February 1995 Edition - Access Press

,

" NO ONE HAS GONE B'&RUPTBECAUSE

as*

OFTHEADA. NOONE MLL GOBAIVgRUm" -J W n Dart, Page 2

Free Tax Preparation - 2 New Arts Grants - 5

Access Press .

< '-

GOVERNOR SEEKS 25% PCA CUT Independent Living Seems Irrelevant - Cost Cutting Everything-_. ;:

.

\

i

.I

-

9c-4

\

\

by Charlie Smith 54?!of individuals receiving of Republican lawmakers in aitendant care are 17 or unWashington threaten those at der, 38% are 18-64 years old, the low end of the ecamq, and about 8%are 65 or older.

Govmimis threaten@one such group in M i e - The state mandated de-instisota. As part of his budget tutionalization prdgram

posed to being hospitalized on a permanent basis. We in Minnesotahave made the decision against institutionaliz-

onhoursofattendantcarenow

previously determined to be

h'b newly powmfdgruup

growth in the population of

IAeoGiUNFUNDED-Ic. ,

.

ingindividualsinthepastand~ continue to support independent living &CE.

'y

-

,

-, I

1-

- -- -

-

-.

.-=a

creating a new "capn based on eligible. No one denies & ~overnar w sa-y 75% of the number used in they are in need of this service known proclivity toward the present formulas, a very sim- and that the effect on their more &ent voters, but this suggestionin its present fonn ple appro&, with no regard lives is beneficial. for the individual's needs. is both unreasonable and outThe total cost of providing rageous. We feel that the NoXttention is given to the these services is very high. proper approachto this sortof review made just two years More people have become funding dilemma is to use the w o by the Department of eligible each year, partly "task force" method, involvHuman Services, which re- through mote public knowl- ing the human servicedepartemluatedeach individualcase edgeofthe laaS p v w , mndants and established an "accept- ly because of the W out- and r d p k t s to realte a real able" limit of hours shown to lined above. We suspect the evaluation ofthe possi'bfiities be necessary for each individ- rate of increase will slow, as of cost containment. ntese @ and thus agreed to pay for the catch-up periodends. The results could then be passed this amount of care. rate of growth should then on to the appropriate legislastabilize in proportionto gen- tive committees for their consideration. They, the legislaItistruethatthecostofthis e d popdation increases. tors, did create this situation program has grown dramatically in the past four years. Our problem withthe present six years ago, and apparently - The biggest part of the in- approach is that is asimplistic misjudged the extent of the crease can be attributedto leg- method of reducing costs. potentialcost. Let'sworkwith islation dating back to 1988 "Across the board" percent- them to develop a better apwhich recognized tbat there age cuts create more prob- proach if possible, or at least existed a big population of lems thau they solve. In' thii recognize the disastrous repeople who w m not being case, a 25% reduction in ser- sult that might occur fiom an served under then present vices to an individual might uniformed cut in funding. rules. Most of these people causcthispersaatomoveback were 17 or under, and were to a nutsing home for a&- ; Pleaseseethearticlesby Anne not eligibleh r attedanfcare, quate care. 'Ibis is a ridicu- Heiuy and Thomas Moss on page nine of this issue for a placing an inordirmte burden lous reversal of priorities. morecoa3pkteexpbat.hof mPa="Cost-Effectiveeessn is not a the potmtjd effects of this The effect of this change be: proper measurement forthis idea and a summary of the gantobeappmmtin 1990as decision-making process. costsnow innrrredbythe prothe upward trenrd in people There is no r a t i d way to gram. *--receiving servicessteadi- measure the monetary valueofbeiiindependentasop. ly 1994. c-Y,

dm-

+

basis of The ~ n f h d e d ~ a n & eRes f o m Act of 1995 is designed age, color, reto curb the practice of impos- ligion, gender, ing federal mandates on state national oriand local governments with- gin, or handiout providing federal funding cappedordisto carry out these mandates. ability status, When I met with Justin Dart such as' the and other leaders from th

--"--..

.--

dicahilitv c-----.------J n m m ~ ~ n i tla< v

I

of you that the bericans

ties AC~.While & are no specific provisionsrelatingto IDEA, I will continueto work DW~d and ~h faandprotecttherightsofall && (m&#)&ght children to ~.eceivean approbe affectedbythisItgisMon. edtmtbI promised then that I would fight to make sum that Civil The a m g issue in this rights acts would not be bill is - 6 i l i t ~ - M a ought to be viewedasunfitndedmandates. be's of caccountablefbrwbatthey vote I a m f l d t o r e p o r t t h a t t h e onandimposeontheirstates. provisionsofthisnewleg&- We oughttobe honest andnot tion will not apply to any pro- pass .and*s onto cities and vision in a federal regulation counties with- a h being that w h e s or enforces honest aboutthe costs. Under any rights that pro- the legislation, it would be hibit --ination on the significantly harder for Congress to pas any legislation i tbatwill hnpooe-onaad local governments exceeding $50 miUim. -.k, 1 1-4

-

m w

But I do think it was important for the Senate to help move this legislation forward into a collference with the House of Representatives.

Needless to say, I will carefully watch the deliberations between the House and Senate conferees, and I hope that an improved piece of legislation will emerge fiom the ConferenceCommitteewhen it is time for us to vote on the f m l version of the bill.

I want tothank the many people who contacted my office by phone and by letter. Your activism on this issueresulted in the ADA being excluded b m this bill. It was your activismt8et-,ltcdir;AD~ b e i i passedagainst all odds I will cuntinue to support the and it will be your activism this bill, tfrat will ensm Bat people principle &lying however, I still have some with d b a b i i i continue to concerns about whether this have theincivil rights pmbectlegislation contains a work- ed. H able and dective pcedwe.

* s

ir

I

..

'

2

February 10,1995

Access Press

DHS Commissioner Concedes

apartment of Human Services Commissioner Marie Gomez, in a January 5,1995, letter to the Minnesota Disability Law Cmtq, cdirmed that the Department ofHuman Services was changing its policy regarding Medical Assistance reimbursement for manual wheelchairs for persons who alreadv have a wwered

plicative." In her letter, Commissioner Gomez stated: "After considering the issues, I believe there are situations in which a second wheelchair is medically necessary, and servesa d i f f k s t purposethan the power wheelchair already used by the recipient."

(Transcriptof verbal testimony ofJustin Dart beforeajoint hearing of he Senate Commitrees on Budget and Govthe Minnesota Disability Law ernmental Aflairs, January 5, Center,was appealinga Minn. 1995.)

District Court judgement for the Department cm this issue Chairman, it is an honor and also discussing litigation to appear before yow commitin Federal Court. Another tee at this time of historic Minn. District Court ruled MY testimony today decision. againstthe Department in Sep will focus on civil rights. . tember 1994ona similar case.

Act, the world's fmt Civil thing to believe in, something Rights law farpeoplewith dis- to live k,something to work abilities. for.

Mr. Chairman, it is not easy I love this country. I am so for me to explain what i feel proud of America - not beabout the ADA. cause it's perfect, but because it stands for action to make the Throughout all history people human dream live for all. with disabilities have been treated as subhumans. At Then, Mr. Chahan, how can worst we have been killed or I express to you what we who left to die as beggar when the -- outcasts. havedisab*fee~

AtbewoPlease let Luther Granquist or I am pleased that the Unfiutd- recipients of subsistence weled Mandate Refonn Act of

manual wheelchairs in those amendmentorarevisiontothe DHS policy is not followed.

The phone number is 332- gion, gender, national origin sands of times my humanity circumstances on the basisthat h v i d e r Manual1441,332-4668TDD. the second wheelchair is not has been denied. It hurts, evor disability status. medically necessary or is "du- Luther Granquist, attorney for ery time.

This is entirely appropriate.

Civil'Rights and fiee enter- I think of my brother Peter and prise are two sides ofthe same my mother, who had disabilisolid gold cultural currency ties. They took their own lives no longer that has revolutionized the because they CW Wuctivity and the quality of bear the pain of constant rejection. human life.

Just Bring 'Em In

IRS WILL DO Y O U R ~ RETURN&FILE IT, TOO^

This year for the fmt time, people who cannot afford professional tax help can have their tax returns filed electronically, free of charge, by corning to one of eight Internal Revenue Service offices in Minnesota.

Ifyou fill out your own fedend return, the IRS will electroni. cally file it foryou. Ifyou need help, an IRS employee will prepare either a 1040A or 1040EZ short fonn for you.

He or she can also do basic 1040's far people who itemize their deductions or claim the child care credit, Earned In- America is not rich in spite of come Credit, or Credit for the Civil Rights. America is rich Elderly. IRS employees can- because of Civil Rights.

ZRT cont. on p. 12 I On July 26, 1990 our nation took another landmark step Wm. A. Smith. Jr. toward the ~romisedland of ... ..

Charles F.Smith justice and prosperity for all. , Scott Adams President Bush signed the Presentation Images, Ellen Otstreicher Dawn R Doering Americans With Disabilities

ment. Far the past five years, professional tax preparers, banks, and employers have offeredthisfilingmethod,usually for a fee, to people in Minnesota. Now the IRS is offering h e electronic filing to people with basic returns who made less than $30,000 Electronic filing involves us- during 1994. People who owe ing a'computer, a telephone, tax as well as those expecting and a modem to send tax re- rehnds are eligible. turns directly to the govern.

-

ACCESS PRESS .............................................................................................................

Publisher Editor , Cartoonist Production Staff Writer & Editorial Assistant

I I

Our forefathers and mothers came to this country because we offered unique legal guarantees of equal opportunity.

They got rich and America got rich every time we expanded our Civil Rights guarantees to include mother o p pressed minority, americagot richer.

................................................................. ................ .................. ............................................................. ........ ........................ .....................................................................

....................................................................

ACCESS PRESS is amonthly tabloid newspaper published for persons with disabilitiesby Polychrome, Ltd., W.A. Smith, Jr., President. Circulation is 10,000, distributedthe 1Om of each monfhthrough more than 120 locations statewide. Ap roximately 650 copies are mailed directly to polltical, business, institutional and civic leaders. su&criptions are available for $12/yr.

Editorial submissions and news releases on topics of interest to persons with disabilities, or persons serving those with disabilities, are welcomed.

- --

Paid advertising is available at rates ranging from $1 1 to $15/column inch, depending on size and frequency. Classified ads are $7.00, plus 20 centslword over 20 words.

I

Advertisingand editorial deadlinesare the 30th of the month preceding publication; special scheduling available for camera-ready art.

Inguiries should be directed to: ACCESS PRESS 3349 University Ave. S.E. Mtnnesota 55414 (612) 379-0989 Fax (612) 379-2730

Minneapolis,

I I

r

I think of the millions of my colleagues Americans With Disabilities, who still todayfour and a half years iifter the ADA - ape prisoners of ancient prejudice in institutions, in the back moms of ghetto apartments, in segregated schools, in cells without walls in the streets.

Mr. Chairman, there are no words totell you what it means to me and to more than half of a billion people with disabilities in the world, that the ADA, that the United States of America has declared us to be human beings with the same rights as other human beings.

There is hope. There is some-

cipation Proclamation, the Civil Rights A c t d H$4been s a k e s of l i i m and expense. But they are not burdens to the nation. They are the power, the majesty, the soul of the nation.

The ADA is part of that beautiM soul.

But what about all the problems? "They say the ADA'S going to bankrupt States, Cities, Countiesand businesses."

I have personally hdd at least two forumsin each ofthe fifty states to dialogue about the ADA with business, government and people with disabilities.

There is a lot of fear and misundentanding,mostly promoted by profit seekers.

Mr. Chairman,no one has gone banlaupt because of the ADA. No one will go bankrupt.

DART - cont. on p. 12

SPECIALIZED TRANSPORTATION

529-5019

483-91413

YWCAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDER

February 10,1995

Access Press

3

Disability Rights Survive IN BRIEF . . . .

FREE LIBRARY SERVICE AVAILABLE SOME PROGRAMS STILL IN DANGER

.........

by Carolyn Emerson

age, illness, or disability are three weeks to eligible per- brary, 372-6667. eligiblefor h e book delivery sons in their homes. For more

The Americans with Disabilities ~ cand t other civil rights legislation has been exempted from

ARC RAMSEY COUNTY OPENS TOY &

will not be added.

new items over the phone. serving individuals with deLibrary membership is based velopmental disabilities and The general public is invited on a sliding fee scale. their familiesin Ramsey Counto check out games and toys, ty . For more infomation, call tional Opportunity has called for a ''toptoas well as adaptive equipment The Library is open Monday (612) 778-14 14. bottom" review of all legislation being confor cognitive and physical through Friday from 9 a.m. to sidered. This includes the Individuals With ¤ m •¤ 8 ¤ ¤ ¤ i is abilities i ducat ion AC~UDEA).

Goodling

.

responsibility for human-service programs,

at the Saint Paul Civic Center. the game. To order tickets 612-292-3333 (Voice only) simply complete and retum Warren D. Mosier at

Disability as a state of Personal Care A

Minnesota (ADR) is planning to combatthese

THE CHOICE IS YOURS Who knows better than you the PCA services you need? telephone trees.

At Allied Health Alternatives, we work with you to create a health services partnership.

We'll provide competent nursing supervision that supports your goals and objectives, plus knowledgeable assistance and coordination when you need it.

Voice and TTY.

Call 544-1655 for our FREE brochure titled "Choosinga Personal Care Assistant."

Martha Hage's

RADIO SHOW Disabled & Proud, It's Not An Oxymoron Feb. 14 -David LeTendre: A Personal story Feb. 21 -Arnie Gruetzmacher&Daryll Stenberg: Planning Your Financial Future for Persons with Disabilities Feb. 28 -Gene Chelberg: Project LEED (Leadership Education to Empower Disabled Students)

ond solo CD, and has been a popular local singer1

Allied Health Alternatives, Inc.

C

-

-

90.3 FM Mpls.

106.7FM St. Paul Every Tuesday 7:30pm

"Your Home Health Care Center"

"Smnca 1971-

RENTALS

i SALES

'SPECIALISTS IN REHAB6 MEDICAL SUPPLIES URINARY o m w 6 SURGICAL SUPUES

-

Wheelchairs + Hospital Beds + Commode Chairs +Walkers + Patient Liiers i T r a c t i o n Devias

Diabetic Equipment + Bathroom Safety Aids + Canes 8 Crutches + Blood Pressure Eqpt. + Home Oxygen + Pottable Oxygen

+

Mar. 7 -Interview with AXIS Dance Troupe members Mar.'l4 Interivew with Karen Thompson: Update on Sharon Kowalski

Better Care Medical, Inc.

MEDICARE & MEDlCAlD PROVIDERS Canplac REPAIR SERVICE

WE 1 '

+

933-1126

-

1015 EXCELSIOR AVE , HOPKINS Opn830-60OMon-Fd

TO MPLS ST PAUL 8 ALL SUBURBg

Nursing Support Services Nursing Enterprises

5401 Gamble Drive; Suite 235 Minneapolis, MN 55416

612-544-1655 Branch Offices: 102 NW 4th Street 412 lgmAve. SW; # I 0 2 ~aribault,MN 55021Willmar,MN 56201 612-235-5684 2 N.E. Third Street Grand Rapids, MN 55744 2 18-326-4202

Access Press

Letters . . . .

Dear Access Press: I am young woman who has rheumatoid arthritis. I don't look crippled, yet the bones in my feet and other joints are crumbling. I use ahandicapped parking sticker because it enables me to be more active than I would otherwise. I work full time, not by choice, but because I have to. When I finish my 10 hour shifts, I can barely drive home. I have 2 children, one of whom is three years oldandvery active. This past Saturday, I was taking my

I am Bob Royer, Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 204 in Apple Valley, MN, and I am encouragingyourson to enroll in a Cub Pack or Boy Scout troop in your area.

daughter to the gas station, and I met with a rude comment from amanwhowasinawheelchair who said, "You don't look very handicapped," as I got out ofthe car with my little girl. He would hardly listen to me as I tried to explain.

I I am made to feel guilty for needing accommodation for my illness. There are too numerous frustrations of daily life with RA to give you all the details. My only wish is that those of you in wheelchairs wouldn't always automatically assume those of us without chairs or canes are healthy and abusingthe parking privilege.

Don't punish us for the wrongs of others.

Eagle Award Requirements.

By using this program, alternatemeritbadgescanbeeamed in lieu of the required ones according to the scouts abilities.

In Cub Scouting the boy is encouraged to do his best in earning his mow points. In Webelos, the boy is expected to do as much of the requireBecause your son has to use a ments for his activity badges For more information on the wheelchair or other device to that he can. location of the nearest Cub get around or has limited use Pack or Boy Scout please call of his hands or vocal skills or In Boy Scouting it gets more your local Boy Scout Council. is blind or deaf is no reason involved. The first threeranks I feel that it will be one of the that he cannot enjoy the chal- TenderfootthroughFirst Class best things that you can do for lenges and accomplishments can be adapted to the abilities your son. of scoutiqg. Scouts will also of the boy. The ranks of Star, incl#tge social contack with Life, and Eagle are earned by I would be pleased to answer the awarding of merit badges. any questions that you might their peer groups. to you and have, or dve h e l ~

- .-----

--

-.---

adapted to suit your sari' s needs., into if you must or

scoiimust earn a total oftwenty one merit badges, seven required and fourteen that are his choice. There can be subns in the requiredmerit by usingthe Alternate

in scouting: Bob Royer 7833 Glenda Court Apple Valley MN,55124 (612) 43 1-6691

Dear Publisher:

I am enclosing copy of Page 9 Frank J. Fida of your October 10, 1994 isI picked up your paper for the sue.

(Editor's note We received first time two weeks ago and this letter in late December was dismayed by your blatait Obviously, you belong to the and had no space to run it in exposure of personal opinion. camp that "just don't get it the January issue, so we're running it now. The article Apparently there were not too Happy Politics !!! referred to is titled, "Candimany people influenced by dates The Good, The Bad & your opinion.

Yours Truly, The Ugly!".)

-

Long Term Care Services

by Thomas V. Moss, Director of Long Term Care, DHS Dear Mr. Smith:

(HIRS), based on the State's nursing home case mix sysIn response to the concerns tem, currently allows clients you expressed ~egarding to be authorized for personal changes in the personal care care services between 2.5 and services program, I offer the 14.5 hours per day based upon following. their home care rating and medicalneed for services. The In an effort to moderate the limits we are changing do not accelerating rise in medical apply to people who are ventiassistance expenditures for lator dependent,have complex personal carelprivate duty mental health issues, or would nursing services, and to assure otherwise be in an RTC. compliance with Minnesota Statute, the Department of Minnesota Statuterequiresthe Human Services recommend- Department's home care rated legislationto revise service ing system be "cost-effective" limits. The Home Care Inde- when compared to statewide pendent Rating System weighted average nursing fa-

9

GOVERNOR PUTSPCA

I can hardly begin to imagine what life in a wheelchair must be like. It must be a personal hell to live with day after day.

It is also very hard to live with an invisible disability. I live Thank you for listening. with pain and limitations, which most others cannot see. Name withheld by request

do his best.

February 10,1995

cility rates. That is, client care provided in a community setting should be less expensive than what would be required within a long term care institution. Currently, in some instances, more medical assistance fundsare being spent for a client's care than would be spent forthat care in an institution.

To bring the rating system into compliance and to control expenditures, the Department is recommendingthat the home care limits be adjusted. Home care limits are based upon the complexityoftheclient's med-

THE DHS FORGETS USER INPUT

by Anne Henry, Minnesota Disability Law Center The Governor is proposing a 25% cut in personal care assistance limits Eor the PCA program beginning July 1, 1995.

Since the Department of Human Services did not involve any persons with disabilities, advocacy groups or family members in developing this proposal, we currently have no details on how the cuts would affect any individual person. We have been told that over 850 persons will experience a cut in PCA hours.

Persons now receiving services as ventilator dependent or through the Regional Treatment Center category will not be affected by this proposal.

The Legislature will consider changes to the Medical Assistance Home Care statutewhich are needed to make the cuts.

the 1995 Minnesota Legisla- PCA services by actually going through the nursing home ture. placement process @re-admischaracterizes sion screening team) includThe Dep-ent this change as an "adjustment ing being accepted by a speciftohomecare limits." The Gov- ic nursing home with a higher ernor's budget further states rate. The budget page reflects that the rational for "adjust- no increased cost for pre-ading" the limits is to "... bring mission screening team activper person costs for individu- ity, the administrativecost for als without specialized care nursing homes associated with needs closer to the statewide going through an admission nursing facility cost." The out- process for someonewho realcome of this change is de- ly wants to remain at home, or scribed by DHS in the follow- the cost ofadditionalPCA sering way: "Reductions of the vice for those who go through maximum amounts of service this cumbersome process. which can be auth'orized for all eleven categoriesofhome care Legislationwill be required in independent rating system is order to implement the 25% part of an overall program re- cut in personal care hours limdesign and. targeting effort its. The money t h e saved is aimed at maximizing the cost estimated to be over 8.2 mileffectivenessofhome cureser- lion dollars out of a two-year

ceive either 1) two times the average dh.ect care hours they would get m a nursing kome, o r 2 ) h times the averageof direct care hours provided m a nursing home, if consideredto have "complex medical or behavioralneeds" or "are dependent in at least seven activities of daily living-andneed physical assistance with eating or have an neurological diagnosis." The Governor's budget proposes to reduce the PCA hour limit fiom two times and three times the nursing facility hours to 1.5 times and 2.25 timesthenursinghourslimit, a 25% cut in the PCA hours available. According to DHS, many PCA recipients are not at the limit of available hours, so many persons will not be cut. Nonetheless, the PCB Program will have 25% less personal care service hours available if the Governor's budget proposal is adopted by

portant in reducing the overall cost of the home care program. The factthat some individuals will not be able to remain in their homes if a 25% cut in home care hours is implemented,seems irrelevant to DHS and the Governor. The long-term impact of this proposal is described by DHS in the budget narrative as "improved quality and costeffectiveness of personal care program while diverting persons 6om more expensive institutional services." Cutting home care hours to achieve a . reduction in institutional use is patently absurd.

ical and behavioral needs. (At present, 2 times the average number of direct care hours provided in nursing facilities for the recipient's comparable case mix level, or up to 3 times for recipients who have complex medical needs, are dependent in at least seven activitiesofdaily living, needphysical assistance with eating or have a neurological diagnosis.) The home care limits would be revised to 1.5 and 2.25 respectfully.

The large majority of clients (80%) receive less hours of service than these new home care limits allow and would not be affected by this change.

+

that 20% of current PCA recipients(over850people)wiU have their PCA time reduced if this proposal is enacted.

-

-

The legislaturehasnot yet caasidered this budget proposal.

The Governor and the Commissioner proposed this cut without any input from personswho receive personal care services,their families, orpersonal care providers. The ultimate decision is up to your state representative and state senator.

The savings estimated by cutting PCA limits should be reducedby increased institutional placement costs for those who cannot remain at home with less PCA service. DHS maintains that a person could exceed the new lower limit of

-#

-

4

- --

The growth in personal carel private duty nursing service utilization is alarming. Since 1990, the number of clients receiving services has increased 300%; since 1991, expenditureshavetripled.This revision of home care limits would limit the growth in expenditures to an 18% increase

over the biennium. In 199495, the Department of Human Servicesspent $222.5 millioli on p o n d care attendantsand private duty nursing services.

Even with this proposed $7.5 millioncontainment approach, taxpayers will spend $272.5 million in the coming biennium. Clients will continue to receive services essential to maintain their independence while quality, cost and access become more balanced..

4

-.

February 10,1995

4

1

I

I I

DISABLED?

Access Press

.

II

I

Denied Social Security Disability Benefits?

Unable to work due to a disability?

WE CAN HELP! !

Northwest Disability Sewices "Your Social Security Disability Attorneys"

628-4001 or 1-800-850-7867

NO RECOVERY - NO FEE Free Phone ConsuMn Office Locations: Roseville, Anoka, Eagan, Eden Prairie, Plymouth, Woodbury, Minneapolis and Brooklyn Center

I I

Elevator Co. Inc.

INDEPENDENT GOERS

I

Monthly planning meeting: March 4, 1995 1:00 to 3:30 pm.

Hennepin County Government Centtr 300 S. 6th St., level A auditorium Mpls, MN Events for February Feb. 11th - Valentine's Day Party 1:00 to 5:OOpm

Darrel Statema

Call 1-800-397-4000 Authorized Garaventa Dealer

Feb. 25th - Smiling Moose Restaurant, 300 1 Hennepin Ave. 1 :OO to 4:00pm Please call 822-5933

I'

I I

Religion & Disability

i

5

February 10,1995

Access Press 1 Life Goes On

How ABOUTSOME

by Mary Jane Steinhagen If you believe that increased dialogue between people with disabilities and religious leaders is a timely idea, keep reading this article. A group of people with that very goal in mind has formed and welcomes your participation.

The formal impetus for this conference grows out of a handbook, ''lht All May Worship", published by the Religion and Disability Program of the National Organization on Disability in 1992.

The purpose of that handbook is to assist congregations to become more welcoming, and to remove the barriers of aaitude, communication and architecture.

Promoting dialogue between people w i h disabilities and religious leadership is .key to inviting, welcomim

ningbooklet and initiatedconversation with local people to encourage our hosting a local conference. In November, SuzanneMades, h m Disability Awareness Ministries, and John Hatgidakis, chaplain at the MS Achievement Center, convened a group of interested people to discuss hosting a conference; a challenge welcorned by hose in attendance.

People at the firstmeeting recognizedthattheywerenot representative of the diversity of this community, and so calls of inquiry and offers of assistance are welcomed. If you have a desire to become involved in the planning of the conference, to be hosted in early '96, please contact Suzanne at 291-1371 or John at 672-2815.

by LeAnne Dahl ble to people with disabili- Life Goes On ..., or will it? It ties. appears that since Newt Gingrich has been elected as 2.Religious and disability Speaker of the House, Life leaderswho convene will be may not go on as we know it. committed to long-term in- There have been numerous volvement, institutional editorials and newsleportson change and community Gingrich leading hisRepublibuilding. can cohorts toward breaking downhumanness (the relating 3. The planning group will in- of kindness to others). This clude people h m diverse shouldanger you as much as it faith traditions, disability does me. I cringe when I visugroups, and racial and eth- alize what could happen to nic backflunds. society in general.

vive? What drastic measures power to make peace between would they take in the end to the Jewish and non-Jewish get out of the predicament? communities. Obviously that was a tall order for anyone, let I doubt very.much they would alone someone like me. Since be able to hold out a month. those days, we've witnessed Can't you just picture Newt fighting between the Palestinsitting and waiting for Metro ians and Jews time and time Mobility when they call totell again. Hopefully, we're behim they'll be two hours late ginning to s& the peace that's and he'll miss his fmt b i i been promised for so long.

House Floor Debate? Boy! Would you see the profanities Why did I bring this up? What is the connection between the fly. new Congress and my backAll kidding aside, humanness ground? I can't help but feel 4. Each conference will in- By cutting or abolishing pro-. is something this world can't -that if Mr. Gingrich gets his clude intdkihworshipand gramsthat currentlydlow peo- afford to be without. I grew up way and wipes out the promusic. ple to barely survive, the Re- knowing fmt band about big- grams that he's threatening to, publican Congress would be otry. You see it was dwingthe he will be discriminating Confere~lceplannersinvitemd less than human. With every forties and fifties and there against the children,the eiderwelcome your participation. new ammacement of cuts, I was a lot of anti-Semitism ly, the poor and the disabled.

At this time, these committees m t t o s c m m o ~ t a t h i s g r o ~ paround. My father happened It's disheartening to envision have been identified: over- that has now stormed Wash- to be Jewish, but the sad part shrty w- ofprqgress go@ - 2 sight, finance, publicity, pro- ington and tell them to live was that he wouldn&~&IrW' down the Mi. Confkrenceplanners are oper- gram, transportation, access, without their finery for one my mother or I to tell anyone. ating within guidelines identi- site selection, feedback and month with only the money He didn't want us to be dis- Maybe I wasn't able to keep

call today. versation can be initiated is 1.

People with disabilities will through aconferencepurposeforehnt of all Mary Jarre Steinkqen WAS &&ecodhmce for Ccithdfc C h Y h aa.a and a l t f d ~ 0 ; w activih. ~ religiuus docatejhrpeople Planning meetings and the with disabilities.

Ginny momburgh, N.O.D.*~ confeI-~~ce will be presentDire- of Religion and m., ability, both prepared a plan- ' ed in f0HIlatS f u b aCceSSi-

were

they able to purchase until after Dad's death that I f&clo-shelm,&etc oh, could take pride in telling of yes d Ws b e ot least haif my Jewish a e . ofthGBambg wheelchairstryWhen I was in my youth, I ing find d k yam, tt?Bt someday I m my t

u h e u f ? e ~ b ~ X~ sO

'

'

very Special Arts Minnesota Business skills in making the (VSAMN) is pleased to an- arts a viable profession, nounce its secondyearofsponsoring a granting p r o g p to Marketing skills in making support emerging artists with one's efforts in the arts profdisabilities fiom the state of itable.

Minnesota.

In all, nine awards will be made (up from s~ last year).

This program is intended to Each award will be in the assist ihdividualswith disabilamount of $150.00. ities who are beginning to develop skills,talents and efforts in a particular art form. These The VSAMN Artist Support Grant Program is open to might include: emerging artists with disabiliArtistic and/or technical skills ties residing in Minnesota.

Eligible individuals will be 12 in an arts discipline, yearsofageor older and should Skillsand/or knowledge in the be actively involved in develstudy of arts (ex. art history oping their abilities in their . or curation, music or theater chosen artform. Prospective grantees should not be "estabtechnology, etc.),

people in the New Congress

Wi destroying the humanness that b needed to let Life Go On. J

M ~ ~ J Da+fer+heraT U ~ ~

The completed application should be postmarked by Thursday, April 20,1995. A p plications and/or any questions regardingthis granting opportunity should be d i t e d to Craig DUIH),ExecutiveDirector of Very Special Arts Minnesota. 'Ihe telephone numbers are 332-3888 or 1-8OCL 801-3883. Both numbers are TTY accessible, however, if there isno one in the ofice and VoiceMail answers, the 'ITY does not engage. In that instance, the Relay Service should be used to leave a VoiceMail message.

f-l

Handi Medical Supply 2505 University Avenue West St. Paul, Minnesota 55114 At Hwy. 280 8 University Avenue

lished" artists but rather, "fledgling" or ''newly rising" artists.

Visit Our New, Large, Futty-stocked showroom open to the pubtic.

I 11

11

,**

who will tfiink hard ad-

~ + ~ t . y P ~ ~I s +du Nl N (U~ - ~ ~ O~(16-~j,+hSe oPNeurti Ikok DuL Sa* ea.1~4 she N ~ I De~ocrak L.JCK pa+ u d c r 4 AMake US w a ~ T

I-I

.*

Wheelchairslwith complete Commode &shower chairs repair sewice Ostomyland wound care Walkerslcanes, crutches Blood pressure equipment Bathroom sahty aids Diabetic supplies lncontinentllJrological supplies

REAT SERVICE 8 PRICES

tzz.,

We offew 24 hr. Emergency Service customers. Free UPS and deliveries

ively to our regular St. Paul & Suburbs.

We bill M.A.. Medicare. Blue Cmss/Blue Shield UCare and manv h a i n s w h x s

1

1

~

~

(A Partial List 4 HENNEPM CENTER FOR THE ARTS At the corner of Hennepin Ave. & 6th St. orpkations including: This Center houses over a dozen Cricket Iheater, 337-0747 . lllusion Iheater, 3394944 h4N Dance Alliance, 340-1900 Northern Sign Theater, 338-7876. ,

:

#-" -

You Can Get Th

??'

-8

Perfonnances are held at one of three stages. Hennepin Center's mainstage, Bower Haw-thome, is located on the 8th floor and seats 300-400 with 6 wheelchair spaces at right and left seat-12 :with open studi0 6A, the "Little front for u the and heater" which seats 150people withhlobairseating in the front row with cham availablefor Two elevators access all floors and have braille numbers. As f o r j d i n g there are a few spaces behind the building designated as accessiWe parking, otherwise its meters or surrounding lots. 'Ihe undesignateddropoff area is the sideofthe building, even with

corn-

Hennepin Center For The Aris

.

TARGETCENTER /

600 1st Ave. North 673-0900

W

With designated accessible spots in all connecting ramps (by skyway), the Target Center also boasts the largest amouut of wheeldmk seating in the metro: 49 on the lower level and 120 on the upper level. Bathmoms are all accessible, too.

eArt Center wA4cERABT-SQ

mv

Walker: 375-7622. TDD 375-7585

- --

Accessible from drop off area on 1lth St. and from parking ramp which has several designated accessible spaces on each level. A portable Telex assistive listening system is available at usher's stand in main lobby area Wheelchair seuting is limited to the three tiered levels, there's none on main floor.

The Walker offers: a free walk-in ASL signed gallery tour I for events in the AuditoriuwandLRoom;Signed id for visitors with mental or physical disabilities and for ham - d l 375-7609 or 375-7546 TDD, Tues Fri, at least 3 wed 2 weeks advance notice. The first Saauday of each m o d

-

'

Orchestra Hall *

The Guthrie provides: 15 wheelchair spaces with good sigl assistive listening system by request at info center,large* matinees & pre-play symposiums; advance-notice sensaay blind.

The Sculpture Garden paths, made of crushed rock, are l e ~

THE ORPHEUM 9 10 Hennepin Ave. 339-3909 Newly renovated, the Orpheum spas quite accessible although parking may be a bit M c u l t as you are relegated to street meters or nearby lots. Another possibility is to call the box office to see if they will make accessible spaces available in the drop off area which is in the lot adjacent to the theater.

The four main levels ofthe theater are accessibleby an elevator which is operated by staff only. Space is available for up to 20 wheelchairs on main floor and 16 an h e mezzanine levels.

There is a 'ITY phone located in the lobby.

MIFSNEAPOLB M

2400 31 Minneapolis Institute of Atts: 870-3000,870-3 131 'ITY

'

.', /

m OF ART4

The Olpheum

S A T E THEATER 805 Hennepin Ave. 339-0075 'Ihey suggest puking in the LaSalle lot which has at least 8 designated access& spas, then =clevetw to get to lobby.

No elevaton rre wahbk to get betweenthe 3 levels. Wheelchair seating,W a n e , is mtbeAaalrrfloor, rear a d left fb& There's room for 16 wheelchairs. 'Ihere are also some aisle seats available for people with guidedogs. FMassistivelistenina devices have been used in the wt, but call the box office with questions r e m g special

SWFTR~WU

These two institutbnsshtlreoaeentrance;hespower-assWl marked accessible parking spaces available in three-level ran accessible bathmom. The InstituteofEixs sign-interpreted& &selected exhibits, and tactile tours a&special requests WY Theatreo f f e r s w e d ASL m l e in& all with good sightlines, and speci-ans by trq

February 10,1995

Access Press

7

2

RAL OPPORTUNITIES Uore on March lo*)

ere

-And Enjoy TaEATRBDEwJgUIYELUWE 105 N. 1st St. 332-3968

Located in the warehousedistrict o p e a p o l i s , 'Jeune Lune' offers a designated drop off area with curb cut, and plentiful meter and lot parking nearby. Wheelchairs have front and middle open spaces with companion seating also available; there's room for up to 30 wheelchairs. Special events are occasionally sign-interpreted, and portable FM listening systems are availableby request at performance or by phone. Main floor restrooms accessible.

~ A a r r ~ U 333 East River Road (U of M campus) 625-9494

The Gufhrie

-

lmTuRJzG-~TER

-

M

With accessible spots available, the parking levels m the Museum Garage are connected by elevator to the various museum levels. Van parking is also available adjacent to the entranceto the parking garage. Restrooms are accessible. Call ahead for group tours and to arrange an ASL signed tour. The museum is h e .

IEhdPhoe

Guthrie: 377-2224

WeismanArt Museum

WETT BANK THEATER DISTRICT

h e most levels available, and both have accessible restrooms +kspecial accommodations.

1

"

1

.*

245Cedar Ave. 333-3010

ii.

very third Thursday of the month; Free headsets at the lobby desk v t a t i o n with at least 2 weeks advancenotice; Galluy grouptours mg-impaired, & touch tours of selected pennanent-collection works r in advance; Wheelchairseatingand other accommodationsrequire I is free to all visitors.

&lines in various areas (up from 4 spaces four years ago); m W kt and braille programs; ASL performances; advance-notice ASL tours for the visually-impaired; and now, audio description for the

9

~a~~'~~~rnmadasD There has been improvement here in the last 4 years.

U n d e s i w drop area on Cedar Ave. or in packing lot next to theater. Parking relegated to meters or the ramp 2 blocks away.

Wheelchair seating for 2-3 in k n t row. Audio description available for 1performance per show; funding is under way for hiring ASL interpreters. An accessible restroom in the works for 1995.

Theatre In The Round

1eL The Conservatory is also level and wheelchair accessible.

MMEDBUW)DllmATER 1501 S. 4th St. 338-0937 Unmarked drop off at h n t of building. There are two entrances: aramp leads to the 15thAve. entrance,while the 4th St. entrance is level. Parking on street near building with 4 undesignated accessible spotsavailable. Open space forwheelchairs in h n t with seating also for companions. Restrooms accessible.

RHE CEEUMWS TREATRE COMPANY d Ave. South The Children's Theatre Company: 874-0400

Mixed Blood Theater

!amlmmNmTeR 1420 Washgkm Ave. 340- 1725

Children's Theatre lam. The designated drop area is at the main door on 3rd Ave. Seven pp IR block south of theater. Both have elevators to all levels and #us the 1st Sunday of each month, audio described tours for special 13 weeks noticc. Free except for special exhibits. The ChWren'r mad listeningsyskem,7 spaces for wheelchairs plus ond )guest eact lest.

drop off area, w i n g on street at meters or at ramp 2 blocks away. Open space for 13wheelchairs available in front with good sightlines and companipn seating. Other needs met on a case by case basis.

NO desi&d

S-

Access Press

Letters I Dear Access Press: I am young woman who his rheumatoid arthritis. I don't look crippled, yet the bones in my feet and other joints are crumbling. I use ahandicapped parking sticker because it enables me to be more active than1wouldotherwise. I work full time, not by choice, but because I have to. When I finish my 10 hour shifts, I can barely drive home. I have 2 children, one ofwhom is three years oldandveryactive. This past Saturday,I was taking my

I am Bob Royer, Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 204 in Apple Valley, MN,and I am encouragingyour son to enroll in a Cub Pack or Boy Scout troop in your area.

I am made to feel guilty for needing accommodation for my illness. There are too numerous frustrations of daily life with RA to giveyou all the details. My only wish is that those of you in wheelchairs wouldn't always automatically assume those of us without chairs or canes are healthy and abusing the parking privilege.

Don't punish us for the wrongs of others.

THE DHS FORGETS USER INPUT

I can hardly begin to imagine what life in a wheelchair must be like. It must be a personal hell to live with day after day.

It is also very hard to live with an invisible disability. I live Thank you for listening. with pain and 'limitations, which most others cannot see. Name withheld by request

do his best.

by Anne Henry, Minnesota Disability Law Center

Eagle Award Requirements.

By using this program, alternatemeritbadgescanbeearned in lieu of the required ones according to the scouts abilities.

In Cub Scouting the boy is encouraged to do his best in earning his arrow points. In Webelos, the boy is expected to do as much of the requireBecause your son has to use a ments for his activity badges For more information on the location of the nearest Cub wheelchair or other device to that he can.

Pack or Boy Scout please call get around or has limited use of his hands or vocal skills or In Boy Scouting it gets more your local Boy Scout Council. is blind or deaf is no reason involved. The fustthreeranks I feel that it will be one of the that he cannot enjoy the chal- TenderfootthroughFirstClass best things that you can do for lenges and accomplishments can be adapted to the abilities your son. of scouting. Scouts will also of the boy. The ranks of Star, increase social contacts with Life, and Eagle are earned by I would be pleased to answer the awarding of merit badges. any questions that you might their peer groups. have, or give help to you and adapted to suit your son's scoutmust earn atotaloftwenneeds.* ty one merit badges, seven reand fourteen that are . Them can be subin the requiredmerit by using the Alternate e

in scouting.

Bob Royer 7833 Glenda Court Apple Valley MN, 55 124 (612) 43 1-6691

*eeeeeee

,

Dear Publisher:

I am enclosing copy of Page 9 Frank J. Fida of your October 10, 1994 isI picked up your paper for the sue. ( ~ d i ~ ~ we * received ~ fmt time two weeks ago and this letter in late December was dismayed by your blatant Obviously, you belong to the and had no space to it in exposure ofpersonal opinion. camp that don't get it the January issue,so we're -ing it now. nearticle Apparently there were not too Happy Politics !!! referred to is titled, -can&many people influenced by dates - ne~ ~ne~ Bad &d your opinion.

Yours Truly, The Ugly!".)

Long Term Care Services

by Thomas V. MOSS,Director of Long Term Care, DHS Dear Mr. Smith:

In response to the concerns you expressed regarding changes in the personal care services program, I offer the following.

In an effort to moderate the accelerating rise in medical assistance expenditures for personal caretprivate duty nursing services, and to assure compliance with Minnesota Statute, the Department of Human Services recommended legislation to revise service limits. The Home Care Independent Rating System

(HIRS), based on the State's nursing home case mix system, currently allows clients to be authorized for personal care services between 2.5 and 14.5 hours per day based upon their home care rating and medicalneed for services. The limits we are changing do not apply to people who are ventilator dependent,have complex mental health issues, or would otherwise be in an RTC. Minnesotastatuterequiresthe Department's home care rating system be "cost-effective" when compared to statewide weighted average nursing fa-

9

GOVERNOR PUTSPCA ' PROGRAM ON THE

. daughter to the gas station, and I met with arude comment ÂŁromamanwhowasinawheelchair who said, "You don't look very handicapped," as I got out ofthe car with my little girl. He would hardly listen to me as I tried to explain.

February 10,1995

cility rates. That is, client care provided in a community setting should be less expensive than what would be required within along term care institution. Currently, in some instances, more medical assistance funds are being spentfor a client's care than would be spent forthat care in an institution.

To bring the rating system into compliance and to control expenditures, the Department isrecommendmgthatthehome care limits be adjusted. Home care limits are based upon the complexityoftheclient'smed-

The Governor is proposing a 25% cut in personal care assistance limits for the PCA pn>gram beginning July 1, 1995.

Since the Dep-ent of Human Services did not involve any persons with disabilities, advocacy groups or family members in developing this proposal, we currently have no details on how the cuts would affect any individual person. We have been told that over 850 persons will experience a cut in PCA hours.

Persons now receiving services as ventilator dependent or through the Regional Treatment Center category will not be affected by this proposal.

The Legislature will consider changes to the Medical AssistanceHomeCarestatutewhich are needed to make the cuts.

the 1995 Minnesota Legisla- PCA services by actually goture. ing through the nursing home placementprocess @re-admisThe Departmentcharacterizes sion screening team) includthis change as an "adjustment ing being accepted by a specifto home care limits." The Gov- ic nursing home with a higher ernor's budget further states rate. cebudget page reflects that the rational for "adjust- no increased cost for pre-ading" .the limits is to "... bring mission screeningteam activper person costs for individu- ity, the administrativecost for als without specialized care nursing homes associated with needs closer to the statewide going through an admission nursing facility cost."The out- process for someonewho realcome of this change is de- ly wants to remain at home, or scribed by DHS in the follow- the cost ofadditionalPCA sering way: "Reductions of the vice for those who go through maximum amounts of service this cumbersome process. which can be authorizedfor all elevencategoriesofhomecare Legislation will be required in independent rating system is order to implement the 25% part of an overall program r e cut in personal care hours lim- . design and. targeting effort its. The money to-be saved is aimed at maximizing the cost estimated to be over 8.2 mileffectivenessofhomecare ser- lion dollars out of a two-year

ceive either 1) two times the average direct care hours they would get in a nursing home, or 2) threetimes the averageof direct care hours provided in a nursing home, if considered to have "complex medical or behavimlneeds"orUaredependent in at least seven activities of daily living-and need physical assistance with eating or have an neurological diagnosis." The Governor's budget PrOPOSes to reduce the PCA hour limit fi0m two times and tbreetimesthenursingfacility hours to 1.5 times and 2.25 timesthenursinghours limit, a , 25% cut in the PCA hours available. According to DHS, many PCA recipients are not at the limit of available hours, ~~many.-..~iiin~tbe cut. Nonetheless, the PCB Program will have 25% less personal care service hours available if the Governor's budget proposal is adopted by

portant inreducingtheoverall cost of the home care prognun. 'Ihe fact that some individuals will not be able to remain in their homes if a 25% cut in home care hours is imphented, seemsirrelevant to DHS and the Governor. The long-term impact of this proposal is descnid by DHS in the budget n m t i v e as "improved quality and costeffectiveness of personal care program while diverting perSons fi0m more expensive institutional services." Cutting home care hours to achieve a . reduction in institutional use is patently absurd.

ical andbehavioralneeds. (At present, 2 times the average number of direct care hours provided in nursing facilities for the recipient's comparable case mix level, or up to 3 times for recipients who have complex medical needs, are dependent in at least seven activities ofdaily living,need physical assistance with eating or have a neurological diagnosis.) The home care limits would be revised to 1.5 and 2.25 respectfully.

The large majority of clients (80?/0) receive less hours of service than these new home care limits allow and would not be affected by this change.

-+

that 20??of current PCA recipients(over850people)win have their PCA time reduced if this proposal is enacted.

-

The legislaturehas not yet considered this budget proposal.

The Governor and the Commissioner proposed this cut without any input fiom personswhoreceivepersonalcare smices,theirfamilies,orpersonal care providers. The ultimate decision is up to y o u State representative and State senator.

The savings estimated by cutting PCA limits should be re-

+

ducedbyincreasedinstitutiona1 placement costs for those who cannot remain at home with less PCA service. DHS maintains that a person could exceed the new lower limit of

4

.

The growth in personal care/ private duty nursing service utilization is alarming. Since 1990, the number of clients receiving services has increased 300%; since 1991, expenditureshavetipled.This revision of home care limits would limit the growth in expenditures to an 18%increase

over the biennium. In 199495, the Department of Human Servicesspent $222.5 milliori

onpasonalcareattendantsand private duty nursing services.

Even with this proposed $7.5 million containmentapproach, taxpayers will spend $272.5 million in the coming biennium. Clients will continue to receive services essential to maintain their independence while quality, cost and access become more balanced.

.

-

( men-W-2

and 1099 fomls;

'