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More News and Stories
Secretary of State Forum
Candidates agree on most
issues except fraud
by Mai Thor
The recent candidate forum
for Secretary of State revealed broad agreement among the candidates
on a number of key issues relative to voters with disabilities ... read
more about the forum >
Melody Martin
An Interview With A Local Author
by David Hancox
Melody Martin, a close
friend and colleague, is a former board member and employee of
St.Paul-based Metro Center for Independent Living (MCIL). She
recently published a book of life experiences and inspirational
thoughts titled, "Lessons on
the Journey." I sat down with Mel recently to ask her a few questions
about the book, and how she went about the process of writing it
... read more about
Mel >
The Access Press Candidate
Survey
The results of the 2006 election
could have huge implications for voters with disabilities. Recent
budget cuts aimed at deficit reduction have reduced critical funding
for a variety of services, programs, and initiatives serving people
with disabilities. Areas of concern include potentially harmful changes
to the CA program, increased premiums and co-pays for medical services
covered by Medicaid (Medical Assistance/MA), and significant confusion
and increased cost sharing for prescriptions for Medicare Part
D beneficiaries ... read
more about the candidates >
Daily Inspection May Prevent
Serious Injury
by Angela Lindell
"When you can't feel your legs, you don't ever really
think about them," says Joe Mueller. "It's like they're not even
there."
Like many who have spina bifida,
Mueller finds that remembering to check his skin for injuries each
day is challenging ... read
more about prevention >
Ecumenical Group Works
to Build Inclusive Community
by Clarence Schadegg
People with disabilities
continue to struggle with less-than-total inclusiveness by faith-based
groups. Certainly, some places of worship invest in elevators to
move people from one floor to the next. While this is a praiseworthy
effort, it's not the most important [accommodation], according
to Ron Cottone of Judson Memorial Baptist Church in Minneapolis ... read
more about inclusive communities >
ABLED Mentoring Offered
by Karen Quammen
In April, Minneapolis-based
Medtronic announced its first-ever formal mentoring program for college
students with disabilities. The launch of the ABLED mentoring program
(Awareness Benefiting Leadership and Employees about Disabilities)
follows a very successful pilot program last year. ABLED is actively
involved in the workplace inclusion goals at the company, and is
sponsored by the Office of Workplace Inclusion ... read
more about mentoring >
Gratitude Feels Great
by Nancy Sopkawiak
I had my first run-in
with gratitude as a child; my parents would insist I say "Thank
you" for
EVERYTHING. At that time I looked on gratitude the way I viewed
brushing my teeth: it was one of those things that grown-ups made
you do. I didn't realize it then, but the act of thanking people
taught me to appreciate the good things in life ... read
more about gratitude >
30 Years and Still Dancing
by Jan Snook
Square dancing in wheelchairs
has been a long-standing passion for many of us from the disability
community. Our club,"Perfect
Squares," came about in 1975 when a caller started calling voluntarily
at a rehab care facility. Many local residents with physical disabilities
came to participate. However, they were pushed through the dance
calls by abled-bodied people ... read
more about 30 years of dancing >
Minnesota Property Tax
Classification
by Patrick K. Oden
If you are a Minnesota homeowner
and have a disability, or a relative with a disability lives with
you, then you may be eligible for Special Homestead Classification
based on disability. If you qualify, your home will be taxed using
special rules that will ease your tax burden ... read
more about tax savings >
