the great strides we’ve made and how to practically overcome the many prejudices we face as part of our national and world community.

With a new legislative session just around the corner, it’s time for my reminders to begin about the personal importance for every one of us of to familiarize ourselves with the legislative process. We’re lucky in that we have in our community some great professional activists. It’s truly valuable and rewarding to get to know them and to stay connected. The Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MN-CCD) is the best place to be to stay informed.

We have an article on page 4 that explains this year’s initiatives. What we can’t forget is that even when a piece of legislation does not affect us directly, it will affect our friends. If it’s good legislation for positive change, we want it to pass. We want to let legislators know why certain legislation is good for everyone.

Write to them or go to their offices and tell them whether a law will affect you personally, whether it is good legislation, and explain why. And of course, if a piece of legislation does affect us, than we have that much more passion to make our point. This reminds me of the speech that Jeff Bangsberg made at the Charlie Smith Awards in Nov. 2011. Jeff explained

how scared he was the first time he went to the capitol and how difficult it was to go in and talk to a legislator. But in the very same breath he explained how easy it was the second and third—then for him, the thousandth or 10,000th time. Bangsberg hasn’t given up, and neither have Anne Henry, Steve Larson, John Tschida and many others. We must not give up. As someone said to me years ago: “Your life depends on it.” And it does!

The Minnesota Consortium for People with Disabilities is offering the Grassroots Action Session Kick—Off Tuesday Jan. 17th, 2012, 3:00 – 5:00 pm at the Center for Changing Lives, 2400 Park Avenue S, Minneapolis. This gathering is to learn more about “Tuesday at the Capitol,” a weekly opportunity to communicate with your legislators and to show the strength within the disability community. In other words, you don’t have to be alone. “Tuesday at the Capitol” has been a well- attended Grassroots action for several years now. The Jan. 17 meeting will help you prepare and can give you some expectations of what a day in the Capitol is all about. The group will give a brief training on how to effectively communicate with legislators and staffers, and provide information on the policies. It’s a good place to start for beginning self-advocates and a great place for veterans to find someone that needs to be mentored. In other words, it’s a great opportunity that we should all be involved in.

Happy New Year, and let’s make a difference in 2012. ■

HISTORY NOTE Richard Owen

He went from polio patient to pioneering physician

by Jane McClure

The recent death of Dr. Richard R. Owen reminds us of how polio treatment and the perceptions of those with polio have changed. Owen, an Eden Prairie resident, died Dec. 11 at age 83.

He was a polio survivor who founded the Post-Polio Clinic at Sister Kenny Institute in Minneapolis. He practiced in many area hospitals and clinics and retired as the medical director of Sister Kenny Institute.

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Many regard him as a guru and pioneer in post-polio treatment. He shared his knowledge and experiences in many articles and talks, as well as in treatment of patients. Polio survivors owe him gratitude for improving their quality of life.

The days when polio was greatly feared are a fading memory. But those are days Owen recalled all too well. When he contracted polio as a youngster in Indianapolis, little was known about the disease and how people could live with it. Owen recalled those days, writing about it in 2003 for the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Community Integration’s Impact newsletter.

“In 1940, at age 12, I contracted polio. Muscles in my legs and torso were paralyzed and then left weakened, and I was no longer able to stand or walk unsupported. Ten months later, and two months after I had begun standing and walking in braces and on crutches, my family went on a vacation into the northern Ontario wilderness. Within a few hours of arriving at Mongoose Lake at Mile 78 on the Algoma Central Railroad, my crutches slipped on a mossy log and I fell into the lake. That immersion was my reintroduction to the wilderness and reinclusion in a favorite family

activity. That early return to a challenging physical activity helped me overcome many of the misgivings I had about my ‘limitations’ and more quickly reintegrate into family life, public schools, and society.”

As a young polio patient Owen was treated by Sister Dr. Richard R. Owen Kenny herself.

In a newsletter he also recalled how polio changed his recreational experiences. “Before my disability, I had enjoyed baseball, football, biking, and exploring with other children in the neighborhood. In the early 1940s, there were no organized adapted athletic programs in the schools or in the parks to allow me to continue these physical recreation activities, so until the 1970s my athletic and recreation endeavors consisted of swimming, canoeing, and camping with my family.”

Owen became a wheelchair athlete and medical examiner for wheelchair athletes. He took many trips through Wilderness Inquiry and served on that organization’s board.

Owen also used his experiences not only to help others with polio, but to give perspective on how treatment had changed. In David M. Oshinksy’s book Polio: An American Story, Owen recalled how polio patients were treated at teaching hospitals n the 1940s and 1950s. There, “clad only in little cloth things that hardly covered History Note - p. 14

Jan. 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 1

Pg 3

Self-advocates, family members helped by training program

by Sherie Wallace

“I need to talk to you,” said Abby Pearson as she stopped Steven Smith, her state representative, as he tried to rush through the capitol hall to another meeting.

She and her father, Jeff Pearson got five minutes of the legislator’s busy day to listen to their concerns. She later spoke with State Sen. Gen Olson at a town hall meeting. At both encounters, Abby wanted answers to some tough questions: “Can we get housing faster for individuals with disabilities? Can we get jobs for special needs kids, people who will pay taxes when they get a job?”

The Pearsons live in Plymouth. Father and daughter are among the many citizen lobbyists who visit Minnesota’s capitol and state offices, making themselves heard. Abby Pearson’s disability is epilepsy, which in her case was the result of a birth trauma. She requires medication and regular naps to cope with exhaustion.

Father and daughter are graduates of the nine-month long self-advocacy training program, Partners in Policymaking. It is sponsored by the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, which Abby Pearson has chaired. Now 22, Abby Pearson became involved with Partners in Policymaking while she was completing her last year of the Transition program with Intermediate School District 287 in the Twin Cities.

As the 2012 session of the Minnesota Legislature gets underway, many people think of self-advocates as the people who make their case at the state capitol. But self-advocates speak for themselves every day, weighing in on decisions that affect every aspect of their lives. Training programs can be a huge help to self-advocates and their family members.

“I wish we would have done (advocacy training) earlier,” said Jeff Pearson. He and his wife Ellen valued the tips on how to handle the Individual Education Program, or IEP, that was written and discussed between the parents, student and educators to guide her education for each year, from pre-school to graduation.

With the training, Jeff Pearson said, “we would have had more confidence in knowing that it was our right.” He talked about the basic right of individuals with disabilities to have free and appropriate education.

The Pearson family believes that the best tips on getting the best educational plan came from other parents. Ellen Pearson recalled that even as educated professionals, she and her husband were still intimidated by school personnel early in their daughter’s school life and failed to speak up when they had concerns about her learning plans.

While the Pearson’s requests were small, the family was frustrated at every turn.

They requested a quiet place for Abby Pearson to rest as one aspect of her disability is a lack of stamina. They asked that a paraprofessional accompany her during the school day. Both requests were denied, as was a request for more computer time.

Elementary school officials even refused when the family repeatedly offered to pay for their board-certified behavioral analyst to meet with Abby Pearson’s teachers. The family believed that this would help teachers better understand how to work with her and guide her behaviors. When school officials finally agreed to work with the professional, a different side of their daughter’s personality was revealed. Now the behavioral expert is being called in by the school to help other students.

Only after Abby Pearson ran out of her school building did the Pearsons come to believe that the school principal did not value special needs students. Following an appeal to the superintendent, they determined that moving to another school was the answer. But the family regrets that so many years were lost in their daughter’s education.

A group of self-advocates learned new skills at a Partners in PolicyMaking class.

Photos by The Wallace Group

Partners in Policymaking provided train as well as a large quantity of useful resource materials. Partners in Policymaking taught the Pearsons that the school cannot simply say, “We don’t have the money.” Jeff Pearson was surprised at the quality of the speakers that were involved. “Some were real ‘preachers’ and others were more calm but in five minutes you knew that they were real experts in their field and they had everyone’s undivided attention.”

Unsure that Abby would finish the class or find it “too hard,” it Jeff Pearson and his daughter Abby Pearson was a surprise to her dad that she stayed engaged in each session and became fast friends with others her age, self advocates that she came to admire. Both are very proud that they were on time for every session.

Between each monthly seminar, online learning was required. Each subject covered by an expert speaker was covered in depth. Topics included the history of disabilities and the self-advocacy movement, education, housing and understanding the legislative process. Self-advocacy skills, partnership building and community leadership were also covered.

Abby Pearson has grown in many ways. She graduated from the Vector transition program in Intermediate School District 287, serving the western suburbs and is currently enrolled in eQuality, a day training program that finds work experiences for individuals with disabilities. She has a goal of moving out of her family home into a group home or apartment with a roommate. She also wants to learn to drive and find a job.

The Partners in Policymaking program runs from September to May. The 40 program candidates selected are either Minnesota residents who are parents of young children with developmental disabilities or individuals with disabilities. The goal is for individuals become community leaders and advocates for themselves and others with disabilities. Classes include an overview of federal and state laws regarding benefits and support services for those with developmental disabilities.

For more information, contact Carol Schoeneck at 651-222-7409 x205 (metro area) and 800-569-6878 x205 (Greater Minnesota) http://mngts.org/ partnersinpolicymaking/index.html ■

Pg 4 Jan. 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 1

MN-CCD sets its agenda of 2012 legislative priorities

by Access Press staff

The Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MN-CCD) is ready for the start of the 2012 legislative session on Jan. 24. The umbrella organization of disability groups adopted its legislative agenda Dec. 14.

A longer list of priorities was unveiled in November, and given to member groups to prioritize. The top items will be championed by MN-CCD. Other issues will be deemed support issues, as they are led by other groups, or issues to monitor. MN-CCD chose legislative and policy issues to track this session.

Work groups met for several months to draft position papers on areas of focus, which is where the priorities were drawn from.

The legislative issues MN-CCD will take leadership roles on include a 10 percent low-need congregate care cut; the 20 percent personal care attendant (PCA) family member wage cut; a Department of Human Services bill impacting PCA services; and proposed changes to Minnesota special education laws and rules.

MN-CCD will also take the lead on two possible

Constitutional issues expected to come up in 2012.

One is the voter identification issue, which would require everyone to show ID before voting. This is opposed by a number of disability community groups.

Another Constitutional issue that is raising red flags is a proposal that all tax increases require approval by a “super-majority.”

MN-CCD will support other groups on the issues of employment initiatives, use of prone restraints in schools, My Life My Choices changes and the bed delicensing provision passed in 2010. Issues the consortium will monitor include bullying prevention, transit and other issues.

Proposed policy areas were also selected. MA reform waiver, managed care for persons with disabilities, consumer-directed community supports budget methodology, the Statewide Quality Assurance Council and Olmstead Commission/Rule 40 will be issues MN-CCD will lead on. Issues the consortium will support include individual choice and control over housing, Money Follows the person, rate restructuring, the DHS Consumer Advisory Panel and state insurance exchange.

MN-CCD approves reorganization The Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MN-CCD) voted Dec. 14 to reorganize.

The changes will be implemented during 2012 and take effect in early 2013. The 17-year-old organization will be reorganized under a plan developed over the past year. MN-CCD will be a stand-alone nonprofit organization, with an executive director and a half-time administrative support staff member.

Regular MN-CCD meetings are currently convened by co-chairs who are elected to serve alternating, two-year terms. MN-CCD is a broad-based coalition of more than 100 organizations for providers and advocates for people with disabilities. The group is dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities. Its main activity is to address public

policy issues that affect people with disabilities by collaborating with others, advocating, educating, influencing change and creating awareness for understanding.

The change was made for several reasons. It has been harder for MN-CCD to find new leadership, at a time when the organization has taken on more work. Issues have also become much more complex and take more time. Having an executive director would give MN-CCD a consistent spokesperson and point person at the state capitol and in other leadership situations, according to a task force report on potential structural changes. The director would be the lead contact for legislators and other policymakers. ■

Legislators end the 2011 special session

courtesy of MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson

Issues MN-CCD will monitor include vocational rehabilitation services, the alternative licensure work group, the dual eligibles initiative, provider-based reform delivery and special education work group funding.

A number of other groups have also adopted or will be adopting legislative agendas this session. Check organizations’ websites or contact groups to get more information on priorities.

MN-CCD Grassroots Action Session Kick—Off is 3-5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17th at The Center for Changing Lives, 2400 Park Ave. S, Minneapolis. Participants can learn more about “Tuesdays at the Capitol” – a weekly opportunity during the legislative session for disability advocates to communicate with their legislators at the capitol. The events are for self-advocates, family members, friends or professionals in the disability community interested in attending a “Tuesday at the Capitol” this session.

Learn how to prepare for and what to expect on a “Tuesday at the Capitol.” Get a preview of a typical “Tuesday at the Capitol”, including providing updates on current legislative issues impacting the disability community as well as a brief training on how to effectively communicate with your legislators. Learn about legislative meetings and the resources available.

The 2012 legislative session is just around the corner, and the collective voice of the entire disability community at the capitol will be needed. RSVP by emailing denafelper@arcgreatertwincities.org or by calling 952 920 0855 by Jan. 13th. Light refreshments will be provided. ■

Special Ed - from p. 1 and how it would increase student instructional time and improve educational outcomes.

Instead of helping, this bill would have caused harm to students and their families, such as: • School districts could decide to eliminate committees that give parents a voice in improving early intervention services and education policy.

• Parents might not be able to have conciliation meetings to help resolve disputes between them and their school district and avoid costly due process hearings.

• Students might have more difficulty accessing assistive technology to help them succeed in school.

• Children with disabilities could have more difficulty receiving early intervention services.

More specifics on the bill (SF 1291/HF 1643) are available on the Public Policy page of The Arc Minnesota website (www.arcmn.org). As Access Press went to press, bills were just being submitted and it wasn’t clear how this proposed legislation would emerge in 2012.

Pederson and Banaian will likely request hearings this session on bills similar to SF 1291/HF 1643. Before changing special education law, The Arc of Minnesota wants legislators to hear from parents and students about what is working in special education and should be preserved.

Parents are already having an influence. At a Dec. 8th forum in St. Cloud, Banaian heard parents’ stories and concerns. The representative said he would ensure that future legislation would not deny parents a voice on policy and services. ■ Anyone who would like to have an impact, too, and keep updated on special education legislation this year can contact Kim Kang, The Arc Minnesota Children’s Disability Policy Advocate, at kimk@arcmn.org or 612-387-6509.

SF 1291 www.revisor.mn.gov/bin/bldbill.php?bill=S1291.0.html&session=ls87 or http://tinyurl.com/87wo7py HF 1643 www.revisor.mn.gov/bin/bldbill.php?bill=H1642.0.html&session=ls87 or http://tinyurl.com/6tgto5r Steve Larson is the Public Policy Director for The Arc Minnesota

Jan. 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 1

2011 year in review

by Jane McClure

The year began with concern about a large state budget deficit. The deficit was punctuated by a state government shutdown and legislative special session. It ended with community leaders still trying to get a handle on changes made during the July legislative special session. We also saw changes in federal legislation, as well as changes in the local program funding.

Minnesota’s disability community also marked the passing of several community leaders, including In-Home Personal Care owner Kevin Sullivan, Hammer, Inc. leader Tim Nelson and noted polio expert Dr. Richard Owen.

January: 2011 started with all eyes turned to the state capitol. With Gov. Mark Dayton heading the executive branch and Republican majorities steering the Minnesota Legislature, the 2011 session began Jan. 4 with a daunting task: plug the state’s $6.2 billion budget deficit before the fiscal year ended July 1.

February: More than 330 self-advocates with disabilities, their family members, support staff and other disability advocates packed the state capitol rotunda for the Disability Matters Day. With massive state budget cuts looming, it was an early mobilizing event for what would become a long and grueling session.

March: Roll With It was featured. Lily Schreifels, who has cerebral palsy, was profiled as a program participant. The teen enjoys wheelchair basketball. Roll With It is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to providing sports training, competition and recreation with a variety of wheelchair and adapted sports activities for children and adults.

April: New State Rep. John Kriesel, (R-Cottage Grove) was featured. He lost part of both legs while serving with the National Guard in 2006. During his first legislative session, Kriesel was proud to be working with the Amputee Coalition on a bill that would ensure fairness in medical coverage for those who have lost limbs.

May: Ramsey County and St. Paul public safety officials, along with the St. Paul Mayor’s Advisory Council for People with Disabilities, unveiled a new program for people with disabilities. An emergency response form helps the Ramsey County Communications Center, law enforcement and medical personnel provide accessible and adapted response to emergency situations.

June: All eyes were on the state capitol as everyone anticipated a legislative shutdown, which happened July 1 and lasted for most of the month. Gov. Mark Dayton and state lawmakers couldn’t agree as to how to handle Minnesota’s plus$5 billion budget deficit. State leaders were deeply divided on the state’s budget woes.

July: Minnesota’s loss was the nation’s gain as the highly respected Charlie Lakin left the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration. After more than three decades here, Lakin became Director of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Department of Education.

August: The health and human services budget adopted during the July legislative special session had mixed impacts on community members and organizations that provide services. When the 2011 Minnesota Highly respected Charlie Legislature adjourned July 20, Minnesotans with disLakin leaves the University of Minnesota’s Institute on abilities and their families faced a dizzying array of Community Integration after changes. Many people saw cuts to services or changes more than three decades. in how services are delivered.

September: Open Access Connections was among the groups affected by agreements made during the legislative special session. The group lost a $37,000 operating grant, or about 14 percent of its budget, and was forced to lay off staff.

Open Access Connections provides free voice mail for people with disabilities, low income people and the homeless.

October: 2011 Medtronic National Courage Award winner James S. Krause, Ph.D., was profiled. The Minnesota native has a long and distinguished resume of academic accomplishments. Kraus is a professor and associate dean for Research in the College of Health Professions at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston.

November: Cuts to medical assistance reimbursement rates, which affect family members who provide care for loved ones, are at the center of a lawsuit against the State of Minnesota. The lawsuit was filed Oct. 25 in Ramsey County District Court on behalf of home health care agencies, employees and their clients.

December: Area colleges were scrutinized, in articles about service animals and accessible housing. One article described how accommodations are made for animals at two Twin Cities schools. Another described the challenges schools face in providing short-term and long-term accessible rooms, given the demand for such dorm facilities. ■

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Pg 6 Jan. 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 1

REGIONAL NEWS Deaf activist wins settlement Five years after he was jailed in Ramsey County, deaf community activist Douglas Bahl believes he can have a normal life again. The St. Paul man, who sued Ramsey County after a 2006 traffic stop, had his settlement approved by the Ramsey County Board Dec. 20.

Bahl, of St. Paul, will receive $57,500 as a result of the federal lawsuit, which was based on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Minnesota Disability Law Center, which represented Bahl, will receive $172,000.

In addition the county will change procedures at its jail. The settlement requires the county to contract with or hire qualified sign-language interpreters and guarantee their availability within an hour of the county’s taking custody of someone needing accommodations. But the settlement adds that the jail’s “deaf and hard-of-hearing coordinator”—a new position—could determine “in writing that there is an equally effective means of communication or that the individual’s request poses an undue financial or administrative burden.”

Bahl’s attorney, Roderick Macpherson III, said the settlement would bring the jail into the 21st century.

Bahl, a deaf activist and longtime American Sign Language trainer at St. Paul College, accused the county of failing to provide a sign-language interpreter when he was jailed for three days. He was on his way to see his wife when he was stopped by police for running a red light. Because he was unable to communicate with her, she feared that something had happened to him.

Bahl then sued the county and the city of St. Paul after the traffic stop. He was convicted of misdemeanor obstructing the legal process after he fought with police during the stop.

A federal judge dismissed Bahl’s claims against the city. That has been appealed and is expected to be heard in 2012. ■ [Source: Pioneer Press, Star Tribune]

Blue Cross/Blue Shield makes autism changes Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota will begin dropping coverage in most cases for a costly therapy for autistic children as early as Jan. 1—a change that has patient advocates worried about losing coverage through a key state program, too. The Eagan-based health insurer announced in December that the coverage change will be phased in over next year and affect about 200 children who have been receiving a treatment known as early intensive behavioral intervention.

The treatment cost averages about $80,000 per year.

Blue Cross is changing its coverage policy to match that of other health plans as well as the state Department of Human Services, said insurance company spokesperson Pam Lux. Blue Cross has been one of the few health plans to provide coverage of the intensive therapy, which in some cases involves 40 hours per week of treatment.

That worries families who rely on the treatment. But the insurer’s reference to the Department of Human Services also is concerning because the state has been a key source of coverage for families that don’t have Blue Cross coverage.

“We’re concerned that this is a harbinger of something on the horizon—that the state is going to say: ‘This is not a covered service,’ “ said Amy Esler, a psychologist at the autism spectrum disorders clinic at the University of Minnesota.

DHS officials said the state isn’t making any changes in its coverage of autism services.

At Blue Cross, the change first will affect about 10 families covered through its HMO for people in the state’s Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare programs. Those families will lose coverage starting Jan. 1.

Other groups will lose coverage for the service as their policies renew in the spring and summer of 2012, said Lux. ■ [Source: Pioneer Press]

State finds fault with worker A state worker who left a severely disabled man alone in a tub to answer a telephone call should not have been bathing him the night he drowned, according to a high-ranking state official and an investigative report issued recently. Devra C. Stiles has already been charged with manslaughter for her “culpable negligence” in the case, according to a criminal complaint filed last fall in Isanti County.

Though Stiles told investigators that she left Gerald Hyska in the bathtub for a couple of minutes on the night of Aug. 28, 2011, the department concluded that she left the water running and failed to return for 37 minutes. Hyska was one of three severely disabled residents living at the state-operated group home in Braham. Hyska, who had lived with severe brain damage since birth, couldn’t speak or stay upright by himself. His safety care plan, which Stiles wrote, indicated he should never be left alone in a bathtub.

“It was impossible to do the two things she was doing at once, which is to exclusively attend to this one client and still attend to the other two” residents, said Anne Barry, deputy commissioner of the state Department of Human Services. “It was impossible to do what she knew was a requirement of that client’s program plan.”

Prosecutors alleged it took Stiles about 30 minutes to call 911, after spending more than six minutes on the phone with her son. She was unable to save Hyska; the report also indicates she failed to do CPR properly.

In the state report, investigators noted that two employees were on duty at the home just two hours a day in recent years, vs. seven hours a day in the early 1990s. Stiles was the only employee working that Sunday night. Other staff members told investigators the staffing levels were adequate for their duties. One unidentified worker said he or she would not answer the phone or doorbell when bathing Hyska.

Investigators did not blame the facility for Hyska’s death, but they said the facility’s report on the incident was incomplete and confusing. ■ [Source: Star Tribune]

Jan. 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 1

Pg 7

ADVOCACY Advocating Change Together (ACT)

V-651-641-0297

TF-800-641-0059

www.selfadvocacy.org

Amputee Coalition

V-888-267-5669-

F-865-525-7917

www.amputee-coalition.org

Arc Greater Twin Cities

V-952-920-0855

F-952-920-1480

www.arcgreatertwincities.org

Arc of Minnesota

V-651-523-0823x115

TF-800-582-5256

www.thearcofminnesota.org

Association of Residential Resources in MN

V-651-291-1086

TTY-800-551-2211

www.arrm.org

Courage Center

V-763-520-0725

TTY-763-520-0245

www.CourageCenter.org

Hearing Loss Assoc. of America (HLAATC)

V-763-537-7558

MN Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities

V-651-523-0829x112

www.hlaatc.org F-651-523-0829

www.mnccd.org

MN Developmental Achievement-Center Assoc

V-651-647-9200

F-651-647-9353

www.mndaca.org

PACER Center, Inc.

V-952-838-9000

TTY-952-838-0190

www.pacer.org

Accessible Space, Inc. (ASI)

V-651-645-7271

TTY-800-466-7722

www.accessiblespace.org

Dungarvin Minnesota, LLC

V-651-699-6050

TTY-651-695-5802

www.dungarvin.com

Mary T. Inc. Catered Living

V-763-754-2505

TF-888-255-6400

www.marytinc.com

ASSISTED-LIVING PROGRAMS

BRAIN INJURY Brain Injury Association of Minnesota

V-612-378-2742

TTY-800-669-6442

www.braininjurymn.org

Courage Center

V-763-520-0312

TTY-763-520-0245

www.CourageCenter.org

Mary T. Inc. Human Service Programs

V-763-754-2505

TF-888-255-6400

www.marytinc.com

Tandem Residential

V-651-641-0491x315

F-651-645-2780

www.tandemresidential.com

TBI Metro Services - Richfield & W. St. Paul

V-612-869-3995

V-651-457-4756

www.opportunitypartners.org

V/TTY-763-479-3555

F-763-479-2605

www.vinlandcenter.org

CHEMICAL HEALTH Vinland National Center

COMMUNITY LIVING CCP - The Cooperating Community Programs (CCP) V-651-917-8322

F-651-917-8322

www.theccpinc.com

DeafBlind Services Minnesota (DBSM)

V-612-362-8454

TTY-612-362-8422

www.dbsm.org

Dungarvin Minnesota, LLC

V-651-699-6050

TTY-651-695-5802

www.dungarvin.co

Howry Residential Services

V-651-917-9111

F-651-917-1018

www.howryinc.com

Mary T. Inc. Human Service Programs

V-763-754-2505

TF-888-255-6400

www.marytinc.com

Metro Work Center, Inc

V/TTY-612-729-7381

F-612-729-7382

www.metroworkcenter.org

Opportunity Partners

V-952-938-5511

TTY-952-930-4293

www.opportunitypartners.org

Reach for Resources

V-952-988-4177

F-952-988-6728

www.reachforresources.org

REM Minnesota

V-952-945-4952

F-952-922-6885

www.remminnesota.org

TF-888-676-6498

www.smilescil.org

South MN Independent Living Enterprises & Services V/TTY-507-345-7139

CONSUMER-DIRECTED COMMUNITY SUPPORTS CCP Self Directed Services

V-651-209-3350

Community Involvement Programs (CIP)

V-612-362-4437

F-651-641-8623

www.ccpcdcs.com www.cipmn.org

EDUCATION Community Education Network on Disabilities

V-651-748-7436

V-507-494-0950

V-320-529-6500 x6271

Institute on Community Integration

V-612-624-6300

F-612-624-8279

www.ici.umn.edu

MRC - Minnesota Resource Center

V-612-752-8100

TTY-612-752-8019

www.mrc-mn.org

Upstream Arts

V-612-331-4584

F-480-393-5587

www.upstreamarts.org

CONTINUED

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

We are accepting applications for our large number of mobility impaired accessible units.

Please call us for more information.

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

Pg 8 Jan. 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 1

EMPLOYMENT/VOCATION Assistive Technology of MN - DBA Equip A Life

V-763-479-8239

TF-866-535-8239

www.equipalife.org

CCP Works! - Cooperating Community Programs

V-763-540-6833x302

F-651-917-8322

www.theccpinc.com

Chrestomathy, Inc.

V-952-974-0339

F-952-974-0307

www.chrestomathyinc.org

Community Connections Partnership (CCP)

V-763-540-6833x302

www.communityconnectionspartnership.org

Community Involvement Programs (CIP)

V-952-851-6186

V-952-851-6193

www.cipmn.org

Cooperating Community Programs (CCP)

V-651-503-8618

F-651-641-8623

www.theccpinc.com

Courage Center

V-763-520-0564

TTY-763-520-0245

East Suburban Resources, Inc.

V-651-351-0190

www.CourageCenter.org www.esrworks.org

Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota

V-651-379-5800

F-651-379-5803

www.goodwilleasterseals.org

Kaposia Inc.

V/TTY-651-224-6974

F-651-224-7249

www.kaposia.com

Lifetrack Resources - Minneapolis

V-612-788-8855

F-612-788-8577

www.lifetrackresources.org

Lifetrack Resources - St. Paul

V-651-227-8471

TTY-651-227-3779

www.lifetrackresources.org

Lifeworks Services, Inc.

TF-866-454-2732

TTY-651-365-3736

www.lifeworks.org

Merrick, Inc.

V-651-789-6231

F-651-789-9960

www.merrickinc.org

Metro Work Center, Inc.

V/TTY-612-729-7381

F-612-729-7382

www.metroworkcenter.org

Midway Training Services

V-651-641-0709

F-651-641-0976

www.midwaytraining.org

Midwest Special Services, Inc.

V-651-778-1000

F-651-772-4352

www.mwsservices.org

Minnesota Diversified Industries (MDI)

V-651-999-8200

F-651-999-8242

www.mdi.org

Minnesota Work Incentives Connection

V-651-632-5113

TF-800-976-6728

www.mnworkincentives.com

MRC - Minnesota Resource Center

V-612-752-8100

TTY-612-752-8019

www.mrc-mn.org

Opportunity Partners

V-952-938-5511

TTY-952-930-4293

www.opportunitypartners.org

Partnership Resources, Inc.

V-952-925-1404

F-952-925-6055

www.partnershipresources.org

Partnership Resources, Inc. - Minneapolis

V-612-331-2075

F-612-331-2887

www.partnershipresources.org

Partnership Resources, Inc. - Older Adults Program V-952-746-6206

F-952-746-6209

www.partnershipresources.org

ProAct Inc.

V-651-686-0405

F-651-686-0312

www.proactinc.org

ProAct - Red Wing

V-651-388-7108

F-651-388-9223

www.proactinc.org

Rise, Inc.

V/TTY-763-786-8334

F-763-786-0008

www.rise.org

TBI Metro Services - Richfield & W. St. Paul

V-612-869-3995

V-651-457-4756

www.opportunitypartners.org

TSE, Inc.

V-651-489-2595

F-651-489-0410

www.tse-inc.org

University of Minnesota Disability Services

V-612-626-1333

F-612-625-5572

http://ds.umn.edu

CONTINUED

Diamond Hill Townhomes Diamond Hill Townhomes is a great property located near the Minneapolis International Airport. Our waiting list is currently closed. Call for updated openings as this can change from time to time.

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.

To check for future waiting list openings please call (612) 726-9341.

Jan. 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 1

GOVERNMENT Minnesota State Council on Disability

V/TTY-651-361-7800

TTY-800-945-8913

www.disability.state.mn.us

MN Gov. Council on Developmental Disabilities

V-651-296-4018

TF-800-627-3529

www.mncdd.org

Social Security Admin. & St. Paul PASS Cadre

TF-866-667-6032 x10661, x10674, or x10640

www.socialsecurity.gov

TF-866-601-8962

www.cornerstone-solutions.org

HEALTH CARE PLANS Cornerstone Solutions

TTY-800-627-3529

Edelweiss Home Health Care

V-612-273-5560

F-612-273-7360

www.edelhomecare.com

Medica

V-800-266-2157

TTY-800-855-2880

www.medica.com

UCare

V-800-707-1711

TTY-800-688-2534

www.ucare.org

HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICES Break-Thru Home Care, Inc.

V-612-659-1505

TTY-612-659-1499

www.breakthrucare.com

BrightStar Care Southern Twin Cities

V-651-234-0044

F-651-234-0046

www.BrightStarCare.com

In Home Personal Care

V-763-546-1000

F-763-546-1018

www.inhomepersonalcare.com

Mary T. Inc. Home Health Care

V-763-754-2505

TF-888-255-6400

www.marytinc.com

F-800-632-0798

www.accessoptionsmn.com

HOUSING-CONSTRUCTION/REMODELING AccessAbility Options, Inc.

V-763-571-6789

Accessibility Design

V-952-925-0301

F-952-926-7712

www.accessibilitydesign.com

Accessible Homes, LLC.

V-612-978-1054

F-651-554-3085

www.accessiblehomesllc.net

Equal Access Homes, Inc.

V-651-249-7751

F-651-450-1330

www.EqualAccessHomes.com

McCarthy Builders & Remodelers, Inc.

V-612-250-0816

www.McCarthyBuildersandRemodelers.com

SRR Construction

V-612-419-5787

www.SRRConstruction.com

V-651-645-7271

TTY-800-466-7722

www.accessiblespace.org

HOUSING-RENTAL Accessible Space, Inc. (ASI) Ebenezer Park Apartments

V-612-879-2233

F-612-879-8889

www.fairviewebenezer.org/minneapolis

HousingLink

V-612-522-2500

F-612-521-1577

www.housinglink.org

National Handicap Housing Institute, Inc

V-651-639-9799

F-651-639-9699

www.nhhiaccessiblehousing.com

Villas and Townhomes by Mary T. Inc.

V-763-754-2505

TF-888-255-6400

www.marytinc.com

INFORMATION AND REFERRAL RESOURCES Arc Greater Twin Cities

V-952-920-0855

F-952-920-1480

www.arcgreatertwincities.org

Assistive Technology of Minnesota

V-763-479-8239

TF-866-535-8239

www.atmn.org

Fair Table Mediation, LLC

V-952-881-3650

www.FairTableMediation.com

Minnesota State Council on Disability

V/TTY-651-361-7800

TTY-800-945-8913

www.disability.state.mn.us

The Natl Multiple Sclerosis Society - MN Chapter

V-612-335-7900

TF-800-582-5296

www.mssociety.org

PACER Center, Inc.

V-952-838-9000

TTY-952-838-0190

www.pacer.org

United Cerebral Palsy of MN

V-651-646-7588

TF-877-528-5678

www.ucpmn.org

Fair Table Mediation, LLC

V-952-881-3650

www.FairTableMediation.com

MN Disability Law Center

V-612-334-5970

TF-800-292-4150

www.mndlc.org

LEGAL

MEDICAL SUPPLIES/EQUIPMENT Fairview Wheelchair Seating and Mobility

V-612-273-5560

F-612-273-7360

www.fairview.org/rehab

Handi Medical Supply

V-651-644-9770

F-651-644-0602

www.handimedical.com

Key Medical Supply

V-651-792-3860

F--651-792-3867

www.keymedicalsupply.com

Liberty Oxygen & Medical Equipment

V-952-920-0460

F-952-920-0480

www.libertyoxygen.com

Tamarack Habilitation Technologies, Inc.

V-763-795-0057

TF-866-795-0057

www.tamarackhti.com

Community Involvement Programs (CIP)

V-612-362-4434

V-612-362-4452

www.cipmn.org

Courage Center

V-763-520-0312

TTY-763-520-0245

www.CourageCenter.org

Fraser

V-612-861-1688

F-612-861-6050

www.fraser.org

Howry Residential Services

V-651-917-9111

F-651-917-1018

www.howryinc.com

Lifetrack Resources - St. Paul

V-651-227-8471

TTY-651-227-3779

www.lifetrackresources.org

MENTAL HEALTH

National Alliance on Mental Illness of MN

V-651-645-2948

TF-888-NAMI-Helps

www.namihelps.org

People Inc. Epilepsy & Mental Health Services

V-651-338-9035

TTY-651-338-1160

www.peopleincorporated.org

CONTINUED

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)

Pg 9

Pg 10 Jan. 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 1

PHYSICIANS Courage Center

V-763-520-0453

TTY-763-520-0245

www.CourageCenter.org

Wound Healing Center

V-715-268-0175

TTY-715-268-0177

www.AmeryMedicalCenter.org

RECREATION-ADAPTIVE HOBBY/EXERCISE/SPORTS/ARTS Courage Center

V-763-520-0537

Mind Body Solutions

V-952-473-3700

Upstream Arts

V-612-331-4584

TTY-763-520-0245

www.CourageCenter.org www.mindbodysolutions.org

F-480-393-5587

www.upstreamarts.org

RECREATION-TRAVEL/CAMPING Camp Winnebago

V-507-724-2351

F-507-724-3786

www.campwinnebago.org

Friendship Ventures

V-952-852-0101

TF-800-450-8376

www.friendshipventures.org

Hammer Travel

V-952-277-2458

TF-877-345-8599

www.HammerTravel.org

Ventures Travel, LLC

V-952-852-0107

TF-866-692-7400

www.venturestravel.org

Wilderness Inquiry

V-612-676-9400

TF-800-728-0719

www.wildernessinquiry.org

REHABILITATION (PHYSICAL, OCCUPATIONAL, SPEECH, AUDIOLOGY THERAPISTS) Cooperating Community Prog -Home-Based Support V-651-379-9711

F-651-645-7350

www.theccpinc.com

Courage Center

V-763-588-0811

TTY-763-520-0245

www.CourageCenter.org

Courage Center - Burnsville

V-952-898-5700

F-952-898-5757

www.CourageCenter.org

Courage Center - Forest Lake

V-651-464-5235

F-651-464-3547

www.CourageCenter.org

Courage Ceter - St. Croix

V-651-439-8283

F-651-439-0576

www.CourageCenter.org

DeafBlind Services Minnesota (DBSM)

V-612-362-8454

TTY-612-362-8422

www.dbsm.org

Fairview Acute Rehabilitation Center

V-612-273-8660

F-612-273-4706

www.fairview.org/arc

Fairview Balance Center

V-612-273-6228

F-612-273-7360

www.fairview.org/balance

Fairview M.S. Achievement Center

V-612-672-2815

F-651-645-2254

www.fairview.org/msac

Fairview Rehabilitation Services

V-612-273-6228

TTY-800-824-1953

www.fairview.org/rehab

Fraser

V-612-861-1688

F-612-861-6050

www.fraser.org

Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare

V-651-291-2848

TF-800-719-4040

www.gillettechildrens.org

In Home Personal Care

V-763-546-1000

F-763-546-1018

www.inhomepersonalcare.com

Lifetrack Resources - St. Paul

V-651-227-8471

TTY-651-227-3779

www.lifetrackresources.org

F-651-645-2780

www.capstoneservices.net

RESIDENTIAL/GROUP HOME PROGRAMS Capstone Services, LLC

V-651-641-0042 x211

CCP-The Cooperating Community Programs - Residential Services

V-651-503-8618

www.theccpinc.com

Community Involvement Programs (CIP)

V-612-362-4403

V-612-362-4417

www.cipmn.org

Dungarvin Minnesota, LLC

V-651-699-6050

TTY-651-695-5802

www.dungarvin.com

Fraser

V-612-861-1688

F-612-861-6050

www.fraser.org

Howry Residential Services

V-651-917-9111

F-651-917-1018

www.howryinc.com

Mary T. Inc. Human Services Programs

V-763-754-2505

TF-888-255-6400

www.marytinc.com

Mt. Olivet Rolling Acres

V-952-474-5974

F-952-474-3652

www.mtolivetrollingacres.org

Opportunity Partners

V-952-938-5511

TTY-952-930-4293

www.opportunitypartners.org

People Inc. Epilepsy & Mental Health Services

V-651-338-9035

TTY-651-338-1160

www.peopleincorporated.org

Phoenix Residence

V-651-227-7655

F-651-227-6847

www.phoenixresidence.org

Restart, Inc.

V-763-588-7633

F-763-588-7613

www.restartincmn.org

Can Do Canines

V-763-331-3000

F-763-331-3009

www.can-do-canines.org

Helping Paws, Inc.

V-952-988-9359

F-952-988-9296

www.helpingpaws.org

V-952-226-2063

www.PawPADS.org

SERVICE ANIMALS

Pawsitive Perspectives Assistance Dogs (PawPADs)

SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES Ebenezer Care Center

V-612-879-2262

www.fairviewebenezer.org/minneapolis

V-763-588-7633

F-763-588-7613

www.restartincmn.org

Assistive Technology of MN - DBA Equip A Life

V-763-479-8239

TF-866-535-8239

www.equipalife.org

Fairview Assistive Technology Program

V-612-273-6228

F-612-273-7360

www.fairview.org/rehab

Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare

V-651-291-2848

TF-800-719-4040

www.gillettechildrens.org

Marbesoft - Simtech

V-763-755-1402

TF-888-755-1402

www.marblesoft.com

PACER Center, Inc.

V-952-838-9000

TTY-952-838-0190

www.pacer.org

STAR Program

V-651-201-2640

TF-888-234-1267

www.starprogram.state.mn.us

Tamarack Habilitation Technologies, Inc.

V-763-795-0057

TF-866-795-0057

www.tamarackhti.com

SOCIAL SERVICES Restart, Inc.

TECHNOLOGY

TRANSPORTATION RENTAL/SALES/MODIFICATION IMED Mobility

V-651-635-0655

TF-800-788-7479

www.imedmobility.com

American Council for the Blind of Minnesota

V-651-428-5059

V-612-486-5180

www.acb.org/Minnesota

Vision Loss Resources

V-612-871-2222

F-612-872-0189

www.visionlossresources.org

Volunteer Braille Services

V-763-544-2880

F-763-544-3612

www.vbsmn.org

VISION IMPAIRMENT

Jan. 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 1

ACCESSIBLE FUN Welcome to the Access Press Accessible Fun listings. Get further information on things to do around Minnesota at www.access minnesota.org and click on the calendar.

For info on galleries and theater performances around the state, visit www.vsa mn.org or call 612-332-3888 or 1-800-8013883 (voice/tty). Or check c2 (caption coalition) inc., which does most of the captioned shows in Minnesota, also captions shows across the country: http://c2net.org\

Party of the Year Where can you find a “Don’t Stop Believin” sing-along, a keyboard spinning showdown, dance-pop favorites, and R&B? At Brat Pack Radio’s high-energy show that’s part dance party, part carnival, and ALL PACER Rocks for Kids!

Join the party at 8 p.m. Sat., Jan. 28 at the Fine Line Music Cafe in downtown Minneapolis. Dance and raise money for two PACER programs for children, the National Bullying Prevention Center and the Simon Technology Center for children with disabilities. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door.FFI: 952-8389000, PartyoftheYear.com

Accessibility improvement grants available ADA Access Improvement Grants for Metro Arts Organizations are now available in the Twin Cities seven-county area. The focus of these grants, up to $15,000 each, is to help make arts programming, activities and facilities more accessible to people with disabilities.

Made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, the grant program is administered by VSA Minnesota for the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC). Over the past two years $440,785 was awarded to 36 Twin Cities organizations.

In 2012 approximately $180,000 is available to be awarded over two rounds, with application deadlines on Feb. 17 and May 11. A series of information meetings will be announced shortly.

The project grants are not intended for one-time activities such as a sign language interpreter or a Braille program for one play, but to have the potential for significant or long-term impact in involving more people with disabilities as participants or patrons in arts programs.

Minnesota nonprofit arts organizations in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties are eligible if their annual budget is under $4,460,000. Download 2012 grant guidelines and application at www.vsamn.org/ forms.html#adagrant. Or contact VSA Minnesota at 612-332-3888 voice/tty or access@vsamn.org.

Pg 11

New Travel (TSA) toll-free helpline Are you a person with disabilities who likes to travel? The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced the launch of TSA Cares today, a new helpline number designed to assist travelers with disabilities and medical conditions, prior to getting to the airport. Travelers may call TSA Cares toll free at 1-855-787-2227 prior to traveling with questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint.

“TSA Cares provides passengers with disabilities and medical needs another resource to use before they fly, so they know what to expect when going through the screening process,” said TSA Administrator John Pistole. “This additional level of personal communication helps ensure that even those who do not travel often are aware of our screening policies before they arrive at the airport.”

When a passenger with a disability or medical condition calls TSA Cares, a representative will provide assistance, either with information about screening that is relevant to the passenger’s specific disability or medical condition, or the passenger may be referred to disability experts at TSA. TSA recommends that passengers call approximately 72 hours ahead of travel so that TSA Cares has the opportunity to coordinate checkpoint support with a TSA Customer Service Manager located at the airport when necessary.

Every person and item must be screened before entering the secure area of an airport and the manner in which the screening is conducted will depend on the passenger’s abilities and any specific equipment brought to the security checkpoint.

Earth, Wind & Fire to perform Earth, Wind & Fire—one of America’s top-selling musical groups of all time—is bringing its soul-funk fusion to PACER Center’s 30th Annual Benefit on Sat., May 5, at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Tickets are available now.

Inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, Earth, Wind & Fire has earned six Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards alongside numerous other accolades. The band recently received the prestigious Legend Award at the 2011 Soul Train awards on Nov. 27, 2011.

In addition to the Earth, Wind & Fire concert, PACER’s benefit includes silent and live auctions. Proceeds from the Benefit support PACER Center programs for children with disabilities and their families and PACER’s Bullying Prevention Center. FFI: FFI: 952-838-9000, PACER.org

The St. Paul Winter Carnival is Jan. 26-Feb. 5, with most events held in St. Paul.

One highlight is the coronation of the Senior Royalty, shown above. They serve as ambassadors for the carnival in the upcoming year. A new royal family will be crowned Jan. 19. Other events include parades, art shows, ice and snow sculptures, parties and more. For information on events and accommodations, 651-223-4700, www.winter-carnival.com

VSA calendar seeks support

Enjoy a movie tonight

For more than a decade, the VSA MinSeveral theaters around the state offer nesota Accessible Performance Calendar accommodations for movie-goers, such (part of which is used by Access Press) as captioning or descriptive services. has publicized arts events that offer ASL www.captionfish.com lists cinemas with interpreting, captioning, audio description, access (AD/CC) features. Find theaters in or other accommodations. Major cuts to your area by typing in your zip code. the national VSA program which paid for MoPix-equipped Rear Window Captioned this outreach means VSA Minnesota is Films are listed at: cam.wgbh.org/mopix/ looking for ideas, sponsors, volunteers Kent’s Accounting Service, LLC or other means to continue this service.

Anyone with suggestions, or who wants Kent Fordyce to say how this service and VSA’s ac612-889-2959 cessibility advocacy is important to the fordyce6@aol.com community, should email ideas and Fax: 952-472-1458 comments to access@vsamn.org or call 612-332-3888 or 800-801-3883, 6371 Bartlett Blvd, Mound, MN 55364 voice/tty. The current arts calendar can Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor be seen at www.vsamn.org/calendar.

2012 & 2005-2011

nowshowing.html#mn ■

Pg 12 Jan. 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 1

UPCOMING EVENTS Advocacy Advocacy Kick-Off Day The Arc Minnesota hosts Advocacy Kick-Off Day 10 a.m.

Tue., Jan 31 at the state capitol. Meet in the Minnesota State Office Building, Basement Cafeteria, 175 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd. Members of The Arc will provide information and their stories to legislators about 2012 legislative priorities shared by The Arc Minnesota and the Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities. Priorities include the wage cut to PCAs caring for relatives, the 10% cut to individuals with ”low needs,” opposition to constitutional amendments that require voter IDs or require a supermajority for revenue increases, protecting Minnesota’s special education laws and regulations, and reforming disability services. Other colleagues and organizations from the disability community are welcome to attend. FFI: Mike Gude, 651-6048066, mikeg@arcmn.org for more information.

Workshops, conferences Child and adolescent mental health conference The Minnesota Association for Children’s’ Mental Health (MACMH) conference is April 22 – 24 in Duluth. Early deadlines are approaching. Register by Jan. 31 for a $50 savings. Also, exhibitors, sponsors and marketers need to sign on by April 2 for the April 23-24 exhibit days. New offerings this year include a sponsors’ row for event sponsors, a “friend” discount for longtime exhibitors and the ability to select an exhibit space through

online registration. Ask about exhibit and conference attendee rates or check the organization website. FFI: info@macmh.org, or www.macmh.org

Adult classes Living Well with a Disability Series Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL) offers Living Well with a Disability, a free ten-week wellness workshop for people with disabilities that help consumers achieve full participation through health maintenance and health promotion activities. Developed by the University of Montana, the peer-facilitated and consumer directed workshops begin a journey of empowerment.

Classes start 10 a.m. Thu, Jan. 12 and continue Thursday mornings. Please give two weeks’ notice if accommodations are needed. FFI: Corbett Laubignat, corbettl@mcil-mn.org, 651-603-2028 Independent living classes offered The Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL) offers free and accessible classes on living independently for people with disabilities. Most classes are held at 1600 University Ave., #16, the green tile building at University and Snelling, St. Paul.

Self-esteem class is 10 a.m.-noon Tue, Feb. 21. How do you see yourself? Does your inner voice say hurtful things? Come and join us as we discuss ways to change that inner voice and make it be a supportive voice instead. Please bring an open mind and a willingness to change.

Healthy Relationships series of classes starts 10 a.m.noon Wed, Feb, 8. It is centered on building interpersonal effectiveness, discussing sexuality and disability and creating healthy boundaries.

Knitting Circle: Learn simple techniques, patterns and designs of knitting. Adaptive knitting equipment available; for all levels of knitters.

Other crafts are welcome. 10 a.m.-noon, Mon, Jan. 9 and 1-3 p.m. Mon, Jan. 23; 10 a.m.-noon, Mon, Feb 6 and 1-3 p.m. Mon, Feb. 20.

Meal Planning is 11 a.m.2 p.m. Wed, Jan. 11. Learn to create a weekly menu and shop with a list and coupons. Learn to shop wisely, and how to expand your meals without expanding your expenses.

The Weekenders outings are for those who are tired of sitting home all weekend.

Meet other people who share similar interests and want to meet new people.

Guests are welcome and encouraged. Next meeting is noon-2 p.m. Sat, Jan. 21 at Midway Perkins, St. Paul,

followed by bowling 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Bring money for food and other expenses to each event.

Wii fun is 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wed., Feb. 15. This is a great way to meet new people, have fun and even get a workout.

Events are free (with the exception of Weekenders outings), accessible and mostly scent-free. {Please RSVP and give two weeks’ notice of needed accommodations. FFI: Corbett Laubignat, corbettl@mcil-mn.org, 651 603 2028 Free 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. Funding for Adaptive Technology classes is provided by a generous grant from the Hudson Family Foundation. FFI: 612-630-6469, www.hclib.org

Youth and families Parents with Disabilities group Parents with Disabilities is a new group offered by Metro Center for Independent Living. This group is for people who have disabilities and have children. Learn from and grow with others who are dealing with the intricacies of disability and parenting responsibilities.

Everyone’s experience is valuable and questions are important. The next four meetings are at MCIL 1600 University Ave. W, St. Paul, 5-7pm Mondays Jan 23, Feb 20, March 19 and April 23. Pre-registration requested.

FFI: Corbett, 651 603 2028, corbettl@mcil-mn.org PACER offers workshops PACER Center offers useful free and low-cost workshops for families of children with disabilities. Register in advance. All workshops are at PACER Center, 8161 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington, unless specified.

Apps for Autism 6-9 p.m. Tue, Jan. 17. Suggested donation $10-$25. There are thousands of apps for the iPod Touch and the iPad so it can be hard to find the right one. Learn about some of the best apps for children and adults with autism. Bring your own iPad/iPod Touch with your own favorite apps to share. FFI: 952-838-9000, 800-537-2237 (toll free), PACER.org.

Fraser offers groups Fraser offers a wide variety of classes and programs for families dealing with disabilities. Classes, which typically cost $30 per person or $50 per couple, are held throughout the region. Preregistration required. Fraser offers a wide variety of classes and programs for families dealing with disabilities. Classes, which typically cost $30 per person or $50 per couple, are held throughout the region. Preregistration required. FFI: 612-7988331 or workshops@fraser.org.

Support groups, meetings UCare meetings UCare hosts informational meetings about its UCare for Seniors Medicare Advantage plan. Meetings are held all over the region. UCare for Seniors has more than 75,000 members across Minnesota and western Wisconsin. UCare is an independent, nonprofit health plan providing health care and administrative services to more than 185,000 members. UCare serves Medicareeligible individuals throughout Minnesota and in western Wisconsin; individuals and families enrolled in incomebased Minnesota Health Care Programs, such as MinnesotaCare and Prepaid Medical Assistance Program; adults with disabilities and Medicare beneficiaries with chronic health conditions, and Minnesotans dually eligible for Medical Assistance and Medicare FFI: 1-877523-1518 (toll free), www.ucare.org Mental Illness support groups The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Minnesota (NAMI-MN) sponsors free support groups for families who have a relative with a mental illness. NAMI has about two dozen family support groups, over 20 support groups for people living with a mental illness, anxiety support groups, groups for veterans and other groups.

Led by trained facilitators who also have a family member with mental illness, the support groups help families develop better coping skills and find strength through sharing their experiences. A family support group meets in St. Paul from 5:45-7p.m., on the second Tuesday of the month, at Snelling Office Park, 1625 Energy Park Drive, Suite 100, St. Paul. FFI: Sonja, 651-357-2077.

A NAMI Connection peer support group for adults recovering from mental illness meets bi-weekly in Roseville.

Trained facilitators who are also in recovery lead NAMI

Upcoming events - p. 14

Jan. 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 1

PEOPLE & PLACES Call for Justice now open Call for Justice has opened its office at 404 South 8th St., Minneapolis, in space donated by Greater Twin Cities United Way. Ellen Krug, an attorney for nearly 30 years, has been hired as the Call for Justice executive director. Call for Justice Ellen Krug is a pilot project to provide legal information, advice, and referrals to the disadvantaged. A legal hotline will be one of the project’s features. The project will work in conjunction with United Way 2-1-1 to streamline legal referrals. This new initiative is designed to mesh smoothly with other legal services efforts in the metro area. Call for Justice is made possible through grants by the Hennepin and Ramsey County Bar Foundations, the St. Paul and Bigelow Foundations, and numerous law firms.

Krug is a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where she had an active trial practice. A graduate of Boston College Law School, she has extensive community service experience with various nonprofits.

The project will reach out to organizations that provide legal services to the disadvantaged. Work to improve legal referrals will begin immediately. The legal hotline is projected to begin operations in 2012.

Krug said that Call for Justice is especially interested in serving people with disabilities. “The primary goal of Call for Justice is to increase access to the civil justice system,” Krug said. “Historically, the disabled have been particularly at a disadvantage—in part because of simple physical barriers and in part because the system hasn’t recognized the barriers many of the disabled face. The Call for Justice project is designed to make legal referrals easier and more efficient for everyone. The disabled—often the victims of ‘social services pinball’ in being bounced from one agency to another—will benefit from our efforts to make one call all that’s needed to secure effective legal assistance.”

NAMI Minnesota presents awards The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Minnesota present awards for outstanding service at its annual conference recently in Minneapolis.

Guild Incorporated was given the Provider of the FRIEND SPONSOR ($50 and above)

BRONZE SPONSOR ($75 and above) Anonymous Donor Ellen Boucher Bill & Alex Bartolic Martha Brown Leo & Susan Bulger Monte Blair Robert & Gail Buuck Teresa Dock Pat Chelf Dawn Doering Robert Engstrom Mike Chevrette Stephanie Cunningham Steve & JoAnn Erbes Christopher Duff Skip Finn Thomas & Mimi Fogarty Craig Dunn Nancy Eustis Lael Gatewood Kent Fordyce Patty Hoy Marjorie Huebner Leigh Gleason Anne Henry Barb Kane Dianna Krogstad Elin Ohlsson William & Joen Overby Dave & Carol Larson Christopher Meyer Annette Pantel Richard & Vicki Dalle Molle Linda Paulson Kelly Rathcke Scott Neamy Virginia Schwartzbauer Donn Poll & Eric Nelson Henn. Cty Commissioner Mike Opat Anni Simons John Sherman Mark & Mary Payette Jobs Foundation Julee Quarve-Peterson John Schatzlein Peter Vaill IN KIND Patty Woodey (For this issue) Hennepin County Library Steve Larson MN-DACA Shelli Lissick NAMI Minnesota Sherie Wallace Ted Cole Memorial

Donate at your work place through Community Shares at: www.communitysharesmn.org

Grace Tangjerd Schmitt

Richard Oni

Year Award. The award recognizes an organization that provides mental health services that demonstrate excellence, respect and best practices.

NAMI’s executive director Sue Abderholden said, “Guild Incorporated in St. Paul has become a beacon of light for adults living with a mental illness. Guild has worked to provide a wide array of services that are evidence-based including Assertive Community Treatment, Intensive Residential Treatment Services, supported employment and supportive housing.” Guild has also collaborated with Regions Hospital to reduce readmissions to the hospital and with Project Pride in Living and the Delancey Apartments to provide housing. Guild’s recent Moving Matters program demonstrates enormous creativity and showed how through dance and art people can heal and reach for recovery.

Guild’s executive director Grace Tangjerd Schmitt and members of the Guild Incorporated staff were at the conference to accept the award.

Social worker Richard Oni, co-owner of Progressive Individual Resources in St. Paul, was given the Professional of the Year Award. The award recognizes a professional who provides high quality services, exemplifies best practices, and demonstrates commitment to and leadership in the field.

“Richard Oni has provided much needed mental health services to the African American and other immigrant communities and has been a strong advocate for mental health behavioral aides so that they can assist families in keeping their children in their homes,” said Abderholden. “NAMI also wants to recognize Richard’s tireless efforts to develop and promote culturally competent mental health services through his eleven years on the Children’s Subcommittee and his work on the Cultural Advisory Council on State Special Education along with numerous other task forces. We greatly appreciate and applaud his work.”

Oni lives in Birchwood.

Playgrounds get needed assistance Two efforts to create accessible playgrounds, one in Woodbury and one in Minneapolis, made key steps

SILVER SPONSOR ($150 and above) Jeff Bangsberg & Anita Boucher Ellen & Skip Houghton Kim Kang Manley and Ann Olson Debra Shriver John G. Smith Accessible Homes, LLC Courage Center Handi Medical Kowalski’s – St. Paul Land O’ Lakes LOTTSA Tax & Accounting Services Lucy Coffee Café Rise, Inc. Ten Thousand Villages Vinland Center GOLD SPONSOR ($500 and above) Phyllis A. Benjamin (In Memoriam) Michael Bjerkesett Ronna Linroth In Home Personal Care National Handicapped Housing Institute Tamarack Habilitation Technologies, Inc. BENEFACTOR SPONSOR ($1000 and above) Lynda Milne Paul Mueller The Jay & Rose Phillips Family Foundation The Medtronic Foundation The Minneapolis Foundation The Otto Bremer Foundation UCare

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ahead. The Madison Claire Foundation announced a pledge of $100,000 in matching funds from an anonymous donor to build Madison’s Place, the East Metro’s first inclusive playground. The playground will be truly inclusive so that children of all abilities can play together side-by-side fostering friendships, understanding and acceptance.

“We are so grateful to this donor for their pledge of $100,000,” said Dana Millington, president of the Madison Claire Foundation. “This funding match will provide a major boost to the fundraising efforts for the playground.”

The foundation also entered into a partnership with Landscape Structures Inc., a Delano-based commercial playground manufacturer. Landscape Structures, the playground industry’s thought leader on inclusive play, will supply the playground equipment for Madison’s Place. The company, along with their Minnesota partner Flagship Recreation, is focused on helping communities go beyond providing accessibility to ensuring inclusion. In addition to getting children with limited mobility onto the playground, Landscape Structures engages the social and emotional benefits of a playground to help promote social inclusion between children with and without disabilities. The playground is to be built in summer 2012.

Falls for All, which is planning a universal access playground for the Wabun Picnic area of Minnehaha Falls Park in Minneapolis was approved for $200,000 in funding from the Hennepin County Youth Sports program. The contribution puts Falls for All closer to its goal of a fully accessible and inclusive playground for children (and adults) of all abilities. More than $600,000 has been raised toward the group’s $950,000 goal.

ProAct, Inc. names new board member ProAct, Inc. has named Deanna (DeDe) Wanzek, a veteran physical therapist and former business owner, to its board of directors. The nonprofit organization serving people with disabilities has a growing program in Hudson, Wis., where Wanzek is employed by Avanti Center. The center, which she helped to found, provides physical, occupational and speech therapy to children and adults with disabilities.

“Many of the Hudson participants are people that I saw as children,” Wanzek said. “It is very interesting to me to see the life cycle—how things were for them when they were children and now how life is for them as adults.”

She is a successful closed head injury survivor, People & Places - p. 15

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Pg 14 Jan. 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 1

Upcoming events - from p. 12 Connection groups. The group meets on the 2nd and 4th Wed., at 6:30 p.m., at Centennial Methodist Church, 1524 Co. Rd. C-2 West. FFI: Will, 651-578-3364.

NAMI has a support group for those living in the GLBTQ community and their allies. The group meets 1-2:30 p.m.

Saturdays, Minnehaha Spirit of the Lakes Church, 4001 38th Avenue S., Mpls. The support group will be a safe place to confront the challenges that many members of the GLBTQ communities face including low self-esteem, social isolation, stigma, discrimination, anxiety and depression. FFI: Kim 763-267-5881, Gabi 314-800-4134.

An Open Door Anxiety and Panic support group meets in St. Paul at 6:30 p.m., on the first and third Thursday of the month, at Gloria Dei Church, 700 Snelling Ave. S. St. Paul. FFI: NAMI, 651-645-2948, www.namihelps.org

Volunteer, Donate Home care volunteers sought Courage Center Volunteer Services is recruiting skilled volunteers with special “people skills” to serve as telemedicine volunteers working with primary care clinic patients. Volunteers work with Courage Center adult clients in their homes as a non-medical social support.

Through relationship-building visits and setting up for telemedicine (Skype) conferences with Courage Center’s Primary Care Clinic staff, volunteers can have a positive impact on a client’s health and independence by diminishing the unhealthy affects of social isolation; reducing hospitalizations; and empowering clients to manage their health care plan. Candidates will be interviewed through Jan. 12. Group training is held Tuesdays, Feb. 14-March 20, from 8:30-11:30 a.m. The flexibile time commitment is a 2-3 hour weekly shift, for a

minimum of one year. FFI: Cathleen Godsall, Volunteer Coordinator for Healthcare Home, 763-520-0241, Cathleen.Godsall@CourageCenter.org.

Give away that car Autos for Arc can take old vehicles off your hands, give you a tax deduction and say “Thank you” for helping change the lives of people with disabilities. Autos for Arc accepts cars and trucks of any model and condition and other vehicles including boats (with trailers), RVs, ATVs, golf carts, personal watercraft, motorcycles and snowmobiles. Within the seven-county metro area, Autos for Arc can arrange to have a vehicle towed free of charge. Call the toll-free Autos for Arc hotline, 1-877778-7709, to arrange a pickup. Or drop off vehicles at a Value Village location. FFI: 1877-778-7709, www.autosforarc.org Volunteer with RSVP Volunteers age 55 and older are eligible to receive free supplemental insurance, mileage reimbursement and other benefits through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) sponsored by Volunteers of America of Minnesota. RSVP/Volunteers of America of Minnesota and AARP Foundation need volunteers with good budgeting and organizational skills to help manage finances of older or disabled low-income individuals. Have a few hours a month to volunteer?

Money Management Program staff will train and match you with someone in the community. FFI: Money Management Program Coordinator, 612-617-7821

Be an English language tutor Encouraging, enthusiastic volunteers needed to help adult immigrants and refugees learn English. By donating two to three hours a week, you can make lasting friendships and foster stronger communities. Ongoing training and support is provided by the Minnesota Literacy Council. The adult English language tutor program offers 12 hours of training, including materials adapted for blind and visually impaired volunteers. Ask about accommodations for other council programs. Contact Allison for details: volunteer@themlc.org, 651.251.9110, or visit www.themlc.org/volunteer ■

Volunteer tutor - from p. 1 Reading Corps, a statewide initiative to help every Minnesota child become a successful reader. The program matches trained AmeriCorps members and community volunteers with children from age 3 to third grade who are at risk for not reading at grade level.

AmeriCorps members work directly with children to provide individualized literacy instruction to help children fill their gaps in reading. As a Reading Corps tutor, Maldonado works one-on-one with up to 16 students each week at Pinewood Elementary School in Rochester. Her lessons go far beyond reading.

“I’m very open about what CP is with the students, and I have given presentations to everyone in the school about CP to help them understand it,” said Maldonado. “It helps me connect with the kids I work with. I know what it’s like to struggle with something in school that they can’t do just right. And for the kids who are learning English as a second language, I connect with them because my first language is Spanish.”

“My favorite part about being a Minnesota Reading Corps tutor is that I get to work with great kids and watch them overcome challenges to succeed in reading,” Maldonado said. “I’ve seen incredible growth in the students I work with. For example, I worked with a third grader who didn’t have the confidence to read by herself, but working with her every day, encouraging her and building up her self-esteem has helped her to grow so much that we exited her from the program because she’s doing so well. She still comes by every day asking if she can read with me.”

Americorps and ServeMinnesota provide opportunities for Minnesotans with disabilities. Each year, approximately 20 percent of AmeriCorps members in Minnesota who participated in a survey disclosed having a disability. ServeMinnesota, the organization that administers AmeriCorps programs like Minnesota Reading Corps, is recognized as a national leader in including individuals with disabilities.

AmeriCorps, a national service program often referred to as the “Domestic Peace Corps,” provides accommodations to help members and volunteers with disabilities perform their service. The organization has worked closely with Maldonado to help overcome mobility challenges, locating her office close to the grades she tutors. A volunteer brings the students to Maldonado rather than having her walking around the school to find them.

In December, the Minnesota Reading Corps kicked off its recruitment efforts to place more than 1,100 members for the 2012 – 2013 school year. Applications are being accepted for positions across the state, and are available at www.MinnesotaReading Corps.org.

Minnesota Reading Corps members commit to 11 months of service. In addition to receiving valuable hands-on experience, members earn up to $5,550 to pay for college or to pay back federal student loans, a modest living allowance and for full-time members, health insurance. Members can also defer federal student loans while they serve. Members who are at least

55 years of age may be eligible to transfer their education award to a child, grandchild or foster child.

For more information on the Minnesota Reading Corps or to apply as a tutor for the 2012 – 2013 school year, visit www.MinnesotaReadingCorps.org, or call (651) 251-9075 or toll-free (866) 859-2825. ■

History - from p. 2 us and our embarrassment,” polio patients became perfect subjects for clinical demonstration.

“For many of us,” Owen added, “the acute illness and convalescence was during adolescence with the impact of polio superimposed on all the usual stresses and strains of growing up. Barriers to building, activities, opportunities, and associations added to frustration and, in some cases, social isolation of young people with the residuals of poliomyelitis. Many barriers. . . were self-imposed. Various coping mechanisms often covered true feelings of loss. Denial often led to distorted reality.”

A memorial service for Owen was held Dec. 17 at First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis. He is survived by wife, Amy; sister, Suzy Brickley; daughter, Marnie; sons, Rick (Ann), and Don (Meg); grandchildren, Lauren Lusk (Jeremy), David Jacobs, David, and Rebecca; as well as many other relatives. Memorials can be made to the Sister Kenny Foundation, First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis, or Wilderness Inquiry. ■ Would you like to make history?

Access Press is interested in reader submissions for the monthly History Note column, to complement the articles written by Luther Granquist and other contributors. Submissions must center on events, people and places in the history of Minnesota’s disability community. We are in interested in history that focuses on all types of physical and cognitive disabilities, so long as the history has a tie to Minnesota. We are especially interested in stories from Greater Minnesota.

Please submit ideas prior to submitting full stories, as we may have covered the topic before. Past History Note articles can be found on www.accesspress.org Contact us at access@accesspress.org or 651-6442133 if you have questions.

The History Note is a monthly column sponsored by the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, www.mncdd.org and www.partners inpolicymaking.com

Jan. 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 1

People & Places from p. 13 having suffered from a broadside car accident 22 years ago.

“I was extremely fortunate.

Had he hit the car about three feet more toward the front I probably would not be here.”

Wanzek holds certification as a physical therapist from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

She is also a pediatric clinical specialist. She teaches at St. Catherine University in St. Paul in the school’s doctorate of physical therapy program.

She and her family live in River Falls, Wisc.

ProAct is headquartered in Eagan and maintains additional sites in Red Wing, Zumbrota and Hudson, Wis. It serves individuals experiencing barriers to employment and self-sufficiency due to developmental disabilities, mental health issues, traumatic brain injuries and other conditions. ■

Athlete - from p. 1 Hollermann was a member of the 2011 U.S. Women’s Basketball team that won a gold medal in the Para-Olympic Pan American Games. In January she will try out for the U.S. Women’s Para-Olympic basketball team. She has played on championship teams at Courage Center and has won all-tournament team honors.

She was part of her school’s junior high track and field team in 2009 and 2010, competing in the 1600 meter and 800 meter runs, the shot put and discus events. The MSHSL doesn’t have any authority over junior high school sports in Minnesota.

As a high school student she practices with the high school team but cannot compete as a team member. Any points she earns as a wheelchair athlete are not included in her team’s meet totals.

In spring 2011 Hollermann won the inaugural girls’ wheelchair 1,600 and 800 races at the state track and field meet.

She was the only participant in the races. The Hollermann family worked to have the events added to the state meets starting in 2010. The MSHSL added three wheelchair events last year and will add three more wheelchair division competitions this year.

Court documents indicate that at some high school events, officials have allowed Hollermann to compete in mixed races, without any problems.

She has continued to advocate that the MSHSL more fully include wheelchair athletes in track and field. She has requested that wheelchair athletes be allowed to race alongside other track and field athletes where there is only one

Radio Talking Book January sampling Weekend Program Books Your Personal World (Saturday at 1 p.m.) is airing Passages in Caregiving, by Gail Sheehy; For the Younger Set (Sunday at 11 a.m.) is airing Dead End in Norvelt, by Jack Gantos and Across the Great Barrier, by Patricia C. Wrede; Poetic Reflections (Sunday at noon) is airing The Sky Is Great, the Sky Is Blue, by Sharon Chmielarz, and Rain, Lilies, Luck, by Francine Tolk; The U.S. and Us (Sunday 4 p.m.) is airing Lucien Galtier, by Marianne Luban. (The Luban book is about the priest who served Minnesota Territory and gave the City of St. Paul its name.)

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. Phone is 1-800-722-0550 and hours are 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The catalog is online and can be accessed by going to the main website, http://education.state.mn.us, and then clicking on the link. Persons living outside of Minnesota may obtain copies of books by contacting their home state’s Network Library for the National Library Service.

Listen to the Minnesota Radio Talking Book, either live or archived programs from the last week, on the Internet at www.mnssb.org/rtb.

Call the staff for your password to the site. See more information about events on the Facebook site for the Minnesota Radio Talking Book Network.

Access Press is one of the publications featured at 9 p.m. Sundays on the program It Makes a Difference.

Chautauqua • Tuesday – Saturday 4 a.m.

The Information, Nonfiction by James Gleick, 2011. Information has come to define the modern era though every thought or utterance can vanish instantly. But for millennia, information technology was painstakingly set down, whether in cuneiform or some other form of writing.

Read by Leila Poullada. 18 broadcasts. Begins Jan. 19.

Past is Prologue • Monday – Friday 9 a.m.

The Greater Journey, Nonfiction by David McCullough, 2011. Not all pioneers went west. From 1830 to 1900, American artists, writers, doctors, politicians, architects, and others of high aspiration set off for Paris in search of education and fulfillment. What they achieved altered American history. Read by Charlie Boone. 18 broadcasts.

Begins Jan. 23.

The Long-Shining Waters, Fiction by Danielle Sosin, 2011. Three women live on the shore of Lake Superior in three different centuries. From the 17th to 21st centuries, the lake inspires and anchors.

S - Read by Michele Potts. Eight broadcasts. Begins Jan. 30.

The Writer’s Voice • Monday – Friday 2 p.m.

Learning to Die in Miami, Nonfiction by Carlos Eire, 2010. When Carlos came to Miami at age 11, he realized his Cuban self had to die so that his new American self could emerge. He confronted the age-old immigrant’s plight, being surrounded by American bounty but unable to partake of it immediately. Read by Denny Laufenburger.

13 broadcasts. Begins Jan. 30.

wheelchair racer; score team points; and participate in the same number of track and field events as runners. The MSHSL has refused to make any changes to its track and field rules and continues to exclude wheelchair racers from fully being a part of their high school track teams.

“The High School League treats Rose and other wheelchair athletes like second class athletes,” said Page. “Rose is a world-class athlete and it is an outrage that the High School League will not let her be a full and equal member of her high school track team. The same rules that apply to runners should apply to Rose and other wheelchair athletes. Rose should have the ability to score team points and participate in track and field events of her choosing. She should also have the ability to wheel in mixed races where she is the only wheelchair athlete, like she has done many times in the past.”

The competitions between

wheelchair athletes and runners are held separately due to concerns about safety. MSHSL Associate Director Jody Redman told KARE-11 that there are concerns that a runner and a wheelchair athlete could have a collision. Court documents indicate that when Hollermann did compete with runners as a junior high athlete, there were never any accidents. She would typically start those races in the third lane of the track behind the other athletes, and then cut over once there was enough distance between her and the other athletes.

Another issue the MSHSL has raised is that of fairness, and whether competing in a wheelchair in longer races provides a competitive advantage.

Hollermann said she agrees that the two types of athletes should not be in a direct competition, but she states that wheelchair athletes should be allowed to score some points for their team. ■

Pg 15

Choice Reading • Monday – Friday 4 p.m.

Luka and the Fire of Life, Fiction by Salman Rushdie, 2010. Luka’s father is the legendary storyteller of Kahani, but he has fallen into a sleep from which no one can wake him. To keep him from slipping away entirely, Luka must travel to the Magic World and steal the ever-burning Fire of Life. Read by Pat Kovel-Jarboe. Eight broadcasts. Begins Jan. 25.

PM Report • Monday – Friday 8 p.m.

Shock of Gray, Nonfiction by Ted C. Fishman, 2011. By the year 2030, one billion people will be sixty-five or older. People over fifty will outnumber those under seventeen. Everyone is touched by this issue. Read by John Hagman. 16 broadcasts. Begins Jan. 16.

Night Journey • Monday – Friday 9 p.m.

The Crossing Places, Fiction by Elly Griffiths, 2010. Archaeologist Ruth Galloway lives alone in a remote area of England that was sacred to Iron Age inhabitants. When a child’s bones are found nearby, she is called for help. They may be those of a missing girl. Read by Esmé Evans. Eight broadcasts. Begins Jan. 25.

Off the Shelf • Monday – Friday 10 p.m.

The Passage, Fiction by Justin Cronin, 2010. A security breach at a secret U.S. government facility unleashed the product of a chilling military experiment. A night of chaos and carnage gave way to sunrise on a nation and world forever altered. L - Read by Don Lee. 37 broadcasts. Begins Jan. 12.

Potpourri • Monday – Friday 11 p.m.

The Fiddler in the Subway, Nonfiction by Gene Weingarten, 2010.

Gene Weingarten, nationally syndicated humor columnist and writer for The Washington Post, is the only two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing. His best-known story of Joshua Bell playing violin in D.C.’s subway brought Weingarten nationwide attention.

L - Read by Audray Rees. 14 broadcasts. Begins Jan. 25.

Good Night Owl • Monday – Friday midnight Father of the Rain, Fiction by Lily King, 2010. When Daley moves back to help her father, she risks losing all that she has found on her own. L - Read by Mitzi Lewellen. 12 broadcasts. Begins Jan. 17.

After Midnight • Tuesday – Saturday 1 a.m.

Mr. Toppit, Fiction by Charles Elton, 2010. Unsuccessful children’s book author Arthur Hayman’s last moments are spent with a tourist, Laurie Clow, who brings posthumous fame to his series and family.

L,S - Read by Bert Gardner. 12 broadcasts. Begins Jan. 18. ■ Abbreviations: V - violence, L – offensive language, S - sexual situations.

EMPLOYMENT Employment ads are $22-$25 per col. inch. Mail to: Access Press, 1821 University Ave. #104S, St. Paul, MN 55104 FAX 651-644-2136 • Email: access@accesspress.org

Advocate Minnesota Disability Law Center seeks full-time advocate thru 9/30/12 to assist persons with disabilities on job issues. Disability or employment law experience preferred. Much travel; driver license required. Up to $2,980/ month DOE. Letter and resume by 1/16/12 to: Pam Cunningham, MDLC, 430 1st Ave. N., #300, Mpls, MN 55401-1780. No calls. EOE.

CLASSIFIEDS Access Press Classifieds are $14 for the first 12 & 65¢ per word thereafter. They must be prepaid. Mail with check to: Access Press, 1821 University Ave W, #104S, St. Paul, MN 55104 • 651-644-2133

FOR RENT Lewis Park Apartments: Barrier-free housing with wheelchair users in mind. Section 8 subsidized. One- and two-bedroom units. For more information on availability call 651-488-9923.

St. Paul, MN. Equal Opportunity Housing.

Oak Park Village: We are accepting applications for the waiting list for one-bedroom wheelchair accessible apartments. Section 8 subsidized. Convenient St. Louis Park location. Call 952935-9125 for information. Equal Opportunity Housing.

Seward Square Apartments: We are no longer accepting applications for our waiting list, as our waiting list for barrier-free

housing is currently closed.

Please call for updated openings as this can change from time to time. Phone: (612) 338-2680.

Equal Opportunity Housing.

Calvary Center Apts: 7650 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, MN. A Section 8 building now accepting applications for our waiting list. Call 9 am to 4 pm, Mon – Fri 763-546-4988 for an application. Equal Opportunity Housing.

Holmes-Greenway Housing: One- and two-bedroom wheelchair-accessible apartments.

Section 8 subsidized. Convenient SE Minneapolis location.

Call 612-378-0331 for availability information. Equal Opportunity Housing.

Pg 16 Jan. 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 1

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