April 1999 Edition - Access Press by Access Press

Inside  Town Meetings On Housing — p. 2

Volume 10, Number 4

Culture Conference — Page 9

SOURCES

April 10, 1999

“What is not recorded is not remembered.” — Benazir Bhutto

RESOURCES

April 10, 1999

CONGRESS MOVES ON WIIA Federal Work Incentives Bill Makes Steady Progress by Donna McNamara

Jeff Bangsberg & U.S. Congress member Jim Ramstad

Legislative Update by Charlie Smith, Editor

he following is an update of legislative initiatives relating to people with disabilities. Many committees are considering disability related legislation. For example, the Direct Care Workers’ cost of living increase and the Waiting List legislation are coming out of the Health and Human Service Committee; funding for Metro Mobility comes out of the Transportation Committee; funding for Common Vision comes out of Jobs and Economic Development, and so on. Action on many of the bills has taken place and they are waiting for inclusion in the various omnibus, or funding, bills. Until a bill is included in the omnibus bill, funding for it is not guaranteed. Each of these committees will combine related initiatives into an omnibus bill, which then must be passed on the House or Senate floor. An omnibus bill is the final bill to come out of a committee, and includes

all the bills passed by that committee. Once omnibus bills are passed, they go to the conference committee, where differences between House and Senate versions of bills are worked out. Prior to a bill becoming law, there must be agreement by both Houses as to the final language of the bill. If differences cannot be resolved, a bill may be dropped from inclusion. Information for this article was provided by disability advocates working on these bills. This is the most up-to-date information as we go to press. The Waiting List Bill S.F. 288/H.F.345 Currently there are about 3300 persons who have been screened and determined eligible for the Mental Retardation/Related Conditions Home and Community Based Services waiver program. There are also 900 people waiting for the Family Support Program, and another 500 are waiting for the Semi-

Independent Living Skills Program. It is common for people to wait five, ten, or more years before they receive the needed services. Most must face a crisis before they get served through these programs. Arc Minnesota is seeking $30 million for the biennium to fund this initiative. The bill has received hearings in policy and finance committees in both the House and Senate. It has been referred to the Finance Divisions for Health & Human Services in both the House and Senate for consideration of funding in the Health & Human Services Omnibus bills. Metro Mobility The Metropolitan Council has proposed $40.1 million to fund Metro Mobility for the next two years, a $5.5 million increase that would result in increased service. The Governor has requested that amount be trimmed to $38.6 million. If the Governor’s proposal passes,

n Thursday March 18, 1999, Congress member Rick Lazio (R-NY) introduced H.R. 1180, the Work Incentives Improvement Act (WIIA), in the U.S. House of Representatives. Just prior to the bill’s introduction, a press conference was held in Washington, DC, called by Representatives Lazio, Diane Johnson (R-CT) and Jim Ramstad (R-MN). Congress member Ramstad personally invited 2 members of Minnesota’s disability community, Jeff Bangsberg, representing Courage Center, and Wendy Brower of The Disability Institute, to attend the press conference. Ramstad spoke passionately about the need for this legislation. “When people with disabilities consider returning to work or even seek vocational rehabilitation, the risk of losing vital federal health benefits often becomes too threatening to their future financial stability and they are literally compelled not to work,” said Ramstad. “Given the sorry state of present law, that’s a reasonable and rational decision for too many people with disabilities.” Bangsberg joined Ramstad and other Congressional representatives making statements. When stressing the significance of this Act, Bangsberg referenced the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). “It is no exaggeration to say that this bill is just as important to people with severe disabilities as the ADA,” said Bangsberg. “Thanks to the ADA, many people with disabilities are being offered jobs, but they cannot take advantage of those jobs because barriers

remain in their way.” During the press conference, Congress member Bilirakis (RFL), one of the bill’s 40 cosponsors, announced he would hold a hearing on the bill in the House Committee on Commerce, Subcommittee on Health, which he chairs, on March 23rd. Because of the power of Bangsberg’s remarks, he was also invited to testify at the March 23rd Congressional hearing. At the hearing, Bangsberg expanded on his statements to the press, including describing the situations of Minnesotans with disabilities who would benefit from this legislation. One is a man in his thirties who has had to turn down his employer’s offer of re-training following an accident that left him paralyzed. He can’t afford to take a job that would disqualify him for Medical Assistance (MA) because he would lose the personal care attendant services that MA pays for. Another is a woman who has turned down pay raises because when her income goes up, so does the amount she has to contribute to MA and to rent, which leaves her with less net income than before. Bangsberg continued, “It is important to remember that most people with severe disabilities who want to return to work already receive Medicaid and Medicare, so these costs are already being incurred.” The Senate version of the WIIA has 70 co-sponsors, and on March 25, the Senate adopted S. 331, an amendment to the federal budget resolution that provides funding for

the WIIA. The House bill must now go through at least 3 more committees before it goes to the House floor. As we go to press, all of Minnesota’s Congressional delegation has agreed to sign on in support of this legislation, with the exception of Gil Gutneckt (R-MN), who indicated interest in the legislation, but is waiting for information on how the bill will be funded before offering his support. H.R. 1180 contains two key provisions. One, it gives states clear direction on interpreting Medical Assistance guidelines regarding people with disabilities who want to work. And second, it includes provisions for states to establish work incentives planning and assistance programs, or advocacy services for individuals seeking to work. A competing bill, H.R. 1091, known as the “Ticket to Work” bill, has been introduced in the House by Rep. Hulshol (RMO). This bill only includes a two-year extension of Medicare coverage, and is further limited because state vocational rehabilitation agencies can opt out of participating in the Ticket program. This bill also does not provide funds for advocacy services to assist people with disabilities whose benefits are negatively impacted by returning to work. Advocates across the country are urging passage of H.R. 1180 and S.331, described by Sallie Rhodes, NAPAS, as “unique pieces of legislation where ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.’” For an update on Minnesota’s enabling work incentives legislation, see the article below.



April 10, 1999

Charlie Smith Editor The national work incentive bill, Work Incentives Improvement Act (WIIA) is moving quickly in Washington (see page 1) and again Minnesota is leading the way. Our work incentive subcom- (CCD) has been working on mittee of the Consortium of this issue for years, and it apCitizens with Disabilities pears as if that work will pay off

Interpreter Coverage Bill

bill that would require no-fault car insurance benefits to include oral and sign language interpreters needed for medical care has been introduced in both Houses of the MN legislature. Rep. Andy Dawkins is sponsoring House File 684, and Senator Sandy Pappas is sponsoring the Senate companion bill (Senate File 521). The bill would amend and clarify the existing law to explicitly include interpreter costs in automobile insurance coverage. However, if a family member is used to translate, insurance companies would be exempt from paying for interpretation.

tance of proper communication with their patients. “Most of the information that allows a physician to make a diagnosis and plan appropriate treatment comes from what the patient tells us about their problems,” said Bruce Tennenbaum, M. D., a neurologist working in Minneapolis. “It is, therefore, extremely important to have a clear understanding of what our patients are relating to us.”

Other bills have been introduced that address the need for translator certification as well as reimbursement for translation services through health care insurance. At this time, it is unclear whether hearings will Physicians point to the impor- be set for these bills. 

MINNESOTA STATE COUNCIL ON DISABILITY  Coming Soon 

DISABILITY CENSUS 2000 MATERIALS and FOCUS GROUPS

For further information: 651-296-6785 V/TTY 1-800-945-8913 V/TTY Fax: 651-296-5935 E-mail: council.disability@state.mn.us 121 E. 7th Place St. Paul, MN 55101

soon. WIIA has the support in both houses in Congress and the President; it should pass this year. When you couple that legislation with the work incentive bill we have before our own legislators, Minnesota may be the first state to utilize this landmark legislation. Representative Ramstad made a great choice when he asked Jeff Bangsberg to speak at the press conference and subsequent committee hearing in Washington, DC. Jeff fully

understands the issues facing people with disabilities when they’re trying to go to work and he is a very good spokesman for our community. Thanks Jeff and Rep. Ramstad. **** We are bringing you another legislative update on page 1. Many of the disability related bills have made it through the committee structure. The next big hurdle will be whether bills that have been passed are ac-

tually funded by the Republican-controlled House. Some Committee Chairs have not yet revealed the amount of money available for their committee to work with. Once this happens, it will be up to us to advocate for full funding of all bills passed. **** The Disability Culture conference will be held at the end of this month (see page 9). This is going to be a great opportu-

nity for people with disabilities and our friends to learn more about our culture. I must admit for me, the definition of “culture” has always been hard to pin down, but over the last year of reading the Disability Culture column, I am starting to get a sense that culture has to do with identifying yourself with a group and a movement. Register today, the speakers are nationally known leaders of our community, and are fun to listen to, too. See you there.

Governor Seeks Citizen Input Housing, Community Development Issues To Be Covered

he governor’s office, in conjunction with the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA), the Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development (DTED) and the Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning (CFL), is hosting a series of public forums. The input gathered from these meetings will be used to prepare the 2000 Minnesota Consolidated Plan which is a condition of funding for several grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Staff from the three state agencies

will attend each meeting to re- The public meeting schedule In addition to the public meetspond to questions and gather includes these dates and loca- ings, the state agencies also input. tions: will be conducting several focus groups. These will target “By going out into the commu- Wed., April 14, 7 p.m., Franklin people such as school princinities, we are able to gain a Fire Hall, City of Franklin pals and employment service better understanding of the providers, who do not work problems and challenges Min- Thurs., April 15, 7 p.m., Rush directly in housing or communesotans face in obtaining af- City Community Center, Rush nity development but come into fordable housing,” explained City contact in the course of their MHFA Commissioner Kathoccupation with people who erine G. Hadley. “The public Tues., April 20, 9 a.m., 122 W. need and use housing and meetings are an excellent fo- Franklin Ave., Assembly community development serrum for bringing together indi- Room 2, Minneapolis. vices. For information on a viduals who can speak about specific meeting, please conhow housing, or lack of afford- Wed., May 5, 7 p.m., Crookston tact Kirby Pitman at MHFA at able housing, impacts their City Hall, Crookston 651-296-8147.  lives, their community, employment opportunities, etc.”

Work Incentives Project Info Sessions WHAT: Learn about Minnesota’s Work Incentives Project, funded by the Social Security Administration. The Center is designed to help people with disabilities sort out and make sense of the work incentives available to them through the Social Security and Medical Assistance programs. Our goal is to make work incentives information easier to get, easier to understand, and easier to apply to your individual situation. Tell us how the Work Incentives Assistance Center can be most helpful to you and people you know! WHO: Consumers: This includes people with disabilities on SSI, SSDI and/or MA who want to work or increase their employment. Family members and friends are also welcome. Referral Sources: People who may refer individuals to the Center for specific assistance (advocates, providers, rehab counselors, county financial workers and case managers, SSA

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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. 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

representatives, and other interested parties). An alphabetical listing can be found at the end of this article. WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE INTERESTED: Space is limited, please call to register. Sessions are free of charge and all sites are wheelchair accessible. If you need an interpreter, materials in alternative format or other reasonable accommodations, please let us know at least two weeks prior to the session. We look forward to meeting you and hearing your ideas! TO MAKE A RESERVATION OR TO BE NOTIFIED OF FUTURE SESSIONS, CONTACT: Anita Boucher, Assistant Project Director, Voice: (651) 282-6609 or 1-800-328-9095, TTY: (651) 296-3900, e-mail: aboucher@ngwmail.des.state.mn.us

Location Date Group Time Bemidji ............ Wed, May 19 . Anyone ...... 11:00am-12:00pm Blaine .............. Fri, April 16 .... Consumers . 10:30am-11:30am .. Referral ...... 1:00pm-2:00pm Duluth ............. Tue, April 27 .. Referral ...... 10:30am-11:30am .. Consumers . 1:00pm-2:00pm E Grand Forks .. Tue, May 18 ... Anyone ...... 2:00pm- 3:00pm Hibbing ........... Mon, April 26 . Anyone ...... 2:00pm- 3:00pm Hoffman .......... Tentatively scheduled for afternoon of Tue, May 4 Mankato .......... Thur, April 15 . Referral ...... 11:00am-12:00pm . Consumers . 1:00pm-2:00pm Moorhead ....... Thur, May 20 . Anyone ...... 11:00am-12:00pm Rochester ........ Thur, April 29 . Referral ...... 10:30am-11:30am .. Consumers . 2:00pm-3:00pm Stillwater ......... Mon, April 19 . Consumers . 10:30am-11:30am .. Referral ...... 1:00pm-2:00pm Winona ........... Fri, April 23 .... Anyone ...... 1:00pm-2:00pm This column is a paid insertion by the Social Security Administration’s Work Incentives Assistance Center.

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April 10, 1999

Epilepsy Independent Living IN BRIEF . . . . Hennepin Cty Annual Program Funding Challenged Arc T

EARCH Epilepsy Services, a state funded community living program for adults with severe epilepsy has been targeted for elimination from the proposed Minnesota Department of Human Services budget. The program, administered by People, Inc., promotes economic self sufficiency and community integration for individuals with intractable seizures. After 10 years of DHS support, the program will close if funding is not reinstated legislatively this session.

recommended by Governor Ventura’s transition team. According to the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, over 325 local organizations throughout Minnesota are targeted for cuts, covering a wide range of services. “It’s time to fish or cut bait for targeted programs,” says SEARCH Program Director Anne Barnwell. “In order to be reinstated we will need to demonstrate the effectiveness and benefits of the program to the state. Fortunately, the program has been gathering outcome date for several years in anticipation of a challenge such as the one it faces now.”

SEARCH’s situation is not unique. Programs administered by local units of government and not-for-profit organizations face the brunt of over $60 million in budget cuts Like other non-profit organiza-

tions hit by the cuts, People Incorporated is seeking to restore funding through the legislative process. SF 1128 and HF 1443 are simple bills designed to add the original appropriation back into the Department of Human Services budget. Supporters of the program testified in front of both the Senate Health and Family Security Budget Division and the House Health and Human Services Finance Committee during the week of March 22. This is a preliminary step towards the final goal, but they are hopeful for a positive outcome. Says Barnwell, “I want to finish this session knowing that we did our best to serve adults with intractable epilepsy.” 

ADA Mini-Grants

DA Minnesota, formerly known as the Great Lakes Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center, is a collaborative effort between individuals, disability related organizations, businesses, government and not-for-profit organizations whose mission is to implement the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in diverse communities.

ships between diverse communities, disability related organizations, businesses, government and not-for-profit organizations across Minnesota by funding multi- organization projects. Projects must directly relate to one or more of Titles I, II or III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Awards will range from $500 to $2000 per project.

May 1, 1999. Interested organizations should request application materials from: ADA Minnesota, c/o Metropolitan Center for Independent Living, 1600 University Avenue West, Suite 16, St. Paul, MN 55104. (651) 603-2015 voice,(651)603-2001TTY,(651) 603-2006 fax, 1-888-845-4595. The Request for Proposals is available in alternate formats upon request. 

The goal is to increase partner- Proposals must be received by

Work Incentives Training

he Work Incentive Assistance Center Project and the Social Security Administration present two beginner training sessions on state and federal benefits programs and how they effect people with disabilities who want to work. Training will be held at the following dates and times:

or other reasonable accommodations, call Barb Smith at (651) 215-9024 by April 12. Registration & payment are due by April 14.

Overview of SSI and SSDI programs; eligibility for MA and MSA; combining the programs; concurrent benefits; work incentives. $25 fee. Presenters: Bonna Eisenbeisz, Advanced Beginners Patricia Gale and Linda Giese, Work Incentives Training St. Paul Social Security Office; May 24, 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. and a representative for both the May 25, 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Training - cont. on p. 5

Beginners Work Incentives Training April 28, 10:00 a.m. - 3 p.m. A discussion of SSI and SSDI, including differences between the programs, eligibility and work incentives. $20 fee. Presenters: Bonna Eisenbeisz, Patricia Gale and Linda Giese, St. Paul Social Security Office and Barb Smith, Work Incentive Assistance Center.

Helping people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities achieve independence.

he theme for this year’s celebration, to be held on Friday, May 14 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., is Hee Haw Hoe Down. Featured guests include Pop Wagner of the Prairie Home Companion radio show, and Tom Walz, author of “The

Unlikely Celebrity: Bill Sackter’s Triumph Over Disability.” This year’s event is planned with a western theme, and includes dinner, country line dancing and fun-filled activities for people of all ages and abilities.

Celebration The celebration will be held at the Earle Brown Farm and Heritage Center, 6155 Earle Brown Drive, Brooklyn Center. Tickets are just $5 per person. For more information, contact Arc Hennepin County at 612-9200855.

Organizing For Change Training Headwaters Fund is sponsoring the most of the media, tion for both days is based on ing the Spring into Action Organizing for Change training on May 3 & 4, 1999. Presenters from across the nation will provide training sessions on community organizing, mak-

fundraising, race and class issues, and building multi-generational organizations. Each full-day training is designed to give participants in-depth skills for affecting change. Registra-

a sliding fee scale ranging from $100-$200 (includes lunches and one dinner). Please contact Headwaters Fund at 612879-0602, ext. 10 for more information.

Opportunity Partners Benefit A $1,000,000 Pro Am to benefit portunity Partners provides abilities or brain injury. For Opportunity Partners is set for May 24 at Bunker Hills in Coon Rapids. Established in 1953 as Opportunity Workshop, Op-

employment options, residen- information, call Tim Torgerson tial programs and personal or Chris Burns at (612) 938enrichment to more than 900 5511. adults with developmental dis-

Special Ed Info Available on Web Three PACER Center web sites for the nation’s 6 million chil- vided on the Web sites, call contain information about the reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). The regulations interpret federal law that sets education policy

dren with disabilities. The web PACER at (888) 248-0822 (toll sites are: www.pacer.org, free), (612) 827-2966 (voice), or www.fape.org, and www.taalli (612) 827-7770 (TTY). ance.org. If you need information in addition to what is pro-

Help Yourself 7th Annual Starlight Ball T he Communication Cel- includes dinner, with some and the evening also includes ebration will be held on Friday, May 21 at 7:00 p.m. at The Zuhrah Shrine Center, 2540 Park Av. So., Minneapolis. The cost is $15.00 per person and

complimentary tickets avail- a silent auction and showing able based on need. of a new video of the Kid Talk program. For ticket informaThe Dale Mendenhall Musi- tion, call Help Yourself at (612) cians will provide live music 497-2800.

Adventure Travel Opportunities Wilderness Inquiry is a nonprofit organization that provides adventure travel for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. Six canoe trips to the northwoods of Maine and two on the Missouri River in Montana are scheduled for July and August. Ten, 5-day Boundary Waters Canoe Area trips are planned from May through September. For more information: Wilderness Inquiry, 1313 Fifth St. SE, Box 84, Mpls, MN 55414; (612) 379-3858 or (800) 728-0719 (V/TTY).

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SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION PROVIDER “On Time Every Time or we will buy you lunch” call for details

(612) 379-4107 MA, U-CARE MEDIC, PRIVATE PAY, PRIVATE INSURANCE **Standing Orders

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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.

Anyone needing an interpreter, materials in alternative format

Martha Hage’s

RADIO SHOW Disabled & Proud, It’s Not An Oxymoron April 13: Jerry Smith and Gloria Steinbring from Advocating Change Together, A Few Simple Words video and the Remembering With Dignity Project April 20: To be announced

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.

April 27: Lolly Lijewski hosts Jeff Bangsberg, with an update on disability related legislation KFAI  Every Tues.  7:30 p.m.  106.7 FM — St. Paul  90.3 FM — Mpls

Accessible Space, Inc.

April 10, 1999

Disability Culture

Pioneering Field Of Disability Studies Challenges Established Approaches And Attitudes Many of its leaders see their interdisciplinary research as a form of civil-rights activism by Peter Monaghan

hen he was a sixth grader, Paul Longmore recalls, his teacher arranged for him to move from a specialeducation class to a “regular” class at the local junior-high school the following year. “She called me over to her desk and said, ‘You have to succeed. If you don’t, they won’t provide the opportunity for other students like you.’”

whom are people with disabilities themselves, consider disability not from a medical or social-service perspective, but in terms of cultural formulations and depictions. They look at a range of cultural expression as varied as novels and movies, public policy, architecture, urban planning, philosophy, and law. They gauge how stereotypes — talk of “abnormalities,” “defects,” He had similar experiences right “invalids,” even “monstrosithrough college and graduate ties” — have come to be acschool, says Dr. Longmore, cepted. who is now an associate professor of history at San Fran- When they do focus on the cisco State University, and medical model of disability, who has what he will describe they suggest that it has, in fact, only as a “pretty extensive” played a role in the segregadisability. tion of people with disabilities, and in the labeling of those When he became a historian, people — often as aberrant, he says, “I not only didn’t deviant, or contaminated, and study disability in any formal certainly as abnormal. In that way, I didn’t want to be around way, the researchers argue, the people with disabilities. I car- medical model has discouraged ried a good deal of prejudice full citizenship for people with myself.” disabilities. Now, at 51, his voice registers surprise that his “principal strategy to gain some kind of validity for myself was to try to pass as not at all disabled.”

Dr. Longmore and other newstyle disability researchers, for their part, view disability as a category akin to race, ethnicity, class, and gender.

That changed, but not until “pretty far into adulthood,” he says. “I began to encounter people with disabilities, and I wanted to spend some time with them. They were civilrights activists.”

Recently published collections of essays demonstrate the range of current disability research. Routledge, whose cultural-studies collection a few years ago heralded the arrival of that field, last year issued The Disability Studies Reader, edited by Lennard J. Davis, a professor of English at the State University of New York at Binghamton.

Disability-rights activism alerted him to the potential for new academic approaches. Now he is one of a growing number of researchers taking novel interdisciplinary ap- Also last year, the University proaches to the study of physi- of Michigan Press published cal disabilities. The Body and Physical Differences: Discourses of DisThese scholars are challeng- ability, edited by David T. ing established approaches Mitchell and Sharon L. in the biological, social, and Snyder, assistant professors cognitive sciences. of English at Northern Michigan University. The researchers, many of

ACT

Those collections demonstrate how the new, humanities-oriented approach to disability studies borrows from many fields and movements, including cultural studies, area studies, feminism, race-and-ethnic studies, and gay-and-lesbian studies. It is extensively informed by literary and cultural criticism, particularly of the post-structuralist variety, in so far as it pulls apart concepts about disability to see what cultural attitudes, antagonisms, and insecurities went into shaping them. In an essay from the Michigan collection, for example, Dr. Longmore offers some unsparing words about telethons for disabilities, with fading celebrities pitching for funds and flanked by visiting athletes, corporate officials, and perhaps a recent Miss America. These combinations of “patriotic rally and religious revival” serve as “moral allegories of cleansing and renewal” to demonstrate “the persistence of public virtue” — even though an estimated 80 per cent of viewers watch without ever giving, he notes. Like the fields it resembles, disability studies also often embraces political activism. Polls show that disabled people have become a crucial voting bloc; the Americans With Disabilities Act passed with bipartisan support in 1990. Legal prohibitions against job discrimination, and assurances of “reasonable accommodation,” insure increased access to academia and other public realms, researchers believe. So do such technological advances as voice-activated computers and e-mail. What’s more, they add, as the population ages, Americans have become more mindful of disabilities and more sympathetic toward them.

changed is apparent from the phenomena studied by recent authors. The freak show, a thoroughly discredited staple of the 19th and early 20th centuries, has proved to be a gold mine for researchers. Last year, Rosemarie Garland Thomson, an associate professor of English at Howard University, edited a volume of essays for the N.Y.U. press called Freakery: Cultural Spectacles of the Extraordinary Body. She took Academic publishers are lis- up the subject again in Extening. Dr. Linton’s Claiming traordinary Bodies, published Disability: Knowledge and by Columbia last year. Identity has just appeared in the New York University Press Scholars who are themselves series “Cultural Front,” edited disabled argue that they have by Michael Berube, a profes- a vantage point from which to sor of English at the University make singular observations. A of Illinois at Urbana- telling example, Dr. Thomson’s Champaign — whose own colleagues say, is her insight book Life As We Know It on one aspect of the work of a (Pantheon, 1996) chronicles his few prominent black female family’s raising a child with novelists, including Toni Down syndrome. Morrison. She noticed that they have put disability to a Other publishers are scram- distinctive, and surprising, bling to issue books and essay use: They construct female collections in disability stud- characters whose disabilities ies, on the nature of stigma; force them to make their own sexuality and disability; and way, so that they find alternathe historical development of tives to the kinds of subservinotions of categories — such ent role that American society as “deaf” — that are now often has often forced on women, deemed self-explanatory. black women in particular. Apparently, disability researchers suggest, the cultural and historical moment is right for their field. “It’s like the gayand-lesbian slogan, ‘We’re here, we’re queer,’” says Simi Linton, a psychologist who is co-director of the Disabilities Studies Project at Hunter College of the City University of New York. “One of our rallying cries is, ‘Nothing about us without us.’”

Among the major publishers in the field, Temple University Press has long featured disability-related titles on its list, most of them of the medical, social-service, or publicpolicy varieties, but some now with a humanities angle as well. Michigan has just begun a series, to be edited by Dr. Snyder and Dr. Mitchell, titled “CORPO (REALITIES): Discourses on Disability.” Other active houses in the area include Verso, the University of California Press, and Columbia University Press. Just how much the cultural views of disabilities have

rassing, sort of shameful.” But the context of academic discourse provided relatively safe grounds for “coming out,” she says. Now the field is taking on the trappings of academic acceptance. The Modern Language Association has a Committee on Disability Issues in the Profession. The M.L.A.’s annual meeting, and those of many other academic groups, now includes sessions on disability studies. Some 300 academics have joined the Society for Disability Studies (SDS), which was founded in 1982 but has had its greatest growth in recent years. Officers of SDS, which is based at the University of Texas at Dallas, say its initials are no accident: As was the case with the ’60s-era Students for a Democratic Society, members intend their work to forge social change. Current issues that many members take every opportunity to flag include prenatal testing, abortion, and “physician-assisted suicide,” which most disability-studies researchers refer to as euthanasia, arguing that those who submit to it are almost always in a state of overwhelming hopelessness that could be relieved by other, supportive remedies.

Such uplifting metaphoric uses of disability are rare, Dr. Thomson notes. However, she adds, they do provide her with a chance to point out to students that various cultures have, at times, ennobled rather Another sign of acceptance is than derided people with dis- that “Disability and Culture,” abilities. “History of Disability,” “Basic Concepts and Methodologies While fellow literary critics call in Disabilities Research,” and Dr. Thomson’s insights fresh similar courses are cropping and striking, she, like Dr. up around the country. The Longmore, at first hesitated to country’s first Ph.D. program present perceptions shaped by in disability studies is to begin her own disability. “It was a next year at the University of little scary. I felt vulnerable. I Illinois at Chicago. felt exposed. It was difficult for me to talk about an issue that I Even that modest acceptance had imagined as being very has not been won without personal, perhaps even embar- Culture - cont. on p. 6

Hello Nicole: Dear Nicole, For a long time now I’ve been having trouble finding Personal Care Attendants (PCAs). I can’t fill my hours and end up getting people who come once, then never again. Sometimes people come for an interview and say they want to work full time but then never contact me again to get set up. I have to call the emergency number of my PCA company just to get my basic needs met. I have switched agencies a couple times thinking that might help, but so far the situation just gets worse and worse. What PCA company do you recommend? I need a lot of hours and many agencies won’t take my case because they don’t allow pay for overtime. I am an intelligent person and am not that difficult to get along with!! But I am getting depressed and angry about my situation. I hate having to accept anyone into my home (no matter how untrustworthy they look) just to be able to use the bathroom. It feels like punishment for being in a chair! Is a nursing home the next step? Sincerely, Unfair

(with taxes, etc) it leaves the agency not making a meaningful profit on your overtime hours. I have a lot of respect for any agency willing to pay overtime under these conditions. Right now the Consortium of Citizens With Disabilities (CCD) is working with the legislature to address this shortage in the home care industry. The CCD is proposing an increase in pay to all in-home direct care workers, meaning Personal Care Attendants, Home Health Aids and Certified Nursing Assistants. It’s really important we all write letters to the legislature and explain what the PCA program means in our lives, problems we are having with the current system (i.e. shortage of workers) and what we think needs to be done to alleviate the problem (i.e. increase in hourly wage to attract and keep quality people). Remember that most of the legislators have very little idea of what it’s like to have a disability or to rely on PCA help. Explain briefly what your PCA does for you and how important this assistance is. Also relay your need for better service and how the shortage of attendant care is affecting your life. Tell them that due to the employment shortage, overtime reimbursement should be taken into account. You don’t have to be a great letter-writer to write letters! Use your own words. It’s the message that matters. You don’t have to type letters. Just remember to include your address/phone and keep letters to one page.

healthcare: Rep. Loren Solberg (Bovey), 445 State Office Building, (All addresses are St. Paul, MN 55155), Rep. Lyndon Carlson, 365 SOB, Rep. Kevin Goodno, 369 SOB, Rep. Ron Abrams, 209 SOB, Rep. Matt Entenza, 421 SOB, Rep. Tim Finseth, 377 SOB, Rep. Mark Holsten, 345 SOB. Commissioner Michael O’Keefe, Dept of Human Services, 444 Lafayette Rd, St. Paul, MN 55155. Contact your representative, if you are unsure who your representative is call the House Information line 651296-2146. Also, send a note to Governor Ventura, The State Capitol, St. Paul, MN 55155.

A nursing home does not have to be the next step for you or any of us. However, it is a real threat when we can’t get enough help to live independently. Certified Nursing Assistants that work in nursing homes get paid more than they would if they worked in our homes. This outrage is due to the rich nursing home owners who have a strong lobby in the legislature to keep Medicare and Medicaid money. This is why our letters are so important. We need to remind everyone that nursing home care is more expensive for the taxpayer and not an acceptable lifestyle for those of us who could live independently in our homes provided adequate home care service. It’s time the decision makers in Congress start to hear our voices, to understand our real needs and desire to live independently. Please write as many letters as you are able and urge your family and friends to write letters as well. If legislators receive 5 letters Contact as many of the from different individuals, following people as you are agencies, or employers this can able. Some key people to con- make a HUGE difference. tact are members of the Ways and Means Committee. This — Nicole committee sets the budget for

Dear Unfair, There is a serious shortage of PCAs in the Twin Cities right now, so much so that it is rapidly becoming a crisis for many of us. I haven’t been able to find more than two reliable PCAs in the past 2 years and have had the same experience of people not showing up after a seemingly successful interview or PCAs not showing up for work. And we aren’t the only ones. I can’t recommend switching your PCA company because they are all experiencing this same shortage of reliable workers. I think if your company is at least providing reliable emergency fill-in care that is an important consideration; not everyone does. Also, Question? Complaint? Comment? Write to Nicole: % there are some agencies (but Access Press, 1821 University Ave. W, #185 N; St. Paul, MN not many) that will allow over- 55104 time pay. The reason for this is because the state only pays a set rate for an hour of in-home care. This rate does not change to take into account overtime. So if your PCA makes $8 an hour and you add overtime

TRAINING Cont. from p. 3

April 10, 1999

Religion & Disability

Ministry To And With Persons Newly Disabled by John Carr and Richard Highbaugh

person has an illness or an accident, and suddenly he or she is unable to talk, see, walk, feed themselves, dress, feel pain or a gentle touch on a paralyzed limb. The change leaves the person functionally different. Perhaps the person does not immediately know the full extent of the physical or cognitive loss - the idea of permanent limitation has not yet occurred - one is still in shock from the disabling trauma. To cope with a disabling illness or injury requires determination on the part of the individual person. One must at the same time begin to acknowledge the impact of the changes and move forward toward what some call acceptance, that is, facing up to the loss of certain physical or cognitive abilities, and working with the emotional trauma resulting from the loss. From the beginning, the newly disabled person should attempt to be as active as possible, thus using abilities retained. The individual must also try to pull from within the spiritual and physical strength needed to deal as absolutely as possible with this new condition. The process of learning to operate with less than full functioning is difficult. It involves the spirit as much as the body. The shock of personal loss may cause the person involved to feel that he or she has less value now as a human being. However, during rehabilitation, a process designed to restore former physical capacity, there may be assurance and hope. The period of rehabilitation is the time when the

individual begins to learn what abilities remain and how to increase those abilities. The person is also taught new skills so that s/he can function with limitations. Support is important at this time; individuals must be loved and encouraged. All involved must realize that time heals much. With hard work, a condition may improve; with time, a person can find a way to continue life in a different and fulfilling way. Christians with disabilities continue with goals toward Kingdom -building and service to God; God’s work still needs to be done. The existence of both attitudinal and physical barriers in the Church can minimize and sometimes eliminate the possibility of service by persons with disabilities. This exclusion may render the person invisible and reduce the opportunity for others to love, work with, and learn from persons with disabilities. Attitudes and practices of Christians toward members with disabilities is greatly influenced by the attitudes and practices of the larger society. Persons considered normal are youthful, healthy, and physically mobile. Individuals with disabilities are different and are more often thought to be less than normal. The greatest adversity individuals and their families endure is the negative attitude of society toward their differentness. The negative feelings result in social isolation causing sadness, lower self worth, and guilt on the part of persons with disabilities and

their families. The additional stress can lead to separation from the Church. The Church can include persons with disabilities in worship and fellowship activities. There must be a serious commitment on the part of the congregation to becoming inclusive. Congregations must work to remove both attitudinal and physical barriers. Congregations need to make policy changes to support the belief that the unity of the Church is to be achieved by including all persons, including those with disabilities. Such changes will aid greatly in helping us all to adjust to differences and new life situations. Finally, ministry to persons newly disabled can be a strong base for the individual. Love and support by family and friends during the early stages of the illness or loss can give hope and may help a person look forward to a useful life. The congregation must become an advocate for its newly disabled members - by both policy and practice. The congregation must enable persons with disabilities to be active, visible participants in Church life. The Congregation and the newly disabled person are thus encouraged to make self-improvement a long range project. This column is taken from “God’s Power and Our Weakness,” Consultation on Church Union. 

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Consumer Focus Groups by Mark Wilde

he Hennepin County Demonstration Project for People with Disabilities (HC DPPD) planning group is looking for Medical Assistance (MA) consumers and their representatives to help create a better health care delivery management system. To get the input of stakeholders, HC DPPD has held five consumer group meetings so far, and plans to hold many more in the coming weeks and months. Already themes are beginning to develop.

Hennepin County Employees We held two focus group meetings in February and March for Herinepin County employees who have disabilities. This was a unique opportunity because Hennepin County employees understand county operations as well as having experiences with Managed Care. One of the most important aspects of health care for these two groups was the working relationship with a primary physician. Participants related how challenging it was to find a doctor who takes the time to understand their unique wants and needs, and they stressed the importance of staying with that doctor when changing HMOs.

Finally, the groups spent a great deal of time discussing the idea of consumer choice, and the need for better access to information and resources to make more informed choices about what type of care they receive. Self-advocates A focus meeting was held recently with a group of self-advocates from West Hen-nepin Community Services (WHCS), a social service agency which provides housing and recreation opportunities for people with disabilities. We learned from this group that education about available resources will be a crucial component of any future plans. People who receive Medical Assistance (MA) have differing degrees of involvement in their care. If they are to be expected to make informed choices, some will need the assistance of family members and agency staff. This group also discussed the role of a Service Coordinator to help them navigate through the MA system. The Coordinator, whether it is the advocate themselves, a family member, or staff person, would manage the health care plan. The group from WHCS talked about which management tasks they might feel capable of performing themselves.

Community Groups HC DPPD has also held two community forums, at the Golden Valley City Hall and the Richfield If you are interested in attending one of the up-coming focus groups, library. please call (612) 348-2200 or TTY For these groups, transportation (612) 596-6758. HC DPPD staff was a major issue, not only getting will also come out to one of your to and from doctor appointments, community meetings. but also having the ability to take part in community activities, such The next consumer forum is: April 21 as the forums. Seward Square Apartments 2121 South 9th Street Again, the pivotal role of the priMinneapolis mary physician was discussed. Direct access to a specialist and maintaining a relationship with a This column is a paid insertion by doctor of choice was extremely the Hennepin County Demonstraimportant to everyone who at- tion Project for People with Disabilities. tended.

CULTURE - Cont. from p. 4 struggle — sometimes over the objections of feminists and other advocates of diversity, who have proved to be equally as resistant as many other groups are to disability perspectives. Disability-studies researchers have been more successful at including their perspectives in existing courses.

of a new take on disabilities. Among other things, he uncovered the unacknowledged imposition of power over people that is inherent in the medicalized view of human beings. Many writers went on to advance the approach known as “body criticism,” the study of the ways in which cultures impose various meanings and conditions on the and Politics, edited by Accounts of the origins of a human body. Michelle Fine and Adrienne humanities approach to disability studies vary. The bio- Some personal accounts, too, Asch, which was acknowllogical and cognitive-sciences have been influential, provid- edged to have made groundmodels are well established. In ing new perceptions as they breaking connections between the early 1980s, the first signs persuaded many researchers feminism and the study of disof a cultural-studies approach to press on to a formalized so- ability. emerged, generally with a social critique. One of the first cial-science emphasis. Exten- such works was Irving Ken- Among contemporary writers sive work has been done on neth Zola’s Missing Pieces: A of personal accounts of disthe nature of stigma, for ex- Chronicle of Living with a ability, the most influential is certainly Nancy Mairs, an ample. At the annual meetings Disability (Temple, 1982). Arizona-based author. She of the SDS, however, the social-science approach still pre- As an editor at Temple, Zola writes in a compellingly frank dominates. encouraged the press to ex- way about her disabilities, pand its publications on dis- both physical and psychologiThe work of the French phi- ability. In 1988, it issued cal. Her most recent book, losopher Michel Foucault was Women With Disabilities: Es- Waist-High in the World (Beaessential to the development says In Psychology, Culture, con Press, 1997), describes her

life with multiple sclerosis. “On Being a Cripple,” an essay she wrote in 1986 that has been widely anthologized, prompted many researchers and activists with disabilities to emulate colleagues in queer studies who had seized upon old, derogatory terms to reflect social attitudes back at those who advanced them thoughtlessly. For many, “cripple” and even “crip” have come to be insider terminology. Researchers say some performance artists with disabilities are plumbing “the history of delegitimization” to

reclaim such terms — “gimp,” Longmore is convinced. He likes her argument in part befor instance. cause it gives him a reason to Just as tellingly, many practi- refuse to be the subject of any tioners of the new disability more feature stories that ask, in studies strategically decline to tones of amazement, “How detail the nature of their dis- does Paul Longmore do such abilities. “I tend not to say, and such? How does he write because I think it’s a dis- and prepare lectures?” traction,” explains Dr. Linton, of Hunter College. “It’s not “People with disabilities are totally irrelevant,” but often it very resourceful, and they figis not the real issue, she says. ure out ways to do things,” he “When I say I’m a disabled says. “Let’s get on to more woman, I’m not talking about important questions.”  the fact I have an impairment. I’m talking about my identity.” Copyright 1999, the Chronicle of Higher Education. ReSan Francisco State’s Dr. printed with permission.

April 10, 1999

Commentary

Disability Advocates Praise Work Incentive Bill A Step In The Right Direction For People With Disabilities by Larry Watson, Deborah Kaplan, Patricia Yeager

he Center for Independent Living Berkeley/Oakland, the World Institute on Disability and the California Foundation of Independent Living Centers salute the bipartisan introduction of the Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 by members of the House Commerce and Ways and Means Committees. The American workplace has everything to gain from this development. We are living in a period of unparalleled, prolonged economic prosperity and low unemployment in this country. However, for most people with disabilities on the Social Security disability benefit programs, the reality of obtaining employment and self-sufficiency is lower today than it was some ten years ago. From 1986 to 1995, the number of individuals receiving disability benefits rose almost 70%, to 7.5 million. Currently there are approximately 9 million people with disabilities receiving benefits, about half on SSDI and half on SSI. Of these, not more than 1 out of every 500 SSDI benefi-

ciaries (leaves) the rolls by • Provide states with the opreturning to work. Only 8.2% tion and incentive grants to of working age SSI recipients set up buy-in programs to had any earnings at all in 1996; extend Medicaid coverage to of those that did, the average certain classes of SSDI and monthly income was only SSI beneficiaries who work, $344.00. • Extend Medicare for SSDI beneficiaries who work, “This system is busted and • Provide more choice of emthis bill is like a new box of ployment services, tools,” states Patricia Yeager • Establish a consumer conof CFILC. “Beneficiaries are trolled Advisory Panel on trapped in poverty, with averwork incentive programs to age monthly benefit amounts counsel the Social Security ranging from about $500.00 for Administration and other fedSSI to about $700.00 for SSDI. eral agencies, Demoralizing dependency and • Place trained employment lack of opportunity define this technicians in the field ofissue and always have.” fices to disseminate accurate information Deborah Kaplan of WID said: • Provide community help for “The math is very simple. If individuals to understand 75,000 of the 7.5 million and use the work incentive Americans with disabilities, programs, and just one percent, become suc- • Establish a $2 for $1 earned cessfully employed, savings income offset demonstration in cash assistance would total project for SSDI beneficia$3.5 billion over the work life of ries. the individuals. We are beginning, with this bill, to find the There is widespread support operational fit between em- in the disability community for ployment and the Social Secu- this legislation, which has been rity disability programs.” circulated in our communities and on Capitol Hill for a year. The Work Incentives Improve- On January 13, 1999, President ment Act will do the following: Clinton unveiled his Admin-

istration’s support for the Work Incentives Improvement Act in his employment and disability initiative entitled, “Economic Opportunity for All Americans.” The companion bill was introduced in the Senate on January 28, 1999, and has earned the bipartisan support of 69 Senate cosponsors. Larry Watson of CIL added: “This is an all important first step after passage of the ADA that will effectively begin to open the door for people with significant disabilities to obtain and retain employment. We pledge to work with House members to help pass it. We acknowledge and thank the

leadership of the House mem- Oakland; Deborah Kaplan is bers who are introducing this the Executive Director of the bill.” World Institute on Disability; Patricia Yaeger is Executive Larry Watson is Executive Director of the California Director of the Center for In- Foundation of Independent dependent Living Berkely/ Living Centers.

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LEGIS. - Cont. from p. 1 Metro Mobility service would remain largely status quo, with only minimal service exapansion. Medical Assistance Income Standard This bill would increase by $27 per month (as allowed by federal law) the amount of money a person could receive in SSDI and still be eligible for Medical Assistance (MA). In the House, HF 669 (Goodno), is forwarded for possible inclusion in the Health and Human Service Finance omnibus bill. In the Senate, SF 542 (Berglin) is forwarded for possible inclusion in the Health and Family Security omnibus bill.

and HF 789 (Goodno) have passed Finance committees and been forwarded for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. Hearing Aid & Eyeglass Legislation This legislation would require health insurance coverage to include eyeglasses (for persons who need them to lip read) and hearing aids. SF 243 (Cohen) HF 846 (Koskinen). Passed in Senate; passed House Health and Human Services Finance for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill. MinnesotaCare These bills expand eligibility for MinnesotaCare to single adults and households without children. They also create an exemption to the “no other health coverage” requirement under the program for children in certain families. In the Senate, this bill is SF 511(Lourey), and in the House it’s HF920 (Koskinen).

Common Vision Advocating Change Together is seeking funding to continue community organizing and self-advocacy leadership development. Representative Linder authored the House version of this bill and it passed out of both the House Jobs and Economic Development Policy and Finance Committees on March 22. It has been referred for possible inclusion in the House Jobs and Economic Development Omnibus bill. Representative McElroy is chair of the Finance committee, and is the person to contact to express support of this bill. Senator Janezich will carry this bill in the Senate, but no action has yet been taken there.

and to make a manifestation determination if a student has been suspended for 5 or more consecutive days or ten or more cumulative days. The meeting would be held immediately or within ten days. An effort to make it easier to suspend and expel students was thwarted by a coalition of disability, poverty and civil rights groups and communities of color. It was pointed out that a disproportionate number of children of color are suspended and that we need to find effective interventions and to use them early on. The upper age limit would be dropped so that students could receive services until July 1 after they turn age 21. This provision would not go into effect for three years to give students and their families time to adjust their transition plans. The language dealing with variances for interpreters and transliterators is being removed from the bill and the shortage of school interpreters will be addressed by a tri-agency team.

Special Education There is now only one bill (SF 296/HF 483) going through the legislature that addresses the 1998 legislation which required that all state special education laws and rules which exceed federal law be sunset July 1, 1999. An agreement has been reached on all of the issues and the bill Medical Marijuana Bill This will be travelling separately bill, SF 780 (Piper), was with- instead of being included in drawn by the author in the the omnibus education bill. The Governor’s budget conSenate. In the House, HF 936 tains an increase of $97 million (Clark) will be studied over the The bill now contains language for special education. The legsummer, reworked to comply that will keep Minnesota rule islature is considering raising with federal guidelines, and re- language which requires tran- the percentage of state payMedical assistance reim- introduced next year. sition services to be provided ment for special education and bursement rates inflation adbeginning at age 14. IEP teams including other expenses - such justment Both SF 674 (Berglin) would meet to review the IEP as fringe benefits - as reimbursable costs. Handi Medical Supply 2505 University Avenue West Prescription Drug Coverage St. Paul, Minnesota 55114 The Minnesota Senior Drug Program could be expanded to At Hwy. 280 & University Avenue Cost of Living Increases for Direct Care Workers This bill would increase the reimbursement rate to providers of direct care services, with the stipulation that providers give wage increases to nonadministrative (direct care) employees. HF 499 (Seifert) is being forwarded for possible inclusion in the House Human Service Finance omnibus bill and SF 112 (Samuelson) is going to the Senate Health and Family Service omnibus bill.

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people with disabilities under age 65 if Senate File 876 and House File 1769 pass. These bills help people who are on Medicare and cannot afford a supplementary policy. The bills also eliminate the $120 annual premium and instead replace it with a $35 monthly deductible. This is more affordable for people with disabilities living on fixed incomes. Both bills, SF 876 and HF 1769 are now waiting to be possibly included in the health omnibus bills.

Work Incentives If these bills pass, Medical Assistance eligibility will be expanded to include employed persons with disabilities. SF 675 (Berglin), passed out of the Senate Health and Family Security Committee. HF 670 (Goodno) unani- Consumer Support Grants mously passed the House of make it possible for people to Representatives on March 18. purchase home care, personal care attendant services, or other Home Choice Bill H.F. 967/ services directly, rather than S.F. 340. Minnesota is one of through an agency. This often twelve states selected to par- expands people’s options of ticipate in the Fannie Mae who to hire, and the expense HOMECHOICE Demonstra- categories are broad enough tion Project. Fannie Mae is a to allow flexibility in the types Congressionally chartered or- of services purchased. Curganization designed to pro- rently, only state funds may be mote home ownership oppor- used for Consumer Support tunities throughout the coun- Grants, whereas services purtry. The HOMECHOICE Pro- chased through an agency ject is specifically designed to have access to additional fedpromote home ownership eral funding. This legislation among people who have a va- directs the state to pursue a riety of disabling conditions. waiver from the federal govPeople with disabilities have a ernment that would allow Minvery low rate of home owner- nesota to use existing federal ship due to limited incomes, funds for Consumer Support lack of credit histories, and Grants, just like they do for service systems that promote services through an agency. SF 73 (Murphy), HF 356 (Dempsey) Act signed into law; Chapter 10, 1999 Laws of Minnesota.

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provider controlled properties. Fannie Mae requires both pre and post purchase counseling and the appropriation request of $160,000 would go to disability organizations and community home counseling firms who have agreed to serve people through the program. There would also be the possibility of providing down-payment assistance through the program. H.F. 867 has been referred to the Jobs and Economic Development Finance Division in the House for consideration in the Omnibus funding bill. Arc is working with supporters in the Senate to have the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency assume responsibility for this service in their appropriation bill.

To find out the name of your Representative in the House, call the House Information Office at: (651) 296-2146 (Voice), (651) 296-9896 (TTY), or 1-800-657-3550 (V/TTY). In the Senate, the number to call is: (651) 296-0504 (Voice), (651) 2960250 (TTY) or toll-free 1-888-2341112 (Voice) or 1-888-234-1216 (TTY). They can also tell you how to get in touch with your Senator/ Representative and what committees s/ he serves on.

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April 10, 1999

Sports Beat

Sports/Recreation Guide by Craig McClellan and Luke Pedersen LOCAL American Sled Hockey Association Phone: (612) 881-2129 Web Page: http://www.sledhockey.org

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Courage Center Contact: Tobe Broadrick Phone: (612) 520-0479 High School Adapted Athletics Programs Contact: John Bartz (MSHSL) National Wheelchair Softball Association 1616 Todd Ct. Hastings, MN 55033 Phone: (612) 437-1792 U.S. Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association Contact: Craig McClellan Phone: (612) 535-4736 Web Page: http//www.usewha.org Email: hockey@usewha.org NATIONAL Adapted Swimming Committee Contact: USA Swimming One Olympic Plaza Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Web Page: http://www.usa-swimming.org

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The City of Minnetonka has a full-time employment opporDisabled Sports, USA tunity available for a RecreContact: General Information ation Program Manager I for Phone: (301) 217-0960 the cities of Minnetonka and Web Page: http://www.dsusa.org/~dsusa/ Hopkins. This highly respondsusa.html sible position develops, adEmail: dsusa@dsusa.org ministers, and evaluates a variety of recreation programs. National Foundation of Wheelchair Tennis Phone: (714) 361-3663 Responsibilities include: OrEmail: NFWT@aol.com ganization and implementation Web Page: http://www.nfwt.org of all youth sports activities offered though the Department National Wheelchair Basketball Association of Recreation Services. ExistPhone: (704) 355-1064 ing programs include soccer Web Page: http://www.nwba.org/ and basketball leagues, youth baseball programming and a Sports on Wheels variety of sports clinics. AddiContact: Dangerous Doug Champa tional responsibilities include Phone: (714) 524-2524 working closely with area youth sports organizations and Wheelchair Sports USA assisting with sports programContact: General Information ming provided at all City recrePhone: (719) 574-1150 ational facilities.

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CAMERA OPERATOR KTCA-TV, Channels 2 & 17, has an immediate full-time opening for a Camera Operator to join our production operations staff. The position is involved with the operation of multi-cameras for live and tape productions, studio and field cameras, studio and field lighting. Experience in technical directing, floor directing, and computer skills a plus. Minimum requirements are a twoyear formal, technical educational certification or equivalent and 3 - 5 years of production operations experience. Salary is dependent on experience and a benefit package is provided. Send resume, cover letter, and salary expectations by 04/16/99 to: Box 312-9 KTCA, 172 E. 4th St., St. Paul, MN 55101. EEO/AAP

Minimum qualifications: four year degree in Parks and Recreation, previous supervisory and recreation management experience. Prior experience in public sector recreation services a plus.

MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN PROGRAM DIRECTOR/ Central Minnesota Legal SerINSTRUCTOR vices seeks agency admstr, Fiscal mgmt incl. grant mgmt., payroll, payables, journal & AAS degree program. Must ledger, bank reconcil, exc. sec. be a clinical laboratory scienduties. $30,591-$42,076 DOE; tist/medical technologist with Full family health ins. Resumes national certification and mas3/31/99, late apps considered: ters degree (or within one year Jean Lastine, CMLS, 430 1st of completion). Must have miniAve N., #359, Mpls, MN mum of three years professional experience including 55401. Equal Opportunity Employer teaching or supervising clinical lab student experiences. STAFF ATTORNEY Prefer masters in related health field and involvement in proCentral Minnesota Legal Ser- fessional activities. Full-time vices seeks full-time staff atty position. Position description DOE for its St. Cloud office. and licensure information Specialize in fam. law; sub-spe- available upon request. Send cialty in housing or govt. letter of application, graduate benes. Pref. for relevant exp. in transcript, and resume to: svc. area but will train new atty. Human Resources, AlexanSalary DOE. Exc. Benes. Full dria Technical College, 1601 family health insurance. Send Jefferson Street, Alexandria, resume to: Jean A. Lastine, MN 56308. 320-762-0221. Ex. Dir., CMLS, 430 First Application deadline is April Ave. N., Suite 359, Mpls., 23, 1999. Alexandria Technical MN 55401. Apps. due April College is an equal opportu16, 1999 or until filled. nity educator/employer. Women and minorities Equal Opportunity Employer encouragcd to apply. AGENCY ADMINISTRATOR

DISPATCHER

The Hopkins Police DepartSalary: $35,118 - $39,020, with ment has a vacancy for a 9-1-1 excellent fringe benefits. Dispatcher. Position performs 9-1-1 dispatching & other duTo obtain an application and ties as required. Min. req.: high job description, contact the school grad. or equiv., typing Minnetonka Job Line at 612- speed of 30 w.p.m. Desirable 939-8212. Application dead- qual.: 9-1-1 dispatching exp. line is April 16, 1999. Starting salary: $13.08/hour, ADVOCATE excellent benefits. Full job description & position requireMinnesota Disability Law Cen- ments are available at Hopkins ter. Disability law or profes- Police Dept., 1010 1st St. S., sional experience in the areas Hopkins, MN 55343, 612-938of special education pref. Sal. 8885. City application is re$22,060 to $27,460 DOE, excel quired. Applications must be ben. Letter & resume by 4/16: received by 4 pm, April 28, Pam Cunningham, MDLC, 1999. 430 1st Ave. N., #300, Mpls., MN 55401-1780. EOE Equal Opportunity Employer

TEACHERS MN CERTIFIED June 14 thru August 20 $12.40 per hour Various schedules available. Team plan, implement and evaluate work and project based activities and develop thinking and basis skills that foster career exploration for primarily 14-16 year olds in coordinated employment & education program. Teaching license & experience with diverse populations required. Apply in person: LNB, 1925 Nicollet, Mpls, M-Th 9 a.m. 4 p.m. Agency application required. Deadline 4 pm Friday, April 16. EOE.

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PNL SERVICES Conversion Raised Tops Raised Doors 300 2nd St. S.E. Mpls., MN 55414 (near St. Anthony Main)

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Ambulatory and Wheelchair Service Group Charters Available M.A. provider plus other insurances (612) 922-6876/885-0580

n PCL CONSTRUCTION

Access To Employment

April 10, 1999

PCL is a large dynamic general S contractor with extensive EMPLOYMENT ADS ARE $14 PER COL. INCH; APRIL 30 IS THE DEADLINE FOR THE MAY 10 ISSUE. Mail E AD10 R O operations throughout North M AGE to: ACCESS PRESS • 1821 University Ave. • #185N • St. Paul, MN 55104 • FAX 651-644-2136 America with annual volumes ON P in excess of $2.2 billion. As a PCL CONSTRUCTION SEEKING URBAN PLANNER BUILDINGINSPECTOR DEVELOPMENTOFFICER result of significant new work, PROJECT ACCOUNTANT MEANINGFUL WORK we have the following exciting The City of Minnetonka has a Do you have a great track Consulting company is lookopportunities available in our full-time employment oppor- PCL Construction Services, Explore employment opportu- record for meeting and exceed- ing for a senior urban planner, Minneapolis Disirict. tunity available for an experi- Inc., is a large general contrac- nities with Courage Center, a ing fundraising goals? Are architect or landscape archienced Building Inspector in a tor with extensive operations nationally respected rehab & you skilled at making connec- tect with 10+ years of experiPROJECT MANAGERS high volume, service oriented throughout North America. As resource center for people with tions between the mission of ence in physical site planning, inspection office. Duties in- a result of significant growth in disabilities. We offer a variety your organization and the in- redevelopment/development We are looking for candidates clude code enforcement our level of business activity, of employment opportunities terests of potential funders? planning, urban planning leadwith 3 or more years of com- through plan review and field we have an immediate oppor- in Nursing to include PCSs, Are you interested in putting ing to policy development, mercial project management inspections. Position requires tunity for an entry level project HHAs, CNAs, RNs, & LPNs; your skill and passion to work comprehensive planning. Reexperience. Responsibilities an individual with knowledge accountant position in our Therapy; Clerical; Managerial; for an organization that sponsibilities will include marwill include contract coordina- of building codes, effective Bloomington District Office. General Labor; Professional; touches the lives of eight out keting, project management, tion, scheduling, subcontract communication skills, previous The successful candidate and Technical. If you’re look- of ten people in this commu- client contact & urban plannegotiation, owner liaison and experience in code enforcement should possess a Bachelor’s ing for meaningful work and nity every month? ning for a variety of planning change order management. projects. AICP desired. Salary or building construction and Degree and previous ac- want to be a part of a great certification as a Building Offi- counting experience. Profi- organization, call our job At Twin Cities Public televi- is negotiable dependent upon ASSISTANT PROJECT cial by the State of Minnesota. ciency in the use of MS Office hotline at (612) 520-0518 to lis- sion (KTCA/KTCI) we believe experience. MANAGERS software is required, and AS/ ten to our latest job openings, that our role is not just to be a PLANNER Salary range: $41,296 - $45,884, 400 and JD Edwards back- or stop by our Human Re- television station, but rather to We are looking for candidates excellent benefits. ground is helpful. We offer an sources Dept., 2nd Floor, actively contribute to the culwith 2 or more years of comexceptional benefit program 3915 Golden Valley Road, tural, civic, and educational life Consulting company is lookmercial construction experi- To obtain an application and including medical, dental, life, Golden Valley, MN 55422. of this community. Our job is ing for a land use planner with ence. Computer competency job description, contact the disability, 401(k), 3 weeks of You can also visit us on our to harness the power of media 5+ years of experience. Reand an engineering degree are JobLine at 612-939-8212. Ap- vacation and more! website at www.courage.org. and focus it on enriching the sponsibilities will include an asset. Responsibilities will plication deadline April 16. Fax: 612-520-0577. lives of individuals and improv- preparation of comprehensive include coordination of conSend confidential resume and ing the community we serve. plans & other planning studies. Experience in preparation tract documents with designEOE. salary requirements to: City of Minnetonka ers and subcontractors; bid We seek diversity. 14600 Minnetonka Blvd We’re looking for a self-moti- of environmental documents package administration; and Personnel Manager Minnetonka, MN 55345 vated relationship-builder that or GIS a plus. AICP desirable. shop drawing review. PCL Construction Services, believes in our mission and Salary is negotiable dependent Inc. 9330 James Avenue South An Affirmative Action has the skills to help us suc- upon experience. As an employee owned comBloomington, MN 55431 Employer ceed. You must have at least ENVIRONMENTAL pany, we have a benefits prothree years of experience in PLANNER/ENGINEER gram without equal in our in(No phone calls or walk-ins development, with proven dustry, including three weeks please) strength in identifying fund- Consulting company is lookTEMPORARY PREvacation, annual bonus, stock AUDIO ENGINEERING ing opportunities and success- ing for an environmental planSCHOOL TEACHER purchase, 401(k) and Section An Equal Opportunity fully soliciting support. You ner or engineer with 5+ years of TECHNICIAN $8.53 to $10.60 per hour 125 plans and much more. Join Employer must be articulate, detail ori- experience in the preparation a dynamic team with a 93 year M/F/D/V KTCA-TV, Channels 2 & 17, ented, organized, creative and of environmental documents history of growth and success. Temporary teacher to teach in has an immediate full-time tenacious. (EIS, EAW, EA) for public Send resume and salary re- early childhood learning cenUNIVERSITY OF opening for a technician to join works projects. Responsibiliter for children ages 2 years 9 quirements to. MINNESOTA our audio engineering staff. Please send a cover letter, re- ties will include project manmonths through 5 years. AvailEXTENSION SERVICE The position is comprised of sume and salary requirements agement, client contact, enviable June 1, 1999 to approxiPCL Construction live studio and field sound tech- by 04/23/99 to: Box 310-9; ronmental analysis & documately Sept. 1, 1999. 2,000 Services, Inc. Acting Extension Educator, nical duties, creative sound KTCA; 172 E. 4th St.; St. Paul, ment preparation. Technical hours pre-school/childhood Attn: Personnel Manager Family Development, design and post sweetening MN 55101. expertise in one or more areas care aide, 12 qtr. credits in edu9330 James Avenue South Owatonna, MN functions. Minimum reof environmental analysis a cation or human development. Bloomington, MN 55431 AAP/EEO. quirements are a two-year forplus. Salary is negotiable deMinimum of 1,040 hours as Fax Number: 612-888-1733 Required: A bachelor’s degree mal, technical educational pendent upon exp. assistant teacher, aide, or stuPlease patronize in education or social sciences; certification or equivalent and dent intern. Experience work(No phone calls or walk-ins superior verbal and written 3 - 5 years of audio engineering your Access Press For the above positions, send ing with diverse preschool please) communication skills. resume to: SRF Consulting experience. Salary is depenAdvertisers — and children population and speGroup, Inc., Ste. 150, One dent on experience. A benefit cial needs. Teacher qualified tell them where you An Equal Opportunity Preferred: Experience in a re- package is provided. Send reCarlson Pkwy. N., Mpls., MN preferred, not not required. heard about them. Employer M/F/V/H lated professional field such sume, cover letter, and salary 55447 or to web site www. Deadline April 16, 1999. Apply They bring as education or youth devel- expectations by 04/16/99 to: srfconsulting.com. EOE in person: LNB, 1925 Nicollet, opment; teaching methods, Box 311-9 KTCA, 172 E. 4th Mpls., M-Th 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. PART TIME educational program needs St., St. Paul, MN 55101. Agency application required. ACCOUNTING assessment, organization, deEOE TECHNICIAN velopment, design, delivery, EEO/AAP and evaluation; networking; ATTORNEY Central Minnesota Legal Serteam collaboration; work with SUMMER YOUTH vices seeks part time acctg the media; work with economiSUPERVISORS AND Minnesota Disability Law Centech: bookkeeping; payroll, cally and/or culturally diverse ASSISTANTS ter. Disability law or prof. exper. prepare checks; journal & ledaudiences; supervision; com$7.15 to $9.10 per hour ger, bank reconcil. Exper. with in the areas of special educa- puter use of word processing tion pref. Sal. $28,000 to MIP a plus. $10,280 -$14,445 and/or other specialized softDOE. Full family health ins. $35,205 DOE, excel ben. ware; grant writing; volunteer Supervisors and assistants Ramsey Cty Resumes: Jean Lastine, Letter & resume by 4/16: Pam management; applied re- needed to lead a small group of inner city teens in completCMLS, 430 1st Ave. N. Cunningham, MDLC, 430 search; leadership. ing a variety of outdoor work 1st Ave. N., #300, Mpls, MN #359, Mpls, MN 55401. 55401-1780. EOE EOE. Deadline for materials: April projects in a summer employment and experiential learning 23, 1999. program. Experienced superTo obtain complete position vising youth, using basic hand announcement & application tools and familiarity with conmaterials, call U of MN Human servation, landscaping or other Resources at 612/624-3717, outdoor endeavors desirable. or download from Web page: Experience with diverse popuRecruiter ------------------------------------- 651-266-6476 www.extension.umn.edu/ex- lations required. Multiple po24-hour Jobline ------------------------------ 651-266-6502 sitions available. Deadline tension/jobs.html TDD/TTY ------------------------------------ 651-266-6501 April 23, 1999. Apply in perPersonnel Fax -------------------------------- 651-292-7656 son: LNB, 1925 Nicollet, Mpls, The U of MN is an equal opportunity educator M-Th 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Agency application required. EOE and employer.

April 10, 1999

CLASSIFIEDS

Reach 10,000 Active, Interested Readers with ACCESS PRESS Classifieds. $8 up to 20 words, 35¢/word thereafter. Mail with check to: ACCESS PRESS, 1821 University Ave W, #185N, St. Paul, MN 55104; (651) 644-2133 FOR SALE Electric hospital twin bed with foot and head control. Free for pick-up. Call 612-861-5358. Must move by 4/22/99.

FOR RENT Holmes-Greenway Housing Lewis Park Apartments: Bar- One and two bedroom apartrier free housing with wheel- ments designed for physically chair user in mind. Section 8 handicapped persons. Consubsidized. One and two bed- venient SE Minneapolis locaroom units. For more information. Call 378-0331 for availGently used INVACARE Tri- tion on availability call 488- ability information. Equal OpRolls scooter, available due to 9923. St. Paul, MN Equal Op- portunity Housing. recovery. Excellent condition, portunity Housing. includes charger. $1,000. 612WORK FROM HOME 694-0001. Fun, Flexible Hours. PT $500-$1500/month, FT $2,000$7,000/month. Call 651-659-6318.

Accessible Arts Performances American Sign Language * 5/6, Thur., 8:00 pm, The Mountain Giants (U.S. premiere), 15 Performances (ASL) Head Theatre at Red Eye The4/18, Sun., 2:00 pm, Circle ater, 15 W. 14th St., MinneapoAround the Island, Theater Mu, lis (at the Southern Theatre), Min5/8, Sat., 1:00 pm, Summer and neapolis Smoke, Guthrie Theater, * 5/2, Sun., 2:00 pm, The Secret Minneapolis Garden, Child’s Play Theater, 5/9, Sun., 2:00 pm, The Secret Hopkins Community Center Garden, Child’s Play Theater, 5/6, Thur., 8:00 pm, The Moun- Hopkins Community Center tain Giants (U.S. premiere), 15 Head Theatre at Red Eye The- 5/14, Fri., 8:00 pm, Summer and ater, 15 W. 14th St., Minneapo- Smoke, Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis lis 5/7, Fri., 8:00 pm, Summer and * 5/14, Fri., 7:00 pm, Peace Train, Smoke, Guthrie Theater, SteppingStone Theatre, Weyerhaeuser Auditorium, Minneapolis Landmark Ctr., St. Paul * 5/8, Sat., 2:00 pm, Paul Bunyan & Other MinneTales, Youth 5/16, Sun., 2:00 pm, Jekyll & Performance Co., Howard Hyde, Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis Conn Theater, Minneapolis 5/13, Thur., 8:00 pm, Summer and Smoke, Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis

* 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. Access to Theatre is a program funded through United Arts that encourages a broader participation in live theater by Deaf individuals and by people who are blind. It is a joint project of VSA Minnesota, D E A F, Inc., the Minnesota Association for Community Theatres and the Guthrie Theater. The project provides reduced priced tickets for individuals who are Deaf or Blind for selected performances by selected theater companies in Hennepin, Ramsey and Anoka counties. For listings of participating theaters and productions, contact VSA Minnesota at 612-332-3888.

* 5/14, Fri., 7:00 pm, Peace Train, SteppingStone Theatre, Weyerhaeuser Auditorium, Landmark Ctr., St. Paul 5/16, Sun., 2:00 pm, Jekyll & Hyde, Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis

Since the sudden death of the publisher of ACCESS PRESS in 1996, ACCESS PRESS has been having financial problems. Over the past two years, The Friends of ACCESS PRESS has kept us alive. Yet, we need your continued support to keep the paper to 12 pages. Advertising and subscriptions have not kept pace with the cost of producing the paper. Here are the sponsorship levels: Basic (low income) ... $5.00 Silver ..... .$150.00 & up Benefactor ..... $1,000.00 & up Friend ............ .$25.00 & up Gold ....... .$350.00 & up Bronze ........... $75.00 & up Diamond . $500.00 & up Contributions made at the “Friend” level ($25) or above, will entitle the contributor to a one year complimentary subscription to ACCESS PRESS. ACCESS PRESS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Checks should be made out to ACCESS PRESS. Your contribution is tax deductible. Please mail your sponsorship to ACCESS PRESS, 1821 University Avenue West, Suite 185N, St. Paul, MN 55104. Your help is crucial if ACCESS PRESS is to continue being the voice for people with disabilities! SPONSORS OF ACCESS PRESS Thanks to the following sponsors for supporting ACCESS PRESS, the voice for people with disabilities. Margaret Beier Steven McKeever Kelli N-E Wysocki

BASIC Beth Jensen Cindy Moore A.C.E. Independent Living Consultants

Ericka Johnson Paul W. Taylor

FRIEND OF ACCESS PRESS Sue Abderholden Lynda Adams Cheryl A. Anderson Mary Andresen Susan Asplund David Baldwin Kathy Ball Don & Maggie Bania Janet Berndt Patrick Bilbery Mike & Karen Bjorgan Susan Blaylock Bill Blom Anita Boucher Wendy Brower Susan Bulger Deah Cain Cathy Carlson Baya Clare Lynne Corneli Jim Cotton Margot Imdieke Cross H. LeRoy deBoom Lynn & Tim Dennis Neil Doughty Christine N. Drew Martha Egersdorf Joe & Peg Figliuzzi Tom & Mimi Fogarty Candace/David Gislason Robert Gregory Patricia Guerrero Patricia Guerrero Jimmie Hanson Anne Henry Linnea Johnson Hoff Roger A. Hoffman Ellen & Skip Houghton Judy Hunt Beth Jensen Cindy Johnson Daria Jmill Barb Kane Mary Kay Kennedy Beth Knutson-Kolodzne Ann Kranz Dianna Krogstad Brett Kruempel Sue Lasoff David Larson Jeff Larson Linda Lattin LoRene Leikind Dorothy McCoy Senator John Marty Christopher Meyer Cliff Miller William O’Dowd Annette Pantel Dorothy Peters Julee Quarvee Peterson Barbara Proehl Virginia Puzak Mary Rapson Kim Rezek Fern Rogstad Ginger Rudberg Patricia Rydeen Art Sauter Elizabeth Smith John Smith Adele Spavin Diane Sprague Peter & Pamela Stanfiel Paul Taylor Helen Thompson Gerry and Barb Tollakson Donna Warren Teri Welcher Curt Wiehle David Wood Beth Wright Joe & JoAnn Zwack Accord Health Care Services All Temporaries, Inc Alliance for the Mentally Ill of MN Arc of Anoka/Ramsey Cty ARC Suburban Arc Minnesota Best Care, Inc Brain Injury Assn. of MN Consumer Council of The Alliance for the Mentally Ill E. Suburban Resources, Inc.Duluth Consumer & Family Regional Resource Ctr Equity Services-St. Paul, Inc Forensic Alliance of Mentally Ill Fraser Community Services Home Health Care Kaposia, Inc. Mankato Consumer & Family Reg. Resource Ctr MBW Company Mental Health Assoc. of MN Mental Health Consumer Survivor Network of MN Metro Mobility Service Center Staff MN Bio Brain Association MN Developmental Achievement Center Assoc. (MnDACA) New Dimensions New Ways PACER Center, Inc. Rise, Inc. Park Rapids Consumer & Family Reg. Resource Ctr Resource, Inc. S.M.I.L.E.S. St. Cloud Consumer/Family Reg. Resource Ctr United Cerebral Palsy of MN BRONZE SPONSOR Jeff Bangsberg Scott Beers Tom Brick Rick Cardenas Stephanie Cunningham LeAnne & Larry Dahl Dawn Doering M. Therese Gockenbach Lori Guzman Judy Haaversen Martha Hage David and Susan Houghton James R. House Lolly Lijewski Ronna Linroth Matt Liveringhouse Joline Gitis & Steven Miles Manley & Ann Olson Louise Pattridge Mary & Henry Pattridge Rick & Debbie Ryan Dean Doering/Lisa Scribner H. Michael Sheehan Mary Jane Steinhagen Helen Thompson Julie Wegscheid Kathy & Paul West Jerrold Wood Bridgeton Healthways Company Dept. of Occupat’l Therapy-U of M Div. MN Rehab. Assoc Job Placement & Dvlpmt Pat Siebert, MN Dis. Law Ctr.

Audio Described Performances (AD) * 4/11, Sun., 2:00 pm, How the Other Half Loves, Theater in the Round, Minneapolis 4/17, Sat., 2:00 pm, Always, Patsy Cline, Ordway McKnight Theatre, St. Paul 4/18, Sun., 2:00 pm, Circle Around the Island, Theater Mu, (Southern Theatre), Mpls

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