People with disabilities face high unemployment rates as well as assumptions that they cannot work. A creative new retail training program, offered by Opportunity Partners and Arc Greater Twin Cities in cooperation with Dunwoody College of Technology, will provide training to get more people into the work force. The program should boost job opportunities and eventually ...

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Who should get a flu shot this fall? According to the CDC, everyone age 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine each year. This recommendation has been in place since February 2010 when CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted for “universal” flu vaccination in the U.S. to expand protection against the ...

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Many must change health plans This fall more than 70,000 Twin Cities residents enrolled in state health insurance programs must choose new plans. This is because a new program at the Minnesota Department of Human Services is being implemented. By putting managed care contracts out for competitive bids, state officials hope to save money in the ...

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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 ...

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Kugler to lead The Arc Minnesota Larry Kugler of Eden Prairie has been appointed President of The Arc Minnesota. Kugler succeeds President Tim Nelson, who died this summer. Kugler said, “I am committed to continuing the priorities that Tim promoted as President. He worked tirelessly for a strong presence of The Arc across the State of Minnesota ...

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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. ...

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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 ...

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Here's the .pdf of the October 2011 Issue.  Enjoy!

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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 ...

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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 ...

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Many deserving and hard-working people were nominated for the 2011 Charlie Smith Award, given every year at the annual banquet hosted by Access Press. Here are their stories: John J. Barrett John J. Barrett is the president of Rise, Inc. The agency just celebrated its 40th anniversary. Barrett was hired as executive director in the summer of ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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  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 ...

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Construction of the Central Corridor light rail project is more than 20 percent complete, according to project staff. Parts of University Avenue, including the stretch from Emerald to Hampden, are complete on the south side. That means switching the work and the worst impacts on businesses, to the north side. For people with disabilities who must ...

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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 ...

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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 ...

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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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Brown is winner of award Nick Brown, owner of Brown’s Lawn Service in Shakopee, is the winner of the 2011 Judd Jacobson Memorial Award. The award will be presented Oct. 5 at a ceremony at Courage Center in Golden Valley. Brown is an enterprising 18-year-old who has been mowing lawns since age 12. That wouldn’t be unusual ...

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The sudden death of Tim Nelson, chief executive officer of Hammer Residences, Inc, and board chairman of The Arc Minnesota, has stunned and saddened those who worked with him.  Nelson, 58, died Aug. 16 while hiking with his wife, Jean, in Colorado. His life’s work in helping people with developmental disabilities began early. Nelson’s youngest brother Doug ...

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Editor’s note: At a time when many parents of children with disabilities have been going through the annual round of back-to-school medical visits, this guest commentary is appropriate. It can be difficult for parents to step back as their children get older. This is especially the case if the child has a complicated medical history. As a ...

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It’s the best party of the year for Minnesota’s disability community. And you and your friends can make it better. Access Press hosts the Charlie Smith Award Banquet Friday, Nov. 4 at the Minneapolis Airport Marriott, Bloomington. Attendees enjoy music, a delicious meal and the presentation of the Charlie Smith Award, which is given annually ...

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The Minnesota Consortium for Citizens for Disabilities (MN CCD) hosts a series of town hall forums this fall to explain the various state budget impacts, and to gather information from the public. Policymakers will be on hand to listen to concerns. Weeks after the 2011 special session of the Minnesota Legislature, advocates that serve people with ...

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Here's the .pdf version of the September 2011 Issue.  Enjoy!

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When the 2011 Minnesota Legislature’s special session adjourned July 20, Minnesotans with disabilities and their families faced a dizzying array of changes in the adopted health and human legislation and budget. For the short term, many people will see cuts to services or changes in how services are delivered. Over the long term, Minnesotans can ...

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