Access Press, Volume 15, Issue 6, June 10 2004: Article

JUNE
June 11 and 12: Common Vision Workshop - Advocating Change Together(ACT) and People First Minnesota
Is a leadership training program uniting people with disabilities and their allies via multi-day retreats, resource materials, and follow-up technical assistance. The program provides a strong historical perspective of disabilities and connects it to a broader civil rights history. Common Vision focuses on building skills needed for individual advocacy and system change organizing. The long-tem goal is to build a network of persons with disabilities that can organize on issues of common concern. This workshop will be held in Mankato, MN. To register call Kathy at ACT 651-641-0297. June 12: Sixteenth Annual “Walk n’ Roll” Wheel-a-thon - Wings.
Lake Harriet, 10:00 to 2:00, Free Food, 612-866-0462 ext 130.

June 15: To Disclose or Not to Disclose. What are the Pros and Cons?
Sponsored by ADA Minnesota nd the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living
1:00 – 2:30pm; MCIL – 1600 University Avenue West St. Paul, MN.

Often people ask: What are my legal obligations? What do I have to tell an employer about my disability? There are almost as many views on whether or not (and when) to inform an employer of your disability, as there are companies to apply to. When your time comes to apply to companies it is important that you consider all the factors involved in your final decision as to when and how to tell your prospective employer about your disability. Join this session to hear the pro's and con's of disclosure and get some advice on how to manage this challenging issue.

This audio teleconference is free of charge, but space is limited so please RSVP your attendance to Cindy Tarshish at 651-603-2015 or email at cindyt@mcil-mn.org. Please RSVP early if you need an accommodation or alternative formatted materials.

June 19: Habitot® Dog Days of Summer - Sponsored by Cub Foods
Minnesota Children’s Museum, 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm, Kids can enjoy yummy treats, create a “boneafide” painting, meet a Helping Paws service dog and also meet Clifford The Big Red DogTM. Space is limited. Cost is $8/member and $12/non-member. Register by calling 651-225-6004. The Museum is located at Seventh and Wabasha streets om downtown St. Paul. For 24-hour information visit www.mcm.org or call 651-225-6000

June 21-26: National Sports Festival - National Disability Sports Alliance - New London, Connecticut
The nation’s biggest event for athletes with physical disabilities. For more information contact 860-267-6751, www.nationalsportsfestival.org

JUNE 23 – 25: Conference About The Complexities Of Co-Occurring Medical Conditions, Co-hosted by NIDA this meeting will share research aimed at improving care for people with coexisting mental, substance abuse, and medical/physical disorders. This conference will be held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC. For more information go to http://www.CCCconference.com/

June 26: Movement for Living - Medtronic and United Cerebral Palsy (UCP)
Medtronic which is the world leader in medical technology providing lifelong solutions for people with chronic disease. They have created Medtronic ITB™ Therapy, which is used to treat spasticity resulting from various conditions, including CP and MS. The marketing department is currently working on putting together regional patient education programs about spasticity. The program will be 2-3 hour sessions, hosted by a physician and a patient ambassador. The goal of the program, titled Movement for Living, is to educate patients on spasticity and available treatments. The programs will be geared toward people with CP and MS. The next program will be held at the Sheraton Bloomington. For more information, please vist the (long) link to the Medtronic Website that should help answer any questions you may have: http://www.medtronic.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Medtronic/Website/StageArticle&ConditionName= Severe+Spasticity&Stage=Treatment&Article=spastic_art_benefit .

JULY
July 17: Self-Advocates Sing Out! - Music for Social Change
Join us for a day of singing, song writing and fun. Saturday, July 17th 9am to 5pm. Lunch provided. Sponsoring organizations include Remembering with Dignity, Advocating Change Together, People First Minnesota and the Augsburg College Social Work Department. This day-long event will take place on Augsburg campus in the Christiansen Center at 720 22nd Avenue in Minneapolis. Call Jim at ACT at 651-641-0297 to register. Everyone welcome!

JULY 7: Youth Leadership: “Creating Leaders For The Future Of The Il Movement" Teleconference, 6:00 P.M. E.T.Sponsored by IL NET. Registration deadline is June 4, 2004. For more information go to http://www.ilru.org/online/calendar.html.

JULY 19 – 21: Workforce Innovations 2004 Conference, This conference will be held in San Antonio, TX. For more information go to http://www.workforceinnovations.org/

JULY 29 - AUGUST 1: Northern Lights: Blazing Towards A Cure, The Second Annual NPF-YOPN Conference, Sponsored by the National Parkinson Foundation-Young-Onset Parkinson Network. This conference will be held in Minneapolis, MN. For more information go to http
July 31- Photography Contest - International Library of Photography - FREE ENTRY Amateur Photo Contest is open to all St. Paul residents. Everyone, particularly beginners are welcome to try and win their share of over 1,300 prizes (60,000). For more information call 410-363-4800 ext. 121 or www.picture.com

AUGUST
August 27- Minnesota State Self-Advocacy Conference - People First Minnesota
Mark your calendar for the State Self-Advocacy conference in St. Cloud August 27th and 28th. Call John Smith at People First Minnesota at 612-624-0219 for details. More information to follow in the July issue of Access Press.

Summer Events
Mill Ruins Park offers a variety of fun and interesting programs throughout the summer.
Historical Walking Tour of the area around Mill Ruins Park, St. Anthony Falls, and the Stone Arch Bridge, every Saturday and Sunday Through October at 1pm and 3pm. Fee $4-$6.
Second Sunday Fun - Discover the fascinating history of Nicollet Island. June 13 & July 11. Fee $4-$6.
Location: Mill Ruin Park is located between the Mississippi River and West River Parkway at Portland Ave. in Downtown Mpls. next to the Stone Arch Bridge. For more information, please contact Kathy Swenson at 612-313-7793 or e-mail millruins@minneapolisparks.org

Writing the Roller Coaster - Family Institute for Creative Well-Being
Up one minute - down the next? Take time to reflect on your experience of ups and downs, joys and sorrows in the company of those who are taking a similar ride.
For Adults (parents, grandparents, and adult caregivers), having a child with a disability or chronic illness is a wild, turbulent ride through life. Come share your stories. Mondays, (2nd and 4th) - June 14, 28, July 12, 26, August 9, 23 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Falcon Heights United Church of Christ, 1795 Holton Street, Falcon Heights.
For Youth and Young Adults (high school through 20s) including siblings and close friends. The individual with a chronic illness or disability need not be a writer but must be able to express ideas. Tuesdays, July 20, 27, August, 3, 10, 17, 24 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Gillette Lifetime Speciality Clinic at 5500 County Road D, New Brighton.
For more information contact Family Institute for Creative Well-Being at 651-779-8199 or e-mail diane@familyinstitute-cwb.org or visit their website at www.familyinstitute-cwb.org

Upcoming Fall Events
September 8 -12: NAMI National Convention
September 18: Heel & Wheel - Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota
11th Annual Fundraiser for Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota For more information call 612-729-5986 or check out their website at www.hsdm.org
October 2: Walk for Thought - Brain Injury Association of Minnesota
Please mark your calendars for the Brain Injury Association of Minnesota's 3rd Annual Walk for Thought scheduled for October 2, 2004. It’s not too early to volunteer as a team captain and start forming your team!
October 3-9: Mental Illness Awareness Week
October 4-5: Courageous Conversation - Bridging the Divide
St. Louis County Health & Human Service Conference. For more information call Mary Bridget Lawson, 218-726-2140, lawsonm@co.st-louis.mn.us
October 8-9: The Arc of Minnesota’s annual state convention, October 8-9, 2004, at Northern Lights Casino and Hotel in Walker, MN.
November 6: Ability Expo - National Multiple Sclerosis Society at the Northland Inn, Brooklyn Park - Call Scott Olson for more information at 612-335-7981 or 1-800-582-5296
November 13: NAMI-MN Annual Conference

Volunteer Opportunities
Interpreter
Assist human services staff to effectively and efficiently serve non-English speaking clients by translating and reverse translating Hmong, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Russian, Somali, or Spanish and English and perform related duties as assigned. Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age. Contact Ramsey County Community Human Services-Volunteer Services at 651-266-4090 for additional information or e-mail to volunteerservices@co.ramsey.mn.us mailto:volunteerservices@co.ramsey.mn.us

Internships
Interns interested in a position where you can have an impact and gain a variety of skills will enjoy working with the Family Institute. Internships available include: Program Assistant, Marketing/graphic arts, and Business Management. Interns must commit to a minimum of ten hours per week. A nominal stipend will be paid. For more information contact the Family Institute for Creative Well-Being at 651-779-8199 or email diane@familyinstitute-cwb.org

Free Delivery of Library Materials
If you love to read, but can't get to the library because of illness or disability, the Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library can help. Volunteers will deliver books, tapes, and other library materials to your door. For more information about this free service to Minneapolis residents with limited mobility, call 630-6173.

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