February 2016 Edition - Access Press

Using his skills, page 7

Volume 27, Number 2

www.accesspress.org

Right to die Fought for rights arguments Life experiences helped her to underway become a community champion

by Jane McClure

by Access Press staff

Minnesota’s proposed “Compassionate Care Act” would allow persons with terminal illnesses to obtain medication and end their lives if a number of criteria could be met. Several advocacy groups contend that if passed, the measure would give people more control over end-of-life decisions and end suffering.

But others, including some disability rights groups, faith leaders and physicians, argue that legalizing the right to die creates a slippery slope of moral, legal and ethical issues. The two sides are already squaring off over the bill as the 2016 Minnesota Legislature gears up for a March 8 start.

Sen. Chris Eaton (DFLBrooklyn Center) is leading efforts to get the bill passed.

She and other bill coauthors are holding forums to discuss the legislation. More than 100 people filled a Senate Office Building hearing room January 30 to hear about the bill and debate its merits.

Right to die arguments - p. 5

Gloria Steinbring drew on her own life experiences to become a tenacious champion for the rights of people with disabilities. She and her late husband Dean are also remembered for their successful fight to be wed. Steinbring died January 11 at age 71.

Services were January 23 at Simpson United Methodist Church in Minneapolis, with inurnment beside Dean at Morningside Memorial Gardens in Coon Rapids. He died in 1983.

A public memorial service is planned at a later date.

Steinbring was a founder of Advocating Change Together Gloria Steinbring is remembered as a disability rights champion.

Courtesy photo (ACT) in 1979 and chaired its board. She was a pioneering self-advocate for every time someone stands up and says, ‘I am people with intellectual disabilities. She comwho I am.’ We owe Gloria a lot. I love her.” bined a fierce populist spirit with a kind heart At ACT Steinbring was one of the early leadand strong loyalty to others. ers in the Remembering With Dignity moveTributes poured in after her death. “Gloria ment, working to replace thousands of numbered was a natural leader and spokesperson who grave markers with the names of those who died sparked the self-advocacy movement,” said Mel in Minnesota state institutions. She also worked Duncan, founding director of Nonviolent Peace on many other legislative and disability rights force. “Her active advocacy for over 35 years issues, sometimes using stories from her own did more than bring reform. The very act of life to inform lawmakers. When speaking for doing the work and proudly asserting who she change, she described how she was locked in a was changed the public perception of people closet. Steinbring’s childhood friend Sen. Ron with intellectual disabilities. We all benefit Fought for rights - p. 4

Legal settlement

St. Paul must rebuild street curb ramps

by Jane McClure

People with disabilities will have an easier time crossing St. Paul streets, as a result of a settlement agreement announced January 25 by Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid’s Minnesota Disability Law Center. The city has agreed to upgrade curb ramps on some of its busiest streets. Curb ramps are short

Pedestrians in Madison, Wisc. benefit from ADA-compliant ramps. St. Paul will have to rebuild many it has.

Photo from Ped/Bike Images

ramps that connect the sidewalk to the street and provide individuals with disabilities access. They are sometimes referred to as curb cuts.

The settlement affects curb ramps on 18 sections of streets that were rebuilt in 2014. It also affects all future street reconstruction and mill and overlay projects.

The St. Paul City Council, which signed off on the settlement January 13, voted that same day to approve changes to the St. Paul Department of Public Works Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan. The city is now required to comply with the accessibility requirements of the ADA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Minnesota Human Rights Act when it completes alterations of city streets.

The change means that curb ramps will be replaced with legally compliant ramps, or installed where none exist, during mill and overlay as well as street reconstruction projects. The policy change calls for the city to identify all intersections lacking ramps, or older noncompliant ramps that don’t comply with the accessibility standards in place at the time of the alteration. New ramps will then be installed and older noncompliant ramps replaced.

Through the U.S. Justice Department, the ADA Policy changed - p. 3

February 10, 2016 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Twin Cities. MN Permit No. 4766 Address Service Requested

“I learned that I had rights, and that I could stand up for myself.”

— Gloria Steinbring

NEWS DIGEST

It’s not ‘just’ a brain injury.

Page 4

RISE celebrates with 45 stories.

Page 2

Changing perceptions of St. Paul High Bridge is part of a community effort.

Page 3

Workers enjoy campus life in food service jobs.

Page 10

Radio Talking Book, Around the Dial provide options.

Page 14

INSIDE Accessible Fun, pg 12 & 15 Events, pg 13 People & Places, pg 7-8 & 10-11 Radio Talking Book, pg 14 Regional News, pg 6 & 15

Pg 2 February 10, 2016 Volume 27, Number 2

GUEST EDITORIAL

by Carrie Salberg

It’s February, we’re digging out of our first major winter storm of the season, and love is in the air—or at least in the candy and greeting card aisles in retail stores. As a 30-something single disabled woman, I know first-hand the ups and downs involved in the search for love: the trials of meeting people online, awkward first dates, butterflies, breakups and heartache. Throwing a disability in the mix can make the quest for love even more daunting. When and how should you disclose your disability? How many details should you give your potential partner about your disability? How do you navigate intimacy and privacy, especially if you rely on the assistance of PCAs or home health nurses for your daily needs?

How will marriage and family affect your disability benefits? These are just a few of the challenges people with disabilities face in the dating world.

We would all be lucky to have the kind of love for which Gloria Gunderson Steinbring fought. This issue’s front page story chronicles the life of Gloria, who passed away in January at age 71. Gloria met

Dean Steinbring after she moved from Hibbing to Minneapolis; they lived in the same large group home and worked together at a sheltered workshop. They dated, fell in love, and in 1970 Dean proposed.

In an interview on YouTube, Gloria described their relationship. She said the staff at their group home repeatedly told them they could never marry, that it was impossible because of their intellectual disabilities.

Gloria laughed as she talked about planning their wedding behind the staff’s back—she and Dean would not take no for an answer. They enlisted the help of their case workers, who had to petition the state to ask for permission for them to marry, as Dean was a ward of the state. Eventually the state said yes.

Gloria and Dean were married from 1974 until Dean’s death in 1983.

I was not lucky enough to know Gloria personally, but it is clear from the tributes and testimonials that have come out since her death that we as a community have lost a kind, determined and powerful advocate for change.

As Minnesota pushes forward with its Olmstead

plan, we need only look at the life of Gloria to see the importance of choice and individualized services. Gloria was shuttled to a sheltered workshop, told she didn’t have the skills for competitive employment and would be doing sheltered work for the rest of her Carrie Salberg life. Imagine the advocacy our community would have lost had Gloria believed what she was told and had never pushed beyond the low expectations that kept her in that workshop for eleven years.

Minnesota must continue to take steps to ensure that all people with disabilities have the same ability to choose the life, love and work that is best for their needs. Gloria Steinbring was a remarkable example of the power of self-advocacy. We all must have our voices heard and the opportunity to choose the lives that fit our needs. We cannot let low expectations silence future leaders. ■

HISTORY NOTE

For 45 years, Rise has elevated the lives of many Incorporated in 1971, Rise is a private, nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization which supports people who have disabilities and other barriers to finding employment, housing and personal growth. Rise unlocks potential and opens doors to success for people with disabilities or other challenges through creative solutions and customized support. Rise helps people throughout the state with its many programs.

The first story was about the Tollefsons. Rise got its start thanks to Chester “Chet” and Gladys Tollefson of Anoka, who wanted opportunities for their son Loring and for other young people with disabilities. In its 45 Stories for 45 Years series, the first story featured the Tollefsons and their dream of meaningful work and personal growth for Loring.

The family was able to get many Anoka County leaders to support their dream. Rise opened its doors August 2, 1971, to serve four people who had intellectual and related disabilities. Volunteers helped convert a truck garage in Spring Lake Park into a production floor and staff offices. With several expansions over the years, it is still Rise’s administrative headquarters.

Loring and Gladys Tollefson have died, but Chet has lived to see Rise reach 45 years. “I really never dreamed Rise would take off like it did and become

the agency it is today,” he said recently. “‘My Impossible Dream’ came true in so many ways I couldn’t have imagined. Hats off to everyone over the years who has worked so hard.”

A second story recalled the first four Rise clients: Ted Brown, Kathleen Schuldt, Bruce Johnson and Robert Lehn. Brown is the only one of the four still alive today. In 1971 he was 19 years old and had just completed his public schooling. He was eager to get to work and enjoyed the variety of production subcontracts the team of four was tasked with.

Today, at age 64, Brown is gradually winding down his long career. He works part-time at Rise’s production facility in Spring Lake Park. Over the years, he has worked at many businesses throughout the Twin Cities area including Medtronic, Federal Premium Ammunition, Shapco, Red Lobster, Liberty Carton and Faribault Foods and a meditation center.

Brown is also an accomplished musician who played keyboard and sang with the band, The Windjammers, for many years. His musical highlight was performing in 1989 at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. with Very Special Arts (now VSA). Brown described that experience as the thrill of a lifetime. He also sings with Project POWER and is excited about the salute to George Harrison and the

Volume 27, Number 2 • Periodicals Imprint: Pending ISSN Advertising Sales Business Manager/Webmaster Michelle Hegarty Dawn Frederick 612-807-1078 Co-Founder/Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Cartoonist Co-Founder/Publisher Wm. A. Smith, Jr. (1990-1996) Charles F. Smith (1990-2001)

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Scott Adams

Production Board of Directors Brigid Alseth, Steve Anderson, John Clark, Managing Editor Ellen Houghton with Presentation Images 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 and advertising do not necessarily reflect the view of the editor/publisher of Access Press.

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Gladys, Loring and Chester Tollefson File photo

Beatles they will perform later this year.

“Rise is a great place to work with lots of different jobs,” said Brown. “Everyone needs to always do his best. And everyone needs to choose his own song and do the best you can with the music you’ve been given.”

Read more of Rise’s 45 moments at www.rise.org/ ■ The History Note is a monthly column sponsored by the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, www.mnddc.org, www.mncdd.org and www.partnersinpolicymaking.com

February 10, 2016 Volume 27, Number 2

Pg 3

Suicide concerns

St. Paul High Bridge neighbors want to make changes

by Loren Green

Other speakers included the St. Paul Police DepartSt. Paul’s iconic High Bridge spans 160 feet above the ment crisis unit and the National Alliance on Mental majestic Mississippi River. Those traveling across the Illness (NAMI) Minnesota. Speakers outlined resources bridge recently may have noticed painted phone numbers for treatment and discussion of mental health issues. there. It’s part of an effort to deter suicides at the bridge.

Discussion at the meeting also focused both on engiIdeas implemented at the High Bridge could be used neering and design elements to minimize danger. One on other Minnesota bridge structures in the future. More focus was the bridge’s current physical state. It’s in than 60 neighborhood residents gathered for a forum at need of a paint job, at minimum. Walkways and bicycle St. Paul’s Bad Weather Brewing Company January 6, lanes were seemingly an afterthought to automobile just blocks from the bridge. The meeting was focused on suicide prevention, mental health awareness and me- Changing perceptions may be one way to address concerns traffic in its current design. Making it more accommodating, people said, would brighten the mood and india coverage of an issue that heavily impacts river about suicide.

Photo from Yahoo Images crease foot and bike traffic. neighbors and the larger community. Those present disMaking contact with a depressed subject is an important step, said Commander cussed long-term bridge design issues and short-term prevention measures, as well Mary Nash, crisis negotiator for the St. Paul Police Department. More walkers as how to talk as a community about a sensitive issue. and bikers could provide that contact. “You can snap somebody out of it with that “There’s a lot of community members who have shown interest and passion positive interaction,” Nash said, including a simple “How are you doing today?” about this topic and groups have organized other efforts,” said area resident The meeting drew a wide range of other ideas focused on prevention and changJolene Olsen. She and Leah Driscoll were among the first community residents to ing how the bridge is perceived. “Suicide prevention has to come at all angles and work on the issue. “There’s a lot of interest in this topic so we are not the only approaches,” Driscoll said. Ideas included community celebrations such as art ones making effort to do something on the bridge.”

After a suicide last year, someone painted suicide prevention hotline numbers on the crawls and greater access to counseling at youth centers. Specific ideas included forming regular walking groups along the bridge, placing Little Free Libraries bridge. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has agreed to leave the phone numbers while other prevention and public education methods are explored. with mental health literature on or near the bridge and adding artwork. Placing permanent Viewmasters to lighten the mood joined more pragmatic upgrades such Olson and Driscoll first asked MnDOT officials in 2015 if suicide prevention could as rail barriers. be part of plans to redeck the bridge in 2018. “It seemed that suicide wasn’t even on Overall consensus suggested removing the ribbons from the bridge in fear of their radar as far as integrating that into part of the redecking project,” said Driscoll. contagion and rekindling traumatic memories in the community, as well as workThe meeting brought the Minnesota Department of Health and MnDOT into the ing to change the narrative of the bridge itself, focusing on its positive effect on same room, and has opened communication not just focused on the High Bridge, but on infrastructure projects across the state. “It’s exciting to see that one conver- the neighborhood.

Heinen said the community should “own” the bridge and help tell a different sation can lead to system changes,” Driscoll said. story around. Another idea is to reconsider reactions to suicide. Memorial ribbons One emphasis is ways to help people in crisis. Melissa Heinen of the Minnesota Department of Health emphasized that suicide is avoidable, with treatment and ac- may be seen as a sign of hope, but they could also contribute to the problem.

Suicide by jumping is not common, said Heinen. Only about 2 percent of suicess to resources as a proven means. “None of us can do all,” she said, but “we all cides happen that way. ■ can do little pieces.”

Resources available to help those considering suicide, or who know someone who is Suicide is a focus for the Minnesota Department of Health’s Injury and Violence Prevention Unit. The unit uses a public health approach to prevent suicides by supporting and coordinating state-funded suicide prevention activities and a state suicide prevention plan; and providing technical assistance and data to support communitybased prevention programs. Learn more about the unit at www.health.state.mn.us/injury/topic/suicide/ The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) Minnesota provides useful information on its website, at www.namihelps.org/support/crisis-resources.html Find crisis team phone numbers, support groups, publications and more.

Mental Health Minnesota also provides crisis lines,

walk-in counseling and other resources on its website.

Some of the resources are culturally-specific. Go to www.mentalhealthmn.org/find-support/resource-list/ crisis-lines One statewide resources is the www.suicide.org listings, which provide information of resources throughout Minnesota.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has a Minnesota chapter. Learn more at http://afsp.org/ chapter/afsp-greater-minnesota/ Another resource is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 1-800-273-TALK or www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ Yet another good resource is the national Treatment

Policy changed - from p. 1 regulates every detail of a curb ramp’s construction including widths, slopes and the “landing area” at the base of the ramp. The most recent version of design regulations was written in 2010.

In the past, Public Works hasn’t considered mill and overlay projects to be the same level of work as street reconstruction. In a mill and overlay project, the top few inches of the street are milled off and then replaced with new pavement.

Ramps weren’t replaced as they are when streets are rebuilt with new curbs and gutters unless the ramps were in poor condition. Public Works spokesman Joe Ellickson said that had changed with the new ADA policy’s adoption.

Disability Law Center attorney Steve Schmidt said that while getting legally compliant ramps retrofitted on the streets done in 2014 is important, the more significant win is that compliant ramps will be part of all future projects. The three plaintiffs initially wrote a letter to the city, then submitted a draft legal complaint when that didn’t get the desired response.

Schmidt said the case has triggered interest from other communities. He said the hope is that other communities will bring their ADA policies in line with the law.

“The question is what constitutes a street alteration, and my clients consider mill and overlay work to be an alteration,” Schmidt said.

The individuals with disabilities who challenged the city are Rick Cardenas, Margot Imdieke Cross and Ken Rodgers. They worked with the Disability Law Center for more than a year to raise concerns with city officials about curb ramps that were built improperly during work on 11 of the city’s “Terrible 20” streets in need of repair. The streets were among those singled out by Mayor Chris Coleman as needing repair after the harsh winter of 2013.

The settlement indicates that the city has about 230 ramps that need to be retrofitted. Some will be fixed in conjunction with other street projects, but that leaves about 200 ramps that have to be completed. The cost is estimated at about $1 million.

Under the federal ADA, cities must comply with current federal accessibility guidelines by installing legally compliant curb ramps when streets are repaired or rebuilt. Cardenas, Cross and Rodgers contended that St. Paul failed to properly

Advocacy Center, which operates the hotline 1-800SUICIDE. Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) offers resources as well, including media information, support for suicide survivors and resources to prevent suicide. The group’s 27th annual Suicide Awareness Memorial is 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 30 at Wooddale Church 6630 Shady Oka Road, Eden Prairie.

Keynote speaker is musician Alan Levy, whose son Daniel struggled with mental illness. Levy released a solo record in 2015 in which he explored Daniel’s struggles and death.

The event includes the faces of suicide display, the reading of names and survivor stories. Visit www.save.org/

upgrade pedestrian curb ramps during 2014 street mill and overlay projects, violating the ADA and the Minnesota Human Rights Act. The settlement agreement provides that by the end of 2017, the city will now complete the necessary ADA upgrades for curb ramps on streets that were part of the 2014 work.

“The settlement agreement ensures that all individuals with disabilities who live or visit St. Paul will be able to travel safely on city sidewalks, and be full and equal members of the community,” said Rodgers. “We are pleased that the city has recognized its obligations under the law, and has made a strong commitment to making St. Paul accessible to everyone.” ■

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Pg 4 February 10, 2016 Volume 27, Number 2

FROM OUR COMMUNITY

It’s not ‘just’ a concussion

by Amy Zellmer In a society where the result of a severe bump on the head is often overlooked, misdiagnosed and misunderstood, the word “concussion” should NOT be taken lightly. Every concussion is a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and needs to be taken seriously, as it is the leading cause of death for children Amy Zellmer and adults ages 1 to 44 in the United States and occurs every 13 seconds.

With the movie “Concussion” starring Will Smith, we are finally starting to talk about it. While the movie is about NFL players and their concussions, I understood every word — every nuance of how these guys felt. I understood their frustration when nobody would listen to them, or take them seriously when their MRIs came back clear.

You don’t have to be in a serious car accident or injured playing sports. Simply slipping on a patch of ice can change your life in the blink of an eye, which is exactly what happened to me.

It was a very cold February morning when I slipped and fell on a patch of sheer ice while walking down my building’s driveway. I remember my feet flying out from under me, in true Charlie Brown fashion, and I was unable to do anything about it. I can still hear the awful “thunk” as my head made contact with the asphalt. My skull had taken the full impact of the fall, knocking me unconscious for a few minutes.

When I came to, I immediately knew something was wrong. The pain in my skull was excruciating, and I was seeing whirly stars out of my left eye. Once back in the safety of my apartment, I attempted to

look up emergency rooms on Google. Then I realized I couldn’t read my computer screen. It was a blur because my eyes wouldn’t focus. Calling 911 hadn’t even occurred to me. Because I had clearly knocked myself silly, I decided I would drive myself to the clinic. It’s a decision I look back on and realize it probably wasn’t a good one.

After a thorough exam, my doctor told me that I had suffered a severe concussion, along with major whiplash, C4/5 damage to my spine, and a dislocated sternum. I was told my symptoms would improve in six to eight weeks. As weeks, then months, went on, I was still not feeling any better, and in fact, my symptoms were becoming worse. I was living with a constant fogginess in my head, a perpetual headache, and my short-term memory was practically nonexistent.

At times I couldn’t find home from the neighborhood store or my best friend’s house, or remember how to run my microwave. I had trouble finding words when I spoke, was suffering from dizziness and balance issues. My vision wasn’t quite right, even though eye exams showed everything was “fine.”

Friends started to drift away, telling me I should “get over it because it was ‘just’ a concussion.”

While I was living with this hell inside my head, one former friend even said I should be thankful it’s “just a concussion,” and not something far worse, like cancer.

I would eventually come to understand a term I had never heard before: “traumatic brain injury” or TBI for short. Every concussion is a TBI, yet when people hear about TBI, they tend to think of the worst-case scenarios. Because I looked seemingly fine, and could walk and talk, people thought I must be OK. I think some people even went so far as to assume I was faking or exaggerating. Yet if they had spent

even an hour with me, they would realize I wasn’t the same person I was before my fall.

The stigma of a concussion in our society is that it is “no big deal.” We watch professional athletes get back in the game after taking a major blow to the head, and we expect the same of our youth. In the movie “Concussion,” we start to garner an understanding that concussions are much more serious than originally thought. We get a glimpse inside the severity of repetitive head trauma, and how it can hide invisibly inside our brains, while wreaking havoc on our lives.

My accident was two years ago, and I am still not completely recovered. I have accepted the reality that I may never be 100 percent the same as I was before, and have adapted coping mechanisms to help me with my short-term memory loss and aphasia (the inability to come up with words, or saying the wrong word). I continue to deal with neurofatigue and occasional confusion.

Now instead of hearing “it’s ‘just’ a concussion,” I hear “you look great; you must be recovered.” That’s a whole other story for another day. Until you suffer a life-altering brain injury, you will never be able to understand what the other person is going through, I know I sure didn’t. It is a long, lonely road to recovery.

When I think back to when I was first going through this, I still shake my head at the ignorance of some people. Actually, I have since learned, most people have no idea of the complexities of a TBI. My hope is to help raise awareness about traumatic brain injury, and just how serious a concussion really is.

We only get one brain — it’s our job to protect it! ■ This article is excerpted from Huffington Post. Amy Zellmer is a St. Paul writer, speaker, activist and founder of www.facesoftbi.com

Fought for rights - from p. 1 Dicklich (DFL-Hibbing) and Rep. Karen Clark (DFL – Minneapolis) authored the legislation.

Anne Henry of the Minnesota Disability Law Center got to know Steinbring as a client when she wanted to be married, then as an activist and dear friend. “I always treasured those snuggling hugs she generously gave,” Henry said.

Born Gloria Jean Gunderson, she grew up on Minnesota’s Iron Range and moved to Minneapolis as a young woman. In an interview, Steinbring said: “When I moved from Hibbing to Minneapolis in 1968, I thought I was on my way to a new career. My social worker in Hibbing told me that I should get job training, and Minneapolis had schools for this. I was living with my parents in Hibbing at the time, and helped them with raising my younger brother, Duane.

I liked working with children, and dreamed of one day working in a day care. I followed my social worker’s advice, and moved to Minneapolis.”

Steinbring wound up living in a facility with more than 100 people. She described the places as a “miniinstitution.”

“I was nervous at first. I didn’t know what to expect,” she said. “It was really tough living away from home for the first time … I didn’t really like living there. Instead of getting real job training, I went to a sheltered workshop. They ‘evaluated’ me and said that I couldn’t get a competitive job because the dexterity in my fingers was not quick enough. They told me ‘you’ll have to stay in the workshop for the rest of your life.’”

Her dreams of work in child care were slipping away. “My job was to put hooks in straps, hour after hour, all day long. I also sealed thermostat covers in a plastic package. We would work on a line, where one person would put in one part, another person would do something else, and the part would move down the line. I didn’t like this work because this wasn’t where my expertise was. This work made me feel like I was good for nothing.”

Steinbring and her future husband lived in the same facility, worked at the same sheltered workshop and shared a dislike of their menial jobs. “When we started getting involved with each other, the people at the workshop separated us. We had to work in differ-

ent rooms. We got married in 1974 and moved into our own apartment,” she said. The Steinbrings become one of the first couples with intellectual disabilities to get married in Minnesota The couple learned about self-advocacy after hearing a Minneapolis ARC voter registration presentation. Hearing self-advocates speak was a stark contrast to workshop staff who would tell people “You’ll be here for the rest of your lives.” Steinbring recalled, “They kept pounding this into us. But when I started going to self-advocacy meetings, I learned that I had rights, and that I could stand up for myself. I was tired of being treated like a kid by the workshop.”

After 11 years at the workshop, Steinbring took time off and received an independent evaluation. She learned that she was capable of working at competitive jobs, and that child care work could have been an option. After going back to the workshop, she would only work for minimum wage, then $2.35 per hour.

After being told she would receive 88 cents an hour, “I told them to go to hell, and quit the workshop.”

“In 11 years, they didn’t teach me anything,” she said. “Since that time, I think supported employment has made things better, but there are still people being trained for jobs they don’t want. Who is this helping? We need to work on changing attitudes and telling people about our abilities. We need to make our own decisions.” ■ Find Steinbring’s interviews on YouTube and at http://mn.gov/mnddc/parallels/seven/7d4/1.html

February 10, 2016 Volume 27, Number 2

Rights to die arguments - from p. 1 Right-to-die legislation isn’t new in Minnesota, and was introduced in 2015. Eaton said she doesn’t have the votes to get the measure passed this session, but wants to continue to gather input and see what the public thinks. She and others said it could take years to get a measure passed. Her hope this session is to get the bill through the Senate health and human services policy committee. That would set the stage for continued work in 2017.

“This bill allows terminally ill patients to be put in control of their medical options,” Eaton said. “They can decide when enough is enough.”

Eaton is drawing on personal experience with a terminally ill family member, as well as her decades as a mental health nurse in leading efforts on the bill. She said it is a difficult issue with many aspects to balance. The bill, while meant to end the suffering of persons with terminal illness, isn’t euthanasia or assisted suicide. She said it contains several measures to prevent abuse by family members.

Several states are considering or have similar laws.

Oregon has had right-to-die legislation since 1997.

Washington, Montana, Vermont and California have adopted laws in recent years. Right-to-die law in New Mexico was adopted in 2014 but is facing a court challenge.

About two dozen people at the forum testified on the bill, with some saying they or family members suffer with terminal illness. They described wrenching pain, the difficulty of watching loved ones suffer and high costs of treatment. Some said a right-to-die law is a basic human right.

“I have stage four cancer,” one woman said. While she has considered going to Oregon to die, “my family is here.” Others told stories of family members who wanted to die with dignity.

Doctors and faith leaders who spoke were deeply divided on the issue, with some speaking for the right to end suffering and others saying the proposal is flawed. How large medical systems would act if the bill passed was one of many concerns raised. One

On the agenda The 2016 Minnesota Legislature gavels into session March 8. It will be a short session, so many disability advocacy groups are preparing for their bills to move along quickly. It will also be an election-year session, so many lawmakers will be winding up their capitol careers.

Two primary focuses for Minnesotans with disabilities will be the Best Life Alliance’s campaign to increase caregiver wages and the Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MnCCD) efforts for Medical Assistance reform and change in income and asset restrictions. Both of those topics have been detailed in recent issues of Access Press. Part articles can be found at www.accesspress.org MNCCD hosts a Session Startup 1-2:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 23 at Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota, 553 Fairview Ave. N., St. Paul. Check-in begins at 12:45 p.m.

Register for this free event by emailing jo@mnccd. org by February 16. Walk-ins are also welcome.

With a typical legislative session, there are many other issues in the hopper as well. Those include special education, mental health programs, transportation and paratransit, accessible housing, jobs creation and many more.

Access Press would like to feature the disability community advocacy groups’ legislative agendas in the March issue, which will be published just as the session begins. Newspaper staff is asking that if groups want to submit legislative agendas, those will be excerpted and published in March with web links to the full agendas.

Deadline is February 25, but articles that are submitted before that date are appreciated.

Access Press is also asking that information on any upcoming rallies be submitted so that those can be publicized in advance. Include as much information as possible, including contact information for those who wish to attend and who may had additional questions.

It is also helpful to include where those who attend a rally may park, or where they may be dropped off.

The agenda - p. 15

doctor questioned if that would force hard choices for terminally ill patients.

“Don’t force doctors to participate in a culture of death,” said one man. “The medical system is not infallible.” Others opposed the bill on religious grounds.

Under the proposal, terminally ill patients with less than six months to live would be assessed by two doctors. The patients would have to be of sound mind. Patients would be briefed on palliative and end-of-life care options. If the physicians determine that a patient is eligible for the right-to-die option and that there is no coercion involved, the patient could then be given medication with which to end his life.

The process requires at least two witnesses, including one disinterested party.

If the doctors disagree a comprehensive mental health evaluation of the patient would be required.

“No one makes the decision for them,” said Eaton.

The patient would have to be able to take the medication himself, orally or through a feeding tube. Patients could obtain medication but then not take it.

Statistics from Oregon show that between 1997 and

Pg 5

2014 about 860 people have used the law to end their lives. Ninety percent were in hospice care, with 78 percent battling cancer. More than 90 percent said they chose the option because of loss of personal autonomy.

If a terminally ill person has dementia, schizophrenia, major depression or cognitive condition, he couldn’t use the right-to-die option, said Dr. David Plimpton, a retired internist who supports the bill.

“It’s a very difficult issue. You have to have full capacity to make this choice.”

Eaton said that while she sympathizes with person who have terminal illness on top of a cognitive condition, “I have found that I am not comfortable opening this issue up any further.”

Want to learn more about the issue? Many groups, pro and con, have information available online.

One advocacy group for the bill is Compassion and Choices. Read more at www.compassionandchoices.org/ The Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL) is one of the groups that objects to the bill.

Read more at http://www.mccl.org/ ■

Pg 6 February 10, 2016 Volume 27, Number 2

REGIONAL NEWS Waiting lists are whittled down The number of Minnesotans with disabilities who have to wait a long time for critical social services has fallen sharply in recent months as the state removes long-standing barriers. While that is welcome news for people who have waited years for services, many people remain in limbo. The Star Tribune reported that state officials are pressuring counties to spend more of the money allocated annually for assistance. Minnesota has among the longest waiting lists in the nation for the highly coveted form of assistance, known as a Medicaid “waiver.” In some cases, adults who could be living in their own apartments or working in mainstream jobs have been stuck in their parents’ homes, unable to obtain services. Some had waited a decade or more for services, while millions of dollars set aside for services had gone unspent in their counties.

“We are making great progress,” said Alex Bartolic, disability services director at the Department of Human Services. “A lot more people are receiving services than in the past, and that should be celebrated.”

A court report issued in January shows hundreds of people who have been on waiting lists for community services for months, even years, are now getting help.

About 1,100 people were moved off waitlists in the last nine months of 2015, cutting the overall backlog by 23 percent statewide. Nearly 4,000 applicants remain on county waiting lists for assistance.

In Hennepin County alone, officials are approving disability waivers at quadruple the rate of the past several years, resulting in more than 200 people being moved off the county’s waitlist last year.

Media attention has placed a spotlight on the waiting lists and has forced reforms. ■ (Source: KSTP-TV, Star Tribune)

Paez out of superintendent search Candidate Sergio Paez will not be the next superintendent of Minneapolis Public Schools, the school board decided last month. Paez emerged as the top candidate as a result of a national search. But questions arose after allegations surfaced regarding staff at his former district abusing special education students. He currently leads Holyoke Public Schools in Massachusetts.

Despite stepped-up outreach to community members after the allegations became public, school board members said they weren’t comfortable with him in the top spot.

“Obviously I’m disappointed,” Paez said following the decision. “The situation is unfortunate what happened in Holyoke. I produced all the information, but as any superintendent we respect the decision they made. And I’m wishing the best to the city of Minneapolis and they find the right candidate.” ■ (Source: KMSP-TV)

Anoka center is criticized

Fatality raises safety concerns

A federal report states that Anoka-Metro Regional Treatment Center, the state’s second-largest psychiatric hospital, could lose millions of dollars in critical federal funding if it fails to correct long-standing threats to patient safety. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) put Minnesota on notice that it was in “immediate jeopardy” of losing its ability to bill the federal government for services, according to a state memo issued last week. The state has been given until March 5 to complete the plan, according to a letter from CMS. Underscoring the urgency of the safety crisis, new Commissioner of Human Services Emily Johnson Piper, has visited Anoka-Metro twice since her appointment, even meeting with frustrated workers at the hospital on Christmas Day. “Changes need to start now, and the solutions will require both short and long term actions,” Piper wrote in a recent memo to employees.

A surge in violence and staffing issues vex state officials as they work to correct problems or face the loss of a needed $3.5 million per year in federal funding. Hospital staff said conditions have deteriorated since adoption of a law two years ago known as the “48-hour rule.” In an effort to keep people with mental illnesses out of county jails after being arrested, the law required state psychiatric facilities to admit jail inmates within 48 hours after being committed as mentally ill by a judge. Many people were sent directly from jails to Anoka-Metro without undergoing psychiatric assessments or having their medications reviewed, resulting in a surge of violence and unruly behavior. ■ (Source: Star Tribune)

A man in a wheelchair was killed after being struck by a light-rail train in south Minneapolis in January, at a crossing near several group homes. Area residents and disability rights advocates said the crossing has been a concern and needs to be fixed.

The latest incident happened along the Blue Line near E. 32nd Street. The victim, identified as 61-yearold Daniel Wesse, died hours after his injuries. His death was ruled an accident. Wesse lived at a Dungarvin group home near the train station.

“He was crossing and then his wheel got caught. He wasn’t tipping. He was leaning,” said his friend Bill Pasco. Pasco witnessed the accident.

If crossing the light-rail tracks from one side, people in wheelchairs have two options. One is to navigate the snow and ice before crossing on the other side. And the other option is to move through the few feet between the crossing arm post and a drop-off, without wheels going over the edge.

Justin Page, an attorney with the Minnesota Disability Law Center, indicated that the downtown crossings are often cleared better than the south Minneapolis one. “It was always a concern of mine especially after a snowfall event,” he said.

The Metropolitan Council in December 2015 initiated a review of Metro Transit’s safety procedures and equipment on light rail lines after four pedestrian accidents in just five days. Council chairman Adam Duininck also called for a review of communication and outreach efforts “to amplify the message that safety is a shared responsibility.” ■ (Source: KMSP-TV)

More Starkey Hearing woes Starkey Hearing Technologies continues to be roiled by litigation and claims of wrongdoing. In January Julie Miller, a 39-year Starkey employee and former executive assistant, sued Starkey. She is accusing the firm of breaching her employment contract and dismissing her for being married to a Starkey official who was fired. The company responded by accusing Miller of receiving payments from a secret account.

Miller’s complaint, filed in Hennepin County District Court, accuses Starkey of violating the Minnesota Human Rights Act, of breach-of-contract and of reneging on its promise to pay her a “long term services and loyalty bonus” severance that should have been equal to one week of pay for every year of service.

For Starkey, the litigation is just the latest chapter featuring lawsuits and countersuits between the company and several former executives and employees.

Several lawsuits accuse owner Bill Austin and some

family members of improprieties at the hearing aid manufacturer. Company leadership in turn accuse the fired executives of engaging in wrongdoing.

Recently Starkey accused fired President Jerry Ruzicka of stealing millions after he filed a whistleblower lawsuit alleging that Austin retaliated against him and withheld past and future wages. In Ruzicka’s whistleblower suit filed last month, he accused Austin, Austin’s stepson, Brandon Sawalich, other family members and the company of diverting millions of dollars from the company, of weakening its employee stock ownership program, and of submitting false tax write-offs and altered documents.

Ruzicka also accused Austin of selling hearing aids as new that were made with damaged, used or refurbished parts, and of retaliating against him for reporting improprieties within the company. Company leaders have in turn accused Ruzicka of theft. ■ (Source: Star Tribune)

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

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Please call us for waiting list information.

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February 10, 2016 Volume 27, Number 2

PEOPLE & PLACES

Young technology professional lands his dream job

Above, Tyler Koeckeritz and his boss, Paul Saldin, took a break from work. At right, Tyler examines a product.

Photos courtesy of ProAct

When Hudson resident and electronics hobbyist Tyler Koeckeritz came to ProAct for help in finding a job, he didn’t have an interest in the more traditional work.

Koeckeritz has autism. He also has a knack for building all kinds of electronic devices to improve on existing technologies. He keeps a mobile portfolio of sorts in photographic form on his smartphone.

A tip from a friend led ProAct job developer Traci Kolo to Paul Saldin, president of Resolution Engineering in Hudson, Wisc. Saldin’s company works hand in hand with Resolution Products, producing components primarily for residential security systems.

Pg 7

Koeckeritz was able to show off his work. From high-end computer cooling fans to power supply modifications and measurements, it was obvious that his passions were a match for the company.

He was soon offered a job. “Tyler has a lot of background doing his own research. He is very knowledgeable,” Saldin said.

Together, Resolution and its employees lay claim to more than two dozen product patents, which are displayed in a conference room. Saldin said the display shows the company’s expertise and ability to design innovative things. Resolution received Residential

Security Product of the Year honors at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Koeckeritz uses instruments and meters to rework items coming out of production. He’ll also get involved in product testing and evaluation, Saldin said.

His work helps free up engineers to perform other functions.

Sitting in a technology operating room of sorts, Koeckeritz has inductors, capacitors, spools of wire and high-end soldering irons within his reach. Some parts are so small, Koeckeritz must use tweezers to move and place them.

“It is awesome working here,” said Koeckeritz. He keeps a journal of new ideas to share with the company president.

Saldin said he likes the way Koeckeritz’s mind works. “I can tell that he thinks a lot about this stuff,” Saldin said. “He’s very detailed. He makes drawings and notations about his ideas.” The practical aspect of the business involves a lot of testing to assure that installers and dealers have properly working products at the job sites. Coming up with new designs is also important.

“He understands all the concepts,” said Kolo. “You don’t have to explain anything to him. He tries to explain it to me, and I’m like, ‘Tyler, seriously, I don’t have a clue.’”

Koeckeritz said he learns a lot from books and online, expanding his knowledge constantly. A common theme of his work is to take an existing product and make it better by customization.

Some of his ideas may make their way into new products. Or he may improve on existing ones.

ProAct is headquartered in Eagan and has additional operations in Red Wing, Zumbrota and Hudson. ■

——————— Find more People & Places on page 8 ———————

Pg 8 February 10, 2016 Volume 27, Number 2

Davis is new leader at Wingspan Therese Davis is the new executive director at Wingspan Life Resources. She succeeds Pat Moore, who retired after 25 years’ dedicated service to Wingspan.

Wingspan offers a range of residential care and opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities, in Hennepin and Ramsey counties. It is based in St. Paul.

Davis’ 39-year career with Wingspan began in 1977. She most recently was its chief operations officer. Davis has been an integral part of Wingspan’s growth and programming expansion over the years. Her responsibilities have included direction and oversight for 24 residential group homes, the program for those living with family or independently, the Three Directions Program for adults with disabilities looking for work, volunteer opportunities or social interaction, and oversight of peer support programs. Davis directed the efforts of “Tsev Laus Kaj Siab,” a first-of-itskind, culturally-specific day center for Hmong adults. The center began in 2001.

Her new role includes responsibilities for human resources, finance, resource development and board recruitment. The Wingspan Board of Directors praised Davis Therese Davis for her depth of one-on-one experience in serving adults with disabilities, combined with her connection to families, case managers, social workers, physicians, and therapists. She is considered to be one of the disability community’s most ardent advocates, both for those being served and for direct support professionals.

Davis said she looks forward to utilizing her insights, expertise and passion for the mission to lead Wingspan Life Resources in bold directions aimed at optimizing support, nurturing well-being and independence and expanding services including respite care for families. ■

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February 10, 2016 Volume 27, Number 2

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Pg 10 February 10, 2016 Volume 27, Number 2

PEOPLE & PLACES Interact Center for the Arts, which offers performing and visual arts opportunities for people with disabilities, has announced two leaders. The center is located in St. Paul’s Midway neighborhood.

Shannon Forney is the new managing director at Interact. Forney was most recently the program director at the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council in St Paul.

As an emerging arts leader and thinker, she is interested in how the modern arts movement is being shaped by the shift towards participation, inclusion and co-curation of meaning. Her master’s degree research explored how the arts business model might change from brick and mortar operations to co-ops, collaborations, pop-ups and online forums.

Forney’s personal arts training is in physical theater, puppetry and red nose clown. She has studied with master clown Giovanni Fusetti and been mentored by Nina Rolle, adjunct faculty member at

Interact Center announces changes Naropa University in Colorado and creator of ZenCabaret©. She participated in the LaMama Theater/Trinity College travel study program in Tibet, Nepal and India and was a touring performer with the Bread and Puppet Theatre in Glover, VT. She dabbles in book arts and letterpress printing. Regardless of medium, humor and playfulness inform her craft.

Beth Loraine Bowman is Interact’s new director of advancement. She is a practicing studio artist and arts and culture leadership professional. She is currently serves as on the board of directors at the University of Minnesota College of Design Alumni Board and is a past board president. She also serves on the board of the Givens Foundation for African-American Literature.

Bowman studied art and design in the United States and France, and holds a bachelor of fine arts and a master’s degree in art education. She has worked with many arts and culture organizations including Art Basel, Cycling Museum of Minnesota, Children’s

Shannon Forney

Beth Loraine Bowman

Museum of Minnesota, Hippodrome State Theatre, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, Soap Factory, Minnesota State Arts Board, College of Visual Arts, DOCOMOMO MN, Artspace Projects, Walker Art Center, SooVAC, Springboard for the Arts and other neighborhood creative community groups.

Bowman has exhibited her visual work internationally, including six solo shows and more than 40 group exhibitions. ■

Opportunity Services crew enjoys a fresh approach The Fresh Food Company at the University of Minnesota is enjoying a partnership with an Opportunity Services crew from Coon Rapids. The workers and food service provider have worked together since fall 2014, after the Fresh Food Company opened on the area campus. The food service provider is modeled after a European marketplace.

The work crew enjoys a daily taste of campus life, working three hours a day, Monday through Friday during the school year. The workers wipe down the tables, manage the dish room, assist with stocking food and dishes in addition to cleaning various serving areas. The work team is supervised

by Melissa Hodge, job coach. “We all love working at The Fresh Food Company. The entire Fresh Foods staff are welcoming to the clients and in return the clients pour their hearts into the work,” Hodge said. The work is also very busy as the dining facility serves more than 1,000 students at lunch time.

Opportunity Services client Thomas agreed.

“Working here is my dream job. I love being busy and getting to know my co-workers. Everyone is nice and the work is fun!” ■

Opportunity Service workers enjoy their jobs at the University of Minnesota Fresh Food Company, helping with a variety of cafeteria tasks. Cleanliness is especially important.

Photos courtesy of Opportunity Services

February 10, 2016 Volume 27, Number 2 Pg 11

PEOPLE & PLACES

Colleen Wieck

Wieck, Korbel honored on King Day for outstanding service

Velma Korbel

Bitterly cold temperatures didn’t discourage a hardy group that turned out January 18 for Minnesota’s annual’s celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Ordway Center in St. Paul.

“The Power of Telling Your Story: 30 Tears of Us” was the theme for the annual celebration.

Colleen Wieck, executive director of the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Velma Korbel, director of the Minneapolis Department of Human Rights, were among the distinguished service honorees. Wieck has led the council for 35 years. It is part of the Minnesota Department of Administration. She is nationally known for her public policy work and her focus on deinstitutionalization, supported employment, family support, self-determination and education. She has produced more than 150 publications and several award-winning DVDs. More than 27,000 advocates worldwide have graduated from the council’s Partners in Policymaking Program.

Korbel is widely respected for her work on equal opportunity issues. She previously served as a commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, and director of diversity and equal opportunity for Metropolitan Council. She has served on numerous

boards and committees, and is a U.S. Navy veteran.

The program including honors for lifetime achievement to Judge Michael J. Davis, a welcome by Gov. Mark Dayton, music and a keynote address by Talila A. Lewis. Lewis is an activist-attorney. Her law practice centers on creative equal access to the legal system for people with disabilities. She focuses on clients who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing and deaf with other disabilities. She created the national deaf prisoner data base and is considered an international issues on legal system access. She provides training on disability-related topics. Lewis organized the #Deafinprison campaign and leads the American Civil Liberties Union’s “Know Your Deaf Rights Campaign.” She was named a White House Champion of Change in 2015. She is from New York.

The annual celebration is organized by a governor’s committee. ■

Alzheimer’s, dementia are focus of new Board on Aging grant program A new Minnesota Board on Aging grant program will help community organizations raise awareness about Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia and serve caregivers of people who have the diseases.

The 2015 Minnesota Legislature appropriated $1.5 million, which will be used now through June 30, 2017, to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease, increase the rate of cognitive testing in the population at risk for forms of dementia, promote the benefits of early diagnosis and connect caregivers to education and resources.

“Alzheimer’s alone impacts some 89,000 Minnesotans over age 65 and the number is growing,” said Jean Wood, executive director of the Minnesota Board on Aging. “These grants promote a more supportive environment for people with dementia, including resources for their caregivers.”

All 20 projects funded have awareness-raising efforts, including using theater to educate Latino communities about dementia and a social media platform to do outreach to the Korean community. Other grant recipients will promote the benefits of early diagnosis of dementia and offer early identification memory screenings within senior public housing facilities, engage with businesses to identify working caregivers, and promote safe exercise programs for people with Alzheimer’s.

The grant recipients include educational institutions, public health boards, long-term care providers and community organizations.

Grantees and their awards are: • A.C.E. of Southwest Minnesota, Slayton, $93,000 for a five-county project including dementia education for consumers and health care providers, early identification screening and caregiver services and resources, while being responsive to American Indian and Hispanic individuals.

• Age Well Arrowhead Inc., Duluth, $49,999 for dementia education to local employers and their employees, and support and resources for working caregivers.

• Centro Tyrone Guzman, Minneapolis, $88,500 for Spanish-based dementia education, including theater for caregivers, and other support and resources.

• Chippewa County Montevideo Hospital, Montevideo, $17,374 to increase access to a memory clinic for Hispanic individuals; provide dementia education, including Virtual Dementia Tours; and connect caregivers to services and resources.

• Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio, St. Paul, $49,999 for outreach and dementia education and to connect Latino caregivers to services and resources.

• East Side Neighborhood Services, Inc., Minneapolis, $49,953 to offer dementia education to the organization’s employees and volunteers who provide services to seniors at home and to pro-

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vide education, support and resources to other caregivers.

Helping Hands Outreach, Holdingford, $49,713 to offer dementia education, early identification screening, cognitive testing with health care providers and connecting caregivers to services and resources.

Isanti County Public Health, Cambridge, $138,944 for 10 organizations to offer dementia education, early identification screening, add a dementia electronic medical records process, connect caregivers to services and resources and promote tracking technology for the search and rescue of individuals with cognitive disorders.

Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Minneapolis, Minnetonka, $135,000 to offer dementia education and early identification memory screening and to connect caregivers to services and resources while being responsive to Jewish, Russian-speaking and Somali individuals.

Jones-Harrison Residence, Minneapolis, $49,504 to offer dementia education for LGBT individuals and create appropriate key messages for the LGBT community.

Koochiching Aging Options, International Falls, $40,646 to offer dementia education, partner with health care providers to establish referral protocols and connect caregivers to services and resources.

Korean Service Center, Lauderdale, $91,543, for outreach to the Korean community using social media, provide dementia education and connect caregivers to services and resources responsive to Korean individuals.

Lao Advancement Organization of America, Minneapolis, $49,994, to offer dementia education using technology, outreach to businesses and to connect caregivers to services and resources responsive to Lao individuals.

• Mid-Minnesota Development Commission, Willmar, $49,999 to offer dementia education to residents and businesses, establish a Memory Cafe and to connect caregivers to services and resources while being responsive to Hispanic and Somali individuals.

• Morrison-Todd-Wadena Community Health Board, Little Falls, $49,825 for three county public health agencies to offer dementia education to the public and professionals using numerous media outlets and to assess communities’ readiness to become dementia friendly.

• Northwoods Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers Program, Bemidji, $149,508 for dementia education, early identification screening, cognitive testing with healthcare providers and to connect caregivers to services and resources responsive to American Indian and LGBT individuals.

• University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, $92,313 to support caregivers and improve dementia care in a manner responsive to Hispanic individuals.

• University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, $73,500 to train exercise coaches for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.

• Three Rivers Community Action, Inc., Zumbrota, $49,989 to offer dementia education and early identification screening, create a dementia resource toolkit and connect caregivers to services and resources in a manner responsive to Hispanic and Somali individuals.

• Volunteers of America of Minnesota, Minneapolis, $130,697 to offer dementia education, offer early identification screening in Minneapolis public housing senior high rises, create a dementia resource toolkit and connect caregivers to services and resources while being responsive to African-American and Somali individuals. ■

Pg 12 February 10, 2016 Volume 27, Number 2

ACCESSIBLE FUN Attend PACER benefit Award-winning singer Idina Menzel will headline this year’s PACER Center benefit, Sat, April 30 at Mpls. Convention Center. Events start at 6 p.m. with a silent auction, followed by a live auction and performance. Tickets start at $70. FFI: PACER, 952-838-9000; www.pacer.org

Vinland’s Winter Walkabout Winter Walkabout is a 3K snowshoe event to raise funds and awareness for Vinland National Center. Music, raffle drawings for great prizes, hot food, and a lakeside bonfire all create a festive event that is fun for the whole family. This event is open to people of all fitness and experience levels. The event is Sat, Feb. 27 at Vinland’s campus in Loretto. $15 per person, includes Walkabout t-shirt and lunch. Kids ages 12 and under attend free. FFI: 763-479-3555, www.vinlandcenter.org

Art Shanty activities White Bear Lake County Park, White Bear Lake, hosts the Art Shanty Project, with accommodations 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Feb. 20-21. Visitors can experience a unique Minnesota festival. Audio-described and ASL tours are offered every half hour, starting at the Shanty of Joy and Necessity. The project is held weekends through February, with different events each weekend including snowflake and valentine-making, dancing, painting and more.

Curious locals, regional artists and thousands of visitors brave deep snowfalls and brisk wind chills to celebrate a uniquely Minnesotan festival on the frozen surface of White Bear Lake. Free. FFI: 612-567-6844, www.artshantyprojects.org/ performances at the reception. Exhibit hours: 5-9 p.m.

Tue ; 1-6 p.m. Wed and Fri, 1-4 p.m. Sat. FFI: Homewood: 612-587-0230; VSA Minnesota: 612-332-3888; http:// vsamn. org/emerging-artist-grantees-to-exhibit-athomewood-studios/ or www.homewoodstudios.com/

Romeo and Juliet Creative Kids Contest Children with disabilities and their families are invited to join PACER for a morning of creativity, fun and exploration. 10 a.m.-noon, Sat, Feb. 27 at PACER Center, 8161 Normandale Blvd, Bloomington. Children will use their imaginations to express themselves through various mediums and vibrant colors. This year’s artwork will focus on themes of unity, inclusion, kindness and friendship. The artwork of children with disabilities will be entered into the Creative Kids contest. The winner will become the cover design of the PACER Greeting Card, which is sold online and at the April 30 benefit.

The original artwork of the top 10 designs will be sold at PACER’s Benefit Silent Auction. Children ages 4-17 are eligible. FFI: 952-838-9000, www.pacer.org

Workshops for Artists Springboard for the Arts presents a series of free workshops on business skills for artists, at George Latimer St. Paul Central Library, 90 W. 4th St., St. Paul.

ASL available. Offered Saturdays through April 9. FFI: Kathryn, 651-292-4381, http://springboardforthearts.org/ product/work-of-art-series-at-saint-paul-central-library/

Jerome Emerging Artists Show Enjoy artwork and writing by six Minnesota artists with disabilities who received Emerging Artist Grants in 2015 from VSA Minnesota, with funding provided by the Jerome Foundation to enable them to create new work.

Opening night reception is 6-8:30 p.m. Thu, Feb. 11, with program at 7 p.m. The exhibit will be up through Feb. 27 at Homewood Studios, 2400 Plymouth Ave. N., Mpls.

Free. Artists include Renae Carpenter, Cambridge – acrylic painting; Michael Cohn, St. Louis Park – dance: choreography and performance; Naomi Cohn, St. Paul – poetry; Chris Juhn, West St. Paul – photography; Romayne Kilde, Fergus Falls – pencil drawings; Liza Sylvestre, Mpls. – multi-media: painting/drawing/performance. They will show work, and present new writing and

Park Square Theatre presents Shakespeare’s tale of star-crossed lovers, at Park Square Theatre, Andy Boss Thrust Stage, 20 W. 7th Place, St. Paul. Assistive listening devices available. Open captioning 7:30 p.m. Friday-Sat, Feb. 12-13. OC single ticket discount is halfprice for patron and one guest with code ACC (regular $40-60); age 30 and under: $21; senior age 62-plus: $5 off; rush tickets: $24 cash only, available one hour before performance; subject to availability. FFI: 651-2917005, tickets@parksquaretheatre.org

Dear World Ten Thousand Things Theater presents a production based on the Madwoman of Chaillot, at People Serving People, 614 S. 3rd St., Mpls. The performance for the deaf community features Shawn Vriezen, who is deaf; Janet Paone, who has vision loss; Christina Baldwin, Sheena Jansen, JuCoby Johnson, Thomasina Petrus, Kris Nelson and Fred Wagner. ASL offered 1:30 p.m. Sat, Feb. 13.

Free. FFI: 612-203-9502, contact@tenthousandthings.org, www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2490406

Almost, Maine Rochester Civic Theatre presents a tale set in a mythical Maine town, at the theater at 20 Civic Center Dr. SE, Rochester. ASL offered 7 p.m. Sat, Feb. 13.

Please indicate ASL seating when booking tickets. Tickets $24, senior $19, student $17. FFI: 507-282-8481, www.rochestercivictheatre.org

Stage, 420 E. Main St., Anoka. ASL offered 2 p.m. Sun, Feb. 21. 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 $10-22; $5 discount for ASL seats.

FFI: 763-422-1838, www.lyricarts.org

George Bonga: Black Voyageur History Theatre presents the true story of a voyageur, at History Theatre, 30 E. 10th St., St. Paul. ASL and AD offered 2 p.m. Sun, Feb. 21. Open captioning offered 2 p.m. Sun, Feb. 28. The theater has six spaces for wheelchairs, plus companion seats; hearing enhancement devices and Braille or large print playbills are available. Tickets reduced to $20 for ASL/AD/OC patrons (regular $30-45). FFI: 651-292-4323, www.historytheatre.com

The Aliens Walking Shadow Theatre Company presents the story of an unlikely friendship, at Red Eye Theater, 15 W. 14th St., Mpls. AD offered 3 p.m. Sun, Feb. 21; 7:30 p.m. Thu, Feb. 25. Tactile tour available on request to the box office. ASL offered 3 p.m. Sun, Feb. 21; 7:30 p.m. Fri, Feb. 26. Tickets reduced to $10 for AD/ASL (regular: $22-30 plus service fee; senior $20, student $15, limited number of $10 economic accessibility tickets). FFI: 612-375-0300; www.walkingshadowcompany.org

June Clybourne Park Yellow Tree Theatre presents the satirical comedy, at Yellow Tree Theatre, 320 5th Ave. SE, Osseo. ASL offered 2 p.m. Sun, Feb. 14. ASL must be made by Wed, Feb. 10. AD offered 7:30 p.m. Thu, Feb. 27.

Assisted listening units available. Tickets $22. FFI: 763-493-8773, www.yellowtreetheatre.com

Savage Umbrella presents a story set in pre-Stonewall America, at Southern Theater, 420 S Washington Ave., Mpls. ASL offered 7:30 p.m. Wed, Feb. 24. Tickets $24, student $18; ARTshare members ($18/mo. for all-one-can-theater). FFI: 612-326-1811, www.savageumbrella.org/june-2016.html

The Two Gentlemen of Verona The Naked I: Self-Defined 20% Theatre Company Twin Cities presents trans/ queer/otherwise non-cisgender and/or non-heterosexual voices and experiences are highlighted through new monologues, scenes, movement pieces, short film, song, and more - featuring the contributions of more than 50 local and national LGBTQ and allied artists.

Each performance will be followed by a post-show discussion with the artists, at Intermedia Arts, 2822 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls. ASL offered 7:30 p.m. Fri, Feb. 19. Tickets sliding scale $5-$25: pay what one can. FFI: 612-227-1188, www.tctwentypercent.org

Jungle Theater presents a story of love, at Jungle Theater, 2951 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls. AD offered 7:30 p.m.

Thu, Feb. 25. Assistive listening devices available.

Contact the theatre about a possible ASL-interpreted show. This season the Jungle will offer a Come Early Stay Late program for any ticket holder. An hour before show start, a staff facilitator will talk about the play.

Right after the play, an actor will be available for a meet and greet and talk back with those interested in staying.

Tickets reduced to $14 (regular $28-48; AD season ticket $70). FFI: 612-822-7063; www.jungletheater.com

Gypsy Equivocation Theatre B presents a Shakespearean thriller, at Theatre B, 716 Main Ave., Fargo. ASL offered 7:30 p.m. Sat, Feb. 20. Tickets $20, student $10. FFI: 701-729-8880, www.theatreb.org/

I Hate Hamlet Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre presents a comedy about an aspiring actor, at Stage at Island Park, 333 4th St. S., Fargo. AD offered 7:30 p.m. Sat, Feb. 20; pre-show description 7:10 p.m. Tickets reduced to $10 for AD patron and companion (regular $18, senior/ student $12). FFI: 701-235-6778, www.fmct.org

Theater Latte Da in a co-production with Hennepin Theatre Trust, presents a show about 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. Limited seats are available at the lowest price level to patrons using ASL interpreting or 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@broadway acrossamerica.com Tickets $31.50-$56.50. FFI: 612-339-3003, www.hennepintheatretrust.org/accessible

Eye of the Lamb Workhaus Collective presents a story set in 1920s Baghdad, at Playwrights’ Center, 2301 E. Franklin Ave., Mpls. AD offered 8 p.m. Sat, Feb. 20. Tickets: $20 or pay-what-one-can. FFI: Brown Paper Tickets 800-838-3006, http://workhauscollective.org

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Lyric Arts Company of Anoka presents an adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s classic story, at Lyric Arts Main Street

Only One Sophie Illusion Theater presents a family history, at Illusion Theater, 528 Hennepin Ave, 8th floor, Mpls. AD offered 7 p.m. Sun, Feb. 28. ASL offered 8 p.m. Sat, March 5.

Assisted listening devices available. Tickets Thu, $2340, Fri-Sat $25-42, senior/student/group discounts; ASL/AD patrons use the code AUDIOASL for $10 off tickets. FFI: 612-339-4944, www.illusiontheater.org

Accessible Fun - p. 15

February 10, 2016 Volume 27, Number 2 Pg 13 NAMI Minnesota to help parents to assist young adult children living with a mental illness.

The workshop helps parents gain tools to prepare their teen or young adult for independence, learn about special education, employment, college, transportation, life skills and housing.

It includes helpful tips for living with young adults who aren’t ready to leave the nest.

A workshop is 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tue, Feb. 23 at the Mounds View Community Center, 5394 Edgewood Dr., Mounds View. Preregister. FFI: 651-645-2948, namihelps.org

UPCOMING EVENTS Advocacy Research dinner on mental illness NAMI Minnesota and the University of Minnesota will host the 14th annual research dinner at 5:30 p.m. Wed, Feb. 24 at Ramada Plaza, 1330 Industrial Blvd. NE, Mpls. Dinner and program start at 6 p.m.

Cost is $45 for members and $55 for nonmembers. Registration required. Dr. Steven Miles, professor of medicine and bioethics will kick off the event by talking about the changes being made to protect human research subjects. The event provides hope and brings new research findings on mental illnesses to the community. FFI: 651-645-2948, namihelps.org Medicaid Citizens’ Advisory Committee The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is looking for up to 10 individuals who would like to serve on the Medicaid Citizens’ Advisory Committee (MCAC). The purpose of the committee is to ensure that continued high-quality health and medical services are provided to low-income persons. The committee, representing Medicaid clients, advises DHS and helps define what the Medicaid program should be in relationship to future health care and technological needs.

New members will be appointed for the years 2016-2017. Meetings are typically held quarterly at DHS, 540 Cedar St., St. Paul, Minnesota. Letters of interest will be accepted until the end of the business day on Feb. 15. Medicaid (Medical Assistance) clients will be given preference, but also urge members of consumer groups, concerned health care professionals and others interested in serving on the MCAC to submit a letter of interest to apply for committee membership to Sean Barrett, Federal Relations, Health Care Administration, Minnesota Department of Human Services, P.O. Box 64983, St. Paul, MN 55164-0983. FFI: Sean Barrett, 651431-2298, sean.barrett@state.mn.us 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 per month, the allowable limit for Medical Assistance. These are for the Faces of Disability exhibit.

FFI: Sheryl Grassie, consortium director, at 952-818-8718 or srgrassie@mnccd.org Best Life Alliances is seeking stories and photos to support its campaign for an increase in caregiver wages. 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 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. FFI: Deborah Richman, 952-857-0551, drichman@alz.org

Youth and families Dating and relationships Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) presents “Dating and Relationships: How Does This Work?” a workshop for teens with autism and their parents and caregivers, 9 a.m.-noon, Sat, March 12, Christ Presbyterian Church, Edina. In small and large group sessions, teens, parents and caregivers can openly and comfortably discuss dating and relationships among themselves and with experts. FFI: www.ausm.org Transitions workshop set Transitions is a free workshop offered by

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. Child-Centered AT Plan is 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thu, Feb. 18 at PACER Center. The workshop will walk participants through a process for considering and providing assistive technology (AT) for children ages birth to 5. The TIKES Project has created a set of planning tools to provide families, teachers, and other professionals with guidance to considering AT. Participants will receive helpful planning documents for this process. Tools to Help with Task Planning and Time Management is 6:30-8 p.m. Thu, Feb. 25 at PACER Center. Task planning and time management are critical life skills for academic, vocational, and personal success. Some individuals need extra support with these executive function skills. This workshop will explore various tools and strategies to help, including task lists, calendars, reminders, timers and more. FFI: PACER, 952-838-9000, 800-537-2237, www.pacer.org Prepare for the future AuSM offers an AuSM Skillshop, Preparing for the Future: Guardianship and Supplemental Needs Trusts, 7-9 p.m. Tue, Feb. 16 at AuSM, 2380 Wycliff St # 102, St Paul. The workshop will include practical strategies for family members, educators and therapists who work with or care for individuals on the spectrum. Learn the process for establishing legal guardianship for adult children with disabilities, how to qualify for free legal assistance, and the importance of supplemental needs trusts and how the trusts help provide for a loved one with autism while still maintaining eligibility for government benefits. The workshop will be led by Jason Schellack, Schellack is an attorney and the Executive Director of Autism Advocacy & Law Center, LLC, a law firm dedicated to serving individuals with disabilities and their families.

FFI: www.ausm.org

Info and assistance Free tax assistance Income tax season is in full swing and free tax preparation sites are open across Minnesota. The Minnesota Department of Revenue announced that there are more than 240 sites across the state offering free tax assistance to those filing their income tax and property tax refund returns.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and AARP Tax-Aide are two free tax preparation programs where volunteers help taxpayers prepare their federal and state income and property tax returns in communities throughout Minnesota. To receive free help from a VITA site, persons must be age 60 or older, have a disability, speak limited or no English and have annual income of $54,000 or less. The AARP Tax-Aide program offers free tax preparation for all taxpayers, particularly those who are age 60 or older. AARP Tax-Aide sites do not have income or age restrictions. All volunteers are certified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and will only prepare basic tax re-

turns. To find a local site, hours and dates, and a complete list of items to bring when visiting a site, visit the department’s website. Search for a site by zip code or county, as well as sites with language interpreters and volunteers certified to complete military returns. FFI: 651-2973724 or 1-800-657-3989, www.revenue.state.mn.us Vision loss group 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. ParNeed help filing taxes? Check out the free tax ticipants need to RVSP to parassistance listing under Info and Assistance. ticipate. FFI: RSVP hotline groups. Groups meet at the AuSM of612-843-3439, activity phone 612-253fices at 2380 Wycliff St., St. Paul. FFI: 5155, www.visionlossresources.org 651-647-1083 ext. 10, www.ausm.org MCIL offers classes and activities UCare meetings The Metropolitan Center for IndepenUCare hosts informational meetings dent Living (MCIL) offers many life skills about its UCare for Seniors Medicare Adclasses as well as fun outings and activivantage plan, as well as informational ties for people with disabilities. MCIL is at meetings about the UCare’s new UCare 530 N. Robert Street, St Paul and most Choices and Fairview UCare Choices activities are there or start there. Classes health plans available on MNSure, and events are listed on the website, Minnesota’s health insurance marketwww.mcil-mn.org Click on “Classes place. Learn about the various plans, as Groups and Sessions” for updated inforwell as key dates and penalties associmation or to print their calendar. Please ated with health care reform. Meetings give two weeks’ notice if alternative forare held all over the region. UCare for mat or other accommodations are Seniors has more than 75,000 members needed. Events are free, accessible and across Minnesota and western Wisconmostly scent-free. FFI: 651-603-2030. sin. UCare serves Medicare-eligible indiAdult support groups offered viduals and families enrolled in incomeAuSM offers free support groups for based Minnesota Health Care Programs, adults with autism spectrum disorder. such as Minnesota Care and Prepaid Groups include those for adult family Medical Assistance Program; adults with members, women with autism spectrum disabilities and Medicare beneficiaries disorders and independent adults with with chronic health conditions and Minautism. Check the web site for upcoming Upcoming events- p. 15

Pg 14 February 10, 2016 Volume 27, Number 2 powers against one another. It resulted in a brutal, bloody, protracted war of attrition among the world’s great economies. L - Read by Stevie Ray.

Radio Talking Book

FebruarySampling

Communication Center Books now on the BARD site The National Library Service (NLS) online library, the Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD), is a place for patrons world-wide to search for and download Braille and audio books and magazines. Until recently, only NLS-professionally produced audio books were allowed on the site. A policy change means that once books are approved, NLS-affiliated libraries many now post books. The Minnesota Communication Center and Radio Talking Book have been approved.

As of early January, more than 100 books recorded

by Minnesota volunteers have been posted. More than 6,000 Radio Talking Book recordings have been accessed and more than one of them has made the BARD most downloaded list.

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 1-800722-0550, 9 a.m. to 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 our books via an inter-library loan by contacting their home state’s Network Library for the National Library Service.

Listen to the Minnesota Radio Talking Book, either live or archived programs from the last 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 www.facebook.com/Minnesota-RadioTalking-Book-Network-120935074588006/ Audio information about the daily book listings is also on the National Federation for the Blind (NFB) Newline.

Register for the NFB Newline 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.

The Toltec Art of Life and Death, Nonfiction by Don Miguel Ruiz and Barbara Emrys, 2015. 15 broadcasts.

Begins Feb. 11. In 2002, Don Miguel Ruiz suffered a near-fatal heart attack leaving him in a nine-week coma.

As his body lay unconscious, Ruiz dreamed about the people, ideas and events that shaped him. Read by Rachael Freed.

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

War of Attrition: Fighting the First World War, Nonfiction by William Philpott, 2014. 22 broadcasts. Begins Feb. 16. The Great War of 1914-1918 was the first mass conflict to fully mobilize resources of industrial

Bookworm • Monday – Friday 11 a.m.

In the Unlikely Event, Fiction by Judy Blume, 2015.

15 broadcasts. Begins Feb. 17. In 1987, Miri returned to her hometown to attend a commemoration of the worst year of her life. Thirty-five years earlier, when Miri was 15, a succession of airplanes fell from the sky, leaving a community reeling. Read by Michelle Juntunen.

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

Camp Chemo, Nonfiction by Camille Scheel, 2015.

14 broadcasts. Begins Feb. 16. Camille Scheel began writing when she was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. After multiple surgeries, chemo and radiation, she came to accept that the cancer isn’t going away.

Read by Carol McPherson.

Choice Reading • Monday – Friday 4 p.m.

Succession, Fiction by Livi Michael, 2015. 12 broadcasts. Begins Feb. 22. Margaret of Anjou and Margaret Beaufort both have sons that they will fight for. Margaret of Anjou, married to Henry VI, is the mother of Edward, Prince of Wales. Margaret Beaufort, married to Henry’s cousin Edmund, is the mother of the future Henry VII. This is the Wars of the Roses. Read by Eileen Barratt.

PM Report • Monday – Friday 8 p.m.

When Globalization Fails, Nonfiction by James Macdonald, 2015. 11 broadcasts. Begins Feb. 17. Global commerce in goods is a mixed blessing; it makes nations wealthier, but also more vulnerable. While economic interdependence pushes toward cooperation, the sense of economic insecurity pulls in the opposite direction. Read by Art Nyhus.

aboard, interrogating a tight-knit and hostile crew, it’s her own special place in hell. V, L - Read by Neil Bright.

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

The Fragile World, Fiction by Paula Treick DeBoard, 2014. 12 broadcasts. Begins Feb. 25. The death of a child changes families. The Kaufmans were always a happy family. Then their son, Daniel, is killed in a freak accident and the family finds itself falling apart. Read by Lynda Kayser.

Potpourri • Monday – Friday 11 p.m.

Lanterne Rouge, Nonfiction by Max Leonard, 2015.

10 broadcasts. Begins Feb. 29. We know the winners of the Tour de France, but what about those who come in last? Max Leonard reveals the forgotten, often inspirational, and occasionally absurd stories of the last-places rider. L - Read by Mike Piscitelli.

Good Night Owl • Monday – Friday midnight Paris Red, Fiction by Maureen Gibbon, 2015. Seven broadcasts. Begins Feb. 22. In Paris, in 1862, Victorine Meurent met Édouard Manet and became his model. As his model, she explored a world of new possibilities and stirred the artist to push the boundaries of painting which scandalized even the most cosmopolitan city. L, S - Read by Isla Hejny.

After Midnight • Tuesday – Saturday 1 a.m.

The Choosing, Fiction by Rachelle Dekker, 2015. 12 broadcasts. Begins Feb. 16. Like all citizens since the Ruining, Carrington Hale knows the importance of this day. But she never expected the moment she’s spent a lifetime preparing for - her Choosing Ceremony - to end in disaster. Read by Patricia Muir.

Weekend Program Books

Your Personal World (Saturday at 1 p.m.) is airing SuNight Journey • Monday – Friday 9 p.m. per Better, by Jane McGonigal. For the Younger Set Tenacity, Fiction by J.S. Law, 2015. 14 broadcasts. Be- (Sunday at 11 a.m.) is airing Will in Scarlet, by Matthew gins Feb. 18. Cramped, claustrophobic, and under strict Cody. Poetic Reflections (Sunday at noon) is airing Selfcommand, the confines of HMS Tenacity are unwelcoming ish, by Albert Goldbarth. The U.S. and Us (Sunday at 4 p.m.) in the best of circumstances. For Dan, the only female is airing Degrees of Freedom, by William D. Green. ■ Abbreviations: V – violence, L – offensive language, S – sexual situations.

AROUND THE DIAL

Disability Viewpoints

Disabled and Proud Disabled and Proud is aired on KFAI Radio, 6:30-7 p.m.

Thursday. Host Sam Jasmine and her guests explore a wide range of topics that are important to people with disabilities. KFAI is at 90.3 FM in Minneapolis and 106.7FM in St. Paul. Listeners outside of the Twin Cities, or those looking for a past show, will find the show’s archives online at www.kfai.org/disabledandproud To be added to the show’s email list, contact disabledandproud@tcq.net.

Disability Viewpoints is a public access television show by and for people with disabilities. Mark Hughes and his team of co-hosts feature current news, interesting people and groups, and events in Minnesota’s disability community. The show is produced by volunteers at CTV North Suburbs in the Twin Cities. The show has a Facebook page, and a web page at www.ctv15.org/ programs/local/dv ■ Access Press would be interested in listing other regularly scheduled broadcast, cablecast or podcast programs by and for people with disabilities. Anyone with questions can contact jane@accesspress.org

Thanks to all of you for supporting Access Press FRIEND ($50-$74) Monte Blair (in memoriam) Ellen Boucher Susan Bulger Mike Chevrette Yoshiko Dart Teresa Dock Steve & Jo Erbes Lee Ann Erickson Lael Gatewood Marjorie Goldberg Mike Gude Pamela Hochrein Marjorie Huebner Ellen & Skip Houghton Laurie Jarvis Barb Kane Sandi Lane Gene Martinez John Marty Christopher Meyer Brandon Miller Kathleen Moran Kathleen Moran to Lee Ohnesorge William & Joen Overby Tavia Lynn Parker Linda Paulson Kelly Rathcke Ann Rogers Luther Granquist & Anita Schermer Virginia Schwartzbauer Mary Treacy Peter Vaill Equity Services of St. Paul Hammer Residences Life by Designs, Inc. LOTTSA Tax & Accting Services Ten Thousand Villages MBW Company

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February 10, 2016 Volume 27, Number 2 Pg 15

Benson to lead aging programs Kari Benson of St. Paul, an expert in aging services with more than 15 years of experience at the federal and state levels, has been named executive director of the Minnesota Board on Aging and director of the Minnesota Department of Kari Benson Human Services (DHS) Aging and Adult Services Division. The appointment took effect February 1.

She replaces Jean Wood, who is retiring.

The position provides statewide aging services leadership for both DHS and the Minnesota Board on Aging. Benson will oversee planning for and providing sustainable financial, housing and service options for older Minnesotans, including management of Minnesota’s state and federally funded home and community-based services programs.

“Kari emerged as the best candidate to build on Minnesota’s nation-leading long-term services and supports system while exploring new possibilities for

continuous improvement,” said Loren Colman, assistant commissioner for the DHS Continuing Care for Older Adults Administration. “As the population of older Minnesotans doubles in the next 15 years, she will play a key role with stakeholders in continuing to innovate to meet changing needs and ensuring Colman cited Benson’s background in both state and federal government as a strong asset, including her work with the federal Administration on Community Living and a number of positions at DHS. Most recently she has been planning and quality assurance manager in the aging area at DHS, supervising various functions including Older Americans Act planning and policy development, home and community-based services quality improvement and the Survey of Older Minnesotans.

Previous roles include staff and leadership positions for health and nutrition programs as well as programs that help people stay in their homes and communities.

Benson holds a bachelor’s degree in human ecology and a certificate in gerontology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and a master’s degree in public affairs from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. ■

ACCESSIBLE FUN Continued from p. 12 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 Ave. /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 March 3, April 7. FFI: 612-332-3888 or jon@vsamn.org for accommodating, http://vsamn.org/artists-disabilities/

request disability accommodations, contact Dennis Behl at dlbehl@umn.edu Tickets: $16, $11 U of M faculty/ staff/alumni/retirees, $6 students (any college or under 18); general admission. FFI: 612-624-2345, www.theatre.umn.edu

Richard III Theatre in the Round Players presents Shakespeare’s tale of power struggles, at Theatre in the Round, 245 Cedar Ave., Mpls. AD offered 2 p.m. Sun, March 6.

Tickets $22. Discounts available Fri and Sun for students (with ID) and seniors (62-plus). FFI: 612-3333010, www.theatreintheround.org

Doubt: A Parable

GREAT Children’s Theatre presents the tale of a man and his penguins, at Humphrey Theater, St. John’s University, 2850 Abbey Plaza, Collegeville. ASL offered 7 p.m. Fri, March 4. Tickets $14-19. FFI: 320-259-5463, www.GreatTheatre.org

Artistry presents a tale of mortal uncertainty, at Bloomington Center for the Arts, Black Box, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington. AD offered 2 p.m. Sun, March 6. ASL offered 7:30 p.m. Thu, March 10. Tickets reduced to $27 for AD/ASL (regular $36, senior $32, age 25 and younger $19, Wed $3 less). FFI: 952-5638575; www.artistrymn.org/

Mr. Popper’s Penguins

DJ Latinidad’s Latino Dance Party

The Snowy Day/Other Stories by Ezra Jack Keats

Mixed Blood Theatre presents a Latinidad extravaganza, at Mixed Blood Theatre, 1501 S. 4th St., Mpls. All performances March 4-27 will be captioned with supertitles. AD and ASL offered 7 p.m. Sat, March 12, tactile tour at 6 p.m. Choose between first-come, firstserved, no-cost admission under Mixed Blood’s Radical Hospitality program, or guarantee admission ($20). Any patron that self-identifies as having a disability is eligible for a no-cost advance guaranteed reservation and for a free cab ride to and from the theatre. Call the box office for more information and to reserve these services. FFI: 612-338-6131, www.mixedblood.com

Children’s Theatre Company presents beloved children’s stories, at Children’s Theatre United Health Group Stage, 2400 3rd Ave. S., Mpls. AD and ASL offered 7 p.m. Fri, March 11. Sensory friendly show offered 7 p.m. Fri, March 18. Assistive listening devices, induction loop system, Braille programs and sensory tours available upon request. Recommended for grades kindergarten and older; lap passes available for children newborn to age 3.Tickets regular $16-40, senior, college student, military, other discounts available. FFI: 612-874-0400, www.childrenstheatre.org

The Dining Room

Stages Theatre Company presents an adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen story, at Hopkins Center for the Arts, 1111 Mainstreet, Hopkins. Sensory-friendly show offered 10 a.m. Sat, March 12. AD and ASL offered 1 p.m. Sat, March 12. Tickets $12, $10.50 senior 60-plus, $9 student. FFI: 952-979-1111, option 4; ask for accessibility pricing; www.stagestheatre.org

The Snow Queen Normandale Department of Theatre presents a story of family life, at Normandale Community College, Fine Arts Building, 9700 France Ave. S., Bloomington. ASL offered 7:30 p.m. Fri, March 4. Make reservations in advance and request seating near the interpreters as seating is limited in the Black Box Theatre. Tickets: $10; $5 NCC student/staff/senior. FFI: 952-358-8884 www.normandale.edu/theatre

Story Theatre - The Immigrant Journey North Hennepin Community College Theatre presents an immigrant story, at North Hennepin Community College Fine Arts Center, Black Box Theatre, 7411 85th Ave. N., Brooklyn Park. ASL offered 7:30 p.m. Fri, March 4. Tickets $8; senior, student, child, matinees $5.

FFI: 763-493-0543, https://www.nhcc.edu/student-life/ performing-visual-arts-events/theatre-productions

The Critic, and The Real Inspector Hound Guthrie Theater presents two one-act comedies directed by Tony Award nominee Michael Kahn, at Guthrie Theater, McGuire Proscenium Stage, 818 2nd St. S., Mpls. ASL and AD offered 1 p.m. Sat, March 12, with sensory tour at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Fri, March 18. Captioning offered 7:30 p.m. Fri, March 18, 1 p.m.

Wed, March 23 and Sat, March 26. Tickets reduced to $20 for AD/ASL, $25 for captioning (regular $34-85).

FFI: 612-377-2224, www.guthrietheater.org/visit/ access_services

The Threepenny Opera Performed as part of the Weill/Brecht Festival by the University of Minnesota Department of Theatre Arts and Dance, the School of Music, the Department of German, Scandinavian and Dutch, and the Institute for Advanced Study’s Brecht Research Collective, at U of M Rarig Center, Whiting Proscenium Theater, 330 21st Ave. S., Mpls. AD and ASL offered 7:30 p.m. Sat, March 5. To

Art Show: Eddie Albert Twait Vision Loss Resources hosts watercolors by St. Paul artist Eddie Twait as part of a rotating series of exhibits coordinated by VSA Minnesota, at 1936 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls. Hours 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon-Fri. Free. Exhibit up thru May. FFI: VLR: 612-871-2222, http://vsamn.org/ artists-disabilities/exhibit-program/ ■

The agenda - from p. 5 Another March feature will detail capitol area access and how that will be affected by construction.

The new Senate Office Building will be open this session. It will also have accessible parking available Anyone with questions can call the newspaper at 651-644-2133 and speak with Executive Director Tim Benjamin or Managing Editor Jane McClure. Or email access@accesspress.org Thank you! ■

UPCOMING EVENTS

Continued from p. 13

nesotans dually eligible for Medical Assistance and Medicare. FFI: 1-877-523-1518, 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. C2), Roseville. FFI: 651-645-2948. 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 651-354-0825.A full calendar of all events is offered online. FFI: 651-645-2948, www.namihelps.org

Volunteer 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@mn literacy.org, http://tinyurl.com/adult-opportunities ■

CLASSIFIEDS Access Press Classifieds are $14 for the first 12 and 65¢ per word thereafter. They must be prepaid. Mail to: Access Press care of The Kelly Inn Offices; 161 St. Anthony Ave; #910; St. Paul, MN 55103; 651-644-2133 • FAX 651-644-2136 Email: access@accesspress.org

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

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

Equal Opportunity Housing.

Find your new home with At Home Apartments.

Call 651-224-1234 or visit AtHomeApartments.com for an apartment or town home. Equal Opportunity Housing.

Holmes Greenway Housing: Now accepting applications for the 2BR, Section 8 unit waitlist until February 29, 2016. 1 BR waitlist is closed. Designed for persons with mobility impairments. Email: jmccormick@diversifiedequitiescorp.com, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope, or stop by the office Mon – Thurs from 9:30AM to 12:30PM to receive application. Holmes Greenway Housing, 114 Fifth St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414, 612-378-0331.

Equal Housing Opportunity

Pg 16 February 10, 2016 Volume 27, Number 2