April 2012 Edition - Access Press

Capitol Rally, April 4th

Volume 23, Number 4

MA-EPD struggles continue, no resolution yet

A $73 million windfall from the state’s HMOs could reverse the cut. Read more about it on this page.

by Access Press staff

Typically, Minnesotans work well beyond 65 years of age. Efforts to allow the state’s disability community to do the same continue at the state capitol. The story of Charles “Chuck” Van Heuveln and the looming threat to his lifestyle has sparked the latest push for a bill to expand the age limit for Medical Assistance for Employed People with Disabilities (MA-EPD). Proposed changes would allow many Minnesotans with disabilities to continue working beyond the age limit of 65 without threatening their assets or service.

The MA-EPD program allows people to work, maintain higher assets and a few other benefits such as spousal income, vehicles, savings and burial funds while paying a premium to obtain straight Medical Assistance (MA) insurance coverage.

One of the main advantages of MA-EPD is to obtain personal care attendants (PCA) services coverage. Most insurance packages that would be provided by employers would not cover PCA serMA-EPD - p. 13

April 10, 2012

www.accesspress.org

Martinez draws on life experiences in federal role

by Harvey T. Rockwood

The Obama administration’s lead advisor on employment of people with disabilities was in the Twin Cities March 20 to praise Twin Cities area agencies that boost employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

“You really are nice people!” said Kathleen Martinez, assistant secretary for disability employment policy at the U.S. Department of Labor.

Martinez was effusive with praise for Minnesota agencies involved in job opportunities during a forum sponsored by the Minnesota Kathleen Martinez met with reporters during her Twin Business Leadership Network at the Minne- Cities visit.

Photo courtsey of Harvey T. Rockwood apolis Convention Center “Minnesota has always been a forward-thinking community,” Martinez said she’s aware of attempts to she said. weaken the federal Americans with Disabilities Martinez, who is blind, is head of the U.S. Act (ADA). She said she doubts the effort will Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Emget far. Besides, she said too many people, disployment Policy (ODEP). She advises the abled or not, have had a chance to see how Obama administration on all matters related to ADA is influencing construction that permits employment for people with disabilities. She easy access for everyone. participated in a forum that featured representaMartinez used humor and stories of personal tives of businesses and non-profit organizations experience to make her points. “I am a woman, showing innovation in efforts to train and place a mother, a Latina and a very out member of the people with disabilities in well-paying jobs.

GLBT community.” Martinez said.”In other Martinez also advises the secretary of labor words, I’m a poster child for diversity.” and works with all Labor Department agencies She also joked with the audience, saying, to lead a comprehensive and coordinated na“You know, when I ask a question, you don’t tional policy regarding the employment of Martinez - p. 15 people with disabilities.

PCAs’ pay plight is still in play this session

by Jane McClure About 6,600 Minnesotans who provide care to family members with disabilities will continue to be paid less than others who provide care. Unless state lawmakers have a change of heart, the attempt to have equal pay for personal care attendant (PCA) services will have to wait for either a legal appeal or the 2012 legislative session.

During the 2011 legislative special session, a 20 percent reduction was made in the pay of PCAs who care for a family member. PCA agencies sued last year to block the cut, which was made in a closed-door deal to reduce a $5 billion state budget deficit.

Gov. Mark Dayton promised he would support restoring the pay cut, which was originally estimated to save the state $24.1 million over the biennium. That amount has been reduced to about $17 million due to the delay in implementing the cut. Dayton is eyeing part of a $73 million payment HMOs have made to the state and federal government for the PCAs. The cut means some family member PCAs have seen their hourly wage drop from $10 to $8 or less an hour.

On March 23 Ramsey County District Court Judge Dale Les Bauer, Gene Martinez and Kurt Rutzen were among those at the capitol press conference. They were among a group at a March 29 press Lindman ruled that the cut would stand, and any changes would conference meant to spotlight the plight of families affected by the 20 per- have to be made by state lawmakers. The eight PCA agencies cent pay cut for PCAs. As Access Press went to press, Gov. Mary Dayton involved in the lawsuit will appeal, but that could take six was working to reverse the cut. months or longer.

Photo by Mike Gude PCAs' plight - p. 14

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities. MN Permit No. 4766 Address Service Requested

“Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.”

— John Quincy Adams

NEWS DIGEST

Two of Minnesota’s prominent state legislators with disabilities have announced career changes.

Page 3 Minneapolis Community and Technical College has added a new program for students with disabilities.

Page 4 Check out our latest version of the Directory of Organizations, for one-stop shopping for services and programs.

Pages 7-10 Interact is presenting A Work of Heart.

Page 11 Radio Talking Book has announced staff changes.

Page 13

INSIDE People & Places, pg 4-5 Regional News, pg 6 Accessible Fun, pg 11 Events, pg 12 Radio Talking Book, pg 14

Pg 2 April 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 3

EDITOR’S DESK

Tim Benjamin What’s with the Minnesota weather? Could it be a nicer spring? It’s the beginning of April and we’ve already had temperatures well into the 70s: unbelievable.

Speaking of weather, I think our legislators are getting serious spring fever also and trying to finish up early. Being the cynic I am, I wonder if they are trying to prove that the Republican-controlled legislature can finish their work early—or if they are just trying to end early so they can begin their campaign efforts.

On March 29, the House Health and Human Services omnibus bill (HF 2294) was introduced and discussed on the House floor. Many amendments to the bill were proposed; two amendments were introduced concerning repeal of the 20% family-relative personal care attendant (PCA) wage cut. Neither was accepted, but they each produced lively, and sometimes heated, debate among Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL–Rochester), Rep. Paul Thissen (DFL–Minneapolis) Rep. Jim Abeler (R–Anoka) and several others. Abeler’s argument and party stance seems to be more toward reimbursing insurance companies than with any hardship for PCAs. Abeler argued that the estimated single-digit

millions that will be recovered from overpayment should go back to the insurance companies as a “goodwill gesture,” a gift, and not as fair compensation to relatives taking care of their own family members.

In the hearing on the temporary restraining order against the cut, Judge Dale B. Lindman said that it is a moral obligation of the family to take care of their disabled family member, and maybe it is, but if that moral obligation means that they have to give up other work in order to do that, I wonder what Lindman thinks the state’s ethical responsibility is concerning these families? This 20% cut was enacted last year after the state government shutdown.

Barbara Christiansen called me recently in tears, wondering what I thought the chance of the 20% pay being reinstated. I could not answer her. She and her husband are in their late 70s and for many years now have been taking care of their adult son Steve, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at age 26. Due to the MS, he is quadriplegic with speech and seizure problems and needs 24-hour care. The Christiansens take care of Steve to keep him from a nursing home, since without them, he would need round-the-clock skilled nursing care. The Christiansens have been saving the state nursing-home costs and now the state has cut 20% of the income they earn to help support themselves and their son.

The stories I’ve heard from the Christiansens and many others have brought tears to my eyes. In most of

these stories, families have taken on layers of difficult responsibility and frequently put themselves in poverty.

But the state is not fulfilling its ethical responsibility to take care of its citizens and to ensure their right to the pursuit of happiness. Few pursue happiness through involuntary poverty. These families have been impoverished by the state in taking care of their own, and to say that is their “moral responsibility” is a slap in the face. This is yet another situation where lawmakers generalize from a few incidents to imagine that there’s a widespread problem that must be solved. There is no question that there are abuses in every public assistance system, but we have to find a better way to target the abuse, not abuse the targeted population.

In other legislative news, the Medical Assistance for Employed People with Disabilities (MA-EPD) program that we have been covering looks like it may see legislation to lift the 65-year-old age limit this year. The governor’s budget and both proposed omnibus bills to date have some kind of language extending the age limit and financial disregards or exceptions. The next big step will be getting a waiver from the federal government to allow the state Medicaid program to extend this age limit and disregards.

Finally, it looks like a Voter ID proposal will go on the fall ballot for a vote. We’ll continue monitoring the situation. This law would certainly disenfranchise many, or make the voting process unnecessarily burdensome. In fact, it might not allow many people with disabilities to vote.

Stay tuned to our website updates during the month. There’s plenty of suspense for capitol-watchers in this balmy spring. ■

HISTORY NOTE

Changes removed barrier to community integration

by Luther Granquist

The Minnesota Department of Human Services agreed in 2011 to develop a comprehensive plan to provide services for persons with disabilities in the “most integrated setting.” This plan, called an “Olmstead plan” in reference to a United States Supreme Court case that supported moving persons with disabilities out of institutions, was part of the settlement of the lawsuit involving excessive use of re-

Volume 23, Number 4 • Periodicals Imprint: Pending ISSN Co-Founder/Publisher Wm. A. Smith, Jr. (1990-1996)

Advertising Sales 651-644-2133

Co-Founder/Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief Charles F. Smith (1990-2001)

Executive Director Tim Benjamin

Board of Directors Brigid Alseth Steve Anderson Kristin Jorenby Anita Schermer Carrie Salberg Kay Willshire Cartoonist Scott Adams

Assistant Editor Jane McClure Business Manager/Webmaster Dawn Frederick Production Ellen Houghton with Presentation Images Distribution S. C. Distribution

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

Paid advertising is available at rates ranging from $12 to $28 per column inch, depending on size and frequency of run. Classified ads are $14, plus 65 cents per word over 12 words. Advertising and editorial deadlines are the last day of the month preceding publication, except for employment ads, which are due by the 25th.

Access Press is a monthly tabloid newspaper published for persons with disabilities by Access Press, Ltd. Circulation is 11,000, distributed the 10th of each month through more than 200 locations statewide. Approximately 450 copies are mailed directly to individuals, including political, business, institutional and civic leaders. Subscriptions are available for $30/yr. Lowincome, student and bulk subscriptions are available at discounted rates.

Application to mail at Periodicals Postage Prices is Pending at the St. Paul, MN 55121 facility. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Access Press at 161 St. Anthony Ave, Suite 901, St. Paul, MN 55103.

Inquiries and address changes should be directed to: Access Press care of The Kelly Inn Offices; 161 St. Anthony Ave; #910; St. Paul, MN 55103; 651-644-2133 Fax: 651-644-2136 email: access@accesspress.org www.accesspress.org

straint at METO, a state program at Cambridge.

Part of the already existing infrastructure for this plan is a state zoning law adopted in 1975 that requires communities to allow small group homes in residential areas. One of the reasons that law was passed was that the members of the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Roseville chose in 1972 to start a group home for persons with mental retardation as a 25th anniversary project. The church established a non-profit corporation, The Residence, Inc., to carry out the project.

A church member, Don Zibell, donated 7.5 acres in Shoreview to the corporation. The Residence, Inc. board, headed by another church member, Don Severson, decided to build eight-person three homes and sought a special use permit allowing them to do that in an area zoned for single-family residences. On July 15, 1974, despite strong objections from neighbors who protested that their property values would decline and that open space at the western end of Snail Lake should be preserved, the Shoreview City Council granted their request.

Fourteen Shoreview couples responded by suing the city and The Residence, Inc. in November 1974.

They claimed that the group homes would destroy

their comfort and well-being and would constitute a nuisance, in addition to lowering the value of their properties. They sought a ruling that the city’s granting of the special use permit was arbitrary, invalid and unconstitutional.

Both the city and the board of The Residence, Inc. sought to have the case go to trial as soon as possible.

But the board and its supporters from the Arc realized that the time-consuming process of seeking special use permits would thwart development of group homes and that legislative action was needed. They got Rep. Frank Knoll (R-White Bear Lake) and Sen. Steve Keefe (DFL-Minneapolis), and a bipartisan group of co-authors, to introduce bills that stated it was the “policy of the state that mentally retarded and physically handicapped persons should not be excluded by municipal zoning ordinances from the benefits of normal residential surroundings….”

Their bills stated that a group home for six or fewer residents had to be considered a permitted use even in those areas zoned for single-family residences. Conditional use permits could be required for homes from seven to 16 residents, but the conditions could not be more restrictive than those imposed for other multifamily dwellings. With the support of the Minnesota League of Municipalities, the bills passed unanimously in the House and 58-1 in the Senate.

The legislation didn’t resolve the court case because the special use permits were for eight-person homes and contained a list of special conditions. After a sometimes bitter twoweek trial in May 1975, Judge John Graff upheld the validity of the special use permits. He relied, in part, on the policy of the state expressed in the zoning legislation. The Residence, Inc. ultimately built two group homes on the property. The History Note - p. 5

April 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 3

Pg 3

Kriesel to step down; Westrom seeks Senate seat

by Jane McClure

Two high-profile Minnesota legislators with disabilities are looking at changing roles. Rep. John Kriesel (R-Cottage Grove), a military veteran who worked on legislative issues important to Minnesota’s disability community, has decided to not seek a second term in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Rep. Torrey Westrom, (R-Elbow Lake), the state’s first blind state legislator, has announced he is running for an open seat in the Minnesota Senate.

Westrom, who holds a law degree from William Mitchell College of Law, was elected to the Minnesota House in 1996 at age 23. He is in his eighth House term and chairs the Civil Law Committee, Westrom lost his sight in an accident at age 14.

While serving in Iraq in 2006, Kriesel lost his legs in a roadside bombing. Kriesel is a double amputee and wrote a book about his war and medical ordeal.

Kriesel made his announcement not to seek a second term on March 12 on Twin Cities sports radio station KFAN. In his retirement announcement letter, Kriesel cited a desire to spend more time with his family, which includes his wife Katie and two young sons, ages 10 and 11. “My military career was very tough on my family, and while being a state representative pales in comparison, it still causes additional strain at home,” he stated. “Juggling my job at the capitol, my job

working for the National Guard and still giving my wife and sons the time they deserve has become increasingly difficult. As parents we get only a few precious years with our children before they grow up and move out of the nest. I want to make sure that I am around for my sons during this very impressionable time in their lives.”

Kriesel went on to describe his wife as “amazing” for all of the time she has put in during his military service and legislative service. He noted it is his turn to “step up at home” so that she can pursue her career dreams. Last session Kriesel work with amputee rights’ groups on legislation to gain better insurance coverage for those who need artificial limbs. He has also worked on a number of other bills related to veterans’ programs and the new Vikings football stadium.

In 2011 he went against the Republican Party and opposed a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. He has since allied himself with a statewide group that is working to defeat the measure in November.

“I wanted to prove to people that you could be just a regular dude, a regular hardworking guy and be able to come in here and make a difference,” he said. “I feel like I’ve made a difference and hopefully showed people, young people, that you can get involved, you can make a difference.”

Rep. Kriesel has announced he will not seek a second term.

Photo by Jane McClure

“It’s been amazing. Every day I walk in here … it feels almost like a dream,” he said. “It’s something I’ll look back on fondly and I’m glad I did it.” ■

Disabilities-related legislation advancing at the capitol

by Jane McClure

Disability community advocates, who have spent many hours at the state capitol tracking the House and Senate omnibus health and human services (HHS) bills, continue to follow a number of proposals as the session moves into its final weeks. A rapidly changing landscape during the 2012 session of the Minnesota Legislature means many proposals important to the community are still undecided.

Concerns about further cuts to disability services have prompted hundreds of people to attend recent disability rally days at the capitol. Some events have attracted record crowds. On April 4 more than 600 people were expected to attend the annual Disability Day at the Capitol. They planned to call on state legislators and Gov. Mark Dayton to restore budget cuts to services, protect these services from further cuts and preserve the dignity and civil rights of people with disabilities that are jeopardized by legislative proposals.

“People with disabilities are not only concerned about cuts to their services, but threats to their rights as well,” said Rick Cardenas, Co-Director of Advocating Change Together. “Proposals like Voter ID will create barriers to make it more difficult for 27,000 or more Minnesotans with disabilities to exercise their right to vote. We are delighted so many advocates from across the state planned to come to St. Paul and speak up for their rights.”

With committee deadlines in March, some bills won’t make it through this session, including a push to obtain more funding for spinal cord injury research.

Others are still in play as individual measures or as part of omnibus bills. Few major bills had been signed as Access Press’s print edition went to press. And with much attention focused on bonding proposals and a Minnesota Vikings stadium, there are worries that many more issues could be sidelined.

Another question is the push, by some to adjourn early. State lawmakers are required to adjourn the regular session on or before the third Monday in May, although there was a push by some legislators to adjourn by April 6, Good Friday. That marked the start of the one-week spring break, which ends April 15.

The Voter ID bill that was proceeding rapidly as Access Press went to press was a proposed constitutional amendment requiring Minnesota voters to present photo identification at polling places. A House-Senate conference committee signed off ballot language April 2, sending the measure back to the full

House and Senate for final approval. Passage is all but certain and because Dayton cannot block the measure, it is headed to the November ballot. If it is adopted it would take effect for 2013 elections, barring a legal challenge.

Disability advocates are concerned that a voter identification requirement could be another barrier to voting. Advocates of the amendment contend it would reduce voter fraud.

Health and human services funding is being closely monitored by the Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MN-CCD) and other groups.

Dayton’s supplemental budget, which was released March 12, called for $43.9 million in increased spending as well as $44.2 million in increased revenues. He included many provisions related to disability services, including repealing the 20% relative PCA wage cut; expanding eligibility for MA-EPD to people over age 65; delaying for one year the de-licensing of cor-

porate foster care beds and transitioning this measure into a statewide reduction instead of facility reduction and reducing the “low needs” cut from 10% to 5%.

The differences between Dayton’s proposals and the HHS omnibus bills will have to be hammered out before the session ends. Both bills were making their way through the House and Senate processes as of early April. Much of the debate has centered on the cuts from past sessions and how those have affected people with disabilities. But funding continues to be a problem, making any attempts to add services back in a challenge.

Issues MN-CCD, community groups and advocates are tracking are in the area of foster care, dental services covered by Medical Assistance, expanding definitions of home and community-based settings, changes in rates for brain injury and CADI waivers; a request for DHS to develop a plan to license PCA serWrap up - p. 14

Pg 4 April 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 3

PEOPLE & PLACES

Robbinsdale/Hopkins/Westonka won the PI state title in adapted floor hockey.

Photo courtesy of Robbinsdale Schools

Mustangs, Robins are winners Anoka-Hennepin and Robbinsdale/Hopkins/ Mound-Westonka successfully defended their titles in the 2012 Minnesota State High School League Floor Hockey Tournament. The tournament was held March 16-17 at Bloomington Jefferson High School. Floor hockey is the winter sport adapted for Minnesota prep athletes with disabilities.

For the Robins of Robbinsdale/Hopkins/MoundWestonka, it was the eighth state title in the Physical Impairments or PI division. The Robins came into the tournament as the top seed in the South Division and never looked back as they won games over the Wayzata/Minnetonka, South Suburban and Dakota United. It was an all-bird final as the Robins topped the Dakota United Hawks, 7-2.

The Robins have a long history of adapted floor hockey success. The team won as Robbinsdale in 1994, 1995, and 1996, and as Hopkins/Robbinsdale/ Wayzata in 2001. In 2002, they won as Hopkins/ Mound-Westonka/Robbinsdale, and they claimed

their last two titles under their current name in 2009 and 2011.

The Robins had a regular season record of 12-0-1 and were the top seed in the North Division. The team scored 101 goals this year while their opponents scored only 17 against them. Junior Mike Madson scored a team-high 37 goals for Robbinsdale/ Hopkins/ Mound-Westonka this year, and sophomore Joe Dubisar added 22 assists. Charlie Wittmer, a junior, guarded the Robins’ net in every game and he has a .950 save percentage.

The Mustangs of Anoka-Hennepin came into the Cognitive Impairments (CI) tournament as the twotime defending champions. The team, the top seed in the North Division, had a perfect regular record of 130.The Mustangs defeated Burnsville/Farmington/ Lakeville in the first round, and then topped North Suburban to advance to the championship against the St. Cloud Area Slapshots. Anoka-Hennepin won the title game decisively, 13-3.

Anoka-Hennepin also won a state CI title in 1996.

This year’s team outscored its opponents 187 to 43 during the regular season. Senior Tyler Kurkowski scored 52 goals for the Mustangs this year and also

Anoka-Hennepin won the CI state title in adapted floor hockey.

Photo courtesy of David Banks Studio

had a team-high 23 assists. Senior Zach Theroux was the second-leading scorer for Anoka-Hennepin, adding 40 goals and 14 assists. Junior goalie Jeff Shogren played in every game this year, allowing only 43 goals.

Burnsville/Farmington/Lakeville Blazing Cats bounced back to win the consolation title. Dakota United Hawks claimed the third place crown in CI. The Anoka-Hennepin Mustangs claimed third place in the PI division. The Brainerd/Pillager Warriors won the consolation title. ■

Opportunity Partners a hit with Twins The Minnesota Twins have asked nonprofit Opportunity Partners to help prepare promotional giveaways for fans during the 2012 baseball season. Sixty thousand official Minnesota Twins schedule posters were rolled, banded and boxed by adults with disabilities at Opportunity Partners in Minnetonka, where Minnesota’s disabled community can find employment, training and residential programs. The posters, sponsored by the Star Tribune, will be given to the first 20,000 fans at each of the home games against the Texas Rangers on April 13, 14 and15 at Target Field.

“The Minnesota Twins selected Opportunity Partners once again to help prepare promotional posters for the 2012 season,” says Luis Lozada, purchasing manager for the Minnesota Twins. “We were so pleased with their dedication to quality and efficient turnaround last year, coupled with the fact that their goal is to provide work opportunities and independence to Minnesota’s disabled community, that the decision to use them again was an easy one.”

People & Places - p. 5

MCTC program will assist students with disabilities For the 2011-2012 academic year, Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC) has added TriO Disability Student Support Services to the college’s list of TRiO programs.

The mission of TRiO Disability Support Services is to enhance the educational experience by providing students with disabilities a foundation for personal growth, academic skills, career development, cultural enrichment, retention of material, graduation, and help in the process of transferring to a four-year university or college.

The main TRiO program is a diverse package of federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO includes seven programs targeted to serve and assist low-income students, first-generation college students and students with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post-baccalaureate programs. The U.S. Department of Education funds these programs.

TRIO also includes a training program for directors and staff of TRIO projects.

At MCTC, TRiO Disability Support Student Services works closely with Disability Services and assist students with disabilities to achieve their educational goals.

The programs are greatly appreciated by students with disabilities.

“Upon my first entry to MCC, (Minneapolis Community College) in 1993 I had no idea such a program as TRiO existed,” said MCTC student Pwajdeur Swanstrom. “I would have loved to have been involved then, as I am now repeating what I should or could have finished then. Working with Steve Anderson (student advisor) has been a breath of fresh air; there is a kindred connection in our abilities and taste for life of the performing arts. I feel there is nothing holding me back from achieving great heights and bettering myself here at MCTC. I’m confident if there wasn’t such a program as TRIO, I might be repeating my past educational experience again.”

“TRiO helps accomplish my goals as a college student with services such as advising and tutoring,” said MCTC student Hannah Furney.

MCTC has eight different TRiO programs and has served students for several decades. TRiO Disability Support Services focuses exclusively on serving students with disabilities. In fact, it is the only program of its kind in the state of Minnesota.

In order to be eligible for the MCTC program, students with disabilities must demonstrate the need for academic support, and meet one or more of the following criteria. Students must meet income eligibility guidelines. He or she must be a first-generation student, meaning neither parent holds a four-year degree. Students must be serious about earning an associate degree and/or transferring to a fouryear college or university.

MCTC - p. 14

April 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 3

PEOPLE & PLACES U of M graduate student is arts intern Kaitlyn Mielke of Victoria is spending a sevenmonth internship at VSA Minnesota, the state organization on arts and disability based in Minneapolis.

She will work as a community engagement specialist to involve more people who are deaf or hard of hearing in the arts. The funding for her internship is provided through The Rosemary Kennedy Internship Initiative at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., which conducts disability-related internship, apprenticeship, training and mentorship projects.

Mielke served as Miss Deaf Minnesota in 20092011. She holds a B.A. degree from the University of Minnesota and is now a student in the University of Minnesota’s Master of Liberal Studies—arts management program. She is an enthusiastic patron of the arts and an advocate for making the arts accessible to ev-

eryone. As a wrap-up to her internship, she will attend a national conference in Boston in late August, the Kennedy Center’s Leadership Exchange in Arts & Disability, which trains arts administrators from across the country to make their programs and facilities more accessible to people with disabilities.

She has worked as a di- Kaitlyn Mielke rector of artistic sign language, translating scripts and educating theater organizations on how to create an enjoyable experience for theater patrons who are Deaf who attend musicals and plays. Her background also includes acting, directing, and coaching interpreters.

Millions of viewers saw Mielke on the Oprah Winfrey Show. She said, “I can fingerspell ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ forwards and backwards, much to the woe of fellow ASL interpreters and people who caption.” ■

Edina attorney honored for settlement Shamus O’Meara, Partner with the law firm of Johnson & Condon in Edina, was among those honored at The Arc Minnesota Public Policy Recognition Event on March 7at the Midland Hills Country Club in Roseville. O’Meara was lead counsel in a court settlement that ended abusive practices at the Minnesota Extended Treatment Options (METO) facility in Cambridge.

“The Arc Minnesota is proud to honor Shamus O’Meara and the plaintiff families for their advocacy and courage,” said Steve Larson, The Arc Minnesota’s Public Policy Director. “Because of them, hundreds of Minnesotans with disabilities have received justice, and a dark chapter in our state’s history will, we hope, never be repeated.”

Colleagues at the March 7 event praised O’Meara’s determination and passion. Colleen Wieck, Executive Director of the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, said O’Meara had to “challenge persistent and pervasive old ways of thinking and deep seated prejudice,” and “fight against a collaboration of indifference.”

O’Meara and three Minnesota families reached a landmark class action settlement with the State of Minnesota in June, 2011. They had filed a lawsuit against the state for widespread restraint and seclusion of several hundred Minnesotans with developmental disabilities at the METO campus, located at the former Cambridge State Hospital. On December 1, 2011, the Minnesota Federal District Court approved the June, 2011 settlement, with U.S. District Judge Donovan Frank presiding over the settlement hearing.

The settlement stopped the state’s use of handcuffs

and other restraints to deal with behavior challenges, except in emergencies, and it pays $3 million total to all the parties in the suit. Other parts of the settlement require Minnesota to spend nearly $1 million on additional training for people working with individuals with developmental disabilities in community-based programs. Also, state officials and plaintiff families will work together to create more humane practices for those working with people who have disabilities.

This includes updating a state rule regulating aversive procedures used on people with developmental disabilities, and including positive and social behavior techniques when dealing with challenging behaviors.

Finally, the State of Minnesota is required to develop a plan, consistent with U.S. Supreme Court rulings, to ensure that Minnesotans with disabilities have opportunities to live in their community consistent with their own dreams and aspirations.

The Minnesota disability community newspaper Access Press was a sponsor of the event. ■

Pg 5

American Kidney Fund poster winner The American Kidney Fund has announced the winners of its 17th annual Calendar Kids Art Contest and online voting for the cover art of its 2013 Calendar. The 13 winners— children who live daily with challenges that include diet restrictions, frequent dialysis, or complicated transplant procedures— were selected from nearly 150 entries.

The winners of the 2012 Calendar Kids Art Contest, whose artwork will appear in the 2013 AKF Calendar, include Ali Gratz, 16, of New Hope. She and other winners will receive a $500 gift card and a savings bond. The American Kidney Fund calendar is distributed nationwide to help raise awareness of kidney disease and the importance of prevention and early detection. More than 6,600 children in the United States have kidney failure, which can only be treated by dialysis or transplantation.

“The American Kidney Fund is thrilled to recognize these gifted young artists and it is our great pleasure to present a celebration of their talent,” said LaVarne A. Burton, President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Kidney Fund. “The online voting contest for the cover art is a great way to get the public involved in supporting these amazing kids, who face great hardships with a positive spirit.” ■

Sack wins consumer award The Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL) recognized Michael Sack as Transition Consumer of the Year for 2011. The award recognizes a young man who has made significant strides in the last few years. Sack received his diploma from Minneapolis South High School and Minneapolis Transition Plus in 2011. Not surprising to those that know him, Sack gave the commencement speech at his own graduation.

Two years ago he started a blog with his friend Sam Graves on Minnesota Twins baseball, Target Field and accessibility: Two Men On. Since its inception, their blog has more than 37,250 views.

Sack, is now enrolled in his second semester at Minneapolis Community and Technical College.

He was recognized for his determination to go after what he wants, his ability to advocate and continually seek out more information. These traits set him apart from crowd. ■

History Note - from p. 2 homes are currently operated by Lutheran Social Services.

Even with the zoning legislation, litigation brought by neighbors challenging development of group homes continued. There were lawsuits in Carver and Hennepin counties in the late 1970s. Early in 1980 a neighbor sued the City of Two Harbors for allowing a six-person home in a residential area in reliance on the law passed in 1975. The Minnesota Supreme Court upheld the city’s action. The court emphasized that the 1975 zoning law was “part of a broad program, on the state and national level, to deinstitutionalize mentally retarded persons and return them to the community.”

The effective work done almost four decades ago by The Residence, Inc., by the Arc, and by other supporters of the 1975 legislation removed some zoning barriers to provision of truly integrated community services for persons with disabilities. But removal of zoning barriers alone has not

and will not enable all persons with disabilities to live in respectable, independent homes, in neighborhoods they choose, and with the support they want and need.

The challenge today to the Department of Human Services, and to the legislature and governor of the state, is to commit the human and monetary resources needed to provide that kind of life for all persons with disabilities. ■ 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.partnersinpolicymaking.com ■

Pg 6 April 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 3

REGIONAL NEWS Head of state hospital fired David Proffitt, the embattled director of the crisisridden Minnesota Security Hospital in St. Peter, was fired March 20 by state officials. Since the hiring more details have emerged about difficulties Proffitt had at his previous job in Maine.

The firing comes as state lawmakers and Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) officials are increasing scrutiny of the hospital, which is one of several programs housed at the St. Peter facility. Officials are concerned about use of restrains and seclusion at the facility.

DHS Commissioner Lucinda Jesson ordered the

dismissal just seven months after she had hired Proffitt to institute reforms at the hospital that cares for nearly 400 of the state’s most dangerous and mentally ill patients. “He was unable to build the level of trust with staff needed to foster the environment necessary for the very significant changes that need to occur,” Said Anne Barry, assistant commissioner of the Department of Human Services. “It’s no surprise that there is real disappointment. David had high hopes and dreams of what he could do at the facility.”

Proffitt reportedly will work as a consultant to the agency for several months.

DHS officials said Proffitt’s confrontational style contributed to the resignations or firings of six psychiatrists since he was hired in September. Poor communications skills were also an issue. The problems snowballed several months ago when Proffitt fired a psychiatrist and nurse over their allegedly forcing a

Concussions take her out of the game

Homeless veterans to get help U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki have announced that HUD will provide $756,343 to public housing agencies in Minnesota to supply permanent housing and case management for more than 115 homeless veterans in the state. Many of the veterans have cognitive and physical disabilities.

The permanent supportive housing assistance is provided through HUD’s Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH), a program administered by HUD, VA, and local housing agencies across the country. In Minnesota, projects will be in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Duluth and Mankato. There will be 115 housing units created, at a cost of $756,343.

“It’s a national disgrace that one out of every six men and women in our shelters once wore a uniform to serve our country,” said HUD Secretary Donovan.

“But we know that by providing housing assistance and case management services, we can significantly reduce the number of veterans living on our streets.

Working together, HUD, VA and local housing agen-

violent man into seclusion after he reportedly threatened to kill the nurse.

In January, hospital psychiatrists and nurses filed formal complaints with DHS alleging that Proffitt had yelled and contributed a hostile work environment.

Although an investigation didn’t substantiate those allegations, state officials said a change of leadership is needed.

Proffitt has been replaced by Carol Olson, who was administrator of the Community Behavioral Health Hospitals in Rochester and St. Peter. She has more than 25 years experience in adult mental health services. Dr. Steven Pratt will be the hospital’s medical director. Barry said they will have to rebuild the psychiatric staff, hiring at least three doctors and possibly more clinical nurses. ■ [Source: Star Tribune]

cies are making real progress toward ending veteran homelessness once and for all.”

“Under the leadership of President Obama, we have made significant progress in the fight to end homelessness among veterans, but more work remains,” said VA Secretary Shinseki. “The partnership between the federal government and community agencies across the country has strengthened all of our efforts to honor our veterans and keep us on track to prevent and eliminate veteran homelessness by 2015.”

This funding to local housing agencies is part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to end Veteran and long-term chronic homelessness by 2015. The grants announced today are part of $75 million appropriated for Fiscal Year 2012 to support the housing needs of approximately 10,500 homeless veterans.

VA Medical Centers (VAMC) provide supportive services and case management to eligible homeless veterans. This is the first of two rounds of the 2012 HUD-VASH funding. HUD expects to announce the remaining funding by the end of this summer. ■ [Source: HUD, VA]

A St. Paul athlete who was competing at a world class level is now making a move after repeated concussions finally took her out of the game. For 25 years, sports such as basketball, volleyball and track were always a part of Cindy Ellis’ life.

So were concussions. Ellis said, “I know I’ve had at least 10.” But no one, coaches or players, talked about them. And so she didn’t take them seriously. Ellis said she suffered many symptoms, including exhaustion, dizziness, headaches and moodiness. Her last concussion came when she was playing in the 2006 U.S.A. Women’s Bandy World Championships, a sport combining elements of hockey and soccer. Ellis said, “I had gotten hit in the head and dislocated my jaw.”

She said she went back into that game 10 minutes later and played two more games. But two days later, when Ellis woke up, she couldn’t lift her arm. She knew something was seriously wrong. Eventually movement came back. Ellis then came to realize just how much damage her concussions had done. When she went back to work, she couldn’t complete simple tasks.

Regional News - p. 14

Regional News - p. 13

April 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 3

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

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

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

www.hlaatc.org

ASSISTED-LIVING PROGRAMS

BRAIN INJURY

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-651-556-0887

F-651-556-0880

www.axishealth.com

V/TTY-763-479-3555

F-763-479-2605

www.vinlandcenter.org

CASE MANAGEMENT AXIS Healthcare

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.llc.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

So. MN Independent Living Enterprises & Services

V/TTY-507-345-7139

TF-888-676-6498

www.smilescil.org

CONTINUED

Desktop Publishing Advertisements; Brochures; Flyers; Logos; Newsletters & More!

Ellen Houghton 952-404-9981 presentationimages@comcast.net 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 April 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 3

CONSUMER-DIRECTED COMMUNITY SUPPORTS Community Involvement Programs (CIP)

V-612-362-4437

Lifeworks Services, Inc.

TF-866-454-2732

TTY-651-365-3736

www.cipmn.org

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

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 www.chrestomathyinc.org

www.lifeworks.org

EDUCATION

EMPLOYMENT/VOCATION

Target Marketing At Its Finest!

Advertise in Access Press & reach thousands of readers in the disability community.

Call TOD AY: 651-644-2133 ODA

Chrestomathy, Inc.

V-952-974-0339

F-952-974-0307

Community Connections Partnership (CCP)

V-763-540-6833x302

www.communityconnectionspartnership.org

Community Involvement Programs (CIP)

V-612-353-4595x101

V-612-353-4595x102

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

www.CourageCenter.org

East Suburban Resources, Inc.

V-651-351-0190

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

www.esrworks.org

Minnesota Diversified Industries (MDI)

V-651-999-8200

F-651-999-8242

www.mdi.org

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.

F-651-686-0312

www.proactinc.org

V-651-686-0405

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

Work Incentives Connection

V-651-632-5113

TF-800-976-6728

www.mnworkincentives.com

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

V-651-556-0887

F-651-556-0880

www.axishealth.com

Cornerstone Solutions

TF-866-601-8962

TTY-800-627-3529

www.cornerstone-solutions.org

Medica

V-800-266-2157

TTY-800-855-2880

www.medica.com

UCare

V-800-707-1711

TTY-800-688-2534

www.ucare.org

HEALTH CARE COORDINATION AXIS Healthcare

HEALTH CARE PLANS

CONTINUED

Kent’s Accounting Service, LLC Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor 2012 & 2005-2011

Kent Fordyce 612-889-2959 • fordyce6@aol.com Fax: 952-472-1458 6371 Bartlett Blvd, Mound, MN 55364

April 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 3

Pg 9

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

V-763-502-1505

F-763-502-6777

www.breakthrucare.com

BrightStar Care Southern Twin Cities

V-651-234-0044

F-651-234-0046

www.BrightStarCare.com

Edelweiss Home Health Care

V-763-315-1050

F-763-315-1090

www.edelhomecare.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, LLC

V-612-419-5787

www.SRRConstruction.com

HOUSING-RENTAL Accessible Space, Inc. (ASI)

V-651-645-7271

TTY-800-466-7722

www.accessiblespace.org

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 Counseling Services, LLC

V-952-881-3650

www.fairtablecounseling.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

V-651-294-0710

TF-800-886-7201

F-651-644-9137

INSURANCE Lee F. Murphy Insurance Group

LEGAL Fair Table Counseling Services, LLC

V-952-881-3650

MN Disability Law Center

V-612-334-5970

www.fairtablecounseling.com TF-800-292-4150

www.mndlc.org

MEDICAL SUPPLIES/EQUIPMENT 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

Phoenix Medical Services Inc.

V-651-636-0848

F-651-636-5746

www.PhoenixMedical.org

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

National Alliance on Mental Illness of MN

V-651-645-2948

TF-888-NAMI-Helps

www.namihelps.org

Vinland National Center

V/TTY-763-479-3555

F-763-479-2605

www.vinlandcenter.org

MENTAL HEALTH

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 c hec k ffor or futur e w aiting list openings chec heck future waiting please call (612) 726-9341.

Pg 10 April 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 3

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 Capable Partners Inc.

V-763-439-1038

Courage Center

V-763-520-0537

Mind Body Solutions

V-952-473-3700

Upstream Arts

V-612-331-4584

www.capablepartners.org TTY-763-520-0245

www.CourageCenter.org www.mindbodysolutions.org

F-480-393-5587

www.upstreamarts.org

RECREATION-TRAVEL/CAMPING

We would like to acknowledge and thank The Arc™ Minnesota and UCare for their generous Issue Sponsorship.

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

Margaret’s Missions

V-651-583-4471

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

www.margaretmission.com

REHABILITATION (PHYSICAL, OCCUPATIONAL, SPEECH, AUDIOLOGY THERAPISTS) 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

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

RESIDENTIAL/GROUP HOME PROGRAMS Capstone Services, LLC

Please consider joining as an Issue Sponsor.

Call: 651-644-2133

F-651-645-2780

www.capstoneservices.net

CCP-The Cooperating Community Programs - Residential Services

V-651-641-0042 x211

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

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

SOCIAL SERVICES Restart, Inc.

TECHNOLOGY Assistive Technology of MN - DBA Equip A Life

V-763-479-8239

TF-866-535-8239

www.equipalife.org

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

TRANSPORTATION RENTAL/SALES/MODIFICATION IMED Mobility

V-651-635-0655

TF-800-788-7479

www.imedmobility.com

V-651-428-5059

V-612-486-5180

www.acb.org/Minnesota

VISION IMPAIRMENT American Council for the Blind of 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

April 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 3

This production is a ‘Work of Heart’

ACCESSIBLE FUN Welcome to the Access Press Accessible Fun listings. For information on galleries and theater performances around the state, visit www.vsamn.org or call 612-332-3888 or 1-800-801-3883 (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\

Attend art show The 49th Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute International Art Show by Artists with Disabilities is April 12-May 11 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, second floor, Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, 800 E. 28th St., Mpls. The show is free. Some art is offered for sale. Hours are 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mon-Fri and 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Sat-Sun. ASL interpretation is offered 5-9 p.m. Thu, April 12. FFI: 612863-4872, sisterkenny@allina.com

Fraser Walk for Autism Help support local families by participating in the fifth annual Fraser Walk for Autism, presented by M&I/ BMO Financial Group. This year’s event is 8 a.m. Sat, April 12 at Mall of America, Bloomington. Individuals, families and other groups walk raise money for Fraser Autism Services. The course will be full of games, sensory activities, therapy animals, sports team mascots and more.

All participants receive an official Fraser Walk for Autism t-shirt. FFI: Rose Rosario, 612-798-8343 or rose.rosario@fraser.org, www.fraser.org/Events

Fabulous ’50s is gala theme Mark your calendars for the Opportunity Partners 2012 gala. Step back in time to the “Fabulous ’50s” benefit gala Fri, April 27 at the Hotel Sofitel Mpls, 5601 W. 78th St., Bloomington. Festivities start at 5:30 p.m. and include a silent auction, interactive games, updated ’50s comfort food, and live auction featuring professional auctioneer Karen Sorbo. The night will conclude with dancing to the 1950s tunes of The Rockin’ Hollywoods. Ian and Margery Punnett of myTalk 107.1 radio are emcees.

Wear formal attire or 1950s garb. Tickets are $90; a variety of sponsorship opportunities are available starting at $250. FFI: www.fabulous50s.eventbrite.com

Work of Heart, which is inspired by the visionary work created by six artists from the Interact Studio, opens April 28 in Minneapolis at The Lab Theater and continues through May 19. The preview performance is April 27.

Work of Heart features actors with and without disabilities. It is an original production filled with music, dance and fantastic adventure, inspired by the paintings, sculptures, poetry and vivid worlds created by six Interact Studio visual artists. Written by Dawn Brody, directed by Leah Adcock-Starr, with new music by Ivey award winner Aaron Gabriel, Work of Heart is a fun and imaginative story of the unlikely hero who must save the world, featuring guest artists Heather Bunch, Leif Jurgensen and Sarah Nargang with the Interact ensemble.

In this remarkable tale of magic, war and transformation, the ancient queen’s diary has been stolen and its secrets could lead to the destruction of the world of Cressily. A terrified nation turns to the only person in all the worlds who can save them—John Mathison, an accountant from Minneapolis. John and Queen Zwelga along with a cast of memorable creatures and characters —set out on their bold quest to save the world.

The production combines the work of the Interact Theater and the Interact Studio, and brings to life the deeply colorful and complex portfolios of Peder Hagen, Nick Flaming, Matt Zimdars, Anna Halvorson, Eve Newman and Donovan Durham. As with all Interact theater, the play is ensemble created and the multifaceted script development process included contemplation and discussion of the artwork and in-depth interviews with each of the artists.

“Inspiration for the music came from the visual artists themselves,” said Gabriel. “Some songs are originals the artists created, some are inspired by a favorite musical artist and oth-

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 Saturday, May 5, at the Mpls Convention Center. Tickets are available now. 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: 952-8389000, PACER.org

Jane Pauley to speak Jane Pauley, a familiar presence on TV for almost 30 years, will deliver the keynote address at People Incorporated Mental Health Services’ 43nd Annual Luncheon 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Thu, June 14, Crowne Plaza St. Paul – Riverfront Hotel, 11 Kellogg Blvd E, St. Paul.

Pauley will speak about her inspiring, best-selling memoir, Skywriting: A Life out of the Blue, which details her personal struggle with bipolar disorder Tickets are $40 per person and include parking. Table sponsorships are available. FFI: Leslie DeBoer, 651-288-3508, Leslie.DeBoer@PeopleIncorporated.org

Broadway Songbook: Words & Music of Johnny Mercer Enjoy a touring company performance of Mercer’s swinging songs and humor at Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, McKnight Theatre, 345 Washington, St. Paul. ASL performance is 2 p.m. Sun, April 15. Tickets are $20; if using ASL or Captioning, request seating in that area. FFI: 651-224-4222, TTY 651-282-3100, www.ordway.org/accessibility/

Miracle Worker The Phipps Center for the Arts, 109 Locust Street, Hudson, WI presents the true story of Helen Keller, whose remarkable teacher helped her overcome childhood deafness and blindness. ASL performance is 2 p.m. Sun, April

ers are collaborative pieces created to help tell the story.”

“Work of Heart is an imaginative hero’s journey through the realms of a fantastical world just beyond the threshold of our own,” said director AdcockStarr. “A collaborative dance of visual art, theatre, and music, Work of Heart springs from the collective creativity of a dazzling array of artists.”

Jeffrey Haas Audiences will also enjoy the work and portfolios by the six featured visual artists curated by Interact Gallery Coordinator Stephanie Rudd and installed in a unique galley space created at The Lab for this production.

Since 1996, Interact has offered the community a broad-reaching vision of radical inclusion, a philosophy in which every voice and people of every ability come together in a continually enriching stream of human potential and creative achievement. It is the only place of its kind in the nation: a professional-level visual arts studio and theater that supports the creative growth of artists with disabilities.

Interact is continuing its Dis/Cover the Arts offer with this production. Tickets are available for $5 plus a $2.50 transportation subsidy (for people using special needs transportation) are available to people with disabilities and their companions. Tickets can be reserved by calling 612616-1727 and mentioning “Dis/Cover Tickets”. These tickets are available to people with disabilities plus one companion per person, based on availability. This special program is supported in part by the Medtronic Foundation, and by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Chicago 15. Tickets are reduced to $20 for adults and $13 for students of all ages. FFI: 715-386-2305, www.ThePhipps.org

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella University of Minnesota-Duluth presents the classic children’s tale at Marshall Performing Arts Center Mainstage Theatre, UMD campus, 1215 Ordean Ct., Duluth.

AD performance is 7:30 p.m. Thu, April 19. ASL performance is 2 p.m. Sun, April 22. Tickets are $6-18. FFI: 218-726-8561, www.d.umn.edu/theatre, www.tickets.umn.edu

More ‘50s fun with NAMI Shake, rattle and roll with The Rockin’ Hollywoods at a 50’s themed Spring Gala for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Minnesota. The gala is Sat, April 28 at the Metropolitan Ballroom, Mpls. Silent and live auctions, “celebrity” photo booths, dancing and savory dinner selections catered by D’Amico will be featured. 50’s era dress is desired but not required. The gala supports NAMI’s programs of education and support for children and adults with mental illnesses and their families. FFI: 651-645-2948, www.namihelps.org

Pg 11

Working The experience of the working man and woman is celebrated in this performance by the Normandale Department of Theatre. It is based on the book Working by Studs Terkel and is performed ay: Normandale Community College, Fine Arts Building, 9700 France Ave. S., Bloomington. ASL performance is 7:30 p.m.

Fri, April 20. Tickets are $10; $5 for NCC student/ staff/seniors. FFI: 952-3588884, www.normandale theatre.org

Disney’s The Beauty and the Beast Minnetonka High School Theatre presents the favorite fairy tale at the Arts Center on 7, 18285 Highway 7, Minnetonka. ASL performance is 7:30 p.m. Thu, April 26. Tickets are $17, senior $14, youth $12. A new online ticketing system has wheelchair accessible and companion seats noted in each interactive map.

Deaf patrons are encouraged to sit in the Right section. FFI: 952-401-5898, www.minnetonkatheatre.com

Nate the Great TheatreWorks USA presents the tale of the pintsized detective at Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, St. John’s University, Collegeville. ASL performance is 11:15 a.m. Fri, April 27.

Tickets are $17, senior $14, faculty/staff $12, student/ youth $10. FFI: 320-3635777, sjubox@csbsju.edu, www.csbsju.edu/fine-arts

Rochester Civic Theatre presents the Broadway musical at the Rochester Civic Theatre, 20 Civic Center Dr. SE, Rochester. ASL performance is 8 p.m. Fri, April 27. Tickets are $25.50, senior $22.50, student $15.50. FFI: 507282-8481, www.rochestercivictheatre.org

Enjoy a movie tonight Several theaters around the state offer accommodations for movie-goers, such as captioning or descriptive services. www.captionfish.com lists cinemas with access (AD/CC) features. Find theaters in your area by typing in your zip code. MoPix-equipped Rear Window Captioned Films are listed at cam.wgbh.org/mopix/nowshowing.html#mn

Pg 12 April 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 3

UPCOMING EVENTS Get help Service dog eye exams offered Registration is underway through April 30 for the 5th Annual ACVO/Merial National Service Dog Eye Exam event, which provides free eye examinations to qualified service dogs across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.

Last year, more than 4,000 service dogs were examined.

Register online at www.ACVOeyeexam.org Exams occur during May at participating veterinary ophthalmologists thanks to the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) and other sponsors. FFI: www.ACVOeyeexam.org Scholarships available Courage Center has announced that the EMPOWER Scholarships. EMPOWER Scholarships are open to ethnically diverse students for attendance at an institution of higher learning. Applicants must have demonstrated interest in medical or rehabilitation field by having some volunteer involvement related to a healthcare field. Selection is based on the applicant’s intentions, achievements, volunteerism and need. Applicant deadline is May 15 and applicants must be a resident of Minnesota or Western Wisconsin, and must identify how they will

use their educational training. Volunteer involvement in the community is required. A minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale is required. Request an application from Courage Center’s Volunteer Services Department, or download it. FFI: www.couragecenter.org/ContentPages/ empower_details.aspx Free house painting Metro Paint-A-Thon helps low-income seniors and people with disabilities continue to live independently in their own homes. Thousands of volunteers scrape, prime and paint their homes at no cost to the home owner. Volunteers from companies, congregations, civic groups, and schools paint homes the weekend of Aug. 4-5.

Home owners must own and occupy a single-family home, in need of paint, but not in need of major repairs; live in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott or Washington counties; be 60 years of age or older, or have a permanent physical disability or if under age 60 and meet monthly income guidelines. Deadline is May 4.

FFI: 612-276-1579; www.paintathon.gmcc.org

Workshops, conferences Hope for Recovery workshop The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Minnesota (NAMI Minnesota) hosts a free, one-day education workshop that provides families and individuals with information on mental illnesses, practical coping strategies, and hope for recovery. It is 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sat, April 14 at Regions Hospital, Teeter Library, 640 Jackson St., St. Paul. Preregister. FFI: 651-645-2948.

Learn about Alzheimer’s Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and those who care for them are invited to a Sages forum, Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease in Adults with Developmental Disabilities – Creating a Network of Support. It is 1-3 p.m. Fri, April 27 at the Fellowship Hall of Christ the King Church, 8600 Fremont Ave. S., Bloomington. A panel of experts will share their knowledge about signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s in persons with developmental disabilities, the stages of the disease, the increased occurrence of Alzheimer’s in adults with Down syndrome, and resources and strategies to improve quality of life for a person with Alzheimer’s. The organizations making up Sages are The Arc Greater Twin Cities, Dakota Communities, Fraser, The Learning Exchange, Opportunity Partners and ProAct. Register by April 24, Cost is $15. FFI Gina Carpenter, 952-681-6122, www.gcarpenter@bloomington.k12.mn.us Managing Tourette syndrome Professionals and parents of children with disabilities can join St. Lake City librarian and motivational speaker Josh Hanagarne as he shares the hope-filled story. He’ll discuss his mother’s belief in him and his journey from letting Tourette Syndrome control his life to becoming “the world’s strongest librarian.” He overcame his own case of Tourette Syndrome and is now working to help others. He believes in curiosity, questions, strength, and that things are never so bad they can’t improve. The free talk is at PACER Center, 8161 Normandale Blvd, Mpls.

Preregister. FFI: 952-838-9000, 1-800-537-2237, PACER@PACER.org

Youth and families Sibshop Super Saturday Children in the Twin Cities west metro area ages 6-12 who have brothers and sisters with intellectual or devel-

opmental disabilities can have fun and make friends at Sibshop Super Saturday from The Arc Greater Twin Cities, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.. Sat, April 21 at the Homeward Hills Park Barn, 12000 Silverwood Drive, Eden Prairie.

Sibshop Super Saturday has all the fun, activities, discussion and friendship of The Arc’s monthly Sibshops, packed into a single half-day session. If you don’t want the commitment of a monthly Sibshop or there isn’t one in your area, Sibshop Super Saturdays are a great alternative. Sibshop Super Saturday is free for members of The Arc Greater Twin Cities and $15 per child for nonmembers. The cost includes a meal. Monthly Sibshops are offered in Anoka, Apple Valley, Hastings, Hopkins, St. Paul and Stillwater. FFI: 952-920-0855, www.arcgreatertwincities.org 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 meeting is at MCIL 1600 University Ave W, St. Paul, 5-7 p.m. Monday April 23. Pre-registration requested. FFI: Corbett, 651 603 2028, corbettl@mcilmn.org PACER offers workshops PACER Center offers useful free or low-cost workshops and other resources for families of children with disabilities. Register in advance. All workshops are at PACER Center, 8161 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington, unless specified.

Parents can join the conversation on the new ParentsTalk blog. This new feature on PACER’s website (PACER.org) enables parents and advocates to share information online that enhances the quality of life of children and young adults with disabilities and their families. Parent advocates post new topics of discussion every month for parents of children with disabilities to respond to. Parents participate by contributing ideas and reading what other parents have to say while PACER staff is monitoring the blog and posting responses.

Another resource is the Family-to-Family Health Information Center electronic newsletter, which offers a new way for families and professionals to receive the latest updates on Minnesota health care issues, announcements from the Minnesota state health care programs, and information regarding F2F HIC activities and resources. FFI: 952-838-9000, 800-537-2237 (toll free), www.PACER.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 ■

April 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 3

Radio Talking Book March sampling Weekend Program Books Your Personal World (Saturday at 1 p.m.) is airing Passages in Caregiving, by Gail Sheehy, and Healing at the Speed of Sound, by Don Campbell and Alex Doman; For the Younger Set (Sunday at 11 a.m.) is airing Tyger Tyger, by Kersten Hamilton; Poetic Reflections (Sunday at noon) is airing Midnight Lantern, by Tess Gallagher; The U.S. and Us (Sunday at 4 p.m.) is airing North Country, by Mary Lethert Wingerd.

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 1-800-7220550 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. Facebook is a fee social networking web site.

Register at www.facebook.com

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

Personnel changes Radio Talking Book has some personnel changes in its audio services area. Michelle Thomas has replaced Chris Schmiesser, after Schmiesser retired last summer.

Thomas worked previously at South Minneapolis Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Thomas handles equipment problems and questions, and registers people for services. She can be reached at 651-642-0885.

Dan Gausman has replaced Maureen Creason as the Library Technician in Audio Services. This position processes print materials for transcription into audio formats. Call him for any transcription for textbooks, vocational, leisure, or other reading needs at 651-649-5903.

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

Love and Capital, Nonfiction by Mary Gabriel, 2011. Karl Marx was a student without wealth or future when Jenny von Westphalen, daughter of a Prussian baron, fell in love with him. Together they journeyed through Europe, on the run from those alarmed by Marx’s revolutionary ideas. Read by Lannois Neely. 31 broadcasts. Begins April 30.

Bookworm • Monday – Friday 11 a.m.

Falling Together, Fiction by Marisa de los Santos, 2011.

Marisa de los Santos creates a portrait of people growing and learning to live their lives with joy. Falling Together is an uplifting and powerful story of friendship, finding love, and looking at the world each day with the idea of living the moment for its beauty. L - Read by Sherri Afryl. 15 broadcasts. Begins April 25.

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

Following Atticus, Nonfiction by Tom Ryan, 2011. After a close friend dies of cancer, overweight, tough-as-nails newspaperman Tom Ryan decides to take his miniature schnauzer and climb all forty-eight of New Hampshire’s peaks to raise money for charity. The experience changed him. Read by Jim Gregorich. 10 broadcasts.

Begins April 18.

Choice Reading • Monday – Friday 4 p.m.

The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb, Fiction by Melanie Benjamin, 2011. She was two-foot eight-inches tall, but her legend persists more than a century later.

Lavinia “Vinnie” Bump reached out to the impresario P. T. Barnum, married the tiny superstar General Tom Thumb in the wedding of the century, and transformed into the world’s most unexpected celebrity. Read by Maria Rubinstein. 12broadcasts. Begins April 30.

PM Report • Monday – Friday 8 p.m.

That Used to Be Us, Nonfiction by Thomas L. Friedman and Michael Mandelbaum, 2011. America faces four major challenges on which our future depends: globalization, the revolution in information technology, chronic deficits, and excessive energy consumption. Read by John Demma. 16 broadcasts. Begins April 23.

Night Journey • Monday – Friday 9 p.m.

Two for Sorrow, Fiction by Nicola Upson, 2011.

Josephine Tey decides to write a mystery based on murderers of the past. Her research will entangle her in the desperate search for a modern-day killer. Read by Isla Hejny. 15 broadcasts. Begins April 23.

Pg 13

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

Sanctus, Fiction by Simon Toyne, 2011. A man climbs a cliff face on a mountain known as Citadel, a city-state in contemporary Turkey. This dangerous, symbolic act is witnessed by the world, evidence that a new beginning is at hand. L - Read by Dan Kuechenmeister. 14 broadcasts. Begins April 17.

Potpourri • Monday – Friday 11 p.m.

The Icarus Syndrome, Nonfiction by Peter Beinart, 2010.

On the eves of World War I, Vietnam, and Iraq, American leaders decided they could remake the world in their image. Each time, leading intellectuals declared that history was over and the spread of democracy was inevitable. L - Read by John Potts. 20 broadcasts. Begins April 19.

Good Night Owl • Monday – Friday midnight Everybody Sees the Ants, Fiction by A.S. King, 2011. In Lucky’s dreams, he has met his long-lost POW/MIA grandfather and bullies can’t make him feel that life isn’t worth living. L,S - Read by Scott Brush. Eight broadcasts. Begins April 26.

After Midnight • Tuesday – Saturday 1 a.m.

The Kingdom, Fiction by Clive Cussler and Grant Blackwood, 2011. Sam and Remi Fargo accept the plea of an oil baron to help find his father. What they find is beyond what they could have imagined. Read by John Gunter. 12 broadcasts. Begins April 12. ■ Abbreviations V - violence, L – offensive language, S - sexual situations.

MA-EPD - from p. 1 vices. This incentive has given people with disabilities the same rights as other citizens to work, pay taxes, own homes, and save for retirement that most employed people are offered. Van Heuveln said “having all this taken away at the age of 65 is contradictory to the initial incentive of the MA-EPD program.”

Gov. Mark Dayton’s budget, and the House and Senate Health and Human Services (HHS) omnibus bills all have language extending the age to qualify for MA-EPD pass the age 65, although the Senate bill does not have real clear language about the other concerns as far as “disregards” such as spousal income, savings, burial funds or vehicles and how those affect an asset limit. If either the House or governor’s budget became state law, people on MA-EPD who have been on the program 20 months previous to reaching age 65 would be able to continue working and keep their assets.

There would be a cost to the state for the changes in MA-EPD, although the Senate cost remains unclear.

The House proposal will cost the state around $440,000 in fiscal year 2013 and almost $700,000 in fiscal year 2014 and 2015. These costs are a very small percentage of the overall yearly budget of Minnesota.

If passed this would be contingent on federal waiver to extend the age limit for MA-EPD beyond the age of 65 years. There have been several conversations with the Minnesota Department of Human

Services (DHS) and many of the legislators and lobbyists on pushing this waiver for the quickest response from the federal government.

This potentially could help Van Heuveln, from losing his independence, home and retirement because he’s turning 65 very soon. That doesn’t mean he and others wouldn’t run into complications from the state or federal government. One issue is that of not being allowed to transfer money out of one’s possession for 24 months prior to enrolling in MA. If that’s the case, Van Heuveln would have to retire to get his pension 24 months prior to starting MA. Ironically he would then have to find another job, at 65 years of age to maintain his MA-EPD status which hinges on his independence—a real Catch-22 situation.

Another alternative has come to light is the possibility that DHS could request to extend MA-EPD beyond age 65 as part of the MA Reform Demonstration Waiver, if the Minnesota Legislature doesn’t act. The Disability Law Center has indicated they would request MA-EPD extension to the MA Reform Waiver if state officials don’t act. This approach wouldn’t help those who are retiring in 2012, but it would mean not having to wait for another legislative session for action on the extension. The MA Reform Waiver was slated for public comment until the end of March.

Those comments could also be a factor in any decision. ■

Pg 14 April 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 3

PCA plight - from p. 1 In the ruling Lindman stated, “The rationale behind the distinction between relative PCAs and non-relative PCAs is based on the moral obligations that relative PCAs have towards helping their family members and the valid assumption that relative PCAs will continue to provide care even if affected by a pay cut. If relative PCAs discontinue their services as a result of the (pay cut), qualifying individuals are able to continue receiving services from a non-relative PCA without the 20% cut.”

That reversed a temporary restraining order he issued last fall that blocked the cuts. The order launched a confusing series of actions by PCA agencies. Some made the cut with the idea of restoring pay later if necessary. Others may have to tell families to repay part of their wages if the cut is sustained.

The cut is especially hard on Minnesota people with disabilities and their family members in rural Minnesota, who sometimes lack access to PCA agencies. It also affects people of color and cultural communities where family or kinship care is a priority, said Tim Plant, chief executive officer of Healthstar Home Health a PCA agency in North St. Paul.

“The law requires unequal pay for equal work” Plant said. Some gave up careers and higher salaries to care for family members. One worry is that nonfamily members will not be able to provide the level of care needed for some patients who require complex

Regional News -

from p. 6

Now, permanently disabled, Ellis no longer has a job. She does maintain a small apartment complex she owns and has mentored others through the Brain Injury Association of Minnesota. But the loud sounds of city life have her moving permanently to her Montana cabin next month.

When she dies, Ellis said she is donating her brain to science. Ellis hopes by studying her brain, it will help researchers better understand just what concussions can do to people. The report was part of a project KARE-11 News recently aired on concussions and sports. ■ [Source: KARE-11]

Autism rates are increasing One child out of 88 is believed to have autism or a related disorder, an increase in the rate attributed largely to wider screening. Advocacy groups said this is further evidence that autism research and services should get more attention.

The previous estimate was 1 in 110. The new figure is from the latest in a series of studies that have steadily raised the government’s autism estimate. This new number means autism is nearly twice as common as officials said it was only five years ago, and likely affects roughly 1 million U.S. children and teens.

“Autism is now officially becoming an epidemic in the United States,” said Mark Roithmayr, president of Autism Speaks, at a news conference where the new figures were released March 29.

Health officials attribute the increase largely to better recognition of cases, through wider screening and

care. Or, family members will be forced to put their loved ones into nursing homes, which would cost the state more in the long run.

“We were extremely disappointed with the judge’s ruling,” Plant said, “We feel it’s absolutely wrong.”

The Arc Minnesota, an advocacy group for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has also objected to the ruling. “Judge Lindman may have ruled that this cut is legal, but it is not right,” said Steve Larson, Senior Policy Director for The Arc Minnesota. “It is wrong to devalue the crucial role that 6,600 direct care staff provide to their families here in Minnesota. These workers are often the only ones who understand the unique culture and language of their relatives. They are often the only ones available in Greater Minnesota to care for their family members. They have often made great personal sacrifices to ensure their loved one receives needed support, including leaving other paid positions and providing many hours of uncompensated care.” The Arc Minnesota has called for state lawmakers to use some of the state surplus to restore the cuts.

A group of DFL House members announced March 29 they would try to amend the omnibus health and human services bill to restore the wage cut. Rep. Tina Liebling, DFL-Rochester, called the reduction “one of the most tragic cuts” made last year. Her amendment was a chance to fix an injustice that is putting families at risk. better diagnosis. But the search for the cause of autism is really only beginning, and officials acknowledge that other factors may be helping to drive up the numbers. For decades, the diagnosis was given only to kids with severe language, intellectual and social impairments and unusual, repetitious behaviors. But the definition of the disorder has gradually expanded, so that now “autism” is also shorthand for a group of milder, related conditions, including Asperger’s syndrome.

Meanwhile, there’s been an explosion in autismrelated treatment and services for children. In 1990, Congress added autism as a separate disability category to a federal law that guarantees special education services. School districts have been building up autism-addressing programs since.

The CDC study is considered the most comprehensive U.S. investigation of autism prevalence to date.

Researchers gathered data from areas in 14 states— Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah and Wisconsin. ■ [Source: Pioneer Press]

MCTC - from p. 4 Once students are in the program a number of services are made available to them including personalized tutoring, intensive academic and career advising, and access to the tools necessary to attain their educational goals. Other supports are also provided to enhance educational needs and access.

The TRiO Disability Support Services Program is located within the Disability Services Office. The staff includes Director Dr. Jennifer Brookins-King, and advisors Jennifer Scheffler and Steve Anderson. Scheffler and Anderson, who were hired in March 2011, came to MCTC with years of experience working within the disability field. They also both uniquely understand the challenge having a disability brings to attaining an education and employment since each of them has education and a disability. ■

Liebling saw her amendment shot down March 29

by Republicans, who said restoring the cut would be too costly. During the floor debate, Rep. Jim Abeler, R-Anoka, said the cut was one of many difficult choices forced by a tight state budget. Abeler pointed out that Minnesota is one of only 21 states that pay for family members to care for a relative with disabilities. The rationale for cutting family members’ wages was that family members are less likely to quit providing care.

Liebling and others said the cut is simply unfair.

“This is really a labor of love,” she said. “We should be thanking these people, not paying them less than a stranger would make....Why in the world would we ask these families to bear the brunt of our budget deficit?”

At the news conference prior to the House floor session, Barbara Christenson, 72, of Brooklyn Park discussed her family’s plight. Her 77-year-old husband, Charles, provides 48 hours of care each week for their son Steven, 48 (diagnose at 26 years old).

Steven Christenson has multiple sclerosis and has seizures. He needs 24-hour care. Steven Christenson is unable to work. “How could we put him in a nursing home when he already has lost so much?” Barbara Christenson said. ■

Wrap up - from p. 3 vices and an amendment for the Health Services Access Commission to examine various autism treatment coverage.

One push this session has been by parents of children with autism, who have seen measures they support amended into the omnibus bills. Several parents of children with severe autism are asking lawmakers to allow more choices in the type of foster care settings for their children, so that their children are in facilities where staff is properly trained in management of residents with autism. A House committee passed two bills last month. One authored by Rep. Kim Norton (DFL-Rochester) would instruct the human services commissioner to work with counties to create an autism-specific foster care license for providers with the training and skills to meet the special needs of children with autism. Rep. Kathy Lohmer (R-Lake Elmo) authored a bill ask the commissioner to develop a plan to create a residential campus for persons diagnosed with autism up to age 21. Both bills were approved by the House Health and Human Services Reform Committee and sent on for further action. Senate Majority Leader Sen. David Senjem (R-Rochester) sponsored both companion bills.

Many other bills are also in play. Willful neglect of vulnerable adults could result in heightened criminal charges. A bill sponsored by Rep. Steve Gottwalt (Republican -St. Cloud) and Sen. Warren Limmer (RMaple Grove), would create a new felony crime for intentional deprivation of a vulnerable adult, such as with food, clothing, shelter or health care, when the caregiver “is reasonably able to make the necessary provisions.” Currently the worst charges in these cases are gross misdemeanors. Gottwalt said the bill is a bipartisan collaboration of many interested parties, including the provider community, law enforcement and prosecutors.

Prone restrains use in schools has also been a focus this session. School staff with specific training may physically restrain out-of-control students with special needs. The House passed the bill March 28, which would extend the authorization to do so through the next school year. Sponsored by Rep. Jim Davnie (DFL-Minneapolis) and Sen. Pam Wolf (RSpring Lake Park), it would also require that the Department of Education gather data on prone restraints, with the intent of eventually replacing the practice with a safe alternative. Davnie said that schools in the Twin Cities metropolitan area brought the issue to his attention because they feel some students may pose a danger if the restraint authorization is allowed to expire. He said that without prone restraints, some special students could instead be confined to their home.

The Senate passed its bill 65-0. Following the 116-16 House vote, the bill now awaits action by Dayton. ■

April 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 3

Martinez - from p. 1 have to raise your hands. I can’t count them anyway.”

Martinez said her experiences as a child with a disability prompted her to pursue a life of service to others. “As a child, we lived very close to strawberry fields and orange groves in southern California and I became increasingly aware of the farm workers who worked in those fields. A student teacher in eighth grade read the book Sweatshops in the Sun by Ronald B. Taylor for me on tape. The book was about child labor on farms, and it profoundly influenced my awareness of working conditions in those fields just a couple blocks from my house. I soon became involved in the youth effort to improve conditions for local farm workers.”

Martinez said that her parents, who had limited education and English skills, feared for her future.

“Fortunately, I was mainstreamed in the public school system from kindergarten through high school,” she said “This experience made me realize early on that I would have to develop different strategies.”

Martinez came to ODEP with a long resume as an internationally recognized disability rights leader specializing in employment, asset building, independent living, international development, diversity and gender issues. Her experiences include tenure as executive director of the California-based World Institute on Disability (WID), director of Proyecto Visión, WID’s National Technical Assistance Center to increase employment opportunities for Latinos with disabilities in the United States, and Access to Assets, an asset-building project to help reduce poverty among people with disabilities. At WID she led the team that produced the acclaimed international webzine DisabilityWorld in English and Spanish.

In 2002 she was appointed by President George W. Bush to the National Council on Disability, an independent federal agency advising the president and Congress on disability policy.

In 2007, she was appointed a member of the board of the U.S. Institute of Peace, an agency created by Congress that is dedicated to research and projects in conflict management. She has also served on a State Department advisory committee on disability and foreign policy. ■

EMPLOYMENT ATTORNEY SMRLS -Housing Law. $43K + DOE, Very Good benefits.

Resumes to: smrls.administration@smrls.org, Laura Jelinek, SMRLS, 55 E. 5th Street, Ste. 400, St. Paul, MN 55101.

EOE/AA

CLASSIFIEDS

Pg 15

Employment ads are $22-$25 per col. inch.

Mail to: Access Press care of The Kelly Inn Offices; 161 St. Anthony Ave; #910; St. Paul, MN 55103; 651-644-2133 • FAX 651-644-2136 Email: access@accesspress.org LEGAL SECRETARY/ RECEPTIONIST SMRLS (St. Paul legal aid) - Bi-lingual/Bi-Cultural exp. preferred, $25K + DOE, Very Good benefits. Resumes to: Georgia Sherman, SMRLS, 55 E. 5th Street, Ste. 400, St. Paul, MN 55101. EOE/AA

Access Press Classifieds are $14 for the first 12 & 65¢ per word thereafter. They must be prepaid. Mail to: Access Press care of The Kelly Inn Offices; 161 St. Anthony Ave; Suite 910; St. Paul, MN 55103; 651-644-2133 • FAX 651-644-2136 • Email: access@accesspress.org

FOR RENT Lewis Park Apartments: Barrier-free housing with wheelchair users in mind. Section 8 subsidized. One- and twobedroom units. For more information on availability call 651-488-9923. St. Paul, MN. 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 763546-4988 for an application. 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 952-935-9125 for information. 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.

ISSUE SPONSOR Be seen by Thousands!

Become an issue sponsor Call: 651-644-2133 FRIEND SPONSOR ($50 and above) Ellen Boucher Martha Brown Leo & Susan Bulger Teresa Dock Dawn Doering Robert Engstrom Steve & JoAnn Erbes Skip Finn Thomas & Mimi Fogarty Lael Gatewood Marjorie Goldberg Patty Hoy Marjorie Huebner Barb Kane Gene Martinez Elin Ohlsson Lee Ohnesorge William & Joen Overby Annette Pantel Kelly Rathcke Virginia Schwartzbauer John Sherman Jobs Foundation IN KIND (For this issue) Soctt Adams

BRONZE SPONSOR ($75 and above) Brigid Alseth Anonymous Donor Bill & Alex Bartolic Monte Blair Robert & Gail Buuck Pat Chelf Mike Chevrette Stephanie Cunningham Christopher Duff Craig Dunn Nancy Eustis Kent Fordyce Leigh Gleason Anne Henry Mary Kay Kennedy Dianna Krogstad Dave & Carol Larson Christopher Meyer Richard & Vicki Dalle Molle Scott Neamy Donn Poll & Eric Nelson Henn. Cty Commissioner Mike Opat Linda Paulson Mark & Mary Payette Julee Quarve-Peterson Ann Roscoe John Schatzlein Peter Vaill Patty Woodey Hennepin County Library MN-DACA NAMI Minnesota Ted Cole Memorial

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

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 Natl. Handicapped Housing Institute Tamarack Habilitation Tech., Inc. BENEFACTOR SPONSOR ($1000 and above) In Home Personal Care Lynda Milne Paul Mueller The Jay & Rose Phillips Family Foundation The Medtronic Foundation The Minneapolis Foundation The Otto Bremer Foundation UCare

Thanks to all of you for supporting Access Press I would like to…

Subscribe & Support Access Press

     

Subscriber $30 Friend $50+ Bronze $75+ Silver $150+ Gold $500+ Benefactor $1000+

Please mail your sponsorship/subscription to: Access Press %The Kelly Inn Offices; 161 St. Anthony Ave; #910; St. Paul, MN 55103.

Date:___________________ Amt. Enclosed $__________________ Name__________________________________________________________________ Address________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip ___________________________________________________________ Phone__________________________________________________________________ Email__________________________________________________________________ In addition to receiving your one-year subscription, all support over $30 per year is tax-deductible.

Reduced subscription rates available upon request for individuals with fixed incomes.

*Receive 12 issues per year in the mail Moving? Please contact Access Press with your new address so you don’t miss a single issue! Phone: 651-644-2133 or via Email:access@accesspress.org

Pg 16 April 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 3