Editor's
Column
by
Tim Benjamin
Happy Holidays
to all of you. It seems like just yesterday that we moved from
1999 to 2000, and now it's 2005! Access Press has had a very good
year. In the past year we've had over 40 talented writers contribute
to the paper. Many new advertisers have joined the ranks to support
Access Press, so please support them! My goal for 2005 is to improve
the advertising revenue and spend more time on building the individual
contributors, the "Friends" of Access Press. I hope that
all of you individual contributors will continue your generosity
throughout the next year and far into the future. In return for
your dedication I will continue to look for interesting articles
and insightful stories for you all to read. If any of you have
ideas on new columns, articles or improvements that you would like
to see please don't hesitate to call, write or drop-in. I'm completely
open to your advice and suggestions.
Eric Stevens is leaving Courage Center after six successful years.
Eric implemented many changes at Courage Center during his six years
as Executive Director. The biggest one, of course, was the remodeling
of the Courage residence. Eric has done a great job of representing
Courage Center positively within the disability community. We wish
him well. He is a wealth of information for all of us in the nonprofit
world and it is unfortunate to lose him. We hope he continues to
keep in contact with the disability community.
The legislative
session will be starting soon and it's time to call and make appointments
to meet your Senator and Representative and introduce yourself
and your thoughts on disability issues. Beginning this month, Access
Press will be publishing many of the position papers of many disability
organizations. Contact the organization that you are connected
with and offer your help on the issues that you would like to advocate
for passage. There is a huge budget deficit again this year, as
you all know, so we will have to fight so that we don't lose any
of our benefits or programs. Lances’ essay
on Balkanization is something we all need to consider as we move
into this legislative session. We need to have a combined front,
bring only one voice to the capitol for the betterment of all people
with disabilities. There are many options that would permit balancing
the budget and maintaining the rights of all Minnesotans. I am not
alone in hoping that Govenor Pawlenty and his administration will
reevaluate their position on raising taxes.
The “Horrified Moms’” story
from Kathy Sanders, offers an unique and amused look at how some
folks view people with disabilities differently from what we view
ourselves. Take a minute send us your own stories of similar situations
where people with disabilities have been portrayed as something
other than what we are.
Pete Feigel has been ill and has not been able to write for the
last few months. We wish him well and hope he returns to us in 2005.
Jeni Mundl has some great (and free!) ideas in the technology column
this month. Thanks, Jeni, and get well, Pete!
