December 1997 Edition - Access Press by Access Press

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Access Press December 10, 1997

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munity is clearly identifiable as a white one. On the face of thingsonemightattributethis to demographics, but that

people of color. They may be missing something because? the representation is overwhehningly white. If t h ~ ' s

disabilityexperience. Not only race,b-dtgender,sexual orientation, class, socioeconomic level, religion. A number of

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n 3hkuary 2-, 1953'. , Forrest "Frosty" Johnson was standing alone in his -. J%tareryrem&- a b b fact, unless you consider 'thatMr.Johnsonhadndstd withoutsomeone'sassistance for more than 2 years. He was standing in a HiRIder standup wheelchair, which he had fought for almost 3 years to obtain.

Mr. Johnson is a 39 year old man with multiple sclerosis. As a resplt of MS. Mr. Johnson has little functional use of his legs and uses a ~ o w escooter r for mobility.

'hf the HiRider, demon-

ftrated the HiRider for clients of the MS Achievement Center. The RiKider js a com bin at i on power fwheelchairandpassivestandfng device that enables the client to move between sitting and standing positions by

people crfcolo@withdisabili- ously lacking is-students atmen smaller tendingthe University of Mindea, they're anur. .-p Where ape &$?" neaota This is an institution Communities !$ mim t(ih - where, despite 135 support

The disabilityexperiencewill get Shaped and &fined by the majority culture. Disability

isn'tsoleiyaboutlemajarity

arepractically invisibleatdis- 1995. Sue Ktoeger, Rimtor abbd students and don't find lization. Passive -ding inability-related fmaions and of Disability Services at, the - diversity in its broadest sense. . volves bringing aperso~ frmn virtually silent whmi public University,sees thenegligible That causes a concern about Mr. Johnson and his thcra- a seated. or recumbent posi- voices are raised on dkbility representation of disabled how Y ti b i w defined, conpjsts, Ronna Linroth, O.T.R. tion into a standing position. issues. Says Smith, "They minority students as a vial cepmalized,andmanifesmd." and Sharron Ruhsam, P.T., Thereareavariety ofdevices, aren't involved with people concern. "I think it's critical. Additionally, no one conwere intrigued by the poten- including the HiRider, to as- with disabilities who are in- Regarding students of color, tactedfor this article knew of tial therapeutic value of the sist with passive standing. volved in legislation or just lastyecar,-autofawtalof2,000 a single instructor or profesHiRider. He and his therapists active in different disability disabled students, disability w r employed by the Univerbelieved that the HiRider Mr. Johnson and his thera- organizations. WhenIlookat services served 94 Asian sity who is a person of color would allow him tosafely and pists had examined other all the meetings I'm involved American, 85African Amri- with adisability. indqmdentlyperform aregu- standing devices, but he was with I can count the number, can, 45 ChLanotHispanic, 26 . lar rwtine of passive stand- unable to safely and indepen- and it's minuscule - 5 or 6 Indian, 1 6 i n ~ t i o ~ ~ ~ l . ' 'Agexpressed by Smith and by -KPgeger, the dearth of noning. Passive standing is a dently use other devices. Mr. people." therapeutic inmeetion used Johns* E w i by himself and -rdidnothaveimmediwvtc presence in the disabilwithpersonslikeMr.Johnson has no home care services to S m i t h ~ n g s t o l i ~ t a n i m p ma&~ iREmmm other mi- ity kommunity is w tindeniwho, because of their disabil- assist him tant consideration. Efforts to norities, but m & ~ ~ h e d adl y able problem. Decisionsmade ity, aremtrktedtoaseatedor obtain equal opportunity for mits, "I don't see race1 in the lobbyingcirclesof polirecumbentpositiqn Immobi- Duringabmonthtrialwith thedisabled\didnor end with ethqicity beingpartofthedis- tics, as well as thoughts and tlre HiZtider W d - u p wheel- the passage of the Americans ability discussion d JI f d it feelings which significantly Iiationw-toa seated or recumbent position chair, Mr. Johnma stood up with Disabilities Act, but are shouldbe.I&~nYtsee[minori- influence the focus of,educacontributes to bone calcium u s i n g t h e ~ l a e r a l t i m s sustained by an ongoing ties] in leadership positions. tim, all take place in accord loss, osteoporosis, urinary a d a y f o r a t l a s t m M f h m p ~ v & t g ~ ~ . ' k @&&p d~l What's Irappming is that we with smsibilities and pertract and bladder infections, atatime. While hewasablsto ,w&& is rwtto be for box things up neatly. We ceptions held by the white muscle atrophy, muscle perfonnp~ivestanciingwi~whites may. Smithrem&ks, have disability con'yersa- majority. IsMinnesota9sfaccantractures, muscle spastic- the assistanceof the HiRider, "The legislative session is tions, gender-oriented con- tion of the disability moveify. loss of range of motion, he experienced a significant cmingupinJanuary. There's versations, etcetera. But mentan exclusive club? It is decubitwulcers, constipation .redaction in the detrimental a group of individuals and they're compwtmntalized. readily apparent that some andreducedxwpiration. Pas: asp~;etsofprolongedimm&i- .orgmiziatioss ,catbd The They're nat integaed into pw&1 mganizations are sive standing.&itriktes sig- l i d o n . Mr. JohnsonreturPjied : ~ o ~ ~ & r ~ i t i biWflity ~ w i as@a whole. R e r e exclusive of minorities, the nificantly to reducing these theHiRiderfollowing the&& ~~jsabi~fies(&f3):k's~ndof are all swts oFi&ntities that mostpromintantbeing the Re. demmnrat*cts'b~&Ap+ - cont. on g. 7 W@@T~ve moFthedisabil- people have. Obviously our Minorities cont. on p. 6 touching two buttons.

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Acctss Press

Charlie Smith

~ecember10, 1997

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Editor

The other fronipage stovis stop? We hear of anO'ereram~le ofthe ya*ryear Where DHS ility. Ifthis m e n t o f l l ~ S d ~ H S will ~ not bend their rules even man'sdaughterwouldnothavc a with a when it is obvious they will had P disability the p o p l e a f a of equipment lose in spurt. DHS needs to Cansda w@have been outthat they need- can usecommonsenseinthisafe~.raged with this kind of sen* , stand that DHS has to control -- ,<, . , -rzxz' 2:"'tence. In my opinion, thisman 1 *, costs and can,not,t,buy every .- w;--:,A * *,*.%* should have gone to prison far

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Our lead 'story this month is about people ofcolor and their participation in the disability community. It is a complex issue and many factors contribute to the reasons why many people of color are not part of our community. Ifelt by raising this issue it inight help us understand why, and give us some insights on what can be done to change this situation. whows us 'that

feel welcome in the disability communi.ty.andUrif0~~1~ there a& no eacjy ,d&ed-&Y' this pbblq.,,@nt we'&q+ is Btan @pg about jt anqw to b g a t h e ~iâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;wa~io*dc%Fwe are huly going tobe inclusive

In 1998, ACCESS PRESS would like to continue with these type of articles. We need your help! Do you have aspeeifictopic you would like us to cover? Please call me at (612) 644-2133, I need your , I suggestio~s.~ -*$

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, I wish you all HAPPY HOLIsrpq-t DAYS and a GREAT NEW k c YEAR! May the New Year bring you good health and

fpsi-

Ba'nk Sued Over Benefits' . he C -o d W.A.Life .. - by & . 4

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he federal government is disorders, just like heart dissuing the nation's largest ease and cancer," said Ron bank for not offering employ- Honberg of the National Alliees mental-health disability ance for the Mentally Ill. "It benefits on a par with cover- seems strange to me that we age they receive for ph~sical would allow one organ of the ailments. body to be singled out for i lower level of coverage." . The Equal Employ mentopportunities Commission con- But Chase says its employees tends that Chase Manhattan wouldpay30-40prcentmore Bank and its insurer areviolat- for the same level of insurance ing the Americans with Dis- coverage if the courts agree abilities Act by limiting ben- withkEEOC. efits for those with mental disabilities. Thc case deals with work& disability payments and does "Mental disorders are medical not address the broader issue

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he disabilig community oftreatingmentalandphysical is very saddened to hear problems equally in health the death of Kristoffer about insurance. Schultz. His death wasunnecessary, all because of an The federal commission says unplowed sidewalk. Kristoffer, the bank and the Unum Life a paraplegic, was only 19yeius lnsurane Co. have denied old, a firstyear studentatBrown employees with mental ill- Institute studying to be a radio nesses, disability pay, a per- newscaster. centage of their salary when on disability leave after 18 On Sun. Nov. 23,1997, Kristmonths.

ore than 16,000 lapaM n m women i i t h disabilitieswereinvoluntarilysterilized with government ap-

Accessible:'Space, Inc. (AS0 offers subsidized one and two bedroom apartmen$fbr individuals with physical disabilities. w e have housing in Brainerd, Grand Rapids, the Twin Cities metropolitan area, St. c@, Hibbing, Austin, Marshall, Willmar, and Duluth. The apartments are fully wheelchair accessible and each building has a central laundry room, large community room, secured entry and an on-site caretaker. AS1 d s o offers shared personal care se locations, for adults with'a physical disabil5ity a n e l / @ r i ~ W hain injury who qualify for Medical Assistance. For more information call (6 12) 645-727 1 &(BOO) 466-7722. services or housing call Leigh, for employmmt as a personal care attendant call Sean or Courtney.

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Accessible Space, Inc.

ACCESS PRESS ,.,.,..,., ......I3 ~ , . . . Wm. .

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ACCESS EWSS is's monthly tabloid newspaper pu'bfishixl for with disabiliba b Access Rur, Ltd. Circulation is l O.000, distributed the I D . of each month through mac t h q 130&oat statewide. Approximately 650 copies are maited d i i t l y to political, business, instituttanal and dvk leaders. Subscriptionsare available for $15/yr.

Editorial submissions and news releases on topics of interest to pasons with disabilities, or person! serving thbse with disabilities, are welcomed. Paid advertising is available at rates ran@ from $14 to $I8/ca1umt1 inch, depending on size and frequency. c l r s i w ads are ~8.m.plus 3 T c e n ~ v a dover zo WCK~P.

Advertisingand editMia1deadlinesm the 3&hof the month preceding available for camera-dy art. Aasm Fm ' s is available on tap. Call MN State Servicesfor the Blind, 642-WlO or 800-65290009000 u i b shadd be dhectcd to: A C m 1821 U n i v d t y Avc W. %ti&18% ~ ~ 5 5 1 0 4 * ( 6 1 2 1 4 4 4 - 2 1 3*Fat 3 (612)644-2136

St. P d , I

offer and a friend were going down LexingtonAve. inEagan. The sidewalkalongthis part of LexingtonAve. borders aCity park and was not plowed so Kristoffer Wswheekhairhad to ride in W-t. His wheelc h a r was struck by a van driven by a 16 year old. Kristoffer was tossed onto the curb, he was unconscious and later died at Regions Hospital.

From Around The World

Employees with physical illnessex have the right to reecive d+bjlity benefits or return to work if thei can until age 65.

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According to television news reports the City of Eagan responded to questions regarding the clearing of snow from sidewalks and pathways as, "Not cost efficient to plow those sidewalks." The tragic cost was the life of one young man whose bright future was taken away from him and his family.

capped demanded that the' - i & ~ & k h o h aplogized. Health and Welfare Ministry investigate cams of involun- In 1948,J y tary sterilization. Over the izationasah

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ment does not plan to apblo- izedwith&tiheirconsentwhik gize, offercompensationâ&#x201A;Ź0the housed in public institudons. - victims or their families,orconduct an invdgation, the offi- But t&r c i a i w did not g& much atten'ion uial last month, when it was'discovThe admission came one day ered that as many as 60,000 after 17 citizens' groups that people had been involunrepresent women or the handi- tarily sterilized in Sweden,

fa~tors.The law, which v7as onlymvdked lastyear, allow*, dmtors toste@imf+pb&h ~rrteiatalorphysical disabilities without heir consent, after obtainingtheapproval oflocal governments.

ibleArts. Performances 12/21, Sun 200:'gJleLiion in atre, St. Paul WiilteP ~ . k f I k R o & d , 12,412, H 7:3Q "Pe.terRnR Wpb lYI3,Wm"nteBest Christt2hItlMs Theatre, Iblpls mas Pagaent Ever"' Weym haeuser Auditorium, St. Paul 12/13,Sat2:00r"IheBestChrls- Noise, Bring in d s Funk" tmas Pagaent Ever" Weyer- Orpheum Theater, Mpls 12/19,Fri7:30:'TheBest~haeuser Auditorium, St. Paul mas Pagaent Ever" Weyerhaeuser Auditorium, St. Paul 1 Z n 4 9 ~ ~ ~ " Z h e H u n A=& t." h "PePisr % Pm" I:lW21, Sun 2:00 & 4:00: '7% , r h e bf the ~ B&t ~ &!qp& 12/12 Fri % &-Mask~ ; . M p ' ~ s Children's Theatre,Mpla ~ e s t ~ h r i s t m~agaent as ~rei" Weyerhaeuset Auditorium,St. 12117,WedTW"KevinKling" 12412,FriTU):TheGiftofthe Paul Jungle Theater, Mpls Magi" Community Theatre of Burnsville, Burnsville 1'U2&,~2:00:'I?heHuntl'In 12/19,Fri7:39: %BestChristthe Heart of the Beast Puppet mas Pagaent Ever" Weyir- 12113;SBt$m "OrpEzanTt9in"' & Mask Theater, Mpls hams& Auditorium, St. Paul &at thwrhmn History The

Audio-

December 10, 1997

Access Press

IN BRIEF. . . .

Access At The Airport by Lolly Lijewski hether traveling once a year on vacation or once a month for business, access to Minneapolis/Saint Paul International Airport becamemoredifficult for people with disabilities this past year with the construction of anew "Ground TransportationHub." with airport usage up to 30 million people a year, the purpose of this hub was to improvesecurity,and toimprove passenger safety. Before the hub wasconstructed, passengers would collect their baggage and go to ground transportation was at the far endofthebaggageclaim level. nere was a great deal ofcongestion and confusion. T~ get to the ground transportation providers, passengers had to walk out of the main terminal and across the street. The pedestrian traffic held up vehicle traffic and accidents resulted. The new hub funnels passengers from the baggage claim level up to a skyway, then down and over to the areaor down through a tunnel, back , up and over to Ground Transportation. Passengers report gnage in the new hub is poor. hey also report that carrying uggagefromthebaggageclalm level to the Ground Transpor**tation taxing and assislance from airline personnel is limited or none T d ' s e ' WM!fhC r-yhave chronicuse fati *m&thh the end of a long trip adds to the already stressful challenges of traveling. Airportmanagement contends the new hub doesn't add any distance to the path traveled by passengers.

I - Disability Community advo-

cares met with the airlines to try and address the issues. The airlines contend that their responsibility ends after passengers pick up their baggage on the baggage claim level. Advocatesthentooktheircdnfa airport management. At first t b sueeeked these

issues were the airlines' res~onsibilit~. But last spring* advocates worked withairport personnel to address some of the issues before the national Society For Disability studies conference which was held in Minneapolis. An accommodation was made in the procedure so passengers with disabilities can call the ground transportation provideroftheir choice once they reach the baggage claim level and a curbside pickup can be arranged. The ground transportation provider must call the ~i~~~~ police to inform them first of their need to do such a pickup. it is cleared, the provider can proceed to door number five and pick up the personwiththedisability.This accommodation allows passengers with disabilities to avoid the ground transportation hub completely.

once

There are still some gaps in this procedure. There are two information desks on the baggageclaimlevel. Theinformation desk attendants have not been informed of this accommodation. There is nosignage throughout the airport informing passengers of t h ~ option. s The Travelers Aid volunteers don't know about this change inprocedureeither.Allofthese issues highlight a largercom-

politan Airport Commission or the airlines to private contractors. There is little or no coordination of these services. For example, Northwest Bipl.@s con-

There are many other access issues faced by people with disabilities at the airport. These include: not enough assistance at curb side to ,-heck in, getting through security without having to go through a pat search, long waits for carts to get to the gate, not enough Travelers Assistance volunteers to provide adequate coverage, Travelers Assistancevolunteerswhoare seniors or have disabilities themselves and are unable to provide the type of assistance required by the passengerwith the disability, and'having the airlinescallaheadbeforelanding to have assistance waiting fortheperson withthedisability when they deplane. In addition, there are amyriad of training and sensitivity issues which have not been addressed. Finally, it seems the airlines with the lowest prices are located at the end of the concourse making it difficult

AlexandraHouse, In=. is actively recruitingindividualsto serve a three year term as a boardmember.Themissionof Alexandra House is to elimidomestic violence by ens u r ~ n g a c c o u n t a ~from ~ ~ ~the ty community while providing support services to battered women and their *children/ youth. For more information

National Telebility Center

newspapers for the blind, and fessions. The third edition is 12professional media organi- availiable in print or disk from

zations. The bookis avaluable Teleability Media for $30.00. reference guide for families, Sendcheckormoney order to: consumers withdisabilities,li- P.O. Box 1488,Columbia,MO 65205. the public industr~andrehabilitatiOnpro-

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Snow)/ Sidews1ks - w h0's ,n:I Responsible?

he City of Saint Paul reminds ProPeV owneers thattheirpublicsidewalksmust becleared ofsnow an ice within 24 hours aftera snowfall has ended. For those who can shovel their own sidewalksm it

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tl;b ~na wheelchair. pe*de3 Residentscan typically satisfy requireWhen these issues are raised merits by shoveling a 36" the &Mm my they are the path on the sidewalk as well as wttfe:!,dwarosswalk,andthen follow a y w ' that withsalt and lor sand. In to low temperatures salt has no effect, so residents are asked

to use sand.

apartment buildings must be cleared within four daylight Unshoveled sidewalks can be hours. Walks should be reported to theMayor's Office cleared to full width. To report ofComplaintsat266-8989. A unsafesidewalkscall673-2441. letter will be issued to theproperty owner, stipulating a date TheCity isprovidingfreesand inwhichthecity inspectorwill to city residents for use on come out to issue a city work sidewalks. It is furnished for #tiBqmbnot forcommercial use. Sandis tax statement. available at 18th & Jefferson NE, 121 Glenwood Ave. N., The City of Minneapolis re- 6036HarrietAve.SO.,ad4444 quiressidewalksofsinglefam- Snelling Ave. So. Residents ily homes add duplexes be must bring their own shovel cleared within24 h ~ u rafkra s and bucket. snowfall. Sidewalks in commericaial area and adjacent to ,

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=already acM1mgisndf experience forpeople withdisabilities is b e i n m d e even mare~h~lbn~~b~avin~to navigate an airport system' which has poor coordination of services and little or no accountability.

Please patronize your Access Press Advertisers and tell them where you heard about them. .. I They bring you your paper.

10 ways to.@etinvolved

.Thursday, January 15,1999 Kdily Inn Stab Cam1 Cmccmedabout disability relared legislation? The foundtable willcdpist. of disability organizati0.3~~ ;from all over M-ianesota discussing ve priorities. Individuals,disability groups and coalitions are invited to participateandpresent tbeir legislation

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Cifv Ordinances

m qC Oi U~M ~ A W P ~~wrd

Capital Budgeting Task Force . Children's Mental HeabhAhisory Couedl ~~mmiuniiy don for Sub& Hm~im bird Community Hwhk h v b s Iklskoy Cammittee Eouaql Exfen& Comin*Ynse Hmqb P m r k f O r c s Council Human Resources Beerd library Board M a l CmRlitmet.AWorney Pael Advisory Boanl MinneapolisPtan*M&oa

Legislative Roundtable

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America's Telability Media has more than 1,000media resources that serve persons withdisabilities. The 1997-98 edition contains 850 periodiproducerscalsy 80 20 newsPaPercO1umnistsv46

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MINNESOTA STAm COUNCIL ON DISABILm - . -

and an please call tions form the following I 780-2332~ng0-2330'1~~. communities: bisexual, trans41 4 gender, disabled,and commu( ~ t w a r d ~ p ~ ~ t r,,ities e ~ ofmcolor. ~ ~ ~ l I i ( 0 s ~seeks ~ ) individu- will be taken through D ~ ~ ~ -to serve on its ~~~~d of ber 3 1,1997. F~~information Directors. ~~~~d members contact: outward spiral ~ h ~ may electto serve 1,2,or 3 year atre company, PO B~~ 2094, terms, Timecommitmentvar- LoopStation,Mpls,MW554(n; ies per position. OSTC par- (612)871-4674. titularly encourages applica4

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Volunteer Board Members

one passenger when it could be serving more passengers on the main level. This means that an escort or wheelchair pusher must meet the cart at the elevator. The passenger is then passed off by the electric cart driver to the escort or wheelchair pusher and they continue on to the baggage claim level.

rtnrted the contractor not to allow the carts to go from the main level of b a i t p o r t down .to the baggage claim level. Larger'elevators have been installed which would accommodate the carts, but the airline is concerned that a cart might be tied up for too long bv

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-AccessPress

Creating A Legacy

The other piece to this dilemma is that people with disabilities often feel that they have nothing to leave as a legacy. Ywmay beamazed to hear, I b e l i e v h a t each of us have a lot talleave to others whether we have family or not, disabled or not. For most ofmy life, I too, felt there was nothing I had that anyone would want, but then Iviewed avideo called, "Who Gets Grandma's Yellow Pie Plate?'It's a film suggesting how family members go about distributing a

loved ones possessions after they're gone. The discussion afterward proved to be even more enlightening. One elderly man had copies of lettershe had written to each of his grandchildren. In these letters, he related some of the family history leading upto the present time. This s'tarted me thinking how valuablethecommunicative word can be, especially for people with disabilities. Now, why would I say this? It's quite simple and yet, it does require some pondering. As disabled people, we have a legacy that cannot be claimedby anyone else. The written word is and always has been a powerful tool.

tive reaction to living with a disability;2) Writing your frustrations about the world outside, i.e. what society has imposed on the disabled community. 3) Writing about what you would like to see developed in the way of laws and or inventionsto make life easier; and 4) Suggesting ways in which doctors and other professional people might be more understanding and helpful.

Housing Support Proves Successful

ental healthcommunity support services are designed specifically for people with serious and persistentmental illnes (SPMI). In addition to treatment, people with SPMI require supportive services in order to live and function in the community. Housing services are a mandated component in the basic community support program. A demonstration project was begun in 1988that lasted until 1995 to enhance housing supports. The State has had success in developing housing support system in counties.

The third and fourth points are perhaps the real legacy because they will be used to help children and adults who have disabilities in future generations. It will also serve as an education to others. What could be a richer inheritance These supportoservices h v e Therefore, I suggest that even than this? now become an essential acthough our body parts may tivity in countiesand are being not be well coordinated, we So you see we all have some- particularly targeted in the can and should use our minds thing to leave behind us. Per- AdultMental Health Pilot Iniand computers to put down haps the most important thing tiative. Housing support acour thoughts, frustrations, to pass down is an attitude of tively assists clienis in obtainideas, and suggestions. Here acceptance of others. That in ing, moving to, or retaining are four steps you can take to itself will speak volumes for housing of the client's choice. create your own legacy ... 1) years to come so that LIFE It can includeproviding referExamining and writing down WILL GO ON. rals; actively assisting the cliboth your positive and nega'ent in applying for housing subsidies; assisting in appealing a denial, suspension, reduction, or termination of a housing subsidy; mediation to

Minnesota Deaf Blind-Association

he MinnesotaDeaf Blind Association (MDBA) held their 18lhannualThanksgiving banquet on November 15, 1997. There was a record crowd on hand for the awards presentations. Special guest speaker was Sally Prouty of DeafBlind Services of Minne- sota, she spoke about her family'sexperience raising her sn Andrew who is DeafBlind. The Ted Ma-

established in 1981. The monthly meetings give DeafBlind people an opportunity to meet friends, share advice and helpful information,alongwith numerous social activities. MDBA can be reached at 6032001 0.

The Minnesota DeafBliad Association is a nonprofit organization run by DeafBlind people for the DeafBlind community. Theorganization was

3$-fD3A1snext event is the ann ~ l ~ h i s t m a s ~ a n ~ e cember 13, 1997, at- MCIL from 1-5pm.

24 HOUR ON CALL SERVICE

Personal Care Assistants Home Health Aides Homemakers Live-in Caretakers Skilled Nursing

Rehabilitative Services Physical 1 Occupational 1 Speech Therapies

[mE]

20 1 0 East Hennepin Avenue, Bldg. #5

Minneapolis, MN 554 13

The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA) was established in 1973 to ensure the availability of decent, safe and affordablehousing for low and moderate income households. To achieve these goals, MHFA is active in lending and financing, allocating housing grants and subsidies, advocating for affordable housing, establishing state housing policies, and providing technical assistanceto housingsponmrs. The Department of Human Services Mental Health Division has establisheda collaborativerelationshipwith the MHFA which oversees the

cerned about affordable, low income housing in their geographical areas. As an indication of need, in the plans for 1996 and 1997 the pilot programs were over $800,000. Most of the funds requested were for housing and primarily for housing subsidies, not all of the fundswere allocated for housing purposes. In the 1997-1998 Legislative biennium, awards were made to twelve housing agencies that partner with 40 counties. The Bridges' projects will pro-videmonthly subsidies to 364 head of households at an average monthly housing assistancepayment (HAP) of $336. A crisis housing fund has been created,with state funds. These dollars are available to consumers who are hospitalized for inpatient for up to q ninety day stay, have no other source of funding, and need assistance in retaining their awn housing Funds may be gage payments, lot costs, util-ity payments, storage costs, pet care, emergency house:

payments made totaling $66,707. A 1996 survey indicated that 79% of those who received crisis housing assistance were able to return to their own home within90 days of theiradmission into an inpatienttreatment program.

Caregivers'.SU--0rtGroUp - -

group for sharing resources and ideas, and also serving as an emotional outlet. Caring for an aging, disabled or chronically ill loved one is sometimes trying and even maddening. This is a free*ongoing support Caregiyers are often the forgotten, unsung hero& and heroines. They can easily become physically and emotionally depleted. Caregiversneed and deserve help and, especially, a break to do errands I or to do nothing at all! MCIL OFFERS SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS, SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND INTERESTED The support group meets the COMMUNITY MEMBERS I N THE SEVEN-COUNTY METRO AREA. first Tuesday of each month from 5 3 0 - 7:00 pm., at St. Informatian and Referral f l @ d hollinc: 612-683-2039) @ Advwacy Anne's Episcopal Church, Independent Living Skills Training @ Individual Peer Support Formore inforSunfish Lake. Deaf L L Semces mation call (6 12) 455-9449. support Groups... currently: Traumatic Brain Injwy hether you are the parent, child, spouse or friend of a person with. a chronic condition, this new Caregivers' Support Group is for you. You'll fit right in if you're worrying about and/or

feeling responsible for a loved one who has: physical disability, chronic pain, aging mnditions, chronic illness Or Congenital illness.

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orroommate; and, if appropri- funds, this is an increase of ate and with the consent of the $350,000aye=) while the Declient, providing periodic vis- partment of Human Services itstothec~ient'slivin~arrdn~e-supervises the busing supments to ensure that the health ports services. and safety are being maintained. The Mental Health Pilot Projects have all been con-

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en it comesright down to it, I guess I've always been a sentimental person who cherishes traditions especially around the holiday season. Being an only child means that I have no sibling(s) to share those special memories with or to leave special possessions. What's even harder is we have no children with whom I can tell what it was like growing up in a Judeo-Christian home, having the wonderful experience of learning from both religious and cultures.

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December 10, 1997

Access Press Reliulisfr& Disabilitv Dear Nicole,

yoncto our feeling this way, it is never be with) and wishthem amerry I wish I didn't, but I dread the the truth. Christmas y w choose based holidays. I don't have any on your interest. family to be with and end up It's true that finding a suitable ~ important for those spending chiistmas alone volunteer opportunity can be 1 t 7redly watchingTV. PeopletellmeI moredifficultwithaseveredis- of us with disabilities to should~olunteersomewhere ability but it is by no means rememberourabilities.Giving but I have a severe physical impossible. I suggest you call of ourselves through volundisability and don't think I the United Way's Volunteer teering is a great way to keep could be of help to anyone. Center in Minneapolis at 340- us in touch with ow abilities What do you think? 762 1. VolunteerReferral S p e and help others in the process. cialistswiilaskyouaboutyour I know it is sometimeshard to interests and abilities and then break through the initial fear Sincerely, look though their computer that we won't succeed or we Alone for volunteer opportunitj~ might not be able to find a DearAlone, until they find one that fit you. volunteer situation in They havehundreds ofvolun- wecanhe]p,butweareal]alive Everyone has something to teer opportunities available. for one purpose which is to give and some way that they Maybe you could be a visitor help one another and I don't can help others. I think vol- to children in the hospital on believe there is anyone alive unteering is a good idea. It's Christmas, or if you have who does not have some way so easy for those of us with trouble communicatingmaybe that they can help at all times of disabilities to forget the you would like to just sit with the year. strengths and talents we have elderlypeoplein nursinghomes when life continually makes and listen to their stories, or -Nicole us face our limitations. We maybe an usher or host at a can end up feeling.like we charity Christmas event, or Q u e s t i o n Complaint? don't have anything to give maybe if you have trouble go- comment? write to ivicole: or offer of ourselves- espe- ing out you would like to vol- Care of Access Press, 1821 N,. cially when we need a lot of unteer to talk to people on the "ni,,e,.s% W, help from others just to get telephone (those whocan't get St. Paul, MN 55104

Father Ki11s Disab1ed Daug er Receives Light Sentence - --

Time Of Gift Giving by M ~ vJane Steinhagen

. *

n many cultures winter is a better equip staff to under- Nouwen provides theol time of gift giving. With stand the situation faced by underpinnings while& thatinmind,herearetwoitems parents with special needs suggests practical ways to w~rth~urchasingfor~ourfaith children.Thenclergyandstaff implementinclusion. "Amar was not might in new The video is "catholic" in the the baby we had expected but and more profound ways. best sense: the message cuts lay he was groundwork forchanged bya Gill's book will nourish fami- across denominational lines. Child: CompanionNotesfor lies grapplingwiththerealities About 20 minutes long, it ParentsofaChildwith aDis- of a newborn with special comes with a study guide and abilitybyBarbaraGil1. The200 needs: as such, it would be a other printed materials which short meditative readings in welcome gift from the faith can bereprinted. Possibleuses this book offer solace and community. Indeed, any per- for this video include discusstrength for the parenting son withadisability will reso- sions with adult education natewiththethemesofchange classes, catechists, liturgy years. in dreams, acceptance, and planning boards, and parish In the em~owermentthatmnthrough councils. The Beginning, Rounding the the Costing $2 1.95, the video can CUm and mirrorthewnting experience. Changqd by a Child is newly be ordered by calling 1-800Themes of empathy, humor, published by Doubleday and 955-2455 or writing Pathways affirmation and challenge re- sells for $19.95 in area book- AwarenessFoundation, 123N. cur as part of an overall view of stores. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606.1 11TheFouwhtion also the~arentingyears. validates therealitiescommon Open Hearts, Open Minds, ~ u b l i s h e s li nfrequent to families raising children OpenDoorsis avideo featur- newsletter, whiah can be or(with and without disabilities) ing the late Cardinal Bernadin dered visrthe 800 number or and reminds parents that they and Henri Nouwen speaking pulled off the( Internet at are not alone. on inclusion in faith settings. wwwpathsawareness.org. The video highlights the imConnections to faith commu- portance of including persons Mary Jane S t e i n h e n work nities areseveral. Reading and withdisabilities intoall aspects for Catholic Charities and pondering thesemessageswill of the faith community. can be reached at 664-8597.

Canadian farmer who outraged by thedecision. They October 1993hasn't been dis- gitl faced alife ofconstantpain wanted for her."

Robert La timer faced a mandatory life prison sentence, without a chance for parole for 10 years. The jury, signaling its t o n emotions, recommeadedparoleafterone year. OnDecember 1,1997.the Judge departed from the mandatory sentencing guidelines and sentenced Latimer to one year in a provincial prison and oneyearconfinedtohisfarmin Wilkie, Saskatchewn.

Latimer. Catherine Freeze,

It was the second time in three years a jury has heard the case in the province of Saskatchewan. Latimer was convicted of second-degree murder in 1994 and sentenced to life in prison. But, Canada's Supreme Court later ordered a new trial because prosecutors had improperly surveyed prospective jurors on their views about mercy killing and abortion.

turned thebody.ofthe 12-year- of her pain," he told a police. nore bm& questions about old to her bed. officer. mercy killing and focus on the human element%of this case. What divided Canadianswere "'Isaidtohim, itwwldbektter the reasons for the killing. for T~acyif ,she d i w Mrs. "Bob Latimer honestly felt he Tracy had cerebra4 palsy; a h Latimer testified at her had no option- that what he could not walk, talk or feed husband's second-degree did was out of love,"Brayford herself, and weighed less than murder trial. "Iknew I didn't said. 40pounds. She had numerous have' the courage to do it. operations on her back, kips But I wished it for her. I was Disability advoCates fiercely and' legs. hkr mom and that's what I oppose any leniency for

By late 1993,Tracy wasdue for another major hip operation. Activists for the disabled were What Latimer did on a night in Her mother was convinced the

describesLatimeras,"theproduct of a social environment tht$neatly devaluesthe life of people with disaility ." ~ a t i m ehad r been free on bail for all but two days since his arrest four years ago.

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*~ publlcan Party. ~ i c e ~ t i % e 'of color have lived with chalby theright wing ofsellout so- lenges all our lives. I don't called champions of self-em- thinkthedisabilitycommunity powerment like Ward has looked at us as being an Connerly and J.C. Watts (both importantaspect when it comes black) only makes an even to facing and overcoming chalstronger case, ~haracteri2i.n~ lenges. I went to a presentathis political faction as exclu- tion by John Hockenberry.. sionary with a steadfast com- There were maybe 250 people mitment to reactionary prin- there. Hockenbeny asked why ciples. Can the same be said of people of color are not inthe disability movement? cluded. I looked around the room and saw one person of The hard-hitting documentary color, myself, and I was there "When Billy Broke His Head to get a story." And Other Tales Of Wonder" profoundly demonstratesthat Rodgers comments as well on the disability movement at the service industry with a large has benefitted from sup- viewpoint not limited to Afriport by people of color at the can Americans. "In rehab emgrassroots level. Have dis- ployment you see a lot on the abled Minnesotans simply lower level, manual labor, but said, "Thanks for your help. in the upper levels, like manWe can take it from here." agement, youdon't see it. You Eddie Rodgers, an African must understand the cultural American motivational difference,awareness. For inspeaker and producer of St. stance, Indians, you must inPaul cable talk show Reduc- clude them on your staff. I ing the Challenge, advances don't believe the servicedelivthe premise that the majority ery sees us as a viable asset to of the disaMed do not reach their projects. You have to out to the marginalized. "We reach out to the inner city and are excluded:i When welook that's not going on. It needs to at the disatiility community be done aggressively with a the majority happens to be plan. And it should not only be Caucasian. It's been for years to people of color living with more or less a standing divi- disabilities, but also to people sion. Do they not want us to of color who would act as serbe included? I think we might vice agents. Only by bringing add adifferent aspect. People all the forces together can we -.

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Access Press nessee Williams' The Glass make an effort: the attitudes Menagerie, this person took and behavior of some whites is As long as white people walk heatedumbrageatmydescrib- noexcusetowrite them all off. the earth an appreciable num- ing the character's disability berwill believethey are inher- (walking with a brace) as per- Someminority folkchoose not ently superior to others. This ceptibly less pronounced than to interact outside their ethnic delusion fosters acounterpro- being in a wheelchair. Rather groups, a decision that preductivedynamicwhich,atthat thanchallengemyassessme~t cludes communication with most importantoflevels-indi- objectively, the actor, who is othersofcolor. MarkErickson, vidualinteraction-insidiously white, in a bounding leap of disabled, confirms, "I mainly undermines whatever best of illogic, blurted, 'How do you roam inmy circles oftheNative intentionsthoseofprominence know? You don't know any- American community. We've hold as heartfelt convictions. thing about being disabled. got our.own culture, our own Only woeful naivete or, at How would you like it if1 said, tradition and it doesn't take me worst, willful ignorance, would You're nothing but a nigger?' out into the general commuentertain the notion that racial One, of course, had nothing to nity, unless I go to a blues club prejudice doesnotexistamong do with the other. However, or somethingand then it's with membersofthedisabilitycom- it spoke volumes about her other Indians. I'm involved munity. Patrick Lussier mindset that she felt perfectly withcommunity activism, but (Chippewa)reflects,"Iliveina free to brandish this insult with that's within our own commuhandicapped building. Some impunity. This typeof interac- nity ." Peter Wong, Chinese ofoGwhiteresidentsareprej~- tionisnotunusual. Duringmy anddisabled,succinctlystates, diced against people of color. two-year stint as a secretary . "I haven't really associated My nieces stopped by and I with Disability Servicesat the witb[whitepeople]thatmuch." wasbuzzingtheminfromdown- ' University and since then, I stairs. This one resident have had several interactions The dismal reality is that disjumped all over their cases, withdisabledindividualswho abled society is no more imstartedcallingthem[epithets]." apparently condescend to mune to self-limitation than it people of color." is to racism. It echoes choices made by those who aren't disLussierstates"Whileinstructing a fundamentals workshop These examples, by no means abled. Says Mark Anthony at the Playwrights Center in an indictment of the commu- Rolo, editor of The Circle, a Minneapolis, I had asimilarly nity as, a whole, nonetheless Native American monthly, distasteful encounter with a indicate a parallel between 'ThereareculturalbarriersI've disability activist who is an whites with disabilities and seen and reported on. A lot of actor and had been a leader at those without. Racist behav- [Indians] are 'shy'. They're the University's Center for ior aside, the consideration not going to go and bang on Students withDisabilities. In- remains that in order to access the door and demand to be vited to impart her insights on Minnesota's general 'disa- paid attention to. I'm no exa disabled character in Ten- bility community, one must pert,butifyou'retalkingabout accomplish anything."

Indian people withdisabilities, you can bet they're going to have some needs that need to be addressed in a culturally specific way." Rick Shiomi, artistic director of the Asian American performing company Theatre Mu, relates, "There certainly is a tendency for some Asian American communities to be insular." For many African Americans, it is painfully obvious that white people, whether blind, in wheelchairs,or able-bodied,do not welcome us in their midst. Noted statesman Dick Gregory summed it up, "Rather than take all those damned insults, let us be by ourself." As with anything anywhere invo!ving social change in this country, the sad state of the under-represented disabled ofcolorboils down to individual effort. Whites who feel they are betterby birthright must disabuse themselves of the fallacy which dictatesthat in order to be okay somebody else must be lessthan. Non-whites have to get past racists to reach for those who will includethem. Noneof this is easy. Human struggle seldom is. As Shiomi states, "The matter of cultwal differences is a complex question and there is no easy answer."

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In October 1995, the appeals referee who had heard thecase recommended that the Department's decision be reversed and that prior authorization be granted for the standup wheelchair. The Chief Appeals Referee, KennerhMentz, accepted all of the Appeals Referee's recommended factual findings and all but two of the recommended legal conclusions. .However, Referee Mentz concluded that the stand-up wheelchair was not medically necessary or the least expensive appropriate alternativehealth service available. In spite of a total lack of evidence to support his view, Referee Mentz cited no portion of the factual record to support his decision.

atingavisionfortheYear2000. The statewide needs assessmentfoundthatMinnesotahas made substantial progress during the past decade, but much remains to be accomplished. Minnesotaisassured of a grant duration of at least one year. Subsequent years are dependent upon the availability of federal and state monies.

viceneeds,includingincreased public awareness, prevention activities,servicecoordination and funding, educational and employment services,community support, and quality assurance. The next phase toward achieving this vision are will be aicomplished through the implementationgrant.

Children,Families,andLearn-

ing (DCFL), and the Brain Injury AssociationofMinnesota. Persons who have sustained a traumatic brain injury and farnThe goals of the project are: to ily members will be activeparproceed with the interagency ticipan& in the grant effort. Theprojectwilldevelopameth- collaboration so that consum- Professionals will be repreodology to improve policies ers, their families, and policy sented on The TBI Advisory and service coordination be- makers will have improved ac- Committee toDHS. TwoMintween agencies that engage in cess to information and ser- nesota hospitals, Mayo Medi- . cal Center 1St. Mary's Hospiprimary and secondarypreven- vices. ~ointegratetheexistin~' tion activities. The project will data systems in providing a tal in Rochesterand St. Mary's focus on increasing inter- more comprehensive picture Hospital in Duluth, are curagency collaboration and im- of the needs of persons with rently conducting pre-disproving data collection sys- brain injury. To make it easier charge wtivities and studies. temsduring the firstyear ofthe forconsumers, advocates,ser. . , rt. ,, grant. Should continuation viceproviders,andpolicymak- Thegrmtwillbadministered funding be available, the ers to access the data. The by stafgh thecmmunity Sup projectwill implementaperson development of a discharge ports for Mifinesotans with and family-centered pre-dis- planning model for acute care Disabilities(CSMD)Division. charge planningmodel during hospitals that provides educa- For more information on the years 2 and 3 of the project. tion to consumersand families grant or the Advisory Committo avoid potential problems tee, please contact, Sharyl Minnesota's visiori for brain that the person may experi- Helgeson (612) 297-7183 or injury services is based on a ence in community reintegra- DebraWesley 297-3462.1 model servicedeliverysystem . tion. that addresses all areas of ser-

entitled tothestand-up wheelchair under the terms of the Medical Assistance program. The Court found that the testimony established that passive standing was the prevailing standard or current practice for treating problems caused by prolonged imniobility, and that the HiRider was the only type of passive standing de-vice Mr. Johnson could use safely andeffecti-velywhileliving independently. The Court concluded that . Referee Mentz's decision was not supported by substantial evidence. The Court also ruled -that Referee Mentz's decision was arbitrary and capricious because the evidence did not support his conclusion that a less expensive separate standing device might be appropriate for Mr. Johnson.

However, thecourt ofAppeals reversed the district court in part and decided that Mr. Johnson was not entitled to thestand-up wheelchair while the appeal was pending. Although this did not impact Mr. Johnson, because the Court InFebruary 1997,Mr.Johnson ruled he was entitled to the received the HiRider. Al- HiRider,therulingisproblemthough the Department of atic for future cases. Human Services had purchased the HiRider, which If you have any questions now retailed for $16,000.00, about this case, contact Steve his ordeal was not over, be- Elliot, Minnesota Disability cause his case was still before LawCenter,(612)332-14411 In November 1995, Mr. Elliot the Court of Appeals. wrote a letter to the Chief Ap-

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Despite the District Court's order in the mandamus action, theDepartmentofHumanServices refused to provide the HiRider during the pendency of the appeal. Mr. Johnson then instituted an action to hold the Commissionerof Human Services in contempt of court for failing to provide the HiRider. To avoid subjecting the Commissioner to a contempt proceeding, the Department agreed to provide the HiRider to Mr. Johnson during the pendency of the appeal. However, the Department made it very clear that they would take the HiRider away from Mr. Johnson, ifthecourt of Appeals ruled in their favor.

Project Participants include: The Department of Human Services (DHS), Minnesota DepartmentofHealth(MDH), Department of Economic Security (DES), Department of

law. Concluding that mandamus was appropriate, theDistrictcourtordered theDepartment to provide the stand-up wheelchair during the pendency of the appeal. The Department of Human Services also appealed this District Court ruling to the Minnesota Court of Appeals. The two appeals were consolidated.

Tra--maticBrain Injury Grant I Mj nnesota PIan For Service

period and as a result he had a peals Referee which set out all myriad of medical set-backs. of the portions of the record that contradicted Referee In May of 1995, Mr. Johnson Mentz's decision and suprequested prior authorization ported Mr. Johnson's case. for Medical Assistance reim- Referee Mentz reissued his he passage 0f the bursement for a HiRider stand- decision withoutcomment and Traumatic Brain Injury up wheelchair. At the time of again without citation to the ( ~ ~ 1 ) A(PublicLaw ct 104the request the retail price of record. 166) by Congress in 1996 the HiRiderwas$13,000.00. In support of his request Mr. Mr. Johnson then appealed the made grants available tostates Johnson submitted a thorough Chief Appeals Referee'sdeci- to develop or enhance policy, letter ofmedical necessity from sion to the Washington services,orinjurysurveillance. his therapists. In June, the County District Court. In Au- In Minnesota, an interagency DepartmentofHuman Services gust, 1996, the Washington workgroup comprised of severa1 state agencies, as well as t rejected Mr. Johnson's request County ~ i s t r i ccourtreversed for the HiRider. The Depart- RefereeMentz9sdecisioncon- the Brain Injury Association ment disputed the value of cludingthat there was not sub- of Minnesota, submitted an passive standing and alterna- stantial evidence to support application for a State TBI tively contended that a less thedecision. TheDistrictCourt Demonstration Implemenexpensive separate standing citedthetestimonyofMr. John- tation Grant. Minnesotais one frame might be appropriate to son's treating professionalsas of only two states to receive meet Mr. Johnson's needs. support fortheconclusion that both the planning and impleMr. Johnson appealed the re- the stand-up wheelchair is mentation grants. jection of prior authorization. medically necessary and the least expensive appropriate The Department of Human Services (DHS) is designated In September 1995,SteveElliot alternative health service. as the lead state agency forthe from the MinnesotaDisability Law Center represented Mr. Although there was no evi- Minnesota TBI grant. GoverJohnson at an appeal hearing dence in the record to support norCarIsondesignatedtheTB1 at the Department of Human the Departmentof Human Ser- Advisory Committee to DHS, Services. At the appeal hear- vices position, represented by as the advisory board for the ing, Mr. Elliot presented vol- the Attorney Generals Office, grant. AnInteragency Leaderumes of evidence esiablishing they appealed the District ship Council was established the medical benefits of passive Court's decision to the Minne- to work with the advisory board standing. Mr. Elliotalso had to sota Court of Appeals. Mr. in planning efforts. respond to the Department's Johnson instituted a man&- The Minnesota Advisory contention that a less expen- musactionintheDistrictCourt CommitteeonTraumaticBrain sive standing device might be to have the stand-up wheel- Injury conducted five public appropriate for Mr. Johnson. chair provided pending the forums to solicit inpur on creThis was a difficult task be- appeal, pursuant to Minn. Stat. cause the- b p v t m e n t never 256.045, Subd. 10. Mandamus stated-what device it was is an action to compel a

needs. Instead, Mr. Elliot and Mr.Jphpy~~:;Jera-pjsts had to guess wRaC G v ~ c e sthe Department might be considering and then explain why these other devices were not appropriate for Mr. Johnson. Along with Mr. Johnson, his treatingphysician,Dr. Randall Shapiro, who is a nationally renowned expert in the treatment of MS, and his therapist from the MS Achievement Center testified as to why a stand-up wheelchair was the only standing device he could safely and independently use.

December 10, 1997

Access Press

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f r - Minnesota and National Legislation by Tom Brick heMinnesotaHealth Care Consumer Protection Alliance succeeded in passing the Patient Protection Act of 1997. The new law provides for: (1) Access to Specialists. To address the problem of obtaining multiple referrals, health plans are now required to develop a procedure for

Commerce, as well as reporting their findings to the Legislature. This board is interested in hearing any problems, in receiving the appropriate care orinformation,youcancallthe Patient Protection ActHotline to leave a message. A staff person will forward yourcallto oneoftheboardmembers. The

The Clinton proposal is stronger than the Minnesota law in some respects. The federal proposal requlresdirect access to specialists for patients with serious'medical conditions the Minnesota law does not. The Minnesota plan only requires the health plan to develop a procedure for patients

as long as the condition per- You can now find out what the sists, like going to your family top five executives of your doctor time and time again for health plan make; (8) Provider refedls;(2)ContinuityofCare Identification. Any healthcare with your Provider. If your workerisnowrequiredtowear employer .changes health a name tag that identifies their plans or your doctor leaves profession. This will ensure yournet\A.ork,your health plan that you are aware ofthequalihas a responsibility to ensure fications and possible limitayour care is not interrupted. If tions of providers; (9) Ban on

appeals for denials of health care to a neutral party.

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Access to Emergency Ser- and all state laws in so far as

decisions, and prohibiting gag clauses that restrict health care providers' ability to camrnhcate with and advise patients about medically necessary likely that your visit will be 20th, The President endorsed options; (5) Assurance that patients are respected and not discriminated against, includingprohibitingdiscrimination in the delivery of health care services based on race, gender, ethnicity, mental orphysical disability, and sexual orientation (6) Confidentiality provisions that ensure that individually identifiable medical information is not disseminated and that provide consumers This board will work with the comeintocompliancewiththe the right to review, copy, and request amendments to their Departments of Health and BillofRights. medical records; (7) Grievance and appealsprocesses forconsumers to resolve their differences with their health plans and health care providers including an internal and external appeals process; and (8) RENTAL - SALES SERVICE - REPAIR Consumer responsibility provisions that ask consumers to take responsibility by maximizing healthy habits, becoming involved in health care deciOSTOMY - URINARY MANAGEMENT sions, carrying out agreedNURSING SUPPLY SPECIALISTS upon treatment plans, and reporting fraud. H

Tom Brick is on staf at the Minnesota State Council on

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Clinton's Consumer Bill of Rights consists of the following rights and responsibilities: (1) Access to accurate, easily understood information about healthplans,facilities,andprofessionals to assist consumers in making informed health care decisions; (2) Choice of health care providers that is sufficient to ensure access to appropriate high quality care; (3) Access to emergency services when and where the need arises. Thisprovisionrequires health plans to cover these services in situations where a prudent lay person could reasonably expect that the absence of care could place their health in seriousjeopardy; (4) Participation in treatment decisions including requiring

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December 10, 1997

Domestic Violence In The Disability by David Grosvenor, Part II of Il

In part one of this article (November 1997) on domestic abuse, discussion focused on factors which contribute to d differing social, abuse ~ n the financial, andphysical status between disabled and nondisabledperson when it comes to accessing resources. This article willfocus on exploring public policy, physician and social workers attitudes, and legislative solutions to domestic violence in the disability community.

from herhome to ashelter, and no policy exists for nonambulance transport of persons in wheelchairs (private conversation withTom Vita, General Manager, Metro Mobility 8/21 95). If an ambulanceis used in place of regular paratransit services, ambulance workers must be given training in transporting an abuse victim with disabilities. Ambulance drivers and emergency medical technicians prefer to answer calls requiring an emergency medical response and are often frustrated by what they may perceive as non-emergencies (private conversation with Doug Stohkrick, Operations Manager, Hennepin County Ambulance 8/7/95). Sensitivity training will alert response teams to issues facing battered women. They will learn that failure to validate a woman's need for help may drive her back into an abusive relationship. Importantly, ambulance crews will learn that abusive relationships often are emergency medical situations.

isabled women are at greater risk for increased mortality and morbidity than non-disabled women because of the nature of their relationship with the abuser as well as the difficulties in their attempts to escape the abuse. While a key element in this problem is transportation, the issue of mobility is only a single component of successful interventions for disabled women in abusive relationships. Any effective policy at the local level must be an integrative approach between battered women's advocates, shelters, primary carephysicians,emergency departments, police, and transportation prov?ders.

A far more effective and inexpensive alternative to ambulance transport is for aconsortium of shelters to contract as

nurs,e managers said they ould use educational materials on domestic violence if they had the opportuniiy.

According to the National Directory of Domestic Violence Programs, 1994,81% of Midwest battered women's shelters identify themselves as wheelchair accessible. This statistic, however, is probably inaccurate. "Accessible" may mean to the first floor,yet sleepingquarters may be located on the second floor. Furthermore, disabled persons often need trained assistants to help them in moving into and out of a wheelchair, as well as with bowel and catheter functions. No statistics cite the availabili-

date, battered women withdisabilities have not appeared at sheltersinsigriificantnumbers, but this is probably because of a lack of services available to them. In cities that do have programs for disabled battered women, like Boston's Finex House, disabled victims of domestic violence have appeared in numbers that proportionately surpass those of the general population. To address the problem, women's shelters should work together in developing policy, including a requirement that each shelter have one worker per shifr who has completed

trainin^. in^.

an abuser. Forexarnple,cuts in personal care attendant reimbursement may force an abused women to make a choice: continue to live withan abuser whose uncompensated care is required to live independently, or relinquish that care and be moved to an institution.

society 'wttitudes towards disabled persons. The nature of disability inherently alters the relationship structure between intimate partners.

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Personal care attendant reimbursement is the key to independent living for many disabled persons. An increase in personal care attendant reimbursement would allow persons in abusive relationships to leave their partner without fear of losing care.

Disabled persons and their advocates won equal rights through the Americans with Disabilities Act. If domestic .violence is part of this quotient, the life ofadomestic violence victim may lie in the hands of legislators; specific legislation needs to be introduced to protect disabled victims of domestic abuse. This legislation must beenforced if the true sources of domestic violence are to be effectively addressed.

Additionally, an increase in funding for services like PCA reimbursement and Metro Mobility would show the disabled community that they are regarded as equal members of society and can expect to be treated as such should they report domestic abuse.

The attitude from society that disabled persons are a fina cia1 b u r w not yorthy of i b vestment ,~ertainlydissuades many disabled women from seeking help. An integrated policy involving medical, social, legal, and legislativebodies must be utilized if disabled Because most disabled per- women are to be effectively sons receive some form ofpub- protected from abusive partlic assistanceand are therefore ners. in a state's database, the opportunity for surveillance of Domestic violence in the disdome& abuse is profound. abled community is a social

Resources First CaU for Help West Metro ........................... 335-5000 East Metro ............................224-1 133291-84301311 BatteredWomen's Crisis Line 7 county area ......................... 6460994 Crisis Connection .......................379-6363 Accessible Shelters Alexandra House ................... 78@2330 HomeFree ............................. 559-4945V/ITY RobertLewis - Eagan ............452-7288 405-94551311 Robert Lewis - Inver Grove ...457-0707

.women includemany tasks that would be impossible for a woman in a wheelchair to accomplish. Forexample,having a bag of necessities hidden in preparation for a rapid &parture, going to a neighbor's home, breaking a window t~ geta neighbor's attention, and even calling 9 1 1 is not possible, particularly for women with quadriplegia.

tant role in domestic violence. Rates of reporting abuse are affected byahealthprovider's approach to assessing domesticviolence. Onestudyshowed 8% of women acknowledged domestic abuse questions when asked as part of a written screening questionnaire. In a similar group of women, a29% rateofabusewasreportedwhen a health professional verbally asked questions about abuse. Studies reveal that a majority of primary care physicians report a reluctance to address issues of abuse in relationships. With disabled women who may already have complex medical needs, this fear of initiating additional treatment and attention may further increase a primary physician's reluctancetobecomeinvolved in acase of domestic violence. Because many women's only access to social services is through health care, sensitivity training for primary care physicians presents an opportunity for early intervention in abusive relationships.

Sensitivity-training for police is of great importance and should be part of a policy addressing domestic violencein the disabled community. When responding to calls for help, police must understand that extra time may be needed to pack clothing and medications for a woman leaving an abusive home for a woman's shelter. Police may have to pack the belongings for the woman because she may not beabietopackforherself. The police must also coordinate transportation for the victim. Care of the wheelchair is essential; if the chair cannot be accommodated by the vehicle transporting the woman, the police must see to it that the chairarriveswith the woman at the shelter. Currently, there are no emergency paratransit services in the Twin Cities qualified to transpoft a battered woman

Hospital emergency departments havealso reported alack of awareness concerning domestic abuse. The Centers for Disease Control reported that while only'28% of California emergency departments had ever conducted domestic violence awarenesstraining, 92%

effectively assist disabled clients. There are many issues unique to disabled persons, and in the wake of a trauma it should not be up to a battered woman to explain disability issues to a social worker. An awareness of the needs of and services available to disabled women should be required of social workersofferingdomestic violencecounselingin shelten. The importance of cultural awareness in domestic violence intervention and treatmentstrategies hasbeendocumented in African-American, Hispanic, and lesbian communities, and should be applied todisabled women as well. To

abuse are intrinsically tied to a small subpopulation of do- bled persons access to social freedom of movement fordis- mestic violence victims, and and financial support through abled persons freedoms guar- should notbeapriority, places equ% rights legislation. anteed by the Americans with relativeriskoverabsolute risk DisabilitiesAct, yet undercon- andmisses the pointthat abuse David Grosvenor wrote this stant attack from legislators is an outcome of greater move- aspart of his Master's degree seeking to cut costs at the ex- ments within society. Just as in Public Health at the Unipense of an under represented the spectrum of domestic vio- versity of Minnesota. He subgroup. Decisionsmadebystate lencein the genera~population mitted it to ACCESS Pressfor legislatorsregarding personal is indicativeof women's posi- publication with permission care attendant funding, trans- tion in society, the issue of to edit into an article. The portation, and housing fordis- domestic violence in the dis- original text and references is abled person have adirect im- abled community reflects availablefromACCESSPress. pact 0. both the U. S. and outcomes of domestic violence. Restrictions on fundingofservicesaddenormous : stress to the daily lives of : disabled persons through : FOR~ N D E P E N D E N C E direct economic hardship as well as limitation of options, such as relocation away from

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A Huge Success 1997 marked the second successfulyearofArcofAnoka& Ramsey Counties' Hispanic outreach Project. This unique project, staffed by Ana Perez, serves HispanicLatino families who have children with disabilitiesin Ramsey and Dakota Counties. Arc Suburban and the West Side Family Center, along with support from Project Dakota, are partners in this project, which has served over 50families. ,TheWest Side Family Center provides meeting space for the support group meetings, held twice a month. At the Center, located on Ohio Street in St. Paul, parents have a chance to gather and share theirjoys and frustrations, and to gain Informationandsupport. Childcare isavailable by avolunteerwho is bilingual. Transportation is also avaiI&!e thrRPgh the W 7s t Side use of Center's van. k?;;in, Ana'S husband, 'Ild~untd&A' to pick up families and drop them off after the meetings.

Kevin provide individual assistance and support to families. Oneofthemain obstacles that is difficult to overcome is the language barrier. Many of the parents speak only Spanish or limited English. Given the complexity of our systems and medical information around disabilities, this added challenge makes it very difficult for HispanidLatino parents. There have been many successesthisyearincluding:The familiesgathering monthly for support group meetings have gained a sense of empowerment. In addition to supporting each other and gaining knowledge, they have also taken ownership of their group. Working with a volunteer they developed anarne (discapacitados abriendose caminos) and logo, and are actively involved in settingthe direction of the gmup for the next year.

information Ana and Kevin have made available in Spanish. They have had help working on IEP issues and learned about other servicesavailable. Immigration issues are also important to families, especially giventhechanges in laws recently, so speakers come to meetings to give families updates and information.

and ~ ~working ~ withi St. Paul schools, have also made system changes including an agreement to translate all information on the IEP's into Spanish for families requesting this. In the past only the IEP form was in Spanish, not the information pertaining to the child - which is essential fo

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