State Rep. John Kriesel (R-Cottage Grove) is proud to be working with the Amputee Coalition on a bill that would ensure fairness in medical coverage for those who have lost limbs. That’s because he knows first-hand what limb loss is like.
In 2006, Staff Sergeant Kriesel was near Fallujah leading a group of soldier on ...
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Kriesel brings unique experience to disability, veterans’ issues: First-termer Republican is from Cottage Grove
Goal: fair orthotic, prosthetic coverage
Cost caps and other restrictions make it difficult for many Minnesotans to obtain needed orthotic and prosthetic equipment. Rep. John Kriesel (R- Cottage Grove), an amputee who lost both legs in the war in Iraq, wants to change that. He is working with the Amputee Coalition and other advocates to pass H.F. 847. The bill ...
Advocates want cuts to be restored
With so much still in play during the 2011 legislative session, Minnesotans with disabilities should not be treated like hockey pucks. Disappointment over Gov. Mark Dayton’s proposed budget and its $775 million in health and human services cuts has given way to calls to reduce the cuts to service.
The challenge of protecting essential services ...
Central Corridor construction makes getting around challenging
Planning a trip to the state capitol for Tuesdays at the Capitol or a rally organized by an advocacy group? Or do you travel University Avenue or use the Washington Avenue Bridge to get to and from home, work, shopping or school? Getting around parts of St. Paul and Minneapolis got trickier due to Central ...
Proposed health cuts denounced
Prudent budget-cutting measures or irresponsible attack on the lives of people with disabilities? A report on proposed health care spending cuts is sparking intense debate throughout Minnesota, as sweeping changes are proposed to state programs. The report, “Minnesota’s Healthcare Imperative,” contains specific proposals for potential cost savings from within Minnesota’s current public health care system ...
Teen with autism beaten, robbed and shot in face
A horrifying attack on a teenager with disabilities is a reminder that family members, friends and guardians must make extra efforts to keep young people safe. Charges were filed last month in Ramsey County District Court against three adults and two teenagers who took part in an attack on the 16-year-old young man. Charges include felony ...
St. Paul passes new sidewalk café ordinance
Months of work ended as St. Paul’s much-debated new regulations on sidewalk cafes and other retail uses of sidewalks were unanimously adopted by the City Council Janury19. The council adopted the regulations after three public hearings. Ward Two Council Member Dave Thune, who authored the ordinance, said although the process was difficult, the city is now ...
Sidewalk cafe regulations continue to cause debate
St. Paul’s proposed changes to sidewalk café and store display regulations will not take effect until late February or March at the earliest, if the St. Paul City Council sticks to the agreed-on schedule. The continuing delays in proposed ordinance changes meant to ensure sidewalk accessibility are beginning to frustrate some members of the city’s ...
Disability and aging advocates share issues, ideas
Working together on a wide range of issues will serve Minnesota’s disability and aging communities well during what is expected to be a challenging 2011 legislative session. Representatives of more than 50 groups met Nov. 29 in St. Paul to share ideas and strategies. The 2011 Minnesota Legislature convenes Jan. 4. Participants agreed that the two ...
Decision on sidewalk cafes is laid over for study
Changes to St. Paul’s regulations on sidewalk café regulations will be tabled until mid-December as restaurant owners, city staff and disability community advocates sort out a menu of issues. The public hearing, which began Nov. 17 and drew more than a dozen people, will be continued until Dec. 15.
The proposed ordinance changes were brought forward ...
White Cane Award given to promote safe crossings
Crossing a busy intersection can be difficult for people who are able-bodied and can see oncoming traffic. For people with visual impairments, crossing a street can be a matter of life or death. That’s why Accessible Pedestrian Signal or APS technology is so important. In October the American Council of the Blind of Minnesota (ACBM) ...
Sidewalk cafes and access need to co-exist in St. Paul
Keeping sidewalks clear for all pedestrians is the goal of a proposed St. Paul city ordinance. The St. Paul City Council hosts a public hearing on ordinance changes at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 17 at the City Hall/Courthouse, third floor council chambers.
The ordinance is being changed to address concerns about access for people with disabilities, ...
2010 Charlie Award – Steve Kuntz believes in the value of meaningful work
A man who has made it his work life’s mission to help people with disabilities find meaningful employment is the 2010 Access Press Charlie Smith Award winner. Steve Kuntz is this year’s Charlie Smith Award honoree. The award will be presented Friday, Nov. 5 at the Minneapolis Airport Marriott in Bloomington.
For several decades Kuntz has ...
Restraints hearing delayed, families still want answers
Debate over use of restraints and seclusion as punishments at the Minnesota Extended Treatment Options (METO) facility in Cambridge continues. A hearing set for August 30 was postponed as attorneys for the state and for families affected by METO’s practices discussed a possible settlement. That raised hopes that a settlement would end the legal dispute, ...
Redeemer Arms gets new owner, renovations planned
One of the Twin Cities’ oldest and largest supportive housing facilities will be under new ownership. Redeemer Arms, which is located at 313 N. Dale St., will be sold to Minneapolis-based Community Development Housing Corporation (CDHC). The five-story building will also be renovated. The St. Paul City Council, acting as the Housing and Redevelopment ...
METO case continues to make its way through courts
More than a year after it was filed, a civil lawsuit against the state of Minnesota, the Minnesota Extended Treatment Options (METO) program and METO staff continues to make its way through the U.S. District Court system. Former patients of the facility and their family members continue to push for an end to the ...
Employment, access eyed
Minnesota gets a C+ on ADA Report Card; is top grade
Minnesota earned a C + on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Report Card issued this summer by the Center for Planning and Policy Studies at Indiana University’s Indiana Institute on Disability and Community. On a 4.0 scale, that’s a 2.30 average.
When asked about ...
ADA reaches a milestone – 20 years of struggles and victories recalled
Throughout the United States, people with disabilities are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Minnesota’s 20th Anniversary Celebration will spotlight increased opportunities experienced by people with disabilities. The statewide celebration is Monday July 26, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Nicollet Island Pavilion, 40 Power St., Minneapolis. ...
Several developments in nursing home abuse case
Claims of elder abuse at the Good Samaritan Society nursing home in Albert Lea continue to make their way through the court systems. A civil lawsuit was filed in South Dakota in June against nursing home parent company Good Samaritan Society. It is the fourth civil lawsuit filed by families of the nursing home residents ...
Skyway access advocates lose case in district court
Advocates for skyway access in downtown St. Paul were dealt a blow June 24 in Ram-sey County District Court. But what the ruling means for encroachment on skyway space at Cray (formerly Gal-tier) Plaza remains unclear. Judge Robert Awsumb dismissed a civil complaint by the group Citizens for Skyway Integrity. The judge granted motions to discuss ...
The Story of Us: 20 years of MN disability news coverage remembered, as covered by Access Press
Minnesota, as told through the pages of Access Press, is one of victories and defeats, activism and accolades. Come with us on a trip back through the past two decades. This installment covers the first five years of newspaper coverage. Subsequent installments will appear in future issues.
May 1990
Access Press published its first issue, ...
HCMC opts into health program; other bills uncertain
As the 2010 legislative session wound down, things were more uncertain than ever thanks to high-profile disputes between Gov. Tim Pawlenty and state lawmakers, and a groundbreaking Minnesota Supreme Court ruling. In a 4-3 decision May 5, the court ruled against Pawlenty in the unallotment case that challenged whether Pawlenty’s emergency budget cuts from last year ...
The Story of Us: 20 years of MN disability news coverage remembered, as covered by Access Press – Pt. 2
Minnesota, as told through the pages of Access Press, is one of victories and defeats, activism and accolades. Come with us on a trip back through the past two decades. This installment covers the second five years of newspaper coverage. May 1995 Debate continued at the capitol over programs for people with disabilities, with most attention focused ...
The Story of Us: 20 years of MN disability news coverage remembered, as covered by Access Press – Pt. 3
Minnesota, as told through the pages of Access Press, is one of victories and defeats, activism and accolades. Come with us on a trip back through the past two decades. This installment covers the third five years of newspaper coverage. May 2000 A demonstration at the state capitol was one of many held around the United ...
The Story of Us: 20 years of MN disability news coverage remembered, as covered by Access Press – Pt. 4
Minnesota, as told through the pages of Access Press, is one of victories and defeats, activism and accolades. Come with us on a trip back through the past two decades. This installment covers the fourth five years of newspaper coverage. May 2005 Major differences were seen in the Minnesota House and Senate’s proposed health and human services legislation. ...
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