July 1998 Edition - Access Press by Access Press

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I Summer Events

Supreme Court

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Page 5

Access Press I RESOURCES

July 10, 1998

words 'managedm' th The principles and strategies pation is crucial. UCare al-

chore. He proudly shows off

~liatris,Icelandpappiesand "It's workingwithyour

create at Opportunity Partners inMinnetonka,where he

from thesoil.

even greaterharvest. Garden-

remain small, servingsomewhere between 200 to 400 disabilities in

managed care contract to UCare, which will then, in effect, subcontractthe management of care to AXIS.

ers growing there. with the giidening program to take the lead in managing for five years. "The skills care for people with physical gained here can tie in with disabilities in @emetmarea. getting a job and doing a job. If we don't do our job here Now, AXIS expects to begin enrolling people on a volunwith the plants, they'll die." tary basis for its new managed â&#x20AC;&#x153; I t ' s a r e a l m ~ m ~ f o r R o bCindy Skaahd, a life skills care program by July 1999, krt," says Carol Johnson, an instmctoratOpportunityM- accordingtoChrisDuff,Couroccupational &rapist who nels, says she has seen many age Center's director of con' works with Topp. 'lt's also benefits from the gardening sumer relations and AXIS Clearly, there are many suc- work he can do very indepen- program. "It's important for spokesperson. Duff and other cesses in Opportanity Part- dently with a Iot of success." them to realize that they can partners have been working nerd gardening programs. Toppwould like to findacorn- take care of something else," on the plan for several years. Healthy cabbage plants fill munityjob atagardeningcp- she notes. 'They are so used Duff comparedthe AXIS proseveral wooden barrels, scar- ter, somethingh will pursue to people caring for them but posdl to a threa-legged stool let runner beans climb sky- with the help of Oppwtunity when they aregardening, k y in which each of the three ward along poles, c o l d u j Partners staff. Gard'e~ ccmt. on -p. 3 'legs"-pto~ih,peyers,and Topp spends as much time as he can tending to the gardens outsiiklhe nonprofit's headq u m He says gardening allows him to relax and gives hinwonfldence. 7 love being but here working," he says as he turns over the soil with a shovel. "I don't mind the heat."

PJIinnstonka tend to the gar&ns cmfully, with the help of dedicated staff. It is both exhausting a d exhilarating, frustrating and tewarding. It can also be therapeutic.

launch AXIS. "The only thing we can say right now is we're The AXISplanwillodyrua in discussions with [AXIS]," in the seven-county rnetra saidPam Parker,MSHO DIrecarea. tor."Ihere definitely are some things that have to be worked It will be open-ended,mean- w t with the feets before we ing this isn't a trial project can move quickly," Parker with a set end date. added. Bur Farker and other DHS stafferssay it is possible The actual services would AXScouidgetthene~essary be provided by a netivork of waivers and approvals to b e providers, not just Courage gin servingconsurnersbynext Center, Sister Kenny and year. Beckiund Forexarn~le,Duff said, if for a certain person, If AXIS wins the go-ahead& "Gillette(Chi1dren'sHmpi- will beginenrollingvolunteer

tal)ktheb=tpl-fork,

AXIS- cont. on p. 9

Phillips To Leave Courage Center D

avid A. Phillips, executive director of Courage Center, has announced that he will leave CourageCenter on December 3 1,1998. He joined Couragecenter in 1996.

Minnesota's New 651 Area Code

past 25 years," Phillips said. "Leaving Courage Center now 'is in response to the voice of my soul that this is the right way to finish my career."

In April. Phillips was awarded the Colman J. Barry Award for DistinguishedContributionto Religion and Society by St. John's University. He and his wife, Marilyn, live in Apple Valley,Minnesota. Phillips has provided nearly 13 years of wonderful service to LOUBurdick,chair of theCour- Courage Center and the orgaage Board, said that "Dave nization has grown substantiallv during his watch. Due to hisleadership, we havein place a strong organization widutdented staff and thousands of community volunteers to serve Courage Center clients. Dave's personal commitment MINNESOTA STATE COUNCIL to the mission of CourageCenter - to empower people with ON DISABILITY disabilities to reach for their Death, Whose Choice Is it Anyway? full potential in every aspect of life - has been front and center One-Day Forums In Four Locations: during his tenure with Cour7/10: Duluth, St. Scholastica College age. We will miss him and wish 1/17: Mankato, MNValley Regional Library him well in his new endeavor." 7/24: St. Cloud, Kelly Inn 7/31: Twin Cities, Sheraton Inn Midway

Phillips and his wife, Marilyn, will move to ColoradoSprings, Colorado,to work with Young Life, an international Christian outreach Program for Young people. "I began the first 12 years of my career withYoung Life and have continued to Serve the organization for the

I I

To Examine the Moral, Ethical & Religious Issues Surrounding Assisted Suicide

111

Featuringpresentationsby noted spokespersonsrep~esenting the varied viewpoints.

For further information call: 612/296-6785 V/TTY or 1-800-945-89 13 V m Y E-mail:council.disability@state.mn.us Fax: 6 12-296-5935

ears ago, talking to one another was simply a matter of picking up the telephone and saying hello. These days we're just as likely to call from a wireless phone, send a fax or log on to theInternet. All of which has required a lot more telephone numbers and the need for a new area code in the MinneapolisISt. Paul area. OnJuly 12,1998,thehard-work-

ing 612 area code will be split into two area codes: The 65 1areacode will servest. Paul and the communities of -st

code will remain as they are. This includes the communities of Apple Valley, Blaine, Bloomington,Burnsville,Columbia Heights, Fridley, Lakeville, Mounds View, Richfield, and others.

ary 10, 1999, it will be necessary to use the correct area code. If you will have the new area code, use the transition period to:

Minnesota's other area codes Notify your friends, family and (218, 320 and 507) will not others of your new area code change. Make any changes necessaq With the area code change, it to printed materials with your will be necessary to dial ten telephone number, such as digit$ - the area code plus the personal stationery and check telephone number - to place a blanks. local call between area codes. Forexamule,tomakeacall~om You may need to reuromam . ~inne&olis to St. Paul you woulddial 65 1-XXX-XXXX. Do not dial a " 1" before the the new area code. number. To place a local call within the sameareacode, dial You may also need to reproonly the seven-digittelephone grarncomputermodems,home number. fax machines or other devices

Lake, Farmington, Hastings, Roseville, Lindstrom, Lino Lakes, MendotaHeights,New Brighton, North Branch, Rosemount, Shoreview and other communities to the east, including Red Wing and Wabasha. During a six-month transition period, callers will be able to Minneapolisand communities use either the new or old area in the western Metro area that code and dialing pattern to are now sewed by the 612 area complete acall. StartingJanu-

Additional information is available at the followingweb sites:

www.mnta.orgorwww.uswest com/areacodes.

Handicap Accessible Single Family Home To r - Available T

hePlymouthHousingand Redevelopment Authority (HRA) is assisting two nonprofit housing corporations, West Hennepin Community Builders and The Plymouth Housing Alliance, to develop

ACCESS PRESS

.......................................................... ........Wm.A. Smith, Jr. ...............................................................................Charles F. Smith Cartoonist .....................................................................................................................Scott Adams Production ............................................................................Presentation Images, Ellen Houghton Editorial Assistant ..................................................................Jeff Nygaard & Donna McNamara ACCESS PRESS is a monthly tabloid newspaper published for persons with disabilities by Access

Co-FounderlPublisher (1990-1995)

Editor/Publisher/C~Founder

owner-occupiedsinglefamily disability requiring handihomes in the City ofPlymouth. cap accessible housing The project is being funded in part by thePlymouthHRAand Would be able to purchase a the Minnesota Housing Fisinglefamilyhomeinthecity nance Agency (MHFA). Cur- of Plymouth within the next rently the non-profit corporasix months tions are seeking applicants who: In addition, the household income of applicants must be Can qualify for a mortgage below the following amount for a household size of: * Have one or more family members with a physical 1Person: $31,700

2Penons:$36,250 3 Persons: $40,750 4Persons: $45,300 5 Persons: $48,900 6Persons:$52,550 7 Persons: $56,150 8 Persons: $59,800

To receive an application and/ or getmore information on this home ownership opportunity, pleasecall Milt Dale at the Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority at 509-5413.

Press, Ltd. Circulation is 10,000, distributed the 10"of each month through more than I50 locations statewide. Approximately 650 copies are mailed directly to political, business, institutional and civic leaders. Subscriptions are available for $15/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 $14 to $18/column inch, depending on size and frequency. Classified ads are $8.00, plus 35 centslword over 20 words. Advertising and editorial deadlinesare the 30th of the month preceding publication; special scheduling available for camera-ready art.

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Access Press is available on tape. Call MN State Services for the Blind. 642-0500 or 800-652-9000.

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July 20, '1998

GARDEN =-r n n t * ~ , p. 1

IN BRIEF. . . .

b-7

. i3.

Play On Mental Illness Tnteract Theatre will present "Angels of Madness" at this year's Fringe Festival in Minneapolis from July 30through -

August 9. The play is written the human psyche." For inforand performed by people with mation about performances, mental illness and "explores a d1612-339-5145. journey into the shadows of

Alliance Names New Executive Director Pat~oppa,formerly~iCePmi-Society MNDivision,has been Mentally Ill ofMinnesota. She dent in charge of Cancer Con- named the new Executive Di- began work in her new positrol for the American Cancer rector of the Alliance for the tio

CIRA Resource Directory -

CIRA(Chemical Injury Resource Association) of Minnesota is currently revising it's Resource Directory, a listing of hundreds of resources for those with environmental ill-

ness 0andmultiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). CIRA (formerly T.C.HEAL) is seeking your listing. If you feel that your business/product/service mav be of benefit to the

EI/MCS community pleasecall Deahat (612)647-0944for further information and guidelines.

lm United Way Seeks Volunteers f the Saint Paul g people with viewgrantprp posals submitted by nonprofit agencies. These volunteers ensure United Way contributions are invested wisely to

meet community needs by reviewing agency program proposals and making funding recommendations. United Way is committed to providing aquality volunteer experience, and will reimburse for

Robert Toppwaters wildjrowersatgarden outside Opportunifys'headquarters in Minnentonka. Photo courtesy of OpportunityPartners

interpretive services and trans- are responsible for other livportationrelatedexpenses.Call ing things.

PahickTroskaat291-8346ore-

mail him attroskap@uwmsp. "It's also valuable forthem to learn to hangwithit," Skaalrud org. says, pointing out that gardening does not produce instant results. "Delayed gratification is more than a skill; it's a virtue Preparation for the gard that may help you successfu ly perform your volunteer du- In auuluun LU tneprograms in starts early in the spring, with ties. To learn more, call the Minnetonka for adults with discussions of different types DNRat297-1449(metro)or 1- developmental disabilities, of plants, basic problem solv888-646-6367,1TY296-5484survivors of brain injury who ing, and budgeting for supare served in Opportunity plies. To allow easier access (metro)or 1-800-657-3929. Partners' TBIMetroServices for persons who use wheel-

DNR Volunteer Opportunities The ~ i n n e s o t a ~ e ~ a r t mofe n tvolunteers, lake level readers, Natural Resources (DNR) has precipitation observers,office volunteer positions available assistants,andAdopt-A-River in locations throughout the volunteers, to namejust afew. state. A wide variety of oppor- Project supervisors are happy tuniti&.&ist, including park to discuss accommodations

zucchini, pumpkins, cucumbers, tomatoes, dill and marigolds. Watering, fertilizing, and pulling weeds is strenuous but ehjoyable, especially when the class thinks of the juicy tomatoes or tasty zucchini they will have later this summer.

A gardening program is also just getting underway in Richfield, at Opportunity Partners' TBIMetro Services, following arecent move to a new office in the Hub Shoppir Center. The office opens up to an enclosed. outdoor court-"

Volunteers arecurrently being recruited to assist in removing patio blocks from the courtyard and helping to plan f garden in the future.

ns Department

Because the new system conThe new system will offer ac- standards, it enables MPL to 5260. dently. Participants in the

.Q:. ? g

2%.

J,,

Consumer Advisory Board?

Services programin South St. Paul works on the garden plot, whichisrentedforjust $loper season. They have planted

by Cindy Johnson

he Health Care Con- consumers,particularlyrelated sumer Advisory Board to the issues of complaint resolution processes and utilizaMinnesota as part of the Pa- tion review. Members of the board are consumers,members The function of the board is to of the public, who are not involved in provision of health care services, are not lobbyists, and are not currently responsible for purchasing 1) the needs of health care health insurance for a busi2% consumers and how to bet- ness or organization. There ter serve and educate con- arecurrently fourteen members sumers on health care con- appointed to the Health Care k&$ -: . cerns and recommend so- Consumer Advisory Board.

r;:~'

suesin theself-insd market, including, bat not limited to, public education needs. The board may also make recommendations to the legislature on other issues affecting

plaint Resolution Process." A copy of this report can be obtained by calling Mark Meath at the MN Department of Health at 282-5615. The HCCAB is currently studying the issue of utilization review for consumer input into this area. Utilization review is described in the Minnesdta statutes (section 62M.02, subdivision20) as the "evaluation of the necessity, appropriateness, and efficacy of the use of health care services, procedures, and facilities, by aperson orentity other than the attending physician for the purpose of determining the medical necessity of the service or admission." The board will be reporting its findings to the departments and to the legislature.

The board began meeting in October of 1997and has heard testimony from about 50 consumers, various health plan representatives, the medical " coinmunity, an6 t*'st$i% of the ~ e ~ m t m e nokealth ts and Commerce. On January 14 of this year the board submitted to the legislature a "Report on Recommendationsfor aCom- Consumers whoareinterested

in providing testimony about experiencesthey havehad with utilization review, complaint process, denials, or any other problemscancontactBillBlom, (C~Chair)at88 1-0607,orwrite to the board via Joyce Shellhart Warner, 106West Prairie,Belle Plaine, MN 56011. A public hearing is scheduled in the Rochester area for Monday, August 3 1st. For more information you can contact Bill Blom.

nity.

brain injury.

M.I.L.S. HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICE 24 HOUR ON CALL SERVICE

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

Rehabilitative Services PhysicalI Occupational I Speech Therapies

It is very important for consumersto be aware of the existence of the Consumer Advisory Board and to voice concerns or problems they have had with their health careplans. This will enable the board to accurately represent consumers regarding these issues.

PCA ProviderOrganization Medicare Certified1Medical Assistance Waivered ServicesIPrivate

20 10EastHennepin Avenue, Bldg. #5 Minneapolis,MN 554 13

I On Mental Illness

Life Goes On

The Lovering's Story, Part II Meaning, P U ~ P ~ And S~: by LeAnne Dahl "Normal Life" Y B o b andJaniEcLmaing ofAIlTrades"whtheysdded siped.

esus, quoting Deuter- woundsor duelingscars,likea important things in our lives.

most basic of these internal me, and all that had happened I still daydream about what would have been different if I needs is the need for meaning, to me. hadn't become mentally ill

cause someinconvenience,yet acrossthe nation, including in

can use the things I love, my vice.' I was hurt and I was went on to work at Courage original goal of being a misangry." Center part-time. Those four sionary. Oneof themetaphors that kept how many new gifts and pow- can hy toreach out to othersin hiAk years were financially rough

tion that are potentirJ1gr mom I saw At limes, though, rather than valuable and healkg than algo on focusi~gon thethingswe love, yost anything we could have

Misianaries for the MimeapolisC h a wof the C h r i h

we concentrate exclusively

birth of their d a u g h t e r h n e "fu*." Since neither cambin . . Aptilof 1961 Bob nor Janice felt comfort-

'Accessible Arts Performances . -

r1112, Sunday, 2:00 "The Little Red en" Stepping- *7/ 12, Sunday,2:W "FEre Stone heater, Landmark Little Red Hen" SteppingStone Theater, Ladmark Center, St. Paul Center, St. Paul *7/;19, Wednksday, 8:OO 'The Phantom of the Opera" 9'23,Thursday. 10:00 'James and the Giant b h " Orphewn Tkcatre, Mpls

"How to

Succeed in Busi-

ness..." M o d s View ComrrmnSry'Ih&x,Itondele~gh School,New Brighton

.MCILOGFERS SERVICES FOR PEOPLE W4Tf-I DISABILITIES, THEIR FA1C9IUES AND FRIENDS, SERVICE PROVLPESRS, AND INTERESFED COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN THE S ~ C METRO O AREA~

7/30, Thursday, 9:00 "The Wizard of Oz" New Hope Outdoor Theatre (4401 Xylon Ave. N) FREE Rain date is Thursday,August 6*

i'fll,Friday, 8:OO "IheImpor- 7/26,Sunday.2:OO ChiId'sPlay tance of Being Earnest" Theatre, Hopkins Center for Asterisked perfomwms are the Arts, Hopkins eligibleforreducedadmission prices through the Access to *8n,Sunday, 2:00 "A Fair *7/29, Wednesday, 8:OO''Tbe Theatre project. Contact the Country" Theatrein theRound Phantom of the Opera" Or- theaterorVSAMN(332-3889) pheum Theatre, Minneapolis for further details. Players, ~inneapolis , .

METROPO&rmNCEhrrER FOR INDEPENDENT.L M N G

1400 U w m A v s : W., Smmlb @ 541: PA^, MN 55104-3mS (@) 603-aOOI TN 8 &i!2) 603-2006PAX ~ ~ / / ~ ~ ~ ~ . Q R ~ M C I .

(6Z.l. 646-8342 m ~ f f

5 July 10, 1998 Access Press Reliaion & Disability HIV Ruling Has Large Impact Opening Hearts, Minds & Doors 0

I t-

i I

n1998,TheSupremeCourt Thursday, June 25, The sueherdentistundertheADA. court agreed with her ar- Congress tobeamajorcivilrights intended thestatute ADA

National Campaign Challenges America's Congregations To WelcomePeople with Disabilities

By joining the campaign, an Accessible Congregation acknowledges that it currently does have barriers to the full participation of people with ill 2,000 American reli- disabilities,and commits itself gious congregations to begin the process of removcommit to welcoming people ing them. with disabilities as full and active participants by the year "Installing ramps, increasing m? the number of accessibleparking spaces, providing sign lanThat's the national goal an- guage interpreters and enlargnounced today by theNational ing print materials are only Organization on Disability some of the steps congrega(NOD) as they launched an tions can take to widen their unprecedented campaign to hospitality," remarked Reverenhance greater religious op- end HaroldWilke,Director,The portunity for Americans with Healing Community. "We are disabilities. Known as the encouraging congregations to Accessible Congregations move toward greater inclusion Campaign,NOD's Religion and by involving people with Disability Program seeks the disabilitiesin all levels of leadcommitment of 2,000 congre- ership and service," he added. gations of all faithsto welcome people with disabilities as full Accordingto a NOD-commisand active participants by the sioned Harris survey in 1994 Millennium. Initiative 2000,an on the attitudes of people with Atlanta-based non-profit or- disabilities, seven out of ten ganization formedto celebrate consider their religious faith to the achievements and contri- be "very important." (NOD butions of people withdisabili- will reveal the results of a 1998 ties, joined NOD in launching Harris follow-up survey in July.) the campaign.

doors tomillions of Americans withdisabilitieswho seeka full life of faith." She added, "We are encouraging commitment, not perfection,fromcongregations." The Accessible Congregations Campaign was funded by a $25,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation of Battle Creek, Michigan. The W.K. KelloggFoundationwas established in 1933 to "help people help themselves through the practical application of knowledge and resources to improve their quality of life and that of future generations." Its programming activities center around the common visions of a world in which each person has a sense of worth.

Early endorsements for this campaign have been secured from 58 national and regional organizations,denominations and ministries. Among those leadersare the National Council of Churches Committee on Disabilities;Paralyzed Veterans of America; Board of Church Extension ofDisciples The goal of the Accessible The campaign is the newest of Christ; Health and Welfare CongregationsCampaign is to initiative of NOD'S Religion Ministries. General Board of

of the United Statesrendered a decision in the case of Bragdon v. Abbott, No. 97-156. This decision is very important to the entire disability community because it broadens the definition ofdisability, and affirms the Americans with DisabilitiesAct (ADA) as amajor civil rights statute. Somedisabilitylaw experts say that the ruling, in which a woman with the HIV virus sued her dentist for refusing treatment, has great significance for the disability community. These experts say that the mling supports the ADA's original intent, which was to protect the civil rights of persons with disabilities. To qualify for protection under the Act, one must be "substantially limited" in one or more "major life activities." In a5-4 decision,thehigh court decided that the woman, who was HIV-positive but had no outward symptoms of AIDS, did indeed have the right to

disabilities,

Care Barriers

findings:

Em-

To& c~vaildak

with disabiliti~sare valued tions such as thepopular hand- childmn with physical, sen- qwstiomn

''+I.?

the

0urwnPgation isendsavoring to rmove baniem of architecture, communications, and attitudes that exclude peaple with disabilities from full and active participation; and

covering all significant areas of lifefor persons with disabilities. Since both the majority and minority opinions from the court appear to recogn-izethis fact, this should make it more difficult in the future to inter"One of the most direct impli- pret the Act in a limited and cations of this decision" is that technical way. the "major life activities" that are mentioned in the ADA. The ruling appears to confirm such as working, walking, the anti-biasprotection formilbreathing, and caring for one- lions of persons who have self, "are not necessarily an potentially disabling condiexhaustive list," but are meant tions such as epilepsy, cancer, as examples, according to heart disease, diabetes, etc. Vincent Blackwood of the Until this decision, it was unEqual Employment Opportuni- clear whether the word "disty Commission. He adds that ability" in the law would be this new ruling should lead to read narrowly, to cover only more of a "common senseread- those unable to function, or ing" of the term "major life ac- broadly, to cover those whose condition might substantially tivity" in other legal cases. interfere with their . ., lives. The National Council on Disability (NCD) in Washington, As NCD dhaiWkqon Marcia G t$.iurtps new D.C. points out that there has Eristo ~ u it, been a tendency in lower rdingkwill help to ;&focusthe courts to find that people courts Qi! whetper a who are functioningwell with experienceddis&&dn, not their disabilities a& not pro- on whether they have a distected under the ADA. But ability."

Health Care Barriers... B++,,Questionnaire Results

dultsS\;;ith diiabilities. To ine local conereeations. ni- DefenseFund: and Council for 1

three principles:

gument that the act of reproduction, which she decided to forgo because of her condition, is a "major life activity" under the language of the ADA.

that they would either seek

oluntary response far -Of@$ exceeded original expecta- (321)in $ions of a return of two to not working, but would~on-

.. ".

abilities as. Ginny n~h(lb, H f e S&abiGties,a a e mps, of former U.S.Attomey Gen- and all dhability issues. eraI Dick Thornburgh and 60- Through its netmx&.sf, author of That W May Wor- Commm@ ship, &directed thekligion c h h , --and.

CCD) and

. ..

monWy b u i r -TWBI@ per- m~nother25B(296)indiiit.d

teen percent (162 indfM-als) indicated that they haw

ftq he^ past nine y m . People, with 9nd w3thmt disabilities, are encouraged to practice their faith and use their gifts in worship, servioe, sudy and leadership.

voluntary action, e x p d d opportunities for people with Ms. Thornburgh points out disabilities. that, "Tkis is the onlpbi3Mityprogramin theUnitedStates Fqr mm idonmi- pbme addressing interfaith .&stb. ~ , $ Q D a t @ O 2 ) ~ ~ True religious m s s is about ~ ~ D ~ ~ 2 9 3 - 5 9 6 8 0 r s m a i l opening hearts, minds, and religion@nod.org .. i

Anoka/Rarnsey Arc's Hispanic Project

iscapacitados Abriendose Carninos (DAC), Arc's Hispanic outrea&' project, provides advocacy a d support to HispanicLatino familieswho havechildten with disabilities. Through the project, families gather for monthly support group meetings, where information is provided in Spanish. They learn about services available,

changes in issues affeoring t h e community, Md bowledge &d skills'to help them deal whhtkchallenges of raising a cIM with a disability.

Theprogram'isinitsthirdyear of operation and serves farnilies in Anoka, Dakota and Ramsey counties. The families involved have set a vision and plans for expanded services

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over the next three years. Arc recently receivedover$5l, in foundation support to fund this project. Arc is an advocacy organization serving people with developmental disabilities and their families in Anoka & Ramsey Counties. To leay more about Arc or the Hispanicprcrgramd~3-4958.

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A -cess Press

July 10, 1998

Statement On ~ i o 1 6 i cBy e Companion Seating: Persons With Mental One's The Limit - Or Is It? I by Margot lrndieke Cross Disorders A

d "mental dis- their family members paints a are closely linked picture dramatically different d. Acombina- from the stereotype. The remotes this sults of several recent largenalizedre- scale research projects conia when- clude that only a weak associamitted tion between mntal disorder atient, and violence exists in the comiatric munity. Serious violence by "and people with major mental disoita- orders appears concentrated nar- in a small fraction of the total the number, and especially those The who use alcohol and other re- drugs. Mental disodys -in jectionofpeoplelabe1edLhien- sharp contrast to alcohol and tally ill" andattempts to segre- drug abuse - account hr a gatethem hthecommunityby miniscule portion of the viothis assumption of "danger- lence afflicting Americanmiousness." ety. '

of their family members, and the observations of researchers, suggest the way to reduce whatever modest relationship exists between violence and mental disorder is to nzake accessiblearangeofqualitytreatments including peer-based programs,and toeliminate the stigmaanddiscriminationthat discourage, sometimes provoke, and penalize those who seek and receive help for disabling cmditions.

This statement was drafted by rhe D. and erine. FOUndation Research Network on Mentd Hdth arsd Lmv. under fie direction of john ~ o n a ~ a ~n , hD.,. in collaboThe experienb of people with The conclusbns of those who ration with the National psychiatric conditions and usemental healthservicesand Ssigma CleariRghouse.

FCC Proposes Telecommuniction Relay

n old college friend was flying in from California for avisit and my husband and I wanted to take him to the Fitzgerald Theaterforaperformance of Garrison Keillor and thePrairieHaneCompanion. I hught for two days with the ~it&rald Theater BOX 0ffice to get one additional companion seat so that we could all sit together.

either in unsold wheelchair/ companion seats or top priority seating in therowimmediately in front of or behind the wheelchair seating.

In every instance when I have asked box office staff from the State Fair to the Fitzgerdd, Is wheelchair seating usually sold out? The typical response is, No, we generally have spaca - U b . My next inquiryis,Wkat&you&with your unsold wheelchair comp i o n rickts? The mswer has been the same, We sell ohem to &@ g m r a l p&lk. 'YOUSELL'EIEMTOTAE -GENERALPUBLIC!?!! . ,

the minimum that ADA re-

quires and the ADA and the Minnesota Human Rights Act both prohibit unequal matment based on disability in public accommodations.

The next time you need an Aditional companion seat and aredenied, askthe boxofficeor ticket counter if they typically sell out wheelchair accessible spaces; if not, ask if you can have dibs on the number you need in that area if there are unsold tickets availablebefore performance time. Ifthaygenerally sell out, ask if the extra m m b e n of your party canb. seated immediately in front bf or behind you, whatever is a p -'pr$@he. If yi>u find the est a b t v t todiJpncoopaa'hr&:sfart a d e p n g ! kecwd the d&, 'me, place, ntide(s) of persons you talked to, what was requested and specifically,therespoll~e.Take this information and contact

Iargued,Ithreatened,Icajoled anditstilltooktwodays. Now I understand we need to be reasonable when it comes to companion seating, and I certainly don't want largegroups of nondisabled @rnp@ois taking up precious and limited wheelchair ~g,*e% but . I thinkallpartiesinvdvedneed You havejust divided a family, to be rmonable, not just the broken up a &oup of friends, disabled patrons. ' arbitrarily decided 'that one companion seat is dm k i Let's review the following mum instead ofthe minimum facts: riequired and now'you tell me that instead of going back to *=co~ingto---cwith Disabilities A C ~â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;, * ~ want t h e p emore a p ~ companion e ~ h ~ d e s pseats e r a t e me&~t296-55@-m&i~5t -l yW N - I G - . , - ~

least one companion fixed becauseof access~ssues,YOU 657-3704toll freeor296-1283

proposals are in@n&d to pro- who relays the conversation. minimumst standards forTRS. mote access to' telecornmuni-u cations and improve the over- The ~ ~ m m i s s i otenMve1~ n all effectiveness of both inter- concluded that all common Title IV of the fDA m q u i r ~ state and intrasme pro- c a r r i a providingvoice trans- the Commission to ensure that

on to state that atheater other similar public aca modation, cannot trea group of people differel andmust make every effo

Or rhe country told any other mi- In the meantime, I'll contact

n- nority group that they were various theaters and similar

*a ly to provide additional seal kg

restricted to one companion seat, no' exception, heads would roll, complaints would be filed and discrimination would be charged!

public accommodations to try and make some changes befora there is a problem. Good Luck!

mission services must ensure telecommunicationsrelay serthat STSservicesare available vices are available, to the extent possible and in thk most This Notice of Propos d TRS enables people with throughout their Margot Imdieke Cross is on hearing and speech disabili- within two years of adoption effiaient RYariner, to persons Rulemakings~btoadvar the MN State Council If you are told that one seat is tiestocommunicatewj~~opleof final rules in this proceed- with hearing or speech dis- the goals ofthe ADA, by( - all that ADArequires, tell them on Dhabiliry whouse voice telephones. The ingabilities in the United States. tending the benefits of ; I- not so! One companion seat is Without this legal obIigation, vances in tel&ommuni, 1 - + . . * . * * . * . 0 * . * S * * $ * * 1 v * * ~ I ~ * * ~ ~ ~ service typically involves a betwwn a perThe Commission tentatively 28 million h e r i m might be tions to b e r i c a n s that mil three-way son using a text telephone, an concluded that it should deprived af the fundamental otheMse be excluded 1 operator -known as a Corn- strengthen the current TRS ability to use the tpilephone. caum of their disability. - -, munications Assistant -and r a person using a voice tele- , phone. The Commbications HOUSING AND PERSONAL CARE SERVICES . I 1. 7,; Assistant relays messages Accessible Space, Inc. (ASI) offers subsidized one and two bedroum: -2.. . between the callers. TRS, wh~chhasbeeninexisren~ for apartments for individualswith physical disabilities. we have housing in the- . Large inventory of durable medical .&% more than a dCOdC* is curTwin Citiesmetropolitanmx, St*Cloud, Brainerd, Grand Rapids, Hibbing, rently available24 haurs aday, equipment available by appointment L'-z 7 days a week, and operates at Austin, Marshall, Willmar, andDuluth. $!zi no extra gost to the caller. USE OUR NEW LISTING SERVICE The apartments are fully wheelchair accessible and each building has a grams-

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:' - Among the proposals in:$ cluded in a Notice of Pro-5 --, posed Rulemaking: r

The Commission tentatively concluded that the costs of speech-to-s~ewh( S n ) services and oretinrr (VRI)* service should be recoverable from the TRS Fund. STS allowspeople with speech disabilities to speak on the telephone and to be understood by the person being "

II II II

central laundry room, large community room, secured entry and an on-site caretaker. AS1 also offers shared personal care services 24 hours a day, at most locations, for adults with a physical disability andlor traumatic brain

injury who qualify for Medical Assistance.

For more information call (6 . 12)645-727 1or (800) . ,466-7722. For services or housing call Leigh,for employment as apersonal care attendant call Sean. r

Your sourc&f USED adaptive ecplipment

CONNECTS SELLERS WITH BUYERS Consigument IPick up and delivery Rentals Compact chargers

Check out our web page www.equipind.com

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