* Inside Q Mirrors: A poem on life after stroke — p. 6 Legislative Update — Page 3 Volume 12, Number 4 SOURCES RESOURCES April 10, 2001 Wound Clinic To Reopen by Nathan Halvorson Clinic - cont. on p. 9 “To the press alone, chequered as it is with abuses, the world is indebted for all the triumphs which have been gained by reason and humanity over error and oppression...” Thomas Jefferson UNLIMITED MR/RC WAIVERS AVAILABLE WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY SHORT by Jeff Nygaard Waivers - cont. on p. 8 T he Minnesota Depart- ment of Human Services (DHS) announced on March 23 rd that they will allow all Minnesota counties to offer an “unlimited number of MR/ RC waiver allocations” from now until June 30 th , 2001 to families and consumers who are on the waiting list for services. In their alert to members, Arc Minnesota called the offer a “tremendous opportunity” for people with mental retarda- tion and related conditions (MR/RC) and advised advo- cates and parents to “jump on this once-in-a-lifetime op- portunity.” In order to take advantage of this opportu- nity, individuals must contact their county worker by May 1 st to set the process in mo- tion. For the final allocations to be approved, individuals must be screened and “in service” by June 30 th , 2001. “In service” means that persons must be receiving case management with at least one other service. Ap- proved waiver services are numerous, and may include such things as: respite care; personal care assistance- choice; day training and ha- bilitation; home modifica- tions; consumer directed com- munity supports; environ- mental modifications; hous- ing access coordination; assistive technology; care giver training and education; caregiver living expenses; supported employment,or; supported living services. Advocates stress that eligible citizens will not need to “have it all together” by June 30 th , but simply must have a case manager and one of the other services in place. In other words, it will be pos- sible for people to start with one waivered service and then add others after June 30 th as staff become available or needs change. In addition, DHS has assured counties that adequate funds will be available to implement what- ever service plans are ulti- mately put in place by con- sumers and county case workers. This short “window” of op- portunity offered by DHS is designed to help those 4,400 Minnesotans who continue to wait for waivered services. Some counties are pro- actively reaching out to people on the waiting list to let them know that they need to re-establish contact imme- diately in order to get “in the system.” Hennepin County, for example, will offer 45 different informational ses- sions in the month of April alone. However, the short time-frame puts a lot of pres- sure on county workers, and will likely result in some systems responding slowly or incompletely. For this reason, Arc Minne- sota stresses that you should take the initiative and not wait for your county to con- tact you. If you are in need of waivered services, Arc urges you to call your County case manager immediately and request one of these new waiver slots. If your case manager has not heard of this opportunity, Arc suggests that you ask him/her to call the DHS Regional Support Specialist. (See list on page 9.) If you continue to have problems, call your local Arc chapter or Arc MN. (Arc MN can be reached at 1- 800-582-5256). Remember you only have until May 1 st to get this arranged and you must have one service in place by June 30 th . Stunned and Overjoyed News of the DHS announce- ment flew through the com- munity with great speed. Paul Fleissner, Director of Adult and Family Services for Olmsted County, reports that “people were just stun- ned, overjoyed” upon hear- ing the news. In the days fol- lowing the announcement, this reporter heard the news described as “unbelievable” and “almost too good to be true.” Reactions to the response were no doubt enhanced by the memory of the recent scare brought on by the Governor’s budget proposal for the next biennium. As reported in the February 10 th ACCESS PRESS, that pro- posal was to take $44 million in unspent funds and fold them back into the state’s general revenues, thus mak- ing them unavailable for the waiver program. While there are significant sums of money that have been allocated under the 1999 law that remain un- spent, advocates and county workers are well aware that these unspent funds are not the result of a decrease in the demand for these services. The continued existence of a waiting list confirms this. Rather, the surplus results from a set of problems in matching the needs with appropriate providers, chief among them the critical lack of workers who provide home care services. The unlimited waiver an- nouncement by the DHS is intended to assure that al- ready-allocated waiver funds will be kept in the system while individuals attempt to create service plans that are achievable and that work best for them. Legislation has been introduced to assure that, in the future, funds that have been allocated for the purpose of reducing the waiting list must be spent for A fter a three-month reas- sesment process, Abbott Northwestern Hospital has decided to reopen the Wound Clinic which they had closed December 31 st , 2000. The Wound Clinic, housed in the Minimally Invasive Care Center (MICC), plans to reopen on June 1, 2001, at which time patients with complex, chronic, or non- healing wounds may return and receive care. As reported in the January 10 th ACCESS PRESS, the financial struggles that caused the clinic’s closing were rooted in four major areas which had to be addressed before the clinic could operate on stable terms: an incon- sistent standard model for care; no database to track client’s wound history and care history; poor reim- bursement levels, and the high-cost of real estate. Since the closing of the clinic was announced in December, a restructuring group has been working to develop a plan to address all of these issues. ACCESS PRESS was informed in mid-March that the group has come up with a satisfactory plan, leading Abbott Northwestern to announce that the wound clinic would re-open. Members of the program development group included Wound Clinicians Jan Chevrette and Jennifer Todd, Wound Clinic Doctors Peter Alden and Eric Irwin, Director Pat Boeckman (formerly Hartwig), and Abbott Northwestern office coordinator Linda Ruiz. The clinic will reopen with new systems and guidelines in place to standardize meth- ods of care for patients and will also include clear meth- ods for tracking a person’s progress while receiving care at the clinic. These changes will reduce confusion and stress for pa- tients and clinicians. They will also improve the clinic’s ability to accurately file reim- bursement claims, another change necessary for the clinic’s survival. Walt Kune, Director of Ambulatory Ser- vices for Abbott Northwest- ern Hospital, said “clinicians will now be able to file exact documentation that assures proper reimbursement for services from both Medicare and private insurers.” Clinician Jennifer Todd pointed to another improve- ment in the clinic’s reimburse- ment system. Due to certain changes outside of the clinic, Todd says “we can bill for some things now that we weren’t able to before, like the actual application of a unnaboot. Before the clinic closed, we could only bill an insurer for the supplies, but now we can bill for the actual procedure.” Educating a pa- tient about their wound is another service “that will be newly reimbursable when the clinic reopens,” says clinician Jan Chevrette. For financial reasons, the clinic has decided to cut some services which pre- viously garnered low reim- bursement rates from insurers. Kune notes that services like bandaging, for example, “re- quire minimal care and can be easily treated at a primary physician’s office or even at a patient’s home.” The clinic expects to com-municate with primary phy-sicians for the on-going care of these chronic wounds and admits that “for a patient to come in time after time for re-bandaging just isn’t a good use of our re- sources if the clinic is to stay open.” The team confronted the problem of high-cost real estate at the Abbott North- western hospital by relocating the clinic to a building direct- ly across the street from the main hospital, at 2800 Chi- cago Avenue. As a tenant of
Transcript
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1April 10, 2001
InsideMirrors: A poem on life afterstroke — p. 6
LegislativeUpdate
— Page 3
Volume 12, Number 4 SOURCES RESOURCES April 10, 2001
Wound Clinic To Reopenby Nathan Halvorson
Clinic - cont. on p. 9
“To the press alone, chequered as it iswith abuses, the world is indebted for allthe triumphs which have been gained byreason and humanity over error andoppression...” Thomas Jefferson
UNLIMITED MR/RC WAIVERS AVAILABLEWINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY SHORTby Jeff Nygaard
Waivers - cont. on p. 8
The Minnesota Depart-ment of Human Services
(DHS) announced on March23rd that they will allow allMinnesota counties to offeran “unlimited number of MR/RC waiver allocations” fromnow until June 30th, 2001 tofamilies and consumers whoare on the waiting list forservices.
In their alert to members, ArcMinnesota called the offer a“tremendous opportunity” forpeople with mental retarda-tion and related conditions(MR/RC) and advised advo-cates and parents to “jump onthis once-in-a-lifetime op-portunity.” In order to takeadvantage of this opportu-nity, individuals must contacttheir county worker by May1st to set the process in mo-tion. For the final allocationsto be approved, individualsmust be screened and “inservice” by June 30th, 2001.
“In service” means thatpersons must be receivingcase management with atleast one other service. Ap-proved waiver services arenumerous, and may includesuch things as: respite care;personal care assistance-choice; day training and ha-bilitation; home modifica-tions; consumer directed com-munity supports; environ-mental modifications; hous-ing access coordination;assistive technology; caregiver training and education;caregiver living expenses;supported employment,or;supported living services.
Advocates stress that eligiblecitizens will not need to“have it all together” by June30th, but simply must have acase manager and one of theother services in place. Inother words, it will be pos-sible for people to start withone waivered service andthen add others after June 30th
as staff become available or
needs change. In addition,DHS has assured countiesthat adequate funds will beavailable to implement what-ever service plans are ulti-mately put in place by con-sumers and county caseworkers.
This short “window” of op-portunity offered by DHS isdesigned to help those 4,400Minnesotans who continue towait for waivered services.Some counties are pro-actively reaching out topeople on the waiting list tolet them know that they needto re-establish contact imme-diately in order to get “in thesystem.” Hennepin County,for example, will offer 45different informational ses-sions in the month of Aprilalone. However, the shorttime-frame puts a lot of pres-sure on county workers, andwill likely result in somesystems responding slowlyor incompletely.
For this reason, Arc Minne-sota stresses that you shouldtake the initiative and notwait for your county to con-tact you. If you are in need ofwaivered services, Arc urgesyou to call your County casemanager immediately andrequest one of these newwaiver slots. If your casemanager has not heard of thisopportunity, Arc suggeststhat you ask him/her to callthe DHS Regional SupportSpecialist. (See list on page9.) If you continue to haveproblems, call your local Arcchapter or Arc MN. (ArcMN can be reached at 1-800-582-5256). Rememberyou only have until May 1st toget this arranged and youmust have one service inplace by June 30th.
Stunned and OverjoyedNews of the DHS announce-ment flew through the com-munity with great speed.
Paul Fleissner, Director ofAdult and Family Servicesfor Olmsted County, reportsthat “people were just stun-ned, overjoyed” upon hear-ing the news. In the days fol-lowing the announcement,this reporter heard the newsdescribed as “unbelievable”and “almost too good to betrue.”
Reactions to the responsewere no doubt enhanced bythe memory of the recentscare brought on by theGovernor’s budget proposalfor the next biennium. Asreported in the February 10th
ACCESS PRESS, that pro-posal was to take $44 millionin unspent funds and foldthem back into the state’sgeneral revenues, thus mak-ing them unavailable for thewaiver program.
While there are significantsums of money that havebeen allocated under the1999 law that remain un-spent, advocates and countyworkers are well aware thatthese unspent funds are notthe result of a decrease in thedemand for these services.The continued existence of awaiting list confirms this.Rather, the surplus resultsfrom a set of problems inmatching the needs withappropriate providers, chiefamong them the critical lackof workers who providehome care services.
The unlimited waiver an-nouncement by the DHS isintended to assure that al-ready-allocated waiver fundswill be kept in the systemwhile individuals attempt tocreate service plans that areachievable and that work bestfor them. Legislation hasbeen introduced to assurethat, in the future, funds thathave been allocated for thepurpose of reducing thewaiting list must be spent for
After a three-month reas- sesment process, Abbott
Northwestern Hospital hasdecided to reopen the WoundClinic which they had closedDecember 31st, 2000. TheWound Clinic, housed in theMinimally Invasive CareCenter (MICC), plans toreopen on June 1, 2001, atwhich time patients withcomplex, chronic, or non-healing wounds may returnand receive care.
As reported in the January10th ACCESS PRESS, thefinancial struggles that causedthe clinic’s closing wererooted in four major areaswhich had to be addressedbefore the clinic could operateon stable terms: an incon-sistent standard model forcare; no database to trackclient’s wound history andcare history; poor reim-bursement levels, and thehigh-cost of real estate.
Since the closing of the clinicwas announced in December,a restructuring group hasbeen working to develop aplan to address all of theseissues. ACCESS PRESS wasinformed in mid-March thatthe group has come up with asatisfactory plan, leadingAbbott Northwestern toannounce that the woundclinic would re-open.Members of the program
development group includedWound Clinicians JanChevrette and Jennifer Todd,Wound Clinic Doctors PeterAlden and Eric Irwin,Director Pat Boeckman(formerly Hartwig), andAbbott Northwestern officecoordinator Linda Ruiz.
The clinic will reopen withnew systems and guidelinesin place to standardize meth-ods of care for patients andwill also include clear meth-ods for tracking a person’sprogress while receiving careat the clinic.
These changes will reduceconfusion and stress for pa-tients and clinicians. Theywill also improve the clinic’sability to accurately file reim-bursement claims, anotherchange necessary for theclinic’s survival. Walt Kune,Director of Ambulatory Ser-vices for Abbott Northwest-ern Hospital, said “clinicianswill now be able to file exactdocumentation that assuresproper reimbursement forservices from both Medicareand private insurers.”
Clinician Jennifer Toddpointed to another improve-ment in the clinic’s reimburse-ment system. Due to certainchanges outside of the clinic,Todd says “we can bill forsome things now that we
weren’t able to before, likethe actual application of aunnaboot. Before the clinicclosed, we could only bill aninsurer for the supplies, butnow we can bill for the actualprocedure.” Educating a pa-tient about their wound isanother service “that will benewly reimbursable when theclinic reopens,” says clinicianJan Chevrette.
For financial reasons, theclinic has decided to cutsome services which pre-viously garnered low reim-bursement rates from insurers.Kune notes that services likebandaging, for example, “re-quire minimal care and canbe easily treated at a primaryphysician’s office or even at apatient’s home.” The clinicexpects to com-municate withprimary phy-sicians for theon-going care of these chronicwounds and admits that “for apatient to come in time aftertime for re-bandaging justisn’t a good use of our re-sources if the clinic is to stayopen.”
The team confronted theproblem of high-cost realestate at the Abbott North-western hospital by relocatingthe clinic to a building direct-ly across the street from themain hospital, at 2800 Chi-cago Avenue. As a tenant of
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April 10, 2001 2
CharlieSmithEditor
MSCOD
NEED HELP WITH:• Employment? • Housing?• Health Issues? • Education?• Transportation? • Access?
Contact
The Minnesota State Councilon Disability
Your Source for information,referral, training and technical assistance.
ACCESS PRESSCo-Founder/Publisher (1990-1996) .................................................................... Wm. A. Smith, Jr.Co-Founder/Publisher/Editor-in-Chief ................................................................ Charles F. SmithInterim Managing Editor ............................................................................................. Jeff NygaardCartoonist ....................................................................................................................... Scott AdamsProduction ............................................................................ Presentation Images, Ellen HoughtonEditorial Assistant ............................................................................................... Nathan HalvorsonAdvertising Sales Manager ........................................................................................ Tim Benjamin
ACCESS PRESS is a monthly tabloid newspaper published for persons with disabilities by AccessPress, Ltd. Circulation is 11,000, distributed the 10th of each month through more than 200 locationsstatewide. Approximately 650 copies are mailed directly to political, business, institutional and civicleaders. Subscriptions are available for $15/yr.
Editorial submissions and news releases on topics of interest to persons with disabilities, or personsserving those with disabilities, are welcomed.
Paid advertising is available at rates ranging from $14 to $18/column inch, depending on size andfrequency. Classified ads are $8.00, plus 35 cents/word over 20 words.
Advertising and editorial deadlines are the 30th of the month preceding publication; special schedulingavailable for camera-ready art.
ACCESS PRESS is available on tape. Call MN State Services for the Blind, 651-642-0500 or 800-652-9000.
Inquiries should be directed to: ACCESS PRESS • 1821 University Ave. W. • Suite 185N • St. Paul,Minnesota 55104 • (651) 644-2133 • Fax (651) 644-2136 • E-mail: [email protected].
As the April issue goes topress, I am still undergoingtreatment for the cancer Ihave been fighting now forthe past five months. One ofthe insidious side effects ofchemotherapy and radiationtherapy is fatigue. This is theissue that is the most difficultfor me.
I’m still getting a lot of great
energy from the disabilitycommunity who are callingand writing the office to checkon my status. Unfortunately, Icannot muster the energy tocall many of you back, and Iapologize for that.
Once again I have asked JeffNygaard to write the editor’scolumn for me. He is in closertouch with the advocates than
I have been recently.
Your calls and cards do meana lot to me. So think posi-tively – your energy is beingreceived!
Charlie
***
On page 1 is the bombshellannouncement by the DHSthat they will provide unlim-ited waivers to allow peopleto get off the waiting list forMR/RC community services .This is great news! If youdon’t need waivered servicesyourself, tell everyone youknow who has a child or adultwith developmental disabili-ties about this wonderful – butshort-term – opportunity.
It looks like there is a goodchance of a bill passing in thestate legislature that wouldmake these sorts of last-minute adjustments unneces-sary by guaranteeing thatmoney which is allocated forservices gets spent on ser-vices. See page 3. Advocatesare lobbying for this law. Ihope we will be able to reporton its passage in these pagesbefore long.
***
Pete Feigal’s column thismonth points out that peoplewith disabilities are more thantheir diagnoses. If anyonewants a beautiful and inspir-ing reminder of just how truethat is, I encourage you to goto the annual Sister Kenny
International Art Show byPeople with Disabilities,which opens April 19th. Asthe headline of NathanHalvorson’s article on page 6says, this show highlightsabilities rather than disabili-ties. Don’t miss it!
***
It’s too bad that AbbottNorthwestern wasn’t able toresolve the problems withtheir wound clinic withoutclosing the clinic for fivemonths and causing unneededdisruption in the care of itspatients. However, as ourstory on page 1 points out, theclinic will soon be open again,and that is good news for allthe patients who have used itsservices.
***As you will see in the articlebelow, Access Press hasreceived its second $10,000grant from the MedtronicFoundation. It couldn’tcome at a better time, asCharlie has put into placeseveral projects that willhelp the paper grow andexpand its ability to serve thecommunity even more effec-tively than it has for the pastalmost 11 years. Anotherreason that the Medtronicgrant is so timely is that thepaper faces some extraexpenses as we attempt to fillin for Charlie during hisillness. A big Thank You toMedtronic!
State Program ProvidesTelephone Assistance
Program (EDP).
Minnesotans eligible for theprogram, which has been inplace since 1988, can get theirequipment through seven re-gional service centers. Thecenters provide a variety ofequipment including amplified
telephones, hands-free speak-erphones, loud ringers, flash-ing and tactile signalers, de-vices for people who are deafand blind, and telecommuni-cations devices for the deaf, orTTYs — keyboard devices thatsend and receive typed tele-phone messages. EDP staffdetermine the appropriate de-vices, provide training inhookup and use, and arrangefor equipment repair.
EDP is administered by theDepartment of Human Ser-vices, Deaf and Hard of Hear-ing Services Division andfunded by a surcharge on alllocal telephone bills. In addi-tion to meeting the functionaleligibility guidelines men-tioned above, applicants alsomust already have telephoneservice (or have applied forservice) and meet incomeguidelines.
Information about EDP isavailable by calling (800) 657-8663 (voice) or 1-800-657-3513 (TTY). The regional ser-vice centers are in St. Paul,Duluth, Bemidji, St. Peter,Rochester, St. Cloud andFergus Falls.
Minnesotans who have ahearing, speech, or
mobility impairment that af-fects their ability to use thetelephone can get a variety ofassistive equipment at nocharge through a specialstate program known as theEquipment Distr ibution
ACCESS PRESS ReceivesMedtronic Grant
ACCESS PRESS readersoften learn of the accom-
plishments and successes ofdisability organizations inthese pages. This month, wehave some exciting news ofour own to report. In March,ACCESS PRESS received agenerous gift from TheMedtronic Foundation.
The $10,000 grant comes at acritical time for the paper.Having just celebrated our ten-year anniversary last year, thepaper is in a strong position toexpand. This year’s plans in-clude increasing circulationand expanding the number ofdrop sites in the Twin Citiesarea. To broaden our base offinancial support, we welcomeTim Benjamin to the crew thisyear, and he is doing an excel-lent job getting the advertisingaccounts in order and promot-ing the paper to new organiza-tions and companies.
Another result of receiving the
grant funds is ACCESSPRESS will have a consistentnational presence. Yes, be-fore long we will be going on-line. Putting the paper on theweb will also make it acces-sible to more people with dis-abilities, and will provide amuch easier route for research-ing topics. As one of onlytwelve such papers in the coun-try, ACCESS PRESS plays animportant role in document-ing the history and continuingwork of people with disabili-ties to win full access.
As we expand our size and ourreach, we anticipate the paperwill need to upgrade some ofits internal systems as well,from bookkeeping systems tohardware to data managementsystems to communications.Some of these upgrades arealready underway, and the ad-ditional funds from this grantwill allow us to purchase theequipment and take the timenecessary to have the systems
in place to move ACCESSPRESS to the next level.
At the same time, the paper isin a difficult transition becauseof the serious illness of founderand editor, Charlie Smith. TheMedtronic Foundation grantis extremely important to main-taining the paper. The granthelps support the part timemanaging editor position heldby Jeff Nygaard and providesfunds for freelance writing andinvestigative reporting.
ACCESS PRESS received aninitial grant from The Med-tronic Foundation in 1999, andwe are excited they have cho-sen to renew that support. Weare committed to insuring thatACCESS PRESS continues asa strong voice of the disabilitycommunity.
Thanks to The MedtronicFoundation!
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3April 10, 2001
IN BRIEF . . . .Charlotte Church Headlines Benefit
Twin Cities Home Tour More Accessible
HOUSING AND PERSONAL CARE SERVICES
Accessible Space, Inc. (ASI) offers subsidized one and two bedroomapartments for individuals with physical disabilities. We have housingin the Twin Cities metropolitan area, St. Cloud, Brainerd, GrandRapids, Hibbing, Austin, Marshall, Willmar, and Duluth.
The apartments are fully wheelchair accessible and each building hasa central laundry room, large community room, secured entry and anon-site caretaker.
ASI also offers shared personal care services 24 hours a day, at mostlocations, for adults with a physical disability and/or traumatic braininjury who qualify for Medical Assistance.
For more information call (651) 645-7271 or (800) 466-7722. Forservices or housing call Lisa, for employment as a personal care attendantcall Al or Angie.
Accessible Space, Inc.
ACCESS IS FREEDOM!National Handicap Housing Institute, Inc.
Affordable/Accessible HousingFor
Mobility Impaired PhysicallyDisabled Adults
Community Enrichment Through Housing Diversity
CALL 651-639-9799
Charlotte Church, 14 year-old international singing sen-sation, will present her firstMinnesota public performanceMay 5, headlining the annualPACER Center Benefit at theMpls Convention Center.
Church, from Wales, is theyoungest British performer to
This year’s Minneapolis andSaint Paul Home Tour willtake Twin Cities residents ona tour of more than 60 Min-neapolis and Saint Paul homeson Saturday, May 5, and Sun-day, May 6. The tour, a pop-ular spring event for thousandsof Twin Cities residents and
Editor’s Note: The followingreports were filed with AC-CESS PRESS by variousadvocates on April 3rd, as thisissue of ACCESS PRESS wasgoing into production. Sincethe legislature is still insession, exact details as to theprogress of specific bills (billnumbers, committee status,and so forth) may havechanged by the time you readthis.
Expansion of PrescriptionDrug Program
by Joel Ulland, NationalMultiple Sclerosis Society,
Minnesota ChapterIn the 2001 session, thedisability community contin-ues to work hard on theexpansion of the prescriptiondrug program. House File 13and Senate File 325 wouldmove up the eligibility dateand increase the incomeeligibility criteria for peoplewith disabilities.
As it stands now, people withdisabilities will not be eligibleto participate in the programuntil July 1, 2002. That eligi-bility date is not soon enough;therefore, advocates are work-ing to move the effective dateup to July 1, 2001.
Advocates are also working toincrease the income eligibilitycriteria for people with dis-abilities. Under the currentprescription drug program,only people with disabilitieswhose income is 100% of theFederal Poverty Guideline(about $700) a month or lesscan qualify. These strict in-come guidelines exclude manypeople with disabilities be-cause many of these peopleare participating in the Medi-cal Assistance Program.
We are pleased to report someprogress so far with the billspassing out of committees inboth the House and Senate atan income level of 150% ofpoverty, or about $1075 permonth, with the effective datemoved up to January 1, 2002.Although the date was notthe July 1, 2001 we recom-
Legislative Updatemended, we are pleased at thebill’s progress.
Funding for this bill is a con-cern. Please write your legis-lators and ask them to supportthe income eligibility increasefor people with disabilities.
Work Incentives ProgramAt Risk
by Joel Ulland, NationalMultiple Sclerosis Society,
Minnesota ChapterThe Medical Assistance forEmployed Persons with Dis-abilities (MA-EPD) programis a program that allowspeople with disabilities towork and to keep theirMedical Assistance. Whenthe program began in 1999,500 people with disabilitieswere projected to take advan-tage of this program and findemployment. After only ayear and a half, approxi-mately 5,500 people withdisabilities have joined thework force.
The MA-EPD program is aproven success. However, theGovernor’s budget proposesdisturbing changes to theprogram. The Governor’sbudget eliminates the currentMA-EPD premium structureand replaces it with a morecomplicated premium struc-ture. The proposed changescould create a disincentive towork for people with disabili-ties. Advocates from thedisability community are seek-ing a fair premium structurethat recognizes the impor-tance of working.
Ask your Senator or Repre-sentative not to support theGovernor’s budget recom-mendations in House File1303 and Senate File 1310.
“Unlock theWaiting List” Bill
by Bob Brick, Arc MinnesotaThe bill to “Unlock the Wait-ing List” (HF 1064/SF 963)for people who have develop-mental disabilities passed outof the House Health andHuman Services Policy Com-mittee on March 15th and the
Health and Human ServicesFinance Committee on April2nd. (See related story on p. 1)
During the March 15th hear-ing, Committee members weremoved by the testimony ofSharla Scullen and GlenJohnson, two parents whohave children with develop-mental disabilities. Scullen,who lives in Anoka County,spoke of the need for countiesto offer Consumer DirectedCommunity Supports as partthe Developmental Disabili-ties Waiver program.
Without this option, manyfamilies who have waiveredservices continue to struggleto find support services due tothe staffing crisis faced byproviders. Currently only 11of the 87 Counties offer thisoption as part of the Waiverprogram.
Johnson, a resident of RamseyCounty, represented the 4,400families who continue to waitfor services. Johnson’s daugh-ter has been waiting for overten years for waivered ser-vices. He retired severalyears ago in order to stayhome and take care of hisadult daughter.
During the hearing, Repre-sentative Fran Bradley fromRochester offered an amend-ment that prevents the Fi-nance Department from re-ducing this program’s spend-ing forecasts in the future ifthere is a waiting list for theDevelopmental DisabilitiesWaiver program. This amend-ment won overwhelming ap-proval and is designed to getback an estimated $66 millionin the next two years that wasremoved from this account,due to less services being usedthan estimated.
The bill to Unlock the Wait-ing List makes the ConsumerSupport Grant program andConsumer Directed Commu-nity Supports option of theWaiver program available inall Counties; requires fundsthat are targeted for this initia-
have her work reach the top10 in U.S. recording charts.She performed at PresidentBush’s inauguration and hasappeared on numerous nation-al television programs, includ-ing “The Oprah Winfrey Show”and “The Tonight Show.”
PACER Benefit tickets,
ranging from $40-$500,include a silent and live auc-tion, in addition to Church’sperformance. A pre-Benefitgourmet dinner is availableunder a separate $75 ticket.For information, call PACERat (952) 838-9000. Proceedsfrom the event support theprograms of PACER Center.
remodeling enthusiasts, willbe more accessible this yearthan ever before.
The 2001 Home Tour will bethe first to include a rating foreach home that indicates theaccessibility of the home topeople with mobility impair-
ments. The Home Tour willalso have a sign-language in-terpreter who will be availableduring the tour weekend. Asalways, the 2001 Home TourGuide will be available inalternative formats. Pleasecall (612) 673-3978 or (612)673-2626 TTY for more info.
tive but aren’t forecasted to bespent, to be used for otherswho continue to wait forservices; and allows consum-ers to have choices of Casemanagers
The bill is expected to bescheduled soon for a hearingin the Senate Health Care andFamily Security Committee.
Public GuardianshipReform Bill Meets First
Deadlineby Bob Brick, Arc MinnesotaA bill to reform the State’spublic guardianship system(HF 1307/SF1245) has beenheard in both the House andSenate policy committees andbeen passed on to the appro-priate Finance Committees.
Arc Hennepin Carver Salutes VolunteersVolunteers comprise about75% of the workforce atValue Village Thrift Stores inRichfield, New Hope andBrooklyn Center. Sales rev-enue from these stores is amajor source of funding forthe programs and services ofArc Hennepin-Carver, whichserves people with mentalretardation and relateddevelopmental disabilities.
In observance of NationalVolunteer Recognition Monthin April, Arc Hennepin-
Carver and Value Village arepleased to honor the following23 individuals who gave 300or more hours of volunteerservice in these stores in theyear 2000: Doris Barrett, EvaBates, Evelyn Frahn, RamonaHawk, Gladys Jepson, LueJohnson, Sister Rita Kuhl,Ione LaViolette, Hertha Lutz,Sue Marks, Evelyn Mikolai,Margaret Nelson, Alice Os-terud, Linda Osterud, WendallPaulson, Betty Pechelunas,John Pechelunas, Vicki Per-ron, Marshall Rygh, Darlene
Arc Hennepin-Carver Execu-tive Director Kim Kepriossaid, “Volunteers are the heartof Arc, and we’re pleased tohonor these extraordinary in-dividuals. This month is awonderful opportunity for usto thank them and the hundredsof other volunteers who do somuch for Arc all throughoutthe year.”
Currently there are about3,800 public wards who havemental retardation or relatedconditions.
The guardians for these wardsare County employees, oftentheir case managers, whohave to juggle representingthe ward’s best interest againstexpectations of the Countythat may include controllingcosts. Arc and others rou-tinely hear from Counties andcase managers about theconflict of interest that existsin these situations.
The bill would allow theCommissioner of Human Ser-vices to contract with privateguardianship providers to of-fer guardianship services.
These providers would not beable to offer other services tothe wards. The bill would alsofund a discharge process, inan effort to shift guardianshipduties to family members orothers who could becomeprivate guardians.
Other BillsPlease note that there also areor have been many other billsof concern to people withdisabilities before the legisla-ture, on such issues asinsurance, program eligibilitystandards, training, fundingfor advocacy and education,housing, patient protection,and many others. AccessPress will report on these asthey develop.
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April 10, 2001 4
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The Disabled StudentCultural Center,
Disability Services,and the Weisman Art Museum
are proud to present
Reframing Disability:“A Film Festival Celebrating
Disability Culture”
Where: Weisman Art Museum,University of Minnesota, 333 East River Road
When: Friday, May 18, from 7-930 P.M.
Come join us for an evening filled withevocative films, lively discussion,
and community!
Refreshments will be provided.This event is free and open to the public.
For more information, or to requestdisability accommodationscall (612)624-2602 voice,or (612)626-1333 TTY.
During the twentieth cen-tury – since the writings
of Freud transformed thelandscape of human thoughtabout our inner selves – wehave learned to use thelanguage of psychology tocategorize ourselves. It’shard for us to say, “I am thelight of the world.” Most of usare more likely to confess, “I
am a consumer, a manic-depressive, a co-dependent;and adult child of familydysfunction, an abuse survi-vor, an addict.” While thesenames may be accurate insome particular way – forexample, in tracing the legacyof early trauma or chemicalimbalances – they are limitingand inadequate in the largest
sense. They cannot describeour true and deepest natures.This sense of self, who wethink we are, this sense of “I,”is one of the most obviousfacts of existence, and at thesame time is one of the mostelusive. What we call our“self” is elastic, it shifts andmoves. The “who” that weare depends upon the way we
see ourselves and our world.If we believe we are bad, thenwe will act like a criminal. Ifwe think we are fragile andbroken, we will live a fragile,broken life. If we believe weare strong and wise, we willlive with enthusiasm andcourage. The way we nameourselves colors the way welive, who we are in our eyes.
So we must be careful howwe name ourselves. NativeAmericans took their namesfrom the sky and mountains,or from the power characteris-tics of animals, so wheneverthey were frightened, lost orconfused, they could centerthemselves by calling on theirown name, remember whothey are, their strength, theirwisdom.
Today, many of us live ourlives bearing our diagnoses,wearing them like shields orpsychological coats of arms.These names don’t move;they are cold and solid, like anepitaph. Beneath the stories,beneath the diagnoses, we areall children of spirit, beingsfully equipped with innervoices of strength and wis-dom, intimations of grace andlight. But our clinical diag-noses prevent us from believ-ing in our own wisdom. Theysuffocate our unfolding andlimit the breadth of ourspiritual evolution.
Psychology is not alone inlooking at us with limited
eyes, seeing only a small partof who we are. Neurologistssee us in terms of chemicaland electronic impulses; bi-ologists focus on structureand the evolutionary pro-cesses that shaped us; politi-cians count us as voters;economists look at us as pro-ducers and consumers. Andwe are all of these, but eachmodel is limited in its capac-ity to accurately render ouressential identity.
The language of psychologi-cal diagnosis may be ulti-mately incapable of circum-scribing our fundamental,spiritual nature. For this wehave to look deeper, to wherewords don’t come easily. Towhere essential truths areuncovered more easily withpoetry and prayer, with quiet,with music and dance, withthe embracing of things be-loved.
One of the greatest frustra-tions of professionals is that inorder to keep their funding, tokeep their jobs, they arerequired by clinics and insur-ance companies to give everyperson a concrete diagnosis.Without a neurotic or patho-logical name, people are in-eligible for help. Thus weunintentionally perpetuate thepractice of naming ourselvesthrough our illnesses. Thisprocess of diagnosis – namingourselves only through whatis broken or defective – canfracture our sense of self. It
maligns the resilience of thehuman spirit, ignoring anypossibility of grace that maylie embedded within oursorrow. It creates the illusion,the lie, that because we sufferwe are broken, defective,handicapped beings.
And if we feel ashamed ofwho we are, we will pretend tobe someone else. We strive tolook like someone more de-sirable, someone with a bettershape, a prettier face, a deepermind, someone who is a per-fect specimen. In the processof trying to satisfy thesedemands, to become someoneelse, we do enormous harm toour natural self. When westruggle to create a new per-sona that is less offensive andmore pleasing, to act the waythey want us to be just so wecan feel safe each day, yearafter year, in time we begin toforget who we are.
Jesus said, “you are the lightof the world.” He didn’t say,“you are the light of the worldif you grew up in a loving,supportive, two-parent bio-logical family and had nosorrow, sickness, abuse, orgrief.” Regardless of theshape of the abuse or illness ordisability or joy or love wehave been given, there is aluminosity that is never extin-guished and is alive inside allof us at this instant, regardlessof the names or labels we havebeen branded with. We arethe light of the world.
Letters To The Editor . . .Dear Editor:I agree wholeheartedly withPete Feigal’s column “Life asit is” in your March 10th edi-tion. The legislator from South-western Minnesota is way offbase in his thinking.
My wife and I have befriendeda “special needs” young wom-an for 8 years now and the
friendship is unique in that itprovides a portion of her men-tal health care at a fraction ofthe cost of any new laws.
Weekly Wednesday eveningphone visits she looks forwardto and with great anticipation.We discuss school buses fol-lowed by simple questionsabout how’s the job and fam-
ily. Life, as it is for her, isgood. She lives at home andrides Metro Transit downtownto her job.
Maybe the legislator shouldhimself “grow up” and smellthe friendship possibilities.Our friendship with this “spe-cial” woman has not only en-
Letters - cont. on p. 8
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5April 10, 2001
Religion and Disability
Spirituality, Hospice AndPersons With Disablilitesby John Schatzlein
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During this Lenten seasonwe think a lot about the
issue of life after death.Thinking of the end of one’slife is oftentimes very difficultand is avoided by many. Forthose of us who may have thecapacities to prepare, it is stilldifficult.
The Lenten/Easter seasonbefore us gives us hope and areminder that life – spirituallife – goes on and that in theChristian world this extendedlife is one without pain,without prejudice, and with-out functional limitation. Lifeafter death is not to be feared,but rather is to be rejoiced in.
How do we help all of ourfamily members, friends, orthe people we serve becomeprepared for this journey?How do we better prepareourselves for the task ofsupporting others with dis-abilities to understand theending stages of their – or our– lives? If we, who are able tocognitively look at this issue,have difficulty, what aboutindividuals who are less ableto process issues of healthdeterioration, lack of family,or support systems?
I am reminded of these issuesduring this Lenten seasonbecause we have been receiv-ing calls about hospice andhow the principles of hospicecan be applied to personsliving in group homes. Fam-ily members and concernedmembers of residential carestaff have been frustrated bythe lack of sensitivity to thespiritual needs of people withdisabilities and by the lack ofsupport for education on howhospice practices can betterbe made available to all,
especially to individuals liv-ing in community-based grouphomes.
Perhaps it is pretty under-standable that these callswould come into our officeduring this time of the year.Perhaps the aging of ourdevelopmentally-limited in-dividuals living in group-home environments, as wellas the aging of our overallpopulation, is becoming moreevident. Whatever the rea-son, the need for educationabout the relationship be-tween hospice principles andspirituality has surfaced andneeds further exploration.
Some in the hospice fieldsuggest that perhaps part ofthe lack of education andpreparation is due to our owndiscomfort with our thoughtsabout our own mortality. Ifthis is true, we are certainlydoing a disservice to our
clients, their families and,really, to ourselves. Asdifficult as this topic is, wehave the responsibility tobecome better informed andto assist those we work or livewith to have the most support-ive living environment pos-sible during this final stage oftheir lives.
Spirituality and a faith com-munity have been parts of thelives of many individuals withdisabilities. As we growolder, or as we see more of ourfamily, friends, or housematespass on, we cannot help butthink more about life’s end. Ifwe are lucky, we can see thispassing as the next step of ourspiritual journey. Support,awareness, and caring willallow us to help those aroundus to be better prepared tomove on in their life’sjourney. This, in turn, willhelp us move on in our own.
My disabled son has reachedhis teenage years and is get-ting too big for me to transferhim from a wheelchair to thetoilet. The OT told us we’llhave to start using a hoist fromthe bed each time. To be per-fectly honest, the sight of thehoist gave me the shivers andI hate the thought of swinginghim along with his bottomhanging out. I know the prob-lem is probably mine, but thelack of dignity made me wantto cry. Any help or advice youcan give me would be bril-liant.
Thanks, Mom
Dear Mom,
It’s wonderful that you are giv-ing your son’s feelings a lot ofthought in this matter. I’m surethis strange contraption is es-pecially difficult for a teen whois naturally very self consciousabout wanting to “fit in” andbe like everyone else.
I remember when the sight of abunch of wheelchairs in amedical supply store made meshiver! I just wasn’t used towheelchairs at the time and allthe associations I had withthem were “cold” (i.e. hospi-tal, nursing home, institution,etc). Of course nowadayswheelchairs are a normal andnatural part of life for me andI no longer have my negativeassociations. I think we all gothrough an accustoming pro-cess with any new piece ofmedical equipment or devicebefore we become comfort-able having it around.
I don’t think you are the onlyone who would hate thethought of being swung alongwith your bare bottom hang-ing out. Some of the necessaryaspects of disabled life can bedifficult to accept, especiallywhen they seem so far out ofthe “norm” of what people areusually asked to put up with. Ithink the first part of helpingyour son have a healthy atti-
tude about the hoist lift is toaffirm that it is a strange con-traption that would be uncom-fortable for anyone. This willhelp him see that he doesn’thave to hide his feelings fromyou, that you understand him,and that his feelings about thelift are not different than any-one else’s might be. At thesame time, it’s important thatyou keep the situation lightand not get bogged down oroverly serious about your com-bined discomfort. Humor is agreat way to lesson the seri-ousness of an uncomfortablecircumstance and make it morebearable. Of course, I don’tmean you should humor yourson, as in belittle his feelingsor make fun of him, but just tomake light of the whole situa-tion. For example, people usehumor all the time to help copewith uncomfortable medicalprocedures (i.e. gynecology,prostate checks,mammograms). It sounds likethis lift is something your sonmay need to use for quite awhile, so it’s good to start offhaving his experiences withthe hoist as positive and fun aspossible.
Further, I think it’s importantto examine our definition andstandards of dignity. Dignitymeans the quality or state ofbeing worthy of esteem or re-spect; true worth. I think weforget that dignity comes fromdeep within us and is an un-shakable state of being com-fortable and at peace with whowe are. Our society is so full offalse ideals and materialisticvalues that very few of us havea solid sense of personal dig-nity. Does being swung alongwith your bottom hanging outaffect your true worth? Does itaffect your ability to be wor-thy of esteem or respect? Ob-viously not. Yet, almost any-one would find the experience(at least until they became ac-customed to it) somewhat de-grading. Often when we feeldegraded what is really hap-pening is that a superficial situ-ation is bringing to the surfacedeeper feelings of shame andinsecurity around our sense of
personal dignity.
By affirming your son’s dis-comfort with the situation yetmaking light fun of it, you canuse this difficult opportunityto foster a truer sense of dig-nity in your son. You can helphim see that these “little things”are not important and do notdefine his worth. In this way,you can lead him toward adeeper and more solid under-standing of dignity that willstay with him for life.
— Nicole
Dear Nicole,
Thanks for a good, unbiasedanswer on alternative health(Dec 2000 issue). I have beenhelped significantly though theuse of alternative medicine,while conventional medicinecaused me many health prob-lems. Here are some ideas forfree or low-cost alternativemedicine options: Free Qigonghealings on Monday andThursday evenings from twohealers at Turtle Island/ThreeRivers Crossings Clinic (651-291-7772). Lake Harriet Com-munity Church (44th andUpton Ave S, Mpls — NOTwheelchair accessible) offersfree Reiki healings 7-9pm onWednesday evenings. Forsliding fee options and re-ferrals to good alternativeproviders, try the Minne-sota Natural Health Coali-tion (612-721-3305) or DAMSInc. (1-800-316-6265).
Sincerely, Member of Chemi-cal Injury Resource Associa-tion of Minnesota
Nicole’s additional resource:Relying On Joy psychic ser-vices offers sliding-feehealings and readings www.relyingonjoy.com or 612-970-4048)
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April 10, 2001 6
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On February 11, 2000, I died. It was sudden, as death goes, thekind that is a straight shot in the head. No meandering for thisdeath – it meant real business. No refund, no question, nosecond chance. I have been told that some people, on the cuspof death, get to see a replay of their lives; the highs, the lows,the best, and the worst of their lives. The coulda’s, shoulda’s,and woulda’s of their lives. I found nothing like that. Like agreat mirror of the corridor of life crashed as caused by ashattering gong, the shattered shards of glass no longer wouldreflect my life ... just rushing blackness and stillness.
Yet in stillness there is noise, as noise in an echo of life evenwhen you are gone. Yes, I died on February 11, 2000, but in thatdeath another life came forward. That great glass of life that hadbeen my past was gone, but even in blackness a sliver of glasscan catch light, quiver with it, bend with it, and flush the presentwith it. If a stroke had not quite had enough of you to finish thelight, then you or I or anyone can grasp that illumination, holdit tight, and find a new life.
Life, like a coin, can be heads or tails. If you are fortunateenough to catch heads, then head on with life. No one’s first lifecould have held only good things. If honest, we all would havechanged some things in our lives. A restless life stifled? A moremoral life? Those dreams that you never had the right time tofind? That person you never found? A stroke survivor has achance to live again. Perhaps not what we would have askedfor, but there it is, turn the key and step on the gas. Not everyonegets to look back in that rearview mirror, nibble that life youhad, gnaw on it, and question it. Look through the windshieldof life, find the road, and map your new life.
It waits for you.
Kim M. HunterJanuary 30, 2001
Editor’s Note: The above poem was written approximatelytwelve months after the author suffered a cerebral hemor-rhage.
MirrorsSister Kenny Art ShowHighlights Abilitiesby Nathan Halvorson
On Thursday, April 19 at5pm, Sister Kenny Re-
habilitation Services (SKRS),celebrates the opening of its39th Annual International ArtShow by Artists with Disabili-ties. Guests are invited to thisfree event, located at theAbbott Northwestern Hospi-tal in Minneapolis, for thechance to talk to the artists,view their collection of art,and even to take home thatcertain painting or sculpturethat just “says something.” 75percent of such purchaseshelp fund these artists tocontinue creationing. Alongwith the usual punch andcookies, a panel of profes-sional curators featuringRobyne Robinson of Channel9 will be on hand to giveawards for outstanding worksof art and for outstanding
efforts made by these artists.
The show is one of only ahandful of judged art shows inthe country for those with aphysical or mental impair-ment and, with over 300entries, it is also the biggestyet in 39 years sponsored bySKRS. The exhibit runs fromThursday, April 19 throughMay 16, 2001.
“The Art Show is a traditionof which we are very proud,”said Nancy Larkin, Directorof Operations for SKRS.“Sister Kenny’s mission is allabout helping individualsprogress towards their per-sonal best and our art show isan extension of that, high-lighting the abilities of thosewho experience physical ormental limitations.”
Reine Shiffman, ExecutiveDirector for SKRS, is equallyimpressed by the beautifulworks that artists bring to theart show: “It gives me a newappreciation for what peoplecan accomplish. It’s great tosee people connect with whatthey enjoy doing, and inspir-ing to be a part of it throughSister Kenny.”
It’s this connection that com-pelled artist Robin Hoye tocarve shapes on her pianobench and color the walls withcrayons as a child; and it’s thisfreedom (and that “It’s fun!!”as Robin says) that has kepther interest and career goingto now – years later and aparticipating artist in theSKRS show.
In discussing her art for theSKRS show (be onthe lookout forwolves), Robin’spassion for creat-ing is easily clear. “Idon’t copy pictures.Usually I study dif-ferent pictures un-til I get a feeling ofthat creature, untilI know that wolf.Then I create aninterpretation.” Shecontinues, “Youthink about how
much work it takes to makeone picture, then you thinkabout how much work it tookto create a wolf or the entireworld that you’re painting andit’s just kind of an awesomeexperience. I like that.”
While she lives with a visionimpairment, Hoye finds itgives her an advantage in art.“I have to get very close to thepaint and sometimes get painton my face, which is fun. And,while many artists have toback up across the room to geta perspective of their art, Ionly have to walk a few feetaway from what I’m workingon.”
The 39th Annual SKRS ArtShow serves the public with agallery of artists and an or-ganization that helps them, asShiffman notes, “continueaccomplishing what they doso well and what makes themhappy.”
To be added to the mailing listfor the opening night event orto receive further informa-tion, please call Kathy Schultzat (612) 863-4463, or write toher at Sister Kenny Rehabili-tation Services, 800 East 28th
Accessible PerformancesThe following performances will be Audio Described (AD) forpeople who are blind or have low vision, or interpreted inAmerican Sign Language (ASL) for people who are deaf orhard of hearing.
“The Tale of Fatima, the Spinner, and the Tent, with AmyBallestad & Anne Sawyer”* ASL Sat., April 14, 1pm - freeadmissionThe Fatima Project, Seward Tower East Commu-nity Room, (612) 376-7502; A shadow puppet show with livemusic portrays an adventure from the Turkish; OttomanEmpire. A young girl survives dangers on land and sea todiscover her own inner strength.
“Godspell”*AD/ASL Sunday, April 15, 2pm - AD: MariGriffin; ASL: TBA. Historic State Theatre, (612) 373-5650 or(612) 989-5151
"Momentum: New Dance Works”* ASL Sunday, April 15,8pm - Interpreter: Mary Holte. Alyce Finwall’s DanceCouncil and Dylan Skybrook, at the Southern Theater, (612)340-1725 runs April 13-15, $13-15 (discount to $6-8); AlyceFinwall will perform “Persephone,” Contemporary Ballet/Modern Dance; Dylan Skybrook will perform “1000 Ways,”multi-disciplinary dance/performance.
“The Flying Karamazov Brothers”*ASL/AD Wednesday,April 18, 7:00 - ASL: Stephen Medlicott, Linda Gill; AD: RickJacobson. Ordway McKnight Theatre, (651) 224-4222, TTY(651) 282-3100; A multimedia extravaganza filled with high-flying juggling feats, ingenious gizmos and witty one-liners.
Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre of New Zealand*ASLFriday, April 20, 10:00 a.m. – Interpreter: Amy Bursch.Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, St. John’s University, (320)363-5777
“Bleacher Bums” by Joe Montegna, Dennis Franz & theOrganic Theatre Co.* ASL/AD Friday, April 20 – show runsApril 20-28. Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre, (701)235-6778; Die-hard Chicago Cubs fans at Wrigley Field rootfor their team and take a seventh-inning stretch in a play withmature language and adult subject matter.
“Aida” by Elton John &Andrew Lloyd Webber*AD/ASL Sunday, April 22, 2:00 -AD: Mari Griffin; ASL:Laura Becker, Mark AllanEnglish State Theatre, (612)373-5650 or 989-5151
“Art”* ASL/AD Sunday,April 22 – show runs April19-29. Fargo-MoorheadCommunity Theatre, (701)235-6778 The long-standingfriendship among three men ischallenged when one buys acontroversial painting. Thisperformance will be “shad-owed” (each character isplayed by two actors simulta-neously, one who speaks andone who signs).
“Marvin’s Room”*ASL Thursday, April 26 – Anoka-Ramsey Community College Theatre, Performing Arts Center,(612) 422-3459
“Two Sisters and a Piano” by Nilo Cruz* AD Friday, April27, 8:00 - Audio Describer: Mari Griffin. Eye of the StormTheatre at Theatre Garage, (612) 728-5859; Cuba 1991. Twosisters, a writer and a pianist, live under house arrest. Is thehandsome lieutenant their benefactor or betrayer? Lover orcaptor? Lyrical and moving.
“Emperor Henry IV” by Luigi Pirandello*ASL Saturday,April 28, 8:00 - Make ASL reservation by March 30. U ofMinnesota Theatre at Rarig Center, (612) 624-2345; When aman wakens believing he’s an 11th century monarch, weexplore theabsolute elsewhere of history and the imagination,merging the past, presentand future.
“David’s Redhaired Death”* AD Friday, May 4, 8:00 -Describer, Rick Jacobson* ASL Saturday, May 5, 8:00 -Interpreters: Tracy Villinski, Kate Eifler. Outward SpiralTheatre Co. at Old Arizona, TicketWorks (612) 343-3390;runs 4/27 – 5/19; Two redheads meet, fall in love and havetheir euphoria shattered when one’s brother dies. Sensual,provocative, the play explores passion and grief, birth and loss.
“Los Rumbaleros - A Latino Musical” by Maya Lopez-Santamaria*AD Saturday, May 5, 8:00 – Audio Describer:Mari Griffin*ASL Thurs., May 10, 10:00 am; Sat., May 12,8:00 --Great American History Theatre, (651)292-4323; TheRangel sisters, musical darlings of the old West Side flats, beltoutpost-war mambos in this story of a Mexican-Americanfamily during the heydayof Latin music in St. Paul.
“School House Rock Live!”*AD/ASL Sunday, May 6, 2:00 -Youth Performance Co. at Howard Conn Fine Arts Center,(612) 623-9080; runs 4/27 – 5/13
“Ramona Quimby” by TheatreWorks USA*ASL Thursday,May 10, 11:00 a.m. – Interpreters: Amy Bursch & AnnePierce. Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, St. John’s University,(320) 363-5777
“Hamlet” by the Royal National Theater*ASL Friday, May11, 7:30 - Interpreters: Patty Gordon & Nancy Niggley*ADSaturday, May 12, 1:00 – Audio Describer: Mari Griffin.Guthrie Theater, (612) 377-2224, (800) 848-4912, TTY (612)377-6626
“In the Blood”*AD Sat., May 12, 1:00 (sensory tour 11:00) -Describer: Cynthia Hamre*ASL Fri., May 11, 7:30 -Interpreters: Lauri Krouse, Stephanie Meyer. Guthrie Lab,(612) 377-2224, (800) 848-4912, TTY (612) 377-6626
“Peter Pan” - musical based on the play by James M. Barrie*ASL Sat., May 12, 2:00 plus May 9 school shows –Interpreters: Ann Pierce, Amy Bursch. Central MinnesotaChildren’s Theater. at the Paramount Theatre (320) 259-5463;runs May 3-13.
“The Story of Doctor Dolittle” by Buffy Sedlachek, music byKevin Dutcher*ASL/AD Sun., May 13, 2:00, Thurs., May 17,12:30; AD: Mari Griffin; ASL: Nancy Niggley. StagesTheatre Co., (952) 979-1111
“Art” by Yasmina Reza* ASL Sunday, May 13, 2:00 -Interpreter: Gail Devereaux. Commonweal Theatre, (507)467-2525, (800) 657-7025; Three friends are thrown intoturmoil when one spends a huge sum of money on an all-whitepainting. The award-winning comedy explores the nature offriendship and art.
* Selected performances are eligible for Reduced AdmissionPrices through Access to Theatre. For more info contact VSAarts of Minnesota, [email protected], (612) 332-3888 orstatewide (800) 801-3883 (voice/TTY).
NOTICE OF HEARINGThe Department of Children, Families & Learn-ing intends to adopt amendments to rules gov-
erning special education, Minnesota Rules,Chapter 3525, after a public hearing:
Monday, April 23, 2001
2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Ramsey County Library2180 Hamline Avenue
Roseville, MN
The subject of the hearing will be the proposed rules governing special education. Theproposed rules include amendments to the eligibility criteria for cognitive impairment,other health impairment, and emotional and behavioral disorder; new rule languagegoverning IEP team responsibilities for evaluation, IEP development, and placement; newlanguage defining “cultural liaison”; and new language defining and governing theprovision of ESY services. The proposed language also includes the legislatively-man-dated repeal of part 3525.1100, subpart 2, item D, governing parent advisory councils; part3525.2550, subpart 1 and subpart 2, items A and B, governing conduct before assessment;part 3525.2750, governing educational assessment; part 3525.2900, subparts 1 and 3,governing IEP development and content; and part 3525.3300, item A and items C throughV governing contents of notice.
You may obtain a copy of the proposed rules or the Statement of Need and Reasonablenessfrom the agency’s Rulemaking website at http://cfl.state.mn.us/rulemaking/ or by contact-ing Kristin Asche at the Department of Children, Families & Learning, 651.582.8248 [email protected]. TTY users may call 651.582.8201.
You may submit written comments to Administrative Law Judge Steve Mihalchick, Officeof Administrative Hearings, 100 Washington Square, Suite 1700, Minneapolis, MN55401-2138; telephone: 612.349.2544; fax: 612.349.2665. Comments must be submittedbefore 4:30 p.m. on May 14, 2001.
METROPOLITAN CENTERfor INDEPENDENT LIVING
MCIL offers services for people with disabilities, their familiesand friends, service providers, and interested community members
in the 7-county metro area.
Information and Referral (Information hotline: 651-603-2039) AdvocacyIndependent Living Skills Training Individual Peer Support
Ramp Project Transition Program ADA InformationMeeting Rooms Computer Lab Resource Library
Support Groups ...Chemical Dependency with Physical DisabilityGLBT with Disability
Chemical Dependency with Traumatic Brain Injury
1600 UNIVERSITY AVE. W., SUITE 16, ST. PAUL, MN 55104-3825651-646-8342 VOICE 651-603-2001 TTY 651-603-2006 FAX
HTTP://WWW.MCIL-MN.ORG
If you are a consumer or aprovider and know health carecan and must be done better,we need to hear from you.
A REVOLUTIONARYAPPROACHFOR PEOPLE WITHDISABILITIES651-641-0887
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April 10, 2001 8
METROPOLITAN COUNCIL NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGON PROPOSED BUS FARE INCREASE
The Metropolitan Council this week approved a series of public hearings in April 2001, tohear comment on its proposal to increase regional bus fares effective July 1, 2001. Theincrease in base fares will be the first since December 1993, and is necessary to cover an $8million annual funding shortfall in transit operating costs in 2001 and 2002.
The base fare for most rides would increase by $.25 per ride. The new base fares are:• Off-peak local, up $.25 to $1.25 • Off-peak express, up $.25 to $1.75• Peak local, up $.25 to $1.75 • Peak express, up $.25 to $2.25
Some other modifications in transit service have also been proposed. A new 15-dayunlimited ride pass would replace the current 31-day unlimited ride pass. Also, an increaseddiscount of 20 percent off the normal full-fare price would be applied to off-peak localpasses. New 15-day passes for the other rate categories will be discounted 10 percent off thenormal full-fare price. Limited mobility, senior and fares for children aged 6-12 wouldremain unchanged at $.50 per ride. Metro Mobility off-peak rates would remain at $2.00, butpeak fares will increase to $3.00. Downtown zone off-peak fares would increase to $.50,equal to the current peak zone fare.
The proposed increases will help Metro Transit and suburban providers respond to highercosts due to inflation, fuel, labor and insurance, and more service routes since the last fareadjustment. The proposed changes have been made with these three goals in mind. 1)generate more revenue to offset increased costs; 2) maintain a simple fare structure; and 3)recognize equity issues among various transit riders.
All interested persons are encouraged to attend the hearing and offer comments. People mayregister in advance to speak by calling Kathryn Anderson, 651-602-1312 or 651-291-0904(TDD). Upon request, reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities will beprovided. Comments on the proposed fare changes will be accepted until 5 p.m. Monday,April 30, 2001.
The public hearings will be held at the following times and locations.•Tuesday, April 17, 11:30 a.m. - 1-30 p.m.Metropolitan Council Chambers, 230 East Fifth Street, St. Paul, MN
•Tuesday, April 17, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.Burnsville City Hall Chambers, 100 Civic Center Drive, Burnsville, MN
•Wednesday, April 18, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.Midtown YWCA, 2121 E. Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN
•Thursday, April 19,11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.Minneapolis Public Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN
In addition, comments can be conveyed to the Council as follows:•Written comments to: Kathryn Anderson, Office of Communications,Metropolitan Council, 230 E. 5th Street, St. Paul, MN 5 5 1, 01
•Fax comments to Kathryn Anderson: 651-602-1464•Record comments on Council’s Public Comment Line at 651-602-1500•Send TTY comments to. Kathryn Anderson at 612-291-0904•Email your comments to the Metropolitan Council: [email protected]•Post your comments to the Council’s online Smart Growth Forum:http://www.metrocouncil.org/forum/forum.asp
The Council is expected to act on the proposal at its meeting on May 30, 2001.
lightened her mental health, ithas done wonders for our own.
Respectfully yours,Steven R. Sarrazin
To Gov. Ventura:Nursing Homes Need FundsI am a young woman living ina nursing home – Trevilla ofRobbinsdale. I would like toinvite you to come here andsee what’s going on becausenursing homes are, for yourinformation, not just for theelderly! I heard you speak onMinnesota Public Radiorecently and I strongly dis-agree with your implicationthat nursing homes areexclusively for the elderly.
I had a stroke at the age of 24,due to sinus vein thrombosis.I am wheelchair-bound andneed consistent care. I amhighly educated: I was pur-suing a PhD in Germany whenI had my stroke! I hope youwill visit us here at Trevilla,keeping in mind that I votedfor you. We are facing severe
budget cuts here and we aretold it is due to lack of fundingthat could come from thestate!
I’ve been living here fornearly 2 years and consider itmy home. I’m happy here;they take me out at least oncea month to the movies, shop-ping, or to a restaurant. I takepart in art classes like ceramicsand leather workshop, whichis being eliminated. Ceramicsis very important to us, andparticipation has been reducedto a lottery basis. Sadly, manyof the instructors have beenlaid off.
Transportation, which is avery vital service to us, hasalso been drastically reduced.We enjoy weekly shoppingtrips to Target and the mall,and private rides are alsooffered. I’ve used the privateride feature, for example, togo back to Macalester College,my alma mater, to give a talkabout my graduate studies inChina. You say your salary is
low, Mr. Governor, but youshould see how little the goodpeople who work here make!I guess I’ll stop bending yourear now. I hope to meet yousoon.
Sincerely,Julia Fearing
Twin Lake for PsoriasisI am a senior citizen who willbe age 70 next year withsevere psoriasis. Uncared for,severe psoriasis can result indeath. Caring for my psoriasisinvolves about 25 hours aweek, just to keep it down.
Last summer, I learned howbrutally callous governmentscan be in lack of concern forthose of us with disabilities.
An important part of my battleto keep my body from be-coming a mass of bleedingflesh has been the clothing-optional beach at Twin Lakein Wirth Park (owned by theCity of Minneapolis andsupervised by the Min-neapolis Park Board) in
Golden Valley. This beachhas been traditionally de factoclothing-optional since the1800s. Being only 15 minutesfrom my residence, TwinLake has enabled me, as apsoriatic, to keep psoriasisfrom over-whelming me, bysimply subjecting myself towhole-body solar radiation.
My access to the neededsunlight was abruptly haltedlast summer when the GoldenValley Police raided thebeach, issuing tickets to thosesubjecting themselves towhole-body solar radiation. Iwas not there at the time, butas one who respects the law, Iwore my bathing suit there therest of the summer.
Right now, my body is prettymuch clear of psoriasis exceptwhere my bathing suit blockedthe solar radiation. There, Ihave re-developed the sores,many of which bleed, andwhich include lesions on mygenitals.
I visited law enforcement of-ficers in Golden Valley, whosuggested with a smile that Iwill need to keep my bathingsuit on. I phoned a high offi-cial in law enforcement whoslammed the receiver downon me. I talked privately toseveral members of the GoldenValley city council, some of
which seemed sym-patheticand suggested several avenuesI might pursue to achieve mygoal of access to the sun.
Right now, there are plans tobuild a road to the beach, butno plans to keep it clothing-optional. I would solicit thesupport of all those readingthis to allow legal clothing-optional access to those who,like me, find that whole-bodysolar radiation therapy makesa positive difference in thestate of their health.
Readers of this letter can helpby telling the followingpersons and organizationsyou support making TwinLake whole-body solar rad-iation access legal for healthpurposes: the MinneapolisPark Board at 612-370-4800and the Golden Valley CityCouncil at 763-593-8006.
I would note that Twin Lakehas been, to my knowledge,the only facility in the TwinCities, public or private, thatfacilitated exposure to whole-body solar radiation.
Personally, it has been veryimportant to me. Tanningbeds (which I use at this timeof the year) are much lesseffective than natural solarradiation in controlling pso-riasis. Drugs are expensive
and dangerous (I already mustspend $4,000 a year on drugswhich neither Medicare normy supplementary $3000-a -year insurance covers).
I would much appreciate thesupport of all officials in alllevels of government, clergy,law-enforcement officers, andthe residents of Golden Valleyfor my position.
Bruce F. Watson
LETTERS - Cont. from p. 4
that purpose.
DHS is advising counties tomake people who are al-ready on the waiting list apriority during this period.However, all individualswho are eligible may beoffered waiver resourcesthrough this one-time alloca-tion process. (See page 3.)
Steve Larson, director ofCommunity Supports forMinnesotans With Disabili-ties at the DHS, stresses that,while the waiver-applicationdoors will be wide open untilJune 30th, they will not closecompletely at that time. OnJuly 1, 2001, the traditionalallocation formula will againbe used.
WAIVERS- Cont. from p. 1
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9April 10, 2001
GET MOREOUT OF YOUR
MEDICARE. If you’re eligible for Medicare, UCare for Seniors can provide additional healthcare benefits designed to fit your needs and your budget. There are two different levelsof coverage to choose from. Both options provide generous benefits, including freeeye, hearing and physical exams, worldwide emergency and urgent care coverage andmore. For an affordable monthly plan premium, you receive100% coverage on many services that you might otherwisehave to pay for out of your own pocket. That’s one reasonwhy thousands of Minnesotans have chosen UCare forSeniors. Maybe you should, too.
Free Information Packet. Call 612-676-3500Toll Free 1-877-523-1518 Hearing Impaired 612-676-6810
UCare Minnesota is a Medicare+Choice organization with a Medicare contract. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium.You must use plan providers. Anyone eligible for Medicare living in the following UCare for Seniors service area may apply:
Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington, and select zip codes in Mille Lacs (55371, 56330,56363, 56313, 56353) and Wright (55328, 55390, 55349, 55363, 55373, 55358, 55313, 55376, 55341, 55301, 55362, 55380, 55320 )
CLINIC - Cont. from p. 1
Bob Kotten, SupervisorState of MN -DHS444 Lafayette RoadSt. Paul, MN 55155-3857(651) 582-1977(651) 582-1962 / [email protected]
Sandra L. FoyState of MN - DHS444 Lafayette RoadSt. Paul, MN 55155-3857(651) 634-2282(651) 582-1962 / [email protected](Serves Metro East: Dakota,Ramsey & Washington Coun-ties)
Jody Kougl-LindstromState of MN - DHS444 Lafayette RoadSt. Paul, MN 55155-3857(651) 634-2212(651) 582-1962 / [email protected](Serves Metro West: Henne-pin and Carver Counties)
Sharen LarsonState of MN - DHSPO Box 249
Department of Human Services
COMMUNITY SUPPORTS FORMINNESOTANS WITH DISABILITIES
Regional Resource Specialists • • • • • April 2001
Elk River, MN 55330(763) 441-7827(763) 441-7837 / [email protected](Serves South Metro andEast Central: Anoka, Chi-sago, Isanti, Kanabec, MilleLacs, Pine, Scott, and Sher-burne Counties)
Annette HassenstabState of MN - DHS26818 Jade AvenueWabasso, MN 56293(507) 342-2282(507) 342-2283 / [email protected](Serves Central and SouthCentral: Big Stone, Brown,Chippewa, Faribault, Kan-diyohi, Lac qui Parle, Mc-Leod, Martin, Meeker, Ren-vi11e, Swift, Watonwan,and Yellow Medicine Coun-ties)
before faxing)[email protected](Serves N. Central: Beltrami,Benton, Cass, Clearwater,Crow Wing, Hubbard, Mo-rrison, Stearns, Todd, Wa-dena, and Wright Counties)
Mary EngeState of MN - DHS3920 13th Ave. E., Suite 31AHibbing, MN 55746(218) 263-2941(218) 263-2940 / [email protected](Serves Northeast: Aitkin,Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Kooch-iching, Lake, Lake of theWoods, and St. Louis Coun-ties)
Deborah VerdiState of MN - DHS715 11th Street N., Suite 310Moorhead, MN 56560(218) 299-5933(218) 299-5847 / [email protected](Serves NW: Becker, Clay,Douglas, Grant, Kittson, Mah-nomen, Marshall, Norman,Otter Tail, Pennington, Polk,
Pope, Red Lake, Roseau,Stevens, Traverse, and WilkinCounties)
Dorothy ZimmermanState of MN - DHS109 5th Street, Suite 400Marshall, MN 56258(507) 537-6053(507) 537-7060 / [email protected](Serves SW: Cottonwood,Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Mur-ray, Nobles, Pipestone, Red-wood, and Rock)
this office building, the clinicwill drastically reduce theoverhead costs that came withits previous home in thehospital.
Patients who return to thewound clinic will benefit fromthis new location, as it ishoused next to a diabetesclinic. This site will facilitatecoordination of care betweenthe two clinics, which con-sistently care for similarpatient populations.
How have patients coped withthe three-month interim? AsChevrette says, “It was adifficult process for everyone.We did set patients up withtransition programs beforethe close and, as far as weknow, patients met with theirprimary physicians andeverybody did fine.”
She continues, “Even thoughthe process of closing theclinic was difficult, we wereable to commit 100% of ourtime to this process andtherefore were able to moveforward more quickly than weprobably would have if wehad only been working on itpart-time.”
With the new changes inplace, everybody involved in
the development project iseager for the clinic’s reopeningand hoping for long-termcontinuity. Kune hopes that“patients who had seen us andneed to come back again willsee that we still have a strong,very qualified program andwe’ll continue that standard inthe future. Senior managementdid not make this decisionlightly, and then made thedecision unanimously. Theyfelt confident with the plan toreopen the clinic. If we do ourjobs right on the business andclinical end, than we shouldbe able to sustain the programand make it a really valuableresource to the communitythat needs this care.”
Kune also commends thethorough work of the teamwho created this possibility“All of them really workedhard. People were veryimpressed with their caliberof work.”
Chevrette and Todd, both ofwhom will guide the clinicthrough its reopening, eagerlyanticipate caring for patientsagain at the clinic. “It hasgreat potential. We are goingto be very efficient and pro-vide excellent patient care.There will be no compromisesin that area.”
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April 10, 2001 10
www.mainlevelliving.comFor ALL your buying and selling needs.
Providing you with the servicesyou’ve come to expect & deserve!
PCL encourages all targeted group businesses (TGB’s) tosubmit bids for this project. We also expect that all biddingsubcontractors expend every good faith effort to achieve maxi-mum participation by TGB’s.
Plans are available for viewing at: Division of MaterialsManagement, Minneapolis Builders Exchange, St. Paul Build-ers Exchange, CMD, F.W. Dodge, N.A.M.C., and PCL’sBurns-ville Office.
PCL Construction Services, Inc.Attn: Trent Johnson
12200 Nicollet Ave. SouthBurnsville, MN 55337
952-982-9600FAX: 952-882-9900
An Equal Opportunity EmployerM/F/V/H
RECEPTIONIST—WILDERNESS INQUIRY
Join dynamic non-profit org.promoting social integration& environ awareness thru out-door adventure. Seekingfriendly person for front desk.Phones, greeting visitors, fill-ing info requests, mail, dataentry. Exc commun skills, expw/Mac, FileMaker Pro pref.Fun, high-tech wk envirnmt,exc bens. $22,000 - $28,000.Wilderness Inquiry, 80814th Ave SE, MPLS, MN55414; fax 612-676-9401;info@wilder nessinquiry.org.
MANAGER OF RECRUITMEAT, TRAINING & DIVERSITY
TPT/Twin Cities Public Television, has an immediate opening for a manager of recruitment,training & diversity in its human resource department to be a major player in our efforts toattract, retain, and develop our staff to meet the exciting challenges of public broadcasting. Thisposition will develop and implement recruiting, training, and diversity strategies orientated tostation values and goals. Qualified candidate will have a 4 year degree in human resources andcurrent professional certification or equivalent, and 4 - 6 years of HR management orprofessional experience. This is an exciting full-time opportunity with a competitive salary andbenefit package. Send resume, cover letter, and salary expectations by 04/30/01 to: Box388-1 KTCA 172 E. 4th St. St. Paul, MN 55101. EEO/AAP.
Operations & MaintenanceRECEPTIONIST/SECRETARY
The City of Minnetonka has a full-time employment opportu-nity available for a Receptionist/Secretary in the Operationsand Maintenance Department. Essential job functions includecustomer service on the phone and in person; processing datafor work management system; processing departmental ac-counts payable; departmental secretarial support; and othersecretarial duties as assigned.
Minimum job requirements: High school graduate, GED orequivalent, 2 years experience in previous customer serviceposition including multi-line telephone system, 2 years secre-tarial experience or related post secondary education. Type50-60 wpm proficiently.
Desired qualifications: Two years experience with municipalpublic works department; proficiency in Word, Excel, Accessand PowerPoint; and proficiency in operations of computer/telephone/office equipment.
Annual salary range: $27,347 to $30,386, with excellent fringebenefits.
A city application form must be submitted. To obtain anapplication, call the JobLine at (952) 939-8212 or www.ci.minnetonka.mn.us. Application deadline is April 27, 2001.
CITY OF MINNETONKA14600 MINNETONKA BLVD.
MINNETONKA, MN 55345
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
DEVELOPMENTASSOCIATE—
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
Join unusual, energetic non-profit org promoting social in-tegration & environ awarenessthru outdoor adventure. Seek-ing coordinator for CapitalCampaign/National Expan-sion. Wks/w Dev Dir to imple-ment campaign fundraising ac-tivities: develop/write grants;solicit new sources; plan &implement donor events na-tionally; develop strategic re-lationships w/related orgs. Excoral and written communica-tion skills & provenfundraising exp required.Some travel & eve events.$25,000 - $37,000. Wilder-ness Inquiry, 808 14th AveSE, MPLS, MN 55414;[email protected];fax 612-676-9401.
DATABASEDESIGNERWANTED
ACCESS PRESS needs aperson who is very familiarwith the Microsoft Accessdatabase program to design anew database for the paperand train us to use it. Thiswould be a short-term posi-tion, with pay to be negoti-ated. If you are qualified, orcan recommend someone whois, please call the paper at651-644-2133 and talk toJeff.
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11April 10, 2001
Access To EmploymentEMPLOYMENT ADS ARE $14 A COL. INCH; MARCH 30 IS THE DEADLINE FOR THEAPRIL 10 ISSUE. Mail to: ACCESS PRESS 1821 University Ave. • #185NSt. Paul, MN 55104 • Fax 651-644-2136 • E-mail: [email protected]
LegalCASE
ASSISTANT
Are you looking to gain expe-rience in the legal field? Thiscould be the perfect positionfor you! Faegre & Benson LLP,a leading downtown Mpls- lawfirm, has an opening for a caseassistant in our Litigation Sup-port Services department. Re-sponsibilities include: docu-ment coding, reproduction ofdocuments, number stamping,preparing materials for depo-sitions trials, along with work-ing on various special projects.Ideal candidates will have pre-vious clerical experience; ex-cellent communication skills;proficient computer skills;strong attention to detail and ateam-oriented, flexible workstyle. Faegre & Benson LLPoffers competitive wages andan excellent benefits package,including a discounted busprogram--Metropass. For ad-ditional information aboutFaegre & Benson, visit ourweb site at www.faegre.com.Please send resume and salaryhistory to Human Resources:
Person who enjoys workingwith numbers wanted to assistwith a variety of accountingtasks. Duties include purchas-ing and receiving of furnitureand supplies, maintaining in-ventory system of assets andfurniture, copying and filing,invoice verification, makingvarious office deliveriesthroughout building, and as-sisting with monthly billing.Must be detail-oriented with ahigh degree of accuracy, haveproficient 10-key and key-boarding skills, strong knowl-edge of MS Windows, Wordand Excel, Experience withLotus 1-2-3 a plus.
SRF Consulting Group, Inc. isa fast growing, locally owned,and well-established civil en-gineering, transportation andplanning firm. In addition tocompetitive pay and benefits,we offer a positive work envi-ronment and some flexibilityin hours. Send your resume toSRF Consulting Group, Inc.,One Carlson Pkwy. N., #150,Plymouth, MN 55447; fax to763-475-2429, or e-mail towww.srfconsulting.com; EOE.
ENGINEERINGTECHNICIANS
SRF Consulting Group, Inc., alocally owned, growing andwell-established transporta-tion, engineering and planningfirm, has openings for the fol-lowing CAD technicians:
Electrical DraftingTechnician
Microstation technician to per-form design and plan creationtasks. Projects will includeelectrical engineering plans,Intelligent Transportation Sys-tem (ITS) plans, traffic signalplans, and lighting systemplans. Requirements include atwo-year technical degree and1-3 years Microstation expe-rience. Experience withAutocad 2000 a plus.
Civil Drafting TechnicianTechnician to perform a vari-ety of design and drafting tasksfor highway/roadway projects.Requirements include atwo-year technical degree andknowledge of Microstationand/or Autocad.
In addition to varied and excit-ing work in a positive atmo-sphere, SRF offers competi-tive salary and benefits,401(k)/profit sharing, vacationand sick leave. Send your re-sume to SRF Consulting Group,Inc., One Carlson Pkwy. N.,#150, Plymouth, MN 55447; faxto 612-475-2429, or e-mail [email protected]; EOE.
SRF Consulting Group, Inc., agrowing and well-establishedtransportation and engineer-ing firm, seeks engineers inthe following areas:
SENIOR CIVIL ENGINEERCivil engineer to prepare anddesign highway/roadwayprojects. Requirements in-clude a BS in Civil Engineer-ing with 4+ years experienceand a PE. Project managementexperience preferred. Strongwritten and verbal skills a must.
TRANSPORTATIONENGINEER/ITS
Civil/electrical engineer towork in the planning, designand implementation of ITS sys-tems such as variable messagesigns, vehicle detection andcommunications. Must have aBS degree in electrical or civilengineering and 1-3 years re-lated experience.
SENIOR STRUCTURALENGINEER
Structural engineer to prepareand design construction plansfor bridges and parking struc-tures. The ideal candidate willhave a Bachelor of Civil Engi-neering with an emphasis onstructures and 4-10 years ex-perience. PE and project man-agement experience preferred
STRUCTURAL ENGINEERStructural engineer to assist inthe preparation of bridge, park-ing garage and other structuralplans. Requirements include aBS in Civil Engineering withan emphasis on structural en-gineering and 2-4 years expe-rience.
In addition to varied and excit-ing work in a positive atmo-sphere, SRF offers competi-tive salary and benefits, gen-erous 401(k)/profit sharing,vacation and sick leave. If youwould like to be a part of oneof ENR’s top 500 design firms,send your resume to SRF Con-sulting Group, Inc., OneCarlson Pkwy. N., #150, Ply-mouth, MN 55447; fax to612-475-2429, or e-mail [email protected]; EOE.
SRF Consulting Group, Inc., agrowing and well-establishedtransportation, engineering,planning and design firm, seeksengineers in the following ar-eas:
WATER RESOURCESEngineer to plan and designdrainage systems for munici-pal and highway planningprojects. The ideal candidatewill have a BS in Civil Engi-neering with an emphasis onhydrology and water re-sources. Good verbal and writ-ten communication skills re-quired.
TRAFFICEngineer to design traffic sig-nals and roadway lighting, andto perform operational analy-sis. Requirements include a BSin Civil Engineering with 3-6years related experience andstrong verbal/written commu-nication skills. PE and projectmanagement experience pre-ferred.
In addition to varied and excit-ing work in a positive atmo-sphere, SRF offers competi-tive salary and benefts, gener-ous 401 (k)/profit sharing, va-cation and sick leave. If youwould like to be a part of oneof ENR’s top 500 design firms,send your resume to SRF Con-sulting Group, Inc., OneCarlson Pkwy. N. #150, Ply-mouth, MN 55447; fax to 763-475-2429, or e-mail to [email protected]; EOE.
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOROF MARKETING
TPT/Twin Cities Public Tele-vision, has an immediate open-ing for an Associate Directorof Marketing to be a majorplayer in our marketing effortsto reflect TPT’s brand anddemonstrate our value and rel-evance in our community. Thisposition will develop market-ing, advertising, and publicrelations plans to strengthenTPT’s presence on and off theair. Qualified candidate willhave a 4 year degree in jour-nalism, marketing or commu-nications and 7-10 years expe-rience in an agency setting, orin a rnarketing/communica-tions department in a businessor organization successfullymanaging multiple projects,leading a team and proactivelybuilding comprehensive, mar-keting plans that provide mea-surable outcomes. Experiencein non-profit a plus, TPT im-proves our community andenriches people’s lives throughthe power of television andemerging media technologies.A competitive benefit and sal-ary plan is provided.Send resume, cover letter, andsalary expectations by 3/31/1to: Box 384-1 KTCA, 172 E. 4th
St. St. Paul, MN 55101EEO/AAP
AdministrativeEXECUTIVE ASSISTANTA leader in rehab & resourcecenter for people with disabili-ties has FT opening to provideadmin & secretarial supportfor the Exec. Director. Thisperson will also serve as re-cording secretary & liaison forthe board of directors & otherexec committees. Includesscheduling, planning meetings,taking minutes, preparing cor-respondence & related duties.Requires 5-8 yrs. exec adminsupport exp, A.A. degree insecretarial/office administra-tion, accurate typing 60 wpm,MS Office proficiency, strongcommunication, org, and in-terpersonal skills. Requiresability to make sound judge-ment in prioritizing 4 problemsolving work flow, ability tomulti-task and work profes-sionally, independently &make admin. decisions underdirection of CEO. Join an em-ployer of choice that positivelyimpacts the lives of many inour community - mail/faxcover letter, resume & salaryto: Stephanie Lee, H.R. Rep,Courage Center, 3915 GoldenValley Road, Golden valley,MN 55422. fax: 763-520-0866.EOE. We seek diversity
ADMINISTRATIVEASSISTANT
Great opportunity below!
Faegre & Benson LLP, a lead-ing Minnesota law firm, has anexciting opening for an Ad-ministrative Assistant. Thisposition will provide adminis-trative support to our LegalPersonnel department, whichhires the Firm lawyers andsummer associates. You willprepare general correspon-dence and documents, man-age our candidate database,assist with the performanceevaluation process, coordinateour new lawyer training pro-gram, compile interview pack-ets & orientation packages,along with a variety of otherduties.
Our ideal candidate will havea strong administrative back-ground with excellent organi-zational, computer & commu-nication skills. In addition, ourcandidate will be people, ser-vice & action-oriented andhave a proactive, flexible workstyle. Faegre & Benson LLPoffers competitive wages andan excellent benefits package,including a discounted busprogram—Metropass. For ad-ditional information aboutFaegre & Benson, visit ourweb site at www.faegre.com.Please send resume and salaryhistory to Human Resources:
FAEGRE & BENSONLLP
2200 Wells Fargo Center90 South Seventh StreetMinneapolis, MN 55402
Are you looking to workevenings (3:45 - 9:45 p.m,)?
Faegre & Denson LLP, a lead-ing Minnesota law firm, has anopening for an evening legaladministrative assistant in itsCorporate-Finance practicegroup. This position offers aninteresting and fast-paced op-portunity in a professionalwork environment. Ideal can-didates will have at least 3years legal secretarial experi-ence or strong administrativebackground; excellent organi-zational and communicationskills; proficient word process-ing skills; keyboarding at 60+wpm; and a team-oriented,flexible work style, Faegre &Benson LLP offers competi-tive wages and an excellentbenefits package, including adiscounted bus program--Metropass. For additional in-formation about Faegre &Benson, visit our web site atwww.faegre.com. Please sendresume and salary history toHuman Resources:
Various schedule available.Team plan, implement &evaluate project-based learn-ing active for elementary &/ormiddle schl students. Choiceof two different progs/worksettings. MN tching license &exper w/ diverse populationsrequired. Apply in person:LNB, 1925 Nicollet Ave, Mpls,M-Th, 9-4 pm. Agency applicrequired. Deadline: until filled.
EOE
CUSTOMER SERVICEASSOCIATE
National MS Society, Minne-sota Chapter is seekingpart-time Customer ServiceAssociate. Hours are 8:00 a.m.to 1:00 p.m., Monday thru Fri-day. Candidates should haveexcellent phone and computerskills for special events regis-tration and information.
Applications available uponrequest. Interested candidatesplease send, fax or e-mail re-sume with salary requirementsto:
Northland Community andTechnical College in ThiefRiver Falls, Minnesota is cur-rently accepting applicationsfor the following faculty posi-tions for the 2001-2002 aca-demic year:1) Aviation Maintenance In-
Instructor (full-time tem-porary for fall semester)
3) Mathematics Instructor(full-time temporary for the2001-2002 academic year)
A complete vacancy an-nouncement is available eitherby calling voice (218)681-0810 TTY (218) 681-0990 or by visiting theNorthland web site at www.northland.cc.mn.us. Applica-tion procedure: A letter of ap-plication, resume, copy of tran-scripts and names of three pro-fessional references should beforwarded to Becky Holt-husen, Director of HumanResources, Northland Com-munity and Technical Col-lege, 1101 Highway OneEast, Thief River Falls, MN56701 by April 20, 2001.
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity
Employer and Educator
PRODUCTION OFFICECOORDINATOR
TPT/Twin Cities Public Tele-vision is looking for a produc-tion office coordinator for anew national children’s sci-ence series. The position willsupport the production officethrough a variety of duties,including travel booking,record keeping, and databasemaintenance. The successfulcandidate will have at least ahigh school degree or equiva-lent, 2 or more years of expe-rience in an office support situ-ation, solid word-processing,proof-reading, and databasemanagement skills. FT posi-tion with an excellent totalcompensation package. Sub-mit letter, resume and sal-ary requirement by April 11,2001 to : Box 386-1; TPT/Twin Cities Public Televi-sion; 172 E. 4th St.; St. Paul,MN $5101.
EEO/AAP
More adv.s
on p. 10
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------------------------------------- BASIC SPONSOR -------------------------------------Margaret Beier Patricia Guerrero Beth JensenDebra Johnson Ericka Johnson Rosanne KramniczSteven McKeever Kathleen M. Miller Cindy MooreJane & Albert Olson Carla Reichenberg Paul W. TaylorKelli N-E Wysocki
------------------------------------- FRIEND SPONSOR -------------------------------------Sue Abderholden Lynda Adams Mary AndresenDavid Baldwin Marisa Bennett Mike & Karen BjorganSusan Blaylock Maynard Bostrom Bob BrickWendy Brower Carlyn Bryngelson Susan BulgerDeah Cain Lynne Corneli Stephanie CunninghamMarty Cushing Justin & Yoshiko Dart Jolene DavisLeRoy deBoom Neil Doughty Craig DunnMel Duncan Lee Ann Erickson Robert J. GeldertCandace/David Gislason Tom Gode Rep. Kevin GoodnoNadine & Andy Groven John Hoffman Bradley J. HolmesEllen & Skip Houghton Judy Hunt Cindy & Gregory JohnsonDeb Johnson Ericka Johnson Linnea Johnson HoffBarb Kane Mary Kay Kennedy Diah KinionBeth Knutson-Kolodzne Eugene Kook Sherry LampmanSue Lasoff David Larson Linda LarsonDorothy McCoy Jim and Cindy Musselman William O’DowdMargery Pilhofer Dwight & Chris Porter Barbara ProehlVirginia Puzak Kelly Rathcke Kim RezekStuart Rosen Ginger Rudberg Patricia RydeenElizabeth Smith Adele Spavin Helen ThompsonGerry and Barb Tollakson Caryl Wattman Mary Frank-WawokiyawinTeri Welcher Curt Wiehle David WoodAccommodating Care, Inc. Accord Health Care Services All Temporaries, IncAlliance for the Mentally Ill of MNArc of Anoka/Ramsey Cty Arc SuburbanArc Minnesota Best Care Blue Sky Designs, Inc.Brain Injury Assn. of MN Consumer Council of The Alliance for the Mentally Ill Disabled DealerEast Suburban Resources Equity Services-St. Paul Franciscan Sisters of St. PaulForensic Alliance of Mentally Ill Fraser Community ServicesHome Health Care JQ-P, Inc. KaposiaMBW Company Metro Mobility Service Center Staff MN Bio Brain AssociationMN Developmental Achievement Center Assoc. (MnDACA) NAMINew Dimensions Northeast Contemporary Services Kelly RathckeResource RISE Inc. S.M.I.L.E.S.United Cerebral Palsy of MN
THE FRIENDS OF ACCESS PRESSSponsorship levels:Basic (low income): $5.00 Friend: $25.00 & up Bronze: $75.00 & up Silver: $150.00 & up Gold: $350.00 & up Diamond: $500.00 & up Benefactor: $1,000.00 & up
The Friends of ACCESS PRESS are vital to the paper’s success. We need your continued support to keep publishing. Your gift entitles you to a one year complimentary subscription to ACCESSPRESS. ACCESS PRESS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Checks should be made out to ACCESS PRESS. Your contribution is tax deductible. Please mail your sponsorship to ACCESS PRESS,1821 University Avenue West, Suite 185N, St. Paul, MN 55104. Your help is crucial if ACCESS PRESS is to continue being the voice for people with disabilities! Thank you.
SPONSORS OF ACCESS PRESS:Thanks to the following sponsors for supporting ACCESS PRESS this year.
------------------------------------- BRONZE SPONSOR -------------------------------------Steve Alarik Anonymous Susan AsplundDavid Baldwin Kathleen Ball Jeff BangsbergJill Bedow Janet Berndt Bill BlomAnita Boucher Tom Brick Rick CardenasMichael and Janice Chevrett Margot Imdieke Cross Chris DuffRobert Gregory Luther Granquist Doris GrovenRoger A. Hoffman Dianna Krogstad Linda LattinLoRene Leikind Lolly Lijewski Christopher MeyerCliff Miller Bill Niederloh Michael OtubushinLouise Pattridge Catherine Reid & Liddy Rich Rick RyanJohn Smith Peter & Pamela Stanfiel Mary Jane SteinhagenEric & Carline Stevens J. Quinn Tierney Candace WarneJerrold Wood Joe & JoAnn ZwackDept. of Occupat’l Therapy-U of MDiv. MN Rehab. Assoc Job Placement & Dvlpmt FastServMinnesota Work Incentives ConnectionMerrick Companies Pat Siebert, MN Dis. Law Ctr.National Results Council New Ways
------------------------------------- SILVER SPONSOR -------------------------------------Scott Beers Robert E. Buuck LeAnne & Larry DahlCatherine Eilers M. Therese Gockenbach Martha HageJudy Haaversen David and Susan Houghton Lynn NorenMichael Otubushin Dean Doering & Lisa Scribner Kevin SullivanArc Hennepin County Help YourselfJob Placement and Development Division, MN Rehab AssnMental Health Consumer/Survivor Network Mpls. Advisory CommitteeSt. Paul Mayors Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities Twin City Transportation
Vinland Center
------------------------------------- GOLD SPONSOR -------------------------------------David M. Dreier Shirley Larson Ronna LinrothBridget & Diane Smith
------------------------------------- DIAMOND SPONSOR -------------------------------------Case Management Systems, Inc. Rapit Print
------------------------------------- BENEFACTOR SPONSOR -------------------------------------Medtronic Foundation
------------------------------------- IN HONOR -------------------------------------Anne Henry by Karen Adamson Cecelia Bilbrey-Baer by Patrick J. BilbreyJaehn Clare by Candice Warne Kyle by Joe & JoAnn Zwack
College of Saint Catherine’s Occupational Therapy Masters Program by Steven AndersonU of M Occupational Therapy Education Program by Erica Stern
------------------------------------- IN MEMORY-------------------------------------Troy Fahlenkamp and Valerie Birosh by David Dreier Mabel Heuer by Dawn Doering Miss Irene MacKaloney by Roger HoffmanBill & Renee Smith by Becky J. Bugbee-Tong Bill Smith by Joe & Peg Figliuzzi Uncle Bill & Aunt Renee Smith by Mary & Henry PattridgeBill & Renee Smith by Helen Thompson Bill Smith by Kathy & Paul West Linda Wolford in memory of Tony Lebahn
CLASSIFIEDS Reach 11,000 Active, Interested Readers withACCESS PRESS Classifieds. $8 up to 20 words,
35¢/word thereafter. Mail with check to: $$$ forclient
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SERVICES WE OFFER:• Personal Care Attendants/Home Health Aides• On-Call Staff• Company Car For PCAs With... “Car Trouble”...
St. Louis ParkIn Home Personal Care
(952) 929-5757Home Care With A “Personal” Touch Since 1991
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ACCESS PRESS, 1821 University Ave W, #185N, St. Paul, MN 55104; (651) 644-2133
FOR SALEScooters For Sale. Red Rascal 3-Wheel, 3 years old, like new. Rid-den only 15-20 hrs, only indoors.$975 or best offer. Call (952)882-0406.
Invacare Power Ranger Wheel-chair. Like new—best offer over$500. (763) 529-8678.
Must Sell: Invacare Ranger IIpowerchair. New, still warranted,never used. Cost $10, 484.20.Will sacrifice for $5-6,000.00firm. Contact Ken or make sure toleave message! (952) 898-3587,Burnsville.
1995 Chevy 20 White conver-sion van, sport, short wheel base.Full power. LOW MILES 25 M.Full Ricon List. Automatic. EZlocks, power lock for wheelchair,Transfer seat—6 way power.$14,000 firm. (612) 379-2629.
1996 Chevy Van, Hi-Top, TiaraConversion, Power doors, seats,windows, Crow River lift, swivelpassenger seat, A/C, TV, VCR,AM/FM, TAPE/CD, 30,000M,Mint condition, $17,000. C. Foss,(651) 429-5124.
Adjustable Height Work-sta-tion – single surface corner unit;45”x30”; hand-crank adjusts 14”(from 26”-40” high); lifts 250pounds; 1” thick melamaine top;(Mayline VariTask Basic 72148);orig. $1050; like new $700/BO(952) 944-0555.
Stair-Glide, Bruno, battery-pow-ered, used 4 months. (651) 457-4236.
MISCELLANEOUSOmni Frame, Inc., custom pic-ture framing. Make your picturesstand out with quality mats andframes. Randall J. Almquist (612)788-4330.
Home with Elevator, Com-pletely Handicap Accessible.Built in 1992 with 4 BR’s, 3 baths,elevator to all 3 levels, walk outbasement to private backyard lo-cated on a quiet, wooded cul-de-sac in Lino Lakes bordering WhiteBear Lake. Close to freeway ac-cess. $246,000. Mike Burth (612)812-0965 or www.mikeburth.com. Real Estate Masters.
Super low cost, attractive webpage designed and published foryou. Send a self-addressedstamped envelope and $5 to 227Oak Grove St. 207, Mpls, MN55403.
Jan Snook’s, Helpful HintsComputer Guidebook is simpleand understandable. Hard cov-ered book covers Word, Excel,and tips for the Internet. [email protected] (612) 378-2610$19.00 Shipping. Also, other com-puter work requests performed.Free estimates.
Volunteers wanted. People whohave received occupationaltherapy services and are willingto describe their experiences tohelp a student with his thesisproject. A one-page survey willbe mailed to you, with a SASE forreturn. If you are interested incontributing to this research study,please call Steve Anderson at(952) 593-0381.
For Reliable, dependable andpunctual nurses, TMA, CNA/PCA, call Charleston & Charlmarsat Workers Availability HomeHealth Care at (651) 291-8754
FOR RENTSeward Square Apartments: Weare currently accepting applica-tions for our waiting list at SewardSquare Apartments in Minneapo-lis. Seward Square is barrier-freehousing and is federally subsi-dized. For an application, pleasecall (612) 338-2680. Equal Op-portunity Housing.
Lewis Park Apartments: Bar-rier free housing with wheelchairuser in mind. Section 8 subsi-dized. One- and two- bedroomunits. For more information onavailability call (651) 488-9923.St. Paul, MN Equal OpportunityHousing.
Holmes-Greenway Housing Oneand two bedroom apartments de-signed for physically handicappedpersons. Convenient SE Minne-apolis location. Call (612) 378-0331 for availability information.Equal Opportunity Housing.
