Disability Day at the Capitol
Mark your calendars
for Day at the Capitol; look for a brochure by e-mail or mail. Disability
Day at the Capitol is set for Thursday, January 27, 2005. The Arc
of Minnesota is holding this day of education and advocacy with cosponsors
Advocating Change Together, Brain Injury Association of Minnesota, PACER
Center, People First of Minnesota, and United Cerebral Palsy of Minnesota.
Brochures will be mailed to local chapters and to past attendees this week.
The brochure will also be available before Christmas on our web site at
www.arcminnesota.com. We have made some changes from last year's event:
cutting the cost in half (from $30 to $15 for Arc members and self-advocates);
starting the event at 10 a.m. instead of 9 a.m.; and holding breakout sessions
on specific issues later that morning. After lunch, there will be a press
conference at the State Office Building, and attendees will have
a chance to visit legislators that afternoon. If you have any questions,
contact Mike Gude at arcmn113@yahoo.com.
Free Dental Care
Free dental care available to
those who cannot afford it. Volunteer dentists and other dental professionals
across Minnesota will donate time and resources for the "Give Kids
a Smile" program on February 4-5, 2005. This effort, coordinated
and led by the Minnesota Dental Association, provides dental care
to children whose families don't have the financial resources. All
patients must make appointments beforehand to receive these services.
After Jan. 1, 2005, parents may call United Way 211 (just dial 2-1-1)
or 800-543-7709. Operators will help parents find a participating
dental office in their area. After Jan. 1, 2005, a list of participating
dentists who are taking appointments will be available at www.mndental.org.
Children must be under age 18 and can obtain check-ups, sealants,
fluoride treatments, fillings, or even more involved care. We understand
that appointments are limited and fill quickly. If you know families
who have children with disabilities who could benefit, encourage
them to call as soon as possible after January 1st. Go to www.mndental.org for more information.
Community
Forums Through The Minnesota Disability Law Center (MDLC)
The
Minnesota Disability Law Center (MDLC) through Protection and
Advocacy for Voting Access, funded by the federal Help America Vote
Act (HAVA) will be hosting a series of community forums throughout
the next year for the disability community called, "Voting and
Policy Issues Community Forum for People with Disabilities". The
purpose of these forums is to provide information on HAVA, address
how people with disabilities can access voting, and allow local elected
officials to hear concerns from the disability community. The first
forum of this series is scheduled for February 23, 2005 at 6:00-8:00
PM.
Location/Time:
River Hills Mall Community Room, 1850 Adams Street, Mankato, MN.
The event is free and open to the public. If would like more information,
please contact Diane Winegar at (507)345-7139, dwinegar@smilescil.org,
or Mai Thor at (612)746-3716, mthor@midmnlegal.org.
Disability:
Ethics, Genetics and Disability
The third in
a series of conferences on January 20, 2005 - 9:30AM to
3:30PM (registration at 9:00AM). Radisson Hotel Metrodome - 615 Washington
Avenue S.E., Minneapolis, MN
This conference
is the third in a series on disability intended to bring together
faculty and community representatives who share an interest in disability
issues for the purpose of furthering our insights and potentially
creating an agenda that will form the basis for ongoing collaboration.
This conference will explore: (1) allocating finite disability resources
across competing demands; and (2) disability-related ethical issues
raised by recent advancements in genetics. Disability needs exceed
available resources. Relatively unexplored are the criteria and processes
for allocating finite resources across competing disability needs
and for balancing disability with other societal needs, as well as
the appropriate role of cost considerations in the design of programs
to protect the civil rights of persons with disabilities. Genetic
advancements may fundamentally alter the concept of disability and
what it means to have a disability. Genetic testing can offer a glimpse
into someone's future health and provide unprecedented opportunities
for prevention. But predictive information about common diseases
could also be misused by insurers, employers, and other third parties.
There is no
registration fee for this conference, but registration is required.
For more information, contact Jake Priester at the Center on Aging
612-626-3549.
Family to Family
Education Classes
The National
Alliance for the Mentally Ill in Minnesota (NAMI-MN) is offering
classes for Minnesota families who have a relative with a mental
illness. The twelve week classes are provided at no cost to the participants.
This class is taught by trained family members who can contribute
ideas and knowledge from thier own experience and who truly understand
the issues faced by families attending the class. Classes are being
offered in St. Paul, New Ulm, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Duluth,
and Red Wing. For information about the upcoming class in your community,
contact NAMI-MN at 651-645-2948 or 1-888-473-0237.
Computer Resources for People
with Disabilities - Newest Edition
The Alliance for Technology
Access (ATA) has updated their book entitled Computer Resources for
People with Disabilities: A Guide to Assistive Technologies, Tools
and Resources for People of All Ages. This book was written to inform,
inspire, and empower people with disabilities to obtain equal access,
and is also meant for families, friends, employers and professionals.
For more information please contact Jillian Steinberger at 510-865-5282
ext. 309 or at publicity@hunterhouse.com.
Industry Specific Skills
Training Programs
Goodwill/Easter Seals is
not just a retail store, they also offer training programs for people
to achieve independence and to achieve their goals. These programs
assist people in learning and demonstrating technical skills in the
areas of: Automotive Services, Bank Skills, Construction Skills and
Retail Skills. If there are any questions, or you would like more
information contact Jamie Morrow at 651-379-5887 or contact their
workforce training hotline at 651-379-5997.
Book Store Volunteer
Opportunities
The Friends Book Store in the downtown Minneapolis
Public Library and the Washburn branch library are looking for
friendly, committed volunteers. Volunteers work once a week or
twice a month for approximately three hours at a time. For more
information, call the Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library,
Volunteer Services at 612-630-6173 or 612-630-6170.
PACER Center Receives Grant
to Help Stop Bullying
This grant provided by the
Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ceresi
Fund of The Minneapolis Foundation will focus on building an innovative
website with valuable information for children in second to sixth
grade who are being bullied or those who witness it. Children with
disabilities are particularly vulnerable to physical, verbal, and
social abuse from their peers. For more information, call PACER
at 952-838-9000; toll-free 800-537-2237 or 952-838-0190 (TTY).
Or visit the PACER website at www.pacer.org.
Room for J: A Family Struggles
with Schizophrenia
Daniel S. Hanson, a National
Alliance for the Mentally Ill of Minnesota (NAMI-MN) member has written
a book about his son's struggle with a severe mental illness. Room
for J is about a family's struggle to cope with the unpredictability
and unfairness of schizophrenia. For more information contact, Daniel
at 763-420-6994 or for a copy of the book contact, Beaver's Pond
Press, Inc., at 952-829-8818 or at their website at www.BeaversPondPress.com.
Program Helps Young People
with Disabilities Gain Social Skills For Adult Life
Becoming People
Smart helps students build "make or break" skills for being socially
safe and successful when they leave school and begin taking steps
such as getting a job, moving away from their family home and pursuing
interests of their own. Becoming People Smart is a series of three
classes that will be held February 1, March 1, and April 5 at Chaska
High School located at 545 Pioneer Trail in Chaska. The cost of
the sessions are $5 per session for Arc members and $10 per session
for non-members. To register or for more information, contact Arc
at 952-920-0855 or visit www.archennepincarver.org
Free Program for Children
and Families
The National Alliance for
the Mentally Ill in Minnesota (NAMI-MN) will hold two programs to
help families whose lives are impacted by mental illness. The programs
begin February 8, 2005.
The Visions for Tomorrow
program is an eight week class that teaches parents and caregivers
about brain biology, mental illness, coping and self-care, problem
management and advocacy.
Kidshops supports children
ages 7-18 who have a sibling or parent living with a biological brain
disorder (mental illness). Through Kidshops children and adolescents
will have an opportunity to meet other children and discuss common
concerns and joys experienced when a family member has mental illness.
The two programs will be
held at the Hancock Recreation Center, which is located at 1610 Hubbard
Avenue in St. Paul. For more information contact Shelley White at
651-645-2948 or by e-mail at swhite@nami.org.
Workshop Helps Families
Plan Secure Future
The ABCs of Guardianship
and Conservatorship helps families make informed decisions about
appointing a guardian or conservator for a person with a disability.
The three part workshop focuses on Accessing the Need, Navigating
the Process and Assuming the Responsibilities. The Sessions will
be held February 1, February 8, and February 15 from 6:30 to 8:30
pm at the Chanhassen Recreation Center at 2310 Coulter Boulevard
in Chanhassen. The cost is $5 per person for Arc members and $10
per person for non-members. To register or to get more information,
call Arc at 952-920-0855.
Contestant Applications
Now Available
The Ms. Wheelchair Minnesota
Organization is excited to announce plans for the 2005 pageant. The
pageant will take place on March 12, 2005 at the Maple Grove Senior
High School.
Women who have resided in Minnesota for at least six months and utilize
wheelchairs in daily life, ages 21-60 are encouraged to enter the Ms.
Wheelchair 2005 Pageant and compete for the opportunity to represent
Minnesota at the Ms. Wheelchair America 2006 Pageant next July in Albany,
NY.
Applications to be a contestant
in the Ms. Wheelchair Minnesota 2005 Pageant can be obtained by contacting
the Ms. Wheelchair State Coordinator, Jen Onsum through the Ms. Wheelchair
Minnesota website at www.mswheelchairmn.org.
Lifetrack Resources Honors
Area Employers
Lifetrack Resources hosted
Betty McCollum as they honored employers on December 2, 2004 at their
Annual Lifetrack Employer Celebration. In an environment and economy
where many applicants are vying for the same position, ten employers
demonstrate their ability to improve our community by employing people
with disabilities or barriers to employment.
Exceptional Example in Providing Reasonable Accommodations was awarded
to Kentucky Fried Chicken on the East Side of St. Paul for demonstrating
flexibility, innovation and understanding in providing reasonable accommodations
to employees with disabilities.
Embracing Cultural Diversity in the Workplace was awarded to Hyatt
Regency Minneapolis for continually hiring employees from other cultures
and adapting as an organization to reflect their changing workforce.
Proactive Community Leadership was awarded to Fairview Health Systems
and St. Paul Public Libraries for taking proactive strides to improve
the lives of people in our community through recruiting, training,
retention and advancement.
Civic Involvement to Advance Employment Opportunities for People
with Disabilities or Disadvantages was awarded to the Minneapolis Hilton
Hotel for significant civic involvement to promote hiring people with
disadvantages or disabilities in the workplace.
Diamond Products and Smurfit-Stone
Container Corporation were honored for continuously providing Packaging
First with subcontract packaging and assembly work.
The
Minnesota Employment Center presented Helgeson Enterprises with
the Providing Reasonable Accommodations Award and Barbara White with
the Civic Involvement to Advance Employment Opportunities for People
with Disabilities and Disadvantages Award.
Volunteer
Opportunity - Information and Resource Fair Volunteer
The Brain Injury Association
of MN provides safety and prevention information at events throughout
the year. Resource fair volunteers distribute information on topics
like helmet use, Association programs, and resources for persons
with brain injury and their family. This is a great opportunity
for people who want to volunteer on an occasional basis. A one-year
commitment is expected but the number of hours and schedule is flexible.
For more information about this or other volunteer opportunities,
please contact Kimberly at 612-378-2742 or kimberlyf@braininjurymn.org.
Volunteer Opportunity -
Brain Injury Basics Class Volunteers
The BIB class volunteer
assists with "Brain Injury Basics" (BIB) classes by preparing refreshments,
helping with room set up and greeting participants as they arrive
at our office. This volunteer is key to providing a welcoming,
helpful environment for class participants, many of whom are persons
with brain injury and their family members. If interested, contact
the Volunteer Coordinator at 612-378-2742 or kimberlyf@braininjurymn.org.
Short-term Volunteer Opportunity
- Volunteer Receptionist
We are in need of a volunteer
receptionist on Thursdays from 4:30 - 6:30 in January. Receptionist
is key to creating a welcoming, helpful atmosphere for callers. Duties
include answering incoming calls and directing them to the appropriate
staff member, creating information packets, and other light clerical
projects. This is an opportunity to work with caring, motivated professionals
in a congenial environment while helping people affected by brain
injury. We'll provide training and there is free parking. Our office
is in Northeast Minneapolis. Preference given to a person available
for training on December 23 or 30.
We're looking for someone with good oral communication skills who
can work with minimal supervision. If interested, contact the Volunteer
Coordinator at 612-378-2742 or kimberlyf@braininjurymn.org.
Volunteer
Opportunity - I & R Outreach Volunteer
Looking for a way to volunteer
in 2005? Want to help persons with brain injury who are searching
for support, resources, information and services? Become an I&R
Outreach Volunteer!
I&R Outreach Volunteers contact MN service
providers by phone to learn more about their services and resources.
They update this information in the Association's computerized system.
This work is key to providing accurate, helpful information and referrals
to people with brain injury throughout the state. We offer a
flexible schedule but ask for a minimum commitment of 10 hours. This
can be a short term or long term volunteer project. Must be detail
oriented and enjoy talking on the phone. Pleasant phone personality
and strong data entry skills a must. Experience with Excel helpful
but not required.
This is a great way to learn about service providers throughout Minnesota
and gain or strengthen phone and computer skills. There is free parking
at our convenient Northeast Minneapolis location. The Brain Injury
Association of Minnesota is committed to providing a friendly, supportive,
professional experience for its volunteers. If interested, contact
Kimberly Ferencik at 612-378-2742 or kimberlyf@braininjurymn.org. Thank
you.
Sports
Health and Fitness EXPO
The Sports
Health and Fitness EXPO is
coming to the Minneapolis Convention Center. Mark your calendars,
and register on-line to attend FREE! 170 unique exhibitors and three
stages of speakers, presentations, demonstrations and healthy entertainment
will be strutting their stuff, Saturday, February 5, from 10:00 am-9:00
pm, and Sunday, February 6, from 10:00 am-4:00 pm. Admission
is $6 at the door, but free if you pre-register on-line.This event
features resources for health conscience individuals and fitness
enthusiasts, and well as professional and amateur athletes. Nutrition,
exercise, natural products, weight control, strength training,
endurance, apparel, fashion and integrated approaches to health
and healing are all key components to an active and healthier
lifestyle. On the court, or in the stands, if you are into sports,
health and fitness, this event is a must. From archery to wrestling
and everything in between - it's all here! Admission is $6 at the
door, or free with on-line pre-registration at: www.SPORTSandFITNESSexpo.com See
it all at www.MediaMaxEvents.com.
Free Community Health Event/Lecture!
Five Secrets to Permanent
Weight Loss will be presented at the Roseville Library (Hamline Ave.
and County Road B, 2180 Hamline Avenue) on Monday, January 24, at
7pm. It is free to the public, and presented by the Wellness Education
Foundation. This is a must attend workshop for anyone who is suffering
from weight gain of for those who would like to lose those extra
holiday pounds. Start your New Year with a new you! Learn tips and
secrets for permanent loss, increased energy, improved metabolism,
and for feeling younger. Participants will learn how metabolism and
hormones may be the key to permanent weight loss and how you can
naturally lose weight without drugs or fad diets. For more information,
call 651-235-8200.
Winter Fitness Festival
The National Institute of
Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases reports that just 33.5
percent of American adults are at a healthy weight and the percentage
is falling. In order to help families understand heathy weight options,
the Open Cities Health Center will be holding the festival on January
19th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to coincide with National Health
Weight Week. The festival will be held at OCHC's main site at
409 N. Dunlap Street. For more information on the OCHC's Winter
Fitness Festival call 651-290-9200.
