August 2023 Edition - Access Press

Volume 34, Number 8

Doors open for TEFRA

Many Minnesota families with disabled children are celebrating changes to a key state assistance program. Changes to the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act or TEFRA are among many key law gains taking effect this summer. These changes will make a significant and positive difference for Minnesotans with disabilities.

The revisions, which have been discussed for years, were championed by many disability advocacy organizations.

Medical Assistance (MA) under the TEFRA option allows MA eligibility for children with disabilities in families that have incomes too high to qualify for MA. TEFRA is the federal law that sets the rules for this option.

TEFRA often covers costs private insurance providers don’t or won’t cover. It is a very beneficial program in some ways, families note. It covers many costs of equipment, home and transportation modifications, equipment, therapies, home and community-based waiver services and much more. But the fees created huge financial issues for many families.

In the past these families have had to make tough choices about how their children are cared for. Those choices affect an entire family, including children who are not disabled. Families had to pay hundreds if not thousands of dollars per year in TEFRA fees, which strained entire family budgets. Families take out second mortgage or max out credit cards.

Some families cut their incomes, with one spouse opting not to work, Others even considered out-of-home options for their children.

TEFRA also has been criticized for having overly complex paperwork for families in the program.

Since 1990, families who access this option had faced a sliding-scale fee that has dramatically increased over time. Some families pay parental fees for waivered services as well.

The quest for changes to TEFRA has a long and complicated history. Families and advocacy groups have sought fee reductions and program changes for years.

During the 2023 session, state lawmakers and advocates described the parental fees as a tax on disabled children. This session’s legislation had many champions in both the House and Senate.

Rep. Heather Edelson (DFL –Edina) was one of the leaders in eliminating TEFRA fees. She worked closely with legislators including Rep. Mohamud Noor (DFL – Minneapolis) and Sen. John Hoffman (DFL –Champlin) to get the measure into the final budget bill. “I was proud to chief author this legislation and glad we were finally able to get it to the finish line!” she said in a social media post.

KSTP-TV recently featured a family that will benefit from the change, the Wakefields of Lakeville. They

Rosenfield made an impact for disabled Minnesotans

by Access Press staff

The death of Barnett “Bud” Rosenfield is being felt all across Minnesota. Rosenfield, Minnesota’s Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, died suddenly and unexpectedly of a heart attack July 8. He was 57 years old.

Rosenfield had served as ombudsman since December 2021. He was appointed to the post with a long record of committed service to Minnesotans with disabilities. His office released a tribute, stating: “ . . . his impact on our office, staff, clients, and stakeholders was immeasurable. While his time as ombudsman was far too brief, his advocacy career as a champion of the rights of people with disabilities spanned

decades. He was dogged in his efforts to promote and enforce the rights, community inclusion, and informed choice of people with all types of disabilities . . . The world is a bit dimmer without you in it, Bud, but your legacy lives on as we continue your efforts promoting justice, inclusion, dignity, and choice for people with disabilities.”

Many other tributes poured in, from elected officials, disability advocacy organizations and from Rosenfield’s former colleagues at the Minnesota Disability Law Center, where he had served as supervising attorney.

The Minnesota Council on Disability stated, “Bud Rosenfield was a committed, compassionate Ombudsman and

Disability Pride in July

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Gains may be lost

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Tamarack raises issue

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Free rides announced

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Enjoy Radio Talking Book

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He's a Bush Fellow

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Plan ahead for accommodations at the state fair

The 2023 Minnesota State Fair is August 24 through September 4. People with disabilities of all types can enjoy the fair if they plan ahead. Lots of good information on accessibility can be found in the Accessibility Guide on the state fair’s website at www.mnstatefair.org/ general-info/accessibility-guide It contains everything from sensory-friendly features to wheelchair rentals. Stop at an information booth for large print maps and daily schedules, which are available upon request.

One welcome addition is a universally designed changing restroom with hoist by Momentum Refresh. Momentum Refresh is the nation’s first fully accessible, universally designed mobile restroom. By offering a safe and comfortable personal care space for those with mobility limitations and their caregivers, Momentum Refresh reduces barriers and promotes inclusivity, equity and understanding.

In addition to a toilet, this

ROSENFIELD To page 4

TEFRA To page 9

Barnett "Bud" Rosenfield

ACCOMMODATIONS To page 5

Fair mascots love to welcome guests. MINNESOTA STATE FAIR

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Taking steps back on inclusion in the workplace, community

People with disabilities have been shut out of meaningful employment for decades. It’s a frustration to spend one’s career at the poverty level, doing good work and yet being marginalized because of stereotypes and misperceptions. It’s even more frustrating when our people are shut out of the workplace entirely.

Let us work! Let us be able to support ourselves and make meaningful contributions to our communities.

We long have touted the potential for working remotely. It won’t work, the powers that be said.

And then came the COVID-19 pandemic. Workplaces emptied out as millions of people made the shift to remote work.

And guess what? Working remotely worked for the most part. For some of us with disabilities, the changes opened doors that had been closed before. We could work at home and be productive.

The pandemic also brought key changes in our ability to participate in our communities. The state’s pandemic emergency declaration allowed elected and appointed groups, ranging from local disability advisory boards to city councils, to meet virtually. While our computer screens looked like the Hollywood Squares or the Brady Bunch TV shows, virtual meetings gave many more people the chance to participate.

But now we’re seeing the pendulum swing back. And that is just wrong.

As the dust settles from C OVID -19, business leaders must decide if they continue remote work, force employees back to the office, or use a hybrid solution. More companies are dropping

remote work.

For employees who may have relocated far from workplaces, only to be told they must be in the office at least part of the time, that’s a problem. For people with disabilities who have to work remotely at least part of the time due to disability and chronic health issues, that’s a huge problem. We’re not bemoaning the loss of a fancy beach house or place in the mountains. We’re losing our ability to work, period.

We understand the desire for a workplace culture and for employees to feel like they are part of an organization. Many us who were largely shut out of the job market would like that kind of setting and colleagues, too. Not everyone can successfully work remotely.

But for those of us with a wide range of disabilities – mobility, sensory and more –not being in a workplace setting helps us be more productive.

A person who needs 24-hour personal care needs space for staff. Some workplaces

HISTORY NOTE

are not the best at providing that.

We appreciate that many companies have gone to hybrid workplaces. That may be the best answer for all. And we’d think that in this day of mass resignations and retirements, wouldn’t companies want to keep valued employees with disabilities? This feels like an Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act court case waiting to happen.

Then there is our ability a as community to participate in meetings. In spring 2022 as state restrictions eased, we saw virtual meetings dropped. Some communities still allow people to call in and ask questions at a meeting, or provide public testimony. But as of spring 2022, those of us who want to be on a board, commission, council or committee in many communities lost our ability to participate remotely.

We’ve seen that cause problems. Let’s use the City of St. Paul as an example. We’ve seen groups in that city unable to muster a quorum to do business. That includes the Mayor’s Advisory Committee

for People with Disabilities.

Not having a quorum for meetings affects your neighbor down the street who needs a variance to add an access ramp to his house. It affects a developer who wants to build an affordable, accessible apartment building but needs zoning approvals. It affects a block club that wants to get a capital budget committee to vote on an accessible playground. Without even enough members to vote on a request, a project or an ordinance or policy change cannot move forward.

Communities around the state have had to sideline some of their citizen advisory committees because it is a challenge to get new members. Virtual meetings in which members could vote from a remote location would allow that.

But when St. Paul city officials tried to get changes to the Minnesota Open Meeting Law last this past legislative session to allow broader participation, so-called “public advocates” blocked that effort. And that’s just plain wrong. While we realize that the usual public policy gadflies can claim to speak “for the people” we would respectfully call that out and ask that they not speak for us. Until you have our lived experiences as people with disabilities, it’s the same old song and dance of people speaking for us and misrepresenting our interests.

Disability advocates need to speak out on both of these issues. Our ability to work and be fully involved in our communities depends on change. It took a global pandemic to show that solutions for the disability community worked. We cannot go backward.

Civil rights changes took key steps 50 years ago, but others waited

On August 1, 1973, Minnesotans with disabilities were among those marking the expansion of the state’s anti-discrimination act. The act was newly expanded to cover discrimination due to mental or physical disability, gender and marital status. Changes to the act were also meant to prevent discrimination against people receiving public assistance. The changes targeted issues including housing, education and public accommodations.

The July 13, 1973 Star Tribune reported on a Minnesota Department of Human Rights hearing at which many people testified about discrimination. The hearing was meant to assist state officials as they developed guidelines for the act’s enforcement.

About two dozen people testified. Not all of those who spoke were people with disabilities. Some people faced discrimination based on race or gender. Same-sex couples could not buy homes together. A woman’s income could not be fully counted toward a home purchase with her husband.

Others faced discrimination if they were on public assistance.

But there were many stories of people who had faced disability-based discrimination. “The majority of the testimony dealt with the handicapped,” the article stated.

St. Paul resident Chuck Van Heuveln described the struggles people with disabilities faced in retaining employment. He outlined the challenges he faced as someone who uses a wheelchair. Even if someone could get a job, that person had to rely on family or friends for transportation. Public transportation wasn’t accessible.

Van Heuveln also said that insurance companies charged people with disabilities higher rates.

Other disability-based discrimination issues were also raised. Leah LeBar asked that Minneapolis Public Schools children with disabilities be allowed to attend their neighborhood schools, rather than being sent to only one school. LeBar was a wheelchair user and community resource specialist for Minneapolis Public Schools. A blind woman who could not find a teaching job was working in her home, for only $300 per month.

The 1973 law strengthened the state’s

first major human rights law, which had been adopted in 1967. That statute made it unlawful to discriminate against people based on race, color, creed and national origin in unions, employment, education, public services and public accommodations.

The history website MnOpedia provides an overview of changes. The 1967 Minnesota State Act Against Discrimination consolidated and strengthened existing anti-discrimination laws and created a new state Department of Human Rights. It was sponsored by Conservatives in the legislature (party designation was banned at the time) and supported by other prominent Conservatives, including Gov. Harold Levander, future US Senator David Durenberger, and future federal judge Robert Renner. The law passed easily.

Discrimination based on gender was added in 1969. But others’ rights would have to wait,. It was not until 1993 that what are now called LGBTQ+ rights were protected.

Attempts to protect what were called gay rights began 50 years ago, when

DFL Senate Majority Leader Nicholas Coleman, on his own and without notice, proposed to amend the law to add people of “homosexual orientation” to those protected. His amendment narrowly passed the Senate but was removed in conference with the House. However, the categories marital status, status with respect to public assistance, and disability were added that year. The law’s name was changed to the Minnesota Human Rights Act.

It would take years of work to be more inclusive. In 1991 a Governor’s Task Force recommended legal protection for gays and lesbians. The lobbying organization, It’s Time Minnesota, began organizing broad popular and institutional support for gay rights legislation, enlisting unions, teachers, and prominent civic groups. Changes were finally passed in 1993.

The History Note is a monthly column produced in cooperation with the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities. Past History Notes and other disability history may be found at www. mnddc.org

EDITORIAL: 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 and advertising do not necessarily reflect the view of the editor/publisher of Access Press.

DEADLINE: 15th of each month.

CIRCULATION/DISTRIBUTION: Distributed the 1st of each month through more than 200 locations statewide. Approximately 750 copies are mailed to individuals, including political, business, institutional and civic leaders.

Editor ............................................................................................................................................................................................

McClure Board of Directors Tim S. Benjamin, John Clark, Adrienne Coatley, Mark Daly, Brendan Downes, ............................................................................................................... Catherine Hunter, Jane Larson, Ann Roscoe, Kay Willshire (Chair)

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INQUIRIES AND ADDRESS CHANGES should be directed to: Access Press, PO Box 40006, Industrial Station, St. Paul, MN 55104-8006; 651-644-2133; email: access@accesspress.org Website: accesspress.org

Until you have our lived experiences as people with disabilities, it's the same old song and dance of people speaking for us and misrepresenting our interests.

Mark your calendars for the Access Press award celebration

To our readers:

What an exciting time to live in Minnesota! With many of the pandemic restrictions behind us, we are finding opportunities to rediscover our neighbors and communities. Here at Access Press, we are embracing this rediscovery with an Award Celebration and fundraising event at the McNamara Center on November 3, starting at 5:30 p.m. Unique in the nation, Access Press is a completely independent newspaper that serves the community of people with disabilities as an information resource. Nobody “owns” Access Press and that is significant. But as an independent news source, we depend upon the donations of our readership, as well as people in the community who support our mission to “promote the social inclusion and legal rights of people with disabilities by providing a forum for news, features, opinion and conversation to benefit people who are often invisible and marginalized in mainstream society.” We are proud to sponsor this event which will raise needed funds to help us continue the Access Press mission for generations to come!

Tickets may be purchased at our website, www.accesspress.org, for $75 per person or $600 per table of eight. Contact Jane Larson or Catherine Hunter at support@ accesspress.org or at 612-562-7803 if you have questions, need more information, or wish to help sponsor this event.

We look forward to seeing you on November 3.

The clock is ticking, so get those Charlie Smith Award nominees in

The Access Press Charlie Smith Award is a meaningful honor for Minnesotans with disabilities. Winners over the years have represented a wide range of our community members.

The nomination period continues through 5 p.m. Friday, August 11. Email the newspaper at CSAnominations@accesspress. org to receive a form. A link to the form is also on the website, www.accesspress.org

If help is needed with a form call 651-644-2133 ext. 1 for assistance or accommodations.

Who can be considered for the Charlie Smith Award? Nominees can be one person, a group of people or an entire organization. Nominees must be active in and have strong ties to Minnesota’s disability community, and go above and beyond to improve the lives of Minnesotans with disabilities.

This type of work can take many forms. The award can go to prominent leaders or to people who work quietly behind the scenes.

Nominations can be made for organization leaders, staff, volunteers or groups.

Nominees must be living at the time of the nomination and not be people who have passed away.

Past winners cannot be nominated again. Past nominees who didn’t win the award can be nominated again.

People cannot nominate themselves.

The winner and all of the nominees are featured in our September issue. People who submit nominations must submit contact information in case Access Press has additional questions about a nominee.

Please send a high-resolution digital photo or an actual picture of the nominee. Otherwise, be prepared to tell the editor where a high-resolution picture can be obtained.

The newspaper board of directors chooses the winner, after reviewing all of the nominations.

Smith founded the newspaper in 1990

and died in 2001. The first award was given in 2003 at the Como Lakeside Pavilion. That space was outgrown quickly so the event moved to various hotel banquet facilities. The event was dropped in 2018 due to cost and staffing considerations. It is time to bring it back.

A diverse group of Minnesotans was honored over the years. Here is a list of the past Charlie Smith Award winners:

• 2017 – Mark Braun, Paralympian

• 2016 – Cliff Poetz, Institute on Community Integration

• 2015 – Jessalyn Akerman-Frank, Minnesota Commission for Deaf, Deafblind

and Hard of Hearing

• 2014 – Christine Marble and Wendy Devore, Career Ventures

• 2013 – Cal Appleby, Augsburg College

• 2012 – Charles “Chuck” Van Heuvel, St. Paul School District

• 2011 – Jeff Bangsberg, Minnesota

Department of Health

• 2010 – Steve Kuntz, Minnesota

Department of Employment and Economic

Development

• 2009 – Anne Henry, Minnesota

Disability Law Center

• 2008 – Pete Feigl, Co-Founder, Tilting at Windmills

• 2007 – Jim and Claudia Carlisle, People Enhancing People

• 2006 – John Smith, University of Minnesota ICI

• 2005 – Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MNCCD)

• 2004 – Rick Cardenas, Co-Director of Advocating Change Together (ACT)

• 2003 – Margot Imdieke Cross, Minnesota State Council on Disability

“The Charlie Smith Award has been given to a number of deserving and distinguished people who have created a better life for members of our disability community,” said Kay Willshire, president of the Access Press Board. “By nominating a person for this award you are not only recognizing that person for individual contributions to our community, you are also shining a positive light on our community as a whole.”

Access Press Board of Directors

Longtime Executive Director Tim Benjamin greeted a guest at a past banquet.

Jessalyn Akerman-Frank

Pete Feigl

Set aside barriers, provide innovative complex rehabilitation technology

by Cole A. Carlson

Pressure injuries kill 60,000 people and affect up to 1/3 of wheelchair users each year, the US Department of Health and Human Services estimates. Annually, upwards of 17,000 lawsuits are directly related to pressure injuries, which are the only hospital-acquired condition experiencing an increase in rates of occurrence in the country. These events, which commonly result in additional surgeries, lengthy rehabilitation periods and further costs (beyond just financial) to the patient, are among the most preventable in a wheelchair user’s daily life. You or one of your loved ones may have been affected by a pressure injury. These debilitating injuries can upend or even end someone’s life if not handled properly. We at Minnesota-based Tamarack Habilitation Technologies want everyone to be aware of innovations that could greatly improve wheelchair seating. But we also need to raise awareness of the obstacles one new type of seating faces.

Innovation and product improvement

To the editor:

are often stymied by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) coding and reimbursement processes that make it difficult if not impossible for smaller businesses to successfully bring to market unique, viable, and effective medical equipment. Thus far, CMS has been unwilling to assign an appropriate code and reimbursement amount for new types of seating systems. CMS’s code definitions include strict/inflexible materials and process requirements based on existing products/technologies, and leave little room for new, more promising choices to make it into the lives of those who are continuously threatened by injuries that could be avoided. Code submissions are reviewed and judged based on interpretations of those CMS code “definitions,” often favoring designs that cater to the existing CMA language or existing products seemingly regardless of potential improvements in patient care or outcomes.

Tamarack Habilitation Technologies is attempting to address and raise awareness

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

societal ramifications if a bill is not passed?

of this epidemic and the unfortunate, avoidable rise in pressure injuries with the introduction of its FlexForm Wheelchair Seating System. Tamarack, an international leader in designing orthotic and prosthetic components, has developed a unique seating surface that addresses friction/shear, pressure distribution, and microclimate vulnerabilities – the three primary factors of seating-related pressure injuries.

FlexForm’s design enables real-time adjustment of the seat, allowing pressure to be relieved in areas at risk for injury. The placement of GlideWear, Tamarack’s low-friction, breathable fabric, on the seat cover, reduces dangerous levels of shear and friction and enables heat and moisture to dissipate more quickly. The Tamarack team is excited about the potential advances in patient care and efficient product delivery process that FlexForm may bring to the public.

Tamarack debuted FlexForm this April at the International Seating Symposium in Pittsburgh, PA in an effort to engage

with strategic partners and potential investors. But the wheelchair market’s decades-long complacency with the cushion model of seating is only one headwind that Tamarack and other medical engineering companies face.

Consumers who want better access to this technology can contact the Director of the CMS Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation | CMS), the Director of CMS Office of Burden Reduction & Health Informatics – Emerging Innovations Group (Office of Burden Reduction and Health Informatics | CMS), and Director of the CMS Center for Medicare – Technology, Coding and Pricing Group (Center for Medicare | CMS, Overview of CMS Groups | CMS). Contact information can be found at www.cms.gov

Editor’s note: Cole A. Carlson is Director of Business Development at Tamarack Habilitation.

My winter safety bill for walker users who use transit buses has been passed into law. In the last five years, I have learned sadly that Metro Transit may know what causes a bad accident, but does nothing about it.

Even when you work with a nonprofit like the Minnesota Brain injury Alliance, you may not make progress. Legislating under COVID-19 also took a very long time.

Activists often find themselves working on their own, without a lot of counseling and support. How do you deal with the

ROSENFIELD

From page 1

an amazing human being. He made countless contributions to the disability community. People who spoke with Bud knew he listened and cared. Whatever the issue, he was quick to act for the benefit of others. Bud was serious about advocacy, kindness, and doing the right thing, always.”

The Arc Minnesota CEO Andrea Zuber said of Rosenfield, “His life’s work made a huge impact – for the better – for Minnesotan’s with disabilities.”

“I am fortunate enough to have been able to call Bud a friend and I learned so much from him over the span of my career. He was SO smart, such a passionate activist and understood more about the disability field – past, present and future – than most. He was funny, sweet and tough, all at the same time. He had a strong spirit, and his passing leaves a huge hole – in our community – and in my heart.”

“As the sibling of a brother with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), Bud believed in and fought tirelessly for a better future for people with IDD. He was a strong supporter of The Arc Minnesota and partnered with us on countless efforts over the past 25 years, providing training and consultation, as well as supporting the advocacy we do at the individual, family and legislative level. He was a powerful thought partner and we looked to him for so many things. I feel so fortunate to have had Bud in my life, personally and professionally. He will be so missed.”

Barnett (Bud) Ian Rosenfield was a son, father, husband, brother, attorney and advocate. He attended the University of Michigan, where he met his wife Barbara. He graduated in the Class of 1987. The Rosenfields then moved to Minnesota, where he attended the University of Minnesota Law School, and graduated in 1990.

I am 87 and cannot delay. Because of my fall and injuries, we lost most of our savings, and I have cried a great deal. Still, I hope to be involved in rulemaking for the law that came out of my bill.

Joy Rindels Hayden Minneapolis

Editor’s note: Retired teacher Rindels Hayden fell in January 2017 when she was getting off of a bus. She had just finished physical therapy and was getting off of a Metro Transit bus at 38th and Chicago Avenue. The hydraulic ramp failed to

Following law school graduation, Rosenfield clerked for the Honorable Harriet Lansing, then served as the staff coordinator for the state's Special District Apportionment Panel. Early in his career, he represented individuals in private practice in employment law and civil rights cases.

Yet his passion really grew through his work advocating for people with disabilities. For almost 25 years, Rosenfield worked at the Minnesota Disability Law Center, first as an attorney and then as a supervising attorney. In 2021, Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan appointed Rosenfield as the Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities. In announcing the appointment, Walz said, "I am honored to appoint Bud Rosenfield as the Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities. Mr. Rosenfield is a dedicated public servant with a proven track record as a passionate advocate for justice. I am confident that he will use his knowledge, experience, and role to create a more just, inclusive, and equitable Minnesota."

Over the course of his career, Rosenfield served on numerous state and national committees and working groups, genuinely leaning in to tackle huge social and political issues. He received numerous awards for his work and advocacy. But he valued equally the cards and letters he received from individuals and families he had helped.

His obituary describes Rosenfield as “ thoughtful, compassionate, and whip smart.”

Rosenfield is described as a sports fanatic, rooting for the Red Sox, Twins, Saints, Vikings and Celtics. While some might think watching the Red Sox end the curse of the Bambino in 2004 was his favorite sports moment, it truly was watching his children play for the Lynnhurst LARC, Washburn Millers, Southwest Lakers and many more teams. He himself also loved recreational

lower correctly because of snow piled on the sidewalk. The back wheels of her walker caught on the uneven ramp, and Rindels Hayden fell, slamming the back of her head on Chicago Avenue. She briefly lost consciousness but did not immediately seek medical help. She wound up with an internal brain bleed and stroke related to the fall, spent days in the hospital and went through rehabilitation. Her medical bills depleted her savings and she relies on a church.

Five days later, her husband found Rindels Hayden unconscious in bed with blood pouring from her nose — the result of

volleyball, softball and long distance running as he completed four marathons in Minneapolis and one in Boston.

He is survived by his wife Barbara Fipp, children Hannah Fipp-Rosenfield and Jace Fipp-Rosenfield, brothers Keith (Helaine Winzelberg) Rosenfield and Paul Rosenfield, sisters Cathy (Nicholas Ruocco, Jr) Rosenfield, Mary Lynne (Jack) Cronin and Rikkie (Sandra Cornwell) Rosenfield as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. He is preceded in death by his mother, Lorraine Lenore (Johnson) Rosenfield, his father, Jace Louis Rosenfield, and his aunt, Bonnie Jean Johnson.

A funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, August 18 at Lakewood Memorial Chapel, 3600 Hennepin Ave. S, Minneapolis. A reception and then a private interment will follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Rosenfield’s name to ARC of Minnesota,

an internal brain bleed and stroke related to the fall. She spent the next 17 days in the hospital and had to undergo rehabilitation. She still suffers sharp pains in the back of her head, and the medical bills associated with her injury and physical therapy exhausted her savings.

The law she championed for years requires Metro Transit drivers to receive mandatory training on helping persons with disabilities and limited mobility enter and leave buses. The training covers scenarios in which access is made unsafe by snow, ice or other obstructions.

Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association Inc., American Heart Association, or the Minnesota Disability Law Center, a project of MidMinnesota Legal Aid.

Do you have a daily productive cough?

The AffloVest could be for you!

What is the AffloVest used for?

• Recurring Pneumonia

• Bronchiectasis

•

•

•

•

•

•

For

After years of work, she saw success - but has more work ahead

groundbreaking vehicle is equipped with a height-adjustable universal changing table, an overhead ceiling hoist to facilitate easier transfer from wheelchair to changing table or toilet, a heightadjustable sink, and enough room for an individual and caregiver. A team of trained professionals will be available to inform guests about the amenities and to maintain and clean the space.

Check the guide to find this new feature.

Getting to the fairgrounds

Several options are available. A free park-ride lot with free wheelchairaccessible bus service is offered exclusively for people with disabilities and their companions. It is open to those with a disability certificate or license plate, on the north side of the Oscar Johnson Arena, 1039 De Courcy Circle, south of the fairgrounds near Snelling Avenue and Energy Park Drive. Buses run continuously to the fair 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily (7 p.m. Labor Day). Return trips from the fair to the parking lot are available 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. (9:30 p.m. Labor Day).

Several park and ride lots are offered but many don’t have buses accessible for people who use wheelchairs or mobility devices. Regular route buses including the A Line are offered for a fare payment. Go to www.mnstatefair.org/transportation/ metro-transit/

Metro Mobility drops off and picks up passengers at two locations, Loop Gate #9 on Como Avenue; and at the North Gate #2.

Rideshare services Uber and Lyft drop off and pick up passengers at two locations, east Como parking lot, south of Como Avenue and west of Snelling Avenue (enter at Gate #7); and at North Gate #2.

Taxis drop off and pick up passengers at the Loop Gate #9 on Como Avenue. Driving? Parking is available on the fairgrounds in designated spaces, for motorists with a valid disability certificate. Spaces fill up quickly as they are offered first-come, first-served. Check the map for locations, www.mnstatefair. org/parking/vehicle/

Getting around the fair

HomeTown Mobility rents wheelchairs and electric scooters from five sites within the main entrance gates to the fairgrounds. Advance rental reservations are now being accepted by contacting HomeTown Mobility directly. Go to www.mnstatefair.org/general-info/ accessibility-guide/

Sensory-friendly offerings

Tips for guests with sensory sensitivities – including when to visit, things to do, what to bring and a social narrative – can be found in the Accessibility Guide on the fair website at www.mnstatefair.org/general-info/ accessibility-guide/#sensory

For fair guests who would like to experience the fun of rides and games at Mighty Midway and Kidway with reduced light brightness and sound volume, go to the Kidway 9-11 a.m. Monday, August 28, and Mighty Midway at 10 a.m.-noon. Lights, sounds and nonsafety-related announcements will be minimized.

Please note that the sensory-friendly hours apply only to Mighty Midway and Kidway. There may be areas in other parts of the fairgrounds that contain loud music and lights during these hours. In the Mighty Midway and Kidway, some lights and sound may still occur, as not all attractions can completely eliminate all sound and light.

The Fraser Sensory Building provides a take-a-break oasis specially created for fair guests of all ages with sensoryprocessing challenges who may find the sights, sounds, smells and crowds of the fair overwhelming. The space will be staffed by Fraser-trained sensory support volunteers, who can help individuals regulate with tools and techniques such as weighted blankets and shoulder wraps, calming music, floor cushions, an exercise ball and fidget toys. People with sensory difficulties are welcome to use

the space to regulate. It is located on the west side of Cosgrove Street, south of the Home Improvement Building, and is open daily 9 a.m.-9 p.m., closing at 8 p.m. on Labor Day.

Accommodations for select shows

Captioning for guests who are deaf or have difficulty hearing is offered at free events, with no reservations required. A monitor displaying the captioning will be positioned near the stage or in a designated seating area.

MNHS Presents History On-ASchtick, at Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater, is 10 a.m. Saturday, August 26; Sunday, August 27; Wednesday, August 30; and Thursday, August 31

The Draft Horse Supreme Six Horse Hitch Classic Series Exhibition, at Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum. is 2 p.m., Monday, August 28.

The 4-H Llama-Alpaca Costume Competition, at Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum, is 6 p.m. Wednesday, August 30.

Audio description for guests who are blind or have low vision is offered at these free shows, with no reservations required. Headsets for audio description can be picked up from the audio describer, who will be located near the stage prior to the show.

MNHS Presents History On-ASchtick, at Schell’s Stage at Schilling Amphitheater, is 11 a.m. Saturday, August 26; Sunday, August 27;

Wednesday, August 30; and Thursday, August 31

Timberworks Lumberjack Show, at North Woods stage, is 3 p.m. Saturday, August 26; Sunday, August 27; and

Thursday, August 31

Theater Day at Dan Patch Park:

Madagascar – A Musical Adventure JR, at Dan Patch Park, south of the Grandstand and west of the Grandstand ramp, 1 p.m.

Wednesday, August 30

ASL interpretation is offered at free shows each day, no reservations required, and on two special days:

Fish Pond Talk, 9:45 a.m., the DNR Fish Pond, south of the DNR Building

All-Star Stunt Dogs Splash, 11 a.m., North Woods Stage

Timberworks Lumberjack Show, noon, North Woods Stage

Harvesting Honey, 1 p.m., Agriculture Horticulture Building

Milking Demonstration, 2 p.m., Moo Booth stage outside the Cattle Barn

DIRT Demonstration (topics vary daily), 2 p.m., DIRT Demo Stage in the Agriculture Horticulture Building

Thank A Farmer, 3 p.m., Christensen Farms Stage

Last Chance Forever Bird Show, 4 p.m., Garden Stage on west side of DNR Building.(No show Wednesday, August 30)

STEM Day at Dan Patch Park is Thursday, August 23, at 12:15 p.m. National Eagle Center; 1:15 p.m. ABC 6 News Weather Lab; 2:15 p.m. University of Minnesota Physics Force; 3:15 p.m. Concordia Science Academy.

4-H Llama-Alpaca Costume Competition. 6 p.m. Wednesday, August 30, Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum

ASL interpreting is also available for concerts at the Grandstand and Leinie Lodge Bandshell upon request. Requests should be made at least 14 days prior to the concert. (Please note that a separate concert ticket is required for Grandstand shows; shows at the Leinie Lodge Bandshell are included in fair admission.) Contact accessibility@mnstatefair. org or 651-288-4448 to request ASL interpreting.

Visit disability service organizations

The Education Building is the place to find disability service organization and state agency information.

The Minnesota Council on Disability will have its booth open. Lots of free disability community information will be available. Stop and learn about what the council does for Minnesotans.

Also, stop and visit the National Alliance for the Mentally (NAMI) Minnesota booth. Learn about NAMI and how it helps Minnesotans who live with mental health issues.

Fair coverage was compiled by newspaper and Minnesota State Fair staff.

Grab some napkins and try the 2023 Minnesota State Fair new foods

Many people visit the Minnesota State Fair with a new foods list in hand. Or they seek out old favorites. Not every dining spot is accessible to people with disabilities, Access Press and fair staff work together every year to present an accessible dining guide in print and online. Trying new foods and seek out familiar favorites is part of the fun at the Minnesota State Fair. Every year Access Press works with fair staff to provide an accessible dining guide for fairgoers.

Our guide defines access as physical access. The following food and beverage concessions offer:

• Seating areas accessible by curb cuts

• Hard and sturdy floor surfaces

• Tables a guest can pull up to in a wheelchair or scooter. In some cases a chair can be moved to make room for a wheelchair or scooter

The list doesn’t include open-air stands where food and drink are purchased, and then taken away.

An asterisk marks vendors below who have an official new food for 2023.

• Andy’s Grille: South side of Carnes Avenue between Chambers and Nelson streets

• Ball Park Cafe: East side of Underwood Street between Dan Patch and Carnes avenues

• *The Blue Barn: At West End Market, south of the History & Heritage Center (limited general seating picnic tables)

• *Blue Moon Dine-In Theater: Northeast corner of Carnes Avenue and Chambers Street

• Butcher Boys London Broil: North side of Dan Patch Avenue between Nelson and Underwood streets

• *Cafe Caribe: South side of Carnes Avenue between Chambers and Nelson streets

• Charcoal Hut: East side of Judson Avenue between Underwood and Cooper streets, next to the International Bazaar

• Chicago Dogs: In The Garden on the southeast corner of Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street

• *Coasters: Southeast corner of Carnes Avenue and Liggett Street

• Danielson’s & Daughters Onion Rings: Between Underwood and Cooper streets, outside the south side of the Food Building (shares seating with the vendors located in this plaza area between the Food Building and the Agriculture Horticulture Building)

• Dino’s Gyros: North side of Carnes Avenue between Nelson and Underwood streets

• El Sol Mexican Foods: East side of Underwood Street, outside the southwest corner of the Food Building (shares seating with the vendors located in this plaza area between the Food Building and the Agriculture Horticulture Building)

• Food Building – inside: Route 66 Roadhouse Chicken; Mario’s; Sonny’s Fair Food; Granny’s Caramel Apple Sundaes; Peters Hot Dogs; Fish & Chips Seafood Shoppe; *Sara’s Tipsy Pies; Minnekabob and Mouth Trap Cheese Curds. (These vendors are near shared indoor tables by the northwest entrance to the Food Building on the east side of Underwood Street)

• French Creperie: North side of Carnes Avenue between Nelson and Underwood streets

• *French Meadow Bakery & Cafe: North side of Carnes between Nelson and Underwood streets

• Fresh-Squeezed Lemonade, Fruit Smoothies, Orange & Strawberry Treet: Between Underwood and Cooper streets, outside the south side of the Food Building (shares seating with the vendors located in this plaza area between the Food Building and the Agriculture Horticulture Building)

• Frontier Bar: South side of Carnes between Liggett and Chambers streets

• Gass Station Grill: West side of Cooper Street, outside the southeast corner of the Food Building (shares seating with the vendors located in this plaza area between the Food Building and the Agriculture Horticulture Building)

• *Giggles’ Campfire Grill: Southeast corner of Lee Avenue and Cooper Street at The North Woods

• *Hamline Church Dining Hall: North side of Dan Patch Avenue between Underwood and Cooper streets. The church has had a dining hall for more

than 120 years and is the oldest food establishment at the fair. When arriving with a diner using a wheelchair or scooter, ask to have a seat saved.

• The Hangar: Northeast corner of Murphy Avenue and Underwood Street

• Isabel Burke’s Olde Tyme Taffy: Between Cooper and Underwood streets, outside the southeast corner of the Food Building (shares seating with the vendors located in this plaza area between the Food Building and the Agriculture Horticulture Building)

• Italian Junction: South side of Dan Patch Avenue between Nelson and Underwood streets

• JJ Vescio’s: East side of Chambers Street and south of the Grandstand

• Key Lime Pie Bar: West side of Cooper Street, between the Food Building and the Agriculture Horticulture Building (shares seating with the vendors located in this plaza area between the Food Building and the Agriculture Horticulture Building)

• Lancer locations in the Coliseum (Aldo’s, *Sabino’s Pizza Pies, Snack House, Swine & Spuds): Nearby seating inside the Coliseum seating area. The Coliseum is located on the south side of Judson Avenue between Liggett and Clough streets.

• *LuLu’s Public House: At West End Market, south of the Schilling

Amphitheater (most accessible seating is on the second level, via elevator)

• Mancini’s al Fresco: North side of Carnes Avenue between Nelson and Underwood streets

• Mexican Hat: East of Chambers Street, south of the Grandstand

• Midway Men’s Club: East side of Underwood Street between Wright and Dan Patch avenues

• Mighty Midway food concessions: Near shared seating area – Leimon’s Pizzeria; Sugar Shack; The Donut Family; Westmoreland Concessions

• *Minnesota Farmers Union Coffee Shop: North side of Dan Patch Avenue between Cooper and Cosgrove streets

• Minnesota Wine Country: West side of Underwood Street between Carnes and Judson avenues

• O’Gara’s at the Fair: Southwest corner of Dan Patch Avenue and Cosgrove Street

• The Peg: Outside on the southeast side of the Agriculture Horticulture Building

• Patio Grill: East side of Nelson Street between Carnes and Judson avenues, next to KARE TV

• *Pickle Barrel Sirloin Tips: Northeast corner of Judson Avenue and Nelson Street

• RC’s BBQ: North side of West Dan Patch Avenue between Liggett and Chambers streets

• Ragin Cajun: In The Garden on the southeast corner of Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street

• Salem Lutheran Church: North side of Randall Avenue south of the Progress Center

• *Shanghai Henri’s: At the International Bazaar, north wall

• Tejas Express: In The Garden on the corner of Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street

Learn about new foods at: https://www. mnstatefair.org/new-this-year/food/

Cotton candy lemonade

Birthday cake mini-doughnuts

2023 Disability Pride Festival was a celebration of community

Walk & Roll with Gillette Children’s!

Join us on Saturday, September 23 at Viking Lakes in Eagan, MN! The route and family-friendly activities are open to folks of all abilities and are accessible to wheelchairs and adaptive bikes and trikes. Virtual participation is also an option.

Metro Mobility patrons ride for free

Any Metro Mobility certified rider can ride regular route transit for free through December 31, 2024 on any of the following services: Metro Transit bus, bus rapid transit, light rail and commuter rail; Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, SouthWest Transit, Maple Grove Transit and Plymouth Metrolink.

Metro Mobility riders will continue to pay for Metro Mobility rides as outlined on the Metro Mobility web page. The free fare pilot does not apply to any on-demand service including, Transit Link, Metro Transit micro, Maple Grove My Ride, MVTA Connect, Plymouth Click-and-Ride, or SW Prime.

When entering a bus, Metro Mobility should simply show the Metro Mobility ID card, or government issued ID card with A endorsement, to the bus operator and take a seat.

Do not tap the Metro Mobility ID card on the Go-To Card reader when boarding a bus or are at a METRO or Northstar ticket machine.

On METRO lines, be prepared to show the Metro Mobility ID card, or government issued ID card with A endorsement, as proof of payment if asked.

When transferring to another bus, riders will need to show the ID card again. Riders transferring to a Metro Mobility bus will still need to pay the regular fare on the Metro Mobility bus.

Anyone with questions can contact Metro Mobility service center Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 651-602-1111, TTY 651-221-9886, or metromobility@metc.state.mn.us

DHS split is coming

Minnesota's largest and mostscrutinized state agency will be split up in the coming years as the result of legislative action meant to reduce bureaucracy and costly errors. the Minnesota Department of Human Services' massive Direct Care and Treatment division will spin off into its own agency and take its roughly 5,000 employees with it. Additionally, a new Department of Children, Youth and Families created by the Legislature this year will take more employees away from DHS.

State lawmakers talked for years about breaking up the DHS, their discussions intensifying after the agency made a string of costly financial mistakes and received scathing reviews from the state's legislative auditor. Some felt that the agency, which has more than 7,000 employees and an annual budget that exceeds $20 billion, was too large to effectively manage.

DHS serves more than 1.5 million Minnesotans, including the state's most vulnerable populations, through a vast array of programs.

“As we've talked about whether or not DHS it too big and should it be separated, I've come to realize that it would probably be an advantage to have a smaller agency,” said DHS Commissioner Jodi Harpstead.

The creation of the new Department of Direct Care and Treatment takes effect Jan. 1, 2025.

Senate Human Services Committee chairman John Hoffman (DFLChamplin), said he believes both the DHS and the new Department of Direct Care and Treatment will benefit from the separation by becoming more “nimble” and focused on their own operations.

Republican Sen. Jim Abeler (R-Anoka), who also supported the separation, struck a more skeptical tone about whether the split will improve stewardship of taxpayer funds.

“It's the governor's influence on all his departments, and by virtue of the commissioners he chooses, that really decides the outcomes of any department,” said Abeler. “I think merely rearranging some of the duties may have a huge effect or it may be minimal. It's still all up to the administration to make it work.”

The Direct Care and Treatment division currently within DHS operates a specialized behavioral health care system that includes psychiatric hospitals, substance abuse treatment facilities, group homes for people with disabilities and sex offender treatment facilities. That system is comparable in size to the CentraCare health care system in greater Minnesota, according to Harpstead.

Once separated, Harpstead said the new Department of Direct Care and Treatment will look much more like a hospital system with a CEO reporting to a board. Marshall Smith, the current CEO of the division, will stay on to lead the department.

The Department of Human Services

(Source: Metro Mobility)

and the Direct Care and Treatment agency will keep their respective employees, Harpstead said.

(Source: Star Tribune) Dungarvin takes over companies

The Dungarvin organization, a group of companies providing community-based services for people with disabilities in 15 states, has announced a deal to acquire Bridges MN, Rumi and Bridges WI. Effective September 1, the agreement is the organization's largest-ever acquisition including the purchase of 103 traditional group home settings in both Minnesota and Wisconsin, as well as a variety of other community-based services in Minnesota that will support over 400 individuals.

The purchase agreement specifies that close to 1,000 Bridges employees will be invited to become part of the Dungarvin team ensuring the continuity of care for people served.

“After several months of collaboration and planning, I am pleased to announce that Dungarvin will assume and operate substantially all of the services currently provided by Bridges MN, Rumi and Bridges WI,” said Dungarvin CEO Lori Kress. “We are committed to ensuring that the transition of services is as seamless as possible for the people receiving services, their families and the staff who support them. With a strong history of providing services in these states, we plan to work closely with all stakeholders and our regulatory partners to deliver the stability that these individuals and families deserve.”

Bridges has provided the required notice to individuals as well as their families and/or caregivers of their right to choose any provider licensed in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Dungarvin has operated in Minnesota since 1976, and in Wisconsin since 1994.

(Source: Dungarvin)

Loophole in housing eyed Lawmakers want to close a loophole in state law that they said allowed a suburban city to shut down statelicensed group homes, effectively evicting individuals diagnosed with mental illnesses and other disabilities.

The City of New Hope revoked the rental licenses of two group homes last year for “disorderly behavior” violations even though the care facilities were regulated by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Lawmakers, mental health advocates and experts on housing and disability laws decried the tactic..

The city defended its enforcement of the rental ordinance, which recently survived a legal challenge.

But Sen. John Hoffman (DFLChamplin) said the city exploited a “loophole” that could create a slippery slope for people with disabilities.

Hoffman will hold a hearing on a bill this summer that he said would require cities to follow clear guidelines before taking any action against a state-licensed

care facility.

Under the legislation, a city would first need to notify state agencies that license and regulate the facility. The bill specifies that the city must also alert “interested parties” who are responsible for the care of the individuals who would be affected by the closure.

“What we’re trying to do here is protecting the rights of an individual with a disability to live and be in the community,” Hoffman said in a recent interview with KSTP-TV.

City leaders argued they needed to revoke the rental licenses from the two care facilities to protect the safety of the residents and the surrounding community. They pointed to neighbor complaints and the number of times police were called to those locations.

The group home provider filed a discrimination lawsuit against the city of New Hope earlier this year. But a Hennepin County District Court judge dismissed the case, which is sparking the ush for a change in statue.

(Source: KSTP-TV)

Residents face uncertain future

In Bemidji, 47 tenants were recently evacuated from a federally subsidized apartment building that inspectors feared could be headed toward catastrophic structural failure. Two dozen former tenants were in hotels as of mid-July. Others are temporarily staying with family or waiting for assisted living beds.

The northern Minnesota city, in one of the state's poorest counties, has a debilitating shortage of affordable housing. The situation with Red Pine Estates, a three-story privately owned property where the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has a rental assistance payment contract, sheds light on a number of issues affecting poor, older or disabled Minnesotans.

One is the much-discussed statewide shortage of affordable housing. The state has a 100,000-unit supply gap of homes affordable to lower-income Minnesotans. One community development specialist in Bemidji cited a recent study that

showed the city of 15,000 is short 900 affordable units.

Then there's the ambiguous regulatory positioning of the building — eldercare advocates have been pushing for state Health Department oversight on similar buildings since a 2019 law established a statewide assisted-living licensure program.

The majority of residents at Red Pine Estates are elderly, disabled or both. Though it's an independent-living complex, many receive home health care with regular visits from personal-care assistants. Because it's not an assistedliving building, it is not regulated by the Minnesota Department of Health.

Amanda Vickstrom, executive director of the Minnesota Elder Justice Center, has been among a group of advocates saying properties like Red Pine Estates ought to be regulated as assisted-living facilities. Property owners have resisted those extra regulations, which could mean more frequent inspections and guidelines for planned or emergency closures that would provide extra support for tenants.

Jennifer Ho, commissioner of Minnesota Housing, the state's housing finance agency, said situations like the one in Bemidji illuminate the blurry line between two regulatory environments.

“The housing universe and the healthcare universe are two separate universes that collide,” Ho said. “They're not governed or managed as things that intersect. The health-care system doesn't have a great track record on managing people's housing.”

In a statement, the property management company, Twin Cities-based Schuett Cos., called the building's issues and the sudden evacuation unique, saying structural integrity concerns stemmed from building components blocked from view by things like drywall and ceilings.

In a statement, Schuett Cos. said representatives have been working "around the clock" to help and they're optimistic all residents will find long-term housing soon.

(Source: Star Tribune)

Abeler, Hoffman share award PEOPLE & PLACES

The 2023 Betty Bednarczyk Courage Award co-recipients are Senators Jim Abeler (R-Anoka) and John Hoffman (DFL-Champlin).

SEIU HealthCare Minnesota and Iowa (SEIU HCMNIA) presents the award annually in honor of Betty Bednarczyk, a longtime union leader. She was one of the first woman leaders of any union in Minnesota. Nationally she rose to the top to become secretary/treasurer of SEIU, the first woman to hold a top position in the union.

Each year the SEIU HCMNIA board members dedicates the “Betty Bednarczyk Courage Award” in her memory to an outstanding individual who is an ally to

Mental health, behavioral health and recovery are 2023 Bush Fellow topics

Three of the 24 2023 Bush Fellows will focus on disability-related issues in their upcoming studies. The Bush Fellowship, given by the Bush Foundation annually, is a recognition of extraordinary accomplishments and support for potential. It is an investment in people so that they can make a difference in their communities.

Noel Nix knows from experience that good intentions and ideas are not enough to create lasting change; meaningful action is also necessary. In his positions as a St. Paul City Council aide, Ramsey County Commissioner assistant, and now director of community initiatives for St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, he has advanced comprehensive approaches to community development. He sees that the work to create equitable community change within powerfully entrenched systems takes a tremendous toll on the mental health of people in public service, especially people of color. He believes that the push for changing these systems so that they work better for everyone is inextricably linked to the mental health of those leading the work. He seeks to equip himself with the knowledge and skills to integrate mental health practice into the public sector environment. He will pursue advanced education, build a network of mental health care practitioners who support transformational leaders, and study successful community-based mental health care models.

Farhia Budul embraced her culture, community and faith to achieve recovery. Her experience led her to develop culturally specific recovery support for her fellow East Africans in Minnesota. As one of the first Somali women in Minnesota to openly share her own story, she has become a source of hope and healing for dozens of people. She believes that while people may initiate sobriety in treatment, recovery happens and is sustained in the community. Having battled her own addiction, she understands the pain and isolation that can accompany substance

TEFRA

From page 1

have previously paid TEFRA frees of several thousand dollars a year to help with care for a daughter who has a rare chromosomal difference called ring 21 chromosome with q-deletions.

The family has used TEFRA to modify a van and their home, including a special bed. TEFRA also helps pay for her food, therapies and classes. They say being able to continue using the assistance without the fee will make a big difference.

Learn more the Wakefields at https:// kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/new-law-set-tosave-hundreds-of-mn-families-thousands-ofdollars-tefra-fee-eliminated/

Learn about TEFRA at https://mn.gov/ dhs/people-we-serve/people-with-disabilities/ health-care/health-care-programs/programsand-services/ma-tefra.jsp

the union’s mission and goals.

Hoffman is currently the chair of the Human Services Finance committee, the committee that voted to approve and fund a life-changing new contract for union home care members. A 48 percent wage increase moves members from $15.25 all the way to $20/$22.50 with real orientation program.

Abeler and Hoffman work closely on many huma services, staffing and disability service issues. Abeler is the ranking minority member on the Human Services Committee, and serves on Education Policy and Health and Human Services committees.

use disorders. She also understands how a more compassionate and inclusive approach can help others facing similar struggles. With her fellowship, Budul will amplify her own story to create greater awareness of addiction, spread hope for recovery, and help eliminate stigma related to the disease. She will engage in transformative learning experiences, access valuable resources, and connect with a diverse network of experts and mentors.

Neerja Singh believes that no public policy decision should be made without authentic community engagement. As a behavioral health leader in the Minnesota Department of Human Services, she wants those most impacted by policies and practices to have an active voice and power in making decisions. She also believes traditional and cultural sources of knowledge must be incorporated into decision-making processes. In her leadership role, she has led the design and implementation of successful programs to respond quickly to pressing community needs. To lead further change in the government sector, and in Minnesota’s mental health and addiction care service delivery system in particular, she will increase her skills in civic engagement and her capacity to initiate community-led reforms. She will learn from mentors who have challenged the status quo and seek training to better understand how to invest in communities that have the greatest needs.

Vang moves to advocacy post

Mai Vang, who has filled many roles in Minnesota’s deaf and disabilities communities, has moved to a new role at the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). She is now the American Sign Language (ASL) Social Security Advocacy Services coordinator. With her experience working in deaf organizations, Vang knows the firsthand where accessible services for the deaf community are lacking. She hopes to provide more services that are open to the deaf community, and more reliable resources.

Vang comes to DHS after three years working for ThinkSelf Adult Basic Education and Advocacy, a deaf-led organization. The organization provides independent living skills to deaf adults. Even before that, her experience working with Deaf Mentor Family Services within Lutheran Social Services made her realize she wanted a human services career.

Vang is currently a board member for United Hmong with Disabilities, a newly established national organization that focuses on educating the Hmong community about disabilities. She is also on the Minnesota Registry of Interpreters for the deaf advisory committee that focuses on how to improve ASL interpreting in Minnesota.

She is also in the current cohort of the Partners in Policymaking Class 40. The program is helping her learn how to better advocate for herself and her community, and network with different organizations, agencies and counties.

Vang is a graduate of Metropolitan State University with a bachelor’s degree in human services. Her major was human services family studies.

Finalists are announced

The 2023 Rising Star and ARRM Cares award finalists have been announced. Finalists were recognized at the Forward Annual Conference July 26. Winners will be announced September 11 during National Direct Support Providers (DSP) Week.

The Rising Star Award is for DSPs with three years of experience or less. the finalists are Quinn Bang (CCRI—Creative Care for Reaching Independence); Brace Gotshalk (Living Well Disability Services), Nena Johnson (Dungarvin Inc.), Marie Olson (SMB Disability Solutions), Ryan Orstad (DRCC) and Matthew Zemple (EON).

Finalists for the ARRM Cares Award are Ruth Bingham and Annette Ripley (Living Well Disability Services), Nicole Carlson (CCRI—Creative Care for Reaching Independence), Martha Hartman (Harry Meyering Center), Katie Hensel (EON), Guy Johnson (Opportunity Partners) Diane Mailand and Beatrice Morehouse (Dungarvin Inc.), Shelley Peltier (The Phoenix Residence Inc.), Linda Ripley (Tender Loving Care of Duluth), Carol Smith (Mount Olivet Rolling Acres – Mora) and Sue Stone (Mary T. Inc.). This award is for longer-tenured DSPs.

Connolly to MDH post John Connolly, currently the chief strategist for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, has accepted the position of assistant commissioner for the Minnesota

Department of Health (MDH).

In his current role, Connolly has been engaged in contract negotiations with Medicaid managed care plans for enhanced services for foster care youth and children with disabilities, and for people with behavioral health conditions, re-entering the community from incarceration, or experiencing homelessness. He also led a large portion of the county’s pandemic response including the procurement and equity-focused distribution of 20 million COVID-19 tests across the county.

Prior to his current position, John served as the deputy secretary of behavioral health for the California Health and Human Services Agency. There he led the creation and strategic planning work of the Secretary’s Behavioral Health Task Force, a broad group of stakeholders convened to advance and integrate services with a focus on children, people experiencing homelessness, and people involved in the criminal justice system.

Connolly holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Chicago, a master’s in education from the Bank Street College of Education, and a doctorate in health policy from Harvard University.

He will be moving to Minnesota, and will start his new position on September 11.

Sen. John Hoffman

Sen. Jim Abeler

Noel Nix

RADIO TALKING BOOK

Program updates

Due to a summer slowdown in volunteer hours, radio Talking Book has more rebroadcasts than usual. Nineteen books make their debut, with seven rebroadcasts. Also, Encyclopedia of the Air (1 p.m. Sun) has been renamed For The Curious Mind. The program will feature science stories and esoterica from periodicals such as Skeptical Inquirer, Scientific American and more.

Learn about Radio Talking Book

Have a smartphone? Radio Talking Book’s app allows listeners to take “reading material” on their summer adventures.

Radio Talking Book is not just for listeners with visual disabilities. Anyone with difficulty reading or turning pages can enjoy the service.

Enjoy programming on a hand-held mobile device, for either iOS or Android.

Visit the Apple App Store for iOS, or Google Play for Android, and download the Minnesota Radio Talking Book app.

Listen to RTB’s live or archived programs online at www.mnssb.org/rtb

Books broadcast on the Minnesota Radio Talking Book Network are available for loan through the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library in Faribault. The catalog is at www.mnbtbl.org, click on the link Search the Library Catalog. Call the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library at 800722-0550, Mon-Fri, 9 am - 4 pm CST.

For updates, go to the Facebook site Minnesota Radio Talking Book.

Audio information about the daily book listings is on the National Federation for the Blind (NFB) Newsline. Register for NFB Newsline by calling 651-539-1424.

The NFB-NEWSLINE service provides access to more than 500 magazines and newspapers. To learn more, visit www.nfb. org/programs-services/nfb-newsline

Donate to the State Services for the Blind at mn.gov/deed/ssbdonate

The sampling published monthly in Access Press doesn’t represent the full array of programming.

Chautauqua*

Monday – Friday 6 a.m.

On Writing and Failure, nonfiction by Stephen Marche, 2023. A long-form essay on how writing is, and always will be, an act defined by failure—the best plan is to just get used to it. Read by Holly Sylvester. Three broadcasts; begins Tue, Aug. 8. Pathogenesis, nonfiction by Jonathan Kennedy, 2023. A gripping account of how the major transformations in history—from the rise of homo sapiens to the birth of capitalism—have been shaped not by humans but by germs. Read by Yelva Lynfield. 14 broadcasts; begins Mon, Aug. 14. Past is Prologue*

Monday – Friday 11 a.m.

And There Was Light, nonfiction by Jon Meacham, 2022. A chronicle of the life of Abraham Lincoln, charting how—and why—he confronted secession, threats to democracy, and the tragedy of slavery to expand the possibilities of America. Read by Jack Rossmann. 20 broadcasts; begins Mon, Aug. 7.

Bookworm*

Monday – Friday 12 p.m.

Eastbound, fiction by Maylis De Kerangal, 2023. A gripping tale of a Russian conscript and a French woman crossing paths on the Trans-Siberian railroad, each fleeing to the east for their own reasons. Read by John Schmidt. Three broadcasts; begins Wed, Aug. 2.

Groundskeeping (rebroadcast), fiction by Lee Cole, 2022. An indelible love story about two very different people navigating the entanglements of class and identity and coming of age in an America coming apart at the seams. Read by Don Lee. 12 broadcasts; begins Mon, Aug. 7.

Indiana, Indiana, fiction by Laird Hunt, 2023. A mesmerizing, poignant saga of love and loss firmly grounded in the Midwestern landscape. Read by Lisa Bromer. Five broadcasts; begins Mon, Aug. 28.

The Writer’s Voice*

Monday – Friday 1 p.m.

Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama, nonfiction

by Bob Odenkirk, 2022. In this hilarious memoir, the star of Mr. Show and Better Call Saul opens up about the highs and lows of showbiz. Read by John Beal. 11 broadcasts; begins Mon, Aug. 14. – L

Dickens and Prince, nonfiction by Nick Hornby, 2022. A short, warm, and entertaining book about art, creativity, and the unlikely similarities between Victorian novelist Charles Dickens and modern American rock star Prince. Read by Andrea Bell. Three broadcasts; begins Tue, Aug. 29.

Choice Reading*

Monday – Friday 2 p.m.

The Night Ship, fiction by Jess Kidd, 2022. An epic historical novel about a girl shipwrecked on an island off Western Australia and a boy finding a home with his grandfather on the very same island 300 years later. Read by Brenda Powell. 13 broadcasts; begins Mon, Aug. 7. – L

The Queen of Dirt Island, fiction by Donal Ryan, 2023. A searing, jubilant story about four generations of Irish women and their fierce love. Read by Don Lee. Seven broadcasts; begins Thu, Aug. 24. – L

Afternoon Report*

Monday – Friday 4 p.m.

Megathreats, nonfiction by Nouriel Roubini, 2022. A renowned economist argues we are heading toward the worst economic catastrophe of our lifetimes unless we can defend against 10 terrifying threats. Read by Gary Rodgers. 14 broadcasts; begins Mon, Aug. 7.

The Destructionists, nonfiction by Dana Milbank, 2022. A scalding history of twenty-five years of Republican attempts to hold on to political power by any means necessary. Read by Jeffrey Weihe. 15 broadcasts; begins Mon, Aug. 28. – L

Night Journey*

Monday – Friday 7 p.m.

Rainbow Rock, fiction by Dan Jorgensen, 2022. A deadly cat-and-mouse thriller of illicit drug dealing and murder set in 1955 South Dakota. Read by Tom Speich. 11 broadcasts; begins Thu, Aug. 10. – L

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John & Marilyn Clark

Mark Daly

Yoshiko S. Dart

Anonymous

Rosebud Elijah

Lee Ann & Dale Erickson

Kent Fordyce

Vicki Garrets

Robert Gregory

Craig Dunn & Candy Hart

Pam Hochrein

Judy Hunt

Rick & Susie MacPherson

Brian Musselman

Manley Olson

Mark W. Traynor & Jen Peterson

Julee Quarve-Peterson

Hilary and Stuart Ratner

Ken Rodgers

Ann M. Roscoe

Walt Seibert

Amanda & Mark Tempel

Hammer Residences, Inc.

All times listed are Central Standard Time.

Abbreviations V – violent content R –racial epithets L – strong language S –sexual situation G – gory descriptions

Northfall, fiction by Brian Lutterman, 2022. A murder entangles the fates of a homeless man, a billionaire, and a paraplegic attorney. Read by Tom Taintor. Nine broadcasts; begins Mon, August 28. – L, V

Off the Shelf*

Monday – Friday 8 p.m.

The Lincoln Highway (rebroadcast), fiction by Amor Towles, 2021. Four boys set out to travel the country in search of a fresh start. Each of these young men is chasing his dreams, but their pasts are never far behind. Read by John Holden. 20 broadcasts; begins Tue, Aug. 1.

The Red-Headed Pilgrim, fiction by Kevin Maloney, 2023. The tragicomic tale of an anxious redhead and his sordid pursuit of enlightenment and pleasure (not necessarily in that order). Read by Tom Speich. Six broadcasts; begins Tue, Aug. 29. – L, S

Potpourri*

Monday – Friday 9 p.m.

Status and Culture (rebroadcast), nonfiction by W. David Marx, 2022. A wide-ranging examination of why things become popular, why preferences change over time, and how identity plays out in contemporary society. Read by Diane Dahm. 14 broadcasts; begins Mon, Aug. 14.

Good Night Owl*

Monday – Friday 10 p.m.

Devil House (rebroadcast) Fiction by John Darnielle, 2022. A true crime writer moves into a house where a pair of briefly notorious murders occurred during the Satanic Panic of the 1980s, leading him into a puzzle he never expected. Read by Tom Speich. 13 broadcasts; begins Wed, Aug. 2.

The Pallbearers Club, fiction by Paul Tremblay, 2022. A cleverly voiced psychological thriller and suspenseful portrait of an unusual and disconcerting

RADIO TALKING BOOK

To page 11

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OPPORTUNITIES

Health Care Video

In Our Own Words: Improving Care for People with Disabilities

Released as an unlimited run for health care providers everywhere, "In Our Own Words: Improving Care for People with Disabilities" is a twopart video series on Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid's YouTube channel. The first installment, Communication, began June 14. The second, Understanding, dropped June 21. Both are subtitled in Spanish. Enlightening and powerful, the voices featured in this production reveal with sheer frankness what works and what doesn’t work for members of the disability community in health care settings. Produced in partnership with the University of Minnesota's Institute on Community Integration and Special Olympics Minnesota, the intended audience for the series are health care professionals. But anyone can learn and benefit. Distributors will be Mid-MN Legal Aid's Minnesota Disability Law Center—direct to providers—but key distributors will be health care recipients themselves. The channel has many other useful free videos. FFI: https:// www.youtube.com/results?search_ query=mid+minnesota+legal+aid+channel

Conference

Register for symposium

The PACER Symposium on Students with Mental Health and Learning Disabilities is 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Wed, Aug.

ENJOY !

Post your event online Access Press is moving more event listings online. That is possible with our redesigned website. There is a word limit and we ask that those posting information include event costs as well as accommodations. Are ASL and AD offered? Is there companion seating? A quiet room? Fidgets? COVID-19 protocols?

Accommodations are much more than a ramp for many of us. That kind of information can help someone decide whether or not to attend an event.

To post an event, go to www. accesspress.org, click the resources tab at top right, and go to the post an event line.

Consider that a small web or print ad can also generate interest in an upcoming event. For questions about ads, email ads@accesspress.org

Access Press reserves the right to reject events if they do not meet our guidelines. Call the editor at 651-644-2133 ext. one or email jane@accesspress.org with events questions.

Cowchella returns Cowchella, a disability literary and music festival, is 4-8 p.m. Thu, Aug. 3 at Springboard for the Arts, 262 University Ave W, St. Paul. The event features five new neurodiverse Cow Tipping books, live readings by more than 30 authors with intellectual/developmental disabilities including last year's Cow Tipping Prize winning author Anthony Hels, music by thelovinglight and headlining band 26 BATS!, local food pop-ups Blazing James BBQ and The SHUI Project, a disability arts

16 at Minneapolis Convention Center. Registration fee is $40, and includes lunch. Clock hours will be available at the end of the symposium. Join PACER for a full day of informative, engaging sessions on current best practices related to children’s mental health and learning disabilities. Parents, educators, administrators, and other professionals will learn strategies to more effectively support students at school and at home.

One keynote presenter is Sheletta Brundidge, Emmy Award-winning comedian, radio host, television anchor, newspaper columnist, and best-selling author of children’s autism books. She is also the mom of children with autism, and founder of ShelettaMakesMeLaugh. com, an online podcasting company that provides culturally competent commercial production. FFI: FFI: PACER, 952-8389000, 800-537-2237, www.pacer.org

Children and families

PACER workshops sampling

PACER Center offers many useful free or low-cost workshops and other resources for families of children with any disabilities. Some in-person workshops are offered at PACER Center and also offered online. Other workshops are wholly online and livestreamed at this time. Advance registration is required for all workshops. At least 48 hours’ notice is needed for interpretation. Check out PACER’s website and link to the newsletter of statewide workshops that allows participants to

org fair, and more. the event is indoors, outdoors, and free. Wheelchair accessible, ASL interpretation, quiet areas and water provided.

NAMIWalks steps up

Register for NAMIWalks, 11 a.m. Sat, Sept,. 23 at Minnehaha Park, Mpls. Enjoy food trucks, music and more. The walk itself starts at 1 p.m. In 2022, NAMIWalks

Minnesota was one of the top three walks in the United States, bringing in 539,186.55! The 2023 goal is starting at $500,000. Walk as a team or individual. Register now. FFI: https://www.namiwalks. org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive. event&eventID=1393

Do the Woofaroo

The Can Do Woofaroo is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat, Sept. 23. Walk begins at 11 a.m. The outdoor, family fun event includes a fundraising walk and many activities. people and well-behaved dogs are welcome. registration for the fundraising walk is underway. Register as a team or individual. Each the event website for updates. FFI: https://candowoofaroo2023. causevox.com/

Open Flow Forum

The Artists with Disabilities Alliance meets via Zoom 7-9 p.m. the first Thu of the month. Upcoming dates are Aug. 3 and Sept. 7. Virtually join artists with disabilities and supporters to share visual art, writing, music, theater and artistic efforts or disability issues. Facilitators are Tara Innmon and Andy Sturdevant from Springboard for the Arts. Anyone needing accommodations including ASL interpreting or captioning should contact

pick and choose sessions designed for their needs. Access Press only provides a sampling of the workshops offered.

Getting Ready for My Child's IEP Meeting

is 6:30-8 p.m. Tue, Aug. 15. The workshop for parents of children ages 3 to 5 will help prepare families for active participation in developing their child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) Location: Online. FFI: PACER, 952-838-9000, 800-537-2237, www.pacer.org

Open House

Can Do Canines Open House

Can Do Canines hosts two open houses 6-8 p.m. Tue, Aug. 8, from 6-8 p.m., potential clients, volunteers, or anyone who might be interested in supporting the organization can visit Can Do Canines, 9440 Science Center Drive, New Hope. The event includes assistance dog demonstrations, a presentation by a volunteer, and the chance to talk with certified assistance dog teams and various staff members. Learn how dogs are trained to help with various disabilities change the lives of people with disabilities.

At 5-8 p.m. Tue, Aug. 22, Can Do Canines unveils its newly purchased Whelping and Growth (WAG) Center, 8127 Yale Avenue, New Germany. The additional site will be used to whelp new litters of assistance dogs. For several years, Can Do Canines volunteers have opened up their homes to care for dogs before and after they give birth. The new center will have a breeding coordinator and volunteers. learn about

Sturdevant at Springboard. Funding is available for access needs. FFI: 651-2940907, resources@springboardforthearts. org, openflowmn@gmail.com.

Resources to Enjoy!

The Enjoy! listings are for arts events as well as banquets, fundraisers, walks and other fun events by and for disability services organizations. Schedules may be subject to change, so check with a venue or organization before making plans. Arrange for disability accommodations well in advance at any event.

Disability service organizations typically send e-news blasts and have social media. Both are other ways to find out about events. The Minnesota Access Alliance (MNAA) provides an Accessible Arts & Culture Calendar for arts patrons who use accessibility accommodations such as audio description, captioning, ASL interpreting and sensory-friendly accommodations. Link to more details at https://calendar.mnaccess. org. Be sure to check the listing or venue to find out any COVID-19 protocols and if an advance reservation is needed for an accessibility service.

Accessible events can be submitted to the MNAA Calendar (and MinnesotaPlaylist.com)

To receive a free monthly events calendar, email mactfactor@icloud.com and/or info@mnaccess.org. Ask for the entire events list or specific lists for ASL interpreting, captioning, audio description, sensory-friendly accommodations or disability-related topics.

For other accessibility resources or upcoming webinars presented by MNAA, sign up for emails at https://mnaccess.org

the center before it opens. FFI: www. candocanines.org

Info & Assistance

Many classes available

NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) has set up a wide variety of free and in-person online mental health classes. Choices include Hope for Recovery, Transitions, Ending the Silence, Understanding Early Episode Psychosis for Families, In Our Own Voice, Family to Family, Positive Psychology, Creating Caring Communities, smoking cessation, a suicide prevention class called QPR –Question, Persuade and Refer, a special QPR class for Agricultural Communities and many more.

NAMI Minnesota’s Online Support Groups moved to a new and improved platform, HeyPeers. HeyPeers provides a safe, easy to access environment exclusively designed for online support group meetings.

The classes and online support groups are designed for family members and caregivers, persons living with a mental illness, service providers, and also the general public. Find a complete listing of these classes and how to join in by going to namimn.org and clicking on “Classes” or go straight to https://namimn.org/ education-public-awareness/classes/ scheduled/

RADIO TALKING BOOK

From page 10

relationship. Read by Peter Danbury. 11 broadcasts; begins Mon, Aug. 21. – L

RTB After Hours*

Monday – Friday 11 p.m.

The Dating Playbook (rebroadcast)

Fiction by Farrah Rochon, 2021. When a personal trainer agrees to fake date her client, all rules are out the window in this fun romantic comedy. Read by Pat Muir. 11 broadcasts; begins Tue, Aug. 8. – L, S

The Romance Recipe, fiction by Ruby Barrett, 2022. An irreverent LGBTQ+ rom-com about a restaurant owner and a reality-tv star. Read by Holly Sylvester. 10 broadcasts; begins Wed, Aug. 23. – L, S

Weekend Program Books

Your Personal World, 1 p.m. Sat, presents a rebroadcast of Good Anxiety by Wendy Suzuki, read by Beverly Burchett.

For the Younger Set, 11 a.m. Sat, presents Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley, read by Jan Anderson – L.

Poetic Reflections, noon Sun, presents Customs by Solmaz Sharif, read by Mary Knatterud; followed by Prognosis by Jim Moore, read by Mary Knatterud.

The Great North, 4 p.m. Sun, presents When the Minnehaha Flowed with Whiskey by Karen E. Cooper, read by Yelva Lynfield.

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