January 1995 Edition - Access Press by Access Press

1America -

" WE SIMPLY NEED TO ERASE THE S U T E

j contract on Resource Directory - 9 Events Calendar - 11

a Volume 6, Number 1

AlVD START OVER AGAIN" -Newt Gingrich

Page 6

Access Press

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-jonuary

RESOURCES

10,1995

ADA THREATENED - NATIONAL ADVOCATE SOUNDS AN ALARM LOCAL GROUPS MOBILIZE QUICKLY by Charlie Smith

Justin Dart, a nationally known advocate for people with disabilities called Margo Imdieke of the Minnesota State Council on Disability to explain what he has found to be a looming crisis concerning r vital ct the

of the new coalition and Mr. and Mrs. Dart met with Senator Wellstone for a two-hour luncheon session. Senator Wellstoneagreed that the "Contract for America" could have a destructive effect on present legislation

ship on any entities. Senator Grams appeared unconvinced. but his examples were anecdotal and not a result of actual renovations. He did say that he had no intention of taking away one's civil rights. On December 22nd, the new

no repeal of the expanded resulted in a favorable article in the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

rn Justin Dart -national advocate comes to Minnesota

I CANNOT BELIEVE that the leaders ofour nation.

and I remember history. I an

far an iraitiaa session held ar-.' v&ation of the ~ e ~ u b l i c a nof Mr. D&S statement, and with deeply rooted negativc ffie fkl%@ @&~-c$WJL, contract which would ask on page 6, a list of statements attitudes and massivc w i t h o v e r 6 0 ~ h a & a w, of the senate 60 dance representing approxi- p l e @ $ % ~ mately 50 organizations. The no action which neg&My result was the formation ofyet affected children, poor peoanot6erdition"Americans ple and those with disabilifor Disability Rights Minne- ties. He also said he would sota". Members of the new work closely with Justin Dart coalition met with Senator andthathewouldstay in touch Paul Wellstone the next day, with the coalition members. with Senator Rod Grams on . Wednesday, and met to for- On Decern r r I st, the repret n w a position p a p and sentativesofthecoalitionwere press conference on 'l%urs- promised a half hour audience with Senator Grams at day. his Anoka o&. Having Mr. Dart made clear that he made the trek and assembled Wour localgroupswouldbe at his ofice, they were instop in his na- formed that he had a conflict a lagical tionwide camp&g to coun- and would nut be available. A teract what he senseswill Be a staff member agreed to hear potenWy disastrous attack Mr. Dart's presentation and o n ~ l a w s p r o our ~ g relay it to SenatmGrams. Part civil righfi. The reason he se- way into this procedure, Senlected Minnesota was that he ator Grams appeared and b W p a s t e x p e a i e n c e ( l 5 agreed to sit with the group ofnationalsenriceinthe for five minutes. He volunfie1ct)thatMinnewta is a lead- teered some examples of exer in fighting for equity and cessive costs which were imindependencefor people with posed on thelocal school disdisabilities. He also hoped he trict and the City of Anoka as could came away fim the examples of b u r h s which Minnesota experience with a are a result of ADA regulamadel.to be usednationwide. tion. Ms. Imd@m wd Mr. He wasn't disappointed. Dart explained that the law doesnotrequire expenditures On December 20th members which will cause undue h d *-'-.

which we were outcasts. According to media reports, they are seriously considering amending the ADA to make enforcement a local option.

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d.articles suppotting his

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WWO HAVE DISABILITIES ARE IN GRAVE DANGER of Iosing our fragile, hard won beachhead on the mainland of American life. Governors, Mayors, and media personalities are launching an escalating chorus of assaults on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), calling it a costly h d e d m t e , and worse. The IndividualDisabilityEducation Act (IDEA) andMedicaid are under attack, as are SSI supportsforchildrenwith disabilities. There is increasing public focus on the cost of keeping people with severe disabilities alive, and on their "right" to die. The new leaders of Congress have announced their agenda, aaContract with America" that, implemented literally, could cfrasticallycutvirhlallya l l p gramsthatempowerus. They speak of "erasing" key eoon m i c and social prograntsof the last three decades, and "reasserting American Cul. as it has existed for thc last 300 years'' - a culture in

misinformation from specia inter&& could result in su unthirdrin'gpulling ofthe plui on our progress, our rights the programs that empower us, and, in some W s , on very lives. Back to hopeles: dependency, hapebss isola tion, hopeless poverty. Bacl to sub-human status.

CHECKS IN THE MAIL

1 O n December 19th, U.S.

non-economic losses will he based on the number ofrick reservations each rider &a& triiution*mfUnd between October 1993 and created in %eM& ~ d i t ym h 1994, the period dur&whichMetro Mobiliiserelass action lawsuit. WE MUST MOBILIZE rice was mod severely imWE MUST EDUCATE Metro Mobility riders who paired. NOW. The new Congres filed claims share approxjconvenes on January 4th mately $680,000 in cash and Republican leaden have an 6155,000 worth of free ride The lawsuit was filed in Nonounced a blitz to pass thei coupons. An additional vember 1993, in theaftermat11 ''Contra& agenda during th~ $45,000 worth of free ride of disruptions in Metro Mofirst one hundred days. WI couponsalready has beendis- bility services that prampted must acttoday,beforethehol tributed toMetroMobilityrid- Gov. Arne Carlson to call out idays, during the holidays ers. Claimants should have the National Guard to help while basic positions are stil receivedtheirchecksandcou- opemitethe public transportabeing formed. pons in late Decemberor ear- tion system for persons with 1y January. disabilities. ADA on p. 6 . -- cont. --:z--E EAa$istrate Judge Jonathan Le&edoBapproved fmal dis-

Riders who filed claims will be reimbursed for their outof-pocket expenses related to disruption of Metro Mobility cmmitted P ~ O P service, ~ including lost wages can change t h and reimbursement for alternative transportation. In adf ndeed, i is the thim dition,rihwillbe wanpnsated for "non-economic" that euer has." losses disruption of their Mead lives. The reimbursement of

ta srnall group o &g&g

Charles Nauen, one of the attorneys fortheclass, said payment to class members "will compensate riders, in some part, for the tqhg times that theywent tluough. The greatest benefit, however, isapub' lic transportation system that is more sensitiveto the needs and h a n d s of its ridership."

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nicabe with the elected ofi- bers of Voices for Disability cials who represent us in the Rights (83 1-1932) would be January 31 -Pamela Armstrong & Melody Martin

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House and in the Senate about how the breakdown of that system affects US (their constituents, the people who vote t b m into and OUT OF their offices), then we aren't holding up our end of the bargain. No one can know what you need or how a decision they are about to make will impact on you unless YOU TELL THEM!!

glad to assist you Become yow own best advocate, don't give that power to someone else, they might not have YOUR best interests on THEIR agenda. Venture into the rituals of the Legislative Season (Session), beghhg with that first phone call. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to get into tbn spirit.

It's truly that simple. Nn elo-

Putting Theology Into Action: The Role That The Religious Community Has In Furthering Justice For February 3 People With Disabilities

Minneapolis 11 am.to 1 p.m.

Sign language interptm will be available. For additional1 information, call Jane Fitz at the Metropolitan Council at 29 1-6511 or 229-27 15 TTY.

PCA TASK FORMING I CONSUMERS INVITED T h e Minnesota Department of Human Services @HS)is forming an advis~rytaskforce to aid in the development of a rulegowerningthelicensureof MedicalAssistance (MA)Personal Care Attendant WA)

ACCESSPRESSis amonthlytabloid newspaper ublished for persons withdisabilitiesby Polychme, Ltd., W.A. Smith, Jr., President. Circulation is 1{OOO, distributedthe 10.of each month through more than 120 locations statewide. A ximately 650 copies are mailed directly to political, business, institutional and civic leaders. ~u!riptions are available f a $l2/yr.

Publisher Editor Cartoonist Production Staff Writer & Etliorial Assistant

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-rateswn ing from $7 to $141column inch, depedding on size and frequency. Classified ads are $7.00, p h u %centdword ~ over 35 words.

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February 7 -Open

ACCESS .....,... ...................... .,.. ...................PRESS ................................ Wm. A. Smith, Jr. ....................................... ................................ ........................................Charles FSmith .................... ................, ............................. ........................................Seott Adams ......................... -...., ............................ Presentation Images, Ellen Oestrekher ......,........................................................Dawn R Doering

Febmar3' 2

Advertising and editorial deadlines are the 30th of the month preceding publication; special scheduling available for camera-ready art. Inquiries should be directed to: ACCESS PRESS 3349 University Ave. S.E. Minneapolis, Mlmesota 55414 (612) 379-0989 Fax (612) 379-2730

providers. The legislature mandated the Department ofHuman Services to license MA providers of personal care services. The advisory task force will study the issue and form guidelines for the Department. The task force may take up to eighteen months to complete its work. DHS is seeking consumers of

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MApersonal care servicesand representatives of consumers to participateon the task force. Advocacy groups, providers, and professional associations will also be invited to participate. If you are interested in participating on this task force please contact Carol Grant at (612) 297- 1217. For TDD, contact Minnesota Relay Service at (612) 297-5353 or 1800-627-3529.

BEmm

To Reach 10,000 Active and Interested Readers, Call 379-0989

SPECIALIZED TRANSPORTATION

529-5019

483-9143

C A ~ YWWL ~ ASSISTANCE PROVIDER &INES

INC.

y Dr. Margaret Pfanstiehl roposed legislation would on or off, at tht ntrel of provide captioning for deaf the visually i m p a m persan, h-dnot description for blind d low vision ~ m l e . ~ Thetechnique and produdon of video description for TV As closed c a p t i a a ~ m l a t e s has been available since Januunheard spoken words into ary of 1990 on the Public visible words for people who Broadcasting Service (PBS) are deaf, so audio description but today only four series are translates unseen sights into described.

muniGatim Act of 1995 r e quire phased-in description accessibiiity &rmtaindelevised prociwtim *6nhy, are transmitted by sateflit%, cable, phone lines and dire& broadcast. For more information cmt=

adds audio desm@ion of key visual elements of a p r o p a y -body Iangwge, ~0n.teaM,Qoa,000mov- Dr. Margaret P$mtiehl, with settings, getioas, eta. - b &r it is fidW T$aE is k r husband Cody, is coafter the production is . ~ l ~ ~ ~ t f i x p o s t - ~ - - ~ & 4 o & s c r i p l i 0 1 1 . Descriptions are delivered a half-hour TV &ow, - ,via the SAP channel of

FREE NOON HOUR GARDEN TALKS AT THE MINNEAPOLIS.LIBRARY Room31O,theJanuarythro~~Marcht0pic contact Mary Maguire Lerman at 348-4448. Jaaua

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Winter Identification of T m s

February 1

New Plant Introductions

starting seedlings ~nciom

February 22

Vining Interior Plants

March

Planting the Early Garden

URBAN LANDS PROGRAM WINTER WORKSHOPS .- F -

Kick offthe new year with gardening classessponsoredby the Sustainable ~ w k c center's e U& Lands U r ~ g r a mhe . Urban Lands Program promotes sus-, non:&emical gardening and lawn care methods throughout the Twin Cities. Classes are fiee orrequireanominal fee to cover materials, and are open to anyone in the metro area

MINESOQ'S nat plan tmlored to their home. Lecture, discusbeautifid & hardynati~e~1ant.s intoyourhome landscape.Free. sion, hands-on-Avities, and class critiques round out the course. Registration is limited to 10 participants on a firstThur. 1/26 7:OO-8:30pm Starting Seeds Indoors come, first-served basi ron't miss it! Series fee: $10. Hillcrest CommynityRecreation Center, 1978 Ford Parkway, St. Par1 M~U?% 7:OO-8:30pm Start& Seeds Indoors Learn simple methods to raise your own bedding plants from Bottineau Park Center, 2000 2nd St. N. E. seeds. Save money and grow exactly what you want this Minneapolis summer. Wffi seed guru Betsy Wheeler. Cosponsored by the (Repeat of January 26) With Master Gardener Betsy Wheeler. Sound Land- City of St. Paul Division of Parks & Recreation. Free. Free.

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Wed. 1/18 6:3 seape Maintenance Nokomis Park Cenreu, 2401' East Minnehaha Pkwy8 MiJlneMir :+, 7 - . Maintain a beautiful and healthy yard and garden while saving nt. With landscape architect -.-7

Organic Gardening . Mtthews Park Center, 23 18 28th Ave. S. Minneapolis Master Gardener Betsy Wheeler guides you fiom planning-to plating-to harvest! Bring along your questions and seed catalogs. Free. Wed. 1/25 6:30-8:30pm Native Plants in Home Landscapes Van Cleve Park Center, 901 15th Ave. S.E., Mmpdh Join landscape architect, naturalist, and restoration specialist d RommaIski fix an d colorful overview of

Tue. 1/31 6:30-8:30pm Gardening for Wildlife Powderhorn Park Center, 3400 15th Ave. S. Minneapolis Urban Lands Horticultural Specialist Elizabeth Foerg discusses the birds and the bees, and how to attract and suppost them with specialty gardens 1$ habitats. It works! Free.

Mon. 2/13 6:30-8:3Opm Gardening for Wildlife . Limvood Park Center, 8860 St. Clair Am, r r w v St. Paul ., (Repeat' of January 31) With Elizabeth Foerg. ~ & e .

Tue. 2/28 6:30-8:30pm Cooking Class: African & Caribbean Specialties -- *?=: FEBRUARY Whittier Park Center, 22600 Grand Ave. S. MinMis 2/1,2/8,2/15,2/22 6:30-8:30pm EnvironmentalRr Sensi- Join Stephen Fanner for an evening creating and enjoying tire Landscape Design Workshops globally-inspired dishes using Minnewta-gmwn garden proKenwood Park Center, 2101 W. Frankiin duce. Easy, inexpensive, and delicious! Free. Minneapolis Consecutive Wednesdays Fred Ronunalski leads a fourPHONE 872-3288 TO REGISTER! session workshop in which participants will design their own environmentally-sensitive home landscapes. Participants will Child care and reasonable a c c o m m ~ n for s people with leave the series with an understanding of urban ecology; the disabilitiesare availableuponrequest Pleasephone 872-3288 uses of native and exotic shrubs, trees, and giasses; and a at k t me week in advanm of event.

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Access Pr

RELIGION & DISABILITY LIFE GOES ON by LeAnne Dahl

by Maureen Pranghofer really what they say - not blind and also becoming a wheelchairuserinthespaceof much of a person." less than a year I have found "Being a person who is not myself thinking the above of much worth there isn't thoughts 6om time to time. I too much that I am capable have a deep desire to serve God but wonder what it is that of doing." I could do. How can I let "Not being able to do much people know about my faith? also includes serving God." Last June I graduated fiom a "And sinceI can't serve God rehabilitation program. While very well this explains why I was there I did many things I have this continuing con- work on braille, learning to flict in my spirit of wanting use a white cane, learning to to serve God but not being cook without looking, etc. It was not a setting in which it able to do so." was appropriate to discuss And on it can go -piling on issues of faith. Yet when I crap deeper and deeper. The graduated and the staff and fact is, though,that the One we students were asked by the desire to serve sees us in a executive director to each whole different light and even say something they liked when we think that we are not about me, the things they said being the servants we want to all had to do with qualities of be God is bigger than us. In having and exhibiting faith. being bigger than us we fnd They werethingsabout peace, ourselves sometimes being joy, beingunafrilid,andsomesurprised at the ways in which how seeing things in a differwe serve. ent light than everyone else. And isn't that what serving is So what's the point anyway? all about. Maybe leaving the Wel1,thepointofallthiscame worries about how we can home to me personally last serve up tothe One we serve is "I guesi%ey7re right. I'm June. Since becoming totally the answer we need most.

A s people withdisabilitieswe receive a lot of mixed messages. While on one hand we are sometimesthought ofas being extra special, we are at the same time told we are not adequate enough to meet society's standards. We are Children of God but many of us have also been told by people that they would "just die" if they were like us. We've been told that we are wonderful at accepting the bitter pill which has come our way while at the same time otherstryto heal us. What this all boils down to is that if we listen to these messages we can get pretty confused. If I can go along my way and ignore all thisjumble of conflicting thoughts I'm fme. If1 can just keep reminding myself of who I am in God's eyes my world looks great. But, it's this remembering that is the internal conflict we all struggle with at times. And when I fmdmyselfburied deep within the PLUMS (Poor Little Unloved Me Syndrome) I can tell myself some pretty unhealthy things like:

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By the time you're reading this, we will have entered a New Year and 1994 will just be a memory. If you're like I am, you a h special dat 1995 cale maybed erperso 1995 is sure to be a year for settin be p

3M has been selected from a field of 1,300defensecontractors to receive the U.S. Department of Defense Logistics Agency's annual Award for Excellence for the company's use of sheltered workshops. The agency provides purchasing and logistics services for all branches ofthe armed forc3M issued more than a thousand purchase orders worth over $5.6 million to sheltered workshops in 1993. These in-

cludedthe National hdustries . donates for the Severely Handicapped cilities. andtheNationa1Industriesfor the Blind. "3M has made a substantial cammitment to the severely In making the award, a repre- handicapped," says Lloyd Alsentativefiom the Department derman, director of programs of Defense noted that 3M's for small and disadvantaged involvementgoes beyond pur- businesses for the defense chasing services: Company agency. "This company sets a employeesfrequently serve as splendid example of corpoboard members of the various rate citizenship." workshops around the country. 3M alsoprovidesengineer- The award was presented to ing assistance and training for 3M in late 1994. work center employees and

At just about the time that the Legislature is winding up it's business for the session, it nill be timetoheadfortheconfer-

sible, it would be worthwhile will be held at Holiday Inn, numbers.

With the recent November electionresults,we must all be concemedaboutissuesthatare importanttothedisabledcommunity. When it comes right down battle just grams that such as: PCA's Health Care, and Metro Mobility. Each of the advocacy groups will have their own set of priorities that they will share with us, and many of them were listed in the last issue of ACCESS PRESS. Be sure to read the following issues for the latest coverage of all the Capitol happenings. At this point in time, let me emphasize the importance of supporting one

3M RECOGNIZED FOR t HELP WITH SHELTERED WORKSHOPS ~

another and displaying a united fiont before elected officials. It's equally important to study the issue first so that we

es to be an exciting day. Yo11 Undoubtedly, there will be will be hearing more about muchcontroversialdiscussion this in the months to come in of taxes as there usually is on this column. both the Federal and State lev-

taxes, which will in turn lead to cutting programs, I get very angry. It appears that people want the benefits that their government provides, but aren't willing to pay for them. I think that people with disabilitiesknow betterthanmost that increased taxes can provide more and hopefully better services. We need to keep this in mind as we watch the news.

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whiz by. It'sonethingto have special personal occasions planned, but it's quite another to set aside time to get involved in civic duties. Each o f us needs to look ahead to the coming molrths anticipating our ability to react quickly when called upon. And so, LIFE GOES ON!

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WrORKSHov 4 >'

FvriAT IS A PLAN TO ACHIEVE SELF SUPPORT?

LEARN ABOUT THE SOCIAL SECURITY REGULATIiONS AND TALK ABOUT THE PROCESS!

:;T;$.

~nstructoris Toni Watt, Director of Propose Ability, Inc. -

Hosted by United Cerebral Palsy of Minnesota, Inc., J o b Erbes, Director Thursday, January 26,1995,ll:O~am-1:OOpm Griggs Midway Building, 1821 University Ave., Suite 127 South, St. Paul

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Bring your own lunch Beverages provided Handicapped parking lot Cfree), and Griggs parking lot (2-3hrs is $1.50) are on Fairview Ave.

Propose Ability, Inc. was started by Toni Watt in 1991 to meet the demands of the Disabled Community. Using the underadvertised Social Security ?);, Work Incentives it is possible for you to work! '\ '

If you have Social Security Disability Insurance (S.S.D.I.) benefits, P.A.S.S is a must! Don't go to work without it! If you receive Supplemental Security Income (S.S.I.) due to a disability and have a job or other income, or plan to be working, P.A.S.S. can help! - -.

Workshop is free to S.S.D.I. and S.S.I. recipients and family mi?mbers. Professionals' fee is $20. Registrations due by and ConsumerSector, recognizes 3M's leadership in assistiiig sheIlered workshop. On Mon., January 23. To register or for more information lefl Is Lloyd Aldermanfrom the Defense Logistics Agemy; at right Is Captain w h e n Brooks, U.S. Navy, please call 788-9397. . . --;-:.;-7 , .;:-::;-- w q p + k - r- w G - L -G- -J- -: -. ::RT --? -- 5 - - .. . . '

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January IU, 1995

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; THREATS TO ADA, IDEA AKD A-

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EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMS ECTIONS '94. THE ~ e m b e r1 1, future Speaker of the HouseNewt Gingrich said, "It is impossible to take the Great Society" systems for , and conceivably its dealing with the poor, and "have any hope of fixing things ... We simply need to erase the slate and start over lections of the New again." He called for methodically reasserting "American civilization as it has existed for the last 300 years" - a civilization in which we were haracterized their goal as outcasts. He has asked the routing contemporary liber- Heritage Foundation to draw lism and advancing an ag- up aplan of action. Two years ssive conservative agen- ago Heritage President Ed Feulner called ADA and the Civil Rights Act of 1991 "economic and social nannyism." ced federal budget, tax In their initial recommendarmiddleclassand well- tions to the Speaker, Heritage recommended the repeal of the IDEA law that gives us equaledible observers agree that ity in education. Congressis plan, implemented liter- man Tom Delay, identified by ly, without refinement, the Washington Post as a leadould result drastic cuts in er in setting criteria for the ograrns that empower peo- Contract, opposed the ADA on all nine votes. The Post also mentioned staunch ADA WE NEED TO ERASE opponent National Federation HE SLATE." Explaining ofhdependent Businesses was he Contract agenda on No- as having key input into the

heroes Ted Kennedy and Tom Harkin as Committee chairs, and we lose ADA author Bob Silverstein as Director of the Senate Subcommittee on Disability Policy.

content of the Contract. THE NEW CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP. Speaker Gingrich voted against our positions on ADA five votes out of nine, but he did reportedly help behind the scenes to get the landmark bill passed. New Majority Leader Richard h e y voted against the passage of the ADA on all nine votes, as did Congressman Bill Archer, the new Chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, and Congressman Bud Shuster, new Chairman of the Public Works and Transportation Committee. We lose empowerment crusader Major Owens as chair of the House Subcommittee on Select Education and Civil Rights. We do better in the Senate where ADA supporters Dole, Hatfield, Domenici, Chafee, Packwood, Hatch and Kassebaum are in key positions. However, Senator Trent Lott, now number two Republican in the Senate, has recently stated that ADA should be amended. And we lose ADA

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ATTACKS ON OUR RIGHTS. This massive shift ofpower and agenda occurs in the context of increasing public attacks - by members of both parties and the major media - on the ADA, the mainstreamingofchildrenand adults with disabilities, the rights of persons with cognitive and psychiatric disabilities, and other foundational components of our empowerment agenda. Teacher's union President Albert Shanker and AM Landers haveattacked the integration of children with severe disabilitiesin the classroom. Many Mayors and Govemors have attacked the ADA as an unfunded mandate. Rick Santorum, Senator-elect from Pennsylvania was quoted recently in the Harrisburg Patriot as referring to ADA regulations as "fanatical." "The ADA is bankrupting municipalities.

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b a o k ~ t ~ t o b e b i g F o ~ t b e b s s txmba t~& grass roots leadership ~ t ~ v m h w e a w a % y ~ ~ o in~every ~ community. h -

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W e l a m a i a ~ g t i m e a g o t t w t p u r ~ i s ~ ~ ~ g m i a s y o u REACH r OUT TO YOUR h k p r That prmishgf"rlsndiy service isn't anougk Riverside.$er+ . ALL vice k d w with a w e f l u highly-motivated thatl list& tpa STATE'S MEM@ - ~ ~ ' $ ~ a n d w ~ t P m e # ~ ' & , BERS OF THE NEW .-."$&;.&?+ - -., b I CONGRESS beginning today, while you * Y " V

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bate on the ADA in 1990. In too many cases their of the ADA and disability programs come largely from the reeent avalanche of negative propagamh Manyhillveterans including old fii&inbothpartieshave been influencedby the same negative mes-

WillaskedSpeaker-electNewt Gingrich, "Will the Republican majorities prune that legislation (the ADA)?". Gingrich said, "I believe that localcommunitiesshouldhave the opportunity to apply local common sense without a Washington bureaucracy. You want to maximize every American's right to participate fully .... I don't think that ought to be done by a Washington bureaucracy drawing Washington lines to then be enforced across the board everywhere in America." WASHINGTON POST, NOVEMBER 22. House Republicans are "reexamining the Americans with Disabili-

ties Act. November23, "The new Republican leaders of Congresstoday promisedRepublican governors greater power and freedom to solve problems without interference from Washington .... Dole and Gingrich pledged .... to move quickly on legislativerelieffrom federal mandates on the states. Unfunded mandates are the passalong, costs of federal regulations attached to primarily environmental and social legislation .... such as the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts, legislation requiring easy access to public places by disabled persons and 0ther federal laws..."

REP. TOM DELAY PRESS CONFERENCE DECEMBER 14. - "Congressman Delay, is ADAgoingtobeon the Republican agenda for change?" Absolutely, A Clean Air, all of them."

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ple of profound conscieice, family. w e who have disabii- and for the people - all the who share our passionate de- iti:5f$p&o,nee fi3ofthepop-, people yes! Contract on termination to emmcipktdi~l"liillati~n 49 million Ameri- Americans with disabilities prisoners of dependency, and cans, plus millions more, our no! Of course social and ecoempower the& in the main- families and service &vid- nomic programs need to be stream of f?ee enterprise de- _em.We vote. improved. No group is more *, mge?y: . - + aware of the cancerous o p MESSAGE: ADA IS GOOD pression of paternalistic buDELIVER OUR M E S FOR AMERICA. ADA is reaucracythanpeoplewithdisSAGE. Directly to the Con- notanunfbndedmandate. It is abilities. But let us take care gress, but also to the state a civil rights law that simply that in our haste to change, we house, the White House and extendstoAmmicanswithdis- do not create more welfare. government at all levels, to abilitiesthe sameConstiMion- more paternalism, more costs, business, to labor, to groups alprotectionsthatotherAmer- more misery. Let us ensure representing minorities, wom- icans aIreadyenjoy. ADA will that Ghanges protect and enen and older Americans and to- not banlaupt anyone. It spe- hance rehabilitation, DD, perall other potential allies. De- cificallyprovidesthatno busi- sonal assistanceand legal sewliver our message face to face? ness or public entity can be ices, IDEA, independent livby telepholle, f 6 cmputer, ,ywuired to do anyth:mg which ing, Medicaid, Medicare, hit the mail, in the streets. U* will mult in d u e hardship. housingandallotherprograms every Christmas card. Use the ADA will open the doors of and protections that empower media. Be h n t row visible at oppommity for people with people with disabilities to be public event~withsigns~ ques- disabilities, enabling us to get productive participants in the tions and shouts. Flood talk offof welfareand into the pro- mainsream. Let us ensurethat shows, TV and newspapers ductive mainstream of our changesempowerpersonswith with truth. Use newsletters, communities, ADA will pay v q severe disabilities to be faxes, computers and tele- for its tiny mst a hundredtimes - free fiom the fear of rationed phone trees to activate our in terms of reduced welfare life, to be emancipated from community. Collect andcom- and increased productivity. expensive, prison-like institumunicate personal stories iltions, and to live with dignity lustrating the necessity of MESSAGE: ADA. COOP- in their communities. ADA, including the positive ERATION YES! AMENDeffects of ADA on real lives. MENT NO! We are ready to MESSAGE: THE AMERISendcopies toCmcernet$Cit- cooperolte 10Weto ensure irn- CAN HERITAGE at its best, izenswia Diilities(addrew plementation ofthe ADA that the magical power of Ameribelow). is sensitive to the nee& of 03's explasive success, from individuals, businewes and 1776 to 1994, has been the MESSAGE: DISABILITY .communities. But wewillfight aggressive empowerment of IMPACTS ALL OF US. any mmdment. Wewill fight traditionally appressed peoWith the advance of mcuiem for ow right to be hlly equal ples to be fully equal particimedicine disability has be- citizens ofthe USA. Ms. Con- pants in the mainstream o f k e come a n o d characteristic gmsswoman, we want your e n t q r h e democracy. Nothof human being. Sooner or commitment that you will be ing could more Republilater every family your fam- with us. can, nothing could be more ily, Mr. Congressman is goADA cont. on D. 7

NBCCABLE NEWS NETWORK DECEMBER 9. "ADA will be amended, but ., how?"

THECOMMUN~Y

GINGRICH: AMENDTHE ADA TO TAKE AWAY OUR FEDERAL RIGHTS. November 13 on "This Week with DavidBrinkley,"George

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RICAN DREAM E TA BLI S H TRUTH TEAMS in every Congressional district, starting with at least onszfiember today you - and growing Xo 'ten members or more in the next few weeks. If our movement is to survive and to achieve its [goals in the new politics of the nineties, we must establish a permanent core of activist

They're forced to cut curbs. I'm not against that, but why tomorrow?" In November Rush Limbaugh blasted the ADA (again)and called on the new Congress to "fix" it.

9 &

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Access Press

IS YOUR HOUSE A

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mentary mi&- -differ~ ~ t l y c flictingroles,in total harmony for the same goals: equality, independence and empowerment in the mainstream.

WIN? ABS0- ~

LUTELY!We will lose some M e s . But we have the altimate weapons to win the war br ajust society: people, tmth,

loveofhumanity. We have the moral and the economic argurnents. We have people who have created miracles of independenceandjustice. We have you. IF WE CAN MULTIPLY OUR TINY ARMY OF PATRIOTS, ifwe can utilize the coming historic policy debate to establish the principles of

THIS IS THE MOMENT OF TRUTH for each 6ne of

overcome. o n Justin and Yoshih Dart (Justin Dart war one of the authors of the ADA and also war appointed by President Reagan, and reappointed by Pred&nt Bush, to Chair the President's Committee to Employ People with Disabilities. &. Dart Ir now a nutional advocate for p s a n s withdisabilities)

us. America is watching. The world is watching. Will our movementuniteinadion?Will we increase our advocacy enough to keep the Dream alive? We can do it, if 6 are - willing to pay the price. If we Nde: We urgently need reare no^ if we fail or are per- ports of your activities, of ceived to lkil, God help our d e v e l q m e n t s i n y o u r ~ u -

new politidclout, if we can peop

LbDARlTY! We must set acausewotf'

le b~lainess,personality d y i k - l i

by Kevin Otley

own home. In Michigan, a ' When I lived at the Lake communitylivingservicespm Owasso state institution in gram enables people with dis- Minnesota,you had to ask fm abilities to either buy or lease everything: "can you let me theirownhomeand&their out?," "can I have a can of own deksiolls about the sup pop'2,""can I stay up a littlebit ports they n d And an unorga- longer? . nization called A Home Of Your Own Alliance is work- When 1 moved into a group ing on the national level to home, I had to follow all of the fund projects that result in rules. I had to go to bed at a ownership, choice, .nd con- I artahtime, andwhen Iwarin trol of homes by people with be$ I had to be asleep: that developmental disabilities. wasthat. Ilivedwithtwoother guys. We were beingwatched By un-ding the issues all the time, 24 horn a day, and speaking out, self-&o- seven days a we&. cates can help themselves and others with disabilitiesto have Two years ago I got mmied. more control over where and My wife and I moved into our how they live. Together, self- own apartment. Now that I advocates can demand the havemy own place, Imakethe closingofstateinstitutions and decisions. I have my ownkeys. other large facilities, and work I can let myself out, and let toward having mare power in myself back in. the place we call %me!' Kevin Otley Now I can come and go when 1;Ydtwk the Commurlity Or- Iwant. Icanmakemyown gadzer for Advocating food, d I decide whether I when s w comes ovgl: h i n a *@*ate w a n t t o h a ~ . e m t a I a'I'heyhelpuswibr~otneWngs~member of Advocating. or when I'm ready f~ a m k . but we make o w k i - Change wiw& We can invite f5ends to stay s i m . j h m Voiceprint, Fall 1984. '

~uugressman,we will work inordertogaintenpmyposi- electiam. Wesolicityourguid-

N WE

HOMEITHE KEYS ARE MINE ' "'

r~ a recent meeting of selfage the '"residents" care and ldvocates in Minnesota, a comply with a slew of wellgoup thought of words that intentiod government reguiescribe a home. The group lations. The power also belsed words like freedom, longs to the individuals, cor;hoices,pride,commuuityyand gorations, or government wxurity. Theseare words that agencies that own d @t ople might use to de- from the bilities. mibe what a home means. qowever, one word stood out While the movement firom inhat probably wouldn't com- stitutions to the community mody make the list of words continues, the opportunity to 1to describeahome:pow- ownorcontrolone'sownh~ is still quite rare for persons with developmental disabiliIhe p h whae people in ties. There are approximately hisgroup have or arecumat- 70,000 people with developliving are s e g q p t d , con- mtal disabWes still living ggated,highlymgukd,and in state institutions in our counstructured. They are stdkdin ty. Ooly 38% of all people shifts and owned by anofher with devekpmtd disabilimxm, a corporation, or tho ties live Qlace5 with six rn government The places are fewer pee&. People with tircilities,smehesdescribed developmental dhbilitiesare as "home-l?ilre," but not very still living in facilities, not :h like %om?' if your def- homes. mutmnofhomeincludeschic3,fi.eedom,and power. But t h i i are changing. In several states aroundthecoua-

January 10,1995

G-

January 10,1995

Access Press

The Power Of To by Gordon Gillesby The Power of To: Whatever its booms or busts, last year is in the record books. The consequences of it's decisions are now seeds for a new year's battles for all creatures great and small. Winter returns with iiigid vengeance not unlike politicians returning to their various seats of power. Forces are positioning themselves by the socalled "Contract with America". Everyone is swinging apolitical budget-cutting ax hell bent on out-hacking everybody else in an unrelenting drive that lays waste anything defmed as "unnecessary" in daily media skirmishes as ugly as they are unenlightened.

serveduntouched. When threatened, we (whoeverthe "we" happensto be) raise the unholy specter of racial, sexual, minority-based attacks upon the under-privilege by rich, powermongering pale mono-skin-colored gender-defective (and probably alien) life-forms. We caterwaul, protest and calculate grand media ploys for getting on the next Geraldo, Donahue, or Sally-Jesse whichever pays more. In short, they play a game, we play a game and in the end, everyone loses. It doesn't have to be that way. People are people howeverthey chose to communicate and Cyberspace reflects this. The same mandates, all the samehuman bias, bigotry, behavior and ideas fiom grandioseto grand are all on display. People are no more noble, unselfish, wise or kind just because they network using computers. People are people; ideas are ideas. Each should be evaluated on individual merits. If we are to get off our collective duffs and participate - it's vital to understand exactly WHY-all this computertechno-wizardry is essential to all future political (medical, religious, philosophical, social, economic, etc., etc. at infinitum, ad nausea) debates. It all boils down to three things.

Supposedly this fiscal bloodshed is justified if you buy into all this contract rhetoric. Maybe it has less to do with promises thanpunishmeni. One form of revenge is giving your opponent everything he asks for but in such quantities he becomes buried by it. Politicians will choke us on "fiscal responsibility" until we cry uncle. Are they a h i d of change and upset because the American electorate isn't good little sheepiesre-electing them year after year? Ultimately, they seem more interested in job securitythanwhat's best forthe country -even if that means mortgaging q~ 1 future. INTERACTIVE IDEA EXCRANGES: online, networked communication interactive meaning it is not one-way communi-

ing, in its second decade, is available nearly everywhere. While it isn't the same as talking with someone in the same room, it's a fast and reliable method of sending your own ideas instantly (a.k.a. "chatting") or broadcasting through conferences spanning large geographic areas (states, regions, planets). One to one or among a much larger forum of people. You maintain an independent record of all messages. You can receive tens of thousands of messages each day and scan them to fmd only those you want. You can interlink messages with outside reference sourcesand electronically pass along supporting documentation for you ideas, products or services to all interested parties. You work at your own speed, in your own time, at your own convenience. READILY ACCESSIBLE TECHNOLOGY: personal computers are accessible on nearly all levels. Money Tight? Costs are plurnmetingasnewer technology becomes available. RE+PC has rehbished computers for a fraction ofthe cost of new ones. Technology Need Adapting? Lots of places provide computer adaptive technology -checkout STAR, Tamarack, Pacer, Closing the Gap or one of the dozens of rehabilitation facilities in the Twin Cities. Adaptive products, while still expensive, are dropping as aresult ofincreasedcompetition among vendors. Lack of Access Points? Many public librar-

with more being created every day. become involved. van-t wait any longer. Whether your battle ground DIRECT ACCESS TO PEOPLE; is political programs, legal issues, in the old-fashioned paper chase, corporate law, disability ethics, or there are too many gate-keepers (as- whatever-there's aplaceforyou in sistants,under-secretaries, vice pres- cyberspace. Those who would influidentsandvariousmuddle-levelman- ence the policies of tomorrow agers) interfering with information should get online today! flow. The real power of all this internetworking, interactive computer ****** communication is that it gets you directly to the people making deci- Thanks to the Timberwolves for the sions and influencing policy. From additional tickets!. If you are disthe Capitol to the Captains of Indus- abled, have a disabled family memtry, the ability to directly exchange ber or are a non-profit organization ideas and opinions without being and need a computer, please call hampered by gate-keepers is not only DRAGnet-the Disability Resourcvery real, its coverage is broadening es, Affiliates and Groups network daily. Want to sendmessages direct- office at 6 12.338.2535 -thanks! ly to the White House? Get the opinion of Corporate CEO's? Want The Power of To: is about computto interactwith medical researchers? ers, cyberspace and communication Get in touch with various "think- for all people. Please share your tanks" to express your ideas? It's all thoughts, comments and ideas about possible and more, besides. this column with Access Press or log on to DRAGnet Information Service The beauty here is in that ideas are with your computer and modem evaluated upon their own merit rath- (6 12.753.1943; 84-1 ;ANSI emulaer than trapped by raciallgenderlspe- tion). cia1 interest issues. If you want the ability to make a difference in the world -get online. Like it or not, it Patronize your is the way informationis bemg moved Access Press around and it's the way we're communicating. That's both a promise Advertisers & let and a warning. If you tread upon the them know where cyberspace communication waters, you'll find people who will take your you heard about ideas seriously. Good ideas survive and grow. Bad ones fall by the waythefnrr:They bring

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t m h g to your d o m reading a $ee for public use. Caznputer netwants all their own programs p book. Interactivecomputermessag- works, once fare, are now plentiful The &cal

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