January 2016 Edition - Access Press

Rosen honored, page 14

Volume 27, Number 1

Woman wins disability hiring case

by Access Press staff

A Twin Cities woman with a visual disability has received an $185,000 payment from a medical transportation company, to resolve a claim of discrimination. The Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MNDHR) announced resolution of the claim in December. State human rights officials made a finding of probable cause that disability discrimination occurred related to the failure to hire a job candidate with a disability.

Medical Transportation Management, which is based in the St. Paul area, paid Therese Dahlberg $185,000 to resolve alleged disability discrimination for failure to hire her. Dahlberg had applied for work with the company as a customer service representative. The company allegedly released Dahlberg from a job interview after the company’s human resources representative learned of Dahlberg’s visual disability.

Disability discrimination is one of the most common claims that MDHR investigates.

From January to June of 2015, 23 percent of the cases the deWoman wins case - p. 5

January 10, 2016

www.accesspress.org Looking back

2015 was a year of change for the Minnesota disability community Another year has drawn to a close so it’s time for the Access Press annual look back at the past year. Happy 2016 to our readers.

January The 2015 legislative session began with many expectations and also many uncertainties. A plus-$1 billion state surplus raised hopes for some additional spending.

But a DFL-led Senate, DFL governor and Republican-led House set the stage for gridlock. The 5 Percent Campaign was back for another run at additional funding for staff, as were efforts to change Medical AAssistance (MA) and MA-EPD. The ABLE Act’s passage was celebrated.

ABLE stands for Achieving a Better Life Experience and allows families to save for higher education for people with disabilities.

Federal passage triggered the need for states to pass their own laws.

ALLY People Solutions was in a bind as one of its accessible vans was stolen from St. Paul’s East Side.

February Mental health services, education and families fared well in Gov. Mark Dayton’s two-year, $42

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

“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”

— Frederick Douglass

NEWS DIGEST

File photos

billion budget. But the budget proposal met dismay from the 5% Campaign and groups calling for MA reforms, as those priorities were left out. When Dayton’s budget was released Jan. 27, there was relief that many disability services programs were spared cuts. But there was disappointment that more needs weren’t met.

EquipALife, a statewide nonprofit organization that provides all kinds of adaptive equipment for Minnesotans, received a generous gift from Crippled Child Relief Inc. (CCRI). The Year in review- p. 3

Now three divisions

Department of Human Services eyes various plans for reorganization

by Access Press staff The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), which has faced its share of challenges in recent years, will look different in the future. A plan to have agency operations under three broad divisions was announced in December and will take shape in the months ahead.

However, restructuring DHS further could emerge as an issue during the upcoming 2016 legislative session. It could be a focus in the upcoming race for Minnesota governor. It could be debated in 2017 if DFLers regain control of the Minnesota House and hang onto the Senate.

What could the current and proposed changes mean for Minnesotans with disabilities and elders? DHS is the largest state agency and serves more than one million people with a wide array of programs and services. Its biennial budget is about $33.8 billion. It has more than 6,200 employees under its umbrella and it serves very different populations through an array of programs. Minnesotans with disabilities rely on many DHS programs for independence.

Gov. Mark Dayton in December appointed Emily Johnson Piper as DHS commissioner. She succeeds Lucinda Jesson, who was appointed to a Minnesota Court of Appeals judgeship. “Emily Johnson Piper will be an outstanding Human Services Commissioner,” said Dayton. “Emily’s exceptional judgement, her integrity, and her commitment to excellence in all she does, are the foundations for her success. As general counsel, she has been deeply involved in the most significant issues affecting the department. Thus she is well-prepared to provide the same outstanding leadership to that agency, as did her predecessor, Judge Lucinda Jesson.”

Emily Johnson Piper DHS reorganization underway - p. 15

Eye-dentity art exhibit opens in Minneapolis this month.

Page 12 ARRM is among the disability community groups marking an anniversary.

Page 2 Assisted suicide issue continues to generate debate in our community.

Page 4 Find resources, help with daily living and support groups through our Directory of Organizations.

PP 7-10 Programs from across the state were honored with Circle of Excellence awards.

Page 11

INSIDE Accessible Fun, pg 12 Events, pg 13 People & Places, pg 11 & 14 Radio Talking Book, pg 14 Regional News, pg 6 & 15

Pg 2 January 10, 2016 Volume 27, Number 1

EDITOR’S DESK

Tim Benjamin This month we’re following our commentary in the December issue on physician-assisted suicide with another one, also by a knowledgeable, persuasive critical thinker and renowned disability advocate.

This topic has been controversial in the disability community, and among the general public, for a long time. In my lifetime, I’ve followed the Karen Ann Quinlan case in 1975, then Dr. Jack Kevorkian in the early 1990s, and then the state of Oregon’s passage of a physician-assisted suicide act in 1997. The topic of euthanasia has been around much longer, probably, for as long as human life.

We are divided in this society about the issue of suicide. Until the 1980s, nearly half of the states had laws against committing suicide. We spend a great deal of resources on preventing suicide. You see it in billboards urging people who are depressed or suicidal to seek help. It seems to me that often those depicted as the targets of prevention efforts are healthy young people. At the same time, states are reviewing legislation or passing initiatives to allow assisted suicide, and the stories seem to center on the aged or individuals with disabilities or disabling conditions. Often there seems to be an implied message that such people are a burden on society.

Our commentary last month was written by Stephanie Woodward, J.D., director of advocacy at the Center for Disability Rights in Rochester, New York. Woodward told the story of a person with Lou Gehrig’s disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS) and how she wanted a physician’s assistance to die because of the loss of dignity, forced dependence on a wheelchair and her need for assistance with hygiene. The media picked up the story and used it as a case for the justification of assisted suicide. To any person diagnosed with a life-altering or terminal condition, the right to choose death can feel like an important option. But I know from experience that while it takes time (a lot of time) to adjust from living independently to being completely dependent, life takes on new meaning during and after that adjustment. I know about the sense of loss, feelings of indignity and adjusting to acute and chronic pain; after 40-plus years with a spinal cord injury, I can say that some of it never goes away. But while the adjustment is gradual, it brings new understandings of the worth of life and what dignity really is.

Another perspective is offered this month by Dr. Seth A. Morgan, a board-certified clinical neurologist and fellow of the American Academy of Neurology: “The movement to authorize aid in dying is based on respect, dignity and autonomy. This is the very philosophy that drives our [the disability community’s] movement for equal rights.” I’m not sure that these are exactly the rights that Ed Roberts and the other frontline activists were pursuing in their formation of the disability rights movement in the 1960s and 1970s. Mor-

gan suggests that the disability community’s “agitation” in opposition to assisted suicide only perpetuates the stigma of people with disabilities as being weak, vulnerable and unable to make their own decisions.

I do think there are several aspects of this issue that neither of these commentaries have addressed. For instance, how does physician-assisted suicide affect the individual’s family, friends, physicians, nurses and caregivers? What about palliative and ameliorative caregiving? Could a new form of hospice be an alternative to suicide? In such a setting, if the traditional palliative care fails, there could be safeguards with expanded psychological support. The act of assisted suicide could still be performed if the person wants it, but in a setting where it could be overseen and protected from abuse.

For people with disabilities, as for many others, assisted suicide and euthanasia have troubling links to what has, at other points in history, been called eugenics, the “science” of improving the human race by eliminating those with undesirable characteristics.

“This [assisted suicide] is a method of normalizing of what should be unequivocally resisted,” said Wesley J. Smith, senior fellow at the Center on Human Exceptionalism’s Discovery Institute.

In closing, I’ll move from life and death to day-today: How about this weather? Wouldn’t it be nice to continue a winter like we’ve had? They keep talking about snow but it comes and goes in just a day or two. But let them be wrong; I’m not complaining.

Let’s hope we’re still talking about this thirtyish degree weather next month.

Correction: In our December issue, the name of the photographer for the Charlie Award banquet was spelled incorrectly. Erin McKiel was the photographer who took such great images that night. ■

HISTORY NOTE

ARRM marked 45 years’ service in 2015

by Jane McClure

Access Press is not the only Minnesota disability community member marking a major anniversary in 2015. Here is a look at three of our community counterparts: ARRM marked its 45 years’ service to Minnesotans with disabilities. What is now ARRM began in the summer of 1970. A small group of Minnesota leaders from private residential facilities for people with what was then called “mental retardation” met at an ARC convention in Bemidji. The leaders found that they shared many interests, concerns and goals, so they agreed to form an association and invited other community members to join them.

On November 13, 1970 ARRM—then known as the “Association of Residences for the Retarded in Minnesota”—was officially incorporated as a nonprofit organization. It later became the Association of Residential Resources in Minnesota, but is now ARRM. Just as outdated language has changed since then, so too has the community served by ARRM. The state has closed its large institutions that housed many people with developmental disabilities and moved people to smaller, community-based settings.

Services have become more person-centered. ARRM has expanded from being a representative of residential services to also including community services.

ARRM got its start in St. Paul and in its early years had an office not far from the state capitol. The organization always has had a presence during legislative sessions and has worked to raise awareness of the issues its members face. Its members support people with developmental, physical, and intellectual disabilities, as well as brain injury, autism, mental health needs and more. ARRM members also provide semiindependent living services (SILS) and other community-based services.

ARRM’s activity at the capitol have frequently appeared in Access Press, most recently with the Best Life Campaign to increase the wages for caregivers.

One December 1990 Access Press article described how ARRM members staged a lengthy protest of wage issues, in front of the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). ARRM began the protest of October 15 and continued its presence until the November election.

ARRM began the protest of October 15 and continued its presence until the November election.

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Tim Benjamin Board of Directors Production Brigid Alseth, Steve Anderson, John Clark, Ellen Houghton with Presentation Images Managing Editor Kristin Jorenby, Halle O'Falvey, Carrie Salberg, Jane McClure Distribution Cheryl Vander Linden, Walt Seibert and S. C. Distribution Mark Zangara 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. 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.

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

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“The core of the argument is that wages paid to state employees for similar work in residential facilities is substantially higher than the wages to outside providers of service,” the article stated. (This was before the state’s current Personal Care Attendant program.)

Gerry MacInerney of ARRM told a news reporter that the discrepancy was the result of longstanding and cumbersome rules from DHS, as well as the rate increase system in place at that time.

Terry Shapiro of Mary T., who was shown picketing and handing out leaflets in front of DHS, said that the wage discrepancy was about $4 per hour. Private contractor received an average of $6 per hour, while the state paid $10 per hour for the same work.

One photo showed a sign stating, “Gov. Perpich, why do you let this happen? Just say no to preferential treatment.”

Read about two other longtime disability community organizations, Vinland National Center and Tamarack Rehabilitation Services, in our People and Places section. ■ The History Note is a monthly column sponsored by the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, www.mnddc.org or www.mncdd.org and www.partnersinpolicymaking.com.

January 10, 2016 Volume 27, Number 1

Year in review- from p. 1 $85,000 gift will be used to jumpstart the new Grants to Individuals Program. The new program will help EquipALife help even more Minnesotans and make their dreams of self-sufficiency come true.

CCRI was shifting its focus after many years.

mark in 2015. The community enjoyed a big celebration at the Minnesota History Center, The newspaper published a 25-year timeline and stories about founding Editor Charlie Smith. Smith died in 2001 but his impact on disability issues as a journalist is still felt today. He is remembered as a determined and re-

Pg 3

tegrated into the greater community and how supports and services will be provided. While hailing U.S. District Court Judge Donovan Frank’s decision to approve the plan, state leaders agree there is much work left to do toward plan implementation.

People Inc.’s Diane Ahrens Crisis Residence will relocate from St. Paul’s Hamline-Midway area to the Hazel Park neighborhood. Months of debate at the neighborhood, St. Paul Planning Commission and City Council level ended September 10 with a 5-2 council vote of approval. The new location was a convent for many years.

After 58 years of stimulating the economy, celebrating creativity, and helping launch multiple businesses, the Minnesota Inventors Congress shut down. The shutdown is due to reductions in state funding. Many inventions benefitted people with disabilities.

March As the 2015 Minnesota Legislature approached the session’s mid-point there were concerns about the pace of legislative activity. There was also frustration about the lack of attention to state spending and disability community needs.

Jesse Bethke Gomez took the helm at the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living, succeeding longtime director David Hancox.

The play was the thing for southwest Minnesota self-advocates, who had graduated from ACT’s Olmstead Plan Academy. Disability Pride and November Power was the theme of the project for the self-adPeople who rely on Social Security programs for vocates from The Arc Southwest. The group not support will see changes. The Social Security Disonly staged a play, members launched Born This Hundreds of people packed the state armory to call for an increase in caregiver wages. ability Insurance (SSDI) Program, which faced runWay Here to Stay groups. Self-advocates from File photo ning out of funds in mid-2016, was spared large around the state took part in the 12-month training. cuts in the federal budget agreement. Had Congress Audrey Benson, a founder and former president of the silient fighter for disability and human rights.

About 27,000 Minnesota personal care attendants not acted, trustees for the Social Security system had United Handicapped Federation, passed away at age 76. were covered by a contract. As of July 1, the workers warned that benefits could be cut by as much as 19 to were covered by a first-ever contract negotiated be20 percent. But retirees on Social Security faced the April tween the Service Employees International Union prospect of no increase in 2016 Interact Center for the Performing and Visual Arts (SEIU) and the state of Minnesota. But the union The fight continued over a 2013 state law allowing moved to St. Paul’s Midway area, after 18 years in faced legal challenges.

Minnesota’s 27,000 home health care workers to the Minneapolis Warehouse District. The new space A cramped and warm special session in the State unionize. Supporters and opponents, with their clioffered more room for classes, displays and perforOffice Building wrapped up the work of the 2015 ents, filled a St. Paul federal appeals courtroom for mances by the adult day program participants.

Minnesota Legislature. Disability community memback-to-back hearings.

Access to transit was the focus of a meeting in St. bers celebrated gains in housing and employment ALLY People Solutions had seen many change Paul, where the need for better connections to Green since its inception 50 years ago when a group of deLine light rail was discussed. More than 9,000 people programs, but were unhappy with how funding for special education played out. termined mothers set out to change disability services with disabilities live in the neighborhood served by for the better. the light rail line, so good connecting business and August accessible sidewalks are needed.

The Minnesota Security Hospital in St. Peter was December Educator Bruce Kramer, who used his experience found to be using seclusion and restraint in violation Everyone has a story and was born with a purpose. with ALS to chronicle with life with illness, died just of its own policies and license conditions.

A 16That was a theme of Access Press Charlie Smith as his book came out. The book, We Know How This month investigation by the Minnesota Disability Law Award winner Jessalyn Akerman-Frank’s speech. At Ends: Living While Dying, was well-received.

Center indicated that hospital staff strapped patients the end of each speech everyone in the crowd shook to restraint chairs, isolated patients in locked rooms their hands in the air in the American Sign Language May and used other measures when patients and staff version of applause.

Hamline University prepared to host the U.S. aren’t at risk of harm. The report said the measures Best Life Alliance is the new name for The 5% Paralympics Track and Field National Championare used more as punishment than as emergency proCampaign. The Best Life Alliance, a coalition of ships in June. The event drew top athletes from tection as required. More individualized treatment, more than 130 groups statewide, launched its quest around the nation, and served as a selection event for added clinical staff, ongoing staff training and more for $90 million from the 2016 Minnesota Legislature, the 2015 Parapan American Games and 2015 world to increase caregivers’ wages. championships. This marked the first time that the na- patient involvement in treatment plans are among the report’s 17 recommendations.

MN-CCD also looked ahead to the 2016 legislative tional championships were held in Minnesota Visitors to the Minnesota State Fair enjoyed addisession, with Medical Assistance (MA) Reform as the Preparations were also underway for the lead policy item. MA provides adults and elders with ReelAbilities Film festival in June. The event, held at tional accommodations for guests with disabilities.

After complaints in 2014, the result was more accesdisabilities access to services and supports that keep multiple places throughout the Twin Cities, included them living in the community. But changes is needed the showing of films, an acting workshop, opening re- sible parking spaces, respite space, more interpreted shows and other accommodations. Changes were to state-mandated asset and income standards. ■ ception and closing ceremony. This was the second made to the West End Market’s transit hub, which time for the Twin Cities to host the film festival, opened in 2014. which is held at venues around the nation.

Partners in Policymaking was again offering its September classes for people with disabilities and their family More than 5,000 Minnesotans with disabilities have members. Classes would start in the fall. been deprived of plus-$1 billion in services for more than two decades under a federal Medicaid program June managed by the Minnesota Department of Human SerSaying the Olmstead Plan still needed work, Judge vices (DHS). The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court Donovan Frank sent the 158-page document back to its planning sub-cabinet for more work. It marked the stated that people have waited for years for services needed so that they can live in the community. But some second time in eight months that Frank had scolded Minnesota counties don’t spend Medicaid funds as state officials about what he saw as shortcomings in quickly as they should. The lawsuit contends that for the plan. He gave state officials until July 10 to submit a new draft. One of Frank’s greatest concerns was more than two decades DHS mismanaged monies appropriated by the Minnesota Legislature for the Home a lack of measurable outcomes. and Community Based Waiver Services program.

The end of the 2015 regular legislative session came UCare, its partner businesses and about 370,000 of with uncertainty on some issues, joy on others and its clients face uncertain times as a result of a comdisappointment on a few fronts. The 5 Percent Campetitive bidding process for state health care conpaign vowed to come back in 2016 with its plea for a tracts. The clients are among an estimated 475,000 wage increase. Proponents for reforms in MA and Minnesotans who had to switch public health plan MA-EPDF got positive news, as did advocates for Advertising doesn’t cost. providers. This is the greatest number of Minnesotans mental health. Mental health programs saw some of who have ever had to switch plans in a given year. their greatest gains in years. Education and other is>>>>> It pays! <<<<< sues were still up in the air, pending a special session.

Reach Minnesotans with disabilities, October their family members and Approval of the Minnesota’s Olmstead Plan capped July advocacy groups almost four years’ of effort. The plan provides clarity Access Press and the Americans with Disabilities in Access Press ! as to how people with disabilities will be more fully inAct (ADA) celebrated reaching the quarter-century

Pg 4 January 10, 2016 Volume 27, Number 1

FROM OUR COMMUNITY

Assisted suicide guidelines protect patients

By Dr. Seth Morgan

My name is Dr. Seth Morgan. I am a board-certified clinical neurologist and fellow of the American Academy of Neurology. I am also disabled by multiple sclerosis and serve as district activist leader for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and am chairman of my county’s Commission on People with Disabilities. I provide these credentials not to speak officially for any organization, but to demonstrate my medical expertise as well as my commitment to bettering life for people with disabilities. I feel a responsibility to respond to the commentary by Stephanie Woodward.

Based on my 23 years of clinical practice, as a person with a disability, and as an individual whose family members have experienced very difficult end-of-life challenges, I am in strong support of authorizing medical aid in dying. Having cared for people with progressive and terminal neurological illnesses, I believe the authorized practice of aid in dying has strong protections for the patient. The individual seeking control at the end of their life must have a terminal illness with a very limited life expectancy; must be competent to understand the decision as well as all the available alternatives and must self-administer the medication. When combined with the additional safeguards of a second medical opinion, possible mental health evaluation, required time periods between requests and witnesses, aid in dying is designed to prevent abuse.

As more states authorize aid in dying in response to public demand, clinical guidelines for physicians have been developed. These best practices, recently published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine, provide guidance on responding to requests for aid in dying at the end of life and assessing patient decision-making capacity. Emphasis is placed on mental competence, capacity for self-determination and freedom from coercion. These criteria are disability-neutral.

In Oregon, both physicians and dispensing pharmacists submit a report to The Oregon Health Authority each time they prescribe or dispense medication to a patient under the Death with Dignity Act (DWDA) – a legal protection that serves the interests of providers, patients and families. The Public Health Division then releases aggregate data each year. From this extensive collection process, we know that the typical profile of a DWDA user in Oregon is a white, older than 65, highly-educated, terminally-ill individual enrolled in hospice. Cancer is the most common diagnosis (80 percent), followed by ALS (7 percent), then cardiac, respiratory and other chronic diseases. Of those who obtain a prescription, approximately one-third choose not to use it. The most common reasons for requesting aid in dying are loss of autonomy, loss of enjoyment in life, and loss of dignity – determined by the individual him or herself.

In the 17 years the DWDA has been in effect in Oregon, there has not been a single reported case of abuse, contrary to Woodward’s mischaracterization of the Cheney family’s fight for their mother’s right to a peaceful death. Additionally, Oregon State University, Portland State University, Oregon Health and Sciences University and the Portland VA Medical Center have published research and analysis on DWDA in respected peer-reviewed medical journals. Over the years, local and national press have scrutinized the data and reported stories that have documented the law’s implementation. I am confident that my peers on the West Coast are upholding the highest ethical standards in practicing aid in dying and I commend them for bravely supporting their patients who choose a peaceful means to end their suffering when it becomes unbearable.

Woodward’s fear of so-called “assisted suicide” perpetuates the stigma that people with disabilities are weak, vulnerable and unable to make our own decisions. In her commentary, she speaks against, “people who feel that decisions should be made for me, not by me.” And yet, that is precisely what she now wants to do for all of us with disabilities. She takes one sad and biased set of values that subjugated people with disabilities for years and replaces it with her own personal biases. In this 25th anniversary year of passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is, I believe, a continued bias against people with disabilities to argue that there is a danger of using this law to “euthanize” us. The movement to authorize aid in dying is based on respect, dignity and autonomy. Only I can determine the quality of my life. Only I can say when I’ve lost my dignity. This is the very philosophy that drives our movement for equal rights.

Woodward also does a disservice by equating depression with the grief and suffering that comes at the end of life. Those who choose aid in dying don’t want to die. They are dying. Depression becomes terminal when it goes untreated. We need to demand justice in the delivery of mental health services but not at the expense of those suffering at the end of life.

Woodward observes that “every major disability rights organization that has taken a stance on assisted suicide opposes its legalization.” The American Public Health Association, the American Medical Women’s Association, the American Psychological Society, the National Physicians Association and many others have indicated either support for aid in dying or have a position of neutrality, characterizing the decision as personal and individual. The American Civil Liberties Union, one of our strongest allies, testified before the New Mexico Supreme Court in a case last month that “allowing competent patients to end their lives without prolonged suffering is a Constitution right.”

As a frontline physician, I have seen the need for aid in dying in my patients. It saddens me that irresponsible commentary such as Woodward’s conjures unfounded fears that misinform the public and become obstacles for those suffering terribly at the end of life, with no hope of recovery and no available relief. ■

Race/disability are starting points for redemption

by Mel Duncan, Nonviolent Peace Force

Struggles for liberation are long. While rooted in ancient traditions, they always require new people and new thinking to push the edge. As Howard Thurman, the black theologian and mentor to Martin Luther King Jr., stated, Look well to the growing edge. All around us worlds are dying and new worlds are being born; all around us life is dying and life is being born. Such is the growing edge. It is the extra breath from the exhausted lung, the one more thing to try when all else has failed, the upward reach of life when weariness closes in upon all endeavor. This is the basis of hope in moments of despair, the incentive to carry on when times are out of joint and men and women have lost their reason, the source of confidence when worlds crash and dreams whiten into ash. Such is the growing edge incarnate. Look well to the growing edge.

On October 30, I got to stand for a while at the growing edge at a symposium on “Black Liberation Theology of Disability” at Union Seminary in New York City.

This theology, developed by Kendrick Kemp, overcomes the fusion of abelism and racism.

Kendrick, a master of divinity student at Union, was an all-county running back in high school in upstate New York. He made all-state in basketball and still holds several track records at his high school after 30 years. Then at age 21 he suffered a stroke. The doctors told him that he wouldn’t walk or talk again. “It was like I was riding on a magic carpet and somebody snatched it from me,” said Kendrick. He wrestled with God in the hospital and beyond. “If I can walk and talk again, I will go anywhere you send me,” he said.

His mother stood by assuring him that it would be all right. “But I didn’t know what all right would mean.” After months of struggle, he regained his ability to walk and talk, but “people were scared of me and I was scared of myself.”

Two years later he suffered another stroke, wiping out all of his gains. While angry and confused, he knew that God had given him resilience and an inner drive. He started exploring why such catastrophes had happened to him. He has never found the answers. But at Union Kendrick did find Dr. James Cone, the faStarting points for redemption - p. 5

January 10, 2016 Volume 27, Number 1

Starting points for redemption - from p. 4 ther of Black Liberation Theology, who helped him get out of the pit and gave him a theological language to imagine a new theology of liberation – liberation that emerges from tragedy, defies the status quo and supports everyone in finding his or her own unique voice. For in the United States, many blacks and those with disabilities often experience humiliation and suffering along with their accomplishments.

Race and disability are starting points for redemption.

God is a God of the oppressed. The conditions of the oppressed are the conditions of God: God has a disability. The church is troubled when it preaches wholeness and healing instead of proclaiming that we all are inWoman wins case - from p. 1 partment investigated were disability discrimination charges.

“It is important to remember the critical opportunity for both the employer and the job candidate in creating Minnesota’s future workforce through competitive employment opportunities,” said Human Rights Commissioner Kevin Lindsey. “All employers must ensure that their management staff is knowledgeable about providing necessary reasonable accommodations during the job application and hiring process to allow job candidates with disabilities to participate.”

Dahlberg interviewed with a Medical Transportation Management human resources representative on Jan. 16, 2012. She was told, “There was no point in proceeding with the job interview as the accommodation for this disability (text-to-speech software) did not work on the respondent’s computer operating system.”

After Dahlberg’s interview, employees of the Minnesota State Services for the Blind performed an on-site evaluation of the respondent’s operating systems. The employees specifically investigated whether the certain text-to-speech software would effectively allow Dahlberg to perform the duties of a customer service representative.

Medical Transportation Management hired three candidates for the position, according to the MDHR determination memorandum. Medical Transportation Management indicated it did not hire the charging party because it was unable to accommodate her disability-related work restrictions.

“Sufficient evidence indicated the failure to hire [Dahlberg] was based upon speculative fears or challenges, which the evidence indicated could have been accommodated without posing an undue hardship to the respondent,” according to the memorandum.

Medical Transportation Management’s undue hardship claims were insufficient as concerns related to privacy could be addressed with headphones.

“As we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disability Act, we need to remember that barriers to employment for people with disabilities are still very real,” said Joan Willshire, Minnesota State Council on Disability Executive Director. “This case illustrates the ongoing challenges for individuals with disabilities.

The ADA states that people with disabilities have the right to equal access during the hiring process. Therefore, employers must give people with disabilities the same consideration as all other candidates. Assistive technologies help make that possible. Modern technology allows employers to reasonably accommodate most applicants who have a disability. Failure to provide reasonable accommodations is discrimination.”

Anyone who has questions or concerns about hiring issues relate to disability or discrimination related to disability or other protected class status under the Minnesota Human Rights Act can contact MDHR’s enforcement unit at: 651-539-1100 or online at mn.gov/mdhr/intake. For more information about disability discrimination and disability employment, visit mn.gov/mdhr or follow the conversation on Facebook or Twitter at @mnhumanrights Other resources may be available through the Minnesota STAR (System of Technology to Achieve Results), which helps Minnesotans connect with assistive technology devices and services. STAR can be reached at 651-201-2640 or 1-888-234-1267, or by emailing star.program@state.mn.us For more information on assistance for people who are visually impaired, contact State Services for the Blind, at 651-539-2300 or 1-800-652-9000, or http:// mn.gov/deed/job-seekers/blind-visual-impaired/ ■

complete. There is a lot of shaming in the healing stories. Disability liberation stresses the acceptance of our incompleteness in its entire splendor. It is a place of radical inclusion that defines God’s kinship to all.

Rabbi Julia Watts Belser of Georgetown University, one of the speakers at the October 30 symposium described how her God is the God in the book of Ezekiel streaking across the sky in a chariot: “Just like me, God depended on wheels,” she exclaimed. “My wheels set me free and open my spirit!” Disability liberation theology demands a place to testify to the ways that the Spirit flows through bodies and minds.

Dr. Cornell West, called the symposium a “historic gathering,” reminding us how Kendrick comes from a long tradition of black people with disabilities including Harriet Tubman, Fanny Lou Hammer and Art Tatum: “We need to recapture the language and run to disability; not away from it.” He said, “Ableism is as evil as racism, sexism, anti-Semitism and antiArabism.” In recalling the black spiritual, Lift Every Voice and Sing, West emphasized that every voice must define itself.

Those of us who are temporarily able bodied were also

Pg 5

challenged to examine our own internalized dominance.

In reflecting on the symposium a few weeks later, Kendrick remembered listening to spirituals and the blues during his early recovery. “When I heard those songs, I was in a room of people like me. They sang stories of tragedy and overcoming and the gladness was still there.”

He talked about creating a place where people could tell their truths and not feel shame, yet even when those feelings come up, they know that God is with them.

Kendrick laments that so many people are still in the shadows and not getting the resources they need. “It’s hard to accept yourself in a society that’s always pushing you down.” Black Liberation Theology of Disability provides a sacred space of radical inclusiveness that pulls people from the shadows into the sunshine of loving and proud acceptance. “Violence is coming at us. If we don’t have something to fight it off with, we will succumb to it.”

On a sunny afternoon in late October, I was allowed to glimpse a growing edge of profound change.

Like the blues, Kendrick had created a huge, permeable and incomplete space that embraced tragedy, overcoming and gladness and loudly proclaimed to all who could hear, “You are not alone!” ■

Pg 6 January 10, 2016 Volume 27, Number 1

REGIONAL NEWS Abuse allegations delay hiring The Minneapolis School Board has suspended contract negotiations with the man selected to the new superintendent for Minneapolis Public Schools, in the wake of allegations of possible student abuse by staff in Sergio Páez’s previous district.

The board suspected the hiring in December and will revisit the issue January 12. Members launched their own fact-finding mission in Massachusetts. The Disability Law Center of Boston, a federally funded group, brought the abuse allegations to light in a report issued last week that alleged “a disturbing pattern of excessive physical restraint and psychological abuse of youngsters with disabilities by staff at the Peck School in Holyoke, Massachusetts.”

The Peck School is where Páez previously served as superintendent. That county’s prosecutor is doing a separate criminal investigation.

“It’s serious, it’s absolutely serious—it’s concerning obviously,” said Páez in a phone interview with KSTP-TV. “I’m working very closely with the state so we have a response to the allegations.” Páez said he was unaware of some of the allegations mentioned in last week’s report.

Minneapolis school officials had paid the search firm, Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates up to $85,000 to screen candidates—a process that involves background checks, interviews and credit history. But the examination of Páez’s work history failed to turn up allegations of excessive restraint. ■ (Source: KSTP-TV)

Sheltered workshops to make changes Sheltered workshops that employ thousands of Minnesotans with disabilities, often for just pennies an hour, would be forced to make drastic changes under a state proposal to eliminate a share of their public subsidies. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development is expected to approve a plan that would phase out nearly $2 million in annual subsidies and replace them with incentives to move employees into the general workforce.

“It’s time to say, ‘No more,’ to this assumption that people with disabilities can’t work” in the community, said Kim Peck, director o vocational rehabilitation services at the department, told the Star Tribune.

“Let’s throw that out and say, everyone needs to contribute and can contribute and how can we … make that happen.”

A recent Star Tribune investigation found that many of these workshops segregate people in cloistered work environments at low pay and with little hope for advancement into the competitive workplace. The proposal would be phased in over five years and affects just a small part of the state’s total spending on sheltered workshops, it marks the first major step in decades to reform facilities that have Sheltered workshops - p. 15

DHS terminates firm’s payments The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has terminated payments to a large Twin Cities mental health provider accused of overbilling Medicaid by millions of dollars. The rare termination is part of a broader state effort to crack down on Medicaid fraud. But it has sparked worries that many people with psychiatric disorders could be stranded without necessary services.

The state agency, which oversees Medicaid, has notified 16 counties that it has stopped making payments to Complementary Support Services, a Richfield-based nonprofit that provides in-home mental health services to hundreds of children and adults across the state. The move comes in the wake of allegations by federal and state prosecutors that the company failed to provide proper supervision of its unlicensed staff and that it padded claims to Medicaid with charges not allowed under state law.

Prosecutors allege that the company broke state law by failing to ensure that its practitioners were properly supervised by licensed professionals. To disguise the agency’s lack of supervision, the agency’s director, Teri Dimond, “batch signed” thousands of patient reports—even while she was on maternity leave, prosecutors said. Other allegations are spelled on in a lawsuit recently filed in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis.

The decision to terminate payments affects about half of the estimated 200 Minnesotans who still receive services from the firm through Medical Assistance. DHS officials are working with counties and other health care plans to ensure that clients are not left stranded and to ensure that people get needed mental health care. But the company’s former and current employees told the Star Tribune that they are worried about people receiving services. ■ (Source: Star Tribune)

Brain injury treatment scrutinized The Department of Veterans Affairs has been using unqualified medical personnel to do examinations— and deny benefits—for traumatic brain injuries (TBI) at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, according to records obtained during a year-long KARE 11 News investigation.

Instead of being examined by a specialist, records reveal more than 300 cases in which a veteran was examined by a doctor not qualified to diagnose traumatic brain injuries according to the VA’s own policies.

VA policy indicates that the initial diagnosis for TBI must be made by one of four specialists. But records obtained by KARE 11 through the Freedom of Information Act show that between 2010 and 2014, only one of the 21 medical professionals who conducted initial TBI exams at the Minneapolis VA was a qualified specialist. The disclosure has prompted a federal investigation to determine

whether similar improper exams were done at other VA facilities nationwide.

VA data revealed the number of veterans affected.

Instead of being examined by a TBI specialist, records reveal 321 cases in which a veteran was examined by a doctor VA policy shows was not qualified to diagnose traumatic brain injuries.

To date, the Minneapolis, VA has re-examined 181 of those veterans and determined the unqualified doctors made quite a few mistakes. In 50 cases, an exam by a TBI specialist revealed the veterans did in fact have brain injuries and should be getting treatment and benefits previously denied. Now a nation-wide review mandated by Congress into how the VA has handled traumatic brain injury benefits exams is currently underway. KARE 11 and its parent company are fighting to get VA records nationwide. ■ (Source: KARE 11)

Kirkbride saga continues in Fergus Falls The long fight to save a former state institution’s historic buildings continues in 2016. The Fergus Falls City Council, historic preservationists and supporters of saving the former state hospital building in that community want to find a developer or developers for the building.

But the process has played out longer than initially predicted. In December the Fergus Falls City Council asked for more details on “mothballing” the Kirkbride Building in order to preserve and protect it for future use. The council expects to receive a more detailed report in January.

The cost of the mothballing process will likely require most, if not all, of the nearly $4 million in grant funds the city has access to from the Minnesota Legislature.

What happens when the mothballing is finished is anyone’s guess. One possibility is allowing for more

films to be shot on the property. City officials met with a representative of the Minnesota Film and TV Board last week to discuss that, and a committee will be looking into the issue of filming and what guidelines should be used for allowing access to the building.

The Fergus Falls Regional Treatment Center is a former hospital located in Fergus Falls. It was built in the “Kirkbride Plan” style and opened to patients in 1890. Over the next century it operated as one of the state’s largest hospitals for the mentally ill. Persons with developmental disabilities and chemical dependency issues also were housed and treated on its campus. The hospital closed in 2005.

The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. Various proposals have been made to repurpose the site and buildings since its closure but none have come to fruition. ■ (Source: Fergus Falls Daily Journal)

———— Find more Regional News on page 15 ————

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January 10, 2016 Volume 27, Number 1

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ADVOCACY Advocating Change Together (ACT) Arc Greater Twin Cities The Arc Minnesota Association of Residential Resources in MN MCIL MN Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Opportunity Partners PACER Center, Inc. SEIU Healthcare Minnesota

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EDUCATION MRC - Minnesota Resource Center Upstream Arts

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EMPLOYMENT/VOCATION Ally People Solutions Chrestomathy, Inc. Community Involvement Programs (CIP) Courage Kenny Rehabilition Institute Dungarvin Minnesota, LLC ESR (formerly East Suburban Resources, Inc.) Equip A Life (formerly Assistive Techology of MN) Fraser Transition Services Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota Kaposia Inc. Lifetrack - Minneapolis Lifetrack - St. Paul Lifeworks Services, Inc. Merrick, Inc. Metro Work Center, Inc. Midwest Special Services, Inc. Minnesota Diversified Industries (MDI) Opportunity Partners Opportunity Services Partnership Resources, Inc. Partnership Resources, Inc. - Minneapolis Partnership Resources, Inc. - Older Adults Program ProAct Inc. Rise, Inc. TSE, Inc. Work Incentives Connection

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GOVERNMENT Minnesota State Council on Disability MN Gov. Council on Developmental Disabilities STAR Program

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Directory of Organizations Member ESR supports adults with IDD and other special needs as they engage in their community and gain competitive employment. We serve over 500 people per year from five service centers in Washington County MN and New Richmond, WI. Over 150 ESR consumers are employed directly by and in companies paying minimum wage or higher with many more consumers working in businessbased crew settings; our goal is for everyone to Employment & Services for Adults with Disabilities experience their desired level of community involvement.

ESR is looking for great staff members. If you’d like to make a difference in the lives of adults with disabilities, we’d love to hear from you. www.esrworks.org

HOUSING-CONSTRUCTION/REMODELING AccessAbility Options, Inc. Accessibility Design Accessible Homes, LLC. Beyond Barriers Minneapolis Equal Access Homes, Inc. Equip A Life (formerly Assistive Techology of MN)

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January 10, 2016 Volume 27, Number 1

Pg 9

HOUSING-RENTAL Accessible Space, Inc. (ASI) Dungarvin Minnesota, LLC Ebenezer Park Apartments HousingLink National Handicap Housing Institute, Inc Villas and Townhomes by Mary T. Inc.

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INFORMATION AND REFERRAL RESOURCES ADA Minnesota; a program within MCIL Equip A Life (formerly Assistive Techology of MN) Minnesota State Council on Disability PACER Center, Inc. STAR Program United Cerebral Palsy of Minnesota

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SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES Bethel Healthcare Community Ebenezer Care Center

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VISION IMPAIRMENT Vision Loss Resources Volunteer Braille Services

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WAIVER CASE MANAGEMENT AXIS Healthcare Dungarvin Minnesota, LLC Equip A Life (formerly Assistive Techology of MN) Fraser

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January 10, 2016 Volume 27, Number 1 Pg 11

PEOPLE & PLACES

Circle of Excellence winners honored for their work

Recipinents of the Circle of Excellence awards were happy to meet lt. Gov. Tina Smith. Shown left to right with Commissioner Lucinda Jesson are representatives of Ecumen, Central Converting of Brainerd Lakes and Zumbro Valley Health Center of Rochester.

Photos courtesy of Minnesota Department of Human Services

Seven programs that provide outstanding service to human services clients across Minnesota were honored in December. In one of her last acts as Minnesota Department of Human Services Commissioner in December, Lucinda Jesson honored programs with the 2015 Commissioner’s Circle of Excellence Awards.

Lt. Gov. Tina Smith joined Jesson in honoring the awardees at a ceremony at the Elmer L. Andersen Human Services Building in St. Paul. Jesson was recently appointed to the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

This is the fifth year for the awards program. Jesson said winners share the department’s commitment to supporting healthy people, stable families and strong communities. “These organizations are making a true difference in the lives of the people they serve. They improve the quality of life for those suffering with dementia, find caring families for children awaiting adoption and keep together families struggling with addiction, employ people with disabilities, help struggling Minnesotans achieve economic stability and improve health care and mental health services through innovation and integration,” she said. “They represent the very best of many successful partnerships to help people live in dignity and achieve their highest potential, and exemplify all of the great human services work happening across Minnesota.”

Three award winners work with people with disabilities or elders. One winner is Zumbro Valley Health Center, an organization in Rochester that helps people with addiction disorders, mental illness or co-occurring conditions lead more healthy, productive and self-sufficient lives. For nearly 50 years, Zumbro Valley Health Center has worked to improve the health of people in southeast Minnesota regard-

less of their ability to pay. The organization enhances the quality of life for individuals through an integrated model of care providing not only behavioral health services but medical, dental and community support services as well. Last year, staff served almost 4,500 people, the overwhelming majority of whom were from underserved populations.

Another honoree is Central Converting, Inc., a small, family-owned materials converting and plastic recycling business in the Brainerd Lakes area that provides integrated employment opportunities for people with disabilities. For the past two years, Central Converting has worked with Quality Enterprises, a state vocational program, to employ people with disabilities. A crew from Quality Enterprises assists the company with its recycling projects, including helping divert more than two million pounds of plastic from landfills each year.

A third is Ecumen Awakenings, an integrated, holistic care approach for patients with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. The program is offered throughout across Minnesota. It emphasizes human connections and non-pharmaceutical therapies. The program, which started in 2010 to alleviate the use of psychotropic and other highly sedating drugs, has fundamentally changed the culture of care in Ecumen skilled nursing facilities though collaboration of the entire nursing home care team with physicians, pharmacists, residents and their families. Currently, Awakenings is being implemented in Ecumen assisted living communities. The program has dramatically decreased the dosages or discontinued use of psychotropic medications and improved residents’ quality of life.

Four other agencies were also honored. Southern Prairie Community Care, a collaboration of 12 coun-

Tamarack, Vinland mark anniversaries “’Human engineering’ earmarks new firm” was the headline in the November 1990 issue of Access Press, when Tamarack Habilitation Technologies got its start. The article described how company founder Marty Carlson made the leap from what was then Gillette Children’s Hospital to start his own firm.

Carlson enjoyed his work at Gillette but knew there was more to be done to help people with disabilities Carlson, then and now, is described as a “people person,” using his engineering skills to help others.

His family’s company has helped many people lead better, more independent lives. The company, which is based in Blaine, opened its doors in autumn 1990 as a full-service orthotic, prosthetic, rehab engineering facility. Tamarack’s founding professionals were Dave Harris, Catherine Voss, Mark Payette, Dianne Goodwin and Marty Carlson.

Though small in employee numbers, Tamarack stands tall in product design and service for people with disabilities. The company is known world-wide in the orthotic and prosthetic marketplace for developing the “Tamarack”, a line of free motion and dorsiflexion assist ankle joints as well as ShearBan® low-friction interfaces, fabrication tools and a wide range of journal publications related to orthotic design. It has many other products to its credit.

At the end of the 1990s, the patient care portion of Tamarack Habilitation Technologies was split off and turned over to a local hospital system. In 2000 Tamarack moved operations to its current Blaine location. The company also

completed its restructuring as a research, development and manufacturing firm for all Tamarack product lines.

Tamarack continues as a developer and manufacturer of components and materials for orthotic, prosthetic and pedorthic care professionals. Tamarack has enjoyed success with products which enhance the reliability and range of solutions for clients with disabilities. Read more at www.tamarackhti.com/about/company_history.asp Vinland National Center’s chemical health program is also celebrating its 25-year anniversary. The program began in 1990 after Vinland recognized a need for specialized services for individuals with disabilities. It has steadily grown and has established itself as Vinland anniversary - p. 14

ties in southwestern Minnesota works toward integrated community services and supports that improve local health care delivery, lower costs, and foster good health for everyone in the region. Southern Prairie Community Care counties share a vision to improve the quality of life for their residents. They also share higher than average rates of poverty, obesity, diabetes, and other health indicators.

Kid Connection, a weekly segment on lifestyle show Twin Cities Live, brings awareness to Minnesota’s children waiting for adoption. Every Thursday, Twin Cities Live’s Kelli Hanson takes a Minnesota child looking for a permanent home on a life-changing adventure, to bring awareness to Minnesota’s waiting children and give them a fun experience that will bring out each child’s personality.

Community Action Duluth is an organization that empowers and engages its community to eliminate poverty, and create prosperity and equity. It assists people with low incomes develop assets that they can leverage to get out of poverty. It provides opportunities to develop a variety of assets that are needed in order to make a positive transition.

Pregnant Native American’s Opioid Addiction Services Collaboration, a partnership of front-line care providers in Hennepin County, goes beyond organizational boundaries to provide highly effective care to pregnant Native American women affected by opioid addiction. Partners include staff at the Indian Health Board, Hennepin County Medical Center and Hennepin County’s Project CHILD. They work together to fill gaps in the health care system. ■

Law practice helps deaf patrons Heather Gilbert, a 2012 graduate of the William Mitchell College of Law, has combined her skills in American Sign Language with her law degree, to create a thriving Roseville law firm. Gilbert is believed to be the only private practice attorney in the state who is also a court-certified sign language interpreter.

Gilbert began the process of combining sign language and the law in 2002, when she earned an undergraduate degree in ASL. That led to a number of jobs, including interpreting for Gov. Tim Pawlenty, and the Minnesota Legislature.

While taking law classes, Gilbert also worked as a sign language interpreter for Minnesota’s district court system. “I visited half of all of the 87 counties in Minnesota, interpreting court matters for deaf people, before I started practicing law,” she said.

Help for deaf patrons - p. 14

Pg 12 January 10, 2016 Volume 27, Number 1 Eye-Dentity exhibit opens

ACCESSIBLE FUN Dear World Ten Thousand Things Theater presents a musical based on the Madwoman of Chaillot, at Open Book 1011 Washington Ave. S., Mpls. AD offered 7:30 p.m. Fri, Jan.15.

Tickets $30, Pay what you can for under 30, $18 for patrons with vision loss attending AD show and companion. FFI: 612-203-9502, contact@tenthousandthings.org

Stephen Prutsman Schubert Club Azure Family Concert is a fun, friendly and engaging 50-minute performance tailored for children and young adults who are on the autism spectrum or have similar neurodiversities, their families and caregivers. Join an autism dad, Stephen Prutsman, an innovative pianist who explores and performs classical, jazz and music of all cultures and languages. Co-presented by Landmark Center and Wells Pianos. At Landmark Center Weyerhaeuser Auditorium, 75 W. 5th St., St. Paul. Tickets are $5 at the door or $3 in advance required for everyone under age 18. Free for parents, caregivers and chaperones. FFI: Schubert Club Box Office, 651-292-3268, http://schubert.org/concerts/azurefamily-concerts-for-families-touched-by-autism/

Leili Tajadod Pritschet, a native of Iran and a resident of Minneapolis for many years, will exhibit her new and selected works at Homewood Studios, 2400 Plymouth Ave., Minneapolis, Jan. 16 to Feb. 9. An opening reception will be held 3-5 p.m. Sat, January 16. The artist will present a gallery talk at 7 p.m. Tue, Jan. 19.

Pritschet has created a series of new paintings focused on the metaphors and symbolism of the garden.

As a victim of torture, and as a woman growing older and confronted with diminished eyesight, she shares her experience and healing via painting. She said, “What I cannot say in the language of words, I capture in the language of images with humor and whimsy as well as pathos and poignancy. Creating art is a tremendous tool in my healing process. With each stroke of the paint brush, my body and spirit begin to heal. I enroller coaster ride races through all 37 of Shakespeare’s comedies, histories and tragedies, at Lakeshore Players Theatre, 4820 Stewart Ave., White Bear Lake. ASL offered 2 p.m. Sun, Jan. 24. If no ASL seats are reserved within two weeks of the performance, the ASL-interpretation will be cancelled. Assisted listening devices available. Tickets reduced to $10 for ASL patrons (regular $23, senior $21, student $18). FFI: 651-429-5674; tickets@lakeshoreplayers.com

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas The Trump Who Stole Christmas Brave New Workshop, presents a comedy about the colorful presidential candidate, at Brave New Workshop, 824 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls. ASL offered 5 p.m. Sat, Jan.16. Tickets reduced to $24 for ASL patrons who request seating in that area (reg. $34). Online enter the code ASL into the promo code box, or mention it on the phone. Other discounts include student, senior, AAA/MPR/ MERSC member, military personnel, veterans, groups, etc.

FFI: 612-332-6620, http://theatre.bravenewworkshop.com

Disney’s Mary Poppins GREAT Children’s Theatre presents the story of a flying nanny, at Benedicta Art Center, College of Saint Benedict, 37 S. College Ave., St. Joseph. ASL offered 7:30 p.m. Fri, Jan. 22. Tickets $18-28. FFI: 320-2595463, www.GreatTheatre.org

Rusalka Minnesota Opera presents Antonin Dvorak’s heartbreaking story of a water nymph and her quest for love, at Ordway Center Music Theatre, 345 Washington St., St. Paul. Sung in Czech with English captions projected above the stage at every performance, 7:30 p.m. Sat, Jan. 23; Thurs, Jan. 28; Sat, Jan. 30, and 2 p.m. Sun, Jan. 31. AD offered 2 p.m. Sun, Jan. 31. Tickets reduced to half-price for AD patrons, regular $25-200.

Braille, large-print programs and infrared listening systems available at Patron Services in Ordway’s first level lobby. FFI: 612-333-6669, tickets@mnopera.org

Artistry presents a lighthearted look at small-town vice and politics, at Bloomington Center for the Arts, Schneider Theater, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington. AD offered 2 p.m. Sun, Jan. 24. ASL offered 7:30 p.m. Sat, Feb. 6. Tickets reduced to $27 for AD/ASL; regular $36, senior $32, age 25 and under $19, Wed. $3 less. FFI: 952-563-8575, www.artistrymn.org/

Great Expectations Park Square Theatre presents the classic Dickens tale at Park Square Theatre, Proscenium Stage, 20 W. 7th Place, St. Paul. AD offered 7:30 p.m. Fri, Jan. 29.

ASL offered 2 p.m. Sun, Jan. 31. Captioning offered 7:30 p.m. Thurs.-Fri.-Sat., Feb. 4-5-6, and 2 p.m. Sun., Feb. 7. Assistive listening devices available. Tickets ASL/AD/OC single ticket discount is half-price for patron & one guest with code ACC (regular $40-60); age 30 and under: $21; seniors age 62 and older: $5 off; rush tickets: $24 cash only, available one hour before performance; subject to availability. FFI: 651-291-7005, www.parksquaretheatre.org

Lakeshore Players Theatre presents a high-speed

ASL offered 7 p.m. Sat., Feb. 6. Tickets are $14-19; Phone: 320-259-5463, www.GreatTheatre.org

Minneapolis Institute of Arts Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 2400 Third Ave. S. offers interpreted tours are offered on the first Sunday of the month at 1 p.m., with exceptions noted. Tours usually begin under the “Tours meet here” red circle by the Information Bar in the upper lobby. Interpreted tours are also scheduled on other days. On the second weekend of each month, free tours are offered for visitors with memory loss, Alzheimer’s and their friends or care partners. ASL offered 1 p.m. Sun, Feb. 7. Free. FFI: 612870-3000 or 612-870-3131; www.artsmia.org

The Frog Bride Children’s Theater Company presents a Russian folk tale, at Children’s Theatre Company Cargill Stage, 2400 Third Ave. S., Mpls. AD and ASL offered 7 p.m. Fri, Feb. 12. Assistive listening devices, induction loop system, Braille programs and sensory tours available upon request. Tickets regular $16-40; senior, college student, military, other discounts available. FFI: 612-874-0400; www.childrenstheatre.org

The Story of Ruby Bridges SteppingStone Theatre presents the story of a girl caught in the 1960s civil rights movement, at SteppingStone Theatre for Youth Development, 55 Victoria St. N., St. Paul. AD offered 7 p.m. Fri, Feb. 12.

ASL offered 3 p.m. Sun, Feb. 14, Tickets reduced to $10 access rate (regular $16; youth/senior 55 and older $12). FFI: 651-225-9265, www.steppingstonetheatre.org

Fahrenheit 451 Theatre in the Round Players presents Ray Bradbury’s chilling look at the future, at Theatre in the Round, 245 Cedar Ave., Mpls. AD offered 2 p.m. Sun, Jan. 31. Tickets $22. Discounts available Fri and Sun for students with ID and seniors 62 and older. FFI: 612-333-3010, www.theatreintheround.org

Bear Snores On The Complete Works of William Shakespeare

gage in a visual discourse about the enigmatic, disquieting experience of growing old.”

She added, “Eye-dentity is inspired by the sudden loss of my eyesight and explores the complex relationship between nature and human beings and especially the vanishing wonderland of aging.” Pritschet is a repeat grant and award recipient from VSA Minnesota and the State Arts Board. When still living in Iran, she was an internationally known dancer, director and choreographer. FFI: 612-587-0230, www.homewoodstudios.com ■

Stages Theatre Company presents the world premiere musical version of Karma Wilson’s book, at Hopkins Center for the Arts, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins.

AD and ASL offered 2 p.m. Sun, Jan. 31. Sensoryfriendly show offered 10 a.m. Sat, Feb. 6. Tickets $12, $10.50 senior 60 and older, $9 student. FFI: 952-9791111, option 4; ask for accessibility pricing; www.stagestheatre.org

Pericles The Guthrie, Oregon Shakespeare Festival and The Folger Theatre present Shakespeare’ adventure-filled romance, at Guthrie Theater, Wurtele Thrust Stage, 818 2nd St. S., Mpls. ASL offered 1 p.m. Sat, Feb. 13. AD offered 7:30 p.m. Sat, Feb. 12 and 1 p.m. Sat, Feb. 13.

Captioning offered 1 p.m. Sat, Feb. 6 and Wed, Feb. 10 and 7:30 p.m. Fri. Feb. 12. Tickets reduced to $20 for AD/ASL, $25 for captioning (regular $34-85). FFI: 612377-2224, www.guthrietheater.org/visit/access_services

Just Before Sleep Youth Performance Company presents the story of a home less family, at Howard Conn Fine Arts Center, 1900 Nicollet Ave, Mpls. ASL and AD offered 7:30 p.m. Sat, Feb. 13. Tickets $15, child/senior $12, $10 group. VSA discount applies. FFI: 612-623-9080, www.youthperformanceco.org

Tour for people with memory loss Minnesota Historical Society presents a sensoryfriendly tour of the James J. Hill House, 240 Summit Ave., St. Paul. Next tour is 10 a.m. Tue, Feb. 2, with other tours at the same time March 1 and April 5. Free but reservations required. Tour designed for people with memory loss issues and their caregivers. FFI: 651-2593015 or online, http://sites.mnhs.org/historic-sites/ james-j-hill-house

Open Flow Forum The Artists with Disabilities Alliance and its supporters host a fun and free monthly opportunity to share visual art, writing, music, theatre and other artistic efforts in an informal, fragrance-free setting with refreshments.

Enter on the north side of the Carleton Artist Lofts, 2285 University Ave. W., St. Paul building (not the University Avenue/light rail side). The community room is directly opposite the security entrance. Facilitators are Pamela Veeder, Mike Price and Dan Reiva. Times 4-7 p.m. the first Thu of each month. Upcoming dates are Feb. 4, March 3, April 7. FFI: 612-332-3888 or jon@vsamn.org for accommodating, http://vsamn.org/artists-disabilities/

The Diary of Anne Frank GREAT Children’s Theatre presents the story of a Jewish girl and her family’s quest to avoid the Nazis, at Paramount Theatre, 913 St. Germain St. W., St. Cloud.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Lyric Arts Company of Anoka presents an adaptation of Alice’s story, at Lyric Arts Main Street Stage, 420 E. Main Street, Anoka. ASL offered 2 p.m. Sun, Feb. 21.

Lyric Arts reserves Rows H and I for parties including persons using wheelchairs or with limited mobility. ASL interpreters are provided at the first Sunday performance of each regular season production. A limited number of seats near the interpreters are held in reserve for ASL patrons until two weeks prior to the performance. Any ASL seats left unreserved are released to the general public. If no ASL seating has been reserved two weeks before the show, the ASL interpretation will be canceled. When ordering tickets, please indicate the need for seating in this section. Tickets $1022; $5 discount for ASL seats. FFI: 763-422-1838, www.lyricarts.org

Gypsy Theater Latte Da in a co-production with Hennepin Theatre Trust presents a story of strippers and stage mothers, at Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Ave., Mpls. ASL and AD offered 7:30 p.m. Thu, Feb. 25.

Open captioning offered 1 p.m. Sun, Feb. 28. Tickets $31.50-$56.50; limited seats are available at the lowest price level to patrons using ASL interpreting or

Accessible Fun - p. 13

January 10, 2016 Volume 27, Number 1 Pg 13

UPCOMING EVENTS Advocacy Prepare for 2016 Legislature Two groups are asking people to share stories for the upcoming legislative session. Minnesota Consortium for citizens with Disabilities is seeking stories about the challenges of living on $736. Month, the allowable limit for Medical Assistance. These are for the Faces of Disability exhibit. FFI: Sheryl Grassie, consortium director, at 952-818-8718, srgrassie@mnccd.org Best Life Alliance is seeking stories and photos to support its campaign for an increase in care giver wagers.

Pieces don’t have to be lengthy and there is a template as well as a consent form. FFI: bestlifealliance@gmail.com Plan for conference Save the date of Sat, March 19 for the Meeting of the Minds Dementia Conference, a collaboration between the Alzheimer’s Association and Mayo Clinic. It’s a day filled with dementia information, presentations, support and resources for people with mild cognitive impairment or early dementia, families, friends and professionals. It will be held at St. Paul RiverCentre.

General conference registration will open at 9 a.m.

Mon, Jan 4. FFI: Deborah Richman, 952-857-0551, drichman@alz.org Housing group to meet It has been several years since the MN-CCD Housing Group met, but that is changing with interest in working on housing issues. A meeting is set for 10:30 a.m.-noon Tue, Jan. 12 at 2446 University Ave. West, Suite 110, St. Paul. MN-CCD Working Group meetings are open to anyone having an interest in the topic. RSVP. FFI: jo@mnccd.org

Youth and families PACER offers workshops PACER Center offers many useful free or low-cost workshops and other resources for families of children with any kind of disabilities. Workshops are at PACER Center, 8161 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington, unless specified. Advance registration is required for all workshops. Check out PACER’s website and link to the newsletter of statewide workshops that allows participants to pick and choose sessions catered to their needs. My Child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP): A Blueprint for Needed Supports and Services, is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tue, Jan. 12. Learn about the importance of the IEP and how it can help children. Families are Important: Understanding the Early Intervention Process in Minnesota is 9-11 a.m. Sat, Jan. 23. The workshop features an overview of families’ rights, roles, and responsibilities within the early intervention system.

It also addresses services in the natural environment, the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP), and child and family outcomes. Funding for this workshop is made possible with a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education. The source of the funds is from federal awards, Special Education Part C. FFI: PACER, 952838-9000, 800-537-2237, www.pacer.org Safety and healthy practices For families of youth with autism, physical and emotional safety is a never-ending goal. Instilling safety at

home, in the car, in public places, and while with siblings and peers (including in the cyber world) can be a nuance challenge for parents of youth with autism. The Children’s Health and Injury Prevention program of Minnesota Children’s Hospital, the Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) offers an AuSM Skillshop focused on safety strategies, 7-9 p.m. Tue, Jan. 19 at West Metro Learning Connections, 5215 Edina Industrial Blvd. #400, Edina. FFI: 651-647-1083, www.ausm.org

Information and assistance Family to Family course The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Minnesota offers a free, 12-week educational course that helps families gain a greater understanding of mental illness, discuss resources, build communication skills, reduce stress and find support. More than 3,000 Minnesota families have benefitted from this course, which is taught by family members who have walked the walk. The course starts 6:30-9 p.m. Wed, Feb. 3 at White Bear Lake High School, South Campus, 3551 McKnight Road N. Registration is required. FFI: Jody, 651-407-8616 Crisis Link line open A new Crisis Link has been launched as part of MinnesotaHelp.info, the state’s comprehensive website for services, resources and information. Crisis Link connects people with resources for dealing with a variety of intense situations, including mental health and/or substance abuse problems for both children and adults, need for emergency housing or longer term housing, fear of being harmed, or need for health care, food, a job or transportation. Crisis Link has an extensive listing of contact information for helping organizations, primarily government and nonprofit agencies, including suicide and domestic violence hotlines. It features an online chat service available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays to ensure people get to the information they need and use. Crisis Link is integrated into Minnesota’s information and assistance system that includes, in addition to the Minnesotahelp.info website, the Senior LinkAge Line at 1-800-333-2433, or Disability Linkage Line at 1-866-333-2466. FFI: http://tinyurl.com/minn-crisis-help Vision loss group offers activities Vision Loss Resources offers free and low-cost activities in the Twin Cities for people who are blind or visually impaired. Life skills classes for those with low vision; card games, craft classes, book clubs, walking groups, dinners out, special outings and technology classes are among the offerings. Participants need to RVSP to participate. FFI: RSVP hotline 612-843-3439; activity phone 612-253-5155, www.visionlossresources.org MCIL offers classes and activities The Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL) offers many life skills classes as well as fun outings and activities for people with disabilities. MCIL is at 530 N. Robert Street, St Paul and most activities are there or start there. Classes and events are listed on the website, www.mcil-mn.org Click on “Classes Groups and Sessions” for updated information or to print their calendar.

Please give two weeks’ notice if alternative format or other accommodations are needed. Events are free, accessible and mostly scent-free. FFI: 651-603-2030 Adult support groups offered Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) offers free support groups for adults with autism spectrum disorder.

Groups include those for adult family members, women

Accessible Fun - from p. 12 captioning on a first-come, first-served basis. Prices apply for up to two tickets for each patron requiring ASL interpretation or captioning. Additional seats may be sold separately and at regular price. Audio Description receivers may be used in any price level in the theatre.

To order, email accessible@broadwayacrossamerica. com FFI: 612-339-7007, 612-339-3003, www.hennepintheatretrust.org/accessible

More events information VSA Minnesota VSA Minnesota is at http://vsamn.org The website has a large calendar at the upper right hand corner of its home page. 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 800-8013883 (voice/TTY). To hear a weekly listing of accessible performances, call 612-332-3888 or 800-801-3883.

Access Press only publishes performance dates

when accommodations are offered. Contact the venue to find out the entire run of a specific production.

Additional resources Another web events listing is http://c2net.org (c2: caption coalition, inc.), which does most of the captioned shows across the country. Facebook is another way to connect with performances. Sign up to connect with Audio Description Across Minnesota (http:// tinyurl.com/ d34dzo2). Connect with ASL interpreted and captioned performances across Minnesota on Facebook http:// tinyurl.com/FBcaption Another resources is Minnesota Playlist, with a recently updated website calendar with all the ASL-interpreted, audio described, captioned, pay-what-you-can shows and other features. Go to http:// minnesotaplaylist.com/calendar Arts festivals are held throughout the state. Check www.exploreminnesota.com/index.aspx, http:// festivalnet.com/state/minnesota/mn.html, www.fairsandfestivals.net/states/MN/ ■

with autism spectrum disorders and independent adults with autism. Check the web site for upcoming groups.

Groups meet at the AuSM offices at 2380 Wycliff St. FFI: 651-647-1083 ext. 10, www.ausm.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 Medicareeligible individuals and families enrolled in incomebased 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: 1-877523-1518, www.ucare.org Mental health support offered NAMI of Minnesota offers more than 300 free educational classes statewide each year, along with help in navigating the mental health system. NAMI also has more than 60 free support groups living with a mental illness and their families. In the Twin Cities 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, groups provide help and support. A NAMI Connection peer support group for adults recovering from mental illness meets 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Wed, at Centennial Methodist Church, 1524 Co. Rd. C-2 West (Snelling at Co. Rd. C-2), Roseville. FFI: 651-6452948. A family support group meets in St. Paul on the second Wednesday of each month at 6-7:30 p.m., at Goodwill-Easter Seals, at the Fairview location in room 123.

FFI: Sonja, 651-357-2077. The partners and spouses support group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m., at Falcon Heights United Church of Christ, 1795 Holton Street (Holton & Garden). For more information, call Melissa at 651-3540825.A full calendar of all events is offered online. FFI: 651-645-2948, www.namihelps.org

Volunteer, Donate Share a smile Brighten the day of a senior citizen in north or southwest Minneapolis and have fun. Visit an elder and do things together: movies, games, crafts or just friendly conversation. Hang out with a senior on a regular basis and do things that you both enjoy, like watching a movie, playing games or friendly conversation. Onetime or ongoing opportunities through the NIP Senior Program. FFI: Jeanne, 612-746-8549, www.neighborhoodinvolve.org Open the Door to Education Help adults reach their educational goals and earn their GED. Tutor, teach or assist in a classroom with the Minnesota Literacy Council. Give just 2-3 hours a week and help people expand their opportunities and change their lives through education. The literacy council provides training and support and accommodations for volunteers with disabilities. FFI: Allison, 651-251-9110, volunteer@mnliteracy.org, http://tinyurl.com/adult-opportunities ■

Pg 14 January 10, 2016 Volume 27, Number 1

Radio Talking Book

January 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 interlibrary 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. Audio information about the daily book listings is also on National Federation for the Blind (NFB) Newsline. Register for NFB Newsline by calling 651-539-1424.

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

Chautauqua • Tuesday – Saturday 4 a.m.

Ivory Vikings, Nonfiction by Nancy Marie Brown, 2015. 12 broadcasts. Begins January 26. In the early 1800s on a golden Hebridean beach, the sea exposed an ancient treasure: a set of 93 chessmen carved from walrus ivory. Who carved them? Where? And Why? Read by Myrna Smith.

was groomed for greatness. But flying against Germany in World War II, in a modified B-24 bomber loaded with explosives, he died in the biggest man-made explosion before the Hiroshima bombing. L - Read by John Potts.

Bookworm • Monday – Friday 11 a.m.

Brief Loves that Live Forever, Fiction by Andreï Makine, 2015. Six broadcasts. Begins January 26. In Soviet Russia, the desire for freedom is also a desire for the freedom to love. Now entering middle age, an orphan recalls the fleeting moments that has never left him – all related to love. Read by Scott Brush.

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

A Fine Romance, Nonfiction by Candice Bergen, 2015.

13 broadcasts. Begins January 28. In her deeply personal memoir, Hollywood star Candice Bergen takes readers inside her life’s big events. Read by Holly Sylvester.

Choice Reading • Monday – Friday 4 p.m.

The Last Four Days of Paddy Buckley, Fiction by Jeremy Massey, 2015. 8 Br. Begins January 25. Paddy works for a funeral home. One night, he accidentally kills the brother of a mobster, and then he’s expected to help oversee the brother’s funeral. Read by Don Gerlach.

PM Report • Monday – Friday 8 p.m.

Michelle Obama, Nonfiction by Peter Slevin, 2015. 17 broadcasts. Begins January 12. Raised on Chicago’s south side, Michelle Obama was educated at Princeton University and Harvard Law School and worked as a corporate lawyer before her current role a First Lady.

Read by Michelle Juntunen.

Rachel Getty’s team which handles minority-sensitive cases. But then it comes to light that he may have been a war criminal. Read by Isla Hejny.

Potpourri • Monday – Friday 10 p.m.

Your Band Sucks, Nonfiction by Jon Fine, 2015. 13 broadcasts. Begins January 18. The Indie rock glory days were before the Internet when bands attracted fans through word of mouth, college radio, tiny record stores, and ’zines. Author Jon Fine played in those bands for nearly 30 years. L - Read by Bob Malos.

Good Night Owl • Monday – Friday midnight We Are Pirates, Fiction by Daniel Handler, 2015. 11 broadcasts. Begins January 25. Phil, a husband, father, and struggling radio producer, heads for the open road to attend a conference and seal an important deal. Meanwhile, Gwen, his rebel daughter, teams up with some restless souls and heads for the open sea, stealing a boat to hunt for treasure. V, L, S – Read by Bob Malos.

After Midnight • Tuesday – Saturday 1 a.m.

Ask Me, Fiction by Kimberly Pauley, 2014. Seven broadcasts. Begins January 26. Aria is an Oracle, blessed with the gift of prophecy. But that is also a curse, so she has perfected the art of hiding in plain sight. But then her only friend, Jade Price, disappears and the words that come out become a matter of life and death. L - Read by Pat Kovel-Jarboe.

Weekend Program Books Your Personal World (Saturday at 1 p.m.) is airing Scary Close, by Donald Miller; For the Younger Set (Sunday at 11 a.m.) is airing How to Catch a Bogle, by Catherine Jinks, and Will in Scarlet, by Matthew Cody; Poetic Reflections (Sunday at noon) is airing Selfish, by Albert Goldbarth; The U.S. and Us (Sunday at 4 p.m.) is airing Degrees of Freedom, by William D. Green. ■

Night Journey • Monday – Friday 9 p.m.

The Unquiet Dead, Fiction by Ausma Zahanat Khan, Past is Prologue • Monday – Friday 9 a.m.

2015. 11 broadcasts. Begins January 20. Christopher Lost Destiny, Nonfiction by Alan Axelrod, 2015. 13 Drayton’s accidental fall from a cliff doesn’t seem to broadcasts. Begins January 28. Joseph Kennedy Jr. warrant a police investigation, especially from Detective Abbreviations: V – violence, L – offensive language, S – sexual situations.

PEOPLE & PLACES Rosen honored with award Sen. Julie Rosen (R-Fairmont) was honored in December with a 2015 ARRM Leadership Award. The presentation ceremony at the Red Rock Center in Fairmont recognized Rosen for her ongoing dedication to supporting people with disabilities across the state.

ARRM CEO Bruce Nelson presented the award and commended Rosen for her coordination with fellow legislators across the aisle. He said that her expertise was instrumental in passing recent regulatory reforms designed to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities across the state. “People with disabilities, their caregivers and providers are lucky to have SenaSen. Julie Rosen tor Rosen as our champion in St. Paul. Our state is a much better place for Minnesotans with disabilities because of Julie Rosen,” Nelson said.

In her acceptance speech to more than 40 area disability service leaders, individuals with disabilities and their family members, Rosen pledged to continue her efforts to improve care for individuals with disabilities. She said that she was deeply touched by the award.

At the event, Chad Brandt sang a holiday song and played a harmonica at the event. He lives in the area and receives disability services from REM Heartland.

Local disability providers also presented a plaque to Rep. Bob Gunther (R - Fairmont) and thanked him for his contributions to services for people with disabilities.

The ARRM Leadership Award was created more than a decade ago to recognize innovative leaders in the public and private sectors whose advocacy work has significantly impacted Minnesotans with disabilities. ■

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Help for deaf patrons - from p. 11 It became obvious to Gilbert that the state needed more lawyers to work directly with deaf and hard of hearing people. “I could see there was a need for deaf discrimination representation,” she said. “There was a need for criminal law, criminal defense, and family law.”

Shortly after receiving her license to practice law in May 2012, Gilbert began working with her first deaf client.

Word of Gilbert’s work spread in the deaf community, and within a few months, she had enough clients to start her own firm. Today 80 percent of her clients are deaf or hard of hearing. Many of the cases involve work discrimination, or the right to access interpreters under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Gilbert’s firm also works with the deaf community on family law issues and estate planning.

When Gilbert was ready to grow her practice, she turned to Mitchell’s Externship Program, which offers students real world legal experience in the workplace. She hired 2015 graduate Terra Frazier while Frazier was still in her first year of law school.

“I didn’t even consider there would be this niche of needs for clients who know American Sign Language,” Frazier said. “It was really a unique, and special opportunity to find each other.”

Once Frazier graduated, passed the bar, and received her license to practice in fall 2015, she was hired as the firm’s first associate attorney. ■ This was excerpted from a Hamline Mitchell College of Law news account.

Mitchell has merged with the Hamline University law school.

Vinland anniversary - from p. 11 a premier program in the region, helping people with a wide range of cognitive disabilities.

Vinland was founded in Loretto with a bicentennial gift to the United States from the Kingdom of Norway. It originally was planned as a comprehensive health/ sports facility for people with various disabilities, and modeled after Beitostolen Helsesportsenter in Norway. A 1991 Access Press article described the philosophy behind Vinland and how it was run by volunteers.

When Vinland began offering chemical health services for adults with brain injuries in 1990, no other organization provided a similar type of specialized service. Thanks to advancements in medical technology during the 1980s, survival rates for traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients had more than doubled. Services were evolving and expanding to meet the growing demands of this population. Research showed alcohol and drug use was involved with roughly 50 percent of traumatic brain injury accidents, and of those cases 50 percent of the people involved had a previous history of substance abuse. Vinland was able to address the challenges TBI survivors face and help them with long-term sobriety.

Vinland has added an array of services over the years. In 1997 Vinland expanded into long-term supportive housing for chemically dependent people with disabilities. In 1998 the first Vinland LivingWorks Lodge—a permanent, community-based residence for chemically dependent people with cognitive disabilities—opened in the Twin Cities in collaboration with Tasks Unlimited, a nonprofit provider of housing and employment services for people with disabilities.

Vinland has partnered with other agencies including Courage Center (now Courage Kenny) to help people find the services and support they need. ■ Read more at www.vinlandcenter.org/AboutUs/BriefHistory.html

January 10, 2016 Volume 27, Number 1 Pg 15

REGIONAL NEWS State is fined for assaults The Minnesota Department of Human Services was fined $63,000—the largest such penalty against a state agency in more than a decade—for failing to protect workers at the St. Peter psychiatric hospital from violent assaults by patients. Minnesota OSHA ordered the fine recently identified nine incidents between early May and mid-July that exposed employees to risk of serious injury or death, underscoring the challenges the state faces in maintaining order in a treatment facility that houses more than 200 of the state’s most violent and mentally ill patients.

The citation was issued within a week after another violent assault at the hospital. According to employees, a male patient attacked a female security counselor before co-workers intervened. The St. Peter Police Department is investigating the incident.

The recent OSHA report lists nine separate violations of state safety regulations in which employees “were not properly protected from workplace violence by an effective workplace violence prevention program.” Each of the violations is described by OSHA as “serious,” meaning death or serious physical harm has resulted or could be expected to result from the violation.

The Minnesota Security Hospital is the state’s largest psychiatric hospital. DHS has worked to make many changes at the hospital. Officials installed new security cameras; intensified staff training on how to de-escalate violent situations; acquired new protective equipment, such as forearm pads, for staff; hired more security counselors; and opened a new admissions unit in spring 2015 to protect new patients from more violent ones.

But state officials and hospital employees say efforts to curb violence have been hampered by a new state law that has forced the security hospital to accept more patients with criminal histories, who may be more prone to violence. In 2013, the Minnesota Legislature passed a law, known as the “48-hour rule,” that requires state psychiatric hospitals to admit county jail inmates within 48 hours after they are committed by a judge for mental illness. ■ (Source: Star Tribune)

Collaborative wins grant The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has awarded an Otter Tail County collaborative $1 million as part of a federally funded demonstration to better understand and expand the use of personal health records for older adults and people with disabilities receiving Medicaid-funded longterm services and supports.

The Otter Tail Personal Health Record Collaborative will use the funding from now through March 2018 to demonstrate the use of personal health records in Minnesota’s long-term services and supports system. The collaborative will also work with DHS and the federal government to test a standard for sharing service plans and other information related to community-based long term services and supports.

This initiative will help to make it possible for long term services and supports records to be shared with individuals and service payers across different service settings, including the person’s home, assisted living facilities, group homes, hospitals and clinics.

“The goal of this initiative is to develop a system in which data related to an individual’s long-term services and supports follows the person and is shared with appropriate parties, including the individual, to promote better overall quality of care,” said Loren Colman, assistant commissioner of the DHS Continuing Care for Older Adults Administration. “This system will also help to capture and report, with appropriate permissions, data related to quality and outcomes to improve the overall long-term services and supports system.”

The collaborative includes Otter Tail County Public Health, Otter Tail County Human Services, Lake Region Health Care, LB Homes, Pioneer Care, Lakeland Mental Health Center and Productive Alternatives. ■ (Source: DHS)

Sheltered workshops - from p. 6 long been a mainstay of Minnesota’s system of support for people with disabilities.

With reduced funding, many of the state’s nonprofit workshop operators will be pushed to redirect

their focus to supporting workers in typical jobs in the community that pay at least the minimum wage, state officials said. ■ (Source: Star Tribune)

DHS reorganization underway - from p. 1 Piper moves to DHS from a post as deputy chief of staff and general counsel in the governor’s office. She has worked closely with state administration on highprofile legal issues, including those involving DHS. Piper has practiced law, in both the private and public sectors, in the areas of insurance, health care, human services, and employment. “I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the people of Minnesota as Commissioner of Human Services,” said Piper.

“The services provided by the Department of Human Services empower more than one million of our most vulnerable Minnesotans to lead healthier, fuller, more independent lives. I will do all that I can to honor that important commitment to the people of Minnesota.”

Rep. Paul Thissen (DFL – Minneapolis), who is House minority leader, used the occasion of Piper’s appointment to call for DHS to be broken into five separate agencies. Each would have its own leader.

“It’s really too big to manage and have one person be responsible and accountable for everything,” said Thissen told the Star Tribune.

Piper responded by announcing that she would reorganize DHS into three larger divisions. Her plan, outlined in an email to DHS staff, is effective immediately.

But it will likely take time to put everything in place.

Unlike the Thissen proposal, Piper wouldn’t break up the agency. Medicaid, MinnesotaCare, and services for people with disabilities, elders and children will report directly to Deputy Commissioner Chuck Johnson. Direct care, including the Minnesota Sex Offender Program and state-run mental health and substance abuse clinics, will be overseen by a deputy commissioner yet to be hired Thissen’s proposed changes would have been the most sweeping restructures of Minnesota human services in many years. Even dividing DHS into as many five separate agencies would mean that some agencies would still be among the largest in state government.

“The Minnesota Sex Offender Program and delivering health care to poor people have nothing in common,” Thissen said.

The reorganization calls for a separate aging and disability services division. However, some specific disability service programs would be under different agencies. Health care services would oversee insurance and medical programs for low-income persons, drug treatment and mental health services.

A direct care services agency would have jurisdiction over the Anoka Regional Treatment Facility and state operated services, managing residential and treatment programs serving people with mental illness, developmental disabilities, chemical dependency and traumatic brain injury, and persons deemed to be a risk to society. A forensic services agency would run programs including the St. Peter State Hospital, some nursing home programs and the

Minnesota Sex Offender Program. Human services would manage operations related to child welfare and child care assistance programs, income assistance and social services grants.

Thissen’s proposal met a mixed response. Disability advocates saw merit in the idea of breaking up DHS, saying the agency is too large and too complex.

DFLers said they would be interested in discussing reorganization ideas. Republicans said that rather than look at reorganization, new leadership and change in culture would help DHS. Breaking up DHS it into separate agencies would be complex. Federal agencies that provide funding for state programs, such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, would have to have a say because of how those programs’ funding is handled.

Counties that provide services in partnership with DHS would also want to weigh in, as would nonprofit service providers. Another unknown is how the state’s myriad of human services advocacy groups, including disability community groups, would react to a major reorganization. ■

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Pg 16 January 10, 2016 Volume 27, Number 1

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