Access Press in Review
Hey Everybody—Let’s Celebrate!!
Access Press is celebrating
15 years of providing the Twin Cities community with important
news that affects its disability population. We want to take this
opportunity to thank you, our readers, contributors, and advertisers,
for being part of our history and to invite you to help us take
a nostalgic look over the next few months at what the paper has
meant to everyone involved in our journey over the last 15 years.
This
next Anniversary issue will feature your reflections, memories
and thoughts on the issues or stories you recall from your involvement
with us. Whether you have been associated with Access Press since
its inception or you are a new friend, OR whether you have worked
behind the scenes or have been an outside contributor—we
want to highlight your remarks of (one paragraph of 25-50 words)
in a special section of the paper. We anticipate a great response,
so we’d appreciate receiving
your contributions before June 22 so we have plenty of time to
make sure we get everyone’s comments included.
Looking Back 1990
- 2005
1990
Access Press (AP), the
first newspaper for disability community, came into existence. The
main highlights for this issue were Calendar of Events, a Directory
of Organizations that runs throughout each year with an updated version.
The first Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) support group was founded
the same year. Access Press’s
first political inquiry … Universal Health Care. American
Disability Act (ADA) celebration was a great success. Sister Kenny
Institute celebrates its 50th anniversary. The editor Charlie Smith
announced a new section Access to Employment.
1991
Time to get some exercise:
More fitness programs available in the metro areas. Easy and greater
accessibility to MN Zoo, second and third Tuesday of the month
was free. Same year Amy and Lester Carlson received award from ABLE
(Association for Better Living and Education). Great work! Freedom
for residence new accessible MTC routes. More and more information
on recreational activities for disability community. King Jordan
president of Gallaudet University received a National Courage Award.
Highlights and special guidelines on Olympics 1991. The Metro Mobility
was in a state of crisis.
1992
Once again, Metro Mobility
cut services for three days a week. ADA became effective on January
26, 1992. A complete national Health Care bill was introduced by
Senator Wellstone. The Health Right bill was passed. AP was successful
in launching its first tape for visually impaired. The United Handicapped
Federation officially became Disability Right Alliance. Each month
Metro Mobility and Regional Transit Board (RTB) were the main focus.
1993
The editor marked June
as Award winning month. Access Press received its first “Outstanding
Print Media Award.” Rick Cardenas
rises in state politics and Hennepin County provides outreach service
to disabled community. The National Bus service withdrew from the
Metro Mobility program. RTB reveals its three year plan and also
plans to work together with Metro Mobility. Due to under-funding
Metro Mobility was falling apart. John Hockenberry receives National
Courage Award.
1994
Metro Mobility is still
in the same phase and continues to provide poor service under ATE
(their service provider). By April 1994 RTB comes up with a new approach
to re-plan the Metro Mobility. For the first time a radio program
was available for people with disability—“Disabled and
Proud.” Free library
service available for homebound. September 1994 was celebrated
as “Disability Pride,” an alternative to Labor Day.
Great news—Billy Golfus video was on world premiere on September
16, 1994. Alan M. Peters received the Minneapolis Award and Anoka
County teenager represented state at Austrian Freedom Observance.
According to Charlie Smith, Metro Mobility is doing pretty good
in the last few months.
1995
Legislative issues were
the main focus point for the newspaper. This month the editor focused
on Metro Mobility settlement and looming crisis concerning ADA. Once
again Governor planned to attack the PCA. Free tax preparation and
free library services were available. Ed Roberts died this year.
Courage Center nominated for two awards. More news: Monica Seles
stabbed by a psycho… she recovered
after two years. Metro Mobility cuts its hours and fares change.
Town meeting on Medicare and Medicaid was held. Charlie believes
if the cuts become effective the Personal Care Attendant (PCA)
program will have to be cut by 40-50 million dollars. By the end
of this year there was no good news for Metro Mobility.
1996
Co-founder of Access Press
died in January. The Minnesota Ramp project provides information
to families resolving home access problems. Billy Golfus wins national
journalism award … sexuality
issues for youth with disabilities. Metro Mobility still under-funded
and service is poor. The MN Council of Disability is now available
on the Internet. October was marked as a National Disability Employment
Awareness Month. National Courage Award to Christopher Reeves upsets
the community. Metro Mobility “Standby” Program renamed
as “Denied Trip Program.”
1997
Congratulations to Minneapolis
Advisory Committee for winning another award. Access Press sponsored
the first public forum. Minnesota Council of Independent Living (MCIL)
became a leader among disability community. This year was marked
by controversial issue on cloning … Good
or Bad. President Clinton re-authorizes Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (IDEA). Twin Cities disability community took on
an international flavor with 10 countries. Kemp a great hero of
the disability community died in August. Same year Justin Dart
awarded with National Courage Award. Tenants took action against
drug dealers at Seward apartment. Around the world 16,000 Japanese
women involuntarily sterilized. Father who killed disabled daughter
received life sentence. Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act (IDEA) was passed by the end of this year.
1998
It’s great to know
Access Press officially became non-profit. Same year MCIL controversy
over on the new executive director … David
Hanox. Social Security was an important national topic. Canada receives
International Disability Award. Access Press received it first grant
from Headwaters Fund. Nine states teamed up to file a lawsuit against
Wendy’s for discriminating against disabled customers … no
discrimination on the basis of disability. New services planned for
deaf and hard of hearing people. U.S Team received gold and silver
medals at 1998 World Wheelchair Basketball Championship.
1999
Legislative priorities
have always been leading news for Access Press. Metro Mobility announced
the new hydraulic lift for the customers. A new bill-Work Incentive-stepped
in the right direction for people with disabilities. The death of
Chris Berndt was a great loss to disability community. Good news
for Hennepin County to receive an award from HUD (Department of Housing
and Urban Development). Home buying becomes easier for people with
disability. Yellow Pages available for blind and visually impaired.
Access Press wins the Arc Media Award. Once again Metro Mobility
maxed out ….
harder to get rides. Light Rail Transit was the main highlight
for the year. The end of this year witnessed the Y2K series … the
new millennium.
2000-2004
The new millennium
has disability website. Bad news for Metro Mobility charged with
discrimination. The Association of Severely Handicapped (TASH) releases
new CD on disability rights. Charlie’s editorial
always focused on legislative issues. Cliff Poetz received Kennedy
Award. ADA and IDEA celebrated their tenth Anniversary. The death
of Leah Welch was a great loss to the disabled community. Work
Incentive Legislation brought some relief to the people with disabilities.
PACER (Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights) introduced
a “New Referral Service.” Access Press focuses on the
2000 election. First time ever Senior Mental Health Bill was introduced
by Senator Paul Wellstone.
Wellstone proposes Universal
Health Care Act. Under this provision each state will be required
to provide “Universal, affordable,
and comprehensive healthcare.” Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
outreaches training programs for disabilities in Ghana. Access Press
receives Medtronic grant. The death of Charlie Smith was a great
loss to disability community. He was the founder, editor, the heart
and soul of Access Press. His spirit, courage, vision will live on.
Tim Benjamin became
our next editor. The paper focused on ADA lawsuits best known as
Casey Martin’s decision. Medical Assistant for
Employed People with Disabilities (MA-EPD) participant’s premium
increased. A new Tiger advantage program will help blind people to
access Microsoft Word and Excel. National Courage Award was presented
to Janet Reno. A new state program was introduced for people with
disabilities. The ground zero September 11th event changed our lives.
New 711 phone service for people with disabilities. Access Press
remembered the “Holocaust” death camp in Hadamar. Wheelchair
users modeling contest was a great success.
Access Press was once
again on international news … National
Program for People with Disabilities in Ethiopia. Supreme Court updates
on ADA issues. NAMI-MN (National Alliance for Mentally Ill) celebrated
its 25th anniversary. Main highlights were on the accessible taxicabs
and Access North new internet community. We lost another senior leader
Justin Dart. The death of six great allies in a plane crash was a
great loss!
Our editor highlights
budget crunch becoming a reality. Major budget cuts in health and
human services. Courage Center celebrates its 75th Anniversary.
New travel training program for people with a disability. “Finding
Nemo” was a great catch all over the country. For the first
time—MN Travel Guide for Persons with Disabilities. Access
Press celebrated Charlie Smith’s Award Banquet.
Qwest Consumer advisory
panel includes disabled communities. Great! Scholarship program
for people with disabilities. Minnesota deficit continues to grow.
Disabled community raised its voice in favor of a resolution to
the transit strike at a rally. More on national health care insurance
and who pays it…Co-op support services. Medtronic
announces its newest employee resource group: ABLED. Pete Feigal
received 2004 Judd Jacobson Memorial Award for his outstanding contribution
for disability community. Remembering with Dignity celebrated its
20th anniversary. MSCOD (Minnesota State Council on Disability) award
and recognition luncheon was held in the month of October 2004. Rick
Cardenas received Charlie Smith Award and in the same month Medtronic
received Secretary Recognition Award.
2005
This year marks the 15th
anniversary of Access Press. Medtronic continues support of the Business
Leadership Network. U of M students created Disabled Student Cultural
Center (DSCC) where students are aware of the needs of students with
disabilities. Jan Malcolm was announced as the new CEO of the Courage
Center. Roll and Stroll raised $56,000 for services for people with
disabilities. “Million Dollar
Baby” the movie of the year. Twin Cities hosted largest Annual
wheelchair sporting event. Also ADA’s (American Disability
Association) celebrates its 15th anniversary.
