News At A Glance
Fraser Invites Public To
Join In Autism Awareness Activities; Provides Resources To Families
Imagine being the parent of
a child who has been developing at a typical rate. Then, at around
age 2, your child loses the words that have been learned, becomes
withdrawn and regresses developmentally. Sadly, this scenario is
playing out for too many parents across our state and nation. Every
day, 50 children are diagnosed with autism, the fastest growing developmental
disability in the United States. Autism is a collection of neurological
disorders that affect the way a child’s brain develops, including
the ability to communicate, reason, and interact.
In an effort to provide resources to families, Fraser is supporting
Autism Awareness Month. Throughout the month of April, Fraser is
providing helpful information such as classes and seminars, answers
to frequently asked questions and suggested books. Fraser is also
making available an autism awareness e-card (FREE of charge) and
autism awareness silicon bracelets (for a nominal donation). For
access to any of these resources, products and activities, the community
is encouraged to visit www.fraser.org or to call 612-798-8340.
Cafesjian’s Carousel opens
in Como Park -- May 1, 2005
May 1–Sept. 5: Tuesday – Friday
11 a.m.–4 p.m., and
Saturday – Sunday 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Sept. 6–Oct. 31:
Saturday - Sunday 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
The historic carousel that graced the Minnesota State Fair for 75
years (and was in downtown St. Paul for a few years) has operated
since 2000 in a $1.1 million pavilion just next to the Marjorie McNeely
Conservatory at Como Park and the new Visitor Center.
The carousel’s 68 horses and
two chariots have been fully restored to the way they looked when
new in 1914, and a fully restored band organ plays waltzes, marches
and popular tunes. About 100,000 people ride the carousel each
season.
The carousel is owned and operated by Our Fair Carousel, the non-profit
community group that saved it from being auctioned to collectors
in 1988. More volunteers are needed to operate the ride, assist riders,
and sell tickets and merchandise. Infants under age 1 ride free;
tickets for all other riders are $1.50. For information, call (651)
489-4628 or see www.ourfaircarousel.org.
Is Your Child Left-handed?
Ideal Lives Advocacy & Inclusion Center
Many left-handers develop a poor handwriting style or posture. This
is usually due to the lack of guidance when the student first learns
to write.
The problems encountered by left-handers can include:
=> An uncomfortable hook handwriting
position,
=> Smudged work, as the hand follows the pen rubbing over the
wet ink,
=> An over tight grip causing cramp in the hand.
Fortunately, adjusting the student’s posture, the student’s
grip of the pen, or the position of the paper can solve many of these
problems.
Advances in design mean left-handed nibs and ergonomic grips are
now available that work far more efficiently for left-handed writers,
eliminating the scratchy nib, uneven ink flow and cramped grip usually
associated with pushing a pen across paper.
Other examples of problems
for left-handers is bad desk positioning, if a left-hander is seated
with a right-hander on his left they will knock elbows. This will
make both feel restricted and their writing quality and posture may
be affected. For a number of other simple guidelines and tips to
help children and adults alike visit: www.anythingleft-handed.co.uk
Interns With Disabilities Being Hired!
Bender Consulting Services,
the international leader in employing people with disabilities
for competitive careers, is recruiting highly motivated individuals
for internship opportunities within the federal government.
Seeking current college students at the Bachelors and Masters levels
in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. Must be a US Citizen.
Academic Background: Information Technology; Finance; Accounting;
Communications; Political Science; Business Administration; Liberal
Arts; Engineering.
Timeframe: 6 months
- 20 hours/week (March/April 2005 - Aug./Sept. 2005) or 3 months
- 40 hours/week (Apr./May 2005 - July/Aug. 2005). Benefits:
• Work directly at a Government agency
• Provide valuable civil service
• Expand network for work experience reference
• Enhance resume
• Complete Bender Career Reality Training Program
• Obtain Government security clearance
Compensation: $10.00 per hour. Submit resume immediately to mbrougher@benderconsult.com.
(Please include: DC Area Internship Opportunities in the subject line.)
Refer questions or requests for additional information to: Mary Brougher,
Vice President, Bender Consulting Services, Inc., Penn Center West III,
Suite 223, Pittsburgh, PA 15276. Phone 412-787-8567 or email: mbrougher@benderconsult.com
Toastmasters
Club For People With Disabilities
Toastmasters
teaches effective communication skill, listening skills, leadership
skills, writing skills. It also provides a way to socialize and network
with others. These are all skills that are necessary to communicate
with peers, as well as to find and maintain employment. My feeling
is that a Toastmasters club that has a member exclusively for persons
with disabilities will allow persons with disabilities to learn these
skills and to network with others who share the same limitations and
stigmas of being disabled. I have been disabled with epilepsy since
I was 5-years-old, therefore, I understand the feelings and limitations
of person with a disability. Toastmasters has helped me learn these
skills and to become a leader.
Toastmasters International fees apply. There is a six-month membership
fee of $16.00. New members pay an additional $18.00 when they start.
In order to start a new club I need twenty potential members. After
I have twenty people who are interested, a demonstration meeting
can then be held with the help of other officers of Toastmasters
International. I do not have a meeting place yet. I want to wait
until I know that I have twenty potential members. I will find a
place that is bus-accessible, and wheelchair accessible. I have been
in contact with three organizations that are very interested. If
you have questions or want more information on the Club, please contact
Mark Olson at 612-529-8115.
Free Delivery Of Library
Materials
If you love to read,
but can’t get to the public
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 612-630-6173.
Opportunity Partners
Elects New Board Members
Opportunity Partners'
board members recently elected Mike Chevrette, Mike Cohn and Joe
Langer to its Board of Directors.
Chevrette works at the Metropolitan Center for Independent
Living as metro area coordinator of the Disability Linkage
Line, an information service for people with disabilities,
family members and service providers. He has served on numerous
committees and boards to help advance the rights of people
with disabilities.
Cohn is CEO of Promote Awareness, a nonprofit organization that
provides disability-related information and resources to individuals,
organizations and corporations. Cohn re-joins the board after a
short absence during which time he stayed involved as a volunteer
and committee member.
Langer, of Barrett Moving and Storage, has been involved with Opportunity
Partners since the organization's start more than 50 years ago.
He began with Barrett in 1948 and worked his way up from a driver
to serve as president and then to his current position of chairman
of the board.
Opportunity Partners provides personalized employment, housing
and educational opportunities to 1,300 individuals with developmental
disabilities, brain injury, autism and other special needs. More
information about Opportunity Partners is available online at www.opportunitypartners.org.
Bike
Helmets For Sale
TBI Metro Services,
a program of Opportunity Partners, will sell bike helmets for $8.50on:
Tuesday, May 10, at TBI Metro Services, 8 W. 66th St., Richfield
(Hub Shopping Center), from 2:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, May 24, at TBI
Metro Services, 20 E. Thompson Ave, Suite 101, West St. Paul, from
2:30-7 p.m.
TBI Metro Services specializes in employment and education for
adults with brain injury. It is a program of Opportunity Partners,
a not-for-profit organization serving 1,300 adults with developmental
disabilities, brain injury or other special needs. The sale is
being held in cooperation with SAFE KIDS NW Metro Minneapolis/North
Memorial Medical Center.
Children’s, youth and adult sizes will be for sale. Supplies
are limited. For more information, call TBI Metro Services at (612)
869-3995. The sale is part of TBI Metro Services’ ongoing efforts
to educate the public about brain injury prevention.
Free Poetry
Contest
The International Library
of Poetry has announced that $58,000 in prizes will be awarded
this year in the International Open Poetry Contest. Poets from
the Saint Paul area, particularly beginners, are welcome to try
to win their share of over 250 prizes. The deadline for the contest
is May 31, 2005. The contest is open to everyone and entry is FREE.
"Any poet, whether previously published or not, can be a winner," stated
Christina Baylon, Contest Director. "When people learn about our free poetry
contest, they suddenly realize that their own poetic works of art can win cash
prizes, as well as gain national recognition," continued Baylon.
To enter, send ONE original poem, any subject and any
style to: The International Library of Poetry, J>mteJ9922, 1 Poetry Plaza,
Owings Mills, MD 21117. The poem should be 20 lines or less, and the poet's
name and address should appear on the top of the
page. Entries must be postmarked or sent via the Internet by May 31, 2005. You
may also enter online at www.poetry.com
The International Library of Poetry, founded in 1982,
is the largest poetry organization in the world.
Pilot
Program Approved For People With Developmental Disabilities
The
Hennepin County Board approved support for a two-year pilot project
to improve the health of adults with developmental disabilities
and still manage health care costs. The pilot will allow Mount
Olivet Rolling Acres, in partnership with UCare (a managed care
provider) to launch a pilot health care program that integrates
acute and primary medical care, case management and residential
programs.
The project was approved by the Minnesota Legislature in 2003 to
determine potential benefits of combining health, work and residential
services under a single managing agency. Clients of the pilot program,
which is voluntary, will be enrolled in the state’s Mental
Retardation/Related Conditions (MRRC) waiver and
Medical Assistance, so the state will be able to negotiate capitated
rates for services and improve options for services. It is estimated
that the program will serve approximately 120 adults in Hennepin,
Scott and Carver counties. An oversight committee, which includes
members of Arc Minnesota, Hennepin County, parents, the Disability
Law Center and others will monitor the project.
Axis Dance Company & The University Of Washington Host
A 10-Day Physically Integrated Dance Summer Intensive
AXIS Dance Company
has created an exciting body of work developed by dancers with
and without disabilities. They are in the forefront of paving the
way for a powerful and inclusive dance form, “physically integrated dance”.
AXIS has performed in theaters and dance spaces
at its home base in the Bay Area, on tour throughout the U.S., and in Germany
and Siberia. Described as a "visual and physical discovery, creating fascinating
works of movement art," the Company has become internationally known for
its high artistic and educational standards and innovative movement vocabulary.
AXIS will present its first ever Physically Integrated
Dance Summer Intensive August 19 – 28, 2005 at the University of Washington, Seattle, WA. AXIS,
Jürg Koch of the University of Washington
Dance Dept., and Olive Bieringa, of the Body
Cartography Project will teach physically integrated
contact improvisation, technique, choreography,
performance, as well as site-specific dance.
The intensive will culminate with an informal
performance by workshop attendees and faculty.
People ages 16 and up, of all dance levels and
experience, with and without physical disabilities
are invited to attend. Participants in the Summer
Intensive may be considered for future part-time
dancer positions with AXIS Dance Company.
Tuition is $500. Limited full and partial scholarships will be
made available through an application process. To apply for a full
or partial scholarship, please send a letter of interest, curriculum
vitae or resume of dance, theater, and/or athletic experience,
plus a 10-15 minute VHS or DVD of yourself dancing to the AXIS
office at 1428 Alice Street, Ste. 200, Oakland, CA 94612. Postmark
deadline for scholarship application is April 15th.
Tuition does not include the cost of accommodations. AXIS is reserving
a block of hotel rooms in Seattle at a competitive room rate. We
will make hotel information available to workshop registrants in
early May. AXIS will make every effort to assist people in finding
affordable accommodations including providing registrants with
contact information of others who may wish to share a room for
the length of the summer intensive.
Register online by visiting www.axisdance.org/education/schedule.html,
or by contacting the AXIS office at 510- 625-0110, or email info@axisdance.org to
receive a registration form. Registration deadline is April 30th.
For more information on AXIS Dance Company visit www.axisdance.org.
Exploring
Our Community: History, Culture & Pride
The Metropolitan
Center for Independent Living (MCIL) is proud to sponsor a new,
casual, and entertaining series of portraits of disability community
and culture. It highlights the life experiences and personal stories
of people with disabilities, rather than the perspectives of medical
and other professionals. Programs are held on Fridays from 1 – 3
PM, are free of charge, and include participation, socializing
and light refreshments. Dr. Alex Lubet from the University
of Minnesota and Dr. Lori Rowlett from the University of Wisconsin-Eau
Claire will co-host this series. Dr. Lubet is a Morse
Alumni Distinguished Teaching Professor of Music and
Professor of American and Jewish Studies at the University
of Minnesota. Dr. Rowlett is an Associate Professor
of Religious Studies and Women’s Studies at the University
of Wisconsin – Eau Claire.
February 25th: Our first event was a success.
Dr. Lubet led the discussion and presented the
films “Annie Dearest,” a parody of Helen Keller
and Annie Sullivan, and “The Scarey
Lewis Yell-A-Thon,” a
parody of the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy
Telethon. Both films are by Terry Galloway,
deaf/queer performance/theatre artist and
her Mickee Faust Performance Company based
in Tallahassee, Florida.
April 22nd: Dr. Lori Rowlett will lead
a discussion of Men, Women and Sexuality
in films about disabled Vietnam War Veterans,
specifically Coming Home and Born on the
4th of July.
June 3: Lilith Finkler (Nova Scotia) of Justice by Design will
discuss progressive urban planning and disability.
We hope you will join us. If you need materials in an alternative
format or other accommodations, please notify MCIL one week in
advance. Call 651-646-8342 or mcil-main@mcil-mn.org to R.S.V.P.
For additional information, please contact Dr. Alex Lubet at 612-624-7840
/ Lubet001@umn.edu or Julie Wegscheid (MCIL) 651-603-2002 / juliew@mcil-mn.org.
The Metropolitan Center for Independent Living is located at 1600
University Avenue West – Suite 16, St. Paul, MN in the Spruce
Tree Building at the corner of Snelling
and University Avenues. Pay parking is available in the ramp. (MCIL
does not pay parking). Some on-street parking is available.
Bus lines: #16, 50, 21, 53, 94, 84. MCIL is scent and chemical free.
MNSF
Ramsey Chapter To Hold April 19 Forum On Tax Issues Affecting
Homeowners And Renters
The Greater Ramsey County
Chapter of the Minnesota Senior Federation will host a forum April
19, 2005 beginning at 1:00 p.m., discussing tax issues for property
owners and renters. It will be held at the Linwood Community Center
located on Victoria and St. Clair in St. Paul.
The main speaker will be Marlowe Hamerston, Chair of the MNSF Tax
Reform Committee. Mr. Hamerston will speak to the proposed tax
reform legislation that has been adopted by the MNSF. The main
thrust of that legislation is to replace the current method of
determining property taxes with a tax that is primarily based on
a person’s
ability to pay (income).
For those of you who rent, the Governor
is currently proposing to decrease your
property tax rent credit by 6%. The current
rate of 19% will be decreased to 13% over
a two-year period. This will reduce your
credit and Mr. Hamerston will explain a
Senior Federation’s
suggestion to counteract it.
The Senior Federation is working
on your behalf to propose legislation
changes, which will allow your dollars
to stretch further. Please join us
on April 19. Your support is welcome
and heartily encouraged.
The meeting is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be
served.
For information, call Keith Miller 651-777-0109, D.P. Kidder 651-646-0377
or Peter Wyckoff 651-645-0261 Ext. 114. The Greater Ramsey County
Area Chapter serves the communities of Arden Hills, Falcon Heights,
Gem Lake, Little Canada, Maplewood, New Brighton, North St. Paul,
Roseville, St. Paul, Shoreview, Vadnais Heights and White Bear
Lake.
