September 2012

Volume 23, Number 9 www.accesspress.org September 10, 2012

Taco's deliveries - p. 13

“In true dialogue,both sides are willingto change.” — Thích Nhat Hanh

NEWS DIGEST

INSIDE

Never gives up

Commitment to social justice guides2012 Charlie Smith Award winner

Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDTwin Cities. MNPermit No. 4766

Address Service Requested

Voters underguardianshipwin a round

A horse named Taco delivers food and smiles

Accessible Fun, pg 10

Events, pg 11

People & Places,pg 8-9

Radio Talking Book, pg 14

Regional News, pg 6

Voters - p. 13

Charles Van Heuveln , the winner of the Charlie Smith awardPhoto by Access Press

Working pays! Page 4

Award winner - p. 11

Taco the horse and his co-worker, Al Heiraas, deliver meals in the TwinValley area.

Photo courtesy of Lutheran Social Services

by Mollie Miller

A group of seniors got a fun surprise when a horse named Tacoshowed up at their assisted living facility to deliver a buggy full ofmeals.

The seniors were recipients of Lutheran Social Service ofMinnesota’s Meals on Wheels. Home-delivered meals help se-niors maintain good health and remain in their own homes. TheMeals-on-Wheels program provides a hot, nutritious meal for se-niors age 60 and older who are homebound and unable to preparetheir own meals.

“We were told to go wait outside for a surprise,” said HarriettHuseby, one of the many individuals who rely on Senior Nutritionservices for adequate meals. “No one expected to see a horse andbuggy pulling up; it was really something.”

Taco held a steady spot on an Amish farm for 14 years until hisretirement four years ago. Now, a little older, but still ready towork, Taco has been dubbed an honorary Lutheran Social Serviceof Minnesota (LSS) volunteer, doing what he can to help delivermeals to older adults living in Twin Valley.

“We are so grateful for Taco,” said Amanda Ryan, site coordi-nator for LSS Senior Nutrition. “His presence has brought somuch joy and happiness to the older adults we serve.”

by Access Press staff

The rights of Minnesotavoters with disabilities andthe state’s election day regis-tration program have won around in U.S. District Courtas Judge Donovan Frank onAug. 17 dismissed a lawsuitled by the Minnesota VotersAlliance. The lawsuit raisedsignificant challenges andwas being watched closelyby the state’s disability com-munity, especially in light ofchallenge to voters who areunder court-ordered guard-ianship.

More than 22,000 Minne-sotans are currently underguardianship.

People with disabilities andtheir advocates are pleasedthat Frank ruled in their favor,yet their optimism may beshort-lived. The plaintiffshave vowed to appeal Frank’sdecision, in the hopes of get-ting a decision in their favorprior to the November elec-tion. An appeal would go tothe Eighth U.S. Circuit Courtof Appeals. As of AccessPress deadline no appeal hadbeen filed.

The judge ruled that theplaintiffs did not make a validchallenge to Minnesota’s lawand legal decisions that pro-tect the voting rights of per-sons under guardianship. Theplaintiffs had challenged the

Highland FriendshipClub members played ina really big game.Page 8

Few precautions weretaken when childrenwith disabilities traveledin the past.Page 2

Home health careworkers are owed almost$275,000 in wages.Page 6

Flu season is coming andit’s time to get a shot.Page 7

Don’t miss an upcomingart show featuringartists with disabilities.Page 10

by Tim Benjamin

Tenacity, a passion for socialjustice and a belief that peoplecan make change are what guidethe latest winner of the AccessPress Charlie Smith Award. TheAccess Press Board of Directorsand staff are very proud to an-nounce that Charles “Chuck”Van Heuveln is the 2012 hon-oree.

“Chuck Van Heuveln embod-ies so well the qualities ofCharlie Smith, for whom thisaward is named,” said AnneHenry, a previous award winnerand one of Van Heuveln’s nomi-nators.

“It was Chuck’s refusal to beput out to pasture, coupled withhis stubborn and meticulous ad-vocacy and belief that people canmake change that gives him thequalities that Charlie Smithchampioned and why he wouldmake the perfect Charlie Smithaward recipient,” said veteranactivist Mel Duncan, another ofVan Heuveln’s nominators.Both Henry and Duncan areamong those who have worked with VanHeuveln on legislative issues.

Taking on injustice, be it in the pollingplace or in the workplace, is a longtime pas-sion for Van Heuveln. “Chuck ushered in thedawn of the disability rights movement inMinnesota,“ said Duncan. “I well rememberhow the indignities and barriers he witnessedin registering voters for the 1972 election pro-pelled him to seek changes in the 1973 legisla-tive session.”

Access Press Executive Director Tim Ben-jamin praises Van Heuveln as a “fine man,”noting that he unselfishly works to better thelives of others. “Chuck is always busy but healways has time for a friend in need or anyonethat he sees unjustly discriminated. He has al-ways been one of those guys that everyoneknows but is always in the back of the roomavoiding the spotlight,”

Van Heuveln not only is a veteran activist,

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Pg 2 September 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 9

Travel arrangements would be unacceptable todayHISTORY NOTE

EDITOR’S DESKTim Benjamin

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

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

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Co-Founder/PublisherWm. A. Smith, Jr. (1990-1996)

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Board of DirectorsBrigid AlsethSteve AndersonKristin JorenbyElin OhlssonHalle O'FalveyCarrie SalbergKay Willshire

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by Luther Granquist

The Wright County Eagle for Friday, July 31, 1874reported that Sheriff John Nugent had come throughDelano the previous Tuesday while bringing seven-year-old Henry Buri to the Hospital for the Insane inSt. Peter. Henry, who lived south of what is nowAnnandale, had been committed in Wright CountyProbate Court the day before. His trip to St. Peterstarted with a stagecoach ride from Buffalo to Delano,

where he and the sheriff took the morning train to St.Paul. They would have taken the afternoon train fromSt. Paul to St. Peter.

The expansion of railroads in the 1870s opened uprural Minnesota to settlers and trade. The railroad alsoplaced the Hospital for the Insane in reach of familiesstruggling to deal with children who were not insanebut labeled “idiot,” or “imbecile,” or “feebleminded.”Probate courts committed these children and orderedthe sheriff or some other person, often a stranger, totake them to St. Peter. More often than not they wentby train.

In a day and age when travel by children is care-fully monitored and scrutinized, it is sobering to real-ize how seemingly casual the travel arrangementswere made for children with disabilities.

In September 1873, eight-year-old Nels Larson,committed by the Meeker County Probate Court, leftLitchfield early in the morning for the hospital. Theman who accompanied him knew only that his motherwas a widow with eight other children. JohanTobaben’s trip was longer. The eight-year-old boyfrom Elizabeth Township in Otter Tail County likelytook the afternoon stagecoach from Fergus Falls toCampbell with the sheriff, stayed overnight there and

took the train all the next day to St. Paul. After an-other overnight stay, they arrived in St. Peter early inthe afternoon on the Fourth of July 1875.

Stina Aspaas, a young 11-years-old girl, traveled allday from Crookston to St. Paul, stayed the night andthe next day went on to St. Peter with a “gentleman”who “knows little about her” and who she must haveknown little about, as well.

Nels, Johan, and Stina were immigrant children,who likely traveled by train after reaching America.But traveling with their family would have been avastly different experience than traveling to a stateinstitution in the company of a stranger. For Henrythe train was probably a new experience. The briefcomment in the Wright County Eagle is the only ac-count of such a trip. No record remains to tell howthey reacted to being taken from home and to travel-ling with a stranger among strangers toward a destina-tion they neither knew nor understood.

These children had been difficult to deal with.Henry had “paroxysms of violence.” Nels was a rest-less boy, constantly running about. Johan could notspeak. He also liked to throw things and make trouble.Stina had torn her clothing to pieces and mutilated herfingers with her teeth. No record remains to tell how

their travelling compan-ions, including other pas-sengers, treated them. Wewill never know whethertheir trip was exciting,frightening or even terrify-ing. If the question wasasked, by hospital staffwhen they got to St. Peter,the answer was not con-sidered important enoughto record. ■

The History Note isa monthly column spon-sored by the MinnesotaGovernor’s Council onDevelopmental Disabili-ties, www.mncdd.org andwww.partnersinpolicymaking.com

It’s past Labor Day and the close of the MinnesotaState Fair, school has started and it all adds up towhat most Minnesotans consider the end of the sum-mer. Let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope that wehave more warm weather before we get overtakenwith cold and snow. Seems to me that the end of ev-ery summer, we think we had a terribly hot summerand a light winter and at the end of the winter will saywhat a terrible winter we had and hope for the beauti-ful summer like we had last year. The weather is oneof those things that we’re only satisfied with on theday after tomorrow about the day before yesterday.

Across Minnesota, there is a lot of political conver-sation about the two constitutional amendments pro-posed for the November ballot. The marriage amend-ment and the voter ID amendment are controversial.An unnecessary part of the controversy is that thewording of the bills has made it difficult to under-stand which way to vote. The yard signs are saying“vote yes” or “vote no,” like the political commercialsand short clips in the mass media. Few ads really ex-plain what voting yes or no means: is yes for and noagainst? If I vote no on the marriage amendment, does

that mean I am against everyone having the samerights to marry? Does a yes vote on voter ID meanthat I want people to have the same rights to vote? It’sconfusing and the way I’ve resolved the confusion isto remember: each amendment is trying to change ourconstitution. I ask myself, do I think that thosechanges need to be made?

I've said there are implications to these amendments(especially the voter ID amendment) for our commu-nity. Republican, Democrat, Green or none of theabove—it doesn’t matter which party you’re alignedwith, most of us don’t want to disenfranchise or takeaway the rights of our neighbors. I’m not advocatingfor anyone to vote yes or no, just encouraging you toconsider carefully which way your vote goes.

The national Republican and Democrat conven-tions are over, like summer, but the rest of the politi-cal season is guaranteed to be hotter. Mitt Romneyand his vice presidential choice, Congressman PaulRyan, R-Wisc. became the Republican candidates.The Democrat convention confirmed PresidentBarack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden as theircandidates. I watched some of both conventions, andplan to keep listening to as many reports as I can fromboth presidential candidates. I hope you will too, us-ing as many sources as you can find so that you un-derstand each candidate and what they represent. It’simportant for all Americans to stop being forced intoone-sidedness and to cast votes that represent edu-cated and ethically right choices for themselves in ev-ery election.

We’re excited to announce that Charles “Chuck”Van Heuveln will be awarded the Charlie Smithaward this year on Nov. 2. The Access Press Board ofDirectors had a very challenging task in selecting theCharlie Smith award recipient from this year’s out-standing (and large) slate of nominees, and we’re allproud of their choice. Readers probably rememberChuck from the articles we wrote during the legisla-tive session concerning his retirement and the agelimitation on Medical Assistance for UnemployedPeople with Disabilities (MA”EPD). He lobbied andadvocated and didn’t give up, and finally the legisla-ture did make some appropriate changes in the agelimitation. Read our front page article about Chuck’smany accomplishments over the years.

Thanks to all of you who nominated a candidate forthe award. The board received a record number ofnominees, all of them incredibly worthy individuals.It’s very pleasing to know that so many people arerecognizing Charlie Smith and the distinction of theAccess Press award. If your nominee didn’t win thisyear, please nominate him or her again next year.There have been several winners who were nominatedmore than once, and each year highlights different as-pects of an individual’s record.

I hope each of you will be able to attend the awardbanquet to honor Chuck and the other nominees andjoin in on the celebration. It’s a great opportunity to meetand mingle with all of your friends and associates inthe disability advocacy world. And of course there aresome great treats in the silent auction and raffle thatcould be worth your time—and support the paper, too.See you all in November! ■

September 10, 2012 Volume 23, Number 9 Pg 3

Nominees share a commitment to community service

Diana KommerKim KepriosSue Abderholden Julie Miller Jones

The field of candidate for the 2012Charlie Smith Award was one of thestrongest in the history of the honors. Itwas a very difficult choice for the Ac-cess Press Board of Directors. Here is alook at the finalists:Sue Abderholden

“Sue Abderholden’s ability to bal-ance being diplomatic with toughnessand assertiveness makes her a particu-larly effective advocate,” her nomina-tion stated. “She has the respect of leg-islators and government officials whoare willing to listen to what she has tosay. She is always well-informed and isable to explain the details of complexpolicy issues to a variety of audiences.”

Abderholden has devoted her careerto changing laws and attitudes that af-fect people with disabilities and theirfamilies. In her current role as execu-tive director of the National Alliance onMental Illness (NAMI) of Minnesota,she focuses on the stigma surroundingmental illness and the broken system ofcare for children and adults with mentalillness. She is a frequent presence at thestate capitol.

Prior to her work with NAMI,Abderholden held leadership positionswith The Arc of Minnesota andPACER Center. For seven years shewas the deputy state director for U.S.Senator Paul Wellstone. In that positionshe worked hard to make sure Minneso-tans with disabilities could communi-cate their concerns to the senator.

As president of the board of directorsof the Work Incentive Connection,Abderholden led the development ofthe organization as an independent non-profit. She also was instrumental in itsmerger with Goodwill/Easter Seals,Minnesota.

She has spent countless hours advo-cating on a wide range of disability is-sues: health care reform, mental healthparity, self-advocacy, caregiver supportthe Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA), employment, special education,transportation and housing. She be-lieves strongly in the need for peoplewith disabilities to tell their stories topolicymakers. She understands the iso-lation that is caused by discriminationand stigma and has devoted herself toempowering people to come together tocreate change.

Abderholden was on the WhiteHouse lawn when the Americans withDisabilities Act (ADA) was signed intolaw 22 years ago.

Abderholden holds a B.A. in politi-cal science from Macalester Collegeand a master’s degree in public healthadministration from the University ofMinnesota. Abderholden has receivednumerous awards for her advocacy in-

cluding the NASW Citizen of the Year,Excellence Award from the NAMI Na-tional Executive Directors Group, PaulWellstone Advocacy Award from theMinnesota Psychiatric Society, the Na-tional Council of Executives for Arcs,the Marvelous Minnesota WomanAward from the Governor in 1991,Betty Hubbard Leadership Award fromthe Minnesota Association for Personswith Severe Handicaps, AdvocacyAward from Pacer Center and Leader-ship Award from the MinnesotaS.I.L.S. Providers.

She has also been a Girl Scoutleader, a volunteer in Minneapolis pub-lic schools, host family for internationalstudents at Macalester College, and avolunteer in numerous political cam-paigns. She and her family have a fos-ter care license and provide respite careto children with disabilities.Julie Miller Jones

Eating right is important for every-one. However, following a proper dietcan pose unique challenges for peoplewith disabilities. For Julie Miller Jones,helping residents of Dakota Communi-ties eat right is a rewarding part of herlife’s work in food and nutrition.

Jones is a professor at St. CatherineUniversity in St. Paul, where she hastwice won the Outstanding Professor ofthe Year Award. She also was honoredwith the Mysner Award, which isawarded by alumni in recognition ofthe professor who has most impactedtheir lives. In 2007 the universitynamed Jones as a distinguished scholarand professor and as professor emeritain 2008. She has been involved with St.Catherine University for almost 40years.

Jones has given much of her timeand talent to others. Her work with Da-kota Communities is an outstanding ex-ample. Dakota Communities is a non-profit organization that is based in WestSt. Paul. It houses people with disabili-ties in more than 30 residential settingsthroughout the Twin Cities. When ap-proached by the staff of Dakota Com-munities to help plan menus for theirresidents, Jones wholeheartedly agreedto help. She brought her passion forhealthly and delicious food, support forDakota Communities and love of teach-ing college students to the table. Sheand five St. Catherine students em-barked on a seasonal menu revision forDakota Communities. They preparedrecipes as well as shopping lists forstaff, keeping in mind the desire forresidents to enjoy ethnic foods theymight not otherwise eat.

Not only where the Dakota Commu-nities residents and staff delighted withthe new and improved menus, many of

the residents who needed to lose weighthave done so by eating right. Collec-tively residents lost more than 600pounds over several months. Weightreduction can have many positivehealth effects. Weight loss can helppeople reduce the amount of medica-tion they have to take and can help con-trol diabetes, among other conditions.Jones’ work was especially helpful to agroup of people whose weight andweight-related health issues can bechallenging.

Jones has also been a keynotespeaker at events around the world, andhas given lectures locally and nation-ally. Her curriculum vitae lists includesthan seven pages of presentations since1996. She has also written articles andbooks about food safety and other foodtopics. She is considered to be an ex-pert in carbohydrates, whole grains, di-etary foods, food safety and other sub-jects. One indication of her stature inher field is that she is the 41st recipientof the Geddes Award, the highestaward of the American Association ofCereal Chemists International. Thisaward was given in honor of her scien-tific contributions.Kim Keprios

Having a brother with significant dis-abilities has resulted in a lifelong avo-cation for Kim Keprios. Her accom-plishments in the disability communityspan three decades. Her family ties arepart of a lifelong commitment to herwork and those she serves.

Keprios is chief executive officer ofThe Arc Greater Twin Cities, whichserves the Twin Cities met-ropolitan area. It is one ofthe largest chapters of TheArc in Minnesota.

She has a strong interestand background in publicpolicy, and spent a year ina fellowship at The Arc ofthe United States’ Govern-ment Affairs Office.

Keprios is described as“an extraordinary cham-pion for people with intel-lectual and developmentaldisabilities and their fami-lies.” She has dedicatedher life to the idea thatpeople with disabilitiescan and should be part ofthe community, to live,learn, work and play asothers do. She believesstrongly that every life hasvalue and that everyone iscapable of making a con-tribution. She is a tremen-dous force for change andinspires others to be self-

Nominees - p. 5

advocates and use their own voices, tal-ents and resources to make a difference.She has been a friend and mentor tomany self-advocates.

Her career as a disability service pro-fessional began with a degree in thera-peutic creation. She joined ArcHennepin County in 1982 as commu-nity services director, advancing to di-rector in 1986. She led the chapterthrough successful mergers with ArcCarver County and Arc Three Rivers toform today’s organization.

Under her leadership The ArcGreater Twin Cites has developedstrong individual advocacy, self-advo-cacy and public policy initiatives fo-cused on self-determination and com-munity-building. The Lifetime Assis-tance Program helps people with futureplanning. Those in special educationprograms can benefit from GetSet! Forspecial education success. GetSet! ForWork is a work preparedness program.Abuse prevision and mentoring areother focuses for the organization.

Keprios is a strong believer in thepower of collaboration and is involvedwith many other community groups.She has served in a leadership capacityfor years through Greater Twin CitiesUnited Way, where she has served onthe board of directors and executivecommittee. She has also chaired theUnited Way’s Council of Agency Ex-ecutives.

She currently serves on the board ofthe Children’s Defense Fund of Minne-sota and on the University of


Employment programs do provide economic stimulus

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Employment of people with disabilities does have apositive economic stimulus effect and a strong returnon investment. Cuts to such programs could be de-scribed as “pennywise and pound-foolish.” A recentlyreleased case study of Twin Cities-based Merrick,Inc. outlines the economic benefits and social divi-dend of employment programs. The study showed thatpublic investment in day service programs at Merrickproduce $3 of economic benefit for every dollarspent.

When all of the benefits resulting from Merrick’sactivities are added up, the $3.8 million program costsare outweighed by $10.9 million in economic ben-efits.

Merrick, Inc., is a private, non-profit corporation,licensed by the Minnesota Department of Human Ser-vices (DHS) as an adult day services, day training andhabilitation and supported employment services pro-vider, It is located in Vadnais Heights, a suburb of St.Paul.

C. Ford Runge conducted the study. He is Distin-guished McKnight University Professor of AppliedEconomics and Law at the University of Minnesota.The Stimulus Effects of Employment Programs forMinnesota’s Citizens with Disabilities: A Case Studyof Merrick, Inc. is his study.

Runge’s study, published by the Disability StudiesQuarterly can be found online at: http://bit.ly/ECSinDSQ

Merrick serves more than 350 adult clients and em-ploys 153 professional staff. The agency develops jobsites, with more than 70 businesses. Approximately180 clients work a day from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. ina facility either receiving therapeutic services orworking on various contracts outsourced to Merrick.About 130 people work on contract and the other 50receive services.

The other 170 clients are transported from the facil-ity to employer-based work sites. Some of the currentbusiness partners include Accurate Components, De-

sign House Greeting Cards, MedTox, Kowalski’sMarkets, Dodge Nature Center, University of Minne-sota Horticultural Science and Landscape Architec-ture Department and Warner’s Stellian. Merrick isalways seeking more work sites.

Merrick Executive Director John Wayne Barkersaid that in 2011 Merrick supported 42 clients hireddirectly by the employer at an average wage of $7.71an hour and provided pre-vocational support to 289clients on-site with an average hourly rate of $2.40 anhour.

“Our primary focus on a day to day basis is findingmeaningful work opportunities for clients in our pro-gram. Given a chance, we can provide you an em-ployee that will not only help your bottom line butwill improve your corporate culture and your involve-ment in your community beyond measure,” saidBarker.

In his study, Runge noted that throughout theUnited States, human services programs have beencut. He recounted the past several years of cuts inMinnesota as part of his study, as well as the overallclimate of reduce support for Minnesotans with dis-abilities.

Using Merrick, Inc. programs, Runge provided analternative perspective to the cuts and described socialdividends of employment in long-term care programs.“These extend well beyond the services provided toclients. Other dividends include wages to programstaff, avoided costs of residential supervision, taxespaid by clients and staff and grants supplementingstate taxpayer dollars,” Runge said. “Companies thatemploy people with disabilities through contractswith such programs do so because it makes good busi-ness sense.”

Runge’s study indicates that there is a tangiblestimulus such programs provide. It describes the so-cial dividends of employment programs for peoplewith developmental disabilities. These dividends ex-tend well beyond the services provided to clients andtheir wages, transportation, and supervision. Otherdividends include wages to program staff; avoidedcosts of residential supervision, taxes paid by clientsand staff.

Also, many programs seek to leverage state supportby seeking grants supplementing state taxpayer dol-lars. Finally, the companies that employ people withdisabilities through contracts with such programs do

Merrick Executive Director John Wayne Barker is shownwith a client, Alec M. Alec M. is working on a Smith MicroTech contract.

Photo courtesy of Merrick, Inc.

so both because of their civic concern and because itmakes good business sense.

Runge looked very broadly at benefits, includingthose to the Merrick clients, its professional staff, thesavings in residential care costs when people areworking, taxes, private sector benefits to employersand found support and charitable giving augmentingthe public funding.

Wages earned by Merrick clients are modest by anystandards, but are still a source of economic supportand a wage stimulus to the Minnesota economy. Totalclient earnings at Merrick in fiscal year 2010 were$536,750. Using the same multiplier calculation de-scribed for professional staff, such client wages gen-erated $1,073,500 in final economic activity. In fact,the multiplier is probably higher because most arecharged co-pays, have program fees or must “spenddown” to remain Medicaid eligible so that a lowerproportion of their earnings are saved. Additionally, ifonly 50% of these earnings are spent on items subjectto the state sales tax, clients at Merrick pay $18,000 ayear in sales. Beyond any monetary reward, wagesearned by clients generate an incalculable but signifi-cant form of social capital: a sense of belonging andself-worth.

Runge also extrapolated what the Merrick findingsmean in the context of other similar Minnesota pro-grams. The 295 programs served 16,235 clients. Thecalculated stimulus of the $10,925,314 at Merrick inaggregate benefits works out to $31,215 for each ofits 350 clients. If this number is used to estimate thebenefits to Minnesota’s 16,235 clients, the total forthe state as a whole is $506,778,470. over half a bil-lion dollars. Runge observed that this is “hardly adrag on the state’s economy.” ■


Nominees - from p. 3

Minnesota’s Institute on CommunityIntegration advisory committee. Shealso served as a board member for theMetropolitan Alliance of ConnectedCommunities.

Keprios is active in NF Inc., a non-profit that provides support and educa-tion to Minnesota families living withneurofibromatosis. Her son has the pro-gressive condition, so Keprios and herhusband John Everett founded the orga-nization to help other families.Diana Kommer

All artists enjoy the validation oftheir work that a public exhibition canbring. For artists with disabilities, whomay have fewer venues to display theirwork, the sense of pride and accom-plishment gained through an art show isbeyond measure. One person who helpsartists from around the world is DianaKommer. She is instrumental in puttingtogether the Sister Kenny InternationalArt Show for People with Disabilities,held every spring in Minneapolis.

Kommer has overseen the show fortwo years. She has worked for AllinaHealth for a decade and has spent thepast seven years as an administrativeassistant with Sister Kenny Rehabilita-tion Associates in the outpatient clinic.

The art show is above and beyondher day-to-day work. Kommer is knownfor her outstanding dedication to the artshow and for making it a good experi-ence for all who participate—artists,their family members, art supporters andstaff. Organizing the show is a largetask, as more than 300 artists with dis-abilities from around the world partici-pate in the show. Kommer and her sondo a complete inventory of the art andprepare it for the judges to evaluate.

The art show has taken place for 49years but her nomination notes thatKommer’s work and dedication havemade a great event even better. It is un-usual for such an event to go on for somany years, and to have such signifi-cance for people with disabilities.

The art show has the benefit of en-couraging the capacity for creative ex-pression by people with disabilities,and increases their sense of pride andpersonal identity. The show also givesartists a high-profile venue at which toexhibit their works. It also is essentialto promoting the programs and servicesof the Sister Kenny Institute, and giventhe institute worldwide visibility.

Artists participating set their ownprice for work. When a piece is sold,the artist receives 75 percent and 25percent goes to support Sister KennyInstitute. Artists receive monetaryprizes in six categories.

The show wouldn’t happen withoutKommer. Not only does she work care-fully with every single entry, she’s also

June Lacey Steve Larson

Nominees - p. 15

Foundation, the Leukemia and Lym-phoma Society, the Cystic FibrosisFoundation, the American Heart Asso-ciation, American Diabetes Associa-tion, the Salvation Army and the Dis-abled American Veterans. She has beena fixture at countless community eventsincluding the Minneapolis Aquatennialand St. Paul Winter Carnival.

The events she has helped with alsoare a long list of fundraising walks,rummage sales, community festivals,bike rides, sports events and more. Shewas a key part of Ms. MinnesotaWheelchair activities.

This longtime disability rights advo-cate has taken on a number of projectsthat have improved the lives of others.One project was to contact federal offi-cials to make the case for a lift or rampat the Mall of America, so that accesscould be improved for special eventsthere. She is also known for her work toimprove the lives of veterans with dis-abilities.Steve Larson

With a broad and deep expertise indisability issues, Steve Larson is astrong advocate who has devoted hisentire career to improving the lives ofcountless people. His work has had astatewide impact, through a long andvaried career and his service with theMinnesota Consortium for Citizenswith Disabilities (MN-CCD). He hasalways worked to ensure that peoplewith disabilities are fully integratedinto the community.

“Steve pursues his pas-sion and dedication with akeen mind, a kind heart,and an uplifting sense ofhumor,” his nominationstated. “There are manyMinnesotans with disabili-ties whose everyday liveshave been impacted by thework of Steve Larson.”

Larson’s career beganin April 1974 when he andhis wife Joan were hiredas direct care workers atMount Olivet RollingAcres in Victoria. He be-came a program director atBear Creek Services inRochester in May 1976.Within four years, he be-came director of that com-munity-based program forpersons with developmen-tal and intellectual dis-abilities. He went on tobecome Olmstead CountyHuman Service, where heworked from 1987-1997,attaining the rank of pro-gram manager for devel-opmental disabilities while

arranges for the gala opening reception,transforming a gymnasium into a placewhere artists and their supporters canenjoy delicious hors d’ oeuvres to theaccompaniment of musicians. All of theartists who can attend wear colorfulindentifying ribbons. The event is well-attended and highly anticipated by theartists, their supporters, neighbors andSister Kenny’s current and former cli-ents. The artists enjoy their new-foundcelebrity and the time and care thatgoes into the reception, as well as theexhibit itself.June Lacey

“Someone who always is thinking ofothers first” is an apt description ofJune Lacy. The Ashby resident doesn’tlet osteoporosis, severe arthritis andscoliosis affect her abilities to contrib-ute to her community. Even a strokecouldn’t slow her down. She finds away to help others every day.

While others would have given up,Lacey has chosen to uplift and help oth-ers. She always has a smile and a cheer-ful greeting for everyone she meets.

Lacey is a lifelong community volun-teer who helps individuals and organi-zations in many ways. Whether she isvisiting nursing homes and care cen-ters, collecting items for the needy orhelping at community events, Lacey isalways there for others. She has beenknown to hand her coat, gloves andhand them to a homeless person, so thatperson could stay warm.

Lacey not only displays organiza-tional skills and initiative in foundingand helping to support events, she usesher talents of song, poetry and comedyto entertain and cheer up others. Sheloves to make other people happy.

Her award nomination stated, “She isamazing!”

Lacey, a longtime supporter of Cour-age Center, recently started a MidwestWalk and Roll event for the Christo-pher and Dana Reeve Foundation. Thefoundation helps people with spinalcord injuries. The Walk and Roll hasbecome very popular.

She also founded Project Bear Hugs,which provides stuff animals to comfortpeople in a wide variety of settings.Bears delivered to shelters, nursinghomes and hospitals provide great com-fort to people who need cheer. Laceynoted that people who may not feel freeto talk about their feelings to anotherperson may be able to hug, talk to andbe reassured through the presence of astuffed animal.

Lacey has helped raise funds andawareness for other organizations in-cluding the Multiple Sclerosis Society,the Muscular Dystrophy Association,the Arthritis Foundation, the AmericanCancer Society, the Susan G. Komen

making major advances in communityservices for county residents. He thenbecame the state of Minnesota’s direc-tor of disability services, where heworked until October 2001. There hewas responsible for managing statewideprograms, developing an annual budgetand legislative agenda, and supervising70-plus staff. One of his significant ac-complishments involved opening up thedevelopmental disabilities waiver pro-gram so thousands of Minnesotans withdisabilities their families who had beenwaiting for services could secure them.

Larson was hired as Executive Direc-tor for The Arc Minnesota in the fall of2002. During that time, he was not onlythe administrator of the agency, but heserved as chief lobbyist/ public policydirector and the point person for localchapters as well. In 2007, he decidedto focus solely on public policy andproposed that the agency hire a separateperson to be administrator/ExecutiveDirector. Larson has served as seniorpolicy director since February 2008. Inthis role he has worked on many issuesincluding working to reverse the 20percent relative personal care attendantcut passed during the 2011 legislativesession. He is well-known at the local,state and federal levels of government,working as an effective advocate forpeople with disabilities. His expertise issought by everyone from self-advocatesand families to key policy makers.

He also contributes much volunteer

Joan WillshireAlan Peters


Regional News. - p. 12

Veteran sues over job lossAn Iraq war veteran is suing the city of Rochester

claiming disability discrimination after he wasn’t al-low to return to his job with the police department.

Jeremy Peterson is the son of Rochester’s police chief.He worked as a community service officer in the policedepartment and was later promoted to police officer.

In a complaint filed in Olmsted County District

iCanConnect campaign underwayMany thousands of Americans who have combined

loss of hearing and vision may soon connect withfamily, friends, and community thanks to the NationalDeaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program. Man-dated by the 21st Century Communications and VideoAccessibility Act (CVAA), the Federal Communica-tions Commission (FCC) established this new pro-gram to provide support for the local distribution of awide array of accessible communications technology.

The FCC is also funding a national outreach cam-paign to educate the public about this new program.The iCanConnect campaign will be conducted jointlyby Perkins School for the Blind, Watertown, MA, theHelen Keller National Center in New York City, NY,and FableVision of Boston, MA.

iCanConnect wants everyone to know about thefree communications technology and training that isnow available to low-income individuals with com-bined hearing and vision loss. From screen enlarge-ment software and video phones, to off-the shelf prod-ucts that are accessible or adaptable, this technologycan vastly improve their quality of life.

iCanConnect seeks to educate people about theavailability of communications technology for thisunderserved population so they can remain safe andhealthy, hold a job, manage a household, and contrib-ute to the economy and the community. Informationabout the new equipment distribution program will beavailable online at www.iCanConnect.org or by phoneat 1-800-825-4595. Additional information is avail-able through the FCC at www.fcc.gov/NDBEDP[Source: Federal Communications Commission]

The Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Dis-abilities (MN-CCD) will hold two meetings this fallthat will shape the future of the organization. The firstmeeting is 1-3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 24 at Goodwill Eas-ter Seals, 553 Fairview Ave. N., St. Paul.

For more than a year, changes to MN-CCD struc-ture and bylaws have been studied. The organizationis considering restricting and is weighing changes toits bylaws. Organizations that belong to MN-CCD areasked to review the bylaws. Any additional changesare due Sept. 10. The full set of proposed bylawchanges will be presented Sept. 24 and then voted onat the MN-CCD annual meeting, which will be heldMonday, Oct. 29 at Goodwill Easter Seals.

The September meeting will also be a time to hearupdates from policy work groups and plans for the

Home health care workers owed wagesThe U.S. Department of Labor has found $274,884

in back wages due to 61 home health care workers inElk River after an investigation of Accurate HomeCare revealed overtime and minimum wage violationsof the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Accurate Home Care operates two residential nurs-ing facilities in Elk River, where the company isbased. It also has locations in Moline and Peoria, Ill.The company has agreed to comply with all areas ofthe federal regulations in the future.

“Workers in the home health care industry providean important service to the community. They deserveto be paid properly for all hours that they work,” saidKaren Chaikin, regional administrator for the U.S.Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division inthe Midwest. “The resolution of this case should re-mind employers that the Labor Department will nothesitate to follow up if they deny workers their right-ful pay.”

The investigation determined that the company vio-lated minimum wage regulations by requiring employ-ees to work without pay in order to make up hoursfrom previous weeks. The investigation also disclosedovertime violations when licensed practical nurseswere paid “straight time” rates, without an overtimepremium, for hours worked over 40 in a week. Forsome licensed practical nurses, the employer banked“comp time” hours at straight time rates, providingtime off in subsequent workweeks, rather than payingthe required time-and-one-half for the overtime hours.

The Fair Labor Standards Act requires that coveredemployees be paid at least the federal minimum wageof $7.25 for all hours worked, plus time and one-halftheir regular rates, including commissions, bonusesand incentive pay, for hours worked beyond 40 perweek. In general, “hours worked” includes all time anemployee must be on duty, or on the employer’s pre-mises or at any other prescribed place of work, fromthe beginning of the first principal work activity to theend of the last principal activity of the workday. Ad-ditionally, the law requires that accurate records ofemployees’ wages, hours and other conditions of em-ployment be maintained. ■[Source: U.S. Department of Labor]

2013 legislative session, as well as an update on re-structuring. The October annual meeting board elec-tions will also be discussed, along with any other dis-ability policy issues.

MN-CCD is a broad-based coalition of more than100 organizations representing persons with disabili-ties, providers and advocates, dedicated to improvingthe lives of people with disabilities. The organizationaddresses public policy issues that affect people withdisabilities by collaborating with others, advocating,educating, influencing change and creating awarenessfor understanding. Visit www.mnccd.org to learnmore about the organization and review the bylawchanges, or to obtain more information about joiningMN-CCD. ■[Source: MN-CCD]

REGIONAL NEWS

MN-CCD eyeing changes


by Dayna L. Wolfe, M.D. (physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist)

If you are an individual with a physical disability associated with chronic immu-nosuppression, you are at higher risk for catching the “flu”. The “flu” is an abbre-viated term for influenza, which is an illness described by the Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention (CDC) as a contagious respiratory illness caused by influ-enza viruses. Many people use this term “flu” interchanged with “cold” but the fluis not the same illness as a common cold. Influenza can cause mild to severe ill-ness, and at times can lead to death. Some people, such as older people, youngchildren, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flucomplications. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated each year.

The CDC publishes a comprehensive list of groups of people recommended toreceive the influenza vaccination, which is administered by shot or nasal spray.The list is populated based upon up-to-date CDC database information. Vaccine

HEALTH NOTE

Who should get vaccinated against influenza?supplies are often limited, which varies from year to year,and the time of year can have an influence on availability. Whensupplies are limited, health care providers select the patients athigher risk for obtaining influenza for vaccination. For comprehensiveinformation about influenza and the list of individuals who should have pri-ority for vaccination when supplies are limited you may either contact the CDC at800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) TTY: (888) 232-6348 - [email protected] or visitthe following web site: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/whoshouldvax.htm ■

Wolfe is a physiatrist or rehabilitation physician. Rehabilitation physicians aremedical doctors who have completed training in the medical specialty of physicalmedicine and rehabilitation. She is licensed to practice medicine and surgery inMinnesota. She is a Board Certified Independent Medical Examiner (disabilitymedicine expert).

Field scores a home run for Courage Center teams

TC Bear and friends celebrate the opening of the new baseball field.Photo courtesy of Courage Center

A 30-year dream came true Aug. 9 when Courage Center welcomed the publicto the new Todd Anderson Field in Brooklyn Park. Members of Courage Center’swheelchair softball teams—the Jr. Rolling Twins and the 2011 National ChampionAdult Rolling Twins, Courage Center’s Vice President of Public Affairs and Re-search, John Tschida was among the Courage Center leaders on hand welcomingguests who included Brooklyn Park Mayor Jeffrey Lunde and City Council mem-bers; Dawnette Synder, regional market manager from Pepsi; Minnesota Twins’President Dave St. Peter, Community Relations Director Bryan Donaldson andemcee Tim Laudner; Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin; BradRuhl, president and CEO of Ottobock; representatives from Minnesota AmateurSports, Courage Center staff and volunteers, and many friends who came to theribbon cutting and demonstration softball game.

The new field, Minnesota’s first softball field for competitive wheelchair play,was made possible in part by winning a $200,000 grant through the Major LeagueBaseball/Pepsi Refresh Project. In 2010, Courage Center was chosen by the Min-nesota Twins to be the charity partner for the Major League Baseball/Pepsi Re-fresh Grant contest.

The Twins competed against and were eventually victorious in the vote-gettingcampaign over 14 other MLB teams. More than two million votes were cast. TheMinnesota Twins won the Pepsi Refresh Project by 60,000 votes.

The ball field’s namesake, Todd Anderson, was an internationally-recognizedexpert and innovator in the design of artificial limbs and an inspiration in theadapted sports community. After a motorcycle accident left him as a single-leg am-putee, he went back to school to become a prosthesis maker. He became active inadaptive sports, particularly wheelchair softball, in which he went on to help winnational championships for Courage Center teams. He was a longtime employee ofOttobock. He passed away at age 50.

The new field is at Northwoods Park in Brooklyn Park, at the intersection of107th Ave. and Winnetka Ave. N.

The field dedication was just one honor given to Courage Center in August. Inconjunction with the field opening, Courage Center received the State Farm Go toBat Award on Aug. 5 during the Twins’ pregame program. State Farm recognizedCourage Center for its outstanding commitment and support of the local commu-nity. Members of the national champion Jr. Rolling Twins stood at home plate atTarget Field in downtown Minneapolis to receive the award.

Courage Center is a nonprofit rehabilitation and resource center that advancesthe lives of children and adults experiencing barriers to health and independence.There are two wheelchair softball teams managed through Courage Center, theRolling Twins and the Jr. Rolling Twins. The youth team features players ages 6-18. The players learn fundamental softball skills like batting, fielding and baserunning in addition to the competition of games, some on a national level. Theadult team competes both regionally and nationally.

Baseball is just one of many sports and recreation opportunities offered byCourage Center. For more information on these programs, visitwww.couragecenter.org/ContentPages/sportsandrec.aspx ■

We would like toacknowledge

and thank The Arc™Minnesota and UCare

for their generousIssue Sponsorship.

Please considerjoining

as an Issue Sponsor.Call: 651-644-2133


“ I have been an In Home client for at least 20 years. During that timeI have received excellent, reliable, consistent care from PCAs and

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At In Home Personal Care, we pride ourselves not only on thehelp we provide, but also on our ability to listen. We understandthat each of our clients has different needs at different times. Ourquality home care services are formed around a plan that works

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PEOPLE & PLACES

Highland Friendship Club members enjoyed a baseballgame in St. Paul.

Photo courtesy of Highland Friendship Club

Friendship Club members play aReally Big Game

The Highland Friendship Club, a group for peoplewith disabilities, enjoyed The Really Big Game at theHighland Park Little League Fields in St. Paul Aug. 9.The baseball game spectacular for teens and adultswith disabilities not only gave club members a chanceto play on a real baseball field, they also receivedbaseball jerseys and hats. It was a chance for 21 clubmembers to participate in a team sport and perhapsgain some inspiration to try out for a future SpecialOlympics competition.

More than 70 volunteers from the Highland area,signed on to assist with the needs to pull this eventoff. The St. Paul Saints baseball organization pro-vided entertainment and Walser Toyota served freehot dogs. Additional sponsorship for The Really BigGame was provided by Target Corporation, Plum’s

Neighborhood Restaurant and Bar, Minnesota Label,Central Minnesota Westwind Enterprises, D&J GloveRepair, General Sports, Mark and Heidi Wingerd,Mark and Diane Rachac, Mike and Beth Domler, andseveral anonymous donors.

The Highland Friendship Club supports youngadults with disabilities by helping them make newfriends, learn new skills and have fun too. Learn moreand consider donating to their worthwhile organiza-tion at www.highlandfriendshipclub.org ■

Minneapolis Veterans Home holdsgrand opening and dedication

Gov. Mark Dayton, federal and state leaders gath-ered Aug. 15 to for the grand opening and dedicationof a multi-phase project at the Minneapolis VeteransHome. The event for Building 19 and the adult daycenter marks the first milestone of a major renovationand construction project to modernize facilities andmeet the new industry standard of resident-centeredcare for Minnesota’s veterans.

Building 19 is a state-of-the-art skilled nursing carefacility that incorporates the latest technology andmodern amenities to enhance care. This building has100 private rooms designed around “neighborhoods”to offer care in a home-style atmosphere. This facilityincludes a greenhouse, barber and beauty shops, com-mon areas with natural light and greenery and a townsquare.

The adult day center is the second in the country tooffer day services in a veteran-specific model of careoperated by a state Veterans Affairs Department. Thisday program allows participants maintain their high-est level of independence and physical and mentalwell-being while remaining at home. The adult dayconcept also provides care and respite for caregivers,helping ease the strain of caring for a loved one orfamily member.

The Minneapolis Veterans Home opened in 1887and is celebrating its 125th birthday this year. TheAug. 15 event featured a patriotic program with re-marks by Dayton and other officials, special musicand tours of the new and renovated buildings. ■

Concussion prevention emphasized

Head injuries and concussions caused by sports arein the spotlight, with recent law changes in Minnesota

meant to protect young athletes. Good Sports, a na-tionwide non-profit group, and Riddell Sports arebringing smiles to thousands of kids across the coun-try with their donation of new Riddell RevolutionSpeed football helmets.

Nearly 2,000 youth will benefit from this initiativeincluding programs in Minnesota, Arkansas, Illinois,Massachusetts, Missouri, Texas and West Virginia.The donation is part of Riddell’s commitment to pro-tecting athletes through innovative technology.

Riddell provides the helmets for the National Foot-ball League (NFL).

Across the country, many youth football programsare struggling to provide proper equipment to the chil-dren who participate in their programs. Some have toomany kids to support while others have financial con-straints. Riddell’s football helmet donation will benefita dozen programs nationwide. All helmets being do-nated are Riddell Revolution Speed helmets—one ofthe company’s most technologically-advanced helmets.The donation will help recipient organizations get onestep closer to outfitting their players this season.

“Thanks to generous partners like Riddell we areable to provide disadvantaged youth with opportuni-ties to participate in athletic activities with the properequipment—a critical component of supportinghealthy, active lifestyles for young people,” said Mel-issa Harper, Good Sports’ chief executive officer.“This is especially important in football, where prop-erly equipping a team can be too costly for all kids tobe able to play.” ■

DHS hospitals celebrateanniversaries, new leader

Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS)hospitals in St. Peter and Rochester are celebratingmilestones. Now in their sixth year of providing men-tal health care to area residents, the two communitybehavioral health hospitals also have a new leader.

Anthony Walters began as administrator of the fa-cilities in June. He replaced Carol Olson, who thisspring became chief executive officer at the state-op-erated Minnesota Security Hospital. Walters was pre-viously administrator of the community behavioralhealth hospital in Bemidji, leading it from January2007 to June 2009.

DHS began opening the hospitals in 2006 as part ofa redesign of mental health services to replace largeregional treatment centers with several community-based programs. The 16-bed facilities provide short-term, inpatient psychiatric care to adults until they canreturn home or transfer to a less intensive environ-ment. The smaller setting within the community al-lows individuals to remain close to their homes, andsupport of family and friends, during treatment.

Walters, who has 18 years of behavioral health careexperience at government, non-profit and private or-ganizations, said he is excited to be back with DHS.Most recently he was chief executive officer of Uni-versal Health Services, Inc., in Arkansas.

“I think the community behavioral health modeldoes tremendous good,” said Walters. “For a patient,receiving evidence-based care in a humane way is ex-tremely important. The model is very effective at de-termining what patients need and seeking to partnerwith individuals so they can achieve recovery.”

The St. Peter hospital opened in May 2006, fol-lowed by the Rochester hospital in July 2006. In itsfirst six years, St. Peter served nearly 1,300 people,and Rochester served approximately 1,000. The aver-age length of stay across all community behavioralhealth hospitals in Minnesota is less than 20 daysPeople & Places - p. 9


PEOPLE & PLACEScompared to 45-50 days at regional treatment centercampuses. Less than 10 percent of patients are read-mitted within 30 days of their discharge.

Olson, who led the St. Peter hospital for its first sixyears and in 2012 also took over Rochester, creditedthe communities for helping in the hospitals’ success.

“We work very closely with support systems in thecommunity for when our patients no longer need hos-pital level of care,” Olson said. “We serve peopleclose to home so that local support services, counties,families and their loved ones could continue that so-cial connection to them, which is really important inrecovery.”

DHS State Operated Services currently operatesseven community behavioral health hospitals acrossMinnesota in Alexandria, Annandale, Bemidji,Baxter, Fergus Falls, Rochester and St. Peter. ■

Lifetrack Resources to expandservices with addition of WFRC

Lifetrack Resources has announced the acquisitionof Working Family Resource Center (WFRC) as aprogram effective Aug. 1. This will help both agen-cies better serve their clients.

“Being able to move the collaboration betweenLifetrack Resources and Working Family ResourceCenter to this level of integration will allow more par-ents and their children to benefit from WFRC’s highquality programming while enhancing Lifetrack’swork with families and individuals,” said TrixieAnnGirtz Golberg, President of Lifetrack Resources.

This is a strategic decision to bring togethercomplementary services and resources to the commu-nity, allowing families to access a greater spectrum ofservices including work-life education while collec-tively minimizing administrative expenses.

Working Family Resource Center educates andsupports employees to effectively manage the de-mands of work and family. For more than 25 years,WFRC has provided quality educational seminars atthe worksite, in-person and online, in order tostrengthen individuals, families and communities.

Lifetrack Resources is a non-profit human servicesorganization with a mission to work together to de-velop the strengths within children, families andadults facing the greatest life challenges so that allfamilies and individuals are strong, healthy and pro-ductive members of the community. ■

from p. 8Dick Endres founded ConfidenceLearning Center

Dick Endres, a longtime state employee andfounder of Confidence Learning Center, died Aug. 13.He was 84 years old and lived in Brainerd.

Endres’ wife Jeanne died in July and he recentlymade the decision to end kidney dialysis. TheBrainerd Dispatch interviewed him prior to his death.He also made one last trip to the camp in early Augustwith some of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He said that as he looked back on theprogress that was made at Confidence Learning Cen-ter he wasn’t really surprised at all.

“I always felt the camp could grow to this point,”he said.

Endres’ career spanned a time when people withdevelopmental disabilities were described as “in-mates.” He began his career at Faribault State Hospi-tal in 1960. In the interview with the Dispatch, Endrescredited Gov. Luther Youngdahl’s administrationwith encouraging new staff methods that kept resi-dents active with songs, games, marching and outdooractivities.

In 1967 Endres and a group of friends formed anonprofit corporation that bought 140 acres on SylvanLake. The land was cleared in 1969. Tents were usedin the early years to house Camp Confidence, laterConfidence Learning Center. For its first 25 years itwas the state’s only year-round, free recreationalcamp for people with developmental disabilities. Thecenter grew and expanded thanks to many donationsand many fundraisers. Family members and friendshelped out at the camp in the early years, so thatcounselors didn’t have to be hired.

Camp activities included fishing, canoeing andbeach activities in the summer. In the winter camperstook part in cross-country skiing, tubing and ice skat-ing. Endres said his philosophy was to emphasize thecampers’ abilities not their disabilities.

Endres worked for many years as camp director,while he still worked for the state. By encouragingfamily members and visiting staff to participate withthe campers and to bring their own food, ConfidenceLearning Center was able to operate without the ex-pense of hiring counselors.

Endres received the Crow Wing County HumanRights Award in 2009 and was Brainerd’s Citizen ofthe Year in 1991.

Services have been held. ■

In MemoriamMiracle-Ear founder is remembered

Miracle-Ear founder Kenneth H. Dahlberg was re-membered at a moving ceremony in late July at Ar-lington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.Dahlberg not only was founder of Minneapolis-basedMiracle-Ear Inc., he also was a decorated World WarII flying ace. Dahlberg passed away in October 2011passed away at the age of 94. Close family membersand friends gathered for an intimate service that in-cluded a military tribute and flag folding ceremony.Select Miracle-Ear franchisees attended as well to paytribute to someone who they respected and admired.

Dahlberg touched the lives of many throughout hisyears, but his impact on the hearing industry leavesmany Miracle-Ear franchise owners remembering aman of great talent and character. In 1948, his entre-preneurial drive led him to create Dahlberg Electron-ics, a hearing aid manufacturer.

By 1955 Dahlberg Electronics introduced a revolu-tionary product and is accredited for the developmentof the industry’s first all-in-the-ear hearing aid.Dahlberg Electronics evolved throughout the decadesand today is identified as Miracle-Ear Inc., a fran-chised hearing solutions retailer. More than 60 yearslater, his entrepreneurial spirit is still present amongthe 180-plus nationwide Miracle-Ear franchisees whowork day in and day out to share the gift of hearingwith others.

“Kenneth made an impact on many and his passionfor hearing innovation has changed the world aroundhim,” said Diana Beaufils, Senior Vice President ofMiracle-Ear. “Speaking on behalf of the entireMiracle-Ear system, we honor the man who evolvedthe hearing industry into what it is today. He will con-tinue to inspire us to make a difference in the lives ofthe hearing impaired.”

Miracle-Ear uses state-of-the-art technology to re-move the barriers of hearing loss. The Plymouth-

In Memoriam - p. 12


Facing the Past exhibit

ACCESSIBLE FUNWelcome to the Access Press Accessible Fun listings.Readers looking for additional opportunities to enjoy thearts have these options:

For information on galleries and theater performancesaround the state, join the Access to Performing Artsemail list at [email protected] or call VSA Minnesota,612-332-3888 or statewide 800-801-3883 (voice/TTY).To hear a weekly listing of accessible performances, call612-332-3888 or 800-801-3883. On the web accessibleperformance listings are found at www.vsamn.org/calendar.html, www.mrid.org,www.accesspress.org, orhttp://c2net.org (c2: caption coalition, inc.), which doesmost of the captioned shows in Minnesota and acrossthe country.

Connect with performances on Facebook. Sign up toconnect with Audio Description Across Minnesota onFacebook (www.facebook.com/pages/Audio-Description-Across-Minnesota/202035772468). Sign up to connectwith ASL Interpreted and Captioned PerformancesAcross Minnesota on Facebook (www.facebook.com/pages/ASL-Interpreted-and-Captioned-Performances-Across-Minnesota/257263087700814.

Artability show and saleMore than 90 artists are involved in the 18th annualPeople Incorporated Mental Health Services ArtabilityArt Show and Sale. It includes paintings, drawings,sculptures, photographs, and writings from artiststhroughout the Twin Cities metro area. The three-dayevent is free and open to the public. The show will beheld Sept. 27-29 at Historic Mounds Theatre, 1029Hudson Rd, St. Paul. An opening reception will be held 6p.m. Thu, Sept. 27. Weekend hours are 2-8 p.m. Fri,Sept. 28 and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat, Sept. 29. Artability ismade possible in part by the Minnesota Arts and CulturalHeritage Fund, the Boss Foundation, Tapemark, and theMetropolitan Regional Arts Council. FFI:www.PeopleIncorporated.org.

One step at a timeNAMI Walks, Changing Minds One Step at a Time, is a5K walk to increase public awareness of mental ill-nesses, fight stigma, and raise funds for NAMI, the Na-

Facing the Past uses art to tell the story of peoplewith disabilities who were institutionalized in Minnesotastate hospitals. Between 1866 and 1997 morethan13,000 people with disabilities, in 11 different statehospitals, were buried in state hospital cemeteries withnumbered or unmarked graves. These forgotten anddiscarded lives serve as a stark reminder of a systemthat separated people with disabilities from the commu-nity and denied them basic human rights and dignity.

The show can be seen through September atCladdaugh’ Coffee Shop, 450 W 7th Street, St PaulThe emerging artists involved in this project are peoplewith disabilities. Most are members of human rightsorganizations including Remembering With Dignity(RWD), Advocating Change Together (ACT) and Self-Advocates Minnesota (SAM)

One of the emerging artists, Kelly Lee, said, “It’s justplain fun. I keep learning and learning. And I gotta keeppracticing. “

Facing The Past came out of another project, SeeTheir Faces. Both projects were about process, notproduct. Artists wanted to know what their subjects may

have looked like, so theyused portraits of former resi-dents of the state hospital in-stitutions that were buriedwith a numbered grave-marker. In some cases theyalso used photographs fromfamily members in search oftheir lost relatives. The artistsalso drew on genealogy,which is generally sparse, aswell as information about thesubjects’ occupation and thetime period they lived in.

In Facing The Past artists continued their studies ofdrawing, investigated collage and researched what thelife of an artist entails. They visited galleries, museums,artist studios and worked with artists in their studios.They also attended artists’ talks and sketch-outs ses-sions. They also attended meeting for artists with dis-abilities, and practiced their craft, developing their ownstyle of drawing and painting. ■

tional Alliance on Mental Illness of Minnesota. The walkis 1 p.m. Sat, Sept. 22 at Minnehaha Park in Minneapo-lis and Whitney Memorial Park in St. Cloud. More than150 walk teams and more than 3,000 people from allaround the state are expected to participate. NAMI pro-vides educational classes, support groups and advo-cacy for children and adults with mental illnesses andtheir families. FFI: 651-645-2948 ext. 112, 1-888-NAMI-Helps, or go to namihelps.org and click on theNAMIWalks logo.

Emerging Artists receptionSeven recipients of VSA Minnesota’s 2011 EmergingArtists Grant will have their work exhibited Sept. 13-29 atHomewood Studios Gallery, 2400 Plymouth Ave. N.,Mpls. Each artist received a $1,500 grant earlier thisyear, funded by the Jerome Foundation, to help themcreate new work. Artists include Steven Accola, visualart, Mpls; Ethan Heidlebaugh, visual art, Mpls; LaneMcKiernan, writing, Mpls; Tracy Gulliver, writing,Chisago City; Nancy Miller, visual art, Eveleth; AndreaT. Langworthy, writing, Rosemount; and James VanAmber, writing, Mankato. Opening reception is 6-8p.m. Fri, Sept. 14. A reading is 6-8 p.m. Tue, Sept. 18.

Refreshments will be avail-able, work is for sale, andASL interpreting and AudioDescription are available ifrequested a week in ad-vance from VSA Minne-sota. Please refrain fromwearing scented products.FFI: Homewood Gallery,612-587-0230, www.home

woodstudios.com; VSA Minnesota, 612-332-3888 or800-801-3883 voice/tty, www.vsamn.org

Dave Ryan’s run for Special OlympicsHundreds of runners and walkers will participate in theannual Dave Ryan’s 5K &10K for Special Olympics Min-nesota. The race is 9 a.m. Sat, Sept. 29 at TheodoreWirth Park, 1339 Theodore Wirth Parkway in Minneapo-lis. Last year’s event raised more than $45,000 for Spe-cial Olympics Minnesota. The event is presented byKDWB with support from the Minneapolis Park Police,the Minnesota Law Enforcement Torch Run for SpecialOlympics and the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board.Cost is $30 for the 5K and $35 for the 10K prior to raceday. Same-day registration is $35 for the 5K and $40 forthe 10K. FFI: Alyssa Siech, 800-738-7732, ext. 255 [email protected], http://daveryan5k.kintera.org.

Dignity Center fundraiserPhilip Brunelle, choirmaster at Plymouth CongregationalChurch and artistic director of VocalEssence, has as-sembled a group of award-winning Twin Cities perform-ers to support the Dignity Center, a stability program forthe metro area’s homeless. The Center’s 10th annualbenefit concert, Dignity for All, is 7:30 to 9 p.m., Mon,Sept. 24 at Plymouth Congregational Church, 1900Nicollet Ave., Mpls. Tickets are $35 per person or $30per person when ordering 10 or more together and in-clude parking. This event is open to the public. The Dig-nity Center, an outreach ministry of Hennepin AvenueUnited Methodist Church (HAUMC), supports homelessclients on their path to self-sufficiency. In 2011, the Cen-ter served over 4,500 clients; nearly 1,000 were newguests. FFI: 612-871-5303, theDignityCenter.org ■


UPCOMING EVENTS

AdvocacyVoter education offeredMinnesota’s general election is Nov. 6. The Secretary ofState Voter Education and Outreach staff and DisabilityLaw Center are eager to connect with groups with dis-abilities that are interested in free voter education work-shops and training—which can be catered specifically tothe groups’ request. Information is also available atwww.mnvotes.org. FFI: Pamela Hoopes, Minnesota Dis-ability Law Center, 612-746-3711, [email protected]; Claire Wilson, Minnesota Office of the Secretary ofState , 651-201-1339, [email protected]

ConferencesAttend Arc conference"A New Vision in Action” is the theme for The Arc Minne-sota State Conference, Nov. 16-17 at Crowne PlazaSuites Airport, Mall of America, Bloomington. This an-nual conference can help provide a new way of lookingat disability supports and services in the years ahead.Hear about successes and best practices from parents,self-advocates, and people employed in the field whoare creating visions of what is possible and how to getthere. Hear from prominent leaders who are advancingdisability rights and new futures for people with disabili-ties, including Judge Don-ovan Frank of the U.S. DistrictCourt in St. Paul, and Deputy Commissioner of HumanServices Anne Barry. Hotel rooms are $99/night. Re-duced conference fees for members of The Arc. Regis-ter by Sept. 29, and save $20 more. FFI: 1-800-582-5256, ext. 113, www.arcmn.org

Adult classesIndependent living classes offeredThe Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL)offers free and accessible classes on living indepen-dently for people with disabilities. Most classes are heldat 1600 University Ave., #16, the green tile building atUniversity and Snelling, St. Paul, unless specified.A series of classes starts 10 a.m.-noon Tue, Sept. 11with Wise Personal Management. It is followed by Emo-tional Management and Time Management, Oct. 9 and16. How to Turn Disability into Feistiness is 10 a.m.-noon Mon, Sept. 17. Budgeting class is offered 10 a.m.-noon Tue, Sept. 18 and Mon, Oct. 15. Bus training is 10a.m.-3 p.m. Wed, Sept. 26 and Oct. 10. Farmers’ markettrips including lunch are 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thu, Sept. 20and Oct. 18. Learn simple techniques, patterns and de-signs of knitting. Adaptive knitting equipment available;for all levels of knitters. Other crafts are welcome, 10a.m.-noon Mon, Sept, 10 and 1-3 p.m. Mon, Sept. 24.Wii fun is back 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Thu, Sept. 27. Cooking is1-6 p.m. Tue, Sept. 25 and Oct. 30. Weekenders outingsare for those who are tired of sitting home all weekend.Meet other people who share similar interests and want

to meet new people. Guests are welcome and encour-aged. Dine at The Egg and I restaurant Sat, Sept. 22and Oct. 20 at Modern Café. Please bring spendingmoney for events. Events are free (with the exception ofWeekenders outings), accessible and mostly scent-free.Please RSVP and give two weeks’ notice of needed ac-commodations. FFI: Corbett Laubignat, 651-603-2028,[email protected], Cindy, 651-603-2037,[email protected], 651-603-2037

Youth and familiesPACER offers workshopsPACER Center offers useful free or low-cost workshopsand other resources for families of children with disabili-ties. Workshops are at PACER Center, 8161 Norman-dale Blvd., Bloomington, unless specified. IDEA: Blue-print for Special Education, a free workshop for parentsof children with disabilities and for professionals, is 6:30-9 p.m. Thu, Sept. 13. This workshop will address how touse the building blocks of the Individuals with DisabilitiesEducation Act (IDEA) to develop appropriate services forstudents. Registration requested. FFI: 952-838-9000,800-537-2237 (toll free), www.PACER.org

Parents with disabilities groupMCIL offers a support group for parents with disabilities,Learn from and grow with others who are dealing withthe intricacies of disability and parenting responsibilities.Everyone’s experience is valuable and questions areimportant. The group meets 5-7 pm. Mon, Sept. 24 andOct. 29 at MCIL 1600 University Ave. W. St. Paul. Pre-registration requested. RSVP: Corbett, 651-603-2028,[email protected]

Information and supportUCare meetingsUCare hosts informational meetings about its UCare forSeniors Medicare Advantage plan. Meetings are held allover the region. UCare for Seniors has more than75,000 members across Minnesota and western Wis-consin. UCare serves Medicare-eligible individuals andfamilies enrolled in income-based Minnesota HealthCare Programs, such as Minnesota Care and PrepaidMedical Assistance Program; adults with disabilities andMedicare beneficiaries with chronic health conditionsand Minnesotans dually eligible for Medical Assistanceand Medicare FFI: 1-877-523-1518 (toll free),www.ucare.org

Mental Illness support groupsThe National Alliance on Mental Illness of Minnesota(NAMI-MN) free support groups for families who have arelative with a mental illness. NAMI has about two dozenfamily support groups, over 20 support groups for peopleliving with a mental illness, anxiety support groups,groups for veterans and other groups. Led by trainedfacilitators, the various groups provide help and support.FFI: 651-645-2948Family support group meets in Roseville at 6:30 p.m., atCentennial United Methodist Church, 1524 Co. Rd. C-2West, on the second and fourth Wednesdays of themonth. FFI: Anne Mae. 651-730-8434. Partners andSpouses support group meets 6:45 p.m. the first Tue of

each month at Falcon Heights United Church of Christ,1795 Holton St. FFI: Lois, 651-788-1920, or Donna,651-645-2948 ext. 101. NAMI Connection peer supportgroup for adults are led by trained facilitators who arealso in recovery lead NAMI Connection groups. Onegroup meets at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Tue, at LutheranChurch of the Redeemer, 285 Dale St. N., St. Paul. FFI:Shelley, 651-228-1645. Open Door Anxiety and Panicsupport, meets at 6:30 p.m. the first and third Thu atWoodland Hills Church, 1740 Van Dyke St., St. Paul. Itmeets at 6:30 p.m., on the first and third Thu. FFI: NAMIat 651-645-2948, www.namihelps.org

Family courses on mental illnessesIs a family member living with a mental illness? NAMI-MN offers free educational courses that helps familiesgain a greater understanding of mental illness, discussresources, build communication skills, reduce stress andfind support. The Family-to-Family course will meetweekly on Tuesdays for 12 weeks. The course starts6:30-9 p.m. Tue, Sept. 11, at North Heights LutheranChurch, 2701 Rice St., Roseville, Registration required.FFI: Stacia, 651-330-1730; Anne, 651-653-5116. A 12-week borderline personality class is Personality DisorderClass for Families provides the most current informationon Borderline Personality Disorder, teaches coping skillsbased on Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and helps fami-lies develop a support network. The class starts 6-8:30p.m. Tue, Sept. 11, United Hospital, 333 N. Smith Ave.,St. Paul. Registration required. FFI: Jennie, 651-645-2948

Chronic pain support groupMCIL offers a peer support group for people who livewith chronic pain. The group will start meeting 6:30-8p.m. Thu, Sept. 13 at MCIL, 1600 University Ave. #16,St. Paul. Group members will discuss what chronic painis and how it affects people. FFI: Cindy Langr, 651-603-2037, [email protected]

Volunteer, Donate

Open the Door to EducationHelp adults reach their educational goals and earn theirGED. Tutor, teach or assist in a classroom with the Min-nesota Literacy Council. Give just 2-3 hours a week andhelp people expand their opportunities and change theirlives through education. The literacy council providestraining and support. Accommodations for volunteerswith disabilities. FFI: Allison, 651-251-9110,[email protected], www.mnliteracy.org/volun-teers/opportunities/adults.

Volunteer with RSVPVolunteers age 55 and older are eligible to receive freesupplemental insurance, mileage reimbursement andother benefits through the Retired and Senior VolunteerProgram (RSVP) sponsored by Volunteers of America ofMinnesota. RSVP/Volunteers of America of Minnesotaand AARP Foundation need volunteers with good bud-geting and organizational skills to help manage financesof older or disabled low-income individuals. Have a fewhours a month to volunteer? Money Management Pro-gram staff will train and match you with someone in thecommunity. FFI: 612-617-7821 ■

he has always worked and created an independent lifefor himself. He worked, as an accountant and then forSt. Paul Public Schools. For 20 years he has workedwith students with disabilities, helping them make thetransition from school to work. “Now, 40 years later,he once again meets the indignities of an inaccessiblecommunity with the same courageous activist spirit,”said Duncan

Van Heuveln was caught in a bureaucratic dilemmathat could have resulted in the loss of his home andother assets. During the 2012 legislative session heled the fight for changes to Medical Assistance forEmployed Persons with Disabilities (MA-EPD).

MA-EPD is a program that permits people withdisabilities to pay a percentage of their earnings, asan insurance premium toward medical expenses tocounty human services. Van Heuveln needs ser-vices to cover his personal care attendant needs,which are not covered under his employment insur-ance. But under state rules, he would be cut off atage 65 and placed on Medical Assistance, eventhough he wanted to continue working. He wouldhave lost his job and most financial assets, and ulti-mately his home due to income restrictions that

Award winner- from p. 1

would have made it impossible to continue to payhis mortgage.

Undeterred he pushed for changes to state law to al-low MA-EPD recipients to keep working, taking hiscase to the news media and raising awareness of this im-portant issue. In many ways he became the face of work-ing Minnesotans with disabilities who want to work andwant to continue to contribute to society. He finally suc-ceeded in making his case and getting the law changed.This will help many Minnesotans with disabilities con-tinue to work and contribute to our tax base.

He is no stranger to the state capitol and issues im-portant to the disability community. Van Heuvelnworked on several major bills in the 1970s. He was aleader in the effort to get all Minnesota public build-ings built after 1972 to be accessible to everyone.This was years before the federal Americans withDisabilities Act (ADA) was passed.

Another key piece of state legislation Van Heuvelnwas closely involved in was to add the word “disabil-ity” to state human rights law; removing demeaninglanguage from much legislation.

He led efforts to make all Minnesota polling placesbarrier-free and worked on grassroots voter registra-

tion activities. He was involved in efforts to change apast practice that had required that all absentee ballotsbe notarized before submission, a rule that made itdifficult for many people to vote. He also led the pushto ensure that public transportation and transit wouldbe accessible to people with disabilities.

Many people may not remember that Van Heuvelnwas instrumental in efforts to pass the signature stampbill, making a rubber stamp a legal signature. That hashelped many people who otherwise couldn’t sign forthemselves. ■


MDI diversifies its clienteleAn Iron Range nonprofit organization says it’s suc-

cessfully weaned itself from its dependence on the U.S.Postal Service. Minnesota Diversified Industries (MDI),which has its home base in the Twin Cities, employs disabledand disadvantaged workers in Grand Rapids and Hibbing.

The Iron Range MDI operations relied on the UnitedStates Postal Service for work. But as the Postal Ser-vice has struggled, MDI has had to diversify its clients.

MDI Vice President Barbara Majerus says diversi-fying and increasing its customer base, as well as con-trolling costs has helped reduce its debt by $6 million.Majerus says MDI has nearly tripled its workforcesince the end of last year and now employs 425.

Workers make a variety of corrugated plastic containers,kits and other packaging for business, including plastic mailtrays and totes for the postal service, But Majerus toldthe Duluth News Tribune revenue is projected to doublethis year, from nearly $13 million in 2011 to $25 million.

Majerus said several new $1 million-plus contracts withnew and existing customers have boosted revenue. ■[Source: Duluth News-Tribune, KSTP-TV]

Regional News - from p. 6Court in August, Peterson stated that he suffered hear-ing loss caused by multiple explosions during his ser-vice with the Army in Iraq. KTTC-TV reported that thecomplaint alleges the city of Rochester discriminatedagainst Peterson by failing to allow him to return to hisjob as a community service officer when he couldn’tcomplete requirements to become a police officer.

The city of Rochester hasn’t filed a response yet inthe case. ■[Source: Rochester Post-Bulletin, KTTC-TV]

Medicaid changes are announcedThe Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS)

announced federal approval to implement changes tothe way it pays health care providers under the state’sMedicaid program. These changes place increasedemphasis on quality of care, health care cost and over-all value. The changes were announced Aug. 9.

The Health Care Delivery System (HCDS) demon-stration, approved by the Centers for Medicare andMedicaid Services (CMS), is another step by Gov.Mark Dayton’s administration to improve the wayhealth care is purchased for Medicaid in Minnesota.

“Minnesota is moving full steam ahead when itcomes to reforming our health system so that we payfor quality of care and outcomes for our clients, notjust the quantity of procedures,” said Human ServicesCommissioner Lucinda Jesson. “I’d like to thank ourfederal partners for their cooperation and support inthis effort to provide better care for Minnesotans andgreater savings to taxpayers.”

Historically, publicly-funded health care programsin Minnesota have been either fee-for-service (payingproviders per procedure) or managed care (paying ahealth insurance company to provide coverage). TheHCDS demonstration projects will contract directlywith providers in a new way that allows them toshare in savings for improving quality of careand patient experience and reducing the total cost ofcare for Medicaid enrollees.

In this new model, people enrolled in MinnesotaHealth Care Programs will receive more coordinatedcare to improve their overall health, and health care pro-viders will be paid based on the quality of care they pro-vide to their patients and their ability to reduce the costof care. This encourages providers to be innovative inhow they provide care and allows them to focus on thequality of care versus the amount of care they provide.

“A key factor in reforming our health care systemis working with doctors, hospitals and other providersto better coordinate care for patients. We need to lookat patient care as a team effort with one overall sharedgoal of a healthy patient outcome,” said CMS ActingAdministrator Marilyn Tavenner.

The department expects implementation of the ini-tial demonstration projects later this year. They wouldinclude up to 150,000 enrollees in Minnesota HealthCare Programs from both managed care and fee-for-service. Department staff is working on final negotia-tions with the first group of nine providers. ■[Source: Minnesota Department of Human Services]

In Memoriam - from p.9based company specializes in customizable hearingsolutions that feature discreet, comfortable productsdesigned to meet each individual’s hearing loss needs.

Wayne Brown championed the mentally ill

Wayne R. “Bumps” Brown, founder of BrownPrinting Company, Waseca, and a pioneer of web off-set printing, died of complications of a stroke at hishome in Indian Wells, CA on July 23. He was 87.

The Waseca native went to work for his family’sprinting company after college. He led the growth of

Brown Printing Company. The company is now thethird largest magazine printer and fifth largest catalogprinter in the US. Brown employs more than 2,200employees in three web offset printing facilities thatproduce over 1,000 different magazines and catalogs,including Time, Sports Illustrated, People, Elle, Es-quire, PC World and MAC World.

Brown donated much time and effort to the Minne-sota mental health community. One of his sons wasdiagnosed with schizophrenia in 1971, and Brownserved on the board of the National Alliance for theMentally Ill Minnesota (NAMI-MN) and helped with

their publications for manyyears. His family would likememorials to go to NAMI-MN, 800 Transfer Road,#31, St. Paul, MN 55114. Services have been held.■

A Mind Body Solutions yoga instructor leads an adaptive yoga session at the A Healthier U 2012 expo for people withdisabilities. Matthew Sanford of Mind Body Solutions was keynote speaker.

Photos courtesy of Ucare

About 40 exhibitors shared information about their programs and servicesfor people with disabilities at the A Healthier U 2012 expo.

Renowned chef and restaurateur BrendaLangton is shown with Tony Becker, Com-munity Relations Manager, UCare.

A Healthier U expo was a success

Ellen Houghton952-404-9981

[email protected]

Desktop Publishing:AdvertisementsBrochuresCatalogsFlyersNewslettersNewspapersProject MgmtScanning ...& More!


Taco’s deliveries - from p. 1

constitutionality of the guardianship statue as it per-tains to voting.

In his ruling Frank indicated that the plaintiffslacked legal standing to make their claims related tovoters under guardianship. The judge did review theconstitutional questions they raised and indicated thatcurrent state law needs to prevail. Under state lawpersons under guardianship only lose their right tovote if a judge takes away that right. “The constitu-tional prohibition against voting based on guardian-ship status applies only when there has been an indi-vidualized judicial finding of incapacity to vote,”Frank stated.

The Minnesota Disability Law Center and The ArcMinnesota filed an amicus or “friend of the court”brief with Frank during the court proceeding. Thebrief cited the legal and legislative basis for the pre-sumption that people with disabilities under guardian-ship have the right to vote. Frank said the brief pro-vided a “comprehensive overview and history of Min-nesota guardianship law.”

Frank also stated, “The amicus brief also discussesthe history relating to the passage of the Americanswith Disabilities Act (ADA, 1990) as well as the Vot-ing Rights Act. (See id.) In passing the ADA, Con-gress acknowledged that society has historically iso-lated and segregated individuals with disabilities andthat discrimination against individuals with disabili-ties continues to persist in many critical areas, includ-ing voting. See 42 U.S.C. § 1210(a)(2-3). Also, theVoting Rights Act states that “[a]ny voter who re-quires assistance to vote by reason of blindness, dis-ability, or inability to read or write may be given as-sistance by a person of the voter’s choice, other thanthe voter’s employer or agent of that employer or of-ficer or agent of the voter’s union.”

“Judge Frank’s decision is a victory for people withdisabilities,” said Justin Page, Advocate and staff at-

Last summer, the small town of Twin Valley cel-ebrated its 125th anniversary with a parade. Afterspending all his life in town, Al Heiraas wanted to dosomething special for his hometown.

“My niece had just bought a horse from an Amishfamily and I knew he’d be perfect to march alongsidein the parade,” Al said. “Taco is a beautiful animaland he was great on display but I could tell he wasitching for more.”

Al’s wife, Donna, knew of the perfect job for Taco.As site manager for LSS Senior Nutrition in TwinValley, she is always looking for drivers to delivermeals to homebound seniors; she thought Taco wouldbe a great addition to the team.

“My husband told me about Taco so I knew he wasa special animal,” Donna said. “I had been feeling likethe seniors who are homebound were in need of someexcitement and change to their daily routine, and Iknew bringing Taco around would do that.”

After borrowing a buggy from a neighbor and load-ing up 15 meals, Al and Taco went on their first deliv-ery run last June.

“I grew up on a farm with lots of horses and some-times a buggy was our only mode of transportation,”Al said. “Spending time with Taco brought back somany wonderful memories for me.”

Al got to relive his farm days again last monthwhen he helped Taco strap on his buggy for a secondtime. With help from four other volunteers, Taco andAl successfully delivered 12 meals to unsuspectingseniors.

“Seeing Taco and being able to touch him and talkto him brought me back to a simpler time,” one seniorsaid. “What a unique experience to have a piece ofyour childhood come back to you.”

“It’s all about the appreciation from the people,” Alsaid of volunteering. “I feel lucky to be able to bringsmiles to their faces and make them happy.” Whenasked if Taco would continue his volunteer dutiesnext summer, Al simply replied, “God only knows.”■

Miller is a writer for Lutheran Social Services.This article was also shared with the Twin ValleyTimes.

Voter - from p. 1 torney for the Minnesota Disability Law Center. “Thecourt rightly recognized that under Minnesota law,people with disabilities who have guardians still have theright to vote, unless a court specifically takes it away.”

The Minnesota Disability Law Center is the state-wide federally mandated protection and advocacy sys-tem for people with disabilities. Its purpose is to pro-tect the rights of individuals with disabilities.

“This decision means that the voice of people withdisabilities can still be heard at their polling places inthis election year,” said Steve Larson, The Arc Minne-sota senior policy director. “Minnesota law recognizesthe right of people with disabilities to have a say in de-cisions that affect their daily lives, including whomtheir elected officials will be. The lawsuit made inac-curate assumptions about the capabilities of peoplewith disabilities to have a voice at the ballot box. Weare extremely pleased with the court’s ruling.”

Minnesota law presumes that individuals underguardianship have the right to vote and provides thatindividuals under guardianship have the right to voteunless a court specifically revokes that right. In thelawsuit, the plaintiffs sought change the legal presump-tion and make it more difficult for individuals underguardianship to vote. They used examples from aroundthe state, with most in Crow Wing County, to allegethat people with disabilities should not have been al-lowed to vote in past elec-tions. Their descriptions ofvoters angered many in thedisability community.

Frank rejected the chal-lenge because the plaintiffsfailed “to allege a valid con-stitutional harm with respectto Minnesota’s voter eligibil-ity provisions for personsunder guardianship.”

Another issue that affectsvoters with disabilities wasthe challenge to same-dayregistration, which Frank alsorejected. In the disabilitycommunity same-day regis-tration is used by peoplewho have moved and bypeople who may be in agroup home or nursing home.

More than 540,000 votersused same day registration inthe 2008 presidential elec-tion. Similar or higher num-

bers are expected Nov. 6. The Minnesota Voters Alli-ance, state Rep. Sondra Erickson R-Princeton andother groups challenged same-day registration be-cause they don’t want votes counted before voters’eligibility is confirmed. With close elections includ-ing the U.S. Senate Franken-Coleman race, the plain-tiffs contended that counting ineligible votes dilutesthe rights of eligible voters.

Voters who register on election day must bring spe-cific documents to provide identity and residency, orthey can have someone who lives in the precinctvouch for them. State and county officials had con-tended that they shouldn’t have to do more than whatis currently required to provide eligibility. Frankagreed, saying it is an “erroneous premise” that elec-tion officials must check eligibility before actuallycounting votes.

“Under Minnesota election statutes, voters themselvescertify their eligibility to vote, under threat of crimi-nal prosecution if they do so falsely,” the judge stated.

“This decision today means that the half-millionMinnesotans who were relying on election day regis-tration to update their registration, or because theyjust turned 18, this means they will be able to votesmoothly,” said Secretary of State Mark Ritchie in astatement. Ritchie and other state and county electionofficials were defendants in the lawsuit. ■


Radio Talking BookBooks available through Faribault

Books broadcast on the Minnesota Radio TalkingBook Network are available through the MinnesotaBraille and Talking Book Library in Faribault. Phone is1-800-722-0550 and hours are 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mon-day through Friday. The catalog is online and can be ac-cessed by going to the main website, http://education.state.mn.us, and then clicking on the link. Persons livingoutside of Minnesota may obtain copies of books bycontacting their home state’s Network Library for the Na-tional Library Service.

Listen to the Minnesota Radio Talking Book, eitherlive or archived programs from the last week, on theInternet at www.mnssb.org/rtb. Call the staff for yourpassword to the site. See more information about eventson the Facebook site for the Minnesota Radio TalkingBook Network. Facebook is a fee social networking website. Register at www.facebook.com

Weekend Program BooksYour Personal World (Saturday at 1 p.m.) is airing

The Prosperous Heart, by Julia Cameron; For theYounger Set (Sunday at 11 a.m.) is airing Wolf Storm, byDee Garretson; Poetic Reflections (Sunday at noon) isairing Double Truth, by Chard deNiord, and That Said,by Jane Shore; The U.S. and Us (Sunday at 4 p.m.) isairing Keeping Watch, by Kathryn A. Sletto, and The As-sassination of Hole-in-the-Day, by Anton Treuer. AccessPress is one of the publications featured at 9 p.m. Sun-days on the program It Makes a Difference.

Chautauqua • Tuesday – Saturday 4 a.m.The Power of Habit, Nonfiction by Charles Duhigg, 2012.Reporter Duhigg shares discoveries that explain whyhabits exist and how they can be changed. Habits canearn billions and mean the difference between failureand success, life and death. Read by June Prange.10 broadcasts. Begins Sept. 19.

Past is Prologue • Monday – Friday 9 a.m.1493, Nonfiction by Charles C. Mann, 2011. When Co-lumbus landed in the Americas, he set off an ecologicalconvulsion as European vessels carried thousands ofspecies across the oceans. Read by Malcolm McLean.19 broadcasts. Begins Sept. 25.

Bookworm • Monday – Friday 11 a.m.The Lost Saints of Tennessee, Fiction by Amy Franklin-Willis, 2012. When Zeke Cooper loses his twin brother ina drowning and his wife to divorce, he skips town to es-cape his grief. He leaves behind two adolescent daugh-ters and his estranged mother. Read by Alletta Jervey.10 broadcasts. Begins Sept. 17.

The Writer’s Voice • Monday – Friday 2 p.m.Hot Cripple, Nonfiction by Hogan Gorman, 2012. Ex-model Hogan Gorman lived the typical New York work-ing actor’s life, auditions and classes at day, waitressingat night, until she was hit by a car traveling at 40 milesper hour. With no insurance and with debilitating injuries,she was forced to deal with the system. L,S - Read byLynda Kayser. Nine broadcasts. Begins Sept. 19.

Choice Reading • Monday – Friday 4 p.m.The Golden Hour, Fiction by Margaret Wurtele, 2011.Giovanna has just turned seventeen. The Second World

War bears down on her village as the Italians sign apeace with the Allies. When her brother joins the Resis-tance, he asks Giovanna to hide a wounded fighter whois Jewish. Read by Anne Obst. 11 broadcasts. BeginsSept. 24.

PM Report • Monday – Friday 8 p.m.Don’t Shoot, Nonfiction by David M. Kennedy, 2011.Gang and drug-related inner-city violence is the definingcrime problem in our country. But self-taught criminolo-gist David Kennedy engineered the “Boston Miracle” inthe 1990s and pointed toward a solution. Read by HughJones. 15 broadcasts. Begins Sept. 25.

Night Journey • Monday – Friday 9 p.m.The Lost Women of Lost Lake, Fiction by Ellen Hart,2011. Jane’s friend Tess is being harangued by a manclaiming to be a journalist who keeps asking questionsabout events decades ago. Tess’s friends are being veryprotective. Jane decides that the best way to protect herfriends from secrets is to uncover the truth before any-one else can. Read by Constance Crane. 10 broadcasts.Begins Sept. 24.

Off the Shelf • Monday – Friday 10 p.m.As Though She Were Sleeping, Fiction by Elia Khoury,2012. Milia’s response to her new husband Mansour andto the Middle East of 1947 is to close her eyes and driftinto parallel worlds where identities shift, where she canconverse with the dead and foresee the future. Read byJim Gregorich. 14 broadcasts. Begins Sept. 11.

Potpourri • Monday – Friday 11 p.m.The Perfect Gentleman, Nonfiction by Imran Ahmad,2012. Imran Ahmad was born in Pakistan, but his par-ents moved to London when he was a boy. Growing upas a Muslim in London was very confusing for him. Hewas completely confused about most things, includingreligion. Read by Bill Studer. 14 broadcasts. BeginsSept. 11.

Good Night Owl • Monday – Friday midnightRed Plenty, Fiction by Francis Spufford, 2012. The USSRwas founded on 20th century magic called “the plannedeconomy” which was going to have an abundance ofgood things that capitalism could never match. For a littlewhile, in the 1950s, the magic seemed to be working.Read by Bob Malos. 15 broadcasts. Begins Sept. 25.

After Midnight • Tuesday – Saturday 1 a.m.The Marriage Plot, Fiction by Jeffrey Eugenides, 2012.Madeleine cannot understand why other students thinkreading literature about love is so passé. And then shebecomes involved in a love triangle the effects of whichcarry on beyond graduation. S – Read by ArlanDohrenburg. 21 broadcasts. Begins Sept. 18.

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

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Nominees - from p. 5time to the disability community, serving for manyyears as district chairman for the Polaris District ofBoy Scouts. The district is specifically focused onspecial needs scouting. Larson’s work with the dis-trict opened up many opportunities for young people.Alan Peters

People and dogs in need find each other thanks toAlan Peters, founder and executive director of CanDo Canines. What Peters started as a program to trainhomeless dogs to become the “ears” for people whoare deaf or profoundly hard of hearing has expandedto serve people with many other disabilities. Today,Can Do Canines trains dogs to assist people withphysical disabilities, diabetes, seizure disorders andautism. For more than 23 years Peters has worked toimprove and expand Minnesota’s assistance dog pro-gram by developing the highest standards in trainingand graduating almost 400 assistance dog teams.

Peters serves as an ambassador to civic and profes-sional groups to raise awareness of the positive affectassistance dogs can have on an individual, familiesand the community at large. This work provides soci-ety with a better understanding of disabilities and op-portunities to help every person lead a more indepen-dent life, thanks to a specially trained dog.

Prior to the founding of Can Do Canines, it wasmuch more difficult for area residents to obtain an as-sistance dog. Many programs charged for their ser-vices or only trained dogs for a limited number of dis-abilities. Can Do Canines has grown to become thelargest organization accredited by Assistance DogsInternational in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illi-nois.

A passion for work with assistance dogs promptedPeters to leave a successful private business career.He not only followed his dream, he and everyone elseat Can Do Canines work hard to reach new milestoneseach year. Whether it’s an individual turned away byother programs or a dog abandoned at a shelter, Petersworks tirelessly to find a positive result. He alsomakes sure that all clients, regardless of ability to pay,can have an assistance dog.

His unwavering dedication to the assistance dogindustry has resulted in a $4 million capital campaignand a permanent home for Can Do Canines. This ef-fort will make it possible for the organization to con-tinue to grow and service clients in the future, and tohelp the organization generate needed revenues.

The work of Can Do Canines and Peters has notonly changed the lives of those who receive assistancedogs, that work has also had a positive impact thelives of the dog recipients’ friends and family mem-bers. Not only do program graduates get a sense offreedom and independence, their family members andfriends know there is a safety net for their loved one.

A parent of a child who received an autism assis-tance dog wrote, “I never in a million years dreamedthat a dog could make such a difference in my son’slife and ours.”

Joan WillshireWhen it comes to addressing and resolving many

issues that face Minnesota’s disability community,Joan Willshire is described as “relentless.” Her lead-ership and passion, as head of the Minnesota StateCouncil on Disability (MnSCOD) and as a volunteer,is widely admired. Even after her husband’s deathfrom oral cancer, Willshire became more energized tohelp others and draw attention to this health issue.

Willshire has dedicated her adult life, both profes-sionally and personally, to improving the quality oflife for individuals with disabilities. When not direct-ing the MnSCOD staff, coordinating board activitiesor working on legislative issues, she is a dedicatedvolunteer. She has been a member of the MinneapolisAdvisory Committee on People with Disabilities formore than 20 years. Willshire served for several yearsas chairperson and was instrumental in the committeereceiving national recognition for its work on accessand inclusion.

Since 1986 she has been an active and contributingvolunteer at the National Multiple Sclerosis SocietyMN Chapter, working on numerous projects and com-mittees. She has spearheaded fundraisers for oralcancer, and has been a tireless advocate for oral can-cer education and research since her husband’s death.She works with the Oral Cancer Foundation and rais-ing thousands of dollars to promote awareness andfind a cure.

Professionally, Willshire has been the executivedirector of the Minnesota State Council on Disabilitysince 2003. She has worked at Courage Center in themedical supplies field.

In her work at MnSCOD she has outpaced otherprevious directors in her involvement and leadershipon disability issues. She established regular statewidetown hall meetings where disability issues could bediscussed. She was instrumental in establishing part-nerships with other state agencies that leveragedfunds to address and resolve disability issues. Inthese partnerships, employment issues were ad-dressed, emergency preparedness material was devel-oped and distributed and critical transportation policywas created that ultimately provided services in addi-tional rural counties.

She is an effective and hard-working legislative li-aison, meeting with and discussing disability issueswith most every legislator in office. She doesn’t hesi-tate to provide leadership and support on critical is-sues at the legislature or in the community. Her per-sonal disability experiences give her insight and pas-sion that other leaders in state government often lack.She also makes it a priority to network with other dis-ability organizations throughout the state.

In 2007 when her uncle died in a veterans nursinghome due to neglect, Willshire made it her personalcrusade to fight for improvements. She testified infront of several legislative committees, met with leg-islators, advocates and reporters and was successful inher fight for a better quality of life for disabled andsenior veterans. ■

Lewis Park Apartments: Barrier-free housingwith wheelchair users in mind. Section 8 subsi-dized. One- and two-bedroom units. For more in-formation on availability call 651-488-9923. St.Paul, MN. Equal Opportunity Housing.

Oak Park Village: We are accepting applicationsfor the waiting list for one-bedroom wheelchairaccessible apartments. Section 8 subsidized. Con-venient St. Louis Park location. Call 952-935-9125 for information. Equal Opportunity Housing.Calvary Center Apts: 7650 Golden Valley Road,Golden Valley, MN. A Section 8 building nowaccepting applications for our waiting list. Call 9am to 4 pm, Mon – Fri 763-546-4988 for an appli-cation. Equal Opportunity Housing.

Holmes-Greenway Housing: One- and two-bed-room wheelchair-accessible apartments. Section 8subsidized. Convenient SE Minneapolis location.Call 612-378-0331 for availability information.Equal Opportunity Housing.

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Albright Townhomes Minneapolis (612) 824-6665 1 BRBuffalo Court Apartments Buffalo (763) 684-1907 2 BRElliot Park Apartments Minneapolis (612) 338-3106 2 BREvergreen Apartments Hutchinson 1-800-661-2501 1 BRFranklin Lane Apartments Anoka (763) 427-7650 1 & 2 BRHanover Townhomes St. Paul (651) 292-8497 1 BRLincoln Place Apartments Mahtomedi (651) 653-0640 2 BROlson Towne Homes Minneapolis (612) 377-9015 1 BRPrairie Meadows Eden Prairie (952) 941-5544 2 & 3 BRTalmage Green Minneapolis (612) 623-0247 2 BRTrinity Apartments Minneapolis (612) 721-2252 1 BR (sr)Unity Place Brooklyn Center (763) 560-7563 2 BRVadnais Highlands Vadnais Heights (651) 653-0640 3 BRWillow Apartments Little Falls (320) 632-0980 1 & 2 BRWoodland Court Apartments Park Rapids 1-888-332-9312 1 BR

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SEMCIL – EXECUTIVE DIRECTORSEMCIL is seeking a dynamic individual to providevisionary leadership and direction to the operation ofour programs. Responsibilities include oversight ofdaily operations, directing and adapting to the chang-ing health and human services environment, budgetpreparation & monitoring, grant writing, compliancewith local, state and federal rules and regulations, fundraising, and collaboration with the mgmt team.

Req. a minimum of a B.S. degree, M.S. preferred, inadministration, health and human services or a relatedfield, a min. 5 years exper. in upper level managementand working with individuals with disabilities, a pas-sion for the non-profit sector, compassion for thoseserved, a confident and natural communicator, provenfundraising skills & financial savvy, experience inhome care management and Medicare and MedicalAssistance regulations.

Any qualified candidates must submit their résumé byemail, with salary requirements to SEMCIL:SEMCIL & Choice Home Care; Attn: HR Manager

2200 2nd Street SW; Rochester, MN [email protected]

EOE

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September 2012

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