June 1999 Edition - Access Press

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Apology & Forgiveness — Page 11

Inside  Looking For Culture — p. 7

Volume 10, Number 6

SOURCES

June 10, 1999

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“If you injected truth into politics, you’d have no politics.”

— Will Rogers

RESOURCES

June 10, 1999

SESSION IN REVIEW T

he Minnesota state legislature’s 1999 session is now over. Throughout the session, people with disabilities, parents, advocates, and staff of disability organizations worked tirelessly to educate public officials on the importance of a great number of disability related bills.

ACCESS PRESS has provided monthly updates on the progress of many of the bills, and this article will summarize some of the legislation that many people with disabilities have been closely watching.

Information for this and previous articles has been provided by community organizations who worked on these bills. Additional information was gathered from House and Senate publications and legislative staff. A list of the many people who contributed

Year In Review At Access Press

by Charlie Smith, Editor

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n this past year ACCESS PRESS has seen some exciting growth. We recently expanded our distribution locally to over 180 locations and we continue to send the paper to nine cities in outstate Minnesota. We plan to add even more outstate locations and metro drop sites in the coming year. In an effort to make the paper more accessible to potential readers, we are also in the process of developing ACCESSPRESSwebsite. Look for us in the coming months at www.accesspress. org.

The past twelve months saw a stabilization of the financial status of the paper, and the Friends of ACCESS PRESS played the key role again this year, providing almost $10,000 in support. We received additional support in the form of a generous grant from the

Medtronic Foundation.

the most part, succeeded.

ACCESS PRESS continued our tradition of reporting on the news in the disability community. Our readers received timely and in-depth coverage on such important subjects as the Metro Mobility system, and legislation at the local, state, and national level. Profiles of agencies and organizations, general news, coverage of meetings and hearings, new developments in technology and research, as well as fun things to do - all were part of the monthly fare.

All of these changes are positive and bode well for the future. Thank you to all who make them possible!

The paper also covered important issues facing the community which were not covered in any of the mainstream media. We have tried to maintain a balanced perspective when covering sensitive issues, and I think we have, for

ACCESS PRESS will continue to work toward financial selfsufficiency this year, through hiring an advertising sales representative. As we continue to apply for grants and other funding to expand and improve the paper, the ongoing support of the Friends will provide the concrete proof to our future funders that the disability community is solidly behind the paper’s efforts.

The paper’s success is dependent on its readers. We count on you to let us know what’s important to you - your story ideas, and your feedback, are vital to the paper. 

summaries can be found at the end of this article.

Special Education The Minnesota Legislature passed the special education compromise bill. This bill addressed legislation that was passed last year that would have sunset state laws and rules that exceeded federal requirements. The major components of the bill are: 1) The age limit on receiving special education services was lowered, so now students can receive services only until July 1 after they turn 21 (the age limit now is 22). This will go into effect in 2002. 2) An IEP team must meet if a child is removed (suspended) for five or more consecutive days or ten cumulative days. 3) At least half the membership of parent advisory committees must be parents of children with disabilities. The committee can be a subgroup of an existing board, council or committee. 4) The state will no longer pay for attorney fees for school districts. 5) The Department of Children, Families and Learning may change many rules, including eligibility criteria.

The omnibus education bill appropriated an additional $100 million for special education. Districts are required to set aside money for class size reduction, all day kindergarten or for reducing special education student to teacher ratios. The bill requires the Board of Teaching to adopt separate licensure requirements for teachers of oral/aural deaf education.

Teachers who are renewing their licenses must have classes in the use of positive behavioral interventions; and in accommodating, modifying and adapting the curriculum.

The Department of Children, Families and Learning will now be responsible for assessing and investigating allegations

of child abuse in schools.

Some other items funded include: alternative education program for children with a disability that offers horseback riding; Minnesota Resource Learning Center at A Chance to Grow/New Visions; and a program to train teachers of special needs children.

The legislature also made changes to make it easier for school districts to bill third parties for certain costs, including Medical Assistance.

Protections for parents were included in this bill.

increase for these services. $3.5 million will be available for family support grants and $2 million for semi-independent living services. Another provision removes the income limit for participation in the family support grant program, making it available to families even when the parents must pay a parental fee. Numerous changes to the management of the DD waiver program were also adopted.

Deaf & Deaf/Blind Services

In the April 10 issue of ACCESS PRESS, we reported the funding for the Search program for people with epilepsy was not included in the governor’s budget. However, the current funding of $230,000 per was reinstated by the legislature.

Funding was allocated at $120,000 for a deaf/blind mobility specialist to work with Deaf/Blind Services Minnesota to train teachers and rehabilitation counselors on a statewide basis. Also, $100,000 each year is provided to a nonprofit agency serving deaf and hard of hearing adults with mental illness, to operate a community support program which is communicatively accessible.

Paying Spouses for Care

Lake Owasso

Effective August 1, 1999, a spouse who is also a licensed nurse employed by a Medicare-certified home health agency may be paid when s/he provides private duty nursing care for a spouse.

The legislature funded the rebuilding of space for up to 64 people for an ICF/MR facility on the current Lake Owasso site for $188,000 for the coming biennium and $1.5 million for ’02/’03 for increased rates.

This funding and accompanying language were adopted despite the fact that the bill did not pass either legislative body’s policy committee and had no hearing in either body’s appropriations committee.

During construction, Ramsey County is to explore all service options for current residents.

Search Program Funding Restored

Developmental Disabilities Services Home and community-based services for people with developmental disabilities (DD) received an increase in funding. An additional 100 DD waiver slots will be available the first year, making it possible for people living with families and waiting for services to receive the support they need. Arc Minnesota and other advocates are in discussion with the Department of Human Services to determine the actual number of people who will be served as a result of the $7.1 million

Medical Assistance Coverage The care management/prior authorization system for rehabilitative therapies covered by Medical Assistance was passed. The change will establish a lifetime amount of therapy which begins July 1,

Session - cont. on p. 12

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June 10, 1999

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Charlie Smith Editor ACCESS PRESS is celebrating its ninth anniversary.

When ACCESS PRESS started publishing in 1990, there were only two other papers like it in the country, both of which have since folded. Today we are one of

ity community here in Minnesota. The paper has grown and evolved over the years with your help, both financially and editorially. I have taken many of the suggestions from our readers and incorporated them into the paper; and believe this is one of the main reasons we have been successful. Our success is also due to the volunteer columnists and other community only twelve in the country. I activists who contribute on a can attribute much of our suc- regular basis. cess to the very active disabil-

Disability Community Loses Friend

by Charlie Smith, Editor

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he disability community has lost another friend and advocate. On May 15th Chris Berndt accidentally drownd on Leech Lake in northen Minnesota while fishing, something he loved to do. Authorities reported that his Parkinson’s disease was a contributing factor to his death.

legal issues. While his legal specialty was business and real estate law, Chris was always willing and eager to investigate questions regarding disability law.

When my father, (the publisher of ACCESS PRESS), died in 1996, Chris was there, offering help as a friend and attorney. He knew how imI really got to know Chris portant ACCESS PRESS was to the disability community and his wife Cindy in the and how close we were to mid 70’s while he was Chris Berndt, 1955 - 1999 going out of business. Chris earning his law degree at Hamline University. We spent in general. After law school, told me I needed to ask myself many evenings talking about our friendship continued and if I really wanted to continue politics, fishing, sports and life Chris was a great resource on with the paper. He said that if the answer was yes, he was willing to do whatever he could to keep the paper going.

Chris was instrumental in helping ACCESS PRESS become a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. He was also the MINNESOTA STATE COUNCIL Chair of ACCESS PRESS’ Board of Directors.

ON DISABILITY

Congratulations, Access Press, on nine years of bringing the news to people with disabilities.

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

Chris was there for many other people with disabilities, too. I have lost count of the people I referred to him for legal advice.

In most cases things were resolved with one phone call.

But if more work was required, he provided it, and at no cost.

We all know how complex and confusing many legal issues can be, and how expensive legal advice and assistance are.

Chris provided a very valuable service to many people, well beyond what would be expected. I, and many others, will always be grateful for that. 

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 180 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

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our regular advertisers for their support. Some of them have been advertising since the paper’s inception, and they are our “bread and butter.” Thank you also to the groups who congratulated ACCESS PRESS on our anniversary. In many ways these years have flown by. We welcome your suggestions. ****

recap starting on page 1. From my perspective, a major gain this year was the work incentive legislation (see page 12).

Next month we will report on how the state will implement this new law, and give information on how people with disabilities can return to work.

Senate any day (see page 13).

The House companion bill should be up for a vote soon, too. Once federal legislation of this type has been passed, states must then pass “enabling” legislation to put the law into effect in their state.

Our legislature passed its own work incentive bill last month, **** possibly making Minnesota the first state to utilize this The national work incentive landmark legislation. We will bill, the Work Incentive Im- report on the status of the provement A c t o f 1 9 9 9 federal legislation next month.

You will find the legislative (WIIA) is about to pass the

IDEA ’97 Finalized

by Sue Abderholden and Dixie Jordan

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he federal Individual with Disabilities Education Act of 1997 (IDEA ’97) seeks to improve educational results for children with disabilities. It goes beyond simply assuring access, to focusing on high expectations for children with disabilities.

(ADD) a n d A t t e n t i o n will be involved in the genDeficit Hyperactivity Diseral curriculum, including order (ADHD) have been goals related to meeting the added to the list of condichild’s needs so that the child tions that could make a child can progress in the general eligible for special education curriculum. under the “other health impairment” category of dis- • A student’s IEP must be acability. cessible to each teacher and service provider who is reThe U. S. Department of Edu- • States are allowed to define sponsible for implementing cation published its final “developmental delay” for it. The staff involved must be regulations for IDEA ’97 on children ages 3 through 9, informed of their responsiMarch 12, 1999. The final reguand if local educational agenbilities for implementing parts lations were published later cies choose to use this catof the IEP; and the specific than originally expected, as egory, they must use the accommodations, modificaDepartment staff worked to definition and age range detions, and supports that are address nearly 6,000 comments fined by their state. listed. received on the proposed regulations, which were issued in • Children may be eligible for • If the child is, or may be, October 1997. Persons interspecial education even if they participating in the regular ested in obtaining a copy of are progressing from grade classroom, at least one of the the final regulations can visit to grade. child’s regular education the Families and Advocates teachers must be on the IEP Partnership for Education • Eligibility for special educateam. Parents and the school (FAPE) website at “http:// tion services cannot be based may also invite others who www.fape. org.” solely on limited English prohave knowledge or special ficiency or lack of instruction expertise regarding the child.

As a parent of a child with a in reading or math. disability, it is important to learn • The IEP team must consider of changes in the federal law • Evaluations must identify all a number of “special facand regulations, and to underof the child’s needs for spetors” when developing a stand how they will affect your cial education and related serchild’s IEP: strategies that child. The IEP requirements in vices, even if those needs are include positive interIDEA ’97 are in effect for all not commonly linked to the ventions for behavior that Individualized Education Prodisability under which a child interferes with learning; limgrams reviewed, revised or has been found eligible for ited English proficiency; developed after July 1, 1998. services (in other words, serassistive technology needs; vices must be based on need, for children who are deaf or While it is difficult to summanot disability category). hard of hearing, communicarize all of the changes in IDEA tion in their language and ’97 and the final regulations, a • Input from parents may be communication mode; for sampling of issues are included used when determining a children who are blind or viin this article that may be of child’s eligibility for services. sually impaired, instruction particular interest to parents: in Braille (unless, after an ap2) Individualized Education propriate evaluation, the IEP 1) Eligibility Criteria: Programs (IEPs): team determines that the child does not need instruction in • Attention Deficit Disorder • IEPs must include how a child Braille or use of Braille).

HAPPY 9TH BIRTHD AY BIRTHDA ACCESS PRESS Arc Minnesota congratulates everyone associated with ACCESS PRESS on a great job of advocating and getting the news out to people with disabilities. Keep up the good work !

• Parents are to be informed of their child’s progress at least as often as parents are informed of progress for their non-disabled children.

• Extended School Year services cannot be unilaterally limited to particular categories of disability. Nor can the type, amount, or length of services be automatically limited.

3) State-wide and District-wide Assessments: • Children with disabilities must participate, with appro-

IDEA - cont. on p. 6

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Common Vision Funding Vetoed G

The appropriation was successfully garnered through the legislative process with a Republican controlled House and a Democratically controlled Senate. Throughout legislative hearings with representatives of the Department of Economic Security present, the issue of “duplicative services” was never raised. The Department of Economic Security administers the Common Vision grant and did not raise concerns about the program to legislators or ACT staff. “The veto comes as a surprise to me,” said Senator Jerry Janezich (DFL), author of the Common Vision legislation and Chair of the Senate Economic Development Budget Division.

“I spoke to Commissioner Earl Wilson after the veto, who assured me he will do the best he can to find funding within the Department for this program.”

Representative Dan McElroy (IR), Chair of the House Jobs & Economic Development Finance Committee, also spoke

with Commissioner Earl Wilson after the veto. “The Commissioner said he had been briefed by his staff before meeting with the Governor and thought there may be some duplication within the Rehabilitation Services area of the Department. He thought that ACT may be eligible for another grant within the Department, but there was no commitment.”

Kim Rezek, Director of Rehabilitation and Contract Services for the Department of Economic Security said, “The Department is willing to work with ACT, extended employment services, and Independent Living Programs (CILs) to promote Common Vision workshop opportunities for persons with disabilities.” It appears the Department is suggesting that Common Vision’s program is a duplicaiton of services already being provided by CIL’s.

To verify this, we spoke with Kim Breznik, president of the MN Association for Centers for Independent Living.

“There are underserved areas of the state,” said Breznik, “and some day we will have enough funding to serve everyone [with disabilities].”

“We are familiar with the work of the Centers for Independent Living,” said Mary Kay Kennedy, Executive Director of ACT. “And, we are aware of the self advocacy training done through some of the Centers.

Ours is different because we provide in-depth leadership and organizing training over a

n May 5, 1999, Mary McAleese, President of Ireland, accepted the third annual Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability Award on behalf of her country.

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan was among those presenting the award to McAleese on behalf of the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute and the World Committee on Disability.

with regard to employment on the basis of disability. In addition, more than eight million dollars were allocated to provide aids and appliances to people with disabilities, eliminating the waiting list for equipment.

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Disability Employ. Awareness Month one-year period of time, with opportunities to work on community issues over the course of the year. This experience deepens the skill base of self advocates to organize and act on their own behalf. I am not aware that the Centers do this type of leadership development and issue work.”

The Common Vision empowerment program provides fourday leadership training sessions for persons with developmental disabilities, as well as follow-up technical assistance to individuals and groups as they work on issues. The program also provides takehome resources to promote disability awareness in local communities. Participants learn about their rights, especially in the areas of employment, transportation, and health care. They also learn skills in how to work collaboratively so their collective voices can be heard. They learn how to address appointed and elected officials as well as how to advocate for policy changes at city councils, county boards and the state legislature. They learn how to advocate for themselves in the workplace, for example asking for salaries or benefit increases, or seeking advancement.

The Rehabilitation Services Branch of the Minnesota Department of Economic Security is gearing up for National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which is in October. They are preparing education kits to provide employers, service providers and em-

ployees with information on reasonable accommodations, assistive technology and other ways people with disabilities have been successful in the workplace. The kits will include a list of special events to be held during the month of October, and a poster is being

developed as well.

This information will be available upon request in July. You may contact: Diane Mulcher, department of economic security, phone 651-296-4245; TTY 651-296-3900; fax 651297-5159.

Mental Health Volunteers Needed H ennepin County’s Adult activities like going out for a companionship and hope. For Services Department is seeking people for its Mental Health Volunteer Program. Volunteers arrange to meet with someone every other week for a couple of hours to share simple

walk or running errands together. One in four families is affected by mental illness and the degree of illness varies widely. You can make a difference by offering compassion,

more information, please contact: Jackie Connolly, 612-3482875; or jackie.connolly@co. hennepin.mn.us.

Adventure Travel Opportunities Wilderness Inquiry (WI) pro- held in Pine City, MN. This northwoods of Maine in July vides adventure travel for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. On Sunday, June 13, WI is co-sponsoring, with the MN Historical Society, an afternoon of paddling 23-foot replica voyageur canoes. The event is being

summer WI offers 3 and 5-day sea kayaking adventures to Lake Superior’s Apostle Islands. Trips begin and end near Bayfield, Wisconsin and will take place June-September. Four 6 and 7-day canoe trips are also scheduled for the

and August. Several five-day Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) trips are scheduled, beginning at the end of June, through September. For additional information, call (612) 379-3858 or 1800-728-0719 (voice or TTY).

Mpls Park And Recreation Programs The Eloise Butler Wildflower cated in Theodore Wirth Park The downtown Minneapolis

Garden and Bird Sanctuary offers free nature walks throughout the summer. June programs focus on wetlands, native plants, medicinal herbs, prairie plants, a new moon hike, and many other topics. The “We learn about self -advo- garden and sanctuary are locacy and see that we need to advocate for ourselves to get what we want out of employment, community living, and Broken Wing Outreach is a transportation,” said David non-profit organization workHarris, ACT President.  ing to improve the lives of

and are accessible by MTC bus routes 9C, 9D and 9E. Programs are free, but pre-registration is required because class sizes are limited. For more information, call 612-370-4903 after 10 am.

public library offers a series of “Green Themes” programs at 12:15 pm on Wednesdays.

June topics include Plants for Dry Landscapes on 6/16; Flowering Trees on 6/23; and Flowering Shrubs on 6/30. Call 612630-6320 for more information.

Broken Wing Outreach Events

Ireland Gets Roosevelt Award

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June 10, 1999

IN BRIEF . . . .

by Charlie Smith, Editor overnor Ventura vetoed a $252,000 appropriation for Common Vision, a program of Advocating Change Together, that fosters self determination for people with mental and developmental disabilities. The Governor’s veto message said that “this nonprofit organization already receives funding from the Department of Economic Security [current funding is $35,000] and duplicates the services of existing programs.”

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The Government of Ireland selected Special Olympics Ireland to receive the grant. The mission of the organization is to provide athletic training and competition in a variety of sports for children and adults with disabilities. The grant will be used to continue projects in rural areas and counties along the Republic of Ireland/Northern Ireland border. Previous winners of the award are the Republic of Korea (1996) and Canada (1997). 

The award, established in 1995 by the Roosevelt Institute and the World Committee on Disability, includes a $50,000 grant for an outstanding disability The ceremony recognized Ire- program in the selected nation. land for its significant progress toward the goal of the United Nations World Programme of BUILDING BRIDGES Action Concerning Disabled Persons - the full and equal Helping people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities participation of people with achieve independence. disabilities in the life of their UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY societies. In recent years, Ireland established a Minister of (612) 646-7588 State position to address disYou see people. We see promise. ability issues within the newly merged Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The government also passed the Employment Equality Act of 1998, making it unlawful to discriminate against anyone

fundraiser will be held at Lake Harriet from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday, June 12. A people with physical disabili- picnic will be held following ties. The Wings Wheelathon the event. The annual Wings

picnic will be held August 21 at Armatage Park, 57th and Russell Avenue in south Minneapolis. To contact Wings, call: 612-866-0462.

Happy Ninth Anniversary Charlie and ACCESS PRESS

Mike Opat

Mark Stenglein

Randy Johnson

Gail Dorfman

Mary Tambornino

Peter McLaughlin

Penny Steele

Your friends on THE HENNEPIN COUNTY BOARD Paid for by the Friends of Peter McLaughlin and the Opat, Stenglein, Dorfman, Johnson, Tambornino, and Steele Volunteer Committees

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June 10, 1999

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On Mental Illness

DisabilityCulture

What We Carry

Non-disabled Privilege

by Pete Feigal

by Linda Wolford

These remarks are excerpted from a speech made at the May 8, 1999, Walk for Research For Mental Illness.

ward, straight jacket, isolation cell, electro shock, thorazine, sterilization, lobotomy, 4-point restraint, commitment.

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We carry the weight of the question “Why Me?” Moms and Dads believe it was something they did or didn’t do.

Those with the illness believe it was something they did or didn’t do. And we have all sought to know why it happened to us. As long as we keep asking the question “why?” we subtly avoid the very painful fact that it did happen to us, and we would rather explain our hurt than feel it. But we also carry the gift and the possibility of mercy, love, and the chance to imagine that there are no “whys.” We can believe that we didn’t do anything wrong in having a brain disorder, or someone in our family with a brain disorder.

Sickness doesn’t look in your heart and say “this is a bad person” or “this is a good person.” It just happens.

ome of the things we carry come from our close relationship with mental illness/ brain disorders. A lot of these things are intangibles, but they have tangible weight.

We carry the weight of the disease, of the diagnosis. We carry, like battleship anchors, the labels: mentally ill, insane, crazy, loony, psycho, psychotic. Like a ball-and-chain, we wear words like: depression, manic, obsessive-compulsive, schizophrenic, paranoid, borderline personality, panic-disorders, nervous affliction, nervous breakdown.

We bear the well-meaning but misguided advice: pick yourself up by your bootstraps; get over it; snap out of it; God never gives you any more than you can handle; you don’t have enough faith;, what’s wrong with you; it’s God’s will. All these are just words, just names, but we know the weight of these words. They have their own power and substance.

We haul the stigma of the disease everyday: the beliefs that we are not to be trusted; that we are dangerous; that we are broken; that we are less than; that we have no credibility because we are “crazy.” We with the disease have learned the heavy truth that you are NOT really paranoid if everybody REALLY does hate you.

We carry the history of anger and fear that the cure has often been worse than the disease.

We carry the weight of that history: insane asylum, mental

We carry our own stories, stories filled with moments of joy and sorrow that shaped the way we have grown. Our stories speak about how it was— how every day we were held, hurt, loved, ignored, honored, abused, cared for, alone, frightened, strong, watching, listening—each day adding up to a story of our lives. It is vital and true and deeply required that we tell our story, trace the shape of it, speak of the place in our bodies where we carry it, where it still lives, weep the tears of it, allow it to be seen and known.

To have someone know the story of how we came to be here, how we came to be this way. But we need to go past the story, to then let the story fade away, revealing our true

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nature. Once our story has hen I first read Peggy helped us pay attention to our McIntosh’s article on own history, named it, mourned “White Privilege,” I knew it it, it is time to let it go. was one of those things that would stick with me for life. It In the past we have carried the was one of those “A-ha” sense of being alone in this experiences that so rarely hapstruggle. We believed there pen. The article very clearly are only a few to carry the lays out the hidden, unackburden of changing the an- nowledged benefits people cient fear and ignorance about receive on the basis of skin mental illness. But days like color. Using example after extoday are changing that sense ample, she shows the myriad of isolation. It’s a weight that ways our lives are made easier many cannot bear. But it’s a if we have “white” skin. One of weight we CAN carry, are the beauties of the article is happy to carry, even honored that parallels can be made with to carry. It honors those few other forms of privilege, like who have carried this burden that enjoyed by people who before us, and it can sow cour- are not disabled. A very real age into others’ hearts, inspire issue for those of us who are others, as we have also been marginalized is that we lack inspired. It will make a different certain characteristics that and better world for our chil- would make us “the norm.” dren.

We all know what those are: white skin, physically fit, I’ve always admired the civil middle income, English-speakrights leaders of the ‘50’s and ing, and the list goes on.

‘60’s who stood up and changed the world. They have As a person who has a severe become some of the greatest disability, in that I use a motorAmerican heroes of the 20th ized wheelchair and must rely century. This struggle of ours upon others for assistance with is not unlike those civil rights daily living, I am well aware of battles. A battle for equality, a the things that make my life war against both the terrible difficult. In doing a lot of trainnature of this disease, and the ing around disability issues, I equally terrible lies and myths like to convey this concept of that shroud it in mystery, shame “non-disabled privilege” to and dread. This is THE cause help people understand ableof the 21st century. And as ism. I don’t mean for people to Rabbi Hillel once said, a saying feel guilty or to feel sorry for used also in the civil rights me. Rather, I want them to struggles, “If not now, when? recognize all the discriminaif not us, who?” And we are tion and prejudice that exists in lucky that we carry this re- society that holds us back or sponsibility, this privilege, this can make our lives very diffichance, this hope. That the cult at times. My reason for world can be different. That doing this is that, hopefully, people’s attitudes can change. when people start to recognize That our “inner tyrants” can these privileges, they can act be silenced. as allies to eradicate ableism. I believe that most people aren’t A simple walk on a Saturday conscious of these things beafternoon around a beautiful cause that’s how privilege lake doesn’t seem dramatic or operates. Until they become important. Not much of an conscious of them, nothing can adventure. But done with the change. purpose and mindfulness and celebration that we bring here I put together the following list today, for this cause, for these of non-disabled privileges people, these could be some of very quickly. This is a list I the most powerful steps we compiled as a person with a ever take. severe mobility disability. In disability awareness workUltimately, what we carry is shops, I like to use this as a each other.  starting point. Then I have the

Rehabilitative Services Physical / Occupational / Speech Therapies PCA Provider Organization Medicare Certified / Medical Assistance Waivered Services / Private

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Belton

audience divide into small groups and develop lists around other disability conditions like blindness, deafness, learning disabilities, developmental disabilities, chemical sensitivities, etc. While some of the things apply to a lot of different disabilities, some of them are more specific to those with disabilities similar to my own. I feel it is inappropriate for me to speak for individuals with other types of disabilities, as I can only imagine, but never really know, their reality.

Nondisabled Privileges 1. I grew up in a family who has similar physical and mental abilities as I do.

2. When I look for housing, I have many choices in terms of location, price range, bedroom size.

3. I can go out in public without people staring at me, or having parents pull their children away from me.

4. I can arrange to meet someone for dinner at a restaurant without calling to see if I can get inside it.

5. I can catch a bus to work at most places and at most times in large urban areas.

6. I can find convenient bathroom facilities at my work or at public establishments.

7. In rainy weather, I can shelter myself with an umbrella.

8. I can interact with others without fear that they will ask me very personal questions about how I go to the bathroom or whether I can make love.

9. When I am dining with another person, I can safely assume that the wait person will ask me, not the person accompanying me, for my order.

10. When I enter a classroom, I have many options on where I can sit.

11. In inclement weather, I can choose to take routes that will keep me inside for the greatest amount of time.

12. If I am with my significant other, it is not assumed I am very lucky to have “found someone” and that the person I am with is somewhat of a saint.

13. I am never told how brave I am by strangers.

14. I am not purposely singled out by religious factions to “be saved.”

15. I can find a parking space large enough for me to get out of my vehicle.

16. I can skip a large-size class without fear of being noticed.

17. I am allowed to date people without my parents telling me I will get hurt.

18. I can attend my neighborhood school if I choose to.

19. People do not put a price tag on my rights.

20. If I am in a bad mood, it is not blamed on anything physical.

21. If I attend a social event (play, movie, concert, etc.), I can sit with another person or group of persons whom I choose.

22. I can do my own personal cares like bathing, dressing, toileting with no assistance from others.

23. When dining out, I can find a table that will allow me to sit comfortably.

24. When I go to a service counter, it is at a convenient height for me to be served.

25. If I need to make a phone call, I am able to locate a public telephone that I can reach.

26. When traveling by plane, I can choose a variety of seats and can use the bathroom if I need to.

27. I can use sidewalks and cross streets even if they don’t have curbcuts at the corners.

28. In snowy climates, I can still climb over a ridge of snow to gain access to where I am going.

29. I am not questioned on my ability to be a parent.

30. I am not viewed as “wonderful” for having a job.

31. I am viewed as a sexual person.

32. If my vehicle breaks down, I can usually arrange to catch a ride with a friend or co-worker.

33. When I arrive at an airport, I can take a taxi or shuttle service to my hotel.

34. When on vacation, I can rent a car that I am able to drive.

35. I can use a stroller when I take my small children out.

36. When shopping, I can browse through merchandise pretty much wherever it is displayed.

This list could go on, and as I stated previously, would be different depending on what type of disability someone has.

There are so many! But I hope what you will take from this piece is the concept of how the simplest things in life, that most people take for granted, a person with a disability cannot. We don’t have that privilege. The thing I would like you to remember is that most of these things can be changed. I would love to some day be able to take this list and cross things off because they would no longer be true. I would not be doing this work if I didn’t believe this possible. I hope that I can count on you to become a part of this effort to “cross things off the list,” even if it’s just in your life. Because that’s how change happens. Everyone can only be responsible for one person — themselves.



Linda Wolford is Director of Disability and Consumer Advocacy at Courage Center.

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Hello Nicole:

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June 10, 1999

5

Religion and Disability

Congregation’s Open Hearts Dear Nicole, I just finished reading my May issue of Access Press and boy am I depressed! It seems like we have so much against us.

It’s hard for me to believe that any group would have a conference called “Handicapping Freedom: The ADA.” Don’t they care at all about those of us who need special help?

What about OUR freedom?!!

Charlie is right that the state and governor should be ashamed that they won’t allow even some of the 3 billion dollar surplus to go toward bettering programs and services for those in need. They can’t even make a public apology to those who had their lives and freedom stolen from them in institutions! I’m so mad! I guess one of the most disturbing things was when I read Lolly Lijewski’s article about the ethicist at Princeton University who says that if a family has the ability to have a “normal” child and they have a disabled child, the disabled child should be killed and replaced by a “normal” child.

What is this world coming to?

What are we supposed to do about it? I feel like just giving up. They want to abolish us from the planet!

Sincerely, Disgusted

Dear Disgusted, I hear ya! I’m so glad you wrote in and expressed your anger.

You should be mad. We all should! It is disgusting the way people can be so selfish and greedy.

I wish I could answer your question, but I don’t know what the world is coming to. I think it’s important to “look at the bright side” when we feel like giving up, since giving up isn’t what we really want when we’re angry, what we really want is change.

The way I see the bright side is to remember our past. For example, athough there is a backlash against the ADA at least there is an ADA! As much as we can justly complain about this legislation being watered down, ignored or fought against, there was a time in the not distant past when most people had no idea that people with disabilities needed or even wanted access. Only recently have people with disabilities been thought about at all as being equal human beings! The fact that we are able to be angry about lack of services or access is a good sign. Even twenty years ago curb cuts,

ramps into buildings and accessible transit were rare. Now, I do not generally worry about schools, restaurants, stores or other public places being accessible to my wheelchair. Of course there are times when I should have worried, but I take general access as the norm. I think this is very important to notice, considering our movement is young and has made great progress when you compare it to the living situation of people with disabilities who lived twenty or fifty or a hundred years ago.

The same is true with personal care services and people’s general attitude about disability. In most large cities, being someone with a disability is no longer so strange. People with disabilities even show up on television commercials and programs. This is quite a change from fifty years ago when people with disabilities were mainly kept isolated at home and cared for by family members their entire lives. Only in 1976 were children with disabilities required to be educated. The world is changing, albeit gradually, and with any battle it is often a case of two steps forward one step back.

I think it’s important to keep these things in mind when we feel discouraged. It’s easy and very understandable why we get angry and discouraged.

We want to live! Unlike other minority groups, the civil rights issues that affect those of us with disabilities are not only political or equality issues but are very closely linked with basic survival. We aren’t asking for the right to vote or the right to drink out of the same water faucet, we’re asking for the right to be able to get out of bed in the morning and live in our own homes, not institutions!

This seems like it shouldn’t be a lot to ask, but considering our entire history and the fact that our physical disabilities frighten others and remind them of their own vulnerability (which they’d clearly rather not think about!), we’ve come a very long way in a short time.

As to the ethicist, medical technology has helped many of us with disabilities be able to survive, where in the past we might have died as a result of our disabilities. However, medical technology can also be used against us in issues of forced “euthanasia” and/or the ability to test a fetus and abort it if it isn’t “normal” (which is what I’m assuming he’s mainly talking about). These issues are new and need to be sorted out and worked through. Of course, there will be people

who think a disabled person’s life isn’t worth living (usually this is thought by people who believe they’d rather be dead than disabled. I wonder what they would do if really given the choice?) It would help if we could remember that those who think this way are ignorant of the truth of disabled life and therefore terrified of the idea.

In spite of what some of us say, I don’t believe any of us WANT to be disabled. It isn’t the same as being born African American or female or homosexual. We have physical pain, physical limitations and often chronic illness. No one wants that. However, there’s nothing wrong with us for being disabled, it’s simply life and we choose to live our lives to our highest ability in spite of barriers - this is the human spirit. Those who think people with disabilities shouldn’t be allowed birth or should be “put out of misery” don’t understand the ability of the human spirit to move beyond physical barriers to seek happiness and love. I think this evolution is what we mean when we say we wouldn’t take a miracle cure for our disability because we wouldn’t be who we are today without the lessons we’ve learned.

Definitely, we have reasons to be angry and discouraged right now. But it’s good to be angry! The anger is energy that pushes us to keep fighting the injustice and prejudice we all have to face on a daily basis. The more we fight, express ourselves and generally make our rights known to the public, the more likely it is that people’s attitudes about disability will change.

— Nicole Question? Complaint?

Comment? W r i t e to Nicole: % Access Press, 1821 University Ave. W, #185 N; St. Paul, MN 55104

by Ali Miller

A

s of May 1, 1999, over 2 3 5 congregations have joined the Accessible Congregations Campaign (ACC), a project of the Religion and Disability Program of the National Organization on Disability (N.O.D.). The ACC seeks 2,000 congregations by the year 2000 that are committed to welcoming people with disabilities. To join the campaign, a congregation must commit to removing its barriers - those of architecture, communications and attitudes. Once a congregation signs and returns the commitment form, they receive a certificate which designates them as an Accessible Congregation.

As a student intern at N.O.D., I have watched the commitment forms arrive and have been caught up in the excitement as I observe the eagerness that congregations display. But even more exciting is calling each congregation that has requested information about the campaign and following up on their progress. I have talked to people concerned with disability issues in congregations all across the United States.

The congregations are diverse.

They hold different beliefs.

They worship on different days of the week. They are located in all parts of the country. But they hold a common belief that children and adults with disabilities are made in the image of God and have gifts and talents to share. They are committed to removing the barriers that currently exist within their congregations.

Finally, there are the congregations that definitely stand out. These are the ones that cause me to forget my role of “consultant,” as I assume a role of “student” and learn from them. They are the congregations that remind me why disability ministry is so important and why I spent a semester away from college to learn more about it.

For example, there’s the church in Kansas City, Missouri which coordinates a program for adults with developmental disabilities. Approximately 7080 people attend the program weekly. There’s the congregation in Edwardsville, Illinois that prints copies of its bulletin in large print. A church in Birmingham, Alabama has recently made its communion rail accessible. The minister’s wife at a congregation in Muskogee, Oklahoma, provides sign-language interpretation during services. She also takes her ministry into the community, by interpreting for Deaf members whenever they need her services. A synagogue in Washington, DC is planning to make its bimah fully accessible by installing a lift.

I have had varied responses to my telephone calls. Of course, there are always congregations that intend to join the campaign, but the commitment Luther Memorial Church in form was lost. No problem! I South St. Paul is Minnesota’s

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simply send additional material and often, the commitment form is promptly returned.

Then, there are congregations that have read the campaign information, formed a disability task force, and taken steps toward removing barriers.

However, in the process, they have neglected to return the commitment form. Again, this is not a problem. Taking action is certainly more important than signing a form. These congregations, when reminded, usually mail the commitment form as a way to recognize their achievements.

** Group Charters

local representative in the Accessible Congregations Campaign. This congregation has already signed up for the campaign and is doing much to welcome children and adults with disabilities. The church building has no stairs, and the congregation is in the process of raising funds for an accessible restroom. There are 12 disability parking spaces, and they plan to expand them in response to requests. The congregation also offers assistive-listening devices and large-print devotional books.

And, in order to include a young man with developmental disabilities in confirmation, they recently adapted the classes so that he could participate fully.

The theme of the Accessible Congregations Campaign is “Access: It Begins in the Heart.” The Campaign seeks committed congregations rather than perfect ones. We are excited about any congregation that recognizes it has barriers and commits to removing them. If you would like to make this commitment and help us reach our goal of 2,000 congregations by the year 2000, please contact N.O.D. I will return to school next fall, but I plan to follow the progress of this campaign to make America’s congregations more welcoming and accessible to all of us.  Ali Miller is an intern with the Accessible Congregations Campaign, Religion and Disability Program, of the National Organization on Disability. The N.O.D. staff can be reached at: 202-293-5960 (voice), 202-293-5969 (TTY), 202-293-7999 (fax), or on their web pag: www.nod.org.

Thank you Access Press, and Charlie Smith, for your leadership in the community. By informing and involving persons with disabilities, we together will create a better health care delivery system.

AXIS Healthcare St. Paul, MN (651) 641-0887

6

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June 10, 1999

IDEA - Cont. from p. 6 priate accommodations and modifications, in general statewide and district-wide assessment programs. For those who cannot participate, alternative assessments must be developed and used

by July 1, 2000.

• Assessments must be done in the language used by the child at home or in school, unless it is clearly not feasible to do so.

4) Discipline:

tional behavioral assessment plan if one has not been done, or review an existing behavioral intervention plan. A manifestation review is required if the removal is a change of placement. A change of placement is defined as: the student is removed for more than 10 consecutive school days; or the student is removed a number of times, creating a pattern that adds up to more than ten school days in a school year.

• If a child is removed from • Schools may remove a child school, no special services for up to 45 days for weapmust be provided to them ons/drugs; a hearing officer during the first ten days of may remove a child for up to removal in a given school 45 days for dangerousness. year. After that, services must be provided to insure 5) Other: the child progresses in the general curriculum and is • If a child graduates with a advancing toward IEP goals. regular high school diploma, there is no obligation to pro• For removals of more than 10 vide a free and appropriate school days in the same education. However, this is school year, or for a removal considered a “change of that is a change of placeplacement” and requires writment, the IEP team must meet. ten prior notice.

The team will develop a func-

MA Alternative Services

by Mark Wilde

T

he Hennepin County Demonstration Project for People with Disabilities (HC DPPD) planning group is looking for Medical Assistance (MA) consumers to help create a better health care delivery management system.

cal Assistance every day.

intent of the new managed care model is to allow a more creative use of services than the existing structure. “There will be more freedom to cross current barriers of care,” Kessel said. “People should have more freedom of choice.”

As of May 25, they have talked to 14 groups and 130 MA consumers, agency representatives and family members.

There are more forums scheduled. One of the concerns that often comes up is the availCommunity interns Julie ability of alternative services. One key component of the Wegscheid and Bill Blom have proposed changes to MA will been hosting a series of con- As defined by the State, alter- be how eligibility for services sumer forums to get the input native services are purchased is determined. Under the curof people who deal with Medi- with MA dollars and medically rent system, MA recipients are necessary, but not in the DPPD eligible for alternative services benefit set. They are provided based on their diagnosis. to the consumer instead of the • If a “certificate of atten- DPPD benefits they would oth- In the proposed plan, consumers will be able to take advandance” is awarded rather erwise receive. tage of alternative services than a regular diploma, the child remains eligible for ser- In the forums, consumers have based on their need for supvices until the child receives said they want access to more port, not their diagnosis alone. a regular diploma or no longer and different kinds of services.

They like to see the doctor of For example, under the current meets age requirements. their choice, and they would system, consumer-directed These are but a few of the also like to have more control community support services are available only to consumchanges in the new IDEA regu- over their care plans. ers who have a developmental lations. For more information, contact: FAPE Project c/o Final decisions about what disability and a DD waiver slot PACER Center, Inc., 4826 Chi- types and kinds of care are from the state. cago Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN offered will be made in the fu55417. 1-888-248-0822, ture, but the HC DPPD team In the proposed plan, this serhas heard the concerns of con- vice could be available to a www.fape.org  sumers and is working hard to consumer based on their need, and regardless of their waiver The authors are co-di- meet their needs. status. This would give them rectors of Families and Advocates Partnership According to Patty Kessel, one more freedom than they curof the planning team members rently enjoy. for Education. and a public health nurse, the Consumer-directed community supports are activities chosen

by the consumer or their legal representative, which will help the person be more successful in their job, at home, and in the community.

“Consumer-directed support services are one kind of alternative service,” Kessel said.

“Alternative services need to be cost-effective, while allowing consumers to be more creative in using these services to increase the quality of their health care, and be more involved in directing their own care.”

The planning team is interested in hearing more about your concerns and questions. They are establishing a consumer planning group, as well as conducting additional consumer focus groups. There are also plans to sponsor training sessions for MA recipients.

If you are interested in attending one of the upcoming focus groups, or joining the planning group, please call (612) 3482200 or TDD (612) 596-6758.

HC DPPD staff will also come out to one of your community meetings.  This column is a paid insertion by the Hennepin County Demonstration Project for People with Disabilities.

WE SAL UTE SALUTE ACCESS PRESS

Citizens League

for nine years of informing the community about issues that impact all of us. Here’s to your continued success!

612-933-1126 ST. PAUL 651-641-1917

Sis Kenny

MINNEAPOLISADVISORY COMMITTEE ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

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June 10, 1999

7

Looking For Culture — Finding Peace

by Ann L. Kranz

H

istorians, sociologists, and anthropologists debate whether there is such a thing as disability culture.

Having little authority on the subject, I decided to attend the Disability and Culture Conference last month to develop my own perspective about its existence. As a feminist since my college years in the late 80s, I have felt solid in my understanding of the systems of oppression in our society that create unjust power imbalances between groups of people based on race, gender, class, age, ability and sexual orientation. As someone who was born with a disability, I know through experience what it is like to grow up looking very different than most. However, despite my life-long disability and my feminist ideology, I realized I was not exactly sure what disability culture was or if I was a part of it.

Popeye may have said it best when he coined the phrase “I am what I am.” I think this simple sentence conveys a sense of true liberation that comes from self-acceptance.

In the disability rights movement, another way to describe this self-acceptance is “disability pride.” Disability pride might look different from person to person, but for me, it was first attained when I became a feminist. I made the decision to no longer pretend that I was just like an ablebody. I let go of the pretense that I could transcend any of my physical limitations and navigate through this world just like everybody else. I accepted I was different and that was okay.

— each exacting a price.

Growing up as a poster child, I received a great deal of attention as one of Jerry’s kids.

People predominantly felt sorry for me, gave Jerry money to fix me, and based conversation with me from a place of pity. (I now view their pity as righteousness disguised with a sad face.) I realized I didn’t want people to feel sorry for me. I wanted them to see me just as they did anybody else, but I was not like everybody else, I was different. To overcome my difference and alter their standpoint of pity, I felt I must always prove myself.

from our disabilities or isolate ourselves from the rest of the world. We must reject society’s notion that interdependence is bad and that vulnerability and need make us weak. Disability pride means we renounce others’ beliefs that we are not strong enough, smart enough, fast enough, competent enough, pretty enough, capable enough. We, as a community of people with As disabled people, we must disabilities, must learn to model not disassociate ourselves acceptance and appreciation

So, in my adolescence, I became SuperCrip. I excelled in academics, honed talents in the arts, and surrounded myself with many able-bodied friends. While all these can be viewed as positive, I was internally developing a disregard for my disability. I resented it.

It was holding me back. It was something I strove to overcome in my life—instead of acknowledging its presence and profound effect upon me.

Both ends of the spectrum between Jerry’s kid and SuperCrip came at a cost for me. Neither promoted the full expression of my life as a human being with a full range of emotions and needs.

I believe our repeated attempts to mask our difference only erode our sense of self. Over time, it takes a toll on esteem. I strive to consciously remind myself not to attach shame to my needs; not to become embarrassed each time I ask for help, do things a little differAfter making this realization, ently, or move more slowly than my behavior changed. For ex- those around me. ample, I no longer whispered to my friend to remove my coat Sitting at the conference, with when no one was looking. more than eighty other proud, Other people with disabilities disabled people, created a attending the conference re- sense of community because layed similar stories. One per- of the identity we shared. I son who is blind described the recognized the personal power moment she made the decision each of us held and its cumulato quit walking without a cane tive presence inspired me, reso no one would notice she minded me of lost lessons, could not see. Another at- and made me feel proud. I felt tendee explained how she like I was drinking in accepstopped hiding her “walking” tance, comfort, support, and sticks under her desk at school. empowerment. I realized how thirsty I was without even It is understandable why so knowing it. I was disturbed many of us try so hard not to how easily I had slipped back appear disabled. Anglo-Euro- into the pattern of trying not to pean society has a poor track be too different, too disabled. record in its views and treat- I began wondering when I had ment of people with disabili- resumed old behavior: disties. Stemming mostly from creetly removing my coat away either contempt or pity, my from public eye, concealing my ancestors locked cripples need for assistance in the away, sentenced mutes to restroom, and trying to park death, or portrayed us as icons my chair so it would be out of of pity to boost donations from the way. Shame’s subtle, powSamaritans. erful return surprised me.

People with disabilities have learned unhealthy coping mechanisms as a result of this age-old “contempt versus pity” dichotomy. We have often reacted by either playing the part of Jerry’s Kid or SuperCrip

disability and am interested in issues well beyond the seat of this chair. Acknowledging my status as disabled does not deny I have other aspects and traits which define me. Nor does it imply my disability encompasses all of who I am.

Rather, I merely recognize it as a matter of fact and join the community of others who define themselves in a similar way.

Disability pride promotes positive health and well being. I think we fear that if we acknowledge our disabilities, on some level it means we define ourselves by our disabilities. I am shaped by more than my

U Care

of difference. We must consciously discard ableism and say, “I am what I am.” That is disability pride-that sense of comfort and self-acceptance.

The belief that each of us has an intentional place in the world and that each of our lives is “as it should be.”

existence all they want. I recommend each person with a disability make a personal determination about culture.

And, if you go looking for it as I did, do not be surprised if you find a sense of peace along the way. 

Ann Kranz works at the UniWhile I went to the conference versity of Minnesota and is looking for disability culture, on the board of the Disability what I found seems immeasur- Institute. ably more valuable to me. The various gurus can debate its

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June 10, 1999

HUD Awards H

ennepin County is one of three counties nationwide to receive an award from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for one of its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) programs. The county received the National Community Development In-

novation Award for its “Build- year. Their design is flexible ing with Care” program. and works well for long or short-term use.

“Building with Care” is a program that provides home The original idea for modular accessibility modifications, in residential ramps came in 1991 the form of modular ramps, for from Bob Zimmerman, an indepeople’s homes. The ramps pendent living counselor with are portable, reusable, and can the Minnesota Division of be installed throughout the Rehabilitation Services in St. Paul. One of Zimmerman’s biggest challenges was to overcome the numerous barriers to developing an affordable ramp that could withstand Minnesota’s weather. In conjunction with the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL), the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and the (now defunct) United Handicapped Federation, Zimmerman created The Ramp Project, which has since built more than 450 modular ramps.

Hennepin County was one of the first local governments to work with The Ramp Project.

The county contracts with the Twin Cities Tree Trust for construction, installation, and recycling of the modular ramps.

Tree Trust is a non-profit corporation that trains and employs special needs youth and adults. Start-up funds for the project came from Hennepin County’s federal block grant (CDBG), from MCIL, and from the Minnesota Division of Rehabilitation Services.

Hennepin County residents needing ramps can access them through community health, veterans services, rehabilitation services and housing programs. 

New Program For Deaf Refugees

by Michael Zeledon

D

E A F Incorporated and its management partner, Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD) of Minnesota, are pleased to announce new programming in Minnesota for refugees who are deaf or hard of hearing. The Deaf Refugee Community Resource Program, funded by the Refugee Section of the Minnesota Department of Human Services, is designed to assist new refugees build language skills to better understand their new community in the United States.

Many programs serving refugees and immigrants in Minnesota have been successful in doing outreach and combining resources to assist new arrivals to the United States. However, refugees and immigrants who are Deaf or hard of hearing have not experienced the same level of access to traditional community service programs. For example, many Deaf refugees come to the United States without any formal language or communication skills, thereby lacking the ability to benefit from most English as a Second Language classes, job training programs and other support services.

New laws require non-citizens receiving government benefits to take citizenship classes, but

many Deaf and hard of hearing refugees are ill prepared to understand the concept of citizenship or enter any form of citizenship training classes.

Additionally, refugees often come to the United States after experiencing trauma, losing their homes, leaving family members behind and having to endure what most Americans will never experience in a lifetime. They are often unsure where to begin looking for support services that are respectful of their culture, beliefs and practices. Add to that the need for services for a family member who is Deaf or hard of hearing, and it can seem insurmountable. In some cases, family members may be left with the decision to keep Deaf or hard of hearing members in the home. Some individuals never venture out and experience the opportunities this country has to offer them. Part of the new programming is committed to community outreach to identify isolated individuals and to encourage family members to help them participate in classes.

In the United States, Deaf and hard of hearing people have a variety of choices in education, a vast range of technology available, and laws to support the quest for equality in

the work place. Deaf refugees also need to have choices and equal access to appropriate education and job opportunities. These choices are unavailable without minimum language skills. It is hoped that through American Sign Language (ASL) classes, case management coordination, and learning community resources, many refugees who are Deaf or hard of hearing can begin the process of learning, with the goal of becoming United States citizens one day.

Elise Knopf will coordinate the Deaf Refugee Community Resource Program activities.

Knopf, a graduate of Gallaudet University’s Masters Degree program in Rehabilitation Counseling, has worked with Deaf people, including refugees and immigrants, for the past five years in Boston, Massachusetts. Prior to graduate school, Knopf worked for U.S. Senator Tom Harkin in Washington, D.C. For further information, or to make referrals, please contact Elise Knopf, Case Management Coordinator, CSD of Minnesota, 413 Wacouta Street, Suite 300, St. Paul, MN 55101; 651-297-6702 (TTY); 651-2976766 (fax); or mail to:  EliseKnopf@deafinc.org 

The Minnesota STAR Program Recognizes ACCESS PRESS for its accomplishments in the last nine years. Thank you for providing valuable information to the disability community.

MS

The STAR Program A System of Technology to Achieve Results 1-800-657-3862 Voice, 1-800-657-3895 TTY Ensuring access to assistive technology and devices for Minnesotans with disabilities.

Metro Transit

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Behind The Scenes At AP

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June 10, 1999

9

Accessible Arts Performances

by Charlie Smith, Editor

A

nother year has gone by and ACCESS PRESS and I are delighted to thank the many people whose time and talents make the paper a success.

The columnists are: Nicole on personal issues; Pete Feigal on mental illnesses; and Mary Jane Steinhagen who has coordinated the religion column for years. Mary Jane retired late last year and the responsibility for the religion columns has now passed to John Schaztlein. LeeAnne Dahl also retired this year from writing Life Goes On. Craig McClellan and Luke Pedersen are still on the Sports Beat. Lolly Lijewski is the coordinator and frequent writer of the column on disability culture. Jeff

Nygaard keeps us all up-todate on the changes facing Social Security, and provides insightful commentaries on a varitety of other topics as well.

Scott Adams has been with us from the beginning and continues to provide new perspectives through his cartoons. The Wizard of Spatial Relations, Ellen, manages to take our layout ideas and turn them into a newspaper, with the help of Andy Kaufman at Western Printers. On the day of publication, Bob and the staff of Hometown Distribution deliver the paper to over 180 sites around the metro area.

Goodwill/Easter Seals delivers papers to Madelia and Moorhead, and we ship them to Goodwill/Easter Seals locations in Rochester, St. Cloud

and Willmar. CIL’s in East Grand Forks, Hibbing, Mankato and Marshall distribute papers around their communities. We are very excited that we have been able to expand outstate distribution this year.

American Sign Language 6/30, Wed., 7:30 pm, Performances (ASL) Aselebygdens Folkdanslag, Weyerhaueser Auditorium, 6/11, Friday, 7:30 Little Landmark Ctr., St. Paul Women, Lyric Arts Pocket Theatre, Anoka (612 422-1838, Audio Described use Relay Service) Performances (AD)

Donna McNamara, editorial assistant, development director, office manager . . . this list could go on and on of the actitivies she handles here in the office.

* 6/12 & 13, Sat. 8:00 pm & Sun. 3:00 pm, Voices of the People, One Voice Mixed Chorus

* 6/27, Sun., 2:00 pm, State Fair, Cross Community Players, Osseo High School, Osseo

Bob Christensen

Scott Adams

6/26, Sat., 2:00 pm, Miss Saigon, Ordway Music Theatre, St. Paul

* 6/13, Sun., 3:00 pm, Voices of 6/27, Sun., 2:00, Evita, the People, One Voice Mixed Orpheum Theater, Mpls., (call Chorus, (call 612- 344-9663, use 612-373-5650) Relay Service) * These asterisked perfor6/18, Fri., 8:00 pm, Heartbreak mances are eligible for reHouse, Theatre in the Round, duced admission prices Mpls. through the Access to Theatre project. Contact the * 6/19, Sat., 8:00 pm, The Heir- theater or VSA Minnesota ess, Park Square Theatre, St. (612-332-3888) for further Paul details.

6/18, Fri., 8:00 pm, Sweeney Todd, Guthrie Lab, Mpls. (700 Last, but not least, I’d like to N. 1st St.) thank everyone in the disability community and our adver- * 6/19, Sat., 8:00 pm, The Heirtisers. You provide the ar- ess, Park Square Theatre, St. ticles, support and contribu- Paul tions which keep the paper going. We look forward to hear- 6/20, Sun., 2:00 pm, There 6/19, Sat., 1:00 pm, Sweeney ing from you in the coming Goes the Bride, Rochester Todd, Guthrie Lab, Mpls. (700 N. 1st St.) Civic Theatre, Rochester year.

6/26, Sat., 2:00 pm, Miss Saigon, Ordway Music Theatre, St. Paul

Jeff Nygaard

6/25, Fri., 8:00 pm, The Golem, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, Mpls.

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10

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June 10, 1999

Renovation Complete

A Glimpse At The Legislature

Vision Loss Resources Updates Building

Incredible Opportunity For U Of M Graduate Student

by Amy Farrar

T

he grand opening on May 4 of the newly remodeled Vision Loss Resources (VLR) in Minneapolis marks an exciting new time for the non-profit, which provides services and training to blind and visually impaired people. The renovation adds greater flexibility, safety, and beauty to the 1903 building located at 1936 Lyndale Avenue South.

Societies for the Blind (the MSB had been operating since 1914; the SSB since the 1920s).

The merger has allowed the two organizations to combine their resources and eliminate duplication of services. They purchased the building in 1945 after it had been owned by Red River Lumber Company, and then bt a Packard dealership.

Fundraising for the project began in 1995, toward a total cost of $2 million. Renovation and demolition began a year ago. VLR raised $450,000 from foundations. “A gener-

Prior to the remodeling, the north end of the building was separated into small spaces that had been falling into a state of disrepair. Not only did the remodeling let more light into the area, it created a space that can now be used in a variety of ways. Four instructional areas can be created with moveable walls.

Work areas were also created for twenty staff members. The space is now a more workable area for the Rehabilitation Center’s equipment, most of ous benefactor gave us which is on wheels. $450,000 ten years ago for capital expenditures,” said Fischer, “We chose not to just paint helping them reach the and recarpet the building,” $900,000 mark. The city of said Steve Fischer, Vision Loss Minneapolis provided $24,000 Resource’s executive director. in Community Develpment He said the building hadn’t Block Grant funds, and VLR been remodeled since the contributed $1.4 million of its 1970’s, and its layout no longer own resources. suited VLR’s expanding needs.

The biggest change brought Environmentally, the building on by the remodeling was to is now much safer. Asbestos the building’s Rehabilitation has been removed and air comCenter, which was relocated ing into the building now enfrom the north end to the south ters it from above the street side of the building, where the instead of at street level, where floor was taken out between pollution and fumes were cirthe first and second stories to culating into the building becreate an atrium effect. The fore. The underside of the building’s original timbers were second story roof had also left in place and exposed. been charred from a fire in the 1950s and had to be sandAccording to Fischer, the feed- blasted. back he’s received on the renovations has been ex- Most notably, the entrance to tremely positive. “The area in the building was changed so which we do business has changed,” he said. “It’s a nice place to be and has a good effect on our clients and their families.”

Vision Loss Resources provides services to approximately 3,000 people a year. Classes in its Rehabilitation Center include Braille, keyboard training, cooking, technology and voice programs to facilitate use of the Internet, among others.

VLR’s Seniors and Chronically Ill (SCI) program offers counseling and interest related activities. Volunteers assist with helping clients attain an independent life in their own living environment.

VLR was created as the result of a merger in 1992 between the Saint Paul and Minneapolis

O.P.

that people can now enter from the parking lot instead of the by Karen Adamson street corner. This makes parkor many years as a public ing for Metro Mobility more health nurse in Hennepin accessible and it is safer for County, I have worked with people to enter and exit the families affected by a variety of building. legislative actions. As I have In addition, VSA Minnesota sat in kitchens and living rooms has provided art work to VLR and discussed the issues and that is displayed throughout problems that many of these the building. The art work is families face, the idea of taking rented and gives artists with legislative action never ocdisabilities the chance to dis- curred to me. After observing play and sell their work. The art the most recent session at the is turned over every three legislature, mentored by Anne months to give new artists an Henry, I feel very differently. I opportunity to display their understand the responsibility that we all have to share inforwork. mation from our everyday exVLR hired Crowley, perience that impacts the legWhite and Associ- islative process. ates to write the grant and conduct the As an expert in disability law, fundraising. They Anne provides consultation hired the architec- to many legislators and their tural firm Kreck, staffs regarding the content O’Brien, Mueller, & and structure of much of the Wass, Inc. to do the disability legislation being prodesign, and general posed. She was very helpful in contractor Crawford- assisting me to understand the Merz to carry out the legislative process and stratec o n s t r u c t i o n . gies that are involved in getFischer said none of these firms ting the ideas off of the kitchen came in as the lowest bid. “We table and into the committee felt most comfortable with hearings. I was very impressed these people,” he said. “We by the number of committed felt quality and overall satis- individuals who are working faction depended on a work- on issues through the Consortium of Citizens with Dising relationship.” abilities (CCD). The team efVLR’s choice of consultants fort and tenacity required to and contractors paid off, with see a bill to fruition is incredhappier clients and employ- ible. By watching Anne, I came ees. The attention paid to cre- to understand that simply getating a more soothing, aes- ting support and getting the thetic environment that is also message heard by legislators more functional “has created a brand new space - in a won- The renovations have opened derful old building,” said up a new phase of growth for Fischer. Also added during VLR. This fall, the organizathe remodeling was an indoor tion will use its new space to atrium. It includes trees, park offer additional services in the benches, a water fountain, and form of a Community Center, lots of greenery. The atrium which is currently in the provides a place of relaxation planning stages. The center to people who may be involved will offer social and leisure acin some very intense course tivities, classes, computer work. availability, dances, and a place  for interest groups to meet.

F

is only the first step. The next step requires careful and constant communication to make certain that the issue remains a priority with the legislature.

Hopefully it will remain salient after other causes have been dropped.

While working with Anne I was able to observe the ebb and flow of the session. There are long committee meeti n g s where any number ofimportant (or not so important) issues get presented. The most interesting times for me this session were when disability legislation was being heard in various committees.

Anne and other very committed and articulate members of the disability community made presentations. The legislators were visibly moved by wellconstructed testimony that illustrated the dire need for reform. I learned a great deal about how to make a point specifically and quickly. I was caught up in the excitement of the omnibus bills. It was amazing to me that all that money could get divvied up so quickly with many valid and good causes simply omitted. Again I realized that just having a

good cause is not enough. For me, the conference committees were intriguing but illusive. I knew from Anne’s voice mail and the news that there must be negotiations going on, but I was not able to get to many of the meetings. When I saw the final bill I could only imagine how hard Anne, and all of the disability advocates, had worked. Obviously substantial gains had been made.

As I listened to the closing of the session on May 17, I was struck with a sense of sadness, which surprised me. As a fulltime graduate student who also works part time, going to the legislature on a regular basis took quite a bit of time from my daily routine. However as I discussed legislation with families and other health professionals working with children with disabilities, I was encouraged to continue. As we face incredible staff shortages, many families are hurting and in need of more help. I am so grateful to have had the experience of working with Anne Henry. I only hope that I am able to use the legislative process to help the families that I see on a daily basis. 

Thank you, Access Press, for providing nine years of committed service and advocacy to the disability community!

Committed to full lives for people with disabilities.

Vinland Center Lake Independence • P.O. Box 308 • Loretto, MN 55357 Voice/TTY: 612/479-3555 • Fax: 612/479-2605 e-mail: vinland@mtn.org

website: http://www.mtn.org/vinland

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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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n Commentary

I Am Very Sorry Thoughts About Apology And Forgiveness

by Charlie Lakin (This opinion is a condensed version of comments presented following the screening of a new documentary film entitled “A Few Simple Words.” [Reviewed in May 1999 A.P.]) Few things so consistently move me as pictures of the gravestones, with only numbers, overgrown by weeds, lost in time, that lie on the grounds of Minnesota’s state institutions. The successful effort of people with disabilities and their allies to identify the people lying under those stones and to provide them with a final dignity of a headstone bearing their name and time on earth has been a remarkable accomplishment. I am pleased those numbered stones are gone, but it is good that the pictures remain. Those pictures will forever remind us of the collective sadness we should feel for the lives lost, the rights violated, the family members forgotten, the opportunities unrealized, the dignity denied. It’s all so powerfully reflected in the chiseled numbers on those cold stones.

The despair these stones make us feel was far from the minds of the early founders of Minnesota’s state institutions.

They thought they had a way to really help people with disabilities. The founders of Faribault State School, back in 1879, thought children with learning difficulties could be brought to Faribault and there they would be taught skills that would allow them to return to their communities and live productive lives.

Of course, today, we know that sending people to live in institutions to learn how to live in the community is like sending them to China to learn how to speak French. And it was not long before the superintendents at Faribault had pretty much figured that out. If we had been honest about our failure, we would have closed the place down right then and there. It would have been easy.

In 1900 there were only a few hundred people living at Faribault. But we didn’t do the

right and honest thing, and for that we should say we are sorry.

So Faribault wasn’t closed. But because people now knew it was not going to be effective in training children to rejoin society, changes were going to be inevitable. The children would grow into adults and Faribault would need to get ready to be a place for adults. Already in 1895, then-superintendent of the school George Knight, knew that. He wrote with enthusiasm about how the residents (in those days the term “inmates” was used) could be organized, managed and trained to do what ever it took to make the institution run as cheaply as possible. The “polite” term applied to this exploitation is “peonage.” Under other circumstances, people who have committed no crime, but are required to work without pay and chased down if they try to escape, are called slaves. We should have recognized the evil of this “peonage.” We should have stopped it. We should have said we were sorry. But we did not.

rogatives [rights] of those who are mentally unfit to manage themselves, who are an everlasting burden on the public, who cause both loss of life and loss of property, and who are the principal cause of all human misery and suffering?”

Think of the thousands of people who were forced to live their lives under the control of Mr. Hanna, and then to be buried under a numbered stone. Today, of course, we know that, much more often than perpetrators of crime, people with disabilities are the victims of crime.

The second big lie was that people with learning difficulties were having large numbers of babies. And those babies themselves all had learning difficulties. And then these babies all grew up and became criminals and immoral people, too. There was no truth to that.

And all it took to find out was a little effort to see if it was true.

But no one made the effort.

That relates to the third big lie.

These so-called experts claimed they had a scientific basis for their ideas. There was no science behind what they said, but they were believed because they were believed to be experts. They were the leaders. People trusted them. Never trust experts. They get away with far too much.

In the early part of this century a new evil descended on people with learning difficulties. It was called eugenics. The eugenics movement was enthusiastically promoted by the superintendents of public institutions. This movement was In the first quarter of this cenbased on three great lies. tury these lies caused 3 bad The first of the great lies was things: most of the great social ills in America could be traced to 1) Placements in Faribault State people with learning difficul- School began to increase rapties. Crime, poverty, home- idly, so that from 1900 to 1920 lessness, children borne out- the population increased from side of marriage, immorality about 700 to 2000 people. and everything else was “bad” was the result of people 2 ) So many people were being with learning difficulties— institutionalized that in 1925 a whom they called “the feeble- second state institution was minded.” While the most vis- opened in Cambridge. ible leaders of the eugenics movement were on the East 3 ) Minnesota, like most other coast, Faribault’s superinten- states, began a program of indent Guy C. Hanna fell right voluntary sterilization to prein step. He thought all who vent parenting by persons with were “feeble-minded” should learning difficulties. We know be sent to a place like Faribault. of at least 2000 sterilizations And what about their rights? under this law in Minnesota, “Why,” he asked, “should we but there were undoubtedly be so tender about the pre- hundreds, perhaps thousands, of others that went unrecorded.

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n

The lies of the eugenicists were terrible lies and they had terrible effects on people with disabilities. Today we see that despite their Harvard educations and medical degrees, how foolish they were. But many people, people with the power to shape public policy, found it convenient to believe them and to act in the ways that they advised. People were scorned, abused and deprived of liberty because people of reason did not stand up to these men. For that we should feel ashamed.

June 10, 1999 psychology experiments because we held little more respect for them than we did for mice.

There is so much to apologize for. We need to apologize because we made mistakes. We need to apologize because we said things that weren’t true.

We need to apologize because we allowed ourselves to become victims of prejudice. We believed people who told lies because it was easier to call them experts than to investigate the truth of what they said. We kept doing harmful In many ways I think the sad- things even when we knew dest time in the history of they were harmful. These misMinnesota’s institutions came takes hurt people. after the big lies were no longer believed. From 1930 our insti- When good people realize they tutions continued to grow, not have hurt others, they ask to because they were successful be forgiven. Asking forgivein achieving any particular ness is a way of promising that goal, but just because they we recognize our errors. It’s a were there. About 35 years way of saying we will never passed between the time we make that mistake again. It is figured out that our institu- an act of atonement that allows tions were unproductive and those who were wronged and essentially pointless, and the their “descendants” to close a time we began to reduce their wound they did not create. populations. I sometimes think that it is about this period— At the beginning of World from the late 1920s, to the early War II, after the bombing of 1960s—that people with learn- Pearl Harbor, Japanese-Ameriing difficulties should feel cans were placed in concentramost betrayed. There was no tion camps. They were not rationale for putting people in segregated because of what institutions, and yet they con- they had done, but because of tinued to grow. what public prejudice believed about them. Our government By 1962 Minnesota’s institu- was wrong in acting as it did. tions housed over 6000 people with developmental disabili- A couple of years ago our govties. People knew that these ernment, representing all of us, so-called “schools” were not teaching people things that would improve the condition of their lives. Still, there they stood, separating people with learning difficulties from the families and communities into which they were born and had every right to stay. For that we should apologize.

11

formally apologized to the Japanese-Americans who were put in those concentration camps, and to all Japanese-Americans, for this wrongful act. We did not ask them to forgive only the people who worked in those camps. Indeed, many Japanese-Americans express great gratitude for the kindness, compassion and assistance provided to them by those who worked in the camps. We asked them to forgive us all, as members of a society which made a terrible mistake. We are a better country for having asked forgiveness for what we did to our Japanese-American neighbors, and we would be better still for doing the same with our fellow citizens with learning difficulties.

People admitting their trespasses against others is an important act of reconciliation.

Some day soon Minnesota’s leaders, on behalf of those of us without disabilities, will show us to be good enough to finally say we are sorry. On that day Minnesotans with disabilities will be gracious enough to say, “Its ok, you are forgiven.” And from that day we will end our divisions and walk toward a better future, together.  The author is Director of the Research & Training Center on Community Living at the U of M. He was active in drafting a resolution of apology which was introduced in the state legislature in 1997.

Arc

of Hennepin County

Salutes

Of course, there is plenty more to apologize for in the past 35 years. We gave electric shocks to people when they did not act as we wanted. We put people in isolation for speaking the truth about their treatment. We gave people drugs until they could barely walk because they tried to run away.

We treated people like mice in

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June 10, 1999

SESSION - Cont. from p. 1 1999. When the lifetime therapy sessions have been used, all additional therapy must be approved through prior authorization. The Department of Human Services must work with therapists and advocates to develop a definition of specialized maintenance therapy by November 15, 1999.

Common Vision Funding for Advocating Change Together’s (ACT) Common Vision program, which trains people with developmental disabilities around the state in self-advocacy and community organizing skills, was one of the items deleted by Governor Jesse Ventura’s lineitem VETO authority. Having

Congratulations to

Access Press!

Thank you for your continuing efforts to increase awareness and effect change. Keep up the good work, you are an important part of our community.

The residents and staff of Accessible Space, Inc.

Goodwill/Easter Seals

passed the House and Senate, with strong support from both Democrats and Republicans, the bill’s veto came as a shock.

The governor’s justification for this veto claims the program is a duplication of services, yet ACT is the only organization in Minnesota, and possibly in the nation, with a training program of this kind.

tives for providing interpreting services to people who are Deaf who live in areas of the state where there are no freelance interpreters.

Translation Services

Effective May 8, no-fault automobile insurance companies are required to pay for sign language and other language Brain Injury Research interpreters as necessary medical benefits, when the medical A provision of the Health and care is associated with a car Human Services Omnibus bill accident. calls for a study and report to the legislature by January 15, Transit 2000, on the status of people with brain injuries residing in Transit funds granted by the public and private institutions. legislature are for inflationary The goal of the study is to increases only. The Metrodetermine the types of services politan Council received a toneeded to allow people to re- tal of $109 million in funding for turn to their communities. transit. $70.9 million for Metro Transit (mainline bus) and $38.1 Mental Health Council million for Metro Mobility. This means that hopes of expandMembership on the State Ad- ing service to outlying areas in visory Council on Mental greater Minnesota and the Health has been modified by outer suburbs of the metro area the legislature. Effective Au- will not occur. Transit advogust 1, Council membership cates plan to push for addimust include a representative tional funding next year, for from the Mental Health Con- both rural and metro transit. sumer/Survivor Network, and one or more of the council Crisis Housing members must be a person of color. The law also requires The Crisis Housing Program that the Council report to the for persons with mental illness legislature on its activities. provides for up to 90 days of rental assistance when the Deaf Interpreter Services person is in a hospital for treatment of mental illness. This Effective August 1, the pro- funding often serves as a way cess for obtaining deaf inter- for people to retain their houspreter services will be amended ing in spite of being hospitaland outdated provisions deal- ized. The legislature appropriing with the way the Depart- ated the full funding request of ment of Human Services pur- $300,000 for this program for chases communication de- the biennium. vices for the state-run Equipment Distribution Program will Bridges Transitional be repealed. The new law will Housing add interpreting services to the purview of the Deaf and Hard- Bridges received a $300,000 of-Hearing Service Division, increase over the biennium, to enable it to explore alterna- which is an increase of just under 10%. Bridges provides people with serious and persistent mental illness with rental assistance while they are waiting for Section 8 housing.

We are proud to be associated with ACCESS PRESS.

Congratulations on nine years of valued service to people with disabilities.

the Mental Health Association and NAMI-MN worked in collaboration on this bill. Hearings were held in the Economic Development Policy Committees of the House and Senate.

Language was passed that requires collaboration between the Department of Human Services and the Department of Economic Security in the provision of employment and community supports for people with mental illness. Points of collaboration were passed into law and the language requires the Commissioner of Economic Security to study and monitor the services provided for effectiveness. The Commissioner of Economic Security must provide the 2001 Legislature with the number of persons with mental illness that, with appropriate supports, want and are able to work, including the cost of providing the necessary supports. While this was important language to be passed into law, additional funding for supportive employment was NOT provided.

Office of Ombudsman for Corrections This office was funded by the Judiciary Conference Committee with a reduced budget. The office had been eliminated by actions of the House Ways and Means Committee late in the session. The office is directed to hear and investigate allegations arising from within state prisons and local jails.

Provider Rate Increases

Community health care providers and direct care staff were given a 4% cost of living increase for the first year of the next biennium and a 3% cost of living increase for the second year. The section stipulates that at least 80% of the additional revenue must be used to increase the compensation paid to direct care staff. In addition, increases were provided for doctors, dentists, hospitals, therapists and other health care providers. Tuition waivers for direct care staff at state Mental Health Employment colleges for $100,000 each year was VETOED by the The League of Women Voters, Governor.

Home Care Services Specializing in the care of Children • Adults • Elderly

a professional association

Keep Up The Good Work!

The Medical Assistance Work Incentive legislation has been signed into law and becomes effective July 1, 1999. Currently, adults with disabilities who need health care services available through Medical Assistance (MA), such as personal care assistance services, must “spenddown” their income to stay eligible. This change in state law will allow working adults with disabilities who need MA coverage to pay a premium and obtain MA rather than “spending down” their income to the MA Income Standard. Summary of the new law: 1. Adds a new category of eligibility to the Medical Assistance program with the following requirements: a. must be employed; b. must meet the Social Security disability standards (SSI or SSDI); c. all earned and unearned income disregarded; d. may have savings o other assets up to $20,000 plus retirement, medical savings accounts and assets allowed by SSI (home, personal belongings under $2,000 value, car under some circumstances); e. spouse’s income and assets are not counted; f. must pay a premium if gross earned and unearned income is over 200% ($1,372 per month) of the federal poverty guidelines (FPG).

2. Establishes a premium payment schedule based upon 10% of earned and unearned income over 200% of FPG (about $16,000 gross annual income). Premiums will rise on a sliding scale beginning around $4 per month and increasing until the premium equals the actual cost of coverage.

MA Income Standard The Medical Assistance income standard was increased $14 per month beginning July 1, 2000 for 12,000 elderly and disabled MA recipients who must spend down their monthly Social Security and other income.

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Work Incentives

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The senior drug program was fully funded for people eligible for Medicare who are under 65 years of age, but was NOT expanded to include people with disabilities on Medicare who are under age 65.

Our Rehabilitative Services include: Physical/ Occupational/Speech/Respiratory Therapies

Personal Care Assistance Services

PCA Provider Organization MA/Waiver/Medicare Certified

A number of changes were made to Personal Care Assistant services, including:

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Session - cont. on p. 13

n

Disability Parking, Plates and ID cards

ment certificates in a six year period; when a disabled person is dropped off and a nondisabled person then parks the vehicle at a disability parking space or meter (without paying), it must be for the sole benefit of the disabled person and within a reasonable distance of the drop off point; a person may park at a nonmetered, time limited passenger vehicle parking space without regard to the time limit unless it is otherwise stated on the sign; and local municipalities may establish a permit program for long-term parking.

The law also makes it easier for a person with a disability to obtain disability plates for a vehicle that has been modified for permanent use by someone with a disability. A physician’s statement documenting the disability is no longer required.

year, with the support of the MS Society, to help people with complaints and questions about their health plan. This year the legislature eliminated its funding. Instead, the legislature provided $50,000 for a study to determine whether there is a need for this type of office. The MS Society will continue to advocate for funding the office.

T

he National Multiple Sclerosis Society (MS), Minnesota Chapter, is holding its 8th annual Skate Up North (MS S.U.N. 75) August 7-8. This two-day, 75-mile inline skating tour, starts in Hinckley, overnights in Moose Lake and finishes in Duluth.

The route follows the Willard Munger State Trail, which is the longest paved trail in the nation.

Home Counseling Services In the Jobs and Economic Development Omnibus Bill, H.F. 2390, the legislature appropriated $50,000 the first year and $50,000 the second year from the Community Rehabilitation Program for grants to Arc Minnesota. The grants will be used to provide entry cost assistance, and prepurchase and postpurchase counseling.

Grants are for persons with various disabilities and are designed to encourage home ownership among people with disabilities. 

In another provision, the $12.50 fee for obtaining a Minnesota state identification card was lowered to $.50 for individuals with mental illness.

Contributors to legislative coverage this session have Patient Protection included: Sue Abderholden, PACER; Jeff Bangs-berg, This patient protection bill Becklund Home Health Care; provides for external, indepen- Bob Brick, Arc MN; Tom Brick, dent review of health plan de- Minnesota State Council on nials, terminations and reduc- Disability; Rick Cardenas, tions to an enrollee’s health ACT; Anne Henry, Minnesota care treatment. The review re- Disability Law Center; Tom quires filing a written request Johnson, NAMI-MN; Lolly and payment of an administra- Lijewski, MCIL; Gene Martive fee. tinez, Arc Hennepin; Joel Ulland, MS Society.

Health Care Consumer Assistance Office

The disability parking language, part of a much larger Transportation Omnibus Bill, was signed into law on May 25, 1999. The new language tightens up the overall disability parking provisions and pro- This office was created last vides for greater accountability and enforcement.

The MS S.U.N. 75 is a fully supported tour. The MS Society takes care of everything, including meals, rest stops every 5-7 miles, mechanical support, support and gear (SAG) vehicles for weary skaters, transportation for overnight gear, entertainment and

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an official MS S.U.N. 75 T- loss of vision. shirt.

Most people with MS are diagProceeds support programs nosed between the ages of 20 that help fulfill the MS Society’s and 40, but the unpredictable mission to end the devastating physical and emotional effects effects of MS. In 1998, 27 can be lifelong. The progress, teams — a total of 154 skaters severity and specific symp— raised more than $45,000 for toms of MS in any one person the MS Society. This year’s cannot yet be predicted, but goal is to have 43 teams partici- advances in research and treatpate in this fundraising event. ment are giving hope to those There is a $25 registration fee, affected by the disease. and participants are required to raise a minimum pledge of If you would like information $150. about the 1999 MS S.U.N. 75, or for an MS research update, Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, call the Minnesota Chapter at often disabling disease of the (612) 335-7900 or 1-800-582central nervous system. 5296 (v/tty), or visit www.

Symptoms may be mild, such mssociety.com on the Internet. as numbness in the limbs, or  severe, such as paralysis or

WIIA Update Senate Vote Blocked By Phil Gramm (R-Tx) On May 27 th

by Bryon R. MacDonald

T

he Work Incentives Im provement Act of 1999 (WIIA) almost came to the Senate floor for a vote Thursday, May 27. An agreement was reached with the Senate leadership to bring the bill, with relatively minor changes, to the floor by “unanimous consent” (UC). However, Senator Phil Gramm (R-TX) placed a hold on the bill just before the vote was to take place. He did not lift the hold and the Senate went out on recess until June 7.

Unanimous consent (UC) is a legislative process whereby a popular bill is agreed to ahead of time and comes before the

The bill allocates, on a one time basis, approximately $98,000 to computerize the quarter of a million disability parking certificates currently in circulation.

On an on-going basis, it provides for a full time staff position in the Department of Public Safety to work on disability parking issues, review applications, investigate complaints and so on. The legislature repealed the $12.50 tax credit for disability license plates, and will use the additional funds for enforcing laws against illegal parking in designated disability parking spots and illegal use of disability license plates and stickers.

The new language also makes it clear that traffic control officers can enforce the disability parking laws; organizations that receive commercial certificates must have a plan in place to prevent the certificates from being abused; people who knowingly allow others to use their disability parking plates or certificate will lose the privilege for 12 months; a person must get the approval of the Council on Disability if s/he requests more than 3 replace-

June 10, 1999

MS Society Fundraiser

SESSION - Cont. from p. 12 a) allows supervision by a “qualified professional” (includes mental health professional); b)authorizes flexible use of personal care assistant (PCA) hours; c) establishes the fiscal agent option, upon federal approval (likely January 1, 2000) whereby the recipient or responsible party will: i) hire, supervise, evaluate, and terminate PCAs, ii) cooperate with a consulting professional to develop and revise a care plan and iii) work with the fiscal agent to properly bill Medical Assistance for PCA and consulting professional services and obtain background checks, staff compensation, withholding and d)provides for shared private duty nursing which, like shared PCA care, will allow two recipients to share a private duty nurse at the same time in the same setting for one and one-half times the rate paid for caring for one recipient.

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Senate to be voted into law without amendments or changes. When a bill is brought forward by the unanimous consent process, any one Senator can block that process from happening.

The negotiated bill contained all the major health care, work incentive reform, and “ticket to work” provisions that we are familiar with in the bill.

In the House of Representatives, the House Commerce Committee voted overwhelming bipartisan support for the Work Incentives Improvement Act. By unanimously endors-

ing this legislation, the committee has taken an important step towards removing significant barriers to work for millions of people with disabilities. The committee’s action, under the leadership of Chairman Bliley and Congressman Dingell, parallels the overwhelmingly bipartisan support that the Roth/Moynihan/ Jeffords/Kennedy version of this legislation received from the Senate Finance Committee.  Bryon R. MacDonald is a Community Advocate at The Center for Independent Living Berkeley/Oakland.

o r t s you n o n i t la s o r y! u t es sa a r r er g P n v s i o s n C ce an Ac th nin Providing ef fective employment and training ser vices: • Computer training • Job placement • Job-retention ser vices SPECIALIZED TRANSPORTATION

612-529-5019 • 651-483-9143 MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDER

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June 10, 1999

Sports Beat

Kid Talk MN Hosts Swimming Championships Program

by Craig McClellan and Luke Pedersen

T

    he 1999 USA Swimming Championships for Swimmers with a Disability is being Sports and Recreation held June 11-13 at the UniverResource Guide sity of Minnesota Aquatic Center. A field of over 200 Local swimmers, which this year includes international athletes, American Sled Hockey Assowill compete in internationally- ciation recognized swimming events. Phone: (612) 881-2129 Web Page: http://www.sled The event is being sponsored hockey.org

by Courage Center in conjunction with the Adapted Swim- Courage Center ming Committee of USA Contact: Tobe Broadrick Swimming and the University Phone: (612) 520-0479 of Minnesota Aquatic Center.

The Championships are sanc- High School Adapted Athlettioned by USA Swimming ics Programs through Minnesota Swimming. Contact: John Bartz (MSHSL) Results of the event will be in Phone: 560-2262 next month’s issue of ACCESS PRESS. National Wheelchair Softball Association     1616 Todd Ct. Hastings, MN 55033 The 1999 State Adapted Soft- Phone: (612) 437-1792 ball Tournament was held June 4-5 at Champlin Park High U.S. Electric Wheelchair School. Results will be in next Hockey Association month’s issue of ACCESS Contact: Craig McClellan PRESS.

Phone: (612) 535-4736 Web Page: http//www.use wha.org Email: hockey@usewha.org

National Foundation of Wheelchair Tennis Phone: (714) 361-3663 Email: NFWT@aol.com Web Page: http://www.nfwt. org

National Adapted Swimming Committee Contact: USA Swimming One Olympic Plaza Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Web Page: http://www.usaswimming.org

National Wheelchair Basketball Association Phone: (704) 355-1064 Web Page: http://www.nwba. org/

Emphasis On Adaptive Communication

by Sara Meyer

T

he Help Yourself Kid Talk Program is designed to help 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students learn how to communicate in a positive and thoughtful manner with people of all abilities. At each presentation 70 to 80 students gather to listen to a panel of four or five volunteers with disabilities who enlist the children’s rapt attention through humor and sharing their experiences. At the presentations, students have the opportunity to interact with many people who look different from them; people who use speaking devices to communicate or wheelchairs for mobility; people who are blind or Deaf, and people who have spastic actions because of congenital conditions.

Sports on Wheels Contact: Dangerous Doug Champa American Wheelchair Bowling Phone: (714) 524-2524 Association Contact: General Information Wheelchair Sports USA Phone: (954) 491-2886 Contact: General Information Email: bowlawba@juno.com Phone: (719) 574-1150 Web Page: http://members. aol.com/bowlerweb/awba.htm Send your comments and sports related stories to Luke Disabled Sports, USA Pedersen and Craig McContact: General Information Clellan. Phone: (612) 362Phone: (301) 217-0960 8406, Mail: 215 Broadway Web Page: http://www.dsusa. St. NE, Suite 103, Minneorg/~dsusa/dsusa.html apolis, MN 55413, or Email: Presenters who have had disEmail: dsusa@dsusa.org cm17@skypoint.com abilities all of their lives share their experiences from childhood and as adults. One volPlease patronize unteer with cerebral palsy uses your Access Press his voice synthesizer to share Advertisers — and stories about canoe trips he tell them where you takes all over the U.S. and how heard about them. his disability impacts his life.

Sandy, who is blind, explains They bring how Braille is used and how you your paper. assistive technology for the

U of M

blind gives her complete computer access, expanding her life to include a home office and full passage to a mainstreamed world. Each student receives the Kid Talk Workbook, which is used during the classroom presentation and then taken home to be shared with family and friends.

The presentations help students start to build a small understanding of how people with severe disabilities live productive, exciting lives. Presenters are adept at answering all types of questions, even those that audience members find very uncomfortable. After participating, many students express sentiments such as, “It doesn’t matter what people look like. If you take time to be with them, they’re the same as me.”

Membership in Help Yourself Inc. is open to anyone.

Monthly meetings are held at Holmes Greenway High Rise, Minneapolis. If you know of a group that may be interested in a classroom presentation, or for more information about Help Yourself, contact Sara Meyer at (612) 497-2800 or Jim Williams at (651) 786-0705.



Sara Meyer is the Director of Help Yourself, Inc.

AM Cancer

Professional Directory M.A.T. METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT, INC.

Meeting Your Transportation Needs

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Northland Transportation, Inc.

Mn D.O.T. Certified Transportation Specialist 612-379-4107 MA, U-CARE Minnesota, Private Insurance - Pay

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

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June 10, 1999

15

Access To Employment EMPLOYMENT ADS ARE $14 PER COL. INCH; JUNE 30 IS THE DEADLINE FOR THE JULY 10 ISSUE. Mail to: ACCESS PRESS • 1821 University Ave. • #185N • St. Paul, MN 55104 • FAX 651-644-2136 ACCOUNTING CLERK Gray Plant Mooty, a 120+ attorney law firm in downtown Minneapolis, is seeking an accounting clerk to assist in the general ledger, trust accounting, check request review, petty cash/safe, and accounts payable functions. Two year accounting degree or related accounting experience required. General computer and Excel experience helpful. We offer an attractive work environment, competitive salaries and an outstanding benefits package. Send resume with cover letter to: Human Resources, Gray Plant Mooty, 3400 City Center, 33 S. 6 th St., Mpls, MN 55402 or fax to: 612-333-0066.

ATTORNEYS - Minneapolis Central Minnesota Legal Services seeks two full- or parttime attys specializing in housing for its Mpls. office. Pref. bar admission. Salary: DOE; excel. benes. Full family health insurance. Resumes by 6/11/ 99 to: Jean A. Lastine, Ex. Dir, CMLS, 430 1st Ave. N. #359, Mpls., MN 55401-1780. Late apps. considered. EOE. STAFF ATTORNEY St. Cloud

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Join the KTCA-TV, channel 2, personal finance series production team as a production coordinator. This is an opportunity to contribute to the show in a wide range of task areas such as travel arrangements, scheduling, and record keeping. PC proficiency (preferably in Mac) is a must. BA or equivalent & 2 yrs television production or other related experience. Submit letter, resume and salary requirement by 06/18/99 to: Box 319-9KTCA; 172 E. 4th St.; St. Paul, MN 55101. EEO/AAP.

KTCA-TV, one of PBS’s leading Public Television stations, is seeking a person with a 2yr degree in acct/bkpg and 1-2 yrs of related experience, previous A/P & purchase order experience, good interpersonal skills and the ability to complete a variety of functions.

Great Plains, Excel and Word experience a plus. This position will support the A/P function along with other areas of the finance department. This is a full-time position that provides a competitive salary and benefit package. Submit letter, resume, and salary requireUniversity of Minnesota ments by 06/11/99 to: Box Extension Service 318-9; KTCA; 172 E. 4th St.; EXTENSION EDUCATOR St. Paul, MN 55101.

POSITION AVAILABLE AAP/EEO.

Central Minnesota Legal Services seeks full- or part-time staff atty for its St. Cloud office. Fam. law, housing and/or govt. benes. exp. desired. Pref. bar admission. Salary DOE; excel. benes. Full family health insurance. Resumes by 6/11/ 99 to: Jean A. Lastine, Ex. Dir, Equal Opportunity and CMLS, 430 1st Ave. N., #359, Affirmative Action Employer Mpls., MN 55401-1780. Late Multicultural educator in the Center for 4-H Youth Developapps. considered. EOE. ment on the St. Paul Campus.

Full-time position currently funded for three years, reviewed for renewal annually.

Position responsibilities include incorporating multi-cultural and diverse perspectives, broadly defined; supporting staff, volunteers and youth in understanding the value of inclusiveness; other duties.

Metro Transit

Recruiter ------------------------------------- 651-266-6476 24-hour Jobline ------------------------------ 651-266-6502 TDD/TTY ------------------------------------ 651-266-6501 Personnel Fax -------------------------------- 651-292-7656

ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT

Required: bachelor’s degree, two or more years experience in youth development work; working with culturally and economically diverse audiences; and in planning, implementing and evaluating teaching, training, or educational programming. Ability to manage multiple tasks with significant attention to detail; to work collaboratively and share leadership; to work respectfully and competently in diverse cultural, ethnic, and racial communities. Strong oral and written communication skills and demonstrated commitment to inclusivity/diversity.

WORD PROCESSOR / SECRETARY

ASSISTANT CITY ENGINEER

Word Processor/Secretary for a fast paced consulting company. Varied duties: word processing with strong skills in MicroSoft Word 95; reception, filing, data entry, report assembly. 2-5 years experience or comparable education/skills desirable. Send resume to: SRF Consulting Group, Inc., Ste. 150, 1 Carlson Pkwy. N., Mpls., MN 55447 or to web site: www.srfconsulting.com EOE BRIDGE/STRUCTURAL ENGINEER

The City of Minnetonka has a full-time employment opportunity available for an Assistant City Engineer. The responsibilities of this assistant department director position include coordinating the development, design, easement acquisition, construction and assessments/charges for public improvement projects; coordinating engineering review of subdivision plats, lot divisions and other developments; coordinating the work of other professionals within the department as well as activities involving consultants, utilities and other governmental agencies. Considerable interaction with the public, elected officials and other governmental agencies. Experience with GIS, water resource management and pavement management programs is desirable.

Project Manager for bridge and parking garage projects.

Responsibilities will include preparing design and construction plans for bridge and structural projects and superCOMPUTER NETWORK vising others. This position OPERATING SYSTEMS requires a Bachelor of Civil Engineering with an emphasis INSTRUCTOR on structural engineering and Full-time academic position. a P.E. with 7+ years experience.

Must be able to obtain a Minnesota vocational eductor’s BRIDGE/STRUCTURAL TECHNICIAN license in computer voice networking. Requires experience in MS/PC DOS, Windows 95/ 2-4 years recent experience on 98/NT 4.0, and general PC op- bridge and structure projects. erations and management. In AUTOCAD experience readdition, experience in at least quired. one of the following areas is required: Windows NT 4.0 Send resume to: SRF ConsultServer, UNIX, Novell NetWare ing Group, Inc., Suite 150, One 4/5. Experience in Cisco Rout- Carlson Parkway North, Miners, PBX Management, and/or neapolis, MN 55447 or to web Windows CE preferred. In- site: www.srfconsulting.com EOE dustry certifications, teaching experience, and network adSUMMER WORK ministration and trouble$12.30 per hr. appt. shooting experience a plus.

Full or Part Time w/Flex. Sched.

Position description available No Exp. Nec. upon request. Starts August Work w/Customers in Sales/ 3, 1999. Application deadline Service Dept.

June 18, 1999. Send letter of application, resume, and tran- Scholarships & Internships Avail. cond. Exist scripts to: Human Resources, No Telemarketing or Door to Alexandria Technical College, Door 1601 Jefferson Street, AlexCall now! 651-268-0562 andria, MN 56308. 320-7620221. Alexandria Technical College is an equal opportunity educator/employer.

Women and minorities encouraged to apply.

Preferred: master’s degree or other higher professional degree; course work in education and diversity/multiculturalism.

Demonstrated ability to bring verbal and written closure to COMPUTER ANALYST planning tasks and personal negotiations.

Mid-Minnnesota Legal Assistance seeks analyst to assist Deadline for receipt of with installation, maintenance materials: July 1, 1999. and training relating to computers. Exper/education relatTo apply: send cover letter ing to Windows 95 & 98 comdescribing how your back- puters including troubleshootground and experience relate ing, working knowledge of to the position, current resume, Wordperfect, Novell Netware, transcripts, and three letters of Dos, & comm software/hardreference to: Extension Hu- ware. Apps must have good man Resources, 260 Coffey comm/training skills and abilHall, 1420 Eckles, St. Paul ity to keep up on new developMN 55108 or check our web ments. $28,930 - $37,235; excel site: http://www.extension. benes. Resumes by 6/11/99: umn.edu/extension/jobs.html/ Roger Cobb, MMLA, 430 1st The U of MN is an equal oppor- Ave N, #300, Mpls, MN 55401tunity educator and employer. 1780.

EOE.

Ramsey Cty

Requires Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering, registration as a professional engineer in Minnesota or ability to obtain within 6 months of employment, public sector background and experience in an upper level supervisory position.

Salary: $52,000 - $58,000, based on qualifications; excellent fringe benefits.

To obtain an application and job description contact the Job Line at 612-939-8212. Application deadline is June 21.

City of Minnetonka 14600 Minnetonka Boulevard Minnetonka, MN 55345 An Affirmative Action Employer

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June 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 1997 Ford Econoline conversion van. Hydraulic wheelchair lift. 35,500 miles, excellent condition. Lots of extras, asking $22,000. Call Mike @ 612-906-4000.

3 and 4 Wheel Scooter Repair.

We repair Amigo, Bruno, Electric Mobility, most brands. New and used scooters for sale.

Buy, sell & trade. FastServ Medical. (320) 654-0434 (St. Cloud) or toll free 1-888-5650434.

Gently used INVACARE TriRolls scooter, available due to recovery. Excellent condition, includes charger. $1,000. 612694-0001.

subsidized. One and two bedroom units. For more information on availability call 651488-9923. St. Paul, MN Equal Opportunity Housing.

UNILIFTwheelchairlift. Works great! Will fit mini or full size 3 and 4 Wheel Mobility Scootvan. $500.00. Call 612-835ers. Scooter lifts and ramps. New CONVAQUIP shower 4174.

New scooters from $1,975.00. chair. 650 lbs. capacity, still in Free in-home demonstration. carton. $200 new - $100 or B.O. PERSONALS Sales and services. FastServ Sullivan Series CPAP with Responses to personal ads Medical. (320) 654-0434 (St. case. Used two weeks. In- should be mailed to ACCESS Cloud) or toll free 1-888-565- cludes heated humidifier, tub- PRESS and will be forwarded.

0434. ing, mask. Cost $1,700 new $1,000 or B.O. (612) 872-9939. SWM, 52, serious feminist, looking for someone to share Don't Miss An Issue! Subscribe Today! $15 life with and grow with. DisBuys A Full Year (12 Issues) Of Access Press ability: A caring human being with a lack of social skills-I’m Name _____________________________________ still learning them. Interests Street _____________________________________ include minority rights, health and fitness, bicycles, and inCity ______________________________________ telligent conversation. LookState ______________ Zip ____________________ ing to build long term relationship working towards growing Telephone _________________________________ trust, honesty, and communiLimited income subscription: $5 cation.

I have an idea for editorial coverage. Please call me.

I’ve enclosed my check for $15. Start my subscription.

FOR RENT Send your advertising rates.

Lewis Park Apartments: Barrier free housing with wheelMAIL TO: ACCESS PRESS; 1821 University Ave. W., chair user in mind. Section 8 #185N, St. Paul, MN 55104. (651) 644-2133

Seward Square Apartments: We are currently accepting applications for our waiting list at Seward Square Apartments in Minneapolis. Seward Square is barrier-free housing and is federally subsidized. For an application, please call (612) 338-2680. Equal Opportunity Housing.

HolmesGreenway Housing One and two bedroom apartments designed for physically handicapped persons. Convenient SE Minneapolis location. Call 612378-0331 for availability information.

Equal Opportunity Housing.

Happy Birthday Access Press!

It's time for you and your readers to take a trip with us.

Wilderness Inquiry Give us a call anytime (612) 379-3858 (V/TDD)

THE FRIENDS OF ACCESS PRESS Since the sudden death of the publisher of ACCESS PRESS in 1996, ACCESS PRESS has been struggling financially. Over the past three years, The Friends of ACCESS PRESS have kept us alive. Yet, we need your continued support to keep publishing. Your gift entitles you to a one year complimentary subscription to ACCESS PRESS.

Sponsorship levels: Basic (low income) . $5.00 Friend ......... .$25.00 & up Bronze ......... $75.00 & up

Silver .............. .$150.00 & up Gold ................ .$350.00 & up Diamond .......... $500.00 & up

Benefactor ... $1,000.00 & up

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! Thank you.

SPONSORS OF ACCESS PRESS: Thanks to the following sponsors for supporting ACCESS PRESS this year.

Margaret Beier Steven McKeever Kelli N-E Wysocki

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

FRIEND SPONSOR (cont.)

Ericka Johnson MN Developmental Achievement Center Assoc. (MnDACA) New Dimensions Paul W. Taylor New Ways PACER Center Rise Park Rapids Consumer & Family Reg. Resource Ctr Resource.

S.M.I.L.E.S. St. Cloud Consumer/Family Reg. Resource Ctr United Cerebral Palsy of MN

FRIEND SPONSOR Sue Abderholden Lynda Adams Cheryl A. Anderson Mary Andresen Susan Asplund David Baldwin Kathy Ball Don & Maggie Bania Janet Berndt Patrick Bilbrey 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 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 Helen Thompson Gerry and Barb Tollakson Donna Warren Caryl Wattman 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 Brain Injury Assn. of MN Consumer Council of The Alliance for the Mentally Ill East Suburban Resources Duluth Consumer & Family Regional Resource Ctr Equity Services-St. Paul Forensic Alliance of Mentally Ill Fraser Community Services Home Health Care Kaposia 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

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 Paul & Corrine McNamara Joline Gitis & Steven Miles Manley & Ann Olson Louise Pattridge Mary & Henry Pattridge Rick & Debbie Ryan Dean Doering & Lisa Scribner H. Michael Sheehan Peter & Pamela Stanfiel Mary Jane Steinhagen Helen Thompson Julie Wegscheid Kathy & Paul West Jerrold Wood AC Transportation Bridgeton Healthways Company Dept. of Occupat’l Therapy-U of M Div. MN Rehab. Assoc Job Placement & Dvlpmt Merrick Companies Pat Siebert, MN Dis. Law Ctr. SILVER SPONSOR Becky J. Bugbee-Tong Catherine Eilers David Grosvenor Courage Center Help Yourself Job Placement and Development Division, MN Rehab Assn Mpls. Advisory Committee Multiple Sclerosis Society Opportunity Partners Dave & Marilyn Phillips Sister Kenny Institute Twin City Transportation Vinland National Center Shirley Larson

GOLD SPONSOR Margaret Perryman

Chris Berndt

DIAMOND SPONSOR MATRIX Advocare Network

North Memorial Health Care

Deluxe Corporation

BENEFACTOR SPONSOR Handicabs

M.I.L.S.

IN HONOR Anne Henry by Karen Adamson IN MEMORY Michael Graf by E. Alexandra Gray Headwaters Fund

FOUNDATION SPONSOR The Medtronic Foundation