See Pg 8
Volume 22, Number 5
www.accesspress.org This latest round of proposed state cuts is devastating, according to Brigette Menger-Anderson, a longtime advocate for disability rights. “More people with disabilities are going to lose jobs or cannot compete for jobs because they won’t have personal staff to physically help them.”
ADA regulations explained at conference by Michael L. Sack
New Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations will impact countless lives throughout the country. Peter Berg, technical assistance coordinator with the Great Lakes ADA Center in Chicago, reviewed the changes last month at a conference at Goodwill/Easter Seals in St. Paul. More than 80 people from different agencies learned about new rules, including rules related to service animals, wheelchairs, and ticketing. The event was sponsored by ADA Minnesota, Goodwill Easter Seals and the Minnesota State Council on Disabilities. Ticketing As of March 2012, organizations must sell ADA tickets through the same distribution channels as non-ADA seating tickets. This means all venues must sell accessible tickets online. Three types of people can buy these tickets: the person with a disability, his/her companion, or someone who is purchasing tickets for a disabled person. Tickets for accessible seating must ADA regulations - p. 4
More of her commentary appears on page 4
Ramsey County program provides help to residents in emergencies by Jane McClure
Ramsey County residents with disabilities and their loved ones will get extra help in emergencies through a new program. An emergency response form is now available for people with disabilities. This form, which can be completed online, will help the Ramsey County Communications Center, law enforcement and medical personnel provide accessible and adapted emergency services. It is the first program of its kind in the region and is the culmination of more than two and a half years’ work by volunteers. The voluntary form was developed by the St. Paul Mayor’s Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities and the Ramsey County Emergency Communications Center. County residents can fill out the form, which the communications center will keep on file. The form indicates any special conditions, allergies and/or medications that emergency responders need to know about. It also informs the communications center of medical contacts and of any trusted individuals that can assist police officers, firefighters, paramedics and other emergency personnel; in entering or securing the individual’s home during an emergency. People filling out the forms can let emergency responders know everything from what a person’s disability is to where a door key may be found. The form is entirely voluntary, said Ramsey County Sheriff Matt Bostrom. “We’re not telling people they have to do this.” But he and other emergency responders, as well as advisory committee
May 10, 2011 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities. MN Permit No. 4766 Address Service Requested
“We don’t need flexibility in Medicaid cuts. We need flexibility in Medicaid spending so people can choose the less expensive community service options they want, and that will ultimately contain costs.” — Bruce Darling, Rochester ADAPT
NEWS DIGEST Folk singer and advocate Judy Collins is featured at this year’s People Incorporated annual luncheon. Page 10
Ramsey County Sheriff Matt Bostrom explains the new program as Emergency Communications Director Tim Williams, advocate Mark Hughes and St. Paul Fire Chief Scott Butler look on. Photo by Jane McClure
members, said the forms could help save a life. The form was unveiled April 18 at St. Paul Fire Station One, by members of the advisory council and other Ramsey County and St. Paul emergency services personnel. “This is our gift to people in Ramsey County with disabilities,” said Scott Coleman, chair of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities. “It took a lot of talking, a lot of pleading, a lot of promises to get to this stage,” said Mark Hughes, a member of the mayor’s council. “Our hope is that in the next year, this program can save one life.” The advisory council raised the idea of the Ramsey County - p. 10
Advocates rally in the face of devastating proposed services cuts by Access Press staff
Crunch time is on at the state capitol as the Minnesota Legislature works toward a May 23 adjournment deadline. But with Gov. Mark Dayton and the House and Senate far apart on budget bills, including the crucial Health and Human Services bills, what could happen in the days ahead is anyone’s guess. Virtually every service people with disabilities rely on would be affected by those bills, as well as myriad of other bills from education to transportation. Members of the disability community attended home district meetings with their representatives and senators during the April holiday break, and resumed lobbying when the session reconvened after Easter. As Access Press went to press, conference committees were looking at the bills to see if agreement could be reached. Watch the newspaper’s Twitter feed, website and Facebook page for updates. “Real Cuts, Real Harm, Real Lives” was the theme Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities used at an April 12 rally to describe the negative impacts the community will experience from cuts to disability services included in the House and Senate Health and Human Services Omnibus bills. “Legislative leaders have promised to protect disability services, and some legislators Joe Haines and his daughter Cari Myhra were at are claiming that the House and Senate health and human services bill protect people with the capitol to speak about the impact state cuts disabilities and their families. We want to let all legislators know that these bills WILL would have on their family. Photo by Jane McClure Devastating cuts - p. 5
Our History Note describes how organizations and individuals had to fight to save programs in the 1990s. Page 2 Best of the Blogs gives readers a sample of what is available through our Access Press Unbound feature. Read about service animals, education and employment, and entertainment through this online feature. Page 3 Mark your calendar for Friday, Nov. 4 and make plans to attend the annual Access Press Charlie Smith Award Banquet. And start thinking about people and groups to nominate for the 2011 award. Page 3 Dr. Theodore Cole is remembered for his strong commitment to people with disabilities. Page 9
INSIDE Regional News, pg 8 People & Places, pp 6-7, 9 Events, pg. 10 Accessible Performances, pg 11 Radio Talking Book, pg 11
Pg 2 May 10, 2011 Volume 22, Number 5
EDITOR’S DESK Tim Benjamin
The big news at our state capitol is that our legislators are flinging red herrings like there’s no tomorrow. By turning their attention to single-sex marriage and stadiums, they are really trying to keep out of the mainstream news the massive cuts that will be devastating to many Minnesotans. The budgets they are proposing now will negatively affect every Minnesotan, but disproportionately hurt people with mental illness and developmental disabilities. There has always been a hierarchy in our society and these two groups are always on the bottom, along with all of us who need government supports to maintain independence. In one of our commentaries, on page 4 we explain some of the effects and side-effects of these legislative measures. Here’s another example that’s been on my mind. Let’s say that the editor of Access Press loses his personal care assistance and can’t maintain a working schedule. He would then not be eligible for Medical Assistance for Employed People with Disabilities (MA-EPD), which would mean his spouse’s income would be taken into consideration for him to
be eligible for medical assistance for all his other medical needs. She would be required to spend down to the poverty-level income required for medical assistance eligibility. Without her income, or with her income spent entirely on his medical needs, they would not be able to afford their mortgage so they’d lose their house. There is no accessible housing available on short notice so where would they live? As she needs to spend her time caring for the former editor’s medical care and their housing, she would probably lose her job. In this scenario, two productive people have become two more individuals in need of assistance. And many more jobs might be lost. There might be others willing to take the editor’s job, but maybe because others are affected like the editor, Access Press goes out of business. Now two more employees would lose their wages, and the desktop publisher, the printer, the distributor, the accountant, the US mail, the office rent, the phone company—well, they’re all affected, as about $10,000 a month is taken out of circulation in the Twin Cities. Many legislators believe that raising income taxes for the rich would be a “job killer.” I guess they need to explain this a little better for me to understand how not raising new revenue (taxes) to pay for the supports that allow people to maintain independence is a good thing for our communities. Oh, by the way,
those who are familiar with trying to follow the rules know that one way out of that scenario I just described is for the editor and his wife to divorce in order to save her income, but that’s against what our legislators stand for also: strong heterosexual families. I’ve been closely watching what our National ADAPT group is doing in Washington DC. On May 3, more than 100 people got arrested for refusing to leave Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) office. The very next day, ADAPT members refused to leave the offices of Rep. Ryan and Rep. Michele Bachmann (R”MN) until they and a couple other legislators publicly withdraw their support for the Medicaid budget cuts and the Medicaid state block grant. The group has decided to adopt the slogan “FREE OUR PEOPLE” and to do whatever nonviolent action is required to get the commitment of these representatives to pull their supports. An ADAPT statement to the press said: “It is unacceptable for our government to treat the 60 million Americans who rely on Medicaid like garbage!” As in Washington, our Minnesota legislators need to explain these policies a little better to me and many of my friends; we do not quite understand how these cuts will save our jobs. Perhaps state Rep. Jim Abeler and Sen. David Hann would like to meet with us and explain how this legislation will save jobs and preserve our independence and productivity. We simply do not understand. ■
HISTORY NOTE
Acting together is neccessary In 1995 Gov. Arne Carlson’s administration proposed to scale back the Tax Equity & Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 (TEFRA) program and to decimate personal
care attendant (PCA) services. Dozens of persons with disabilities and their friends and family members, including the newly formed Consortium for Citizens with Disabili-
Volume 22, Number 5 • Periodicals Imprint: Pending ISSN Co-Founder/Publisher (1990-1996) Wm. A. Smith, Jr. Co-Founder/Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief (1990-2001) Charles F. Smith Board of Directors Brigid Alseth Steve Anderson Kristin Jorenby Anita Schermer Carrie Salberg Kay Willshire Advertising Sales 651-644-2133
Executive Director Tim Benjamin Assistant Editor Jane McClure Business Manager/Webmaster Dawn Frederick Cartoonist Scott Adams Production Ellen Houghton with Presentation Images Distribution S. C. Distribution
Editorial submissions and news releases on topics of interest to persons with disabilities, or persons serving those with disabilities, are welcomed. We reserve the right to edit all submissions. Editorial material does not necessarily reflect the view of the editor/publisher of Access Press. Paid advertising is available at rates ranging from $12 to $28 per column inch, depending on size and frequency of run. Classified ads are $14, plus 65 cents per word over 12 words. Advertising and editorial deadlines are the last day of the month preceding publication, except for employment ads, which are due by the 25th. Access Press is a monthly tabloid newspaper published for persons with disabilities by Access Press, Ltd. Circulation is 11,000, distributed the 10th of each month through more than 200 locations statewide. Approximately 450 copies are mailed directly to individuals, including political, business, institutional and civic leaders. Subscriptions are available for $30/yr. Low-income, student and bulk subscriptions are available at discounted rates. Inquiries and address changes should be directed to: Access Press 1821 University Ave. W. Suite 104S St. Paul, MN 55104 651-644-2133 Fax: 651-644-2136 email: access@accesspress.org www.accesspress.org
ties, spoke out at the capitol and told their local lawmakers of the harm that would be done by these actions. Charlie Smith and Barb Knowlen and 18 other persons wheeled into the governor’s office reception area to emphasize that point. When the legislature responded by deferring many of the cuts for a year and by requiring a task force to study the PCA program, disability advocates took the opportunity to underscore the need for and effectiveness of those services. Legislators heard how important TEFRA and PCA services were. One after another they stood up in a 1996 floor debate to express their support for programs they voted to cut the year before.
In the 1980s, advocates, educators, and state agency personnel sought to expand early intervention services for infants with disabilities. The Minnesota State Council for the Handicapped and the Minnesota Committee for the Handicapped presented the legislature with a detailed description of early intervention programs already established and documentation of the effectiveness of those services. Local school district administrators and special education directors spoke out on the importance of these efforts. In 1987 the Minnesota Legislature expanded the scope of mandatory special education services to include children from birth to two years of age.
That action, taken 30 years after Minnesota first mandated schooling for some children with disabilities, resulted from this concerted effort of advocates, parents, educators, and state agency personnel. In 1965 the Association for Retarded Children challenged the legislature to provide increased staffing in the state institutions and to expand funding for community day programs. The association presented a detailed study of staffing needs in the institutions and graphic pictures of the men and women living there. But the association also obtained signatures throughout the state on a petition which read “I will pay taxes to help
Arne Helge Carlson, Sr. the 37th governor of Minnesota
mentally retarded people.” Enough petitions, in fact, so that when pasted together they formed a scroll which was dropped down from above the capitol rotunda and rolled out the capitol door. The legislature responded with increased appropriations. Today the Republican majority in the legislature and, to a lesser extent, Governor Mark Dayton propose dire cuts in essential Medical Assistance and other social programs for persons with disabilities. The advocates from the past should inspire us to join forces, once again, to ensure that our state will enable its citizens with disabilities to have a safe, productive, and fulfilling life. ■ The History Note is a monthly column sponsored by the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, www.mncdd.org and www.partnersin policymaking.com
May 10, 2011 Volume 22, Number 5
BEST OF THE BLOGS Access Press has launched Access Press Unbound’s first three blogs. Here are samples of the last month’s blog posts, from A Better Life, which focuses on employment and education, and Animals at Your Service. Blog sponsorships are available for businesses and nonprofits. These include the potential for blog content by a sponsor. Contact us at 651-644-2133 or access@accesspress.org
The King’s Speech and disability by David Wright
In the blogging/writing business, a fellow occasionally falls behind on important matters such as . . . catching up with the latest movies. So it was that, a couple of months after it won a slew of Oscars, I finally got around to watching “The King’s Speech.” For those who haven’t caught it, the movie is the
true story of England’s King George VI, who, with the help of a feisty language linguist, overcame having a stammer that dated back to his youth to become very good at a task that, at the time (late 1930s-early 1940s) was very important: giving comforting wartime speeches to waiting commoners. It’s a helluva good movie with quite the message about persistence. We could go on and on about it but there’s a bigger issue to ponder today. See, the movie led me to wonder if having to overcome the disability of a stammer was something that was even covered in the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. “Good question,” Marshall Tanick chuckled. Tanick is a well-known Minneapolis attorney who often deals with workplace disability issues. “The original ADA law was written very narrowly.” At the time, employers and lawyers concentrated on the so-called traditional disabilities—folks with a limb or foot missing or perhaps were users of wheel-
Service animals and other creatures by Clarence Schadegg
Instructors of service animals, to get the best results, use only positive learning strategies to acquire the best possible outcome of animals in training. “Force” and “fear” tactics do not work. When my dog guide Telly was new to our neighborhood, he sometimes reacted the wrong way when dogs charged a nearby fence as we walked along the sidewalk. I walked Telly repeatedly by those dogs while encouraging him to stay calm. I rewarded him with lots of praise when he gave me the desired performance, staying calm. We walk by the same dogs now without Telly reacting, he knows what is expected. Telly does exceptionally well guiding me to the expected door of any frequented building. He is very reliable because I used verbal and touch cues that gave him positive reinforcement to keep doing what he did well. My service dog’s performance was excel-
lent because he associated something good with that action. My cat Simon, who was 12 when my first dog guide Frisco joined our household, washed and played with the dog within two days of meeting. Frisco also became best buddies with our neighbors’ cat Tori. The first time we cat-sat, while our neighbors’ were out of town; prior to leaving our house, we left instructions with Frisco and Tori to not tear the house up too badly. That was a gamble because we didn’t know at the time how well the two would get along alone in the house together. I knew Frisco, a remarkably gentle soul, wouldn’t hurt the cat. Tori could be affectionate but also tough. After we returned home, it was clear each had established a little piece of turf. They got along great. ■ (Clarence Schadegg can be reached at clarencew@accesspress.org)
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chairs. Employers who attempted to rid themselves of such employees without cause soon found themselves in a peck of trouble. Lesser-known disabilities either got kicked into the background or were simply ignored. The original ADA wording read: “It is the purpose of this Act is to provide a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities.” As more disabilities became better know and understood, the reading of what can be covered under the law changed. Thus, stuttering is one of several disabilities that are being weaned in. “The law is trying to catch up to society,” Tanick said. “It depends on what the job is and what the requirements are.” For example, if you had a job packing boxes in a warehouse, an employer might be hard-pressed to make a case that having a stutter was a real impediment to performing assigned tasks. On the other hand, Tanick recalled a client whose job included public presentations. “The employer said they couldn’t have somebody out there stuttering,” he said. It appeared the employer had a good case until you got around to Section 101, Item 9 of the ADA act which reads, in part, “Reasonable accommodation may include . . . job restructuring, part-time or modified work or reassignment to a vacant position.” How did the case end? “We reached a settlement,” Tanick said. (Wright can be reached at davew@accesspress.org)
Charlie Smith Award banquet: Save the date Access Press reminds readers to save the date of Friday, Nov. 4 for the annual Charlie Smith Award Banquet. Every year Minnesota’s disability community celebrates its accomplishments and honors a person, group or organization for outstanding service. It is a fun and well-attended event. This year’s banquet will again be held at the Minneapolis Airport Marriott in Bloomington. The Access Press Board of Directors and staff are busy planning the event, which includes a silent
auction and raffle, as well as a delicious meal, music and the awards ceremony itself. The award is named for the newspaper’s founding editor, the late Charlie Smith Jr. He was a longtime disability community activist and journalist. Nominations for the 2011 Charlie Smith Award will be accepted starting this month, with a June 30 deadline. The award application is online, at www.accesspress. org Otherwise, call the newspaper office at 651-
644-2133 to receive a form by mail or if you need accommodations in submitting a name. The online form can also be printed out and mailed or faxed to the office. The newspaper board will review the nominations in July and select a winner in August. Read about the winner in the September issue of Access Press. Registration for the banquet will start in September and close Oct. 25. Past winners of the award are: 2010-Steve Kuntz,Minnesota DEED,
2009—Anne Henry, of the Minnesota Disability Law Center, 2008—Pete Feigal, Co-Founder of Tilting at Windmills, 2007—Jim and Claudia Carlisle, People Enhancing People, 2006—John Smith, University of MN, 2005—Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MNCCD), 2004—Rick Cardenas, Co-Director of Advocating Change Together (ACT), 2003— Margot Imdieke Cross, Minnesota State Council on Disability. ■
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Pg 4 May 10, 2011 Volume 22, Number 5
TO THE EDITOR
a history of abuse, and The disability community is certainly being waking up to go to the bathroom and a stranger is thrown under this OmniBUS there telling you he will by Brigette Menger-Anderson funding stream, then the take you to the restroom. This latest round of Day programs are losproviders get hit as well. proposed state Health and How will rehabilitative ing work contracts for Human Services proposed service organizations people with disabilities cuts are devastating, it because the job market is continue to provide sershows that we have sena- vices? How many people so oversaturated that the tors and representatives jobs they used to do do they employ? How who are cowardly, irrewill specialized transpor- piece work, assembly, sponsible and unethical tation services remain vi- cleaning enclaves, door and don’t understand the greeters - are being taken able? How many people realistic results of their do they employ? And on, by people that can’t afford trickledown theory. to retire, need a second and on, and on? They say that raising job or who have exIn the last month, I taxes is a job killer . . . hausted their unemployhave visited many day how can this be justified? programs and group ment benefits. More people with disPeople with disabilities homes. Seeing and hearabilities are going to lose ing what they have done also face a loss of activijobs or cannot compete to scale down costs is un- ties because of licensedfor jobs because they regulated mandatory combelievable. This is at a won’t have personal staff huge costs to client safety munity staff ratios. If a to physically help them. person is in a wheelchair and well-being, and creThey won’t have vocaand requires a transfer in ates a huge physical and tional rehabilitation supthe bathroom, he can’t go mental toll of staff. ports to remain competiGroup homes are shar- to an activity because the tive or desirable in the job ing vans to save on gas 1:4 ratio is all they can market. They won’t have and maintenance. This afford and the other three rehabilitation funding to also takes away choice of individuals have to have return to work from inju- activity. Staff is not only staff with them at all ries. They won’t have times. Many rules and a lost due to cuts, at times transportation to get to homes have had to borrow lack of staff serve to furwork or to appointments ther isolate people. ■ staff members from anto maintain their health. Brigette Menger-Anderother house that the resiThey won’t have insurdents don’t know. In dras- son is a longtime advoance coverage like MAcate for disability rights tic cases, homes don’t EPD. Potential employers have enough staff and hire and presently works as a will see people with disHennepin County Contemporary agencies. So abilities as a cost-burden tracted Case Manager at imagine being a stable, to insurances plan. strong person with devel- Fraser Home and ComWhen you cut off the opmental disabilities and munity Services
ADA regulations - from p. 1 be made available at all price levels for every event or series of events. If tickets for accessible seating at a particular price level are not available, a nearby or similar accessible location shall be offered for purchase at the same price. The least expensive tickets that are available to the general public have to be available to a person with a disability, even if the venue is forced to put the person with disability in a higher-priced seating section. This only takes effect in venues of a certain size. There are only three circumstances that make it acceptable for someone without a disability to use ADA seating: when all non-accessible tickets have been ‘sold out’, when all non-accessible tickets have been ‘sold out’ in designated seating area, or when all non-accessible tickets have been ‘sold out’ in a price category. ADA regulations do not directly define what sold-out means. If people need to give up their ADA tickets, they can ask people if they have a need for these seats. Also, people can attest in writing that they are disabled though letter or e-mail. This does not mean that they have to show proof of a disability for ticket purchases.
Service Animals The definition of a “service animal” is a dog that has been specifically trained to do work or perform tasks to benefit a person with a disability. The new rule specifically states that other animals don’t qualify as service animals. This affects many people who use other animals for assistance. Previously, all sorts of animals were considered to be service animals. Now only dogs or miniature horses can be considered service animal. Horses have all the same behavior requirements of a service dog. People who have sensory, physical, cognitive or psychiatric disabilities are allowed to use service animals for assistance. The animal must have some kind of tether or leash, unless there is a safety issue or the handler can use voice or hand commands to maintain complete control over the animal. Service animals are allowed in any public area. The owner of the dog cannot be asked to demonstrate how they use the service animal. If the animal cannot be controlled and is requested to leave the public area, the handler is required to be given the opportunity to participate without the animal.
Wheelchairs and PowerDriven Mobility Devices The U.S. Department of Justice has developed a two-tiered standard definition of a wheelchair and other manually-operated or power-driven device. Devices need to be for a single user, both indoors and outdoors. People who use wheelchairs can use chairs in any public area open to pedestrians. Other power-driven mobility devices that are covered by the new rules include golf carts, tank chairs, Segway®, or other electronic personal assistance mobility devices. This will help persons using newer mobility technology, such as Segway® and new Honda’s U3-X Personal Mobility for added choice to the newly disabled. These devices are allowed unless it would alter programs, services, or activities, or create a threat or safety hazard. A business or property owner may not ask a person who uses a wheelchair or other power-driven mobility device about the nature or extent, or why the individual needs a mobility device. Berg showed the group a tank chair, which is designed with tracks rather than wheels to go off-road though streams, mud, snow, sand, gravel or anywhere outdoors. A tank chair is designed to be used outdoors, but it is marketed as an indoor chair as well. ■ For a more complete summary of these changes see www.ada.gov/ regs2010/factsheets/ title2_factsheet.html Michael Sacks is one of two authors of the Twins baseball blog “Two Men On.” http://gravessack. wordpress.com/
May 10, 2011 Volume 22, Number 5
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Devastating cuts - from p. 1 many of the 7,000 Minnesotans who use the program. Since 1999 MA-EPD has helped people with disabilities pay a monthly premium to access needed Medicaid
Michelle Cardinal, center, and her aides, Lacey and Heather, were at the capitol to protest proposed cuts. The women are from Austin.
Photo by Jane McClure
cause harm,” said Steve Larson, MN-CCD Cochair and Public Policy Director for The Arc Minnesota. “If these bills pass into law in current form, they will create the very outcomes legislators say they want to avoid: job loss for those providing services, higher state spending for providing care, and a decrease or even elimination of services that make it possible for our citizens with disabilities to live, work, and contribute to their communities.” People with every type of disability will be affected by the daunting myriad of cuts, speakers said. One possibility is that many more people will be forced out of their homes and into nursing home care. Several self-advocates and their family members spoke at the conference. Joe Haines of Stillwater and his daughter Cari Myhra spoke of how the cut to family-provided personal care attendance services would affect them. The current program allows the family to help with their father’s care “Drastic cuts will clearly take a toll on our family units,” Myhra said. Waiver services are another worry. One battleground is a proposed $93 million cut that would in effect cost Minnesota $186 million in state and federal Medicaid funds. According to Anne Henry of the Minnesota Disability Law Center, this deep cut will roll back spending to March 2010 levels. It would mean that beginning July 1, 2011, when an adult with developmental disabilities loses
his or her aging parent caregiver or when a person sustains a traumatic brain injury there will not be any resources to provide emergency services for those in crisis. The people who are eligible for waiver services who experience a crisis include persons with developmental disabilities, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, mental illnesses and autism. These people can’t take care of themselves and will cost money, likely more money, in other inappropriate settings, Henry said. The Senate home and community-based services waiver limit cuts very deep as well, with a cut of $58.5 million ($117 million in state and federal funds), but Henry said the Senate doesn’t roll back waiver resources and would allow “turn-over resources” to be used to meet at least some of the crisis needs over the next two years. Other cuts have major consequences. Adults (over age 21) on Medical Assistance (Medicaid) would no longer have rehabilitation not receive rehabilitation therapies following a stroke, hip fracture, accident, or any other catastrophic accident or illness. Access to physical, occupational, and speech therapy would not exist. Children would still have access to these services, but more red tape requirements may delay or interrupt service treatment plans, according to Courage Center. The list of potential cuts goes on. Thousands of Minnesotans could lose PCA services, and
those who rely on family members to provide personal care would have that reimbursement cut back. Co-payments would increase for many medical visits. Transportation programs, including Metro Mobility, could be cut or have costs raised. A possible redesign of medical transportation services could also pass along more costs to consumers. Another huge concern many advocates and organizations are tracking is in state Vocational Rehabilitation Services, which provides counseling and support services funding to help people with disabilities find and retain employment. Deep cuts to Medical Assistance for Employed Persons with Disabilities or MA-EPD could affect
services. Under proposed legislation premiums paid would increase, some by 100 percent. Participants would have to turn over more of their Social Security checks to the state government. In
many cases it would take away any incentive to work. Much of their earned income would be paid back on a higher Medicaid premium. ■
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PEOPLE & PLACES
“All Minneapolis children deserve a safe, supportive place to play, and the proposed Wabun playground helps to ensure more children will have that opportunity,” said Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak. “We’re delighted to partner with Falls 4 All and MPRB on this project,” said Jeff Winter, President of People for Parks. “It will be the first playground of its kind in the Minneapolis Park System and provide a model for other communities to emulate.” The playground site is east of Minnehaha Falls and just north of the Veterans Administration campus, on a bluff that overlooks the Mississippi River. The goal is to incorporate design features that will make the playground fully accessible to individuals with disabilities, while also supporting innovative recreational activities for people without disabilities. Improvements completed at Wabun include four new accessible picnic shelters, a new restroom building, a zero entry Universal play equipment can take many forms. depth wading pool, reconstructed Photo from Falls 4 All parking lots, a disc golf course, a volleyball court, and a new bike/pedestrian trail. Falls 4 All, a volunteer group, is raising money to enhance accessibility of planned playground improve- These improvements have all been designed to meet the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act. ments at Wabun Picnic Area in Minnehaha Park. The history and beauty of this area and the easy acFalls 4 All has teamed up with People for Parks, to cess from highways draws families from miles away raise money. The goal is to build the first universally and international visitors. accessible playground facility in the Minneapolis Children with disabilities face many challenges afPark System. People for Parks is a group affiliated fecting their interpersonal relationships including limwith the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board ited integration in play activities with peers. Univer(MPRB). sally accessible play equipment helps children with The partners want to create a playground where disabilities gain self-confidence and physical skills, children and adults, both with and without disabiliand provides more opportunities for play, social interties, can explore, interact and play with independence action and respect for physical differences. and dignity on universally accessible playground “As the MPRB upgrades playgrounds, it designs equipment. them to meet all current accessibility requirements es“The Park Board has committed $300,000 to the tablished by the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Wabun project and we’d like to raise an additional funding raised by Falls 4 All will be used to increase $700,000 to make this a true universal access playthe level of accessibility for children and adults,” said ground,” said Peggy Halvorson, leader of Falls 4 All. MPRB Superintendent Jayne Miller, “and we appreci“The additional funds can provide items such as ate Falls 4 All and People for Parks’ efforts toward ramped wheelchair access to the highest platforms, making this playground a state-of-the-art resource inspecialized wheelchair-accessible playground surfacviting and available to every park visitor.” ing, dual slides that allow a caregiver to slide with Fundraising for renovation of the Wabun playtheir child, and harnessed swings that hold children ground is underway with design development of the securely.” new playground facilities expected in 2011 and site work in 2012. Public meetings will be scheduled for the playground renovation as part of the schematic design process. For information about the universal access playground, visit www.minneapolisparks.org/ default.asp?PageID=1258
Minnehaha Falls Park to get universal access playground
MINED ARTS group awarded grant Walker Community UMC and MINED ARTS are a 2011 recipient of a Partners in Arts Participation
Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. The grant will be used to support artists, through publication of a chapbook and an art exhibition. MINED ARTS is an arts organization of, by, and for those who have experienced mental illness/emotional disturbances (selfdescribed). The work is funded, in part, by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the Legacy Amendment approved by the state’s voters in November 2008. A writing group and an art group: Expression for Wellness and Effectiveness will each meet Mondays in the L’Orange Gallery (unless otherwise posted) from 7-9 p.m. at Walker Community UMC, 3104 16th Ave. South for nine months to prepare, share and critique participants’ work. First, third and fifth Mondays will be writing group facilitated by James Livingston, editor of MINED and founder and for 12 years facilitator of Southside Writers’ Studio, Eagan. Drawing/ art will be on second and fourth Mondays facilitated by artist Janet Court, President of MINED ARTS. The group won’t meet on Memorial Day or the July 4th holiday. A chapbook will be published in December and a gallery exhibition of at least 12 works will be presented in L‘Orange Gallery in November. Deadline for submissions is Oct. 31. A maximum of 2 pages of 12 point type or drawings/photographs of one page or less only could be accepted for the magazine. Larger works are welcome in the gallery. Participation in groups is not necessary, but may be helpful. Mail submissions to MINED c/o Walker Community UMC, Box 7588 MPLS MN 55407. For more information call MINED ARTS or 612-721-9284 or email james.Livingston_less_mined-arts@hotmail.com
St. Thomas students silence the R-word An estimated 100 students and faculty at St. Thomas University went silent May 4, but it’s not because they have nothing to say. Their silence is intended to spark conversation on a specific type of bullying— the pejorative use of the R-word, retard(ed). The day of silence is part of a week-long Spread the Word to End the Word campaign asking students to pledge that they will stop using the R-word and replace it with a new R-word, respect. The campaign is organized locally by the St. Thomas Special Olympics Club, a group of student advocates who are working to create a more inclusive environment for individuals with intellectual disabilities. This is the second year that St. Thomas University has conducted an R-word campaign, and the day of silence was inspired by this year’s campaign theme, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” “Our club has five members who have brothers and sisters with intellectual disabilities, and each one of those siblings has been called or hears the R-word on a daily basis. Our job is to put a stop to the word ‘retard’ so that they never have to hear it again,” said Addison Farrell, a senior at St. Thomas University and president of the school’s Special Olympics Club. “It is amazing how many beautiful things are said and done by those with intellectual disabilities. They think, speak, and love with respect and we only ask that the rest of the world do the same.” In addition to the day of silence, club members invited their peers to take the R-word pledge by setting up a pledge station in their cafeteria and grill over lunch and speaking in their classes during the weeklong awareness campaign, May 2–6. Those participating in the day of silence will only speak as part of class, when required for a job or in the event of an emergency. Spread the Word to End the Word is an ongoing effort by Special Olympics and Best Buddies International to raise the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the word “retard(ed)” and encourage people to pledge to stop using the R-word.
May 10, 2011 Volume 22, Number 5
PEOPLE & PLACES
Upstream Arts participants and teaching artist Amy Ottaviani. Photo courtesy of Sue Meredith
Upstream Arts marks five years Upstream Arts is celebrating five years of enhancing the lives of adults and youth with disabilities through the power of arts. The Minneapolis-based nonprofit hosted STOP. LOOK. SEE. on April 18. The benefit event featured a photography exhibition and a performance showcasing some of the Twin Cities’ most exciting artists. The event was held at Intermedia Arts in Minneapolis. Upstream Arts Program Director Matt Guidry and Board Member Peter Vitale led the performance, which told the story of Upstream Arts and featured some of the professional artists who teach with the organization. Dirk Anschütz’s photography exhibition, Upstream, features portraits of young adults who participate in Upstream Arts Program. “Our goal for this event is not only to showcase the fabulous artists that we work with from our performing and visual arts community, but also to bring together our larger community that supports and participates alongside Upstream Arts,” said Upstream Arts Executive Director Julie Guidry. “One of our goals as an organization is to create opportunities to develop social and communication skills, so I can think of no better venue than a celebratory event to practice those skills but also to have the chance to really recognize and put a value on why those skills are so important.” Matt Guidry is an actor, director, producer, choreographer and educator. He has extensive Twin Cities theater experience, including the Burning House Group Theatre Company, and has appeared with Ten Thousand Things (currently in Man of La Mancha), the Guthrie, History Theatre, and Pillsbury House Theatre. Vitale provided the soundscape for the performance, as he has done for more than 20 Ten Thousand Things shows. Sara Richardson, Matt Sciple and Charles Fraser were among the Upstream Arts Teaching Artists who appeared in the performance. Dirk Anschütz is a German-born, New Yorkbased photographer whose work has appeared in magazines and ads throughout the world. His clients include BMW, Adidas, Merck, Time, Stern and Fortune magazine. Upstream Arts was founded in 2006 to enhance the lives of adults and youth with disabilities by fostering creative communication and social independence through the power of arts education. Teams of professional artists lead interactive, multidisciplinary activities in music, dance, visual arts, poetry and theatre that explore emotion and examine the successful elements of social interaction and effective communication. The model has proven successful in giving youth and adults with disabilities muchneeded exposure to the arts, while nurturing their ability to positively express themselves, participate in a group and socially interact with peers, supervisors and family members.
Project finished at Mpls Vets Home Rebuilding Together Twin Cities and partners, including Sears Holdings Corp Heroes at
Home Program, Tee It Up for the Troops, DayCo Concrete Company, Cemstone and community volunteers teamed up April 23 for a project to lay a cement patio at the Minneapolis Veterans Home. “On behalf of the nearly 400,000 Veterans in Minnesota, I want to thank our community partners, especially Rebuilding Together Twin Cities, for their dedication to this project,” said Commissioner Larry Shellito with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. “This sends a resounding message of support to all the Residents at the Minneapolis Veterans Home—our nation’s heroes.” Representatives with Rebuilding Together Twin Cities, partners and volunteers with the 934th Airlift Wing and the 96th Associate Squadron gathered outside building 15 to break ground while residents watched the progress. “The Minneapolis Veterans Home project really captures the spirit of what we do,” said Executive Director of Rebuilding Together Twin Cities, Kathy Greiner. “By working together with all of these great partners, we will be able to make a difference in the lives of many veterans in our community.” The concrete pad will be used for various recreational activities with Residents throughout the year, including the upcoming “Fishing Opener Event” May 7 and Memorial Day Ceremony. For a list of additional upcoming Home Repair Projects for Veterans, visit www.rebuildingtogethertwincities.org
Advocate for blind remembered Longtime supporter and advocate of the Minnesota Radio Talking Book, Andy Virden, is being remembered for his work with numerous disability service organizations. Virden, 83, was struck and killed by a vehicle in Waite Park in March. Virden was born in Waite Park. He graduated from St. Cloud Technical High School and St. Cloud State University before becoming the owner of Virden’s Vending and Concession at the St. Cloud Post Office lobby. He operated that business, an affiliate of State Services for the Blind’s Business Enterprises Program for decades before retiring in 1994.
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He was a member of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), and Past President of the Central Minnesota Chapter of the NFB. He was also very active in a number of fraternal and charitable organizations in the Waite Park community. Virden was committed to services for the blind, having served as an active member of the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind and on its Communication Center Subcommittee. He was a tireless advocate for the RTB, spending untold hours talking to people in central Minnesota about Radio Talking Book. ■
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Employing people with disabilities pays vited to the White House. At the White House, she said, she mingled with assistant secretaries from attends conference Justice and Labor and of autistic children, espe- Health and Civil Rights, talking about how chilcially among immigrant dren with autism can get families. She has overcome her own cultural in- the medical help and suphibitions, which once kept port they need. “That means autism is her from admitting her in the minds of the leaders son’s condition to her of this country, which is own family, to press her important,” she said. In case in the halls of power—from the Minne- today’s world, their plates are full, there’s a crisis sota Legislature to the everywhere.” To devote a governor’s office and day to talking about aunow, to the home of the tism, she says, was president. One of her biggest con- “monumental.” “Who would believe,’’ cerns is what appears to be the soaring rate of au- she added, “that I could take this story all the way tism in Minnesota’s Somali community. Her lob- to the White House and they would listen?” ■ bying paid off with a [Source: Star Tribune] study to examine the problem. That got her in-
Minnesota Diversified Industries (MDI), serving the St. Paul, Grand Rapids and Hibbing areas of MinMinnesota parent nesota, provides employBack in high school, ment opportunities for Idil Abdull remembers, people with disabilities she once posed in front of that return $3 for every $1 the White House for a invested, according to a photo. It was the only new Social Return on Intime she was there—until vestment (SROI) study last month, when she reconducted by St. Paulturned as a guest. based Wilder Research. Abdull, the mother of “MDI commissioned an autistic child in Wilder Research to quanBurnsville, found herself tify the economic benefits surrounded by some of to the community of the top scientists, advoMDI’s unique social entercates and health officials prise model of serving in the country at a White people with disabilities. House conference on auAlthough highly self suffitism awareness in April. cient, MDI does require As co-founder of the community support, and Somali American Autism we wanted to determine Foundation, Abdull has the value our enterprise spent three years trying to delivers,” said Peter call attention to the needs McDermott, president and CEO of MDI. MDI emTelephone equipment is available ploys individuals with disphones (TTYs); captioned abilities who work in an Many people struggle ing applicants. This equipment allows people telephones and loud/visual integrated setting, and also to use the telephone due provides vocational rehatelephone ring signalers to mobility limitations, to live more safely and independently. To learn more about the bilitation and job placespeech impairment and hearing loss. Telephone Some of the equipment program and to download ment services. Employees an application, visit www. are held to competitive Equipment Distribution the TED program offers employment standards and (TED), a program of Deaf includes hands-free remote tedprogram.org. Call and Hard of Hearing Ser- controlled speakerphones; 651-431-5945 or e-mail at receive training, developted.program@state.mn. us ment and advancement vices Division, under the speech amplified phones opportunities. Minnesota Department of and devices; amplified with questions about the The study finds that TED program or to schedHuman Services provides phones; wireless cell MDI benefits society in assistive telephone equip- phones for those with a ule a presentation. ■ many respects. Benefits to [Source: TED Program] ment at no cost to qualify- hearing loss; text tele-
REGIONAL NEWS
employees with disabilities include increased wage earnings and jobrelated fringe benefits. Benefits to taxpayers include a reduction in public assistance use and increased tax contributions resulting from the higher wages earned by employees with disabilities. The study estimates the annual value of these benefits to be $19,096 per participant. The annual cost per participant is estimated at $6,281 including development and support costs. Thus, the benefit-cost ratio is $3 for every $1 spent. Also identified in the study are additional benefits that cannot be easily measured in monetary terms. For employees with
disabilities, these include acquisition of life-long marketable skills; increased interpersonal and social skills; and increased self-confidence, self-determination, and greater quality of life. Additional benefits to the communities MDI serves include a reduction in the historically high unemployment rate for people with disabilities, a decrease in negative perceptions on the work abilities of people with disabilities, and increases in spending in the community and economy. A copy of the full report can be viewed at www.mdi. org or www.wilder research.org ■ {Source: Wilder Research, MDI]
Vale Educational Center will close A highly-regarded Eagan educational center for students with disabilities will close due to a dip in enrollment. Vale Educational Center in Eagan, the Burnsville school district’s program for students with emotional and behavioral disabilities, will be missed by many students and their families. The closing mirrors a statewide trend as fewer students with dis-
abilities, ranging from severe depression and anxiety to bipolar and obsessive-compulsive disorder have attended full-time programs such as Vale. While some advocates see that as an encouraging sign about mainstream education, others say that the loss of small, highly personal schools will hurt some special needs students.
More Regional News on p. 9
May 10, 2011 Volume 22, Number 5
PEOPLE & PLACES Dr. Cole remembered
Dr. Theodore “Ted” Cole is being remembered for his decades of work in rehabilitation and spinal cord injury, his pioneering medical work and his compassion and commitment to others. Cole died peacefully March 26 at the University Hospital in Ann Arbor, Mich., surrounded in his final days by his wife, Sandra and their five children. He was a pioneer in the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation, an advocate for individuals and families faced with disability, a supporter of community arts, a talented musician, photographer, and writer, and a beloved friend, uncle, brother, father and husband. Cole was Professor Emeritus and former Chairman of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor. He taught at the University of Minnesota in the past. A Minnesota memorial service is planned for 3 p.m. Sunday, May 22, 2011, at the Program in Human Sexuality, 1300 South 2nd Street, Suite 180, Minneapolis. Anyone with questions may contact Jenae Batt at 612-6251331 or jenae@umn.edu Memorial Gifts in honor of Dr. Cole may be made to Access Press, Minnesota’s Disability Community Newspaper, for the Theodore M. Cole, M.D. Memorial Fund. Donations can be sent to: Access Press Ted Cole Memorial Fund 1821 University Ave. W. Suite 104S St. Paul, MN 55104. Please make checks payable to “ACCESS PRESS” and note on the memo line “Ted Cole Memorial Fund.” Online contributions to Access Press can be made at www.accesspress.org/ donate/.
Born December 11, 1931 to Elizabeth Miller and William Roswell Cole, III, Cole spent his childhood in Winchester, Mass., and graduated from Nashua High School, N.H. in 1949. He served in the United States Air Force 19511952, attended the University of New Hampshire 1952-1955, Tufts Medical School, Boston where he earned his M.D. in 1959, and he completed an internship and residency at the Tufts-New England Medical Center in Boston. On Valentine’s Day in 1959 he met Sandra Shaw of Boston, and they pledged their love the same year, embarking on a marriage that would last more than 51 years, until his death. He started his career in 1963 on the faculty of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, later rising to professor, and was director of the
spinal cord injury program, project director of the Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center, and interim director of the medical school’s Program in Human Sexuality. In 1977 the Cole family moved to Michigan, where he chaired the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Michigan Medical Center until his partial retirement in 1994. At Michigan, his contributions to building a strong research department continue to be recognized in the annual Ted Cole Resident Research Day. Over a long career dedicated to improving the health and quality of life of persons with physical disabilities, he was elected twice as President of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, was a founding member of the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA), chair of the American Spinal Injury Foundation, and was awarded the ASIA Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999. He was a key advi-
sor to the National Institutes of Health in the establishment of the National Center of Medical Rehabilitation Research and served on the National Advisory Council and Planning and Policy Committee for the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development at the National Institutes of Health until his full retirement in 2001. More recently, Cole provided pro bono advocacy for people struggling with the health care system not knowing what to do or where to turn. He had many passions in life, took great pleasure in sharing music, writing, poetry and photography, and carried from his childhood a love for nature and outdoor adventuring. Together, he and Sandra have been longstanding patrons of theater and the arts in their community. He was a caring mentor and believed in the potential of young people to make a better world. He is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Nan; and one grandson. He is
Regional News - from p. 8 Several years ago the Vale Center served as many as 90 students, from kindergartners to seniors. Enrollment at the center, which shares a building with the district’s alternative high school, has dropped to about 50 students. Vale offers small classes, including social skills classes that help student maneuver through difficult real-life scenarios through games and lessons. In the age of the federal No Child Left Behind law, Principal Jayne Tiedemann said, covering
standards in English, math, science and social studies with a smaller staff is tough. And high school teachers licensed for those courses as well as special education have become tougher to find. More than 15,000 students ages 6 to 21—or about 12 percent of Minnesotans that age—were diagnosed with emotional behavioral disabilities, or EBDs, last year. Statewide 10 years ago, almost 20 percent of students with emotional disorders attended the special classes. This year, slightly more than
11 percent do, with the remainder spending at least some time in mainstream classrooms. Reasons for the decline vary, said Barbara Troolin, the Minnesota Department of Education special education director. Many students with previously diagnosed emotional behavioral disabilities are now diagnosed with autism and directed to different programs. And budgetstrapped districts are scaling back programs that require separate facilities. ■ [Source: Pioneer Press]
survived by his wife and best friend, Sandra; Professor (retired) of Human Sexuality at the University of Michigan Medical School; by his elder brothers, Bill and Ralph;
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his children, Eric, Jennifer, Laura, Adam, and Leanne, their partners; and ten grandchildren. He is deeply loved and will be missed. ■
Minnesota Northern featured at Frozen 4 The Minnesota Northern, a sled hockey team comprised of players of differing abilities, including paraplegics, amputees, and able-bodied players, capped a successful season with an appearance at the Frozen Four in St. Paul last month. They demonstrated the sport to visitors at the national collegiate college championships. Sled hockey is known as an ability equalizing sport, as all players use the same equipment, and rules only slightly modified to regulation ice hockey. The Northern are a part of USA Hockey— Minnesota, and are a part of the Minnesota Sled Hockey Association, 501(c) (3) nonprofit based in the Twin Cities area. Players come from all over the state to compete within the Midwest League, and at the National level. Seven rookie players began the year with the Northern, including Paralympian and Gold Medalist Taylor Lipsett. Returning members included Wendy Richter,
who also played with the USA Women’s’ Sled Hockey team during the competition. First-year goalie Judd Yaeger beat out his Paralympian counterpart Steve Cash and Midwest league rivals St. Louis in the championship game, with a score of 2-1. After the first game in the series resulting in a shootout, the Northern went on to outscore their competitors 14-5 and win the Open A division of the tournament at the USA Disabled Hockey Festival on April 3, held at the National Sports Center in Blaine. Teams from across the country played sled, special, and deaf/ hard-of-hearing hockey, with the Northern beating out teams from St. Louis, Indiana, and Tampa Bay. “With this being the rookie year for more than half of the Northern players, the word that comes to mind is ‘miracle’, but that word has already been used,” said left wing Aaron Holm. ■ For further information, visit www.sled.mn or mnsledhockey.org
Kent’s Accounting Service, LLC Kent Fordyce 612-889-2959 • fordyce6@aol.com Fax: 952-472-1458 6371 Bartlett Blvd, Mound, MN 55364 Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 & 2005
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UPCOMING EVENTS Special events
Services, Merrick Inc., Metropolitan Center for Independent Living, People First of Minnesota, Rise Inc. and TSE Inc. are planning organizations. FFI: Kathy, 651-641-0297
Leadership Training
Judy Collins featured Judy Collins, the Grammy Award–winning vocalist and legendary music icon, will deliver the keynote address at People Incorporated Mental Health Services 42nd Annual Luncheon 11:30 a.m., Wed, May 25 at Dancers Studio Event Center, 1508 University Ave. W., St. Paul,. Collins will speak about her deeply moving memoir, “Sanity and Grace: A Journey of Suicide, Survival, and Strength,” which focuses on the tragic death of her only son and the healing process that followe She will also perform a few musical selections. Tickets are $30 each and table sponsorships are available. Collins, 71, frequently speaks on mental health and suicide prevention. FFI: Leslie DeBoer, 651288-3508, www.PeopleIn
corporated.org, or leslie. deboer@PeopleIncor porated.org
Workshops, conferences Self-advocacy conference The 2011 Minnesota SelfAdvocacy Conference is May 20-21 at Crown Plaza St. Paul Riverfront Hotel, 11 E. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul. Learning as We GoGo-Go is the theme. Enjoy informative workshops, music, door prizes and an awards ceremony. Costs start at $20 for youth and $85 for adults; rooms are extra for an available charge. No registration is accepted at the conference so register early. Advocating Change Together, Dakota Communities, Hammer Residence, Lifeworks
Partners in Policy Making is seeking recruits for its leadership training program , created in 1987 by the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities. Deadline to apply is July 22. This program is for adults with disabilities and parents of young children with developmental disabilities. It is a nine-month series with eight weekend sessions. There is no charge. FFI: 651-222-7409 ext. 205, 1-800-569-6878 ext. 205, email cschoeneck@ mngts.org/partners inpolicymaking
Get WISE about benefits and working Receiving Social Security benefits for a disability and interested in working? Make WISE connections. Attend one of these free, two-hour meetings; 12:45 p.m. Thu May 19, St. Cloud; 12:45 p.m. Wed, May 25, Mankato; 10:30 a.m. Tue, June 7, West St. Paul; 9:45 a.m. Thu June 9, Rochester. FFI: 1-866968-7842 (voice), 1-866833-2967, www. socialsecurity.gov/work
Adaptive technology classes Free adaptive technology classes are offered by Hennepin County Library, at the downtown Mpls library, 300 Nicollet Mall. Classes are free but you
must pre-register for these classes for persons who are blind or have low vision. In addition to classes there are often volunteers available to introduce patrons to the equipment and software available. Volunteer hours vary, so it’s best to call ahead. Funding for Adaptive Technology classes is provided by a generous grant from the Hudson Family Foundation. FFI: 612-6306469, www.hclib.org
Volunteer, Donate Volunteer with RSVP Volunteers age 55 and older are eligible to receive free supplemental insurance, mileage reimbursement and other benefits through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) sponsored by Volunteers of America of Minnesota. RSVP/Volunteers of America of Minnesota and AARP Foundation need volunteers with good budgeting and organizational skills to help manage finances of older or disabled low-income individuals. Have a few hours a month to volunteer? Money Management Program staff will train and match you with someone in the community. FFI: Money Management Program Coordinator, 612-617-7821
Be a reading tutor Encouraging, enthusiastic volunteers needed to help adults learn to read! Spark a love of literature and partner with someone new by tutoring at one of the many convenient locations throughout the metro area. Ongoing training and support is provided by the Minnesota Literacy Coun-
cil. FFI: Allison, 651-6452277 x219 or email volunteer@themlc.org, or visit www.themlc.org
Youth and families PACER offers services PACER Center offers useful free and low-cost workshops for families of children with disabilities. Register in advance for workshops. All workshops are at PACER Center, 8161 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington, unless specified. Some workshops are in Greater Minnesota. FFI: PACER at 952-838-9000 or 800-537-2237 (toll free), or visit the PACER website at www.PACER.org
Support groups, meetings UCare meetings UCare hosts informational meetings about its UCare for Seniors Medicare Advantage plan. Meetings are held all over the region. UCare for Seniors has more than 75,000 members across Minnesota and western Wisconsin. UCare is an independent, nonprofit health plan providing health care and administrative services to more than 185,000 mem-
bers. UCare serves Medicare-eligible individuals throughout Minnesota and in western Wisconsin; individuals and families enrolled in income-based Minnesota Health Care Programs, such as MinnesotaCare and Prepaid Medical Assistance Program; adults with disabilities and Medicare beneficiaries with chronic health conditions, and Minnesotans dually eligible for Medical Assistance and Medicare FFI: 1-877-523-1518 (toll free), www.ucare.org
Mental Illness support groups The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Minnesota (NAMI-MN) sponsors free support groups for families who have a relative with a mental illness. NAMI has 23 family support groups, over 20 support groups for people living with a mental illness, anxiety support groups, and Vet Connection groups for returning soldiers. Led by trained facilitators who also have a family member with mental illness, the support groups help families develop better coping skills and find strength through sharing their experiences. FFI: NAMI, 651-645-2948 or www.namihelps.org ■
Ramsey County - from p. 1 forms during discussions with Bostrom prior to the republican National Convention in 2008. At that time Bostrom was with the St. Paul Police Department. “It’s important to get complete, accurate, real-time information about the people we’re trying to service,” Bostrom said. The communications center handles hundreds of thousands of 911 calls each year, said Ramsey County Emergency Communications Center Director Scott Williams. He said the center is pleased to be part of this program. “We handle a wide range of calls and we have a lot of surprises. One thing that should never be a surprise is someone’s disability or a disability in a household.” The forms’ information will be in a computer system and will be seen only when a call comes in for a specific address. The information will then be relayed to the emergency responders. St. Paul Fire Department makes more than 40,000 runs a year for
emergency medical services, fires and rescues. “One thing we have learned in the past is that having information ahead of time saves a lot of time and effort,” said Fire Chief Tim Butler. The forms would help emergency responders bring the right equipment and medications. Butler said the forms will provide a “significant boost” to emergency medical efforts. Hughes said he got the idea while traveling via Metro Mobility past high-rises and other places where people with disabilities live. “I just wanted to make things better,” Hughes said. “I wanted to help the disability community.” Connect to the form at www.co.ramsey.mn.us/ ecc/ Scroll to the bottom of the page and then click on the Residential Emergency Response Information Form. It is for Ramsey County residents only but advocates note it is an idea that could be implemented in other cities and counties as well. ■
May 10, 2011 Volume 22, Number 5
ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCES The following performances will be Audio Described (AD) for people who are blind or have low vision, interpreted in American Sign Language (ASL) or Captioned for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Reduced prices available (when noted) to people using ASL/AD services plus one companion; Performance information compiled by VSA Minnesota, 612-332-3888 voice/tty or www.vsamn.org Visit that website to see a complete list of performances.
Arsenic and Old Lace April 9 – June 5 Guthrie Theater, 818 2nd St. S., Mpls. ASL: Fri., May 13, 7:30 p.m.; Thurs., May 19, 7:30 p.m. Captioning: Sat., May 14, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $20 (reg. $24-64); Phone: 612377-2224, TTY 612-3776626. Web: www.guthrietheater.org
Hot Jazz at da Funky Butt April 28 - May 21 Interact Theater with Rue Fiya jazz ensemble at the Lab Theater, 700 N. First St., Mpls. AD, ASL: Wed., May 11, 11 a.m.; Sat., May 14, 7:30 p.m.; Thurs., May 19, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Re-
duced to $5 for patrons with disabilities plus a companion ($22 reg., $18 student/senior, $15 under age 16 & groups of 10+); Ask for Dis/Cover Tickets. If you use Metro Mobility or another transportation provider, ask for a $250 ride rebate when you pick up tickets. Phone: 612333-7977. Web: www.interactcenter.com or www.thelabtheater.org
Pinkalicious April 29 - May 28 Stages Theatre Co. at Hopkins Center for the Arts, 1111 Main St. ASL: Sun., May 14, 1 p.m.; Thurs., May 19, 10 a.m.
AD: upon request. Tix: $11, $9 child or senior, group $8.50, school group $5.50; plus $1.50 per ticket handling fee; Phone: 952-979-1111. Web: www.stagestheatre.org
After the quake May 6-21 Walking Shadow Theatre Co. at People’s Center Theater, 425 20th Ave. S., Mpls. AD: Sat., May 14, 7:30 p.m. ASL: Fri., May 20, 7:30 p.m. Tix: $1518; Reduced to $5; Phone: 612-375-0300; E-mail: boxoffice@walkingshadow Co.org Web: www. walkingshadowCo.org
Side by Side by Sondheim May 19-22
Radio Talking Book Books Available Through Faribault Books broadcast on the MN Radio Talking Book Network are available through the MN Braille and Talking Book Library in Faribault. The catalog is also online, and can be accessed by going to the main website, http://education. state.mn.us, and then clicking on the link. Phone is 1-800722-0550 and hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mon. through Fri. Persons living outside of MN may obtain copies of books by contacting their home state’s Network Library for the National Library Service. Listen to the Minnesota Radio Talking Book, either live or archived programs from the last week, on the Internet at www.mnssb.org/rtb. Call the RTB for the password to the site. See more information about RTB events on the Facebook site for the Minnesota Radio Talking Book Network. Access Press is one of the publications featured at 9 p.m. Sundays on the program It Makes a Difference.
Chautauqua • Tuesday – Saturday 4 a.m. Stuff, Nonfiction by Randy O. Frost and Gail Steketee, 2010. None of us are completely free of the impulses that drive hoarders to extremes. But what drives those of us who can’t throw things away? L - Read by Terri Horsmann. 10 broadcasts. Begins May 26.
The Writer’s Voice • Monday – Friday 2 p.m. Keeping the Feast, Nonfiction by Paula Butterini, 2010. Shortly after their wedding, Butturini’s husband was nearly killed. After his body healed, there were psychological scars, so they returned to where they had fallen in love. Read by Sue McDonald. Eight broadcasts. Begins May 30.
PM Report • Monday – Friday 8 p.m. Broke, USA, Nonfiction by Gary Rivlin, 2010. For many, the Great Crash of 2008 meant troubling times. Not so for those in the flourishing poverty industry, for whom the economic woes spell opportunity to expand and grow. L - Read by June Prange. 13 broadcasts. Begins May 30.
Off the Shelf • Monday – Friday 10 p.m. A Fierce Radiance, Fiction by Lauren Belfer, 2010. Claire is following development of a new drug, penicillin, that will save many lives when she finds herself falling in love with one of the researchers. L,S - Read by Esmé Evans. 18 broadcasts. Begins May 30.
After Midnight • Tuesday – Saturday 1 a.m. Orion You Came and You Took All My Marbles, Fiction by Kira Henehan, 2010. In a world where anything is possible and nothing is certain, Finley is on a mission to interrogate a puppeteer named Professor Uppal. L - Read by Michele Potts. Seven broadcasts. Begins May 24. Abbreviations: V —violence, L—offensive language, S— sexual situations.
Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre, 333 4th St. S., Fargo. AD: Thurs., May 19, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $8 (reg. $20, senior/student $14, child $8); Phone: 701-235-6778. Web:www.fmct.org
The Clown Who Ran Away May 21 Central Lakes College Theatre’s Adventures ‘N Theatre young people’s performing company at Dryden Theatre, 501 W. College Dr., Brainerd. ASL: Sat., May 21, 2 p.m. Tix: $5; Phone: 218-855-8199. Web: www.clcmn.edu/ news/calendar.htm#/?i=6
Opus May 6-29 Park Square Theatre, 408 St. Peter St., St. Paul. AD, ASL: Sat., May 21, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Reduced to halfprice ($1850); Phone: 651291-7005. Web: www. parksquaretheatre.org
Black Comedy May 13-29 Rochester Civic Theatre, 20 Civic Ctr Dr SE. ASL: Sat., May 21, 8 p.m. Tix: $1850, sr $1550, student $1350; Phone: 507-2828481. Web: www.roches tercivictheatre.org
Anatomy of Gray April 29 - May 22 Theatre in the Round, 245 Cedar Ave., Mpls. AD: Sun., May 22, 2 p.m. Tactile tour 1 p.m. on request. Tix: $20, senior $18, student with ID $10; Phone: 612-333-3010. Web: www.theatreintheround.org
Schoolhouse Rock Live! May 5-22 Youth Performance Co. at Howard Conn Fine Arts Center, 1900 Nicollet Ave., Mpls. AD, ASL:
Sun., May 22, 2 p.m. Tix: Reduced to half-price (reg. $12, student 18 & under or senior 62+, $10); Phone: 612-623-9080. Web: www. youthperformanceco.com.
The Sound of Music April 29 – May 29 Lakeshore Players Theatre, 4820 Stewart Ave., White Bear Lake. ASL: Sun., May 29, 2 p.m. (If no ASL seats are reserved within two weeks of show, ASL will be cancelled.). Tix: Reduced to $10 (reg. $18-$20); Phone: 651429-5674; E-mail: tickets @lakeshoreplayers.com Web:www.lakeshoreplayers.com
In the Red & Brown Water May 12 - June 5 Pillsbury House Theatre & Mount Curve Co. at Guthrie Theater’s Dowling Studio, 818 2nd St. S., Mpls. ASL, AD: Wed., June 1, 7:30 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $20 (reg. $18-30); Phone: 612-377-2224, TTY 612377-6626. Web: www.guth rietheater.org or www. pillsburyhousetheatre.org
Twelve Angry Men May 20 – June 12 Bloomington Theatre & Art Center Black Box Theater, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Rd. AD: Fri., June 3, 7:30 p.m. ASL: Sun., June 5, 2 p.m. Tix: Reduced to $11 (reg. $16-18); Phone: 952563-8575. Web: www. bloomingtoncivictheatre.org
Arsenic & Old Lace June 3-18 Lyric Arts Co. of Anoka, 420 E. Main St., Anoka. ASL: Sat., June 4, 7:30 p.m. Tix: $8-14 ASL guests (ASL seats held
Pg 11
until two weeks before show, then released; if no reservations, ASL will be canceled); Phone: 763422-1838; E-mail: jessica@lyricarts.org Web: www.lyricarts.org ■
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