February 1999 Edition - Access Press by Access Press

Dental Care Crisis — Page 6

Inside  Disability Humor — p. 4

Volume 10, Number 2

SOURCES

February 10, 1999

“Respect is based on justice.” — Dick Gregory

RESOURCES

February 10, 1999

LEGISLATIVE AGENDAS II Disability Groups Plan for ’99 by Charlie Smith, Editor

ith the 1999 legislative session in full swing, we are following up our January front page story with additional summaries of the legislative agendas of disability organizations. What follows are summaries from groups that participated in the State Council on Disability’s Legislative Roundtable on January 6, 1999, that were not received in time to be included in January. For more information on the agendas outlined below, contact the specific organizations. PACER Center Irving Martin, 1939-1999

Irving Martin: Tribute To A Life-Long Advocate

rving Martin, a resident of St. Paul, died of cancer on Thursday, January 15, at the age of 60. Martin was an organizer, advocate and role model for people with disabilities claiming their civil and human rights. In 1981, he was the first person with a developmental disability elected to the national board of directors of Arc. He also founded the St. Paul chapter of People First, and was a co-founder of Advocating Change Together. He continually spoke out against injustice and encouraged other people with disabilities to become part of the struggle for dignity and equality. Many people are saddened by Irving’s death. We asked some of the people who knew him well to share their memories and feelings for him. It is clear from what they shared that what Irving stood for will be carried on in their hearts

and in their work. LeAnne Dahl: “When I think about Irving, I recall his quick, friendly smile and gentle manner. Although he had accomplished much during his sixty years, he wasn’t one to boast. No, instead Irving prodded and encouraged his peers who have disabilities. Whenever he was asked to speak in public on their behalf, he did so with pride and dignity. He will be missed by many of us.” Cliff Poetz: “Irving and I were very close. We were like brothers. I am proud of everything Irving did in his life, and he was proud of me also. Irving was a role model for me and a lot of other people. He worked hard and cared about people. He made a difference in my life. I will miss him. He told me when he got sick that he did not want us to get off track. He wanted for all of us to keep on pushing for disability rights.

He wanted people to know that there is still a lot of work to be done. I will keep on working so that what Irving stood for does not get lost.” Sue Abderholden: “Irving Martin was a friend, an advocate, a hero. He never missed an opportunity to talk about the importance of holding a job, of living on your own and of speaking up for yourself. He inspired countless numbers of people to take those first steps towards their dreams, and he convinced many parents that they needed to let their sons or daughters with developmental disabilities chart their own course. I always think of the Horton quote, ‘you can hitch your wagon to the stars, but you can’t haul corn or hay in it if your wheels aren’t on the ground.’ “Irving continuously re-

Tribute - cont. on p. 5

Last session the legislature moved to eliminate all Minnesota special education rules and regulations that exceed federal law. The Department of Children, Families and Learning pulled together key stakeholders to reach an agreement on those areas that are needed to clarify federal law and those areas that while they exceed federal requirements, should be kept in Minnesota statute. There were several key provisions where no agreement could be reached, but that PACER feels are very important to families and should be retained. They are: a) serving students through age 21, b) transition interagency committees, c) parent advisory committees, d) conciliation, e) Pupil Fair Dismissal Act, f) regulation of aversive and deprivation procedures, and g) transition plans for students beginning at age 14. IDEA ’97 requires children who are suspended from school to receive a functional behavioral assessment to determine the function, or motivation, for their behavior. While the benefit of such an assessment is supported in special educa-

tion literature, the law is vague as to the definition of “functional behavioral assessment” and as to the training required for persons who conduct these assessments. Many families currently face long waiting lists to obtain services, particularly waivered services. More must be done to support families to care for their child at home and to provide varied options for living in the community. Wages paid to personal care attendants (PCAs) must be increased before this service is no longer available due to staff shortages. PACER proposes that the state pay substantially more than the current 50% of the costs of special education. More must be done to address the needs of young people with disabilities who are juvenile offenders by providing coordinated services, by establishing an assessment process that identifies disabilities in offenders, by providing appropriate special education services in correctional settings and by providing coordinated aftercare programs. Children with disabilities are at a higher risk of child abuse than non-disabled children. Education and intervention efforts must be focused to prevent abuse and to provide appropriate supports to families. Minnesota Commission Serving Deaf & Hard of Hearing People 1) MCDHH will pursue legislation to establish quality assurance for community interpreters working in MN.

2) MCDHH will pursue a mandate to require insurance coverage for hearing aids. 3) MCDHH may pursue startup funds for a state captioning center so that government entities can add captions to videotapes for less cost. 4) MCDHH will seek an expanded budget so that commission members and other interested citizens from Greater Minnesota can become active members of MCDHH committees and task forces via video conferencing. 5) MCDHH may seek legislative funding to (a) establish specialized mental health services for deaf and hard of hearing people in Greater Minnesota, (b) to allow the Array Midway Services (the drop in center for mentally ill deaf people) to continue in operation, and (c) funding to replace and increase existing county match money for Array community based mental health services so that deaf mentally ill persons can get needed community-based mental health services regardless of their county of residence. Minnesota Habilitation Coalition Expanded Day Training and Habilitation (DT&H) Rate Variance Criteria Under current law, there is no provision for changes in DT&H rates based on a change in the needs of existing clientele. While MN Stat. 252.46, Subd. 6 provides for some rate variances, the criteria are limited and do not address the need for a rate change when

Leg. ’99 - cont. on p. 3

February 10, 1999

Irving Martin will continue to live on. After hearing that Irving died last month I asked a number of people who knew him well to send in remembrances of him. As they came in, it reminded me of my own father’s death and how often I catch myself and others who knew him well heeding his advice, giving someone else the same advice. Passing on a part of the person that will never go away. Irving will have that same legacy, future generations will benefit from his existence. We will mourn not being

Charlie Smith Editor

able to talk to Irving, but let’s voice heard, contact the celebrate what he left us. group(s) listed to find out how you can help. **** **** We are printing the legislative agendas of the organizations The first week in March is Diswho didn’t make last month’s ability Week at the State Capideadline. As you read through tol. Different organizations are the priorities, it is important going to the capitol each day that you decide which ones of the week to meet with legisyou can support. We will do lators and talk with them about updates on many of these ini- important issues affecting tiatives each month during the people with disabilities. Pacer legislative session. Govern- Center staff Sue Abderholden ment works best when we are is coordinating the week’s involved in it. To make your events. The schedule is some-

f you live in Hennepin County, are under 65, have a disability, and receive Medical Assistance (MA), you should be aware of a planning project currently underway. With the help of consumers, providers, and other stakeholders, Hennepin County, is looking at opportunities to provide better case management services.

commitment to include in the discussions all people who currently receive, or are eligible to receive MA. Medical providers and other stakeholders are also involved in this planning.

According to Jim Baxter, manager for the project, the planning team will take a hard look at the way MA is managed, with the goal of providing a more consumer-friendly coorThe County has made a strong dinated care program. “We are

asking people to tell us how this project could make a positive difference in their lives,” Baxter said.

March 1 The Arc’s, United Cerebral Palsy and PACER. March 2 The MS Society, ARRM, MCIL, Courage Center and the Epilepsy Foundation. 

Minneapolis And Hibbing Receive National Awards

Medical Assistance Managed Care Project by Mark Wilde

what tentative at this point, but you may contact any disability group to find out when and how they are participating. As we go to press, confirmed dates are:

he National Organization on Disability (NOD) recently announced the winners of its 1998 Community Awards Competition. Minneapolis and Hibbing are among seven cities and three counties nationwide to receive a cash prize for local disability efforts. Both cities received a $1,000 gift.

Julie Wegscheid, Bill Blom and Mark Wilde, community interns, will assist the planning team in soliciting input on the current system, and what opportunities exist to improve it. The competition recognizes outstanding local programs A few of the planning activi- and actions that expand the ties covered by the Hennepin participation of citizens with County project include: how people are enrolled, and the delivery of health, social and long-term care services. If you he Interact Center for the are interested in joining a work Visual and Performing group, or have questions, con- Arts is producing a new origicerns or suggestions, please nal play and a showing of Outcontact: (612) 348-2200 (voice); sider Art in its new gallery. TTY: (612) 596-6758; Julie.Weg scheid@co.hennepin.mn.us; “A Mind in Flames” is a large WWW.co.henne pin.mn.us theatrical event loosely based

disabilities in the life of the Hibbing was recognized for a community-wide collaboration community. that provides temporary ramps Minneapolis’ award went to to 113 homes. Volunteers dethe Minneapolis Advisory veloped and install a modular Committee on People with Dis- wooden ramp system and other abilities. The Committee was simple home accommodations. recognized for developing two The project is designed to alaccessibility checklists, one to low people with newly acquired be used in homeless shelters or diagnosed disabilities suffiand one to be used in busi- cient time to secure funding for nesses and private homes. The a permanent ramp or other long judges cited this program as term access needs, as necesmost likely to be implemented sary.  in other cities and towns across the country.

Interact Opens New Production

MINNESOTA STATE COUNCIL ON DISABILITY Minnesota Youth Leadership Forum Summer 1999 Are you a junior or senior high school student with a disability? Do you want an exciting learning experience? Plan to attend a youth leadership forum this summer. Join with students from around the state at a Twin Cities college campus for four days of learning, exploring and fun.

For more information, call 651-296-6785 (Voice/TTY), or toll-free 1-800-945-8913 (Voice/TTY). E-mail: council.disability@state.mn.us Fax: 651-296-5935

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ACCESS PRESS Co-Founder/Publisher (1990-1996) ................................................................... Wm. A. Smith, Jr. Editor/Publisher/Co-Founder ............................................................................. Charles F. Smith Cartoonist ..................................................................................................................... Scott Adams Production .......................................................................... Presentation Images, Ellen Houghton Editorial Assistant .............................................................................................. Donna McNamara ACCESS PRESS is a monthly tabloid newspaper published for persons with disabilities by Access Press, Ltd. Circulation is 10,000, distributed the 10th of each month through more than 150 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 cents/word over 20 words. Advertising and editorial deadlines are the 30th of the month preceding publication; special scheduling available for camera-ready art.

range of disabilities, (i.e. mental illness, brain injury, developmental and physical disabilities.) The story is drawn from the extraordinary tales of their lives.

Accompanying this show is also the opening of Interact’s Inside-Out gallery’s spring show, “Demons & Deities,” a collection of the latest of Interact’s whimsical and proThis is a collaboration of more vocative paintings and sculpthan 25 actors, artists and musi- tures. The Inside-Out gallery cians with and without a wide is the first gallery in the Twin on Dante’s inferno, incorporating Greek chorus, shadow puppetry and original poetry and music.

Cities featuring “Outsider Art.” The gala opening of both shows is Friday Feb. 19th. There will be refreshments and entertainment starting at 6:00 PM followed by the play at 7:30. The show runs Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 PM through March 20. Friday performances will be ASL interpreted. For more information, call Interact at (612) 339-5145; tickets are available through Ticketworks (612) 343-3390.

Donated PCs Available Soon P

tal Protection Agency compliant computer recycling and disposal processing. It recycles, refurbishes and reuses computer-related electronics to benefit individuals and organizations. DRAGnet’s Gillesby said they have recycled over 36,000 computers since 1994. The computers are available for a fee that covers the DRAGnet is the nation’s larg- costs of refurbishing and shipest non-profit computer recy- ping the computers. To contct The computers are available cler offering total Environmen- DRAGnet,call612-378-9796. iper Jaffray is donating nearly 2,000 computers to DRAGnet, a Minnesota-based non-profit organization that refurbishes and recycles computers to help individuals, families, schools and nonprofit organizations. The donated computers feature a Pentium processor, 32MB of memory, a 500MB hard disk and a 14-inch color monitor.

because Piper Jaffray’s 104 branch offices are upgrading their workstations to ensure that the computers are year 2000 ready. “We’re excited about making this contribution to those who need access to high-quality computers,” said Teresa Bonner, public affairs director.

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Access Press is available on tape. Call MN State Services for the Blind, 651-642-0500 or 800-652-9000. Inquiries should be directed to: ACCESS PRESS • 1821 University Ave. W. • Suite 185N • St. Paul, Minnesota 55104 • (651) 644-2133 • Fax (651) 644-2136

n LEG. ’99 - Cont. from p. 1 an existing client changes and needs greater support and services. In response to this problem, the Legislature last year directed the Department of Human Services to convene a task force to examine the issue and propose legislation.

Permanent Annual Adjustment MHC supports granting all providers of community-based services to vulnerable Minnesotans a permanent annual rate adjustment tied to the change in the cost of living.

MHC supports the recommendation of the DHS Rate Variance Task Force which would allow counties to approve rate variances if an existing client experiences a significant decrease in functioning requiring additional services. It also includes a provision allowing counties to approve rate variances in emergencies. Nothing in the language requires counties to grant rate variances; it simply gives them the option.

Public Guardianship Reform MHC supports reforming the public guardianship system to remove the conflict of interest that exists when counties, who control the funding for services, also act as public guardians.

Cost of Living Adjustment Day Training and Habilitation providers are experiencing significant staff turnover and vacancy rates because they are not able to keep pace with the wages and benefit packages offered by competing industries. These staffing difficulties are particularly troubling given the vulnerability of the population being served. DT&H and other disability providers need a rate increase this year that will allow them to both offer competitive wages to retain quality staff and cover other increasing costs of service, such as transportation.

Waiting List Initiative MHC supports ARC Minnesota’s initiative to Unlock the Waiting List, so long as quality of care is not compromised. There are currently 3300 people waiting for the Home and Community Based Waivered Services Program and 900 families waiting for the Family Support Program. It is not uncommon for people to wait five to ten years to receive services, which is unacceptable. Advocating Change Together Common Vision is a leadership program developed by Advocating Change Together (ACT) that builds knowledge and creates leadership within the disability community. It brings people with disabilities and their allies together for a series of overnight retreats. Common Vision connects people to the history of the self-advocacy movement, and to the broader disability rights and civil rights movements, developing the skills needed for both individual advocacy and systems change organizing. This project provides opportunities for individuals and groups from different communities to work together, with the long-term goal of establishing a statewide network of persons with developmental disabilities that can organize on issues of disability, employment, and poverty.

Day Training and Habilitation Rate Structure Study The current DT&H rate structure is inequitable and outdated. DT&H rates for existing providers generally relate back to the date the program started. This system strongly favors newer programs, and perpetuates historical and geographical inequities that have little to do with the level of care required by clients, or the quality and scope of care by providers. More importantly, however, the current DT&H rate structure is inconsistent with the state’s goals of facilitating consumer-directed service choices and fostering flexibil- The three main components of ity in providing services based Common Vision are: intensive on individual needs and goals. organizing retreats, technical assistance and consultation, MHC proposes directing the and take home training reDepartment of Human Services sources. During the 1997 legto convene a task force to ex- islative session funds were alamine this and propose legis- located to sponsor 100 Minnelation for the 2000 legislative sotans with developmental and session. The legislation sets mental health disabilities to forth specific issues that the participate in the program. The task force will need to examine Department of Economic Seand address. curity administers the funds.

ACT is currently exploring legislative and other funding options to continue the program through 1999 - 2000.

he Minneapolis Human Rhythm Project is hosting a series of percussive dance classes and performances March 4-7 at the Hennepin Center for the Arts, 528 Hennepin Ave. The following classes are physically accessible - individuals requesting

February 10, 1999

IN BRIEF . . . . Waranka: Mayor’s Committee Appointee

Walter Waranka, of Highland with disabilities will be trans- his work on the Mayor’s Coun-

Park, was recently appointed portation and employment.” cil, Waranka also serves as Co-Chair of the St. Paul Vice President for the local Mayor’s Advisory Council for The Council’s mission is to chapter of the American CounPeople with Disabilities. “It is work with the mayor’s office to cil for the Blind and is on the Overview and History an honor to be part of this try to bring better awareness Governor’s Council for State of the Funding group,” Waranka says. “The to the community about people Services for the Blind.  80 school districts, represent- main issues in 1999 for people with disabilities. In addition to ing only 23% of all school districts in Minnesota, currently offer Community Education The Metropolitan Center for derstanding of disability pride (651) 603-2001 (TTY). Persons programs for adults with dis- Independent Living, Inc. and culture and be actively of color and persons with disabilities. (MCIL) is currently seeking involved in the disability com- abilities are encouraged to apthree volunteers to join its munity. For more information ply. The application deadline Early 1980’s: In response to Board of Directors. Candidates or to receive an application, is February 22, 1999.  new laws, a $75,000 grant was should possess a strong un- call: (651) 646-8342 (voice), initiated to facilitate inclusion of 661 adults with disabilities in Community Education proThe Minnesota State Arts state funds to the arts a fair and tion form: Park Square Court, grams in Anoka, Bird Island, Board is seeking qualified art- open process. 400 Sibley Street, Suite 200, Bloomington & Minneapolis. ists and arts professionals to Saint Paul, MN 55101-1928, serve on peer advisory panels. The Arts Board solicits and (651) 215-1600, toll-free (800) 1985 - 1986: $250,000 in state Each year, more than one hun- accepts nominations from 866-2787,(651)215-6235(TTY), funds were appropriated by dred volunteer panelists from throughout the state year- (651) 215-1602 fax, e-mail: MN legislature to further dethroughout the state contrib- round. Contact the Minnesota <msab@state.mn.us>.  velop Community Education ute their time and knowledge State Arts Board for more inprograms for adults with disto help make the distribution of formation or a panel nominaabilities. As a result, 19 programs were funded serving 5,800 adults. On Tuesday, March 9, 1999, viduals with Disabilities Act The workshop will be held at 1986 - 1991: Funding increased PACER Center will hold a free (IDEA) amendments of 1997. Arlington Hills Lutheran at $100,000 per yr, and $60,000 workshop on changes to Indi- IDEA is the federal law affect- Church, 1115 Greenbrier Street, more was added in 1989 and vidualized Education Programs ing special education. Parents St. Paul. For information: (612) 1991. Funding was capped (IEPs). The changes are a re- of children with any disability 827-2966(voice),(612)827-7770 (TTY), toll free (800) 537-2237. after 1991 until 1997 when sult of passage of the Indi- are encouraged to attend. $80,000 was added to fund 4 new programs, but the new funding was limited to only 2 Arc Hennepin County and the and appointments must be Arc Hennepin County at (612) years. Minnesota Accounting Aid made in advance by calling 920-0855.  Society are sponsoring two Focus on the Need programs for individuals with In 1996 the MN State Council developmental disabilities and on Disability stated there were their families filing their 1998 900,000 Minnesotans with dis- tax returns. On Monday, abilities. Other estimates range March 1 and Monday, March Home Care Services from 12 - 19% of the popula- 15 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. voltion. In 1994, a survey of all unteer tax accountants will be Available 24 hours per day school districts identified a available to answer specific tax need for Adults with Disabili- questions, and offer help fillSpecializing in the care of Children • Adults • Elderly ties programming in their com- ing out tax forms and filing tax We provide Personal Care Assistants • Home Health munities. By law, all Minne- returns. Aides • Homemakers • Live-in Caregivers • Nursing sota school districts are required to provide reasonable Programs will be held at Arc Our Rehabilitative Services include: Physical/ system-wide supports for Hennepin County, Diamond Occupational/Speech/Respiratory Therapies people with disabilities. Hill Center, 4301 Highway 7, PCA Provider Organization Suite 140, St. Louis Park, MN. MA/Waiver/Medicare Certified Goals There are income eligibility 1) Expand the number of Com- guidelines for this program 612-544-0315 or 1-800-231-0315 munity Education Programs for Adults with Disabilities so that services are available statewide. Handi Medical Supply 2) Provide ongoing funding to 2505 University Avenue West the four new programs that St. Paul, Minnesota 55114 were funded in 1997 for a At Hwy. 280 & University Avenue two year period. 3) Develop a way to make the HANDI MEDICAL SUPPLY amount of funding given to each program more equiVisit Our Large, Fully-stocked showroom open to the public. table, based on identified needs.  Community Education Network on Disabilities

Accessible Dance Classes T

additional disability accommo- March 7 classes: dations may call (612) 550- 10:00 am Percussive Improvisation with Sandy Silva 1173 before March 1. 11:45 am Haitian dance with Djola Branner March 6 classes: 1:15 pm Flamenco with Zorongo 11:45 am Palmas Rhythms with Zorongo Flamenco and Flamenco 2:45 pm World Rhythms with Manolo Segura  Sandy Silva.

MCIL Recruiting Board Members

Arts Board Seeks Advisory Panelists

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February 10, 1999

Religion & Disability

Disability Culture

Faith

Those Things We Find Funny

by Eddie D. Rogers

by Marj Schneider

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen.” The above quotation is the biblical definition of faith. This definition is somewhat difficult to understand when we put it to work in our daily lives. When we think of something of substance, we think of something that we can possess. My question is: How can I possess something that I cannot see? Where does this faith come in, and how can I, as an individual living with a disability, use it in my everyday life. I am not the origin of my faith. I do know that it is through my faith in my God, family and loved ones that I exist today. As I look back and examine my life, I have tried to pinpoint the beginning of my faith. Maybe it began when I was a child. Maybe it was faith that, after being injured or needing reassurance, led me to run to my mother. I knew when she would hold me and speak words of comfort, ‘It’ll be all right Baby,’ it really would be all right. This was my first experience with faith, so strong yet so simple, how it would work in my life. There came a time when I found myself all alone. I was the victim of an accident in August 1992 which resulted in my having to use a wheelchair as a means to get around. There was no family near and few friends able to share or cope with my new reality.

I began to look at myself as a trinity of three beings. A physical, mental, and spiritual being. Throughout my rehabilitation a lot was taught about the physical body; what the challenges would be and what I could do to meet them. Oh, and that psychiatrist kept things about the mental being interesting, and how interesting it was. However, the spiritual being was not mentioned, leavI began to recall my life from ing me in need of additional childhood to the moment I lay healing. in that bed. I could not recall one person who had been there If my theory of the trinity of through the thick and thin beings-physical, mental, times. For whatever reason, spiritual- can be accepted from whether I grew older, changed a rehabilitation standpoint, I my ways or moved, there was was incomplete. There was no one. This reinforced my nothing brought to my attenfear that there was no one tion as to how important the who would ever love, care for spiritual piece would be to my complete healing and ability to or support me. go forth with my new life. This That voice spoke again requir- commitment and focus on ing of me to “Look again.” This one’s spiritual being does not time a picture revealed itself of bring with it guarantees that the very start of my existence- one’s life will always be full of my soul being escorted happiness and sunshine all the throughout the heavens by the time. It simply states that, with gentle hand of God. Even in faith, one shall not be alone in this saddened situation, I dis- his or her challenges. covered I could still feel that gentle hand urging me forward From that point of commitment toward my future life. At that to God to the present, in my time, I looked toward the heav- wheelchair, and yes, at times ens and said, “OK God, if I by myself, I do not feel alone. have to be in this wheelchair “With the present in God’s and face my challenges alone; keeping and the future in His then come on, You and I will do care; may we meet each new tomorrow, knowing God is evit together.” erywhere.”  I remember lying there thinking how alone, afraid and lost I was. The most lasting feeling of despair came from the knowledge that there was no longer someone I could count on to care for me. As I lay there, a soft, calming voice came to me and said, “Look back over your life and see who has been there with you through the good and bad times.”

It was late November 1993, and I was living in a nursing home. I had just received a phone call from my then fiancee, the sole source I counted on for love and support. One thing she said to me was, “Eddie, I have people around me who love and care for me. Why don’t you do the same?” Trembling, I dropped the phone at the nursing station and called out to an aide, “Please, put me to bed.”

here’s a videotaped skit on why disabled people face such a high unemployment rate that I love showing in my classes and presentations. The skit, written and performed by New York’s National Theater Workshop of the Handicapped, turns the tables by depicting a wheelchair-using personnel manager who is taken aback when a nondisabled applicant for an accounting position walks through her office door. After her awkwardness subsides, she launches into the sort of interview that makes audience members both cringe and laugh. In the world of this skit, using a wheelchair is the norm, and clearly a nondisabled employee just wouldn’t fit in. “Well, if I hired you, think of the changes we’d have to make. We’d have to buy chairs. There’d be chairs all over the place, just in case you want to sit down!” The interviewer’s questions and comments blatantly discriminate; her tone full of condescension: “Your resume shows you have good qualifications, a stable work history, and married. Are you really married?” “Yes,” he says. “And your wife, is she...like you?” “Just like me,” he responds. “Oh, isn’t that precious.” Most audiences laugh hesitantly at first, but by the end of t h i s 1 0 - m i n u t e p i e c e a r e laughing quite openly at the manager’s bad behavior. The skit works through exaggeration, but developed and performed by disabled actors, also draws from their own experiences. Even if few potential employers today would state that providing

job accommodations would be too expensive, or would look like special treatment to other employees, many of the elements in this skit are all too familiar to disabled audience members. This interviewer articulates those assumptions that we figure employers are making, but don’t dare express. Although the skit rings true for those of us with disabilities, the picture it presents doesn’t seem so grim because we can laugh at the discomfort and over-bearing personality of the interviewer. That’s what makes this piece so powerful, and particularly funny for disabled people, that it uses humor to illustrate the situation, but places that situation in a world designed for disabled people. Skits like this one make me realize how effective humor can be for educating nondisabled folks about our issues. Humor has been used in this way by groups like the Twin Cities’ Open Door Theater and Northern Sign Theater. But humor also has an important place in our lives as disabled people, apart from humor intended to educate. Everyone needs to laugh and lighten up at times, whether disabled or not. The joke or story that makes you smile might not be related to disability at all, but when it is, consider how much poorer your life would be without those humorous ways of interpreting our experiences as disabled people. Kathy Hagen of the Minnesota Disability Law Center remembers that at the residential school for the blind she attended in South Dakota, students were treated in such patronizing ways by others that student humor was usually very biting, often at other people’s expense. Kathy relates that once the school’s wres-

HOUSING AND PERSONAL CARE SERVICES Accessible Space, Inc. (ASI) offers subsidized one and two bedroom apartments for individuals with physical disabilities. We have housing in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, St. Cloud, Brainerd, Grand Rapids, Hibbing, Austin, Marshall, Willmar, and Duluth. The apartments are fully wheelchair accessible and each building has a central laundry room, large community room, secured entry and an on-site caretaker. ASI also offers shared personal care services 24 hours a day, at most locations, for adults with a physical disability and/or traumatic brain injury who qualify for Medical Assistance. For more information call (651) 645-7271 or (800) 466-7722. For services or housing call Leigh, for employment as a personal care attendant call Al or Kellie.

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tling team was traveling overnight by train to a tournament in Illinois. The next morning, one of the team members was approached by another passenger and asked if he was blind. “I just have to ask,” the passenger said, “how do you shave?” Immediately, the wrestler responded, “It’s easy, I use a Braille mirror.” His teammates were amused by the gullibility of the sighted passenger and told the story back at school. For months it was a running joke for everyone. “Turn on your Braille light.” “Stop running into people—where’re your Braille glasses?” Sighted visitors to the school would be told about these special devices. “Is there really such a thing as a Braille light?” visitors would ask. “Well, yes,” would come the reply, “there are special bulbs made, and the dots come through to your fingers.” Finally the joke died out, but years later, Kathy was talking to a blind person she had just met who said, “You know the strangest thing happened to me one time. I was on the train in Chicago, and this guy came up to me and said, ‘ You know I ran into this blind guy once who said he uses a Braille mirror, do you have a Braille mirror too?’” Wendy Harbour, of the University of Minnesota, talks about the role of humor among Deaf people. “I think sometimes humor creates bonds between Deaf people because we are a very story-telling oriented culture.”Sign language humor and the richness of the Deaf language and experience are so closely intertwined that I cannot really separate them. Even jokes which would be funny for hearing people are often more funny if you know ASL or are able to sign especially well. The humor is similar to hearing culture, with puns, stories, satire, etc. But each of these feels different because there is a different language being used to communicate the humor. Sometimes I especially feel this difference as a latedeafened person. Interpreters will tell me a hearing joke, and I’ll never tell it to a Deaf person because it really wouldn’t be funny or wouldn’t make sense. In the same way, I notice some jokes are really hysterically funny in ASL, but the hearing people getting it through interpreters are only politely smiling.” Several people I spoke with mentioned ways that humor is healing for us. Many times a disabled friend has helped me find something about a frustrating or bad experience that I

Culture - cont. on p. 8

February 10, 1999 n TRIBUTE - Cont. from p. 1

On Mental Illness

Faith Healers And Lovers by Pete Feigal

will now leave you breath less with this sturdy lad’s adventures in the world of “theatrical production!” Picture if you will: Me. I’m nervously sitting in the group room at People Incorporated’s offices, attending a meeting of their advisory council. We are discussing ways to get the good news out about the over twenty programs they run for people with this terrible disease and their families, and a way to celebrate their upcoming thirty year anniversary. As I was literally opening my mouth to bring up the idea of using a theatre project as a way of breaking stigma and getting the community talking about our issues, State Senator Linda Berglin, bless her heart, said, “Why don’t we get involved with a theatre project.” The rest was relatively easy. I knew that the key folks involved in Melanie Groves’ tremendous play, “Angels of Madness,” were unhappy with their involvement at Interact, and they had approached me only the week before about helping them get the play produced somewhere else. We all put our thinking caps on, came up with a few ideas, and I was able to pitch them to People, Inc.’s Board of Directors within the week. These farsighted and perceptive people embraced the idea and gave us not only the green light, but also money, people, resources and, dare I say it, love, to aid us. And ‘Tilting At Windmills’ theatre and arts project was born. Knowing that we couldn’t meet a January deadline with a project the size of “Angels” with it’s cast of thousands and tough technical requirements, Chris Osgood of Research and Counseling For the Arts pointed us in the right direction of doing a smaller, more limited production that would get our feet wet, not cost a ton of money and help establish the quality of the work we wanted to do. I chose the Irish

playwright, Brian Friel’s amazing play, “Faith Healer” as something that would fit perfectly and we went to work. Not a “mental health” play per se, “Faith Healer” addresses issues of disability, hope, despair, suicide and depression, and does it with both humor and heartbreak. We cast the show, started rehearsing and began looking for volunteers to get involved. We knew that it was a crap shoot if we ever made a dime, but that was a secondary consideration to our main goals of getting the issues talked about, and offering a creative opportunity for folks whose lives have been touched by mental illness/brain disorders. We were not prepared for the response.

bring this disease out of the mystery and dread that it’s been shrouded in for centuries. People who love are natural teachers. People who love cooking can show us the incredible diversity of flavor. People who love the mountains can take us to places we’ve never dreamed of. People who love music can show us new colors of the spectrum.

minded elected officials and policy makers about “a thing called reality.” He had dreams, but they were fused with the realities of people’s lives. While I know the disability rights movement will miss his advocacy, I will miss his friendship. He had a laugh that bellowed across a room. He always praised my cooking and he never ended a conversation without saying “and say hello to the hubby.” To my children, he was a hero and he taught them to never let others define what you can do and that everyone brings a gift to the table we call life. Irving has left a lasting impression on many of our lives, and we thank him for all he did to create change in an imperfect world.”

Lovers are the most important people: they wake us up. People who love service or sculpture or peace or children inspire the rest of us to look more closely at our selves, to Mel Duncan: “Local folklore feel the shape of gifts in our would have us believe that Minnesotans regularly eat a own lives. dozen White Castle hamburgth Conventional wisdom tells us In 10 grade I had Mr. Arrell ers at one sitting. It’s one of that the most effective way to for English and Drama class. our permafrost myths like the unite a group of people, di- He would get so excited it was vided or not, is to cultivate a contagious. We were all obcommon enemy. Having an noxious, hormone-ridden teenevil enemy to focus fear and agers, but Mr. Arrell loved by Michael Zeledon hatred upon will galvanize the poems and plays. He loved people into swift and united what they said, and because E A F Incorporated is action. It is a common ploy for we could all feel his passion for pleased to announce the leaders around the world to them, he managed to hold us all Second Annual Willem van focus on or even contrive an spellbound. We may not have Vliet Law Day for the Deaf. external threat in order to forge totally understood each Mark your calendar for Satura shaky domestic peace. And Shakespearian sonnet, but we day, March 27, 1999. sometimes with this disease, understood passion...and his we can clearly see our enemies, passion made the written word Registration and refreshments our external threats. But we feel like a forbidden adventure. from 8:30 A.M. to 9:00 A.M. know from the struggles within It’s no wonder that I later beSessions begin promptly at our own hearts and families the came a professional classical 9:00 A.M. The workshop will terrible cost and casualties that actor and writer and now use again be held at the William war and hate produce. What the things that I love to try to perhaps works better is the make a difference. Try to re- Mitchell College of Law, 875 cultivation of a common love. member: our teachers, the best Summit Avenue (Summit and ones, didn’t they all love what Victoria, bus line 3), St. Paul, That’s what happened to us. they did? Our mentors, our rooms 319 and 323. The cost is Wonderful, passionate people guides, our models, their love free but donations are greatly came out of the woodwork to opened doors for us. Not just appreciated and tax deductbe involved. We had almost the door of knowledge, we ible. seventy people active in this could always have gone to a production, from being library for that. Their love made This year’s legal topics include real estate and renters’ rights onstage, to ushering, to run- life and learning come alive. and an introduction to family ning tech and lights, to licking envelopes, folks who ap- Love, passion and service are law, including issues of divorce proach this with love, and some of the most essential el- and child custody. that’s why this project has al- ements for healing and growth, not just for ourselves, but for The Willem van Vliet Law Day ready been a success. this cause. And with all the for the Deaf is named in honor We are the teachers, models, love and passion that have of Willem van Vliet, an attorguides and mentors for the come from “Faith Healer”, I ney and member of the D E A F future. Our love, courage and know a candle has been lit that Board of Directors from 1994 action is what will turn this will never go out.  struggle around; what will

Vikings really can win a Super Bowl. Irving Martin was the only person that I ever saw consume twelve of the gut bombs at one time. He actually did it! Such consumption symbolized Irving’s spirit - big and bold, not afraid to take on the whole thing at any one sitting. “Twenty years ago, Irving and I and a bunch of other folks were organizing for collective bargaining and other rights for sheltered workers. A two day state hearing was held at the Capitol to review conditions in the workshops. Dozens of workers and former workers testified about their experience. Near the end of the hearing, management’s high buck attorney questioned me about how many of the statements I and other advocates had prepared for the people. As I politely answered, Irving barged up to the hearing table as if he were about to devour another dozen hamburgers.

“I want to ask the attorney,” he demanded. “When Mel was asked who helped these people prepare their things for the hearing? Don’t you think that mentally retarded people have minds of their own to state the facts, to talk about the problems?” The lawyer started to mumble a response. Irving cut in, “A lot of people don’t think that we’ve got minds of our own. We’re in the jet age... We sat down for 150 years of taking the system... We did our part. We’re not really asking for too much!” “Just like with burgers, Irving wasn’t content to fight for human rights one at a time. He wanted the bag full. He kept a lot of us from setting our sights too low, always asserting that people could and should speak for themselves. Irving, we’ll miss your body but not your spirit. Your spirit will continue to live large in the self-advocacy movement.” 

Second Annual Law Day

until his death in 1996. Mr. van Vliet, a native of the Netherlands, visited over 130 countries and spoke seven lan-

guages fluently. He began taking sign language classes at the age of 72 and once said

law day - cont. on p. 6

ACT

Accessible Arts Performances

*3/21, Sun., 2:00, “A MidsumAudio Described *2/13, Sat., 8:00 “To Kill a mer Night’s Dream”, Child’s Mockingbird”, Great American Play Theatre, Hopkins History Theatre, St. Paul *3/18, Thurs., 7:30, “Macbeth”, *2/19, Fri., 7:00 “Young MLK”, Jungle Theater, Minneapolis SteppingStone Theatre, Weyerhaeuser Auditorium, Am. Sign Language *2/14, Sun., 2:00 “Fame”, Landmark Ctr., St. Paul Orpheum Theatre, Minneapo*3/7, Sun., 2:00 “The Glass lis (call 612 373-5650) Menagerie”, Theatre in the *2/19, Fri., 7:00 “Cinderella”, Round, Minneapolis Nine Mile Creek Theatre, 3/12, Fri., 8:00, 3/20, Sat., 1:00 Bloomington “Julius Caesar”, Guthrie The*2/19, Friday, 7:00, *2/21, Sunater, Minneapolis day, 2:00 “Young MLK”, *3/13, Sat., 8:00, “The Miracle SteppingStone Theatre, Worker”, Park Square Theatre, Weyerhaeuser Auditorium, St. Paul Landmark Ctr., St. Paul

3/12, Fri., 8:00, 3/25, Thurs., 7:30 “Julius Caesar”, Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis *3/13, Sat., 8:00, “The Miracle Worker”, Park Square Theatre, St. Paul *3/14, Sun., 2:00, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, Child’s Play Theatre, Hopkins * Asterisked performances are eligible for reduced admission prices through the Access to Theatre project. Contact the theater or VSA Minnesota (612) 332-3888 for further details. 

February 10, 1999

Shortage Of Dental Services Potential Buyer For Rural Communities Suffer Seward Square by Sandi Koshel

by Sid Korpi

ptions Resource Center for Independent Living is a nonprofit organization located in East Grand Forks, MN that provides services to people with disabilities in 8 counties in Northwestern Minnesota and 8 counties in Northeastern North Dakota. Services include information and referral, advocacy, independent living skills, peer counseling and community education and outreach.

Medical Assistance Program. Nisbet has contacted several dentists in Minnesota and North Dakota searching for one that will provide periodontal services. He has not had much success. Nisbet said he has been trying to find treatment for a problem that is just beginning, “If you are going to have a program funded like Medical Assistance, why not treat symptoms before it becomes a full blown problem?”

A dentist in East Grand Forks believes that the state reimbursement process is the problem. Dr. Paul Stadem, DDS, said “What people have to understand is that dental care and medical care are two completely different things; the profit margins are different. On the average, the state system reimburses dentists only 50% of their average fees for their services and those reimbursements usually take six Robert J. Nisbet utilizes the months or more to receive.” Dr. Stadem added, “I see many people who use Medical Assistance, I make my decision on where to be charitable and Cont. from p. 5 I do my part, but I can’t open “American Sign Language is my doors for everyone. This the hardest language I’ve has been a problem for quite ever tried to learn.” some time and it has not gotten any better.” Sign language interpreters and real time captioning will When Dr. Stadem was asked be provided. Other accom- about the difficulties that Medimodations may be provided cal Assistance users face findif requests are made at least ing specialized services, he two weeks prior (by March quickly stated, “With peri12) to the date of the work- odontal care, the longer you shop. Space is limited. For wait to treat the gums, the more more information or to pre- complex, costly and severe the problem becomes. If you have register, contact Tami Drenth to wait long enough, you lose at 651 227 9387 V/TTY; 651the tooth.” Dr. Stadem pro297-6766 Fax; or Tami vided periodontal care for a Drenth@deafinc.org. person who uses Medical AsOptions has recently run into a serious issue. People who use the Minnesota Medical Assistance (MA) program are finding it difficult to receive dental services. It is even more difficult to find specialized dental services, such as periodontal (gum disease) work. This seems to be an ongoing issue, especially for people with disabilities, and it needs to be addressed.

LAW DAY -

Dr. Stadem noted that the state of Minnesota has been trying to set up a Preferred Providers Organization (PPO). A PPO would be where only specific dentists would provide services to those who use Medical Assistance, but nobody signed up. Stadem believes that is due to the fact that, “Dentistry is a business, nobody wants to do business that you lose money at.” Richard Diercks, Executive Director of the Minnesota Dental Association feels that the hesitance of some dentists may be because the PPO is a different approach, “The Providers Cooperative is relatively new and it is not the normal way for dentists to provide care. Dentists are fairly independent.” The Providers Cooperative has been implementcd in some areas around Minnesota. Diercks stated, “The dental access issue is one of our top priorities in the upcoming legislation. We want to improve access to dental care for public program participants”.

Options wants to change this current system so people with disabilities get appropriate preventative and corrective dental care. We are looking for any input, comments or ideas that anyone may have regarding the Minnesota Medical Assistance program and dental care issues. Please contact us at: Options, 318 3rd St. NW, East sistance. After spending sev- Grand Forks, MN 56721, 1-800eral hours with the patient, he 726-3692.  ended up being reimbursed for what amounted to a regular Sandi Koshel is a staff member cleaning. Stadem added, “The of Options.

Funding for the workshop is provided by the Minnesota State Bar Foundation.  Michael Zeledon is Development Director at D E A F Incorporated.

dental community is not looking to get rich, but at least recover costs, much less lose money on procedures. We are being made to look like the bad guy but we must be able to make a living at our business.”

he affordable housing crisis continues to gain strength on the horizon. Rental vacancies are at an all-time low, existing properties are being torn down and not replaced, and property owners are more and more frequently opting to rehab their buildings to create market-rate dwellings guaranteed to increase their own incomes. Fewer still are affordable housing options accessible to people with disabilities dependent on subsidies. Enter the new nonprofit organization Governmental and Educational Assistance Corporation (GEAC). Formed around two years ago and active in their mission for the past seven or so months, according to nonprofit advisor Tom Doran, GEAC has an interest in retaining affordable housing throughout the state.

Yet, it seems that for every step taken toward preserving the section 8 housing status of the Seward Square Apartments, another bureaucratic or fiscal hoop through which GEAC Having received literally mail must jump is placed before buckets of information on vari- them. ous affordable housing sites, GEAC’s sights turned local, to “It was particularly hairy two Seward Square Apartments, months ago,” Black said. GEAC 2121 S. 9th St. in Minneapolis. was dealing with a large numThey began a rescue mission ber of government agencies, to buy the 81-unit, Section-8 each with its own restrictions, assisted building designed al- rules, and regulations to meet most 20 years ago specifically and the approval of dozens of to meet the needs of people limited partners. with physical disabilities. Their plan is to contractually commit “The nonprofit is doing a good to retain Seward Square’s Sec- job and making inroads,” Black tion 8 status for the full con- said. When GEAC held a meettract, until 2020, (rather than ing on December 8, 1998, with renewing every five years as is Seward Square Apartments currently the case) and pre- residents, Seward Neighborserve the affordability of the hood Group (SNG), and City apartments for five years be- Council member Joan Campbell yond that contract term. to announce their plans to purchase the building, make As Maribeth Black, executive improvements such as a new vice president of LaSalle roof, and preserve the Section Group, which manages the 8 status quo, SNG voted unaniSeward Square property, ex- mously to issue some of the

many bonds necessary to finance the purchase. The announcement, according to Black, was perhaps a bit too optimistic in its presentation to the residents, however, and served to create a good deal of confusion. GEAC had inadvertently failed to let LaSalle Group, the current building management, know of the meeting and impending purchase. Black’s office began to receive phone calls from Seward Square residents who feared the changes that might result from the building’s sale. “GEAC got ahead of us in their process,” Black said. “We hear of the meeting to discuss the sale and we know the bonds aren’t sold yet .... Nobody knows that this deal will go through .... It is the general partners’ opinion that the deal [with GEAC] looks less good now than it did two months ago.” GEAC’s Doran said, “We’re still proceeding forward as if it [the purchase] is happening .... It’s factual and honest to say it’s only in the works. There is no deadline to close, and I don’t want to be part of a rumor .... There are 100 reasons it might not close,” Doran said. Black has assured residents via a memo that the LaSalle Group is still managing the building and that if GEAC becomes the new owner, there will be “absolutely no effect on the day-to-day life of the residents.” Meanwhile, it could easily be a year or more before anything definite is known about the sale. 

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plained, the building is owned by the same group of investors who originally financed the building in the late 70s. They are interested in selling the building now and things looked hopeful when GEAC received approval from the Minneapolis Community Development Association (MCDA) for up to $5.6 million in tax-exempt Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds to help them with their goal of purchasing it. This is only one piece of the puzzle, and other sources of funding must be negotiated. GEAC could also sell bonds as a safe, reliable investment vehicle for individual backers, Black added.

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The Minnesota Housing Fi- Full-time position to assist the nance Agency seeks a quali- programs of Personal Assisfied individual to fill an unclas- tance Services, Ramp, and Insified managerial position. This formation and Referral. Reorganized individual provides sponsibilities include handling administrative assistance to consumer requests, program the Commissioner, including: billings and mailings, phone coordinates the Commis- and front desk coverage backsioner’s calendar and creates up, typing of quarterly newsand maintains all correspon- letter, etc. We are looking for a dence; serves as liaison be- person who is detail oriented, tween the Commissioner’s of- able to meet deadlines, well fice and the Governor’s office, organized with good communias well as the Board of Direc- cation and math skills, comtors; and keeps the Commis- puter experience needed espesioner apprised of office ac- cially with Microsoft Publisher tivities as appropriate. The for newsletter, and typing incumbent also manages the speed of 45+ wpm. activities of the Agency’s PERSONAL seven member Board of DirecASSISTANT tors. Serving as the Office COORDINATOR Manager, this individual provides agencywide services including: negotiates building Full-time position to manage leases, works directly with our Personal Assistant probuilding management to main- gram. We are looking for a tain an efficient and healthy person with experience and CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER workplace, facilitates the Of- knowledge of independent livfice Management Team, and ing philosophy, disability isThe State of Minnesota Veter- supervises administrative sup- sues, PAS laws, legislative activities and regulations. SRF Consulting Group, Inc. a ans Homes Board of Directors port staff. Candidate will facilitate trainis seeking a Chief Executive multidisciplinary consulting Interested individuals must ing for consumers/attendants; Officer to direct the operations firm is seeking 2 applicants to demonstrate the following oversee billing of services; of its 5 facilities. The Agency fill the following positions: competencies and experiences: conduct community outreach, is licensed for 605 skilled care at least two years experience in maintain public relations and nursing beds and 394 boardSECRETARY/WORD operations management (pro- provide representation on being care beds. Must be a VetPROCESSOR vide examples in which you half of MCIL to community eran. For more information call increased efficiency or reFull-time secretary/word pro- 651-296-2073 or send resume duced/eliminated unnecessary committees, task forces and cessor with 2 - 5 years of exp. or directly to the Minnesota Vet- costs); organizational com- consortiums. Must be detail comparable education/skills to erans Homes; 20 West 12th munications such that an open oriented, well organized with work with a technical group. Street, Room 122; St. Paul, and trusting work environment good communication skills. Duties include word process- MN 55155 or fax to 651-296- is maintained; teamwork skills ing, reception, filing, schedul- 6177 no later than 4:30 p.m. that encourage open commu- Send cover letter and resume ASAP to: Metropolitan Cening appointments & secretarial February 26, 1999. nication and facilitate the reso- ter for Independent Living, support for the group leader. lution of conflicts; and strong We’re looking for an individual EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR problem solving and decision- Inc., 1600 University Avenue West, Suite 16, St. with strong skills in Word 95 & making skills that incorporate Paul, Minnesota 55104Dynamic leader to continue the a positive attitude. thorough analysis and con- 3825, Fax to: (651) 603-2006 growth of the Women’s Cansider input from appropriate CLERICAL POSITION cer Resource Center, a cancer resources. support and advocacy center. PERSONAL Full-time clerical opening. Strong fundraising, network- To receive a State of MinneASSISTANTS ing, communication and susota application, contact the Duties include back-up switchboard/receptionist; maintain pervisory skills, life experience Human Resource Office at 651files; copying; office routing; with cancer required. Experi- 296-8177, Fax 651-296-8032, or Full-time and part-time posidata entry; deliveries; & pro- ence in non-profit health or TTY (Deaf and hard of hearing tions available for in-home serducing reports. We’re looking human services preferred. Ex- individuals only, please) at 651- vices for persons with disabilifor an individual with some cellent medical benefits, 30- 297-2361. An application and ties. Flexible schedules are related exp. & a positive atti- hour week. Send cover letter skills-based scannable resume available. Job duties may intude. Send resumes to SRF and resume to Ellie Slette, should be sent to the Minne- clude dressing, toileting, bathConsulting Group, Inc., One Chairperson, Search Commit- s o t a H o u s i n g F i n a n c e ing, range of motion exercisCarlson Parkway N., Suite tee, WCRC, 1815 E. 41st Agency, 400 Sibley Street, ing, meal preparation, errands, 150, Minneapolis, MN 55447 Street, Minneapolis, MN Suite 300, Saint Paul, MN, etc. We are looking for people or to web site www.srfcon- 55407 by February 26, 1999. 55101. Salary: $40,486 - who enjoy working with $58,715. Applications will be people, honest, good listeners, sulting.com. Equal Opportunity Employer accepted until February 12, possesses time management EOE 1999. Information regarding and communication skills, and “How to prepare a scannable follow directions well. Starting resume” will be sent with the pay $7.88 per hour with trainapplication. The Housing Fi- ing provided. Call Mel at 651nance Agency (located down- 603-2013 for application form town St. Paul) is an equal op- and to schedule an interview portunity employer and pro- appointment. Openings are onvides a smoke-free workplace. going. Recruiter ------------------------------------- 651-266-6476 24-hour Jobline ------------------------------ 651-266-6502 LEGAL ASSISTANTS TDD/TTY ------------------------------------ 651-266-6501 So. MN Reg. Legal Services seeks 2 FT legal assistants to work Personnel Fax -------------------------------- 651-292-7656 on fair housing cases. Duties include outreach, intake, investigaTo expand current fundraising efforts in support of a national domestic violence leader providing therapy, advocacy, research and professional training. The ideal candidate is a creative development professional with a proven track record of success in fundraising, particularly corporate and foundation support. Position requires excellent verbal and writing skills, computer knowledge and experience, and the ability to work effectively with volunteers. Must be able to support the mission, philosophy and goals of the organization. People of color, people with disabilities and survivors of domestic violence encouraged to apply. AA/EEO employer. Send resume and cover letter to: Development Manager Domestic Abuse Project 204 West Franklin Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55404

Progressive multidisciplinary consulting firm has an immediate opportunity for an experienced writer to coordinate the preparation & production of technical reports, proposals & other documents. Team environment working with graphic artists & other professionals. 5+ years exp. in editing, writing & production coordination. Degree in English, journalism or related communications field desired. Organizational, writing & interpersonal skills required. Salary commensurate with exp., excellent benefits. Send resumes to SRF Consulting Group, Inc., 1 Carlson Pkwy. N., Ste. 150, Mpls., MN 55447 or to website www.srfconsulting.com EOE

tion, research, clerical, admin. Salary DOE. Resumes to: Maria Luisa Giese, Exec. Secy.; 46 E. 4th St., #700 St. Paul, MN 55101

PUBLIC POLICY DIRECTOR Courage Center - where abilities and disabilities become possibilities, has an opportunity for a full time Public Policy Director. This position is key in influencing public policy that can overcome barriers and increase opportunities for individuals with disabilities. This person is chief architect of the organization’s legislative agenda, is involved in legislative coalitions and represents the Courage Center at the legislature. Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Health, Human Services, Public Affairs or related field, demonstrated strength in written and oral communication, knowledge of the legislative process and experience in influencing policy change. Send resume, salary requirements, and cover letter to Peter Berridge, Employment Manager, Courage Center, 3915 Golden Valley Road, Mpls, MN 55422.

BROADCAST ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN (Part-Time) KTCA-TV, Channels 2 & 17, has an immediate part-time opening for a technician to join our broadcast engineering staff. The position is comprised of standard broadcast technical duties and satellite uplink operations. Minimum requirements are a two-year formal, technical educational certification or equivalent and one year of broadcast engineering experience. Salary is dependent on experience. Send resume, cover letter, and salary expectations by 02/12/99 to: Box 302-9 KTCA, 172 E. 4th St., St. Paul, MN 55101. EEO/AAP.

ATTORNEY So. MN Reg. Legal Services seeks atty. for 18 mo. pos. to work in St. Paul in Imm. Law, primarily naturalization. Eng./ Hmong skills and MN lic. pref’d. Salary DOE. Resumes Equal Opportunity Employer. to: Glenda Potter; SMRLS; We seek diversity. 529 Jackson Street, Ste. 221; St. Paul, MN 55101. EO/AAE DEPUTY DIRECTOR

ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN Civil engineering firm seeks two technicians: One to assist in preparation of highway & municipal street & utility plans. One to assist in preparation of traffic/signal plans. Both positions require 2 year technical degree & exp. utilizing CADD. Microstation exp. desirable. Send resume to SRF Consulting Group, Inc., 1 Carlson Pkwy. N., Ste. 150, Mpls., MN 55447 or to web site www.srfconsulting.com EOE

Mid-MN Legal Assistance seeks dep. dir. for its Willmar office. Supervise day-to-day operations of office which represents low-income persons & seniors in full range of civil legal probs. Limited specialization encouraged. Repres. includes service work, complex lit., legis, advocacy & comm. ed. Real concern for needs/rights low-income. 4 yrs. leg. serv. or sim. exper. req. Sal: $38,574 + DOE, fully-pd. fam. hlth. ins. Start: As close to 3/1/ 99 as poss. Resumes: Jeremy Lane, MMLA, 430 1st Ave N, #300. Mpls, MN 55401-1780 EOE.

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CULTURE - Cont. from p. 4 could laugh at, or some sarcastic response I could have made. I’ve also been blessed with two nondisabled partners who could understand what I had to cope with, who could, more often than not, make me see the lighter side to many situations. Years ago, I was walking somewhere in my neighborhood when my white cane missed a kid’s bike lying across the sidewalk. I picked myself up from a hard fall, feeling embarrassed and stupid for not having better travel skills. I limped home, feeling sorry for myself and showed my partner Ruth my skinned knees and bruised hand. “Wow,” she said, “a perfect three-point landing!” Maybe I wasn’t ready to laugh just then, but I remember how her reaction helped me get over feeling sorry for myself. Wendy Harbour explained the healing affect humor can have for Deaf people when they find themselves isolated and outof-touch with people around them—when TTYs don’t work, relay operators can’t type, or interpreters don’t seem to understand them. Sometimes jokes are a way to vent frustration or laugh about difficult or oppressive situations. Wendy says she was taught some of these as “lessons to remember” when she started learning ASL and Deaf people wanted to give her clues about the culture. She says humor is used to convey lessons about Deaf life or to pass along values of the community in ways people will remember.

This article barely begins an examination of humor for those of us with disabilities. Humor, in various forms, needs to be a

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