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August 10,1995
Access Press
ment! Write down dates, times, locations -be specific -,take down names
CHARLIE SMITH, EDITOR ACCESS PRESS 379-0989
People gathered at the ADA celebration on Saturday, July 22nd to hear Senator Wellstone and others speak of the good things that the ADA has done in its first five years. There were approximately 60 displays by agencies and vendors. Musical guests entertained the crowd.
ARC To Host Auction Arc is asking all its supporters to considercontributing something for the auction - either goodsorservices. Ifyou would like to perform a personal service, let them know your area of expertise. Or maybe you could donate a new or unused item for the auction, perhaps a certificate or coupon for local events, or maybe a certificate from your place of employment. Ideas for possible donations are endless, and include such thingsashandmadecraft items, househoM appliances, gift certificates, tickets to events, and
so on. Outdoor serviceswould be welcome, such as raking leaves, lawn mowing, painting, planting flowers(doneone time, a few times, or on a regularbasis throughouttheyear). Or how about in-home services likehousecleaning, ironing, mending, window washing, etc. There are all sorts of miscellaneous thingspossible, too. Shopping, catering picnics, boat trips, dance lessons, and on and on.
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You will receive your auction book in late October. Bidding on itemswill startby telephone November lst, and will conclude on November 18, 1995 at the Annual Meeting and Volunteer Celebration. Contributionsmustbe received at the office by September 15, 1995. Mail to: Arc of Anoka & Ramsey Counties, Blaine Office, 120 1 89th Avenue NE Ste. #305, Blaine, MN 55434.
To submityour contributions, or to get a more complete list of ideas, call the ofice in Blaine at 783-4958.
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Innesotans Seeking IN BRIE Greater Pay Phone Minne Deaf Art -A New Forum For Deaf Artists Invites Participation TTY Acc-xibility lwl
by Michael Zeldon Since 1991, more than 2.5 million people have attended events at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Many ofthese people need to keep in contact with their offices, or family members or any number of people via the telephonewhile they are at the convention center. For people who are deafor hard of hearing, keeping in touch by placing calls can involve a long walk, as they try to track down the lone pay phone l T Y in the building. In the 358,000-square foot center, which is- regarded nationallv as one of the Dremier sites to hold a event, t h r is ~ only one my && phone m, 8 1 standard coin-operated phones.
large
~ f f over ~ mthe last two years have additional pay phone T N s installed have been met with resistance fiom the gen4 management of the conention center. which believes & is moviding deauate aces-
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pay phone m y s .
Inaddition, the one pay phone TTY that is hrstalled does not have the proper signage, making it difficult for people to find it. Television monitors not only advertise present and upcoming events but also inform the general public of all relevant information such as the location of the pay phone TTY. However, the internal television monitors broadcastingthe information are easy to miss since they are mounted on the top of the wall in each lobby. The convention center also has a concierge position to assist guests requesting to know the location of a TTY. Additionally,the center claims that they a& providing a daily event card for all employees that indicates the location of the sole pay phone lTY. It has been pointed out to the managementoftheconventioncenterthat their tacticsmay not be adequate, and yet they have stated that they feel they are accommodating the needs of TTY users.
Elle Fi&lgo, a local painter who is deaf, has started hosting a regular group of deaf artistsat her home on the setand ~ r i &of~each month. the existing facility. Minne- istrative staff may want conDeaf artists in any field are apolis officials will ask the crete suggestions to consider welcome to attend. State LegislatureforSl62mil- on the pay phone TTY matter. lion in state bonding next year to expand the five-year-old This isan excellentopportuniMinneapolisConventionCen- ty to bring to the attention of ter. the Minneapolis Convention Center concerns with: It is interesting to note that athe number of pay phone I Abbott Northwestern Hospii tal's Wasie Pool is the locadirect spending attributable to TTYS; MinneapolisConvention Cen- the location of pay phone tion for this exercise class, designed to improve cardioter business was $229 million TTYS; in 1994, the same year the *the need for universal TTY I vascular fitness, strengthen center turned away 84 events symbols to be placed on site muscles and increase fleiibilbecause of lack of space and maps and universaldirection- itv. T i e is allowed for indiavailable dates. Expansion al signage as outlined in the vidual exercising and swimproponents foresee this larger Americans with Disabilities ming. You do not need to Convention Center as aLLstate- Act (ADA). wide ficility," to generate at least $14 million in annual ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~wite sa~estaxes~two-thirdsofwhicha brief letter, expressing your would go to the state. Because desire for greater pay phone The Chronic Fatigue Synofthis, Some city officialshave l T Y access, to the address drome Association will be come to see the Convention given below: hosting a Conference this fall Center as aregional economic Gary S. Dorrian on grief and related issues. engine for the City of Minne- General Manager apolis and sumunding corn- Minneapolis Convention Ctr 1301 Second Avenue South "Loss of Dreams: A Special mmkksKind of Grief will be presentMpls, MN 55403-2781 ed by Ted Bowman from the To improve the Current situaWilder Foundation on Saturtion and ensure better Or call at: (612) 335-6500 te~ecomrnunicationsaccess in TTY; (6 12) 335-6000 Voice. day, September 16,1995. This
Painters, sculptors and metalsmiths,dancers, actors and writers are all welcome at these informal gatherings. A dinner is served at 5:30, and the meeting starts at 7:00 PM. A donation is requested for those having dinner. An inter-
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preterwill be present. Youcan call Ms. Fidalgo at 64 1-0389 TTY, orjust come to her home at 1222 Eustis St. in St. Paul. (Just south of Como Ave. and east of Hiway 280) Please use side door! Next meeting August 11th.
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Fibromyalgia Aquatic Exercise Class Offered
know how to swim to be a begin on September 11 and
for class participation.
from 7 to 8 pm.
makes for a relaxing experi- information, call the Was& ence. The next two sessions Pool at 863-5238. !
1 Chronic Fatigue Association Hosts
I co nference
to let the convention center know that adequate access to pay TT& itod miversal' dirtdons on how to find them using the international TTY symbol - is important to them. By irnprov.i s access in one location, other major meeting sites across the country will be encouraged to follow suit.
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On behalf of all people who use TITS,please write a letter addressing this issue. It is a good time to raise specific concerns regarding the number of payphone TTYs needed, and share real life stories illustrating why the changes are necessary. The Minneapolis ConventionCenter admin-
scheduled for 1:00. Cost is of significant dreams. Stories $10.00 per person at the door. and anecdotes will be woven with current informationabout The keynote speaker, Ted grief so that all can b r mBowman, has been working derstandand deal with the loss for a number of years in the of dreams. Bowman's comdevelopment of strategies and ments about loss of dreams perspectives useful in coping have been identified as espewith adversity. This, ofcoum, cially useful. includes grief. Loss ofdreams - mation. contact
the St. Paul Heart and Lung lres of the way things were Chrnir Fatigue Syndrome Center,255NorthSmith Street supposed to be. It is not just Association of Minnesota, at Before you mall your letter, I in St. Paul. Registration be- the loss of health, a relation- 612-943-2769. ship, or ajob; it is also the loss w o u ~ & b o ~ e & t a af ~~ hmre,theloss ?fourimagined your letter for my M i n n w lis Convention Center file. I intend to keep in constantcommunication with the general The Twelfth Annual Sister Course, First BanWAbbott executive nine-hole. AEl9fses manager, Gary Dorrian in the Kenny Institute Golf Tourna- Northwestern office, and includegolfcarts. Thetournanext few months until there is ment for the Physically Dis- Alliant Techsystems. Volun- mentwill begin withashotgun a significant improvement in abled will be held August 18, teers will be available to putt start: the 18-hole division at 7 this situation. if you have any 1995,atBraernarGolfCo~rse~and to drive carts for golfers am., and the executive ninequestions regardiig this mat- Edina, Minnesota. needing assistance. hole at 9:30 a.m. ter, please do not hesitate to contact me at (612) 282-2677 The tournament is open to any Trophiesare awarded for first, For additional information or TIT or mail to this address: golfer with a visual or hearing second and third place in each applications, contact the SisDeafness Education Advoca- impairment or physical dis- flight and each division. The ter Kenny Institute at 6 12-863cy Foundation; Attention: ability. Sponsors are Sister entry fee for the 18-hole divi- 5712. Registrations must be Michael Zeledon; 104 East Kenny Institute,BraemarGolf sion is $20, and $8.50 for the received by August 11. Seventh Place; St. Paul, MN Handi Medical Supply 55101. 2505 University Avenue West St. Paul, Minnesota 55114 Thank you. At Hwy. 280 & University Avenue
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Star T n i e newspaper article dated May 23,1995, t h m is a plan to nearly double the center's total area to 1.33 million square feet andaddafourth dome housing two more exhibit halls on the east end of
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August 10,1995
Access Press
Religion & Disability
Disability And Story Dear Nicole,
by Reverend Judy Conn Author Brett Webb-Mitchell in his book "God Plays Piano, Too" tells us that storytelling is very powerlid because life is best understood and its meaning can be seen when we consider life as an ongoing
to hear the everyday stories of thepeople inmyreligiouscommunity, especially the stories about how God acts in their lives. Most of those stories involverelationshipswitheach other. Often that is how we
stonesofpeoplewithdisabling conditions ifwe don't become intentional about listening for them. If we don't welcome children and adults with disablingconditionsintoourcommunities. If we don't know
For example, if you see an employee treating a person If Isee someone(a bus driver, with a disability mdelyot imfor example) behaving rudely patiently you could consider orimpatientlytoward aperson the situation by first notichg with adisability, is it appropri- whether the person with a dis~ ~ r m e t ~ s @ ~ ~ to* iability n g is a l r e d ~being asserl f ~ t h ~ ~ ~ ' o r v l f o ~ d ' ~ t j ~ see fiat the d i ~ b l P d M is ~ be meddling mY W?
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disablc erson by thinking you are more capable than them of deciding what they need. On the other hand, if you encounter a person with a disabilitywho is unable to c~mmunicatea response to u~ourcluestionthen~oucouid ~Fobabiyassume your help
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live life without story."
one ofthe ways we get to know recently recommended a vid-
acting out of these feelings, When youdetermme yourhelp no matterhowsuccessful you may be needed, before acting, seem to be in dealing with
arelationshipwithanotherper- play form,performed by acast, lous acts of love and compas-
who we are, how we spend our ities. The cast gets tomake the some disabilities. time, what our family looks puns instead of being the oblike. We tell our story when jects of the joke. we chat with friends on the
Aphasia Support GfN' Celebrates 25th
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ries that form what we believe don't become inspired. You credible wonder,awe and how we act.
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ple who live with disabling how courageousand idspiring
The i win Gities' first aphasia -Stateahavesometypeofapha-
sum group
tions would like to hear is how -dig ordinary their lives me.
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When we hem stories of dis-
began sia Though peoplewithaphaa difficulty expressing ~ b b Nortbwestem5s a Sjster ~ i have Kemr Institute celebam its thâ‚Ź?mselves, many have no 25&-i-qthisyearear mental impairment and are with *i % Fully aware of their problems. -, their fiunilii and caregivers Thegoal of SiSt~r KeMy h ~ i haye m;et in facilitated
ate's apha&suppo~$jpup is to provide additionaloppmtu]an- nity for socialization and The current support group is .
A w j a is a &
ST PAUL 641-1917 WUAS ~308'00MF 101sn-
AV r MOPKM
abling candition. These are voices wanting to be heard, We should make; way in our congregations for these voices, learning to live in communitypiththmstoqellersrath6r than waiting for them to make community with us."
hadtime to express their ideas through verbal expression, writing, drawing or pointing to appropriate worhs or pictuns in a communication sysr tern. W h participant was encouraged to communicate -tlS0ffen and effectively BS pOSsiMe.
religious ~oakstore/resoource center, Women at the Well, 3225E. MinnehuhaParkway, Minneapolis, MN 55417. As an ordained deacon her ministry responsibilities have to do with outreach andadvocacy for people who are o p pressed or who live on the Judy Conn is an ordaineddea- margins of sociep.
Please patronize your Access Press Advertisers and tell them where you heard about them. They bring you your paper.
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August 10,1995
Access Press
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m The Symptoms Of Real Affirmative Action Mental Illness Is An Attitude On Mental Illness
Life Goes On
by Leanne Dahl
by Sandy Gardener I n the past, I have shared with you stories about myself and others with serious mental illnesses. These were examples of people who were so clearly sick that they required hospitalization.What I haven't yet done is talk about early warning signs of mental illness, or about mental illnesses which seem milder on the surface but can in fact be more deadly. I was recently brought back to the seriousness of this issue when an acquaintance confided in me that her younger stepbrother had just killed himself. To her, he had all the obvious symptoms of manic depression - wild bouts of grandiosity where he both talked and spent money effisively, flying all overthe country leaving ruin in his wake, and other quite different periods, where he seemingly floatd in a sluggish, withdrawn uepression. He never had psychotic features, which actually might have helped save him. :Then people might, and I repeat might, have started see-
* Persistently "high" (euphor- There's much talk these days minorities which include peo- two percentage points lower made it a practice to hire peo-
about Affirmative Action. ple of color as well as people From what we've read, we're with disabilities. That in itself led to believe that the Supreme is a defmite sign of progress Court has watered down this because individuals are being law. How will this affect per- hired that may not have been if sons with disabilities?First of this program had not been in all, we have to ask ourselves place. There are more people how much this law has bene- with disabilities working fited us since its conception. where they are visible to the Life plans and decisions are How have we fared under the public. This, too, is good up to often out of proportion with Americans With Disabilities a point. the individual's realistic abili- Act that is now five years old? ties and resources. Spending Somehow, throughout the sprees and sexual and alcohol- Forwhat it's worth, I think that years, I've become skeptical ic indiscretions (usually epi- there are many positive sides of this approach to employing sodic) are common. Some- to Afirmative Action, but I minorities. The first question times this state of mind seems can also see the down side. I have is: "Do employers hire very enjoyable and pleasant to Probably the most significant people with disabilities bethe person experiencing it (at positive point is that any place cause of their knowledge and least temporarily), but quite of business in Minnesota with ability, or is it just to fulfill often the person is irritable twenty full-time employees their Affirmative Action Proand impatient with others and bids on state contracts gram?'The other objection worth $50,000 must have an comes from the fact that I have around them. Affumation Action Plan drawn heard statistics that say that, Myths about manic depressive up. Of course, this helps to percentage-wise, there has not illness are often entrenched create job ovportunjt-i~sfor been as great a rush by employers t i hire people with with the idea that it is a "fun" disease. This couldn't be furmajor disabilitiesas originally ther from the truth. In some tions, and thus an inability to hoped for. In fact, the numbers show that they were only people, the illness cycles off respond appropriately. into a state of psychosis (see Believing one's thoughts are Schizophrenia,below) and the beingbroadcasttoothers, per- I person can be lost from reality haps by radio or television. I I ic) or irritable mood states. Racing thoughts. Pressured speech. Appetite disturbance. Decreased need for sleep. Loss of self-control andjudgment. Surges of energy.
two or three years after the ADA went int6 effect than it had been six years before. In essence, no matter how much legislation is passed, if the employers' attitudes have not been changed, it won't matter how many laws are created. How can we, thedisabledcommunity, combat these attitudes? First we must recognize that, since ADA became law, there has been a rash of trainings which have included consumers, employers, and other professionals. Therefore, we would hope that employers know and understand theirresponsibilityto make efforts to employ people with disabilities. But, not unlike any business undertaking that may include financial costs, employersshow reluctance. It is my belief that this is why attitudes will not change.
ple with disabilities. 1applaud them, but with one caution thatthese very companies don't exploit their disabled employees. While this sounds harsh, I think it's worse to worksomewhere where you're considered an asset to the company not because of how well you do the job, but rather how you're helping to fulfill the Affirmative Action and ADA laws. It is my opinion that this can mean more harm than good.
I don't have any answers except to be assertive when applying for a position. Once you get the job, work to your full capacity. Never allow yourselfto be belittled ormade to feel that you can't do the job when you know you can. In the end, everyone on the job will respect you, including your employer. You will gain more than a job; you will gain On the other hand, there are a a new self image and LI few corporatinns that have WILL GO ON. ,..
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ease, amanic state is eventual- may be present. Obviously, if 'ly f a i h m d by a deep, debili- any are present, they should be 1
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suicide escalates due the depress to really such a ffiing as a mental the humiliation thd despair of illness. Accgding to most remembering the mania people 1 tdk to;so-and-so's behavior can always be - SCHlZOPHRENlA blamed on something else. It should be understood that And now that it is no longer in many ofhsymptoms ofManvoguetoblake bdparenting, ic Depression in its most s a watch as even more of the vere form are the same symp blame is left to rest on the toms present in Schizophreshoulders of the mentally ill. nia. Some symptoms of We must be reminded that Schizophrenia include: mental illnesses are "no fault" diseases, and they need to be Alteration or overacuteness treated. Here is a checklist of of the senses. symptomsofthe major mental Delusions (often paranoid). illnesses: Hallucinations (usually auditory). MAJOR DEPRESSION • Altered sense of self. * Inappropriate or exaggerat- * Inability to make sense of ed f e d l i n of sadness, hope- incoming - stimuli and sensalessness or impending d i i I ter or doom. Inability to enjoy oneself. Loss of motivation or ener-
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these ing s benefit the person ness tremendously.
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But I caution anyone who might detect mental illness.in another person to take care and act with a great deal of sincerity and sympathy when trying to address it. All too often I hear people blaming the ill person for not takinghis or her illness seriously. Try to recognizethatwePWMl'sare human beings too, who have lived and grown up in a culture which both knows nothing and wants to continue knowing nothing aboutseriousmental illness. Our denial is your denial.
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RADIO SHOW
Decreased-or increasedsleepinp, or appetite. Impaired concentration. Self-blame, guilt. Recurrent thoughts about death or suicide. August 15th:
Disabled & Proud, It's Not An Oqmoron John Hockenbeny
MANIC DEPRESSION August 2 n d : State SenatorJohn Marty on Disabilityand the 1995 legislative session. In Manic Depression, cycles of major depression (see occur, and cycles of AugW 29th: "Filling a Niche" Barbara Hamerlind talks about clothing for persons with disabilities. hypomania or mania which -contain some ofthe 1067 FM S t Paul 903 FM Mpl, symptoms are also present:
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EVIDENCE 1 9 4 4 - 1 9 9 4
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts is barrier-free and accessible to visitors with disabilities. Everyonecan enjoy art, and exhibitionsand projgramsat the Institute are available to all. The following tours are available: For visitors with Bearing impairmmts, a sign language interpreter accompanies the public tour presented on the first Sunday of each month at 2:00 P.M. Small customized group tours may be scheduled for visitom requiring wheelchairs or other special accommodations. To arrange a tour, please call 870-3 141 at least 4 weeks in advance.
THROUGH SEPTEMBER 17
T H E M I N N E A P O L I S INSTITUTE O F ARTS
Otgmized by the Whitney Museumof American Art. Sponsored by HarperS Bazaar, Eastman Hod& Company, Dayton's and Friends of the Instiiute.