Issuu

First of all I would like to wish everyone a GREAT HOLIDAY SEASON and a HAPPY NEW YEAR.

We have reinstated our "BE for everyone are just a few With Disabilities Act (ADA) news HEARD - Access to examples. Although our State came some enc@g I hope you all Politicians". govemment may be over from employers. TheCity of will tear this out and keep it extended, these types of Mmeapolis has notified their in a convenientplace. Use it programs need funding and contractors to take affirmative This issue of ACCESS PRJ3S often, callor write the people not just at their current levels. action in hiring disabled has a feature article on Peter "in power1'. They need to Many of these programs are employees. I see this as a McLaughlin, one of the hear from you and its easyvital to people who have very positive sign and the C ' i newest board members to just pick up the phone! become dependent upon them. of Minneapolis should be Hennepin County. I think We just can't let them be left applauded for this action. **** you will find him to be very hanging in limbo. Let's use Maybe, just maybe, we are interesting. His ideason how Budget shortfall andmassive our voices and be heard on seeing an effect of the ADA the county can be more revenue deficit are some of these issues, which concern already. Watch for these effective are refreshing. He the terms being used by our us directly. You can make a employment announcements, is asking for more newly elected Governor, difference. and if one looks good to you, involvementfrom the people Amie Carlscm. 'Ibis may have apply! **** who use the services of the a dramatic effect on all of us. **** county. We can help him in If the programs we have all ACCESS PRESS is happy to this venture. To help US better become used to, or rely on, announce a new section, understand the workings of arefrozen or cut back we will ACCESS TO Sonja Kerr, attorney for Erika our county government,Peter all feel the impact. No EMPLOYMENT. This new Schuldt sent us a flyer on the has agreed to write a column increases in funding for social feature will give you a latest development in this for us starting in January. service programs, medical description of employment unusual case. P1ease see page Watch for it. assistance, Metro Mobility, possibilities from local equal 11. Your attendance would residential facility workers, oppormity employers. With be greatly appreciated in this **** homeless, and rehab services the passageof the Americans fight against discrimination.

.P-

G:II-::J Director Says Health Insurance Must Change

--. November 13,1990--James R. Gage, M.D., newly appointed "We have a situation where the demand for medical resources Changing this system will have long-term benefits for all of :

Medical Director at Gillette Children's Hospital, said today is outstripping the supply. In this milieu, children with long- us. But for families ofchildren who have chronic disabilities, that physicians, hospitals, legislators, governmtnt agencies, term disabilitiesand their families find themselves struggling . the effectiveness of this system is the difference between a insurance companies and health maintenance organizations to have their needs heard in a sea of voices grower louder by life of opportunity or one of financial devastation," Gage need to work together to ensure medical care for children who the second," Gage said. said. have disabilities and their families. According to Gage, many prepaid health plans are structured As Medical Director at Gillette Children's, Gage practices - In a speech given at the University Club in SL Paul, Gage to reimburse traditional acute care expenses, while the more orthoprdic surgery and manages the i)reas of patient care. quipment that the education,meas&,m e d k d ~ ~ zflld o outreach. n In stated that society's incmmwd awarenessof health issuesand specialha¶ trmmqts, therapies need for complex high quality medical treatment has created disabled child requim ine usually not reimbursed or addition. Gage is a Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the a large pool of people requiring health care at the same time. reimbursed very poorly. University of Minnesota.

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care access for '2

"To become capable" is what habilitation means. At Tamarack, we work with our clients toward greater independent function at school, work, and home. ation Call Marty Carlson

1471 Energy Park Dnve St Paul. MN 55108-5204 (612) 644-9950

Proceeding together ro achieve desired results. Wc do: Proslhc~ics Adaptive Equipment Orthotics Rehabilitation Engineering Silting Support S E R V I W a THE TWIN CCllV AREA

Specialized transportation for elderly and handicapped.

M T R O MOBILITY & M.A. PRWIDERS

&id@d' December 10 1990 3

Access Press employment tests or other selection criteria that screen out individuals with disabilities unless the criteria are shown to be jobelated for the position

The Act also contai requirements relating to rapid and light-rail stations and intercity and commuter rail-travel that will not be discussed in this article.

- tests that accurately reflect the full and equal enjopnent of the kkills &e t a t seeks to measme, goods, services, facilities. rather than reflecting the privileges, advantages, or impaired skills resulting frofn accommodations of any place of

l'he Act idso limits rhe u t i h a r h restaurants, bars, theaters, of medical examinations and museums. schools, or recreation inquiries. In pre-employment facilities. situations. the employermay ady a& abmt the -of w Under the ADA, goods and to perf= "job-related fundom* services must be afforded to an andmay not inquirewhether the individual withadisability in the

excluded from services ices sf or people who are "because of the absence of hearing and speech imp

failing to remove architectural barriers and communication barriers where such removal is readily achievable;

and cemnmy. on July 26,1990, "reasonable ~ d a t i o n nan examination regardless of Resident Bush signed the u&r the Act may includemaking disability. a n t i d i o n protections fm all pmms with physical or mead

its provisions. The law further allows for reasonable attorney's fees to the prevailing party at the discretion of the court or administrative agency reviewing claims under the Act.

achievable efforts to defiie such terms as "reasonable accommodations"

a dimkination inclu

protections already exist under equipmentor devices, appropriate food services will also be able to Minnesotalaw,the Act provides adjustment or modifications of deny employmentto individuals

will @J! be of businesses. As a result, it is likely that litigation will be necessary to give shape to much of the legislation. Nonetheless, from fully and equally Rivate clubs and religiou passage of the Act remains a enjoying servicesunless such organizations are exempt from supreme achievement and a

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by individupls withdisabilities." whenplnchasingorleasingllsed I ~ e l a t i o n s h i that p subjects the to obtain accessible +lea Re.*,-,person with a disability to rndacturedvehicles tobeusad for at least five yeas must be mods "redly tuxxsib1ee"to the

Conversions Driving Aids Accessories

925 E. Hennepin Ave.

Minneapolis, MN 554 14

(612) 378-1807 -

Access Press

December 10 1990

Events Calendar

December, 1990

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T5< Thur.

YOUNG ADULTS WlTH PHYSICAL DISABILITIESSUPPORT GROUP 4:00 - 5:00 P.M. call Murray.378-0027

LOSS SUPPORT GROUP tS3:m - 4 : P.M. ~ call Murray 378-0027 e~ . PARKINSON CARE GIVERS GROUP - A 2 MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SUPPORT GROUP *7:00 P.M. Methodist Hospital, 932-5495 Wed. 7:00 - 9:00 P.M. Creekside Community Center, 887-96~@#+~! 11 ADULTS WITH CEREBRAL PALSY SUPPORT GROUP BLOOMINGTON STROKE CLUB , -Tues. Lutheran Social Services, 378-002 Brunch - call Denise Royer, 887-9604 UNDERSTANDING GRIEF ADULTS WITH HYSICAL DISABILITIES SUPPORT GROUP 7:00 - 9:00 P.M. Methodist Hospital, call 932-5700 1:00 - 3:00 P. call Murray 378-0027 12 BLOOMINGTON STROKE CLUB 3 YOUNG ADULTS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES SUPPORT GRO Wed. 10:30 - 11:30 A.M. Creekside Community Center, 887-9604 Thurs. 4:00 - 5:- P.M. call Murray 378-0027 MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SUPPORT GROUP PARKINSON'S SUPPORT GROUP UNDER 55'12 STEP 7:00 - 900 P.M. Creekside Community Center, 887-9604 7:30 P.M. Methodist Hospital. 932-5495 ADULTS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES SUPPORT GROUP ST. PAUL CMTAN CLUB 1:00 - 3:00 P.M. call Murray 378-0027 6: 15 P.M. Tracks at Midway Motor Lodge, 221-6144 13 UNITED HANDICAPPED FEDERATION BOARD MEETING PARKINSON'S SUPPORT GROUP Thurs. 7:00 - 900 P.M. 1821 University Avenue, 645-8922 7:00 P.M. Methodist Hospital, 932-5495 YOUNG ADULTS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES SUPPORT GROUP SKI CHALLENGE FOR DISABLED ---SKIERS 4:00 - 5:00 P.M. call Murray 378-0027 113 thru 116, Hyland Hills & Welch Village Ski Area, 520-0257 PARKINSON'S SUPPORT GROUP UNDER 55'12 STEP 7 LOSS SUPPORT GROUP 7:30 P.M. Methodist Hospital, 932-5495 Mon. 3:00 - 4:00 P.M. call Murray 37817 LOSS SUPPORT GROUP PARKINSON CARE GIVERS G 3:00 - 4:00 P.M. call Murray 378-0027 Mon. 7:00 P.M. Methodist Hospital, 932-5495 18 ADULTS WITH CEREBRAL PALSY SUPPORT GROUP 8 ADULTS WITH CEREBRAL PALSY SUPPORT GROUP Tw. Lutheran Social Services, 378-0027 Tues. Lutheran Social Services, 378-0027 LEUKEMIA SUPPORT CROUP 19 Wed. 7:00 P.M. ~ e t h o d l sHt O S ~Cancer . Center, 932-5700 PARKINSON'S SUPPORT GROUP MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SUPPORT GROUP 7:00- 9:00 P.M. Creekside Community Center, 887-9604 ADULTS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES SUPPORT GROUP Lutheran Social Services, 378-0027 1:00 - 3:00 P.M. call Murray 378-0027 ADULTS WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES SUPPORT GROUP 10 UNITED HANDICAPPED FEDERATION BOARD MEETING

- 10

January, 1991

Mon.

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BLOOMINGTON STROKE CLUB 10:30 - 11:30 A.M. Creekside Community Center, 887-9604

Nationaloffice Richard W. Fee, Executive Director Estate Planning for the Disabled W. Center Avenue, Sui Mantea, Cal~Yom'i95336

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Access Press Sister Kennv Institute

Questions About Hearing Problems

problems with night vision. repeat yourself often, there which can be selected to best ENG. This test records eye conditions. This computerized V i impairment will slowly are ways to determine the fit the individual's hearing loss movement as the eyes follow test shows how an individual Q: I have a 1 year-old son progress resulting in severe degree of hearing loss and Some hearing aids may be a moving light, and as the positions his or her body to who was born with a severe visual problems in young what can be done to help him digitally-programmed to head and body change maintain balance under a hearing loss in both ears. adulthood. Some individuals communicate more effec- amplify sounds. Other devices positions. Cool and warm variety of conditions and are available to amplify water are alternately placed identifiesincorrect movements Recently, my son has had =me with Usher's Syndrome lack tively. telephone or television signals in the right and left ears to which may compound or even problems playing with the inner-ear balance function and to improve listening in compare responses between create instability. It is always best to consult other children, as he seems to from birth. places such as theatres or earsand to determinereduced with professionals in the field be clumsy. Is clumsiness function of the inner ears. concert halls. of hearing disorders. The results of balance testing associated with hearing loss? An individual born with and your wife's medical are normal hearing may develop Otolaryngologists The rotational chair test, history will assist your A: The answer to this question problems with hearing and physicians who specialize in For many years, sen-ural is not as simple as yes or no. balance later in life due to the diagnosis and medical/ hearing loss was referred to although new and less widely physician in diagnosing and ?here are some typesof severe disease or other medical surgical treatment of ear and as "nerve deafness." Many available, is useful in treating her instability. disorders. physicians told their patients evaluating inner ear function Physical therapy can help your hearing losswhich do not affect conditions. For example, a hearing aperson's balance, andothers pmm who has had Meningitis Audiologists are specially that there was nothing to be as the body is turned about a wife learn to get around safely which may be associated with may have hearing loss langing trained professionals who done for this type of hearing vertical axis. Faster, less through aprogramof exercise balance or even visual from mild to severe in one or evaluate hearing sensitivity. loss and that "they would just bothersomeandmorereliable and education. problems Balance and headng both ears. The individual may If it is dewminedthat medical have to live with it." With than the ENG, the rotational Specialthanks to audiologists systems are located in the inner also have lost inner-earbalance or surgical treatment will not recent improvements in chairprovidesinformatianonon Gene Baizer, Ph.D., Jane ear, sharing space, fluid and function. This may be a mild improve your father's hearing, hearing aids, this is no longer the overall balancesystem and Gilbert, M.A. and Candace nerve function within the disorder in only one ear or a ampmcation through use of true. Because of the variety pinpoints problems arising Tillquist, M.A., of the temporal bone. However, the sev& problem affecting both a hearing aid may be of hearing losses and from the central nervous Minneapolis Neuroscience amplification devices and system. This new test is also Institute for their assistance recommended. development and function of ears. manufacturers, it is very very effective in document- in producing this column. these systems are very What all of this means is that A complete hearing evaluation important to consult a ing changes in balance over separate. To submit questions on a person who has hearing loss will reveal the type and degree professhal before pmhasing time. medical or rehabilitative issues In most types of severe will not always have balance of hearing loss that your father a hearing aid. The cost of congenital hearing loss, the problems. Medical evaluation has. Hearing loss which hearing aids can also vary A third balance test is for future columns, write: which Medical Issues and Disability, balance system is not affected. should assume that balance is originates firom a problem with dramatically, another reason posturography, Thebalancesystem functions normal. Testing would the outer or middle ear is you should consult a examinestheabilityofaperson Sister Kenny Institute, Dept. with minimal information determine whether there is a referred to as conductive p r o f e s s i o n a 1 . to select and use appropriate 16601, 800 E. 28th St., and balance information under Minneapolis, MN 55407from the hearing system. balance problem. Medication hearing loss. Ear infections, Otolaryngologists can be false and misleading 3799. alance is maintained by much or physical therapy treatment wax accumulation and audiologists tronger cues from aperson's will be the same whether or otosclerosis (a condition in recommended by your family Catalog vision or sensation in their not the ~erson with a balance which one of the bones in the physician, or by calling

F+

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Information H e b with selections

We sell TDDs. telephone ring signalers, doc _ _ _ ,nalers, baby cry stgnalers, dosed-capbon decoders, alarm docks,wake-up bed

year-old father of hering loss. Conductive Remember,most m u l e with emtam, smoke detects systems, pegin systems, KY 'e' Well as b; h&@ h& & ~ o s t h y shearing loss can helped to g - m ,assbUve listening &vices, and much mare. hearing loss and completeloss used lo. Is dxm something be successfully treated by an hear better, often, by using Call ToU-Free: 1-800-825-9187TDD of the balance function of the that can be done or should we otolaryngologist Hearing aids amplification devices. 1-800-825-6758Voice learn to live with it? inner ear. may also be useful. COMMUNICATIONS C& My wife had a stroke last Local Calls: &he gets around the (612) 825-8791 TDD Neurologically based A: No, you don't have to live Sensorinwal hearing loss win-. (612) 825-5867 V O ~ btbmpdii~ 55408 ~ disorders, such as Usher's with it! Hearing loss is more arises from problems house pretty well, but Syndrome, may also cause common than most people associated with the inner ear sometimes loses her b a h a balance problems. A person think. More than 10 million and hearing nerve. This type and we are concerned about with Usher's Syndrome may people in the United States ofhearinglossmaybearesult her falling. Can anything be "WECARE" experience mild to severe have some degree of hearing of exposure to excessive noise, done to improve her stabilhearing loss. At some point, loss. If you suspect that your life-saving drug therapy, ity? PROFESSIONAL - SENSITIVE - DISCREET usually in the preteen years, father is missing alot of what Meniere's disease, aging and TOM,MARY,BILL the individual will develop you say or if you need to othercauses. Most often, this A: Imbalanceoccurs whenever type of hearing loss cannot be the body is unable to make FREE RX DELIVERY COMPETITIVE PRICES improved through medical or use of information from the 3400 University Avenue SE, h e a p o l i s ! ' @ d ~hearing e n t . Haids o wcan e vbe e rvery , useful inner ears, the eyes, or the feet and legs. That's why we in helping people with this fall on ice or feel unsteady Political Phone N U ~ & ~and S Addresses type of hearing loss. walking in unfamiliar places & PAINTING CONTRACTORS in the dark If your wife is Serving the Entire Metro Area Since 1975 Senator Paul Wellstone (DFL) Rep. Martin 0 . Sabo (DFL) There are different types of unstable walking around your Speclallsts In Comercial Maintenance Paintlng P.O. Box 65588 462 Federal Couxts Bldg. hearing aids and hundreds of home where there is adequate Interior Exterior St. Paul. MN 55165 110 S. 4th St. manufacturers. Behind-thelighting and secure carpeting, Wallpaper Sheetrocking 659-0103 Minneapolis. MN 55401 Enameling Spray Texture ear hearing aids have been then you have reason to suspect 348- 1649 Sandblasting Power Washing availablef a many years. They that she may have a balance Senator Dave Dunmberger (IR) Taping Flexible Hours consist of an earmold and a problem. 1020 Plymouth Building Rep. Gerry Sikorski (DFL) Custom Finishing OnK3ff site Finishing piece which fits behi* the 12 South 6th Street 227 Coon Rapids Blvd. N.W. Bonded and Insured Insurance Repair Minneapolis. MN 55402 ear that houses the main Your M y physician can help #414 (612) 631-1805 370-3382 Cooll MN.55433 componentsof the hearing aid. determine the cause of the Come~ciaVResidentiaI THE PAINTING PROS 2224 Terminal Rd., Roseville, MN 55113 780-58&. ' Behind-the-ear hearing aids balance problem so that Rep. Timothy J. Penny (DFL) may be-pa for many appropriatestepscan be taken L J G L L G I -ale Park Towers Rep. James L. Oberstar (DFL) kinds of hearing loss. In-the- to increase your wife's safety 22 North Broadway 231 Federal Building Medical, Inc. ear hearing aids can improve and independence. Often a Rochester, MN 55904 D&&, MN 55802 "Your Home -sl;lce 1971' communication for most types hearing test is conducted to (507) 28 1-6053 (2M)727-7474 Haatth Care Center" of hearing loss except severe examine the functioning of RENTALS SALES "m IN REHAB h MEMCAL SJPPUES Rep. Vin Weber (IR) R*&C. Perterson (DFI toprofomd hearing lass. Canal the inner ears. However, a UBlFlAQY - pSfOYYh SURGCAL SUPUES hearing aids are the newest normal hearing test does not Box 279 -%$ax 287 Wh3f3l&airs Diabelic Equipment type of amplification device mean that the balance system New Ulm, MN 56073 ~ e & t Lakes, MN 56501 HospiralBeds Bathroom SafetyAids (507) 354-6400 and are probably the most is also normal. There are Cornrnode Chairs Canes B Crubhes walkers ~lood press@ ~ q p t Rep. Jim Ramstad (IR) popular because of their small several tests available that Patient Lifters HomeOxygea Rep. Bruce Vento (DFL) 2618 Crosby Rosa size. However, they are not specifically test balance Traction Devices Portable Oxygen American National Bank Bldg. M w a , MN 55343 useful for many kinds of function. 5th & Minnesota S t . Room 905 475-3365 hearing loss due to their limited MEDlCAR6 & MhDICAm PROVIDERS 1013EXCPLSIOR 933-1 AW.. H0PKN.S 126 St. Paul, MN 55101 REPAIR Opzn 8:30 - 6:00 Mm.- M circuitry space. Mosthearing One of these tests is called 224-4503 Wa r-DELIVER - ST PAUL & ALL SUBURBS aids have amplificari~circuits elecrronystagmography, or

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'Be Heard

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Access Press

December 10,1990

Relay continued from page 1

TheHearing Dog Program ---.

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approximately two years ago of the Direct Connect Minnesota Relay System (MRS), an ingenious mixture of common sense. uncommon dedication, creativity and technology.

..!.,, .,

A Great Way to Go

The idea was simple. When people speak. in effect. two different languages, have someone in the middle who speaks both serve as

by Adam Quinn What's in a name? Ask Lucb, a (possibly) full-blooded Australian Shepherd who was three hours from being put to sleep when she was selected to become the chief "demonshator" for the Hearing Dog Program of Minnesota.

Executive Director in place and Lucky not far behind.

Hannibal thought crossing the Alps with elephants would be simple, too. How did it come about? A history. quoted from an MRS document:

The program has developed consistent with the philosophy of its board and &tor with deliberate speed, and microscopic attention to demL

The organization, then new, The Hearing Dog Program is was the local brainchild of A1 both a training and a matching Peters, a former insurance service. First comes the executive and residential applicant. restoration entrepreneur who had decided that accumulating While applicants must meet money for its own sake left certain requirements relative something to be desired. A to their impairment, they need gregarious and helpful man not be well-to-do (dogs are by nature, and long-time dog donated; the $2500 training fancier, Peters cast about for and placement costs are picked something to combine his up by foundations, private interests. When wife Penny, conmbutors, and organmtions an audiologist by profession, such as the Lions Club and returned from aconference in the TelephonePioneers), nor San Francisco, the answer knowledgeable about training returned with her. Hearing dogs. "They don't have to pay for the dog", Peters said, dogs. "but they do have to love him. The idea, in the late 'go's, was not new. The first If the applicant currently has formally-trained hearing dog adog, the Minnesotaprogram "graduated" in 1968, before is one of few in the nation assuming her position as who will assess the pet's companion and ears for a deaf suitability as a hearing dog, girl in Denver. It just hadn't and enroll the applicantsown taken off like some ideas do, dog if it passes muster.

In 1980, the Minnesota Association of Deaf Citizens (MADC. founded in 1885). designed and incorporated the Deafness. Education and Advocacy Foundation (D.E.A.F.. Inc) as an organization whose purpose it is to carry out the dreams and innovations of the deaf community. An interlocking Board of Directors governing the two organizationsgives D.E.A.F. the ongoing advantage of a direct and continuous link to the needs and concerns of the communications-impaired in the state of Minnesota. In that same year, a number of deaf community leaders met at Camp Courage to discuss and devise short-term and longterm priorities for programming which would benefit the community. Of the seven goals which were written, top priority was given to establishinga state-wide messagerelay service. The Direct Connect Minnesota Relay Service is a culmiqation of many years of work by countless people representing a wide variety of communication disorders. From the Camp Courage meeting came the Hearing Impaired Telecommunication Advocacy Committee, which lasted for three years and largely drafted the ~klecommtmicationsAccess For Communication Impaired Persons (TACIP) bill, initially passed into law in 1987. The bill called for aTACIPBoard, and funding in the form of asmall monthly surcharge on the phone bills of all Minnesotans. On March 1, 1989, the Minnesota Relay Service began relaying TDD/Telephone calls, 24 hours of every day, 365 days a year.

time with the applicant/new After the four-month training owner, aperiod of adjustment period, dog and owner are lefi to be expected between two virtually alone for 30 days. individuals about to enter a Except for over-the-phone

TDD users who wish to commuiicate with hearing persons dial the Service at 297-5353 (Twin Cities metro area), or 1-800-657-3529 (outstate), give their name, area code and phone number, and the corresponding information for the called party. When the connection is made, the operator reads the T D D user's words to the vnice user.

McGrath's f k t formal Hearing no dog of his or her own. In learn to truly function together Dog training program way this event, the staff considers Then the training begins. as a unit. A Minnesota based non-profit corporation serving a broad individual preference in terms back in 1975. of "size and shape", and For the next sixteen weeks, Finally, the Big Day. The constituency which includes people born deaf,those deafened Perhaps the reason it hadn't searches the pound and dog and master are trained in trainer, along with A1 Peters later in life, hard of hearing people , the hearing impaired, taken off, like the seeing eye Humane Society kennels for the techniques and nuances and a board member, visit the persons interested in improving the rights and opportunities available to members of the Deaf and hearing impaired m u n i t y . dog program had, had to do a canine candidate with the of both "regular" obedience home with clip boards in hand, with the general public's lack combination of traits necessary and specialized sound and "finals" are PROGRAMS INCLUDE: of awareness of the benefits to give it the "right stuff' for response. For those with the administered...and videoinvolved. For those unable to inclusion in the program. capability and interest, the taped. If all goes well between Minnesota Relay Service -described in adjacent article. hear a phone or doorbell ring, Along with the applicarlt's obedience portion may take the two, graduation occurs, an alarm clock go off, a smoke dimensional and appearance place at a regular obedience with a card and certificate Adult Education Programming - provides services to, and alarm sound, a baby cry, or a considerations, program school, complete with proclaiming them a "Certified coordinates with, school districts to offer Adult Basic Education classes for the Deaf community. Developing and weight commands, confusion and Hearing Dog Team". strange sound in the kitchen personnel implementing a statewide tutoring system, working with the late at night, the benefits were temperament, intelligence, dogs, dogs, dogs. m e program both obvious and immediate. interest in soundand rewards, provides an interpreterat both For most, it is more than a State Library system to i m p v e services for the Deaf community. To package such a personal age (ideally one to two years) ends, and otherwise facilitates thrilling moment. It signals Offers community education classes. seminars and workshops of special interest to the Deaf community. alert service in warm and furry and other factors, and access to the standardized the beginning of greater four-footed form, with bright generally select an alert and training in whatever way comfort, convenience and D.E.A.F. Resource Centers - Resource Centers in St. Paul companionship - and it has and Duluth provide information and referral services. Over eyes, wagging tail and eager-to-please mixed breed necessary. cost the new owner nothing. 7000 clients served in 1989-1990. for the arduous training ahead. unyielding devotion... If outside training is not The lure, as it turned out, was The dog is then placed in a practical, and in any event for Demand for the program, Grant. Writing-providesanon-goinggrants writing unit for too much for A1 Peters to resist, foster home for two weeks to the sound prtion of the course, really less than two years old the Deaf community to assist individual and class-action advocacy and efforts to form the two months, to confirm that training takes place right in in Minnesota, is growing as aid fund as necessary. Minnesota version of a it's housebroken, sociable, the applicant's home. Trainen the word gets out. Given the successful hearing dog crate trained and not a victim are highly specialmd experts, length and intensity of the D.E.A.F. Foundation - The foundation donates as much as program began in 1987. They of kennel cough or other latent with a minimum of six years process, Peters and his board $30,000a year to a variety of Deaf Community programs from proceeds generated by D.E.A.F.'s Lawful Gambling Unit. culminated in February of sickness. of obedience training have projected up to 24 dogs 1989, with an incorporated, experience, and a period of trained per year. Given the (St. Paul Office located at 104E. Seventh Place, (612) 224-2515 non-profit organization, Next comes a week of just thorough hearing dog training 140,000 Minnesotans with TDD/Voice for information) moderate to severe hearing Board, volunteers and plain gethng-to-know-you internship. impairments, of which 40,000 and types the voice users words for the TDD user. Operators are are totally deaf, those highly trained. sensitive and efficient, versed in ethics, procedure projections may well see and ASL grammar. They pass conversation back and forth. but will modification as the years pass not interfere, advise or handle your business for you. They are SPECIALIZED MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION especially sensitive to issues of confidentiality. All calls remain by.

II II

I I

100% confidential.

529-5019

483-9143

C~~~MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDER

The Hearing Dog Program of Minnesota is located at 2223 E. 35th St., Minneapolis,MN 55407. (612) 729-5986.

For the hearing person, use of the service is remarkably nonthreatening. Operators are sensitive to awkwardness issues, and gently guide the first-time hearing user through the procedure with remarkably little stress. In practice, the operator appears to simply fade away once the conversationallink has been established. TDD users have become highly facile on the system, and all the i n f d t i e s and nuances of face-to-face conversation seem to be effortlessly

RELA Y cont. on p. 7

Restaurant Review

AaLaDaA

THE FRUGAL DINER HAS Association of Late-Deafened Adults A LOONY EXPERIENCE: 1 the A friend of mine asked me if I would like to go to downtown Minneapolis for dinneron a Friday not too long ago. I said sure, but let's pick a place neither of us have been. He asked if I had been to the Loon Cafe and I said no. I didn't think they were accessible. We decided to give them a call before we went and that was the beginning of this adventure.

well. itr not our faulk the building management company makes us put it there and the outside doors are supposed to be locked in the evening." I asked if there was any other way to tell someone inside, other than having someone go in and tell the bartender. Answer was no. What if aperson like myself was alme? How would I tell the bartender. At that the young man said, "Look. it's not our fault the button is behind the locked door, it's the building management and if we could do something about it, we would. I know where your coming from. I have a cousin who is in a wheelchair."

people who grew up in hearing worldandbecamedeafas adults. Late-deafened adults no longer can understand speech without visual clues or use a telephone in the normal way. Their hearing loss may have been sudden or it may have happened over a period of years. Most importantly,latedeafened adults share the experience of being deaf after having once been hearing.

ALDA: The beginning The Association of Late-Deafened Friday night at 6:30 we called Adults (ALDA) traces its roots to a self-help support group for the Loon. Q: "Is the Loon wheelchair accessible?A "Yes, latedeafened adults that formed we're easily accessible!" in Chicago in 1985. Two years later, members of the self-help We are on our way. Lucked out. group organized a social gathering found a parking place only two of late-deafened people. The blocks away. Wheeled over to I let the subject drop after that. good feelings of that evening led the entrance to find four or five We were guided though another steps in the way, wheeled a half locked door, down a long conidor, block each way looking- for an to the back door of the Loon. accessible entrance; nothing Another door was unlocked and visible. My friend went up the opened and the inside of the Loon steps into the Loon and asked became visible. A garbage bin about the wheelchair entrance. was moved and I was inside! It Bartender said it's up towards was socrowded I sort of crawled and he would send in and stopped. My friend moved Butler !+xe, someone to open the door. Found in to see if there was any place to the doors arid waited. Sitting move to. There wasn't. The outside the double doors I noticed room was packed with small tables acall button inside the first set of and standees with literally no doors next to a sign saying "For room to pass through even if assistance to the Loon Cafe." there was a destination. We Unfortunately the call button was decided to look elsewhere for inside a locked door. After waiting dinner. Okay. Open the back about five minutes my friend door, move the trash bin. down returned to the Loon and asked if the long hall, only to find the someone was coming. The doors still locked. My friend bartender said "Oh yeah,-I:ll have . trekked through the maze and S c couple.& .;lsM-,*drhey\Hprdg minutes ." My friend returned to be right back. A few minutes la!er, a tight-lipped fellow wait with me.

to friendships, more social gatherings, i d anewsletter that consolidated the group. ALDA had amved!

groups whae latedeafened adults

share their feelings and expaiences aboutdeafi~ess.These support groups can help relieve the sense of isolation that many ALDA: Today latedeafened people feel and can Today, ALDA is "home" to also provide helpful insights on hundreds of latedeafened people coping with deafness. throughoutthe Unitedstates and Canada. ALDA gives late- . Social activities deafened adults a place where ALDA provides late-deafened they canbe themselves and share adults with a much-needed social with other late-deafenedpeople. outlet. Monthly activities, ALDA also serves as a resource including captionedmovies,day and information center for late- trips, barbecues, s p t i n g events, deafened people and works to and parties, give AIDAns a chance increase public awareness of the to mingle. special needs of late-deafened adults. Outreach A chief goal of ALDA is to i w ALDA: In action and contact as many hedeafened . Self-help support groups adults as possible. Reaching out ALDA sponsors self-help support to newly deafened adults is an

especially activity. The . important . &up also encourages andassists in the establishment of local chapters of ALDA.

- Newsletter ALDA publishes a widely acclaimed newsletter called ALDA News. A mix of humor. information,and personalsharing, the newsletter has played a key role in ALDA's rapid growth. Consultation The development of ALDA has led to greater insight and understanding of latedeafness among the professional community and the g e n d public. ALDAns are often recruited as public speakers and are available to consult on issues involving latedeafness.

ALDA cont. on p. 9

I Thev said these kids would never walk.

~alnPesJ;e$.Wedrn~B~ few moreminutes passed and three locked doors, without a Idebstedwbthaornotthe'lnon word. Enpaiencel'was ping to be warth the wait. Suddenly. through the Now, I don't really mind if the locked doors I could see a third Loon is not accessible. Any plaot door was opening and the that is designed to be crowded possibility of dmer looked makes me uncomfortable and brighter. A young man opened slightly initable, I us@y head the outside door letting us in to for quieter environments. the warmth of Butler Square However, I do think the Loon North. I inquired of the logic of management should be honest, a call button on the inside of a and the next time someone asks locked door making the about wheelchair accessibility. accessibility of the restaurant just say "Sony, can't-& inaccessible. He replied "Yeah, it."

Relay continued froompage 6 employed when using the service.

As many of the 140 operators are college students, openings occur more or less consistentlywith graduation days. and new candidates are continually being sought and mined. Qualificationsrest more with communication skills than educationor computerknowledge. The age of the current staff ranges from 18 to 72. Demand for the service is large. and growing. During the month of October. 1990,just shy of 50.000 calls were handled by the h c e . 92% of which were answered in less than 30 seconds. The vast majority of the calls. 83%. were outbound from TDD's to voice. Thisratio is expected tolevel off as knowledge of the system grows among the genaal public. The same leveling off is expected tooccur in the metro outstate usage ratios, now pegged at 85% from the metro area. The service is. in all. an amazing illustration of what can be done when community sensitivity, legislative foresight. technological merge. capacity and personal dediAnd what was the initial response among the heating-impaired community when this history-making new service f&t became available? "That's easy ." said John Smith, of the Relay Service. '"lie first 300 calls were for pizza!"

They were wrong. "The staff genuinely cares about each child. Joshua and Jacob Trumper are twins who They even helped us cope with the problems so were born with cerebral palsy. The doctors we could help the kids. When we were worried didn't think they would ever learn to walk. Oh, about the money, they just said that would not maybe Joshua would. A little. But not Jacob. be a consideration. If something came up, we Then the Trumpers took their boys to Gillette Children's Hospital, a very special place always had someone to call" Gillette Children's has been caring for that serves children who have disabilities. The boys underwent complex surgeries together, and children who have disabilities - and their families - since 1897. The small victories of helped each other through weeks of intensive rehabilitation. Now Joshua can walk, run, ride a children like Jacob and Joshua Trumper may bike. And Jacob, determined to keep up with not be important to everyone, but they are to us. Kids who have disabilities need help to become his brother, is walking on his own. "Every kid in that place feels special," says independent. We give it to them. We're non-profit. We depend on Jean Trumper, the boys' Mom. community support.

Gillette

Childnn's Hospital

200 East University Avenue St. Paul, Minnesota 55101 Sometimes there's no place else a child can go.

z...

Access Press SECURING THE FUTURE THROUGH COMPRE ANCIAL PLANNING

December 10 1990

by Arnie Guetzmacher

The futllreis never pmktable. All too often when we look at the family may waste a great -,estate planning for families deal of personal resources +, who have persons with a trying to duplicate disability, we tend to governmental benefit rationalize away the necessity programs. to do anything. We assume that the spouse or parent will Every family must face the always be there to provide or future using a "what if?" the person with the disability attitude. What if I go into a will have a shortened life span, nursing home or die before therefare, it d d t seem very my disabled spouse or child? important to do much What if my disabled child or spouse lives another 20 years? planning. What if my medical benefits The reality of the situation is at work run out? What if I thatunlessa family sitsdown losemyjoborpension? What and carefully analyzes their if I have a stroke, cannot special circumstances, the communicate even for a brief future care and treatment for time and my disabled spouse the person with a disability or child is left at home alone?

isabled spouse military pensions, etc.? receives Medicaid benefits and then dies? Will the 3. How can we coordinate government force the sale of ourprivateresourceswiththe our home to pay back these govement benefit programs benefits? to provide the best possible lifestyle for the disabled person Weneed tolookat seven very now and in the future (if we important planning issues that are not around?) are unique to families with a person with a disability: 4. How can we leave sufficient resources to provide for a 1. Whowillcare formychild meaningful lifestyle without or Spouse if I am b p a ~ i m t e d the government laying claim or when I die? to this inheritance? 2. How can we maximize the government benefit programs that exist to assist families, i.e., SSI, SSDE, Medicaid, Medicare, medical assistance,

5. How can the resources be managed properly, so they will be there as long as the disabled person lives?

beloved child or spouse will and financial planning have dignified final professionals to heLp them arrangements? implement their desires These experts will probabl: 7. How can we set things up see 3 or 4 similar cases each so that my family will not week as opposed to the family fight over the plans that I attorney or planner who may have established? see one in acareer. They will concentrateon helping work In addition, each family has through the basic issues and their own unique problems then prepare the appropriate which can be added to this documents, coordinating basic list. The uaditional governmental benefits, and approach of estate or financial securing a sound financial planning is not very effective program. for these special families. (Mr. Guetzmacher is ( Families need to make regional planner for EDP, ( decisions concerning the national concern specializing above basic issues and then in Life Planning programs.)

Picketina The Department

Wage Protest Continues At Human Services Offic longstanding, cumbersome rules promulgated by the Department of Human Services (DHS) as well as the practice of assigning percentage budget increases in determining rates. The DHS sets contract rates for the private employers. These rates are usually by small mually (3.8%

objective except to meet the dissatisfaction with the salary. higher cost of ope*on. Staff financial requirement. assignments, in general, are The employees and their no different in the two types The result of this method is a employer~see a SySti?m which of facilities, and jobs are perpetuation of the inequity. is deteriorating under these comparable. Only the wage policies. Part of the solution is different. Terry Shapka, director of lies with the legislature, which client services for Marl' T., must take arealistic approach Staff turnover in the privatc Inc., a private supplier of to wage levels for the people residences averages 62% residential services said that i t employs directly or annually, a figure thd the wage discrepancy was indirectly. drarnatickly illu&ates thc about $4.00per hour. a very Another part of the solution si-n. Heavy respomib'di~l a g e -differenc&&nce, lies wilh rheDm, which must employees of private simplify its rules and contractarsmkive about $6.00 procedures in paying the per hour on average, while providers. the state pays about $10.00 . inability of the private for .the same sort of State empllayeesare paid m k x can be done? residential manaeers to raise employment. a different system, one which " Terry Shapiro handing out leaflets ert DfES , wages in any meaningful gives them moresauhy with Mr. McInmy said k a e Mr. Joel Cary, also of the higher wages, a situath m ~ z e employees will hold a mass amounts. . . saidthee desirable than the private meeting at the Capitol on Rqmsentstivesof ARRM, tfie candidates to their plight. MaryT.ww=Association of Residential private midenrial Wties are contractorsare able to afford. January 15th to present their T&sm Resources in Minnesota The core of the argument is tthe+3fpAdiagw* WZS m serving approximately 4750 The fact that the state case to the legislature. Last marched in front of the that wages paid to s e p r o v i i t k - s~WWLretarded people. The state legiWlm seB criteria for both y w the' same event was held Minnesota Department of employees far similar work Typically, thi,s alw is done facilities are serving about p h is particularly distllrbing on Feb. 20th and 3800 people litman Services in a protest in resideitial facilities is by increasing the ,budget for 1450 client& attended. to the protesters. for bettea wages. Starting on substan* higher than the sxvkes a m t a g e October 15th and continuing wage to outside providers of oflastyear'sbad~mpemaps The state emplayees are Some of the state run The staff at the Department election day on services. a flat dollar amount. The mimkdandtheprivateworle asideneesare serving clients of Human Senrices said they ber 6th, the marchers budget limits are then passed bee is not. Mr. McInemy whoaremoresemdydisalded couldnotmketimeawayfrom to alert both the Mr. Jerry McInemey of down to the community said he doubted that than the private residences. th&mm toanwa and the leghhtive ARRM says this is a result of redwith no particular unionization could change the This resulrs in a higIrer ratio our t e b b n e calls about this si~veryeasily,sincethe union nego&iation could only be with employers under contracts to the RHS and not the state. In addition to their annualb u d g e t b i ~ o n sthe , complexilyofthe~causes almost 258 of the annual allocation for these facilities to he disputed for one reason mano*. mdiSpwdmIal is o w c-tly, and is causing con;cern that the whole system may be cdlapm3. Residential facilities, which are classed as I C F M (IntermediateCareFacilities/ for Mentally Retarded) must emphy people able to takeon heavy mpomdbilitiesbut can only offer about $6.00 per hour in compensation. Very high turnover is experienced as well as a general ~

$Wrnrn

Access Press

December 10,1990 9

Pacer Center Tackles Affordable Housing Parents of children with disabilities were invited by Pacer Center to spend an evening with Mr. Bob Laux, a New England real estate broker who specializes in setting up housing for mple with disabilities. The meeting was held at the Kelly Inn, St. Paul, on November 7th. vlr. Laux questioned the audience early in theevening about their specific needs, While the disabilities of their dependents covered a wide spectrum, the parents were uniformly concerned about long range housing prospects for their children.

Mr. Laux offered few specifics for individual families, but assured the group that almost all legislativeprogress and community efforts to provide housing solutionsare brought about by similar groups of those most affected. He feels the existing federal tax credits for the creation of affordable housing offer the best avenue of attracting investors into the low rent housing market. He also detailed some of the prevailing "myths" which have hampered reasonable development of affordable housing for handicapped individuals. The idea that people with disabilities prefer to live with others having similar disabilities is particularly destructive.

Fzq

An~eiarnpleof this is an apartment building specifically designed and built for handicapped people. This building has a limited use and thus is hard to finance. Investors see little possibility of normal appreciation, and many of the potential residents see it as segregated and therefore a less desirable place to live. The alternative, in this case, is a conventional building with a few apartments specially designed for disabled residents. Normal market rules apply and investors are more receptive. Mr. Laux also emphasized that "affordable housing" is not a problem limited to the disabled population. It is a major problem for all of those who have low incomes. A minimum wage working person may very well have no more income (or even less) than a someone receiving SSI or Social Security, and perhaps less ability to find help in solving their personal housing need.

Xs a result of the meeting, some parents have expressed their desire to study financing of alternative living arrangements as a group. If you are interested in joining such a group,

__----

Housing Commentary by William A. Smith, Jr.

noted in the article on Bob Laux's .lecture for Pacer's parents, affordablehousing isn't t a problem for people with disabilities. Affordable housing is a necessity for everyone. We are creating a larger class of "service employees" (who might have been the "peasants" in a different time) a class we thought would diminish in our prosperous culture. This permanent underclass, relegated to the aptly named serviceindustriespaying less than living wages, will have to find living quarters in some form of subsidized housing. Whether the subsidies are in the form of tax breaks for investors or direct aid such as the Section 8 program, they remain subsidies paid by taxing the more affluent. In Minnesota, our non-homestead tax program further complicates efforts to offer small homes or conventional duplexes, fourplexesand the like at affordablerates for lower income tenants. Many such tenants pay 50% or more of their income for their apartment, and landlords are still unable to pay for adequate maintenance. In the 1970's a serious effort was made to stimulate the construction of apartmentbuildings for low income people, and those with moderate incomes. Very few new projects were built in the 80'sand no effort was made to solve the problem, which worsens now as the older "lowincome" buildings deteriorate or are converted to market rate (i.e., higher) rents. It appears that conventional thinking, using conventional financial methods, will not bring about asolution to the problem of affordable housing. Constructioncosts and real estate taxes are too high, and interest rates are too high, to allow an investor to make a profit renting modest hoking to people with low incomes.

What can be done? In the next few issues of ACCESS PRESS we'll show you some actual examples of individuals and families, whoare coping with this housing crunch. How they do it and what must be sacrificed to pay the rent will probably surprise and offend you.

We'll also offer some ideas we think are potential solutions ta me stdtu 'Qu . his is our problem. All of us are ultimately affected by the slow deterioration of our cities. We have to take an interest! People, like the neighborhoods are losing this fight for a decent existence.

Editorial & Advertising Deadline for January 10th issue is December 30

ALDA advocates the use of realtime

el-

SECRETARY DMSION OF NATURAL SCIENCES & MATHEMATICS

CASHIERIDATA ENTRY CLERK BUSINESS OFFICE

Responsibilities include receipting payments on accounts, This position provides professional secretarial supportto the processingall cash and ~ ~ s h - ~ e l amsactions ted approxhlately20 facultymembers in the Division of Natural accurate cashier window records, preparing bank deposits, Sciences and Mathematics at Augsburg Collegeand assisting other areas in the Business Office as needed. Responsibilities include typing course syllabi, hand-outs, exams, proposals, etc., answering phones, and processing daily mail. Applicants must enjoy extensive public contact, possess , and data ~ ~will have ~M ~l i1-2 i years ~ ~ ~ ~, experience, be familiar with chemical, biological and mathematicalsymbols, and high school mathematics. Word This is a full-time, year-round position which will include processing experiencerequired, Macintosh P.C. experience including preferred.

send letter of inquiry,resume, and salary

HELPWANTED. Wordprocessorsor transcribers. Must

Personnel Department Augsburg Cdlege 731 21 Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55454

own equipment for possible future contract work. Send resume and expected hourly or per page rate. James Maher, Ultraflex Enterprises, 2631 South Columbus, Apt. 205, Mpls., M N 55407

Commission advertising person needed. For ACCESS PRESS, call for details at 379-0989.

Augsburg College is an Affirmative Action Employer. Minorities and Women are Strongly Encouraged to Apply

Send letter of inquiry, resume, and salary requirements to Personnel Department Augsburg College 731 21 Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55454 Augsburg College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Minorities and Women are Strongly Encouraged to Apply.

hlin continued from page I

-McG

"Increasingly,"he said. "elected of ad-hoc ones. The six Though his overall vision for the officials are at the end of the are: Ways and Means, Social m t y is in anecessarily evolving process". The successful politician operates not so much for people as fhrouah them. he Intragovenunental. a result places community involvement and

This is a part-time (20 hours/week) position August 15 through June 15 with summers off. Excellent benefits including tuition waiver.

Court held for the school district, and the Schuldts have

from kgiS1partisan. to county commissioner was not a result of seething ambition for the ofti= as and considered reflection. He had already det-ined

he leamed that the commission seat in his was to be vacated. thatHerme* County was the second-largest governmental unit in the state; managing abudgetof one billion d o h forp0and saviCes; that his would be one of seven voices, not 134; and that scrambling for CXXnmittee assignments would be a thing of the Past (all mission^ sit on he opted for the oppommity.

He professes a holistic approach to governmental services consider the effect of individual decisicms an the overall organism, and emphasize prevention as opposed to -air.

As w integralpart of that equation. he will work with all interested provider and consumer parties to involve the schools directly in the &-on process. ''What holds neighborhoods together?.. he said. "Schools."

"It would not be in agreement with the intent of P L . 94-142 w #504 ...to deny a childplacement in the school closest to hislher home because of accessibility. " OSEP, Oct. 8,1980

part a scholar by background,

community, he feels. one needs recycling. He personally buys to engage the community. To the family's milk from Tom engage the community,programs Thumb. because they supply it in W i t h v i c m * h i s m ~ f o rmust be offered which meet returnable containers, the impact increased significantly- identifled needs. To identify * U t h a t erecycling". He plans H*-v provi&awide needs, and prioritize the to pay particular attention to variety services* includmg expenditureof limited resources providing apamnent building and healthprogramslsocialservices. ("limited" - a resource of any business owners with greater financial assistance* law size faced with ademandgreater opportunities for recycling. d m e n ~ thanits supply) to most effectively wansportation* solid waste and fairly meet those needs. From an overall perspective. management and suburban careful analysis must be made of McGlaughlin plans to lobby for libraries. not only what has worked and achange in the process of county the budget has not. but why. Creative budget determination. C m t l y . (and the tax levy necessary to solutionsmust be devised for the the budget is established by the raise it). establishingpolicies for -no&w. proposals for tapping adminismtian. revealedin A~~~~ of services* the resource pool must be of each year, and subsequently and w t i n g staff a d a k d , and the entire. program exposed for public input. While members. presented in the form of avisim expressing a p i a t i o n for the for the county in a manner that realities of the budgeting process. To the m y ' s one million both the haves and the have-no the new Commissioner would residents* 8500 Persons are will see is to their ~dividual modify it to the extent of employed. advantage. formalizing public input at the

~~~

front end, through the offices of From his on the job* PeterMcGlaughlinisgoingtobe the Commissioners themselves. MaGlaughlin will sit on six a busy man. In this mama. the revealed budset standing committees, and any would presumably reflect

solutions to problems (or positions) currently not able to be addressed until afterpublic exposure. Aware of his position as the new kid on the county block, McGlaughlh not a H s t a n d e r by impulse or training, plans to

bring both lis("outside") .&me obsucle betWeen and negotiating ("inside") skills noi .+, and achievement**,he said to his new role, not to m d o n '&ismode of lf then is insights and relationships to be change, there must be developedduringhisbeet-s orientation to change. It is my as state legislator. intention and my hope to help create an atmosphere in which He will also bring his personal innovation can ocmw. philosophy.