News at a Glance
Web Site Offers Easy Starting Point for State Government Disability
Resources
Minnesotans have a single source on the Internet, www.mndisability.gov for quick and easy access to state government-agency programs, products
and services dedicated to disability issues.
“This is the ‘blue pages' for state government disability resources,” said
Dan McElroy, Commissioner of the Department of Employment and Economic
Development and the project's sponsor. “Our goal is to empower people
with disabilities, their family members and friends, and anyone looking
for an easy-to-access, easy-to-understand starting point on the Internet
for state government resources.”
Site users can locate resources in any of four ways:
by topic – such
as education, employment, housing or transportation; by state agency;
by an A-Z index; or by a search. The site currently has more than
220 links, each with a brief description of a program, product or
service offered by various state agencies. The site will be updated
on a regular basis and is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities
Act as well as generally accepted accessibility standards. ![]()
Source: www.mndisability.gov
New Text Messaging Site for Deaf Community
Text4Deaf.Com is
a new communications-based Web site for the deaf community and the
people with whom they interact. Text4Deaf enables real-time text
messaging with a Web interface to cell phones, regardless of the
carrier.
Jolene Mancini, AuD
candidate in Audiology at Gallaudet University, stated, “Texting is very important on this campus, and the concept
of sending and receiving text messages from the Internet is appealing
because of its convenience, affordability and extra features. This
is a practical technology that I would recommend to anyone, regardless
of hearing status.” The popularity of texting continues to grow;
a billion text messages were sent last year in the U.S. alone, up
95% from the previous year.
Text4Deaf allows users
to send and receive messages to individuals and groups, while enabling
recipients to respond directly to the originating PC, Mac, PDA
or mobile phone and to group member mobile phones. “Communications should be a two-way street, with everyone
being able to reach each other, regardless of their hearing capacity,
texting plans or availability,” stated Kerry Thompson, Text4Deaf
spokesperson.
In addition to signed video
blogs with transcripts, there is an event listing and other resources
on the site. Anyone in the world can send and receive text messages
to U.S. and Canadian cell phones. ![]()
Source: www.Text4Deaf.com
Partners in Policymaking Seeks Recruits
Claudia from Dakota County believes that Partners in
Policymaking made her confident enough to go out into the world and
make changes. Brian from Meeker County credits his ability to live
independently to the Partners program. Tom from Carver County, an
advocate for his son Nick, liked that Partners offered not only information
about systems and services, but also emotional support from other
parents.
These individuals are just three of over 600 graduates
of the Partners in Policymaking leadership training program, created
in 1987 by the Minnesota Governor's Council on Developmental Disabilities
(GCDD). The program is for adults with disabilities and parents of
young children with developmental disabilities, and is currently
seeking recruits for a monthly workshop starting in September.
Through a nine-month series of eight weekend sessions, class members
learn about such topics as the history of the self-advocacy and independent
living movements; the values and benefits of inclusive education;
Minnesota's case management system and available county services;
how to meet and discuss policy with various government officials;
and how bills become law at the state and federal levels. There is
no charge to attend, as fees are covered by a federal grant to the
GCDD.
Partners is about systems change, explained Colleen Wieck, Executive
Director of the GCDD, and combines education and training of class
members about best practices in the field of disability and the competencies
of communicating with policy makers. To learn more, contact Government
Training Services at cschoeneck@mngts.org or
651-222-7409. ![]()
Source: Partners in Policymaking
ADA Bus Tour to Visit Minnesota
The Road to Freedom Bus
Tour, a year-long, cross-country educational and promotional bus
tour to inform and inspire America about the compelling history of
disability rights, will stop at two Minnesota locations in mid-August.
First, the tour will be in downtown Minneapolis on Friday, August
17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free exhibit will be parked between
the Mill City Museum and the Guthrie Theater at 704 South Second
St., Minneapolis. Then on Saturday the 18th, Road to Freedom will
be in St Peter; first at the Minnesota Square Park from 11 a.m. to
1 p.m., and then the State Hospital On-Campus Cemetery from 2 to
3 p.m. The public is invited all of these stops.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law in 1990 with
overwhelming bipartisan support, promising freedom, equality and
inclusion for people with disabilities. Congress passed the ADA to
open doors to employment, public services and accommodations and
to give people with disabilities the freedom to live fully in the
community. Today, the dream of full civil rights protections for
people with disabilities is not yet fully realized.
The Road to Freedom bus
tour features a multi-media display and presentation that guides
viewers through the civil rights struggle for people with disabilities.
Jim Ward, president of ADA Watch and the National Coalition for Disability
Rights, will be on hand to talk about the ADA, the challenges still
faced by people with disabilities and the need to keep the promise
of the ADA. ![]()
Source: ADA Minnesota
