November 2013 Edition - Access Press

Margot Imdieke Cross honored, Pg 5

Volume 24, Number 11

www.accesspress.org

Olmstead Campaign for wage increase gaining momentum statewide Plan is released

by Access Press staff

by Jane McClure

Minnesota’s long-awaited Olmstead Plan is a reality.

But even though what is called the final version of the plan was published November 1, state leaders note it will be an evolving and changing document.

The Olmstead Plan is a way for the state to document its services provided to individuals with disabilities in the most integrated setting appropriate to the individual.

Effective Olmstead plans include analysis of current services, concrete commitments to increase integration and to prevent unnecessary institutionalization, and specific and reasonable timeframes, among other components.

The plan covers employment, housing, transportation, health care and a range of other needs. Its latest draft is at http://tinyurl.com/ m88uh4n “This document is meant to be fluid,” said Lt. Gov. Yvonne Prettner Solon, who led the Olmstead Subcabinet.

Olmstead - p. 15

The 5% Campaign continues to gain momentum, with a rally planned for noon Tuesday, November 12 at the state capitol. Campaign supporters and legislative allies will speak out for a 5% compensation rate increase in 2014, for those who provide care for people with disabilities.

Those who attend are urged to make and bring signs, wear blue and bring written personal stories for their legislators. The stories will be used to make the case for the 5% rate increase for caregivers.

The campaign centers on the fact that group home staff and personal care providers have slogged through years of frozen or slashed state budgets. With an uptick in the state Many people spoke out at the recent series of MN-CCD forums, economy, the argument is that service held throughout Minnesota.

Photo courtesy of MN-CCD providers for people with disabilities and aging adults need a funding inThe advocate do face challenges, led by the crease in 2014. The increase would cost the fact that 2014 is a short session. Legislators state an additional $86 million in the current will be on the ballot in fall 2015 and may face budget. Advocates argue that it would be simipressures to hold the line on spending. Increaslar to the pay increase that nursing home working wages could add $86 million to state expeners got during the 2013 session. ditures. Gov. Mark Dayton has indicated that Since the campaign kicked off in August, while he agrees with the equity issues being advocates from about 90 organizations have raised, state officials will have to look carefully been discussing the funding needs with state at upcoming economic forecasts and projections lawmakers. The goal is to meet with all 201 for available funding. But advocates press on. legislators before the 2014 session starts.

“The nursing homes got a five percent inMany state lawmakers took time to attend the crease in 2013, and all we’re asking is for the Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Dissame for those who care for people with disabilities (MN-CCD) forums throughout the abilities,” said Steve Larson, public policy distate this fall.

5% - p. 15

November 10, 2013 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities. MN Permit No. 4766 Address Service Requested

“My past is why I support the future.”

— Elin Ohlsson

NEWS DIGEST

Campers in Minnesota have True Friends and many options for leisure time fun.

Page 10

Plastic bags get new life thanks to ProAct employees and a new recycling program.

Page 3

Clean air is everyone’s right; more on the Olmstead Plan.

Readers weigh in.

Page 4

2013 honoree

Appleby urges audience to understand others

by Access Press staff Cal Appleby’s longstanding commitment to access to education and people with disabilities was recognized Novem-

ber 1 with the 2013 Charlie Smith Award.

The award was presented at the annual Access Press banquet, at the Minneapolis Airport Marriott Hotel in Bloomington.

Cal Appleby spoke before accepting the 2013 Charlie Smith Award.

Photo by Jane McClure

The award is named in honor of the newspaper’s founding editor, the late Charlie Smith Jr. The event included a banquet, silent auction, raffle, music and the showing of The Real Story, the Access Press documentary about media coverage of people with disabilities.

Appleby used the occasion to honor his longtime friends and collaborators, the late Vern Bloom and Wayne “Mo” Moldenhauer. The three men did much to serve people with disabilities.

Appleby, who said he felt “honored and blessed” to receive this year’s award, was accompanied by his life partner, Laurie Savran, and son Kevin.

A key message of Appleby’s talk was the ability for people, no matter what their circumstances, to “radically” turn their lives around. He urged audience members to work to understand others and help bring out their gifts. Appleby and his colleagues saw that in their decades of teaching, community service 2013 Charlie Smith Award winner - p. 3

Rise recognizes its Rise’ing stars, partners and employees.

Page 7

The Arc Minnesota honored many at its annual banquet.

Page 10

Healing arts are focus of new exhibit.

Page 12

INSIDE Accessible Fun, pg 13 Events, pg 12 People & Places, pps 7 and 10 Radio Talking Book, pg 14 Regional News, pgs 6

Pg 2 November 10, 2013 Volume 24, Number 11

EDITOR’S DESK

Tim Benjamin It has been an unbelievably exciting month. I was lucky enough to take some time to travel to a family wedding in New Jersey. It was great to spend time with family members who I don’t get to see very often. It was almost as exciting to spend time researching my Connecticut ancestors of 100+ years ago and to learn more about them. I even got to drive around the county that my fifth- and sixth-great-grandfathers farmed before my great-great grandfather headed west to Minnesota. One of the best days of my week was in New York City, where I got around without a rental van, thanks to the all-accessible city bus system and wheelchair-accessible Yellow Cabs.

As soon as I got back, I was right in the swirl of three big Access Press events: the Charlie Smith award banquet and the premiere of The Real Story, a documentary that Jerry Smith and Access Press produced.

The banquet was a complete success; we had a huge turnout; probably the best-attended Access Press banquet ever. The Board of Directors will have to have a serious discussion about a bigger venue in years to come. The food was, as usual, very good. Unfortu-

nately, I got too busy. The silent auction and raffle were a success, too—fun for the attendees, as they monitored their items so as not to be outbid, and a financial benefit for Access Press. We owe a great big thanks to everyone who donated items for the silent auction and raffle.

As we announced this fall, Cal Appleby was this year’s recipient of the Charlie Smith award. Appleby spent much of his teaching career working to make quality education available to people with limited opportunities: prisoners, people with limited income, and people with mental and physical disabilities. It was educational just to hear the details of his incredibly valuable work. Many people commented on Appleby’s speech and several people suggested that we get Appleby to start writing for the paper. Great idea!

The other big event was the premiere of The Real Story: Media Coverage of Disability Issues in Minnesota. This documentary film was funded by UCare Minnesota, and the first two screenings were sponsored by the Disability Services Cultural Center at the University of Minnesota and Handi Medical’s owners Shann and Mary Benhardus, along with Mike Bailey, Handi CEO. Seeing the film released and received so well made us very grateful to them and to IMed Mobility’s owners Bob Lundin and Ron Iversen, who sponsored the micro-website at accesspress.org for the promotion of the film. It was a pleasure to see that our sponsors were impressed by the outcome of their

generosity. It was also great to see Jerry Smith, a well-known and honored filmmaker in our community, beaming after the year-long effort of producing and directing the 30-minute film.

The premiere showing was on October 28 at the University of Minnesota’s elegant McNamara Alumni Center and was emceed by WCCO’s Reg Chapman.

The second screening was on November 4 at the University’s Coffman Union, in the Great Hall, and it was emceed by David Hancox of MCIL. Both of our emcees were engaging hosts and all of us at Access Press thank them for their professional effort in facilitating the lively panel discussion. Attendees got to hear reactions to the film from panels of experts like Sue Abderholden, NAMI Minnesota; Tammy Berberi, U of M, Morris; Don Shelby, retired WCCO reporter; Abdirahman Hassan, U of M’s DSCC; Margot Imdieke Cross, MSCOD; John Marty, MN Senator; John Tschida, Allina Health; and Alex Lubet, U of M. We were all grateful for their insightful and often personally moving remarks.

Well, this has been a column about thanks, and that’s what November’s all about—thanks and cold weather. As winter arrives, stay warm and stay safe.

Let me close with a big thanks to the many hundreds of you who sponsored, planned, volunteered at or attended one of these fabulous events. What a public demonstration of the high profile of Minnesota’s disability community. We can all be proud—activists, readers and donors—of this community and this paper’s role in it. You make it happen. ■

HISTORY NOTE

Collected corn tradition reaps benefits for campers

by Jane McClure

Fall is harvest time, with farmers putting in long days to bring in their crops and prepare for spring planting. In Minnesota and Wisconsin, a harvest of a different kind has taken place for many years. Camp Courage, which is now part of the True Friends camps organization, has reaped the benefits of one post-harvest activity.

Every fall members of Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapters have gone out into cornfields after the mechanical harvest and gathered the ears left behind.

Students walk the fields and gather the corn by hand.

Volume 24, Number 11 • Periodicals Imprint: Pending ISSN Co-Founder/Publisher Wm. A. Smith, Jr. (1990-1996)

Executive Director Tim Benjamin

Co-Founder/Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief Charles F. Smith (1990-2001)

Managing Editor Jane McClure

Board of Directors Brigid Alseth, Steve Anderson, Kristin Jorenby, Elin Ohlsson, Halle O'Falvey, Carrie Salberg, Walt Seibert and Kay Willshire Advertising Sales Michelle Hegarty 612-807-1078

Business Manager/Webmaster Dawn Frederick Cartoonist Scott Adams Production Ellen Houghton with Presentation Images Distribution S. C. Distribution

Editorial submissions and news releases on topics of interest to persons with disabilities, or persons serving those with disabilities, are welcomed. We reserve the right to edit all submissions. Editorial material does not necessarily reflect the view of the editor/publisher of Access Press.

Paid advertising is available at rates ranging from $12 to $28 per column inch, depending on size and frequency of run. Classified ads are $14, plus 65 cents per word over 12 words. Maybe it should just say:News, display advertising and classified advertising deadline is routinely the 25th of the month. When the 25th falls on a weekend, deadline is the next Monday. January issue deadline is December 20.

Access Press is a monthly tabloid newspaper published for persons with disabilities by Access Press, Ltd. Circulation is 11,000, distributed the 10th of each month through more than 200 locations statewide. Approximately 450 copies are mailed directly to individuals, including political, business, institutional and civic leaders. Subscriptions are available for $30/yr. Lowincome, student and bulk subscriptions are available at discounted rates.

Application to mail at Periodicals Postage Prices is Pending at the St. Paul, MN 55121 facility. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Access Press at 161 St. Anthony Ave, Suite 901, St. Paul, MN 55103.

Inquiries and address changes should be directed to: Access Press care of The Kelly Inn Offices; 161 St. Anthony Ave; #910; St. Paul, MN 55103; 651-644-2133 Fax: 651-644-2136 email: access@accesspress.org www.accesspress.org

FFA is a national career and technical student organization for middle and high school pupils. FFA promotes and supports agricultural education The corn FFA members gather is sold to local grain elevators and the proceeds sent to help children attend summer camp, as one of FFA’s “Living to Serve” project. In 2009-2010, for example, the project involved 77 FFA chapters and more than 1,000 young people. That year more than $197,000 was raised. It’s estimated that the project has raised more than $5 million over the years.

What began as sale of gathered corn has expanded into seeking monetary and in-kind donations for the camps. Some FFA chapters hold fundraisers along with their corn drives.

According to Courage Kenny Institute’s website, the corn gathering project funds helped build the leadership activities/dining hall at Courage North, and the speech therapy center and greenhouse at Camp Courage. Money raised has also helped thousands of children and adults attend camp thanks to “camperships” for those unable to pay the costs of an outing.

For many rural Minnesota and Wisconsin schools the gathering of corn is a popular and eagerly anticipated tradition, with food and fun activities along with the harvest. The Albert Lea Tribune recently de-

scribed how the tradition has continued for Freeborn High School, even though the school itself is no more.

Freeborn is a tiny town of about 300 people, not far from the Iowa-Minnesota border. Freeborn High School FFA members began gathering corn in 1953 for the camp program.

That year a storm had damaged area cornfields, making it difficult to pick corn by machine. FFA members decided to gather corn and help a worthy cause. That launched the tradition of helping Camp Courage. Other FFA chapters in southwest Minnesota embraced the idea.

Even though Freeborn High School closed 14 years ago and merged with Alden-Conger High School, its tradition of raising money for True Friends lives on.

In October the camp supporters presented True Friends with a check. The check presentation was made on the same day that Camp Courage and Friendship Ventures’ merged camps adopted the new name of True Friends. The merger has created a larger camp organization to serve campers of all ages, and with all types of disabilities.

For 13 years, those with ties to the old Freeborn High School corn collection have raised money for the camps in other ways. A 12-person committee holds fundraisers including a golf outing every July, called Tee It Up for Camp Courage. The tournament raised $18,500 this year and $142,870 over the past 13 years, according to the Tribune. ■ The History Note is a monthly column sponsored by the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, www.mncdd.org and www.partnersinpolicy making.com

November 10, 2013 Volume 24, Number 11

Pg 3

Plastic bags kept out of landfills, thanks to workers

ProAct’s plastic bag and material sorting efforts employ people with disabilities, who separate the materials into colored plastic, clean, dirty and non-recyclable. Bob Erickson is shown working in the foreground, with Trisha Zechmeister behind him.

Above, the plastic bags, once sorted at the Eagan facility, are bundled into large bales for shipment to a recycling facility out-of-state. Many city and county curbside recycling programs don’t accept plastic bags, so finding ways to recycle them properly can be a challenge.

Below, ProAct’s Nate Thomeke separated plastic bags and packaging for recycling.

Plastic bags will stay out of landfills and find new life thanks to ProAct’s hard-working crew. People with disabilities at ProAct sorted thousands of pounds of plastic bags for recycling after taking collections from area businesses, condominiums and ProAct’s assembly and packaging operation.

The piles of bags were assembled and compacted for the first semi-truck load shipment from ProAct’s Eagan facility. The truckload was bound for a Virginia destination and ultimately for use in new products.

ProAct Production Coordinator Jennifer Cavalier said plastic sorting is some of the best work for people with disabilities. The work helps people enhance their motor skills. “They work more effec-

tively, and they’re productive,” she said.

As material collections continue to rise, Cavalier estimates the nonprofit will be able to ship about 20,000 pounds of plastic for recycling every seven to 10 weeks.

The recycling effort is connected with the “It’s in the Bag” shrink film and plastic bag recycling program led by the Recycling Association of Minnesota.

ProAct’s mission is to serve individuals experiencing barriers to employment and self-sufficiency due to intellectual and developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health issues, traumatic brain injuries and other challenges. Learn more at: proactinc.org ■

Photos courtesy of ProAct

2013 Charlie Smith Award winner - from p. 1 and educational projects to help those less fortunate.

“One’s history is not one’s destiny,” Appleby said.

“It is said that a redeemed and reformed criminal leads a more exalted life than even a saint. I have seen that often.”

“Also, I have come to see the great gifts, the basic goodness, and estimable qualities and potential all human beings possess. When we understand a person deeply enough, especially people who are difficult in our lives, when we really listen, we learn to love and revere them. And if we just start with great love for everyone, we will understand them to their very core.

Also, whatever happens to us in our lives can be a great teaching when we step away from dualistic ways of seeing reality. Difficult people and situations may become our greatest spiritual teachers.”

Bloom and Appleby began working together in 1961, at Wells Memorial Settlement House on the north side of Minneapolis. Appleby was working with students after school and said of his longtime mentor and friend, “Vern helped me to get out of my head and into my heart” The three colleagues and friends had many accomplishments, including the founding of the University of Minnesota HELP CENTER (Higher Education for Low Income People) and the Conservation of Human Resources program at Augsburg. Appleby has also been instrumental in setting up mediation programs for state correctional facilities, and in providing training and education for people with disabilities.

Appleby taught at the University of Minnesota and then at Augsburg College for many years. In winter 1969, he took over Bloom’s social work classes and had students interning at a number of centers including prisons

and psychiatric hospitals where the people were constantly challenged, and highly stressed. Appleby soon began teaching classes on crime and corrections, psychology of mental health and disorder, aging, and physical disability, using a highly experiential colearning model where all participants including adults with disabilities, people with mental illness, college students, inmates and community members could receive college credit for their experiences.

Textbook work was supplemented with real-life experiences. Students learned from people in state hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities for people with disabilities. They also learned from prison inmates. Insights were shared to promote understanding.

“To get a taste of what it was like to be in prison, we had our students locked up,” Appleby said. “Students would spend a weekend on a ward at the state mental hospital. The universal observation from the students was how boring the weekend was, and that they would end up pacing the halls.” Students would also have their mobility restricted, to get a sense of the challenge of disabilities. The work involved stu-

dents from Augsburg and other colleges. The program, a first of its kind, became a national model.

Appleby met Moldenhauer in 1969, when Moldenhauer who was completing a sentence at the state penitentiary in Stillwater. After his release Moldenhauer came to Augsburg and helped found the Center for the Education of Non-Traditional Students. This program helped provide transportation for students with disabilities, to get to the Augsburg campus. Appleby also credits Moldenhauer with raising money and awareness to make the Augsburg campus more accessible. “It is said that someone no matter how negative their previous life and actions, when they deeply repent and transform achieves a spiritual status even exceeding that of saints,” said Appleby.

“Mo had a big heart, and contributed greatly to Augsburg College, and to many people with disabilities in our community.” ■ Pictures of this year’s banquet are on pages 8-9. A slideshow of pictures will be posted on www.accesspress.org

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Pg 4 November 10, 2013 Volume 24, Number 11

GUEST COMMENTARIES

Olmstead Plan training must include everyone “Training and education will be necessary to overcome inertia and resistance to change. This training must include everyone—the general public; people with disabilities; employers; the state legislature; the executive branch; and state, county and tribal organizations, service providers/employees, and government staff.”

(Challenges, Weaknesses and Risks, from page 10, Olmstead Plan Draft of October 2013)

by Susan Mattson

Those who have been following the development of the Olmstead Plan understand that state and federal laws prohibit discrimination against people who have disabilities; much more than just physical access discrimination. The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) the 1999 Olmstead Act (a landmark civil rights case) specifically require government entities to provide services in the most integrated setting which enables individuals who have disabilities to interact with persons without disabilities to the fullest extent possible.

A 2011 federal court ruling against the Minnesota Department of Human Services involving violations of the Olmstead Act led to a settlement wherein the state of Minnesota agreed

to develop and implement the Olmstead Plan. This ensures that Minnesota is in compliance with the letter of the law and what is known as the Promise of Olmstead. Under the executive order of Gov. Mark Dayton, a multi-disciplinary and cross-agency subcabinet was formed to draft the plan. The subcabinet has actively extended invitation to constituents to offer input and feedback. On October 10, the Olmstead Plan Subcabinet released the third draft of the plan. A copy can be obtained at http://tinyurl.com/olm-draft The final version was to be released on November 1 and should be available on the Olmstead Plan homepage after that date http://tinyurl.com/olm-lastfinal click on “Documents.”

The subcabinet membership appears to have taken their assignment quite seriously. Members have learned immensely from those who provided input through listening sessions held throughout the state and through written comments. They have recognized the challenges related to integration and inclusion of people who have disabilities in Minnesota. They have documented that, despite the progressive nature of services in the state of Minnesota on the whole, supports and services are not consumer-driven. Subsequently, they

have drafted a most ambitious, yet doable, Olmstead Plan to address these challenges. The plan establishes an Olmstead Plan office, a timeline for set objectives to be accomplished, and meaningful ongoing input, feedback, and active oversight with strong leadership and authority. This will prevent having this advanced level of effort fall by the wayside, as have other movements, as soon as no one is looking.

That having been said, a major component still missing in this third draft of the plan is Comprehensive Training and Education. An earlier version of the plan and listening session minutes credited training, particularly training to the person with disabilities and their advocates, as being the key factor in the sustainability of the plan. This is a civil rights movement. The federal courts have affirmed for the creation of a “new normal” for people who have disabilities; a new normal where services are truly consumer-driven and where everyone knows it and abides by it without question. It is imperative that the philosophy and “guts” of the plan and the promise are disseminated, in a meaningful way, to each and every entity identified in the opening quote of this commentary, and that it needs to happen much sooner than later. The

subcabinet, now and moving forward, needs to be fully aware that some county agencies/agents, supported by unenlightened county attorneys, continue to ramrod their less-thanOlmstead-like practices and determinations on people who have disabilities and are adversely targeting anyone and everyone who will advocate for the person. One would think that all agents would have received clear direction on the philosophy of the Olmstead Promise and would be acting accordingly.

After all, the Olmstead Act is in place, regardless of whether the plan is presently in place.

Comprehensive Training Now: Beginning immediately, the agents need to know that the person with disabilities knows, that the legislators know that the person knows, that the executive branches at the state and county level know what the rest of them know, and that the service providers and the general public know how things are intended and expected to work under the Promise of Olmstead. Beyond that, the same parties need to have a clear understanding as to what will happen when that promise are intentionally thwarted by any link in the chain, any link. ■

Wood smoke can be a true physical barrier People can no longer smoke in Minnesota indoor establishments, and in many parks. But there is virtually no protection from wood smoke, which contains hundreds of the same toxic chemicals and fine particulates as tobacco smoke. Wood smoke is in fact far more concentrated, travels farther, and remains chemically active in the body up to 40 hours longer. It is time for wood smoke to be recognized as a formidable physical barrier to the use and enjoyment of public spaces for many.

To those with breathing disabilities such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiac disease, diabetes and other disabilities, wood smoke can be deadly.

Wood-burning fireplaces, fire pits, restaurant grills and bonfires at public

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events are spewing out caustic fumes at unprecedented levels. Studies show that a single, small bonfire burning for one hour emits as much pollution as one diesel truck traveling 580 miles!

The World Health Organization states that wood smoke is a proven trigger for asthma attacks, heart attacks and premature deaths.

Many of us are forced to remain indoors rather than risk breathing wood smoke when walking, biking, and gardening, attending public activities or watching children play sports in parks.

Though wood smoke may violate most nuisance ordinances, cities are reluctant to enforce them, despite scientific evidence of harm.

According to Minnesota Pollution Control Agency graphs, residential

wood smoke is the largest single contributor to fine particle pollution in Minnesota, more than from vehicle exhaust and all industrial sources combined. Amidst rampant wood burning, it is no coincidence that asthma is the number one reason for school absenteeism.

Because wood smoke can have a delayed reaction for 1-2 days after exposure, many people may not realize that wood smoke was the cause of their asthma or COPD exacerbation. Once airways become inflamed, it can take several days for bronchitis or pneumonia to set in.

Cities are required to remove all barriers to the access of public spaces as an accommodation under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), an argu-

ment that helped pass our state anti-tobacco laws. But they need a push. A Utah physicians group recently asked the state to prohibit wood burning in densely populated urban areas.

Let us band together and press our cities to fulfill their accessibility requirements by removing wood smoke as a barrier to the large and growing ranks of people with disabilities. They should do this for all citizens, because the air belongs to everyone; not just those who can tolerate wood smoke.

See www.burningissues.org for wood smoke facts.

Julie Mellum President, Take Back the Air www.takebacktheair.com ■

November 10, 2013 Volume 24, Number 11

Pg 5

State council marks 40 years of advocacy, service

Margot Imdieke Cross was feted for 28 years of advocacy.

Former State Rep. John Kriesel greeted MSCOD Executive Director Joan Willshire.

Brian Ahlber, chief of staff for U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, was a guest at the event.

Photos courtesy of MCSOD

Forty years of service were celebrated October 17 by the Minnesota State Council on Disability (MSCOD). The state council held its annual awards event in St. Paul, with more than 140 people on hand.

Attendees enjoyed speakers and a video of MSCOD’s history, “Forty Years of Service and Counting,” presented by Joan Willshire, executive director of MSCOD. The video included footage of past MSCOD executive directors and staff and some of the major accomplishments benefitting the disability community, including the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by President George H.W. Bush and the construction of the Twins Stadium.

MSCOD’s major accomplishments wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work from past and present staff and council members. Many were at the event, including Margot Imdieke Cross, who has been with MSCOD for 28 years. A special tribute (which turned into a roast with lots of laughs) was given to

Imdieke Cross or, as most know her as just Margot, at the event. Several colleagues including Anne Henry, Curt Wiehle and Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville, spoke about their most memorable moments working with her over the years. Marty said, “When you worked with Margot, sometimes you would get the feeling that you work for her and that she was the boss.”

Imdieke Cross’ accomplishments include building code, ADA enforcement, disability parking, elections, housing and more recently, emergency preparedness. To this last point, Willshire joked, “For years, Margot has fought for us to get into buildings and now she is fighting for us to get out of buildings.”

Former State Rep. John Kriesel was keynote speaker. The longtime Minnesota National Guard member was struck by a roadside bomb in Iraq, causing him to lose both of his legs. He gave a compelling and inspiring speech about the experi-

ence of his injury and how he regained his mobility and independence as a double amputee.

Secretary of State Mark Ritchie received the highest honor, the Minnesota Award. “It was a tremendous honor to be recognized, and it was a meaningful experience to have the opportunity to share the stage at the council’s award ceremony with so many incredible people who are making a difference across our state to help those with disabilities. I look forward to working with the council to further support accessibility at the polling place,” he said. Ritchie’s award was presented by Brian Ahlberg, chief of staff for Iowa U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin. Harkin, one of the original authors of the ADA and a tireless advocate and supporter of disability issues and civil rights, offered his congratulations to MSCOD via video at the event.

For a complete list of this year’s award recipients, visit MSCOD’s website at www.disability.state.mn.us ■

Pg 6 November 10, 2013 Volume 24, Number 11

REGIONAL NEWS Rural mental health system criticized Five years after Minnesota closed its last state hospital and promised a new era of rural psychiatric care, some patients are in limbo. Hundreds of patients with the most acute mental illnesses are cycling through a system ill equipped to treat their disorders and winding up in county jails or hospital emergency rooms.

The Star Tribune investigated the problem in rural Minnesota. In the area near Willmar, where a large state hospital closed in 2008, nearly 1,000 adults with mental illness or chemical dependency were arrested and jailed between 2007 and 2012 for offenses ranging from assault to public nuisance, according to arrest data analyzed by the newspaper.

For thousands of people, community placement, medication and therapy has been a success. But for others it can be difficult. In one recent 18-month period, about 4,000 Minnesotans with acute mental illness ended up in the criminal justice system, ended up in jail and were committed by judges to state facilities.

Two small treatment centers in west-central Minnesota were cited for neglect in cases where patients attempted suicide. Employees of at least three area hospitals have been injured in outbursts by psychiatric patients. The Kandiyohi County sheriff is considering whether to convert an unused part of the jail into a psychiatric wing.

“In my opinion, we’ve gone back to the dark ages,” County Attorney Jenna Fischer told the Star Tribune.

She has dealt with the mentally ill for two decades through the court commitment system. “It’s a tiny segment of the mentally ill, but we are failing them.”

“We’re going to have a crisis one of these times,” said Jim Pew, director of behavioral medicine at Stevens Community Medical Center in Morris. Recently a social worker there was pushed to the ground and injured by a patient. “Somebody’s going to harm themselves or harm somebody else because we’re not able to get them placed in a facility that’s set up to deal with [them].” ■ (Source: Star Tribune)

Court reviewing guardianship case The Minnesota Supreme Court will review a case with major implications for guardians, and the issue of taking their wards off of life support. The court decided in October to review the case of Jeffers Tschumy.

The review could affect the plus-12,000 Minnesotans under guardianship who don’t have health care directives. The question to be decided is whether guardians must receive a judge’s approval to remove life support, or whether guardians already have that power.

Tschumy was a developmental disabled man with no family and no health care directive in place. After a choking incident last year, he sustained severe brain injury. Allina Health System asked that a judge allow him to be removed from life support, either by clarifying that his guardian had the right to make the decision, or by issuing an order allowing his removal from life support.

A district court denied the guardian’s request for

Canceled wedding prompts generosity What was supposed to be a perfect fall wedding in Fargo became something else after the groom backed out. Michelle Marxen decided that what was supposed to be her October 19 wedding would be a party for Moorhead-based Creative Care for Reaching Independence—a nonprofit that serves people with disabilities.

A year of planning had been completed and invitations sent, when Marxen got the call that her fiancé didn’t want to get married. After finding that she still had to pay the vendors, Marxen and her family repurposed the event into a Halloween party for the Moorhead group and its; clients.

“I was speechless,” Jody Hudson of Creative Care for Reaching Independence told the Fargo Forum. “I could not believe it. I called the next day to make sure it was for real.”

Instead of a weekend of what ifs and whys, Marxen said it’s a way to make the best of a bride’s worst nightmare. “What was supposed to be my special day will now be their special day,” she said. ■ (Source: Fargo Forum)

sole power to make that decision, but authorized the termination of Tschumy’s life support. Tschumy later died. The judge in the case stated that while guardians have a strong case to make end-of-life decisions under a state law that grants them the power to allow or withhold medical care, the law doesn’t specifically allow them to end life support. Until the law is changed, only judges or legally authorized representatives can order life support removed. Last summer, the Minnesota Court of Appeals reversed that ruling, stating that the final authority lies with guardians and that end-of-life decisions shouldn’t be dictated by the court. ■ (Source: Associated Press)

Investigation reveals state hospital problems Release processes, staff turnover, lack of training and lack of knowledge about homeless shelters are problems found during an investigation of a July Minnesota Security Hospital incident. A hospital patient from the St. Peter facility was discharged and left at a Minneapolis homeless shelter.

Attorney Mary Foarde, who conducted the investigation, also said that more resources are needed for homeless mentally ill people who have been treated and no longer meet the criteria for being an inmate in the state’s most secure hospital.

Foarde reviewed the situation for the Minnesota Department of Human Services after a 23-year-old man was discharged from St. Peter Regional Treatment Center, driven to the Salvation Army’s Harbor Light Center in downtown Minneapolis by hospital staff and left there.

The man was in the St. Peter Hospital after an incident earlier this year. His mental health improved and staff worked to get a Community Alternatives for Disabled Individuals (CADI) waiver so he could be discharged. The waiver would have paid for Traylor’s psychiatric care outside the hospital.

After a series of legal actions, and at least one filRegional News - p. 13

November 10, 2013 Volume 24, Number 11

Pg 7

PEOPLE & PLACES Rise’ing stars are among those celebrated The Celebrate Rise fundraising gala, held October 10 at International Market Square in Minneapolis, drew more than 425 community supporters for a fun and festive evening of great food, music and inspiring stories. Rise was able to raise more than $50,000, which will be used to purchase new replacement vans for its transportation services.

Several people were recognized at the event. The Community Partner of the Year is the Emma B. Howe Northtown Family YMCA. In 2011, Rise moved its Retirement Alternatives program to the Emma B. Howe Northtown Family YMCA in Coon Rapids so it could further expand the program’s health, wellness, and fitness activities. The staff at the YMCA, led by Group Vice President Chad Lanners, have wholeheartedly embraced the program which assists people transition into retirement and addresses specific needs and interests of program participants.

The Employer of the Year is Savers Thrift Store, Columbia Heights. Rise works with hundreds of area employers throughout the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota to match up job-ready candidates with meaningful employment. Savers Thrift Store in Columbia Heights’ store manager Alan Hurd leads a team of outstanding managers who are open to giving people an opportunity to have a good job, hiring many qualified job candidates through Rise. The successful partnership built by Rise and the Columbia Heights Savers store has caught the attention of other Twin Cities Savers stores, and led to other expanded hiring opportunities.

Rise President Lynn Noren and Vice President Tim Dickie honored five Riseing Stars for their extraordinary attitude, achievements, and perseverance of a

Brigid Alseth was one of the Rise employees honored.

self-determined life. Scott Aho has been making a difference in the lives of children for the past six years in his job as a substitute paraprofessional in Twin Cities area schools. Students respond to his energy and enthusiasm as he challenges them to learn. Chris Growska is not only a quality-conscious worker at Rise’s Community Integration Program in Coon Rapids, he uses his many valuable to handle important community service projects. He also founded Shears to Stop Tears to help people who have lost their hair due to illness.

Jenny Johnson is a hard worker by day yet still finds time to volunteer to many local and state selfadvocacy groups. She has developed great leadership skills through her many important community projects and helps others advance their own self-advocacy skills. Adam Look gives his all to his job at the new Blaine Wal-Mart. He was especially proud to be part of the grand opening ceremonies, leading WalMart associates and managers in the “Wal-Mart Cheer” for a large crowd of community dignitaries and shoppers. Aundrea Splittstoser is a very deter-

University marks 15 years of disability awareness University of Northwestern–St. Paul is celebrating the Disabilities Office for Support Services’ 15th year of service to Northwestern students. Over the past 15 years, the office has built a bridge of accessibility for students with disabilities–brick by brick.

Just a few years after the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became federal law, Northwestern opened the ALPHA Center in 1995. It offered tutoring to students in need of extra academic assistance. In 1999, Northwestern held its first disability awareness week, hosting special events and spreading knowledge about challenges that students with disabilities face.

The program has grown immensely over the years, from serving as few as seven students in 1998 to serving nearly 100 students each semester today. That’s more than 775 students since 1998. The office provides a broad spectrum of services to students, ranging from simple academic tutoring to resident and facility accommodations.

This year’s Disability Awareness Month featured faculty- and student-driven events that illuminated the diverse culture of needs at Northwestern. A student panel discussed their disabilities and experiences finding support in Northwestern’s Christian community. The month featured a showing of Soul Surfer, an inspiring film about one young woman’s ability to thrive with her disability.

University of Northwestern Disabilities Office for Support Services is thankful for the growing community of disability-aware students, faculty and staff and looking to a future of continued service.

The university is also promoting its upcoming event with Joni Eareckson Tada, founder and Chief Executive Officer for Joni and Friends International Disability Center. She will visit Northwestern’s campus March 3, 2014 as part of a Lessons for Leaders series. To purchase tickets, visit unwsp.edu/web/ church-relations/lessons-for-leaders ■

Find more People & Places on page 10

—————— In Memoriam ————— Neumann remembered for her dedication to others Kelsey Neumann is remembered as a committed worker, a dedicated friend and someone who lived life to the fullest. Neumann, 36, died October 17, surrounded by her family. She lived in Maplewood.

Neumann worked for the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). She came to the DHS Disability Services Division in April 2006, as a part of the Pathways to Employment team. In August 2012 she became a Disability Linkage Line support specialist. Neumann loved her work and loved supporting people with disabilities who wanted to work.

Before coming to DHS, Neumann worked in Vocational Rehabilitation Services. She was a graduate of

the University Wisconsin-Whitewater in the social work program and earned her master’s degree at St. Mary’s College of Minneapolis.

Neumann was active in the Muscular Dystrophy Association and MDA Camp activities as a child. She was known for her sense of humor, her cheerful attitude and her commitment to her work and clients. She was very involved in focus groups at DHS, able to weigh in as a consumer and advocate for people with disabilities.

In 2008 she won a delegate spot at the Democratic National Convention.

Family members held a private memorial service for Neumann. DHS employees also held a memorial gathering. ■

Rise President Lynn Noren recognized Chris Groska as one of five 2013 Rise’ing Stars.

Photos courtesy of Rise

mined woman. After completing her professional training and passing her licensure tests, she works two jobs as a certified nursing assistant, purchased a car, and is working on her GED. She is planning her move toward independent living.

Four Rise staff were honored at the Celebrate Rise Fundraising Gala for their innovation, positive attitudes and special professional contributions which further Rise’s mission. Brigid Alseth is program coordinator for two Rise programs which serve adults with brain injuries. She has worked in the field for more than 20 years. Alseth is the chairperson of the board of directors of Access Press.

Terri Anderson-Webb has worked at Rise for 16 years and currently is a service team leader with Rise’s Data Ability program, helping clients to greater self-sufficiency. Sixteen-year employee Jennifer Gajewski currently is coordinator for Rise’s Midwest Ticket to Work program and works with other community rehabilitation agencies throughout Minnesota.

Diana Gangl works closely with people in Rise’s Internal Services program, providing them with the support they need to live more self-determined lives. ■

YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!

PLEASE include ACCESS PRESS on GIVE TO THE MAX DAY November 14 Access Press exists to promote the social inclusion and legal rights of people with disabilities by providing a forum for news, features, opinion and conversation to benefit people who are often invisible and marginalized in mainstream society.

Our vision is to be the predominant source of independent, comprehensive information that enlightens, empowers and improves the quality of life of people living with or associated with all forms of disability.

Access Press is reliant upon community philanthropy. We are deeply grateful for your consideration of including Access Press in your GIVE TO THE MAX DAY gifts.

Please visit us in person or at www.accesspress.org

Pg 8 November 10, 2013 Volume 24, Number 11

Banquet a success Photos clockwise from upper left: Longtime Access Press contributing writer Clarence Schadegg, left, greeted Access Press Executive Director Tim Benjamin. Schadegg nominated Cal Appleby, this year’s award winner.

Banquet emcees and Access Press Board Members Steve Anderson and Elin Ohlsson shared stories and kept the crowd entertained.

Handmade items, including these creations by Access Press Board Member Kristen Jorenby, were a big hit at the pick-your-prize raffle.

Banquet attendees enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by the Minneapolis Airport Marrriott’s talented culinary staff.

Your home, your independence . . . 763-546-1000 At In Home Personal Care, we pride ourselves not only on the help we provide, but also on our ability to listen. We understand that each of our clients has different needs at different times. Our quality home care services are formed around a plan that works for you and your individual situation.

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November 10, 2013 Volume 24, Number 11

2013 Charlie Smith Award Banquet - from p. 8

Tim Benjamin and Steve Anderson gave the Charlie Smith Award to 2013 winner Cal Appleby.

Musicians Michale Lopez and Nick Kiekenapp played background music on acoustic guitars.

Handi-Medical was one of many table hosts at the banquet.

Dan Ness and Ann Rogers of UCare visited with Tim Benjamin during the silent auction.

Photos by Jane McClure

Teresa Chicoine of Medica put her tickets for the raffle items in the jar.

Pg 9

Pg 10 November 10, 2013 Volume 24, Number 11

Mayor’s Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities Co-Chair awarded community media award

PEOPLE & PLACES

Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity Director Jessi Kingston and committee-staff liaison Alyssa Wetzel Moore admired Advisory Committee Co-Chair Mark Hughes’ award.

Photo courtesy of City of St. Paul

St. Paul Mayor’s Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities Co-Chair Mark Hughes and his “Disability Viewpoints” television program were honored by the City of St. Paul for winning the Alliance for Community Media’s Hometown Media Award. This is the seventh time “Disability Viewpoints” has won a Hometown Media Award.

The Hometown Awards promote civic engagement and recognize the best in community media programing. In October, “Disability Viewpoints” will celebrate its 15th anniversary of being on the air. Since 1998, “Disability Viewpoints” has advocated on behalf of the disability community and presented disability issues and educational information.

“Disability Viewpoints’ winning the Hometown Media Award gives me a real sense of accomplishment, the highest accomplishment in my life,” said

True Friends announces new name, 2014 schedule Campers now have True Friends. The new name and logo replace the name Friendship Ventures, a name adopted in November 2012 when Camp Courage in Maple Lake and Camp Friendship in Annandale joined forces. As the new logo indicates, the organization provides “Camps. Respite. Programs. Travel.”

True Friends has announced its combined 2014 camp schedule. Camp Courage in Maple Lake, Camp Friendship in Annandale and Camp Eden Wood in Eden Prairie, Camp Courage North near Lake George and Camp New Hope near McGregor will each retain camp numbers under the umbrella of True Friends.

The camps have rich histories of providing exceptional and much-needed services. Camp Courage was established in 1955 to serve individuals with physical disabilities. Camp Friendship was established in 1964, serving participants with developmental dis-

abilities and special needs. By combining strengths, methods and assets, the five True Friends camps are the region’s largest and most comprehensive camp provider for people with disabilities. The organization serves nearly 4,000 individuals and their families annually, with more than 100 camp sessions year-round. True Friends’ mission is to provide lifechanging experiences that enhance independence and self-esteem to children and adults with disabilities.

True Friends also offers respite programs. Respite services are provided multiple weekends a year. This program offers 1:1 care for children and adults with disabilities, allowing families a reprieve from 24/7 care giving. The camp environment provides an active yet comfortable setting for participants.

Ventures Travel provides trip planning and group tours for individuals needing assistance.

New ADHD/ADD sessions, Saturday-only camps and spring break sessions are among the new additions for 2014. True Friends is funded through donations and supporting services. For more details, see www.TrueFriends.org ■

Hughes. “I hope that the disability community finds the show and the work of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities beneficial. We hope to continue helping organizations better communicate with the disability community.”

Hughes and the advisory committee did outreach to remind everyone that October was National Disability Employment Awareness month. Disability Employment Awareness month seeks to raise awareness of disability employment issues and celebrates the many contributions of individuals with disabilities. ■

The ARC Minnesota names leader Don Lavin is interim executive director of The Arc Minnesota. His appointment was announced by the organization’s board. He served for 36 years as vice president of Rise, Inc., where he managed housing, independent living, school transition, supported employment, and other services in the community for youth and adults with significant disabilities.

Recently Lavin founded Strength@Work, a management consulting organization designed to support agencies, individuals, schools, and policymakers as they promote and secure independent housing, competitive jobs and fuller community participation as the first and preferred outcomes of people with disabilities.

“I am honored The Arc of Minnesota’s Board of Directors is placing its trust and confidence in my ability to lead the organization. We are in a period of serious public budget constraints, yet there are incredible possibilities for transforming services for people with disabilities,” Lavin said. “I recognize many challenges lie ahead of us, but I also see excellent opportunities to advance The Arc’s mission to new levels.”

At The Arc Minnesota Lavin will work on strategic planning, support for and collaboration with local chapters of The Arc, increasing financial resources, and analyzing future opportunities for programming and financial support. ■

Minneapolis presents awards to community members The Minneapolis Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities handed out several honors October 16 during its annual recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The committee recognized individuals and organizations for their work, knowledge, advocacy and passion in the disability community.

The Minnesota Twins received the Erik Peterson Advocacy Award for the organization’s efforts to make Target Field accessible to all. The Lee Parish Award was presented to the Minnesota State Council on Disability for their unwavering work to educate on behalf of the disability community.

The Community Service Awards, which focus on organizations or individuals whose work in the disability community in Minneapolis has been exceptional, were given to Southside Services, Pam Nygren Wellumson of American Sign Language Interpreting Services, Target Corporation and Target employee, Scott Miller and Affinity Plus Credit Union and Affinity Plus Credit Union employee, Brayden Witt. Twelve certificates of appreciation were presented to those who participated in the development of the Minneapolis Police Department 2013 Service Animal Awareness Training Program. ■

BDC Management Co. is now accepting applications for our waiting lists at the following affordable communities Albright Townhomes Buffalo Court Apartments Elliot Park Apartments Evergreen Apartments Franklin Lane Apartments Hanover Townhomes Lincoln Place Apartments Olson Towne Homes Prairie Meadows Talmage Green Trinity Apartments Unity Place Vadnais Highlands Willow Apartments Woodland Court Apartments

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November 10, 2013 Volume 24, Number 11 Pg 11

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Cummins employees make the difference for many people with disabilities

by Jennifer Mundl, MS, ATP, Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute

Employees of Fridley-based Cummins Power Generation use their expertise to modify a wide range of equipment and toys for Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute. This helps Courage Kenny clients enjoy full inclusion into society and experience more productive and fulfilling lives.

The CVC Minnesota Employee Engagement Award, which recThe work of Cummins’ volunteers is very much ap- ognizes an employee-driven corporate initiative or program that preciated by Courage Kenny clients. demonstrates a best practice in employee engagement, was recently awarded to Cummins Power Generation for their assistive technology Collaboration with Courage Kenny.

The relationship between Courage Kenny and Cummins relationship began with volunteers who were electrical, software, mechanical and other engineers. The engineers and assistive technology staff worked on projects such as creating new solutions for unique needs, and at Christmas time, adapting toys which could be operated with a simple switch.

Over the years, needs grew and the partnership changed. Adapting toys is much more than providing fun to children. It is about providing a child who otherwise wouldn’t have an opportunity to explore an environment which prepares them for school and to move beyond a cause-and-effect response. Without a way to play and explore, a child with a disability will not progress equally to their peers that are nondisabled. Toys which have been adapted by the engineers provide a great opportunity to growing children. The engineers are all very committed and always find the solution to most any task Assistive technology products are commercially available but often these are overly expensive. Choices are also limited. Switches are expensive as a secondary piece to the toys. There are several Six Sigma projects which have been worked on in attempts by the engineers to lower prices.

This work has allowed Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute to provide training into universal design principle for new student engineers as well. Assistive technology is similar to rehabilitation engineering when attempting to design new products. Assistive technology staff can bridge the needs of the rehabilitation staff and the engineer. Each party has a different way of looking at each problem or issue which needs to be conveyed in an easy-to-understand communication tactic.

The work of Cummins volunteers and Courage Kenny staff and volunteers can in helping not just with toys but with getting people back to work. From childhood to adulthood, there is always a solution to problems when you are creative and resourceful. There are still challenges when hiring a person with a disability. Understanding beliefs will allow for system changes to occur. There are many within the disability community for employment. These are misconceptions documented.

Some of the memorable projects are those which involve people with disabilities and creating options for each person.

One girl was only able to move their fingers a couple inches. With adaptations was able to enjoy toys. Now at age 13 she has gone beyond childhood toys. But she is still using switches, joysticks and eyegaze to control her environment and academics.

Another girl played for hours with her new toy. Her smile radiated throughout the building and she brought it to show and tell where all of the other kids tried it.

This was the very first time she interacted with someone who did not have a disability. Her teacher was amazed and excited at the same time.

A boy who is blind was unable to move or speak with family used a specialized mounting unit created by Cum-mins. He was finally able to participate in school and personal needs. His wide smile moved his mother to tears.

A man was unable to utilize his hands for his computer access as well as communication needs. No devices on the market worked for him. Cummins volunteers created a special device for him, which he is able to use independently by scanning to different options on the computer screen. He is now writing his personal memoirs of growing up with a significant disability.

Everyone has a gift and is augmented by assistive technology to enable real-life opportunities for individuals to strive in the academic and vocational areas even with a significant disability.

Throughout this article, there is a mirage of information which can be successfully utilized in creating new opportunities from our years of experience. Technology and assistive technology has significantly reduced in pricing but engineering will always be necessary for unique situations which cannot be solved with available products. It is through our program we have taken possibilities and built realities. ■

Adapted devices can help people participate in everyday life.

Photos courtesy of Courage Kenny Institute

Pg 12 November 10, 2013 Volume 24, Number 11

Proposals sought for collaborative

UPCOMING EVENTS Conferences Annual membership meeting Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities hosts its annual membership meeting, the Stronger Together Conference, 10-11:30 a.m. Thu, Dec. 5, GoodwillEaster Seals, Fairview and Charles avenues, St. Paul.

Find out what is happening with various policy committees, network with other organizations and get ready for the 2104 session of the Minnesota Legislature. FFI: www.mnccd.org NAMI hosts state conference The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Minnesota holds its annual state conference, Stronger Together, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat, Nov. 16 at St. Paul River-Centre, 175 W. Kellogg Blvd. The conference features Cinda and Linea Johnson, a mother-daughter team who will share the struggles and hope of living with bipolar disorder. Fifteen workshops on current mental health issues and a closing keynote on the latest research on mental illnesses are planned. NAMI provides education, support and advocacy for children and adults with mental illnesses and their families. FFI: 651-645-2948 or go to www.namihelps.org

Advocacy Advocates sought for panel The Subcommittee on Children’s Mental Health of the State Advisory Council on Mental Health has an opening for a person knowledgeable about the needs of children of minority races and cultures who have emotional disturbances. The Subcommittee provides advice to the State Advisory Council on matters related to children’s mental health. The Subcommittee and Council file a formal report on their legislative and policy recommendations to the Governor and Legislature each even-numbered year. Current priorities of the Subcommittee are mental health in schools, mental health and juvenile justice and outreach to diverse communities. Deadline is Dec. 31. FFI: Bruce Weinstock, 651-431-2249 Attend home visits Home visits are coming up for The Arc Greater Twin Cities. Home visits allow citizens to meet with elected officials and discus concerns. Metropolitan Council, county, city and school district officials are invited guests. The events are free but space is limited, and preregistration is requested. Call to see if other home visits are offered in your area. People with disabilities and their families are invited to a home visit with elected officials, 6:30-8 p.m.

Nov. 14 at the home of hosts Jean and Paul Bender, 1150 Fairmount Ave., St. Paul. The visits are free and open to the public but space is limited, so preregister by Nov. 13. FFI: 952-915-3665, denafelper@thearcgtc.org

EquipALife is extending an open opportunity to apply for membership to join the Minnesota Regions Assistive Technology Collaborative, a consortium of providers serving the assistive technology needs of individuals residing throughout the state. A one-of-a-kind membership based partnership, the collaborative was created initially through the federal Technology Related Assistance Act of 1988.

This act required each state to continue providing local support to individuals in need of adaptive equipment, training by qualified professionals, access to resources, financial assistance and develop structural modifications. In 2011, EquipALife and the six Regional Assistive Technology Networks created the collaborative to carry on and deliver the core services of the fed-

Youth and families PACER offers workshops PACER Center offers many useful free or low-cost workshops and other resources for families of children with disabilities of any kind. Workshops are at PACER Center, 8161 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington, unless specified. Advance registration is required for all workshops.

Workshops for November include Six Skills for Effective Parenting, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tue, Nov. 19. Learn six skills to be a more effective advocate for children. Also, check out PACER’s website and link to a new bimonthly newsletter of workshops statewide that allows participants to pick and choose sessions catered to their needs. Upcoming workshops include transition planning and help for young adults and very young children. FFI: 952-8389000, 800-537-2237 (toll free), www.PACER.org

Information and assistance Help with food program Help is available for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients who will see two changes in their benefits amounts this fall. On Oct. 1, benefits increased slightly for some SNAP recipients to reflect the costs of living. On Nov. 1, most recipients saw benefits decrease due to the end of the extra benefits provided by the federal government during the recession. The amount of SNAP benefits each eligible household receives depends on a variety of factors, such as income, household size and household expenses. On Nov. 1, a family of four with no income and no other changes to their case may have seen a decrease in monthly benefits by approximately $36. Resources, including emergency food resources, are available. FFI: Minnesota Food Helpline, 1-888-711-1151. www.MinnesotaHelp.info Learn about service dog program Want to learn more about Can Do Canines and its services for those needing various types of assistance dogs? Attend the Tails to Tell Tour 10 a.m. Sat, Dec. 7 at 9440 Science Center Dr., New Hope. This is a fun and informative tour, and fills up quickly, so reservations are required. FFI: 763-331-3000 ext.152, tour@can-docanines.org Housing options is topic The Arc Greater Twin Cities and Hennepin County invite adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families from across the Twin Cities region to two free Individualized housing options forums, 7 p.m., Tue, Nov. 12, Southdale Library, 7001 York Ave., Edina, or 7 p.m. Mon, Nov. 18, at Brookdale Library, 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center. Housing is one of the greatest challenges facing people with disabilities and their families. The forum will focus on options that enable people with disabilities to live where and with whom they want to live. A panel of adults with disabilities and parents will share their housing stories and the solutions they’ve devised, with emphasis on creative ideas tailored to individual needs. The forum is free and open to the public. FFI: 952-920-0855, www.arcgreatertwincities.org UCare meetings UCare hosts informational meetings about its UCare for Seniors Medicare Advantage plan, as well as informational meetings about the UCare’s new UCare Choices and Fairview UCare Choices health plans available on MNsure, Minnesota’s health insurance marketplace. Learn about the various plans, as well as key dates and penalties associated with health care reform.. Meetings are held all over the region. UCare for Seniors has more than 75,000 members across Minnesota and western Wisconsin. UCare serves Medicare-eli-

eral provisions set forth in the act.

In the past, the collaborative has implemented the request for proposals process to select a new regional partner in the event a network was unable to continue membership when an organization moved or dissolved. During the past two years collaborative members have found it more difficult to meet the increased demand for assistive technology services. Additional support is critical to meet the growing demand in a timely manner. Identifying potential members with the qualifications and the capacity to provide quality services is the goal of the request, especially at a time when membership and demand for services have grown.

Deadline is Dec. 15. FFI: http://www.equipalife.org/ statewidenetwork.html ■ gible individuals and families enrolled in income-based Minnesota Health Care Programs, such as Minnesota Care and Prepaid Medical Assistance Program; adults with disabilities and Medicare beneficiaries with chronic health conditions and Minnesotans dually eligible for Medical Assistance and Medicare FFI: 1-877-523-1518 (toll free), www.ucare.org Mental Illness Awareness Week is Oct. 6-12 NAMI-MN free support groups for families who have a relative with a mental illness. NAMI has about two dozen family support groups, more than 20 support groups for people living with a mental illness, anxiety support groups, groups for veterans and other groups. Led by trained facilitators, the various groups provide help and support. FFI: 651-645-2948. A full calendar of all events is offered online.

A free 12-week educational course is offered for those who have a family member living with a mental illness?

Families can gain a greater understanding of mental illness, discuss resources, build communication skills, reduce stress and find support. Over 3,000 Minnesota families have benefited from this course. The Family-toFamily course meets weekly on Tuesdays for 12 weeks.

It starts 6:30 p.m. Tue, Sept. 10, at North Heights Lutheran Church, Roseville. Registration is required.

FFI: Stacia, 651-330-1730 or Anne, 651-653-5116.

Partners and Spouses support group meets 6:45 p.m. the first Tue of each month at Falcon Heights United Church of Christ, 1795 Holton St. FFI: Lois, 651-7881920, or Donna, 651-645-2948 ext. 101. Open Door Anxiety and Panic support, meets at 6:30 p.m. the first and third Thu at Woodland Hills Church, 1740 Van Dyke St., St. Paul and 6:30-6 p.m. on the second and fourth Thu at Goodwill-Easter Seals, 553 Fairview Ave. N., St. Paul. FFI: 651-645-2948.

NAMI Connection peer support group for adults are led by trained facilitators who are also in recovery lead NAMI Connection groups. One group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Tue, . A group meets at 6:30 p.m., on the 4th Tuesday of the month, at Goodwill-Easter Seals, 553 Fairview Av., St. Paul (The group previously met at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer.) FFI: Shelly, 651228-1645. Bi-weekly adult recovery groups meet at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Wed at Centennial United Methodist Church, 1524 Co. Rd. C-2 West, Roseville. FFI: Will, 651-578-3364.

A family support group meets in St. Paul on the second Wednesday of each month from at 6-7:30 p.m., at Goodwill-Easter Seals, 553 Fairview Ave. N., St. Paul, in room 123. FFI: Sonja, 651-357-2077. A family support group meets in Oakdale on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, from 7:00-8:30 p.m., at Canvas Health, 7066 Stillwater Blvd., in the community room.

FFI: Dan, 651-341-8918. A group also meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at Centennial United Methodist Church, 1524 Co. Rd. C-2 West, on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. FFI: Anne Mae, 651-730-8434. ■

November 10, 2013 Volume 24, Number 11 Pg 13

Creative Care: Art + Healing in the Twin Cities

ACCESSIBLE FUN Welcome to the Access Press Accessible Fun listings. Readers looking for additional opportunities to enjoy the arts have these options: For information on galleries and theater performances around the state join the Access to Performing Arts email list at access@vsamn.org or call VSA Minnesota, 612-332-3888 or statewide 800-801-3883 (voice/TTY).

To hear a weekly listing of accessible performances, call 612-332-3888 or 800-801-3883. The web accessible performance listings at www.vsamn.org/calendar.html, www.mrid.org, www.accesspress.org, or http://c2net.org (c2: caption coalition, inc.), which does most of the captioned shows in Minnesota and across the country.

Performances on Facebook; sign up to connect with Audio Description Across Minnesota (www.facebook.com/pages/Audio-Description-AcrossMinnesota/202035772468). Connect with ASL Interpreted and Captioned Performances across Minnesota on Facebook http://tinyurl.com/FBcaption

De’VIA work on display Artist Ellie Kidder will display her work through Dec. 6 at Nina’s Café, 165 Western Ave., St. Paul. Kidder is a well-known deaf artist. The drawings are realism in pencil that shows tiniest details of human and animal, even hair. A few drawings contain De’VIA theme. De’VIA stands for “Deaf” (De), also a translation for French, “of”.

“VIA” stands for “view image/ art”. This theme is about the interpretation of deaf culture and experiences in life among deaf people. American Sign Language interpretation was available at the event’s opening Nov. 6.

Throughout the show Braille is provided for title of each artwork, artist’s biography, and artist’s statement.

Skiing on Broken Glass The Guthrie Theater presents a show about an unlikely relationship between two men, at Guthrie Theater, Dowling Studio, 818 2nd St. S., Mpls. AD, ASL and

Regional News - from p. 6 ing error, the man’s commitment was automatically terminated and after considering other options, he asked to be released and was taken to the Minneapolis shelter.

Foarde recommended that hospital staff create a system of checks, with multiple safeguards that would ensure reports are filed on time and prevent such incidents in the future. She also said the staff in the unit where Traylor was staying needs more training for discharging patients who are mentally ill. Discharging mentally ill and dangerous people is more complex, but staff seemed to have a better understanding of that process, she said. Staff turnover at the hospital, especially with psychologists and psychiatrists, also contributed to the incident. ■ (Source: Mankato Free Press)

County’s actions spark outrage A Beltrami County jail inmate who is mentally ill was not only badly beaten in jail, a judge quickly released him from jail so that the county wouldn’t have to pay his medical bills. The judge also failed to ensure that the inmate would be returned to custody and receive proper psychiatric care after being released from the Minneapolis hospital where he was treated.

The judge’s actions were revealed by a Star Tribune investigation.

Kristine Koplar, the county’s chief public defender, was outraged. She said local officials placed budgetary savings before the welfare of a vulnerable adult.

After the 43-year-old man was discharged from the hospital, he was forced to hitchhike 215 miles to Bemidji. He is now receiving treatment there.

Beltrami County Judge John Melbye told the Star Tribune he gave the man a furlough to go to Hennepin County Medical Center for treatment of a broken jaw sustained in a beating while incarcerated. The furlough was granted without reviewing the man’s criminal and mental health records. Minnesota law states that a jail is responsible for health care costs of inmates while they are in custody. But counties get around paying the costs by asking that judges grant furloughs, to shift expensive treatment costs back to the prisoner’s previous health insurer. ■ (Source: Star Tribune)

Whether it’s a creative chance to focus away from pain or to communicate suffering that has no words, art offers healing to both artists and audiences.

Hennepin County’s Multicultural Arts Committee and Forecast Public Art, a nonprofit public art consulting agency, have produced Creative Care: Art + Healing in the Twin Cities, a first-of-its-kind exhibition. The exhibition runs from through Jan. 29, 2014, in the Hennepin Gallery, on the lower level of the Hennepin County Government Center in downtown Minneapolis. Many organizations are featured in the exhibit, reflecting many artistic disciplines and approaches to healing: the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum’s Healing Arts Therapies; Children’s Hospitals and Clinics; the Emily Program; Hennepin County Medical Center’s Inspire Arts Program; Illusion Theatre; MacPhail Center for Music; Penny George Institute for Health and Healing with Z Puppets Rosenschnoz; Boynton Health Services; and Amherst H. Wilder Foundation’s Adult Day Health Services.

The Hennepin Gallery is free and open to the public Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the Hennepin County Government Center, A Level, 300 S. 6th St., Mpls. In conjunction with the exhibit, Forecast is publishing an Art and Healing Directory and producing a variety of events. FFI: www.hennepin.us/hennepingallery ■ Captioning are 7:30 p.m. Fri., Nov. 15. Tickets are reduced to $20 for AD/ASL, $25 for Captioning (regular $29-39). FFI: 612-377-2224, TTY 612-377-6626, http:// www.guthrietheater.org/visit/access_services.

show is 3 p.m. Sun, Dec. 1, at the Purcell-Cutts House.

ASL show is 7 p.m. Thu, Dec. 5 at MIA. Tickets are free.

FFI: 612-870-3131, 612-870-3140, TTY 612-870-3132; dhegstro@artsmia.org, www.artsmia.org.

It’s a Wonderful Life

Cinderella

Lyric Arts Company of Anoka presents a play based upon the classic Frank Capra film, at Lyric Arts Main Street Stage, 420 E. Main St., Anoka. ASL show is 2 p.m. Sun, Nov. 17. Tickets are reduced by $5 for guests requiring ASL interpretation and a companion (regular $17-26). Seats for ASL patrons are held in reserve until two weeks prior to the show, then released to the general public. When ordering tickets, please indicate your need for seating in this section; if there are no reservations, the interpretation will be canceled. FFI: 763-4221838; boxoffice@lyricarts.org., www.lyricarts.org

The children’s fairy tale is updated in wacky fashion presented by Children’s Theatre Company, United Health Group Stage, 2400 Third Ave. S. Mpls. AD and ASL shows are 7 p.m. Fri, Dec. 6. Tickets include special price rates for ASL/AD patrons (regular $16-40). FFI: 612-874-0400; tickets@childrenstheatre.org, www.childrenstheatre.org Recommended for all ages

White Christmas Irving Berlin’s heart-warming post-World War II musical is performed by GREAT Theatre Company at the Paramount Theatre, 913 St. Germain St. West, St. Cloud. ASL show is 7:30 p.m. Fri, Nov. 22. Tickets are $11-23. FFI: 320-259-5463, www.GreatTheatre.org

Madame Josette’s Sugar and Spice with the Occasional Nut Performers with disabilities take us back to early 20th century are in this show about lovedand illumination, at Interact Theater & Gallery, 212 Third Ave. N., #140,Mpls.

AD show is 3 p.m. Sat, Nov. 23. ASL shows are 7 p.m.

Thu, Dec. 5 and 3 p.m. Sat, Dec. 7. Tickets are $18; or Dis/Cover the Arts $5 tickets, plus a $2.50 transportation subsidy applies to people with disabilities plus one companion per person, based on availability. At the performance, tell the box office the name of your transportation provider to receive $2.50 reimbursement. Tickets are limited, so reservations are encouraged. Brown Paper Tickets, 800-838-3006, http://www.brownpapertickets.com/ event/472306. Select Dis/Cover ticket price option. FFI: 612-339-5145, http://www.interactcenter.com.

The Veterans Play Project Mixed Blood Theatre and Footprints Collective in collaboration with Minnesota Veterans of Military Service present stories gathered from more than 100 Minnesota military veterans, at the Base Camp on the grounds of Fort Snelling, St. Paul. AD and ASL shows are 7:30 p.m.

Sat, Nov. 23. For tickets, choose between first come, first served, no cost admission under the Radical Hospitality program, or guaranteed admission ($20). Any patron that self identifies as having a disability or physical/ mobility limitations is eligible for a no-cost advance guaranteed reservation and for a free cab ride to and from the theatre. Contact the Box Office for more information and reservations. FFI: 612-338-6131; boxoffice@mixedblood.com, www.mixedblood.com

A Christmas Carol The classic Charles Dickens holiday favorite is performed by Guthrie Theater, Wurtele Thrust Stage, 818 2nd St. S., Mpls. AD and ASL shows are 1 p.m. Sat., Nov. 30, and 7:30 p.m. Wed., Dec. 4. Captioning is 7 p.m.

Sun., Dec. 1. Tickets are reduced to $20 for AD/ASL, $25 for Captioning (regular $34-85); phone: 612-3772224, TTY 612-377-6626, www.guthrietheater.org/visit/ access_services

Winterlights: Celebrating the Season Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 2400 3rd Ave. S., Mpls. A free ASL-interpreted public tour on the first Sunday of each month at 1 p.m. begins by the information desk in the museum lobby. Interpreted tours are also scheduled on other days. On the second Friday & Saturday of each month at 10:30 AM, free tours are offered for visitors with memory loss, Alzheimer’s and their friends or care partners. Assisted listening devices and wheelchairs are available. ASL show is 1 p.m. Sun, Dec. 1 at MIA. ASL

Christmas of Swing: The Andrews’ Sisters USO Show History Theatre presents a musical about the wartime entertainers and their celebrity friends, at History Theatre, 30 E. 10 th St., St. Paul. ASL and AD shows are 2 p.m. Sun, Dec. 8. The accessible entrance is on the east side of the building off Cedar Street; the theatre has six spaces for wheelchairs, plus companion seats; hearing enhancement devices and Braille or large print playbills are available. Tickets are reduced to $20 for ASL/AD patrons (regular $30-40). FFI: 651-292-4323 or 651-491-7967, www.historytheatre.com.

The Jungle Book A play based on Rudyard Kipling’s novel is performed

by Lakeshore Players Theatre, at, 4820 Stewart Ave., White Bear Lake. ASL show is 2 p.m. Sun, Dec. 8. (If no ASL seats are reserved within two weeks of the performance, the ASL-interpretation will be cancelled.) Tickets are $12, senior/student $10. FFI: 651-429-5674, tickets@lakeshoreplayers.com, www.lakeshoreplayers.com/Laura.html

Winter Wonderettes Rochester Civic Theatre presents the smash OffBroadway musical comedy at 20 Civic Center Dr. SE, Rochester. ASL show is 7 p.m. Sat, Dec. 14. Tickets are $27; senior $24; student $17. FFI: 507-282-8481, www.rochestercivictheatre.org/

Pg 14 November 10, 2013 Volume 24, Number 11

Stories about veterans

Radio Talking Book November Sampling Books available through Faribault Books broadcast on the Minnesota Radio Talking Book Network are available through the Minnesota Braille and Talking Book Library in Faribault Call 1-800-722-0550, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The catalog is online at www.mnbtbl.org, click on the link Search the Library Catalog. Persons living outside of Minnesota may obtain copies of books via inter-library loan by contacting their home state’s Network Library for the National Library Service.

Listen to the Minnesota Radio Talking Book, either live or archived programs from the previous week, on the Internet at www.mnssb.org/rtb. Call the Talking Book Library for a password to the site. To find more information about Minnesota Radio Talking Book Network events go to the Facebook site at http://tinyurl.com/ RadioTalkBook.

Access Press is one of the publications featured at 9 p.m. Sundays on the program It Makes a Difference.

Veterans Day is Monday, Nov.11. Two books during the month of November recount the experiences of a couple of veterans. Muddy Jungle Rivers: A river assault boat cox’n’s memory journey of his war in Vietnam,

by Wendell Afield is a memoir of his experiences in the jungles of Vietnam. The Long Walk: A Story of War and the Life That Follows, by Brian Castner, recounts his return from tours of duty in the Middle East. Neither book is easy to listen to, as war nor its results are always unpleasant. But it is important to pay attention to veterans and accord them the honor that they deserve.

Weekend Program Books Your Personal World (Saturday at 1 p.m.) is airing Happier at Home, by Gretchen Rubin; For the Younger Set (Sunday at 11 a.m.) is airing The Opposite of Hallelujah, by Anna Jarzab; Poetic Reflections (Sunday at noon) is airing 3 Sections, by Vijay Sashadri; The U.S. and Us (Sunday at 4 p.m.) is airing The Orchid Murder,

by Christine Hunt.

Past is Prologue • Monday – Friday 9 a.m.

Round about the Earth, Nonfiction by Joyce E. Chaplin, 2012. 21 broadcasts. Begins Nov. 25. In 1519, Magellan left Spain with five ships and 270 men, but only one ship and 35 men returned. Since then, travel has become safer and faster. But the desire to take on the planet and test one’s courage still exists. Read by Leila Poullada.

Bookworm • Monday – Friday 11 a.m.

The Carriage House, Fiction by Louisa Hall, 2013.

Nine broadcasts. Begins Nov. 12. After a stroke, William Adair realizes his family has changed; they are less extraordinary than he remembered. His faith in life had been based on his daughters’ talents and the importance of a carriage house built by his grandfather. Now both are collapsing. L - Read by Mary Hall.

Being Esther, Fiction by Miriam Karmel, 2013. Seven broadcasts. Begins Nov. 25. Born to parents who fled the shtetl, Esther Lustig has led a seemingly conventional life in suburban Chicago. Now at age eighty-five, she moves back and forth through time, attempting to come to terms with the meaning of her outwardly modest life. L - Read by Audray Rees.

The Writer’s Voice • Monday – Friday 2 p.m.

I Hate to Leave This Beautiful Place, Nonfiction by Howard Norman, 2013. Eight broadcasts. Begins Nov. 20.

Howard Norman’s life has been framed by five incidents of “arresting strangeness.” He spent his boyhood in the Midwest, but has also spent years in the arctic as a translator of Inuit tales and a student of birds. L - Read

by John Holden.

Choice Reading • Monday – Friday 4 p.m.

Silver, Fiction by Andrew Motion, 2012. 15 broadcasts. Begins Nov. 25. Forty years after the events of Treasure Island, Jim Hawkins runs an inn with his son, Jim, and Long John Silver lives in obscurity with his daughter Natty. One night, Natty approaches young Jim and proposes returning to Treasure Island to find the rest of the treasure their fathers had left behind.

Read by Stevie Ray. PM Report • Monday – Friday 8 p.m.

Out of Order, Nonfiction by Sandra Day O’Connor, 2013. Five broadcasts. Begins Nov. 28. The Supreme Court has seen centuries of change and upheaval transforming it into the institution we see today. Justice O’Connor was the first woman to sit on the high court.

Read by Esmé Evans.

Night Journey • Monday – Friday 9 p.m.

The Cuckoo’s Calling, Fiction by Robert Galbraith, 2013. 17 broadcasts. Begins Nov. 11. Cormoran Strike is scraping by as a private investigator when John Bristow hires him. His sister, a legendary supermodel, fell to her death; John believes it was murder.

L - Read by Tom Price.

Off the Shelf • Monday – Friday 10 p.m.

A Dual Inheritance, Fiction by Joanna Hershon, 2013.

20 broadcasts. Begins Nov. 11. Two teens meet at Harvard: a Jewish kid on scholarship and a Boston Brahmin. Their lives remain strangely and compellingly connected. L - Read by Connie Jamison.

Potpourri • Monday – Friday 11 p.m.

Stranger to History, Nonfiction by Astish Taseer, 2012. 12 broadcasts. Begins Nov. 14. Raised in Delhi by his Sikh mother, Taseer remained distant from his father, a Pakistani Muslim. Taseer journeyed to Pakistan to explore what it means to be Muslim today.

Read by Don Lee. Good Night Owl • Monday – Friday midnight Jewelweed, Fiction by David Rhodes, 2013. 21 broadcasts. Begins Nov. 28. The town of Words, Wisc., has a number of people struggling to find a sense of belonging in the present. All look to the future with hope and trepidation. L - Read by Arlan Dohrenburg.

After Midnight • Tuesday – Saturday 1 a.m.

Parlor Games, Fiction by Maryka Biaggio, 2013.

13 Br. Begins Nov. 26. May Dugas began her professional career in a bordello. But she quickly learned to use her skills to move into society. When a detective agency took interest in her, it became a game of cat and mouse. Read by Lynda Kayser. ■

Abbreviations: V - violence, L - offensive language, S - sexual situations.

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November 10, 2013 Volume 24, Number 11 Pg 15

Olmstead - from p. 1 The subcabinet, which shepherded the plan through rewrites and series of community meetings, approved the plan October 22. The plan was then delivered October 31 to U.S. District Court Judge Donovan Frank for further review. In 2011 Frank called for the plan to be developed when settling the legal case against the former Minnesota Extended Treatment Options (METO) facility. The facility was sued for the mistreatment of residents.

Gov. Mark Dayton has reviewed and approved the plan. “All Minnesotans deserve the opportunity and quality services to live with dignity, be valued members of their communities, and make choices to improve the quality of their own lives. Minnesota’s new Olmstead Plan will help empower Minnesotans of all abilities to do exactly that,” the governor said.

Olmstead plans, which get their name from a 1999 U.S. Supreme Court decision, are meant to ensure that people with disabilities are able to live, work and enjoy life in the most integrated setting desired. The plans chart a course that will change the way state government provides services and support for people with disabilities. Minnesota’s plan efforts languished until a court settlement and Dayton’s January 2013 executive order forming an Olmstead Subcabinet and directing identified agencies to develop and implement an Olmstead Plan.

Minnesota joins 29 other states in preparing an Olmstead Plan.

“This is the first time that a comprehensive plan has been developed across all state agencies,” said 5% - from p. 1 rector for The Arc Minnesota. At the St. Paul gathering, Larson said, “We’re going to have so much momentum that they can’t say no.”

Larson and other MN-CCD leaders said the drive won’t be successful unless legislators are contacted and told personal stories of what it means to be a family caregiver, a personal care attendant (PCA) or a direct support provider (DSP). Those who receive care are urged to describe how assistance helps them live and work in their communities.

Here are some excerpts from testimony at the sessions: Kayla, at the St. Paul session, described how she as a client felt when a trusted staff member left Opportunity Partners. “I was not very happy. I felt like she was one of the staff that I could talk to her about anything and everything. I know I am not the only one that feels that way when a staff member leaves, and this is just one of the situations that I have encountered since being here for almost four years. I feel that one of the reasons that staff leave is because they don’t get paid enough to do the job they love.”

Larry, at Brooklyn Park, is an advocate for clients of Lutheran Social Services. “Before I got my job, I made very little money. I couldn’t afford to do the things I wanted to do . . . I was working in a workshop before and only made a couple dollars a week. Work is something more than to keep people busy. I feel that people should have the opportunity to get equal pay for equal work.”

Allyson, at St. Paul, described her situation. She provided care for her children who have disabilities.

She spent much time managing their care and researching treatment options, before a serious accident and brain injury in January. He husband who was working three jobs, had to do more. Family and friends pitched in, and the family got a limited number of PCA hours. But the family worries every legislative session that parental fees will increase or services will be cut and that mental health services will not be given deserved attention.

Diane, at Baxter, said “What is important to me?

To make choices to be able to go places, shopping, church, the doctors, eye exams and dentist. I volunteer at (a care center) cleaning the bird cages, going to Special Olympics, bowling, basketball, track and field and we do fundraising we use the money for uniforms and state trips. If support gets cut due to funding how will we have transportation to get to my job at the Grand Casino at Mille Lacs? Also how will we live without funding and how will we get these basic

Prettner Solon. “In the past, work to improve services and support for people with disabilities was conducted agency-by-agency. Minnesota’s new Olmstead Plan establishes a roadmap for improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.”

“The Minnesota Olmstead Plan provides an opportunity to assess our state’s progress toward assurance of equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living and economic self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities,” said Colleen Wieck, executive director of the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities and an Olmstead Sub-Cabinet ex-officio member. Other subcabinet members also praised the plan, saying it will help in the design of services to meet individuals’ needs. Ideas from the plan will be brought to state lawmakers in 2014.

The 132-page Olmstead Plan recognizes that Minnesotans with disabilities want choices in where they live, where they work or go to school, and how they participate in community life. The plan details how the state will move forward with a review of policies and procedures. The plan also identifies and addresses barriers to full integration that people with disabilities face. To ensure progress is made, the plan specifies goals and timeframes to measure progress.

It’s a very wide-ranging plan, with goals ranging from adding more housing for people with disabilities to eliminating use of seclusion and restraints in state institutions.

The plan notes that it may take a cultural change in Minnesota to achieve some goals. It also indicates that change will not come without substantial costs.

needs met?” She aspires to have her own apartment, but needs support staff to make that a reality.

Angie, a support staff member in Baxter, said she began working in personal support services because she saw the need for people in her community to learn how to better their lives. “It is important to me that the people I serve lead an abundant life by having staff to help them go to things that we as staff take for granted; for instance, getting stamps, going to the movies and taking a boat ride,” she said. She urged state lawmakers to consider adequately funding caregivers, so their clients can continue to be support and have their dreams come true.

Anyone wanting for information on the campaign, and ways to get involved, can look for The 5% Campaign on Facebook, www.facebook.com/ 5PercentCampaign Information from MN-CCD was used in this article. ■

There still isn’t a cost estimate for implementing the plan. Nor have state officials decided whether or not a separate office should be tasked with following the plan.

The plan has not been without criticism. Many people have questioned why it has taken so long, given that the Olmstead decision requiring every state have a plan in place was 14 years ago.

Some advocacy groups, families and state agencies have raised a variety of questions and issues during the recent review process and are continuing to call for changes in the final plan. One big question mark is how the plan will meet so many needs in the face of trends toward state budget cuts.

Organizations have spoken out. National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Minnesota has stated in its recent updates that the plan isn’t doing enough to meet the needs of Minnesotans with mental illness, and that too little is offered in the plan.

At an August meeting in Rochester several families and caregivers argued that in some cases a community-based setting could be overwhelming for some people with developmental disabilities, mental health issues or severe autism. Sandra Gerdes, executive director of Laura Baker Services Association in Northfield, was quoted in news accounts as urging subcabinet members to not take a one-size-fits-all approach to helping people with disabilities. One concern she and others raised is that community-based facilities like theirs could potentially be threatened by changes tied to the plan. The plan, coupled with a 2009 moratorium on new group homes, raises red flags for many families worried about where their loved ones could safely and independently live.

Another issue repeatedly raised in public testimony in rural Minnesota, residents often lack support services needed to stay in their own homes and to access activities and programs. Physical barriers, lack of appropriate housing, limited transportation options and limited support services are among issues people in rural areas face.

Employment opportunities, especially more “Employment First” efforts and integrated employment, are issues that were raised at every forum.

Prettner Solon said the plan’s website will remain in place, and the subcabinet will continue to meet.

Public hearings will be held a couple of times a year on the plan. She and other subcabinet members said it’s important for the plan to be an evolving document and respond to changing needs. ■

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FOR RENT Lewis Park Apartments: Barrier-free housing with wheelchair users in mind. Section 8 subsidized. Oneand two-bedroom units. For more information on availability call 651-488-9923. St. Paul, MN. Equal Opportunity Housing.

Oak Park Village: We are accepting applications for the waiting list for one-bedroom wheelchair accessible apartments. Section 8 subsidized. Convenient St. Louis Park location. Call 952-935-9125 for information. Equal Opportunity Housing.

Calvary Center Apts: 7650 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, MN. A Section 8 building now accepting applications for our waiting list. Call 9 am to 4 pm, Mon – Fri 763-546-4988 for an application. Equal Opportunity Housing.

Holmes-Greenway Housing: One- and two-bedroom wheelchair-accessible apartments. Section 8 subsidized. Convenient SE Minneapolis location. Call 612378-0331 for availability information. Equal Opportunity Housing.

Edina - 1 Br Wheelchair Accessible Units Oak Glen of Edina will be closing all waiting lists as of Fri 11/15/13, except for 1BR wheelchair accessible units. 952-941-1558. Equal Opportunity Housing.

Pg 16 November 10, 2013 Volume 24, Number 11