Cuts to medical assistance reimbursement rates, made behind closed doors during the 2011 Minnesota Legislature’s July special session are at the center of a lawsuit against the State of Minnesota. The lawsuit was filed Oct. 25 in Ramsey County District Court on behalf of eight home health care agencies, employees and their clients with various ...
Commentary
20 percent cut – Relatives who provide care are focus
The little girl and the Great Communicator, years later
Thirty years ago, on Nov. 10, 1981, President Ronald Reagan told a story about an Iowa girl story at a press conference. “We just recently received word of a little girl who has spent most of her life in a hospital. The doctors are of the opinion that if she could be sent home and ...
Editor’s Column – November 2011
By the time you read this, Access Press’s annual banquet will once again have taken place, but we’ll have gone to press a couple days before. I’m very excited to share all that happened with you, but it will have to wait until next month. At last count, we were looking forward to about 200 ...
Sidewalk access ordinance is celebrated
With one outdoor dining season on the books and new penalties in place for any violations, an ordinance meant to keep sidewalks accessible was celebrated Oct. 19 in St. Paul. The St. Paul City Council declared the date to be Full Mobility Day in St. Paul.
Ward Two Council Member Dave Thune, who authored the ordinance, ...
Lawmakers must support Medicare Part D as it is
AARP recently collected more than 48 pages of signatures from Minnesotans worried that debt concerns and budget cuts will jeopardize Medicare. The petition, urging Congress “to leave Medicare and social security alone,” has now been signed by 1.6 million Americans nationwide. The signatories are right to be concerned. Consider Medicare’s prescription drug benefit, known as Part ...
VSA’s Arts Access Awards are presented
The arts in Minnesota are more accessible to people with disabilities today—thanks in part to three individuals and one organization that value the arts. The 14th annual Arts Access Awards are nominated by the public and presented by VSA Minnesota, to recognize outstanding accomplishments by artists, arts organizations, advocates and educators that help create a ...
Disability is missing from the debate
It has been more than 20 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act took effect, but while the law has changed some things in higher education, it hasn’t changed the way academic culture regards people with disabilities. While our current interest in diversity is laudable, colleges rarely think of disability when they tout diversity. College ...
People and Places – November 2011
Johnson named to MS Society post
Daniel S. Johnson has joined the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Upper Midwest Chapter as Vice President of Public Policy and Mission Advancement. In this role, he leads advocacy and political engagement, client programs and services, and professional outreach and education. The chapter represents more than 17,000 people living with MS ...
Open season change is here for Medicare Part D plans
Medicare beneficiaries who are considering changes to their Medicare Part D plan should mark their calendars for Oct. 15. The “open season” will run from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. This is a change from 2010 open season, when it was Nov. 15 to Dec. 31. The Medicare Part D prescription drug program is available to ...
Electronic medical records practical for many reasons
The current administration has done its job incentivizing physicians and hospitals to transition from a paper-based system to electronic health records through meaningful use. However, patients have yet to claim their role as the new focus of healthcare and suggest—or even demand—that their physicians adopt electronic technology and offer them greater ownership of their care ...
November 2011 Issue
Do you prefer to read the .pdf on your computer or e-reader? Here's the .pdf copy of the November 2011 issue. Enjoy!
2011 Award Winner – Bangsberg embodies spirit of service
Jeff Bangsberg is a man who gets things done for Minnesota’s disability community. His long record of service, dedication and commitment earned his multiple nominations for the 2011 Access Press Charlie Smith Award. The Access Press Board of Directors chose Bangsberg from a very crowded field of nominees.
“I recall asking Charlie Smith once, years ago ...
Editor’s Column – October 2011
It’s been a very active month for us at Access Press. After 15 years in the Griggs Midway Building, Access Press has signed a lease to move to a new location. We will be occupying an office space on the 9th floor of the Kelly Inn, overlooking the Department of Transportation, the State Office Building, ...
Air travel rules are under review
Richard Devylder, keynote speaker for the Minnesota State Council on Disability awards luncheon Sept. 26, is the U.S. Department of Transportation advisor for accessible transportation. His speech here came at a time when there is an increased focus on complaints about air travel and accommodations for travelers with disabilities. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates there are ...
Letter to the Editor – October 2011
To the editor: I have worked to get St. Paul sidewalks shoveled in the winter to enable people with mobility problems to use the sidewalks. St. Paul Smart Trips developed a door hanger to tell property owners to shovel their sidewalks. To get a sidewalk shoveled, a disabled person just needs to call the City of St. ...
October 2011 Issue
Here's the .pdf of the October 2011 Issue. Enjoy!
Free voice mail service is threatened by grant cut
Open Access Connections, which provides free voice mail for people with disabilities, low income people and the homeless, has been forced to lay off staff and scale back services in the wake of a state funding cut.
The nonprofit agency, which is based in St. Paul, laid off its staff Aug. 12. Two full-time and three ...
Supporters speak out
Open Access Connections users were asked what the loss of voice mail would mean to them. Here are a few responses: “It’s invaluable to anyone who has a disability. It’s the only way I’ve been able to keep in touch. If this service is cut, I’ll be deeply affected.” “This voice mail has helped me dramatically. Right ...
Editor’s Column – September 2011
The Board of Directors of Access Press has selected Jeff Bangsberg as the 2011 Charlie Smith Award recipient. It’s been a real honor for me to have Jeff as a mentor and friend over the years. I look forward to Nov. 4 and the opportunity to honor Jeff and congratulate all the nominees. There were many deserving ...
Lives Worth Living airs in October Show explores disability movement history
While there are close to 50 million Americans living with disabilities, Lives Worth Living is the first television history of their decades-long struggle forequal rights. Produced and directed by Eric Neudel, Lives Worth Living is a window into a world inhabited by people with an unwavering determination to live their lives like everyone else, and ...
Rise Inc. marks 40 years of helping people find success
Forty years ago, Minnesotans with significant disabilities still lived in state hospitals. Special education wasn’t very special. Most people with disabilities didn’t plan to have careers or live on their own in the community. It was a different world then. Clients, employees, friends and supporters of Rise Inc. are looking back on those days at ...
Skyway linkage issues continue to affect downtown St. Paul
Ongoing Central Corridor light rail construction in downtown St. Paul continues to create problems in terms of skyway access. The project is also raising questions about the need for an elevator connection near the planned Fourth and Cedar station is being debated. While many skyway users see an elevator as a basic need for skyway ...
Kids with disabilities need skills to cope with bullying
Adam was nine years old with a diagnosis of autism. Some people didn’t understand Adam’s lack of eye contact and social awkwardness. Two of his classmates began to bully him. At first they called him names, “weirdo” and mimicked how he walked. It escalated into shoving and tripping, usually at lunch when adults weren’t watching. This went ...
Back-to-school tips for parents
The start of the school year is here, and The Arc Greater Twin Cities has tips for parents of children with intellectual or developmental disabilities to help their children get the year off to a great start. Visit the school—it will help your child become familiar with the building. Introduce him/her to the teachers and staff. ...
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