An April 30 signing ceremony took place in the governor’s conference room and was attended by many disability advocates including Sue Abderholden, Executive Director, NAMI Minnesota; Charles Van Heuvelen, MA-EPD enrollee; Kurt Rutzen, The Arc of Minnesota; Toby Pearson, Government Relations Director, Care Providers of Minnesota; and Bruce Nelson, Executive Director, ARRM. Several state officials also attended including Department of Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson; Department of Health Commissioner Ed Ehlinger; state representatives Jim Abeler (R-Anoka), Tom Huntley (DFLDuluth) and Steve Gottwalt (R-St. Cloud), and senators David Hann (R-Eden Prairie) and Tony Lourey (DFL-Kerrick). 

“It’s really an extraordinary accomplishment, especially in the context of the other difficulties we’ve had this session,” said Dayton. He called the legislation “cooperative and this is bipartisan all the way.”

The health and human services bills were followed closely by the Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MN-CCD), selfadvocates and many disability service organizations. A number of bills that were introduced separately were wrapped into the omnibus bill. 

Dayton signed the DHS policy bill April 23. It contains compromised language on rate setting, reform of case management services and changes required to move forward with the MN Choices program.  

The funding in the bill signed April 25 allows for the state to restore some programs that were cut in 2011, as part of the budget agreement that ended the July state government shutdown. One huge win for many families is a temporary restoration of a 20 percent cut to the wages of personal care assistants (PCAs) who care for family members. That will be in place until July 2013. That $5.9 million cut sparked outrage throughout the state and a legal challenge.

The package restores funding or delays funding cuts of millions of dollars for other programs slashed last year as part of the deficit-fixing budget. The restoration includes $4.7 million for the Emergency Medical Assistance program, which helps those who need dialysis and cancer treatment. 

Another winner is continuing care, which has a rate cut delayed. That in turn should allow time for the state to negotiate with the federal government and make the cut unnecessary. Also, a provision delaying the 1.67 percent disability provider rate cut was approved; also gives time to negotiate a federal waiver. Funding restorations or delays in when cuts will be applied will also be a benefit for a number of programs and services. 

Many groups were pleased with the bill’s signing. One winner is the Association of Residential Resources in Minnesota (ARRM), which saw several of its legislative proposals approved. ARRM began the session with one of the most high-profile legislative packages, making the case that more than 6,500 Minnesotans with disabilities are on waiting lists or residing in non-community settings while enrollment opportunities are limited. ARRM brought forward a number of ideas to reform and balance the care system, to offer individuals and their families a robust and competitive marketplace of choices that meet individual needs and are cost-effective. 

Autism advocates will also be pleased to see the legislative package, as it includes $200,000 for a study that looks at autism in Minnesota’s Somali population. One in 27 Somali children are diagnosed with autism at birth. Another autism study would consider early intervention therapies and their projected outcomes.

While having key health and human services legislation signed is a huge step, many issues remained unresolved. Lawmakers were still debating a wide range of issues including tax policy, a bonding bill and a Vikings stadium. Legislators can meet until May 21. If issues aren’t resolved that either forces a special session or postpones issues until next year.

UCPM serves people with cerebral palsy, families and caregivers. The Minnesota chapter and about 100 other UCP affiliates throughout the United States provide educational, advocacy and support services. The St. Cloud/Central Minnesota UCP affiliate won’t be affected by this closing.

The pending closure of the Minnesota chapter ends a tradition of service that began in 1953. “It’s absolutely devastating,” said Executive Director Carrie Mastenbrook. She and others involved in the organization are concerned about the families UCPM serves.

One big question is what to do with the Minnesota Assistive Technology Loan Network (MATLN), which UCP has operated since 1998.

The agency historically has served persons with disabilities other than cerebral palsy. Nationally, more than 65% of people served by UCP have disabilities other than cerebral palsy, including Down syndrome, autism, physical disabilities and traumatic brain injury.

UCP began in 1949. The Minnesota chapter incorporated in 1953, electing its first board, program services and medical advisory committees. Robert Hohman was hired as the first executive director. The statewide group changed its name to United Cerebral Palsy of Minnesota, Inc. in 1970.

Hundreds of people served on UCPM’s boards and committees over the years. In 1993, Rob Chalmers became the first person with cerebral palsy to chair the agency’s board of directors.

Affiliates were started in Rochester, Olmstead County and St. Cloud in the early years. Others would later include UCP of the Range, serving Iron Range communities; UCP of the Red River Valley, UCP of Austin and UCP of Southwest Minnesota. UCPM spent much time developing programs with local affiliates and assisting them in fundraising campaigns.

Raising funds has always been part of UCPM’s work. In 1954, UCPM’s first telethon grossed $124,481. Other fundraising included direct mail and door-knocking campaigns, walk-a-thons, dance parties, bike-a-thons, golf tournaments and an event called The World’s Largest Line Dance. In the 1970s “Peanut Butter Sunday” was sponsored by 4-H groups statewide, with sale of jars of peanut butter.

In 1954, UCPM had its first poster child, Karen Boersma. She passed away last month. By the early 1970s UCPM featured individuals in marketing campaigns and dropped the poster child campaign.

UCPM has been involved with many efforts to improve services for Minnesotans with disabilities, including the federal Americans with Disabilities Act I 1990 and numerous state and federal law changes, legal actions and collaborative programs. In the 1950s and 1960s, UCPM members lobbied for programs including the creation of day activity centers, vocational rehabilitation, special education programs and sheltered workshops. The medical committee worked to open clinics and promote more education for doctors, dentists and other medical professionals, to assist patients with cerebral palsy.

Another focus was to improve schooling for children with disabilities. In 1957, UCP Minnesota helped establish special education teacher training programs at the Mankato and Moorhead teachers’ colleges.

UCPM was also involved with groundbreaking research to help Minnesotans with cerebral palsy, starting in 1956. Dr. Helen Wallace, in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Public Welfare and the University of Minnesota, conducted a survey to determine the number of people with cerebral palsy in Minnesota.

This research and advocacy continued, sometimes with partner organizations. In 1964, UCPM conducted a survey on residential homes for adults with physical disabilities. That same year the agency also worked with the Association for Mentally Retarded to study and call for changes in state institutions.

Yet another research and advocacy effort began in 1968, with Courage Center, when UCPM worked with that agency to call for building facilities and sidewalk cuts that are accessible to people with physical disabilities. State and local elected officials, units of government and businesses were resistant to this change. The advocates persisted and not only were able to ultimately push for law changes mandating accessibility, but also improvements to transportation facilities and other services.

A huge victory was won in 1971 when the federal Developmental Disabilities Act was passed. It covered services for people with developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and other neurological conditions. It was seen as the beginning of “real change” for people with cerebral palsy and their families.

UCPM has long been involved with the Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MnCCD), the Minnesota STAR Program, state councils and boards, and programs to provide needed adaptive equipment.

But not all has been work. One fun event in 1962 was the Thanksgiving Hop in Minneapolis, which was the largest dance of its kind in the United States. KDWB Radio was the media partner. Other teenage sock hops were held around the state by local affiliates. These popular events not only were enjoyable, they also raised awareness and support for UCP.

Another fun form of outreach was a Minnesota State Fair booth, which UCPM ran for several years. At the first booth in 1963 the UCP women’s committee ran the booth and sold handmade items created in the UCP of Minneapolis workshop.

Another example was in 1993, when Dynavox Systems and UCP hosted the first Zippity Zoo Day—a day for people who use augmentative communication devices to socialize with each other. That is still recalled as one of the organization’s fun events.

History was compiled from Access Press files and the UCPM website.

Rep. Jim Abeler engages with the crowd of disability advocates.

Governor Mark Dayton speaks out for disability rights.

Legislators, organizational leaders, and self advocates all speak out in the capitol rotunda.

The Lorries demonstrate their dislike for the 20% family reduction in wages.

Organizational leaders, Steve Larson and Rick Cárdenas played the wheel of misfortune.

Top, a brother and sister lead the crowd in cheers.

The rotunda at the capitol was packed with concerned people during the Disability Day rally

The banquet will again be held at the Minneapolis Airport Marriot in Bloomington. This setting offers a very accessible and comfortable space for the silent auction and raffle, cash bar, pre-dinner music and conversation and the banquet itself.

The highlight of the evening is the presentation of the Charlie Smith Award, given in honor of the founder of Access Press. The late Charlie Smith Jr. was a longtime disability community activist and journalist. Nominations for the award are accepted from the community, with a winner chosen by the Access Press Board of Directors.

The 2012 award nomination period closes Aug. 10. The newspaper board will review the nominations at the end of August and select a winner. Read about the winner in the September issue of Access Press. Nomination forms are available on the newspaper’s website, www.accesspress.org or by calling the office at 651-644-2133. Contact the newspaper board at CSAnominations@accesspress.org  if you have questions.

Previous winners of the award are:

2011–Jeff Bangsberg, Consultant, Legislative Activist
2010–Steve Kuntz, Minnesota DEED
2009–Anne Henry, of the Minnesota Disability Law Center
2008–Pete Feigal, Co-Founder of Tilting at Windmills
2007–Jim and Claudia Carlisle, People Enhancing People
2006–John Smith, University of MN
2005–Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MN-CCD)
2004–Rick Cardenas, Co-Director of Advocating Change Together (ACT)
2003–Margot Imdieke Cross, Minnesota State Council on Disability

Making the banquet a success means relying on many community members for support. One way to help the banquet is to serve as a sponsor. Three levels of sponsorship are offered, using titles that reflect terms used historically in the newspaper industry. Sponsors get different levels of recognition

Keyliners Level – $200. This denotes the keyliners, who used to paste up newspaper pages.• Your logo will be displayed at a table
• Your organization/company name will be listed in the 2012 Charlie Award Banquet program
• Your organization/company will be recognized in our November & December 2012 newspapers
• You will have one (1) free website ad (your month of choice), a value of $100

Proofreaders Level – $300. This denotes the proofreaders, who checked newspaper pages for errors.
• Your logo will be displayed at a table
• Your organization/company name will be listed in the 2012 Charlie Award Banquet program
• Your organization/company will be recognized in our November & December 2012 newspapers
• You will have two (2) free rotating website ads (your months of choice), a value of $200
• Your organization/company will be listed on a special banner (on display) during the 2012 Charlie Award Banquet

Editor-in-Chief Level – $400. This denotes the leader of the newspaper.
• Your logo will be displayed at a table.
• Your organization/company name will be listed in the 2012 Charlie Award Banquet program
• Your organization/company will be recognized in our November & December 2012 newspapers
• You will have two (2) free rotating website ads (your months of choice), a value of $200
• Your organization/company will be listed on a special banner, on display during the 2012 Charlie Award Banquet
• Your organization/company will be recognized by our emcee during the 2012 Charlie Award Banquet
• A table will be named in your organization/company’s honor the evening of the event
• A free Access Press subscription, a value of $30
• One (1) Directory of Organizations listing, good for one year, a value of $60

Donations will also be needed for the newspaper’s annual silent auction and “pick your prize” raffle. Past prizes have included theater and sports tickets, gift certificates, art and more. Access Press Office Manager Dawn Frederick handles the sponsor, silent auction and raffle. Contact Dawn at 651 644-2133 or at dawn@accesspress.org if you would like to be a sponsor or if you would like to make a donation.

As Minnesotans prepare to cast ballots in November on a constitutional amendment that would require voters to produce photo identification at the polling place, it’s worth looking back at constitutional amendments that caused controversy in the past.

Then as now, laws that propose constitutional amendments specify ballot language. While the 2012 ballot language has proven controversial, it is certainly not the first ballot question which has prompted objections based on how it is worded. The controversial law proposing the voter ID constitutional amendment specifies the language to be used on the ballot at the election. As has often been the case, the voter ID “ballot question” is also controversial. For instance, it does not say that the “valid photo identification” must be government-issued or include any reference to the provisional ballot process required by the amendment. How the Minnesota Legislature frames any ballot question may affect the outcome of how it is voted upon.

In 1871 and 1872, Minnesota lawmakers proposed a constitutional amendment that would have increased the state’s debt limit. This desire to spend more money was meant to enable construction of buildings at the state’s asylums and the state prison. In 1871 the ballot question asked whether the voter was “in favor of borrowing money for erection of public buildings.” Nothing was said of what types of public buildings would be built. The amendment was resoundingly rejected, 39,807 to 6,554. It was even rejected 845 to 250 in Nicollet County, where construction would have been done to expand the Hospital for the Insane and 786 to 503 in Rice County, where new construction would have taken place at the Asylum for the Deaf, Dumb and Blind.

The bill introduced in 1872 included an identical constitutional amendment, but changed the ballot question to ask voters whether they were “in favor of borrowing money for the erection and completion of the asylums for the insane, and deaf, dumb, and blind, and state prison.” The amendment was approved 29,158 to 26,881.

The St. Peter Tribune opined a week before the election that “Here, where everyone knows the necessity for more room for insane patients, there ought not to be a negative vote.” Nicollet County voters approved the amendment 1320 to 55. Rice County also supported the change overwhelmingly, 2065 to 27.

The week before the 1872 election, three persons who had inspected the state prison wrote a Minneapolis Tribune article stating that “The proposition was voted down at the last election; it is believed, by a misunderstanding on the part of the voters of the objects to be attained by the proposed amendment.” The writers presented the needs they found at the prison.

Other articles published before the 1872 election expanded on the needs at the two institutions. The change in the ballot question alone might not have changed the outcome, but it did enable the voter to identify the public building affected by their actions.

That change, coupled with concrete information about the effect that the amendment would have, made the difference.

___________________________

Would you like to make history?

Access Press is interested in reader submissions for the monthly History Note column, to complement the articles written by Luther Granquist and other contributors. Submissions must center on events, people and places in the history of Minnesota’s disability community. We are in interested in history that focuses on all types of physical and cognitive disabilities, so long as the history has a tie to Minnesota. We are especially interested in stories from Greater Minnesota. Please submit ideas prior to submitting full stories, as we may have covered the topic before. Past History Note articles can be found on www.accesspress.org Contact us at access@accesspress.org or 651-644-2133 if you have questions.

The History Note is a monthly column sponsored by the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities, www.mncdd.org and www.partnersinpolicymaking.com

Minnesotans’ positive attitude toward people with developmental disabilities has increased markedly in the past 50 years, according to a report released in April by the  Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities who funded and sponsored the Attitude Survey. But the survey results also indicate concerns among families, who worry about finances, services and education for their loved ones.

Nearly 90 percent of survey respondents believe that people with developmental disabilities can have regular lives and should be integrated into society as much as possible, compared to 64 percent who felt that way in 1962. Nearly three-quarters of people surveyed agreed that those diagnosed with a developmental disability should be able to participate in activities such as voting and obtaining a driver’s license.

“Minnesota has demonstrated a commitment over many years to helping people with developmental disabilities move out of institutions into community settings,” said Colleen Wieck, executive director of the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities. “Progress has resulted from the contributions of many groups, including self-advocates, families, providers and government agencies.”

The survey showed that more than 90 percent of survey respondents believe that people with developmental disabilities should be kept out of institutions, compared to 55 percent of respondents in 1962.

The survey included people from throughout the state. It included families with and without relatives who have developmental disabilities. Service providers were interviewed to help shape questions for the survey. The survey details show a good mix of respondents in terms of age, gender, education level and employment status.

“It is encouraging to see the positive trend in public support for the full inclusion of Minnesotans with developmental disabilities in community life,” said Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson. “This parallels the trend of an increasing number of people with disabilities receiving care and supports in home and community-based settings, as shown on the DHS Dashboard on our department’s website.”

While a high percentage in the general population believe it is important to use public resources to ensure adequate government services for people with developmental disabilities, responses to how well the services are being delivered varied widely among survey respondents.

One concern among people with developmental disabilities and their families is abuse. Sixty-two percent of this population reported that abuse toward a family member is a concern, while only 31 percent of the general population is concerned about the abuse of a family member. Thirty-five percent of people with developmental disabilities and their families cited poor performances in abuse prevention services.

“Better protection of vulnerable individuals is one of our highest priorities,” said Jesson. “We are supporting legislation to make willful neglect of vulnerable adults a felony and also working with counties to increase abuse prevention efforts and improve investigations.”

The report also indicated pessimism among families, indicating that 42 percent of families with a member with a developmental disability expect that education services for students with developmental disabilities will be worse in two years than they are today. The future outlook for education among the general population is more positive.

The survey also indicates a pessimistic outlook regarding future employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities, as compared to the employment outlook for the general population.

Perceptions of current and future financial well-being differed somewhat between the general population of Minnesota households and with families with a member with developmental disabilities.  Forty-one percent of the developmental disabilities population feels their financial well-being is not as good today as it was two years ago; 32 percent of the general population feels the same. And 22 percent of families with a member with a developmental disability feel they will be worse off financially in two years than they are today; 12 percent of the general population households held that negative outlook.

Three of 13 services for people with developmental disabilities were identified as most important to families with a member with a developmental disability, while also showing substantial room for improvement.

They were day training services so that people with developmental disabilities can learn job skills; family support (subsidies to families to pay for extra costs of care for children with developmental disabilities) and education and training for people with developmental disabilities/advocates on how to exercise rights.

The survey, first conducted in 1962, was repeated in 2012 to assess and measure changes in awareness and attitudes toward people with developmental disabilities in Minnesota over the past 50 years.

One striking aspect of the survey results is how attitudes toward people with disabilities have changed. For example, in 1962, 71 percent of the population believed that a person with a developmental disability should not be cared for at home. Today, 83 percent of the respondents believe that care should be provided at home, if possible.

In 1962, respondents had mixed feelings about institutionalization. Today, more than 90 percent of survey respondents strongly oppose institutionalization. Of today’s respondents, 84 percent said they believe people with developmental disabilities can lead normal lives. In 1962, 64 percent believed that people with disabilities could lead normal lives while 29 percent of respondents disagreed.

Today, 75 percent of survey respondents said that people with developmental disabilities should be able to obtain a driver’s license if they can pass the test. An almost identical percentage felt that should not be allowed in 1962.

Attitudes on voting have also changed. In 1962, 48 percent of respondents said that people with developmental disabilities should not be allowed to vote. Today, 70 percent say that people with developmental disabilities should be allowed to vote.

A full copy of the report is available at the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities website, www.mncdd.org

The new legislation allows enrollees who have worked up until age 65 to continue to work under MA-EPD rules after age 65 with an April 1, 2012 retroactive date. Those who saved while on MA-EPD before age 65 can retire and keep their retirement savings up to allowed MA-EPD limits and still qualify for Medical Assistance (MA) as senior citizens. In other words, retirement savings accumulated while on MA-EPD will not be counted as an asset when the person retires and applies for MA as a senior.

Both Health and Human Services Committee chairs, Sen. David W. Hann (R-Eden Prairie) and Rep. Jim Abeler (R-Anoka) celebrated and told fellow lawmakers to be proud that this would become law. The effort was helped by funding health maintenance organizations recently paid back to the state.

“It was terrific to have a bipartisan effort on this important issue this session,” said Anne Henry of the Disability Law Center and “until the HMO payback money became available, I was not at all sure this would be included at the end of session. Now it is the law.”

Many legislators and disability lobbyists worked on revamping this program but activists cited Sen. Kathy Sheran (DFL-Mankato), Rep. Mike Paymar (DFL-St. Paul), Rep. Terry Morrow (DFL-St. Peter), Rep. Abeler and Sen. Hann for their efforts.

But not every issue could be sorted out for those who rely on MA-EPD. One key issue that was not corrected with the legislation is the monthly earned income limit of about $700 per month or 75% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Those who choose to retire at 65 or later will still have to spend down their monthly Social Security or pension to the FPL after they leave the program. Changing the income limit will be a lot more difficult than the changes adopted this session because nearly everyone on MA-EPD has some Social Security income as do all those who become eligible for MA after turning age 65.

During the legislative session, advocates made it clear that both the federal and state government have to set up new programs to replace peoples’ lost income because $700 per month is not enough to live on when someone may own a home and have had much higher asset limitations over his or her working life. The low MA income limit is still an issue that needs to be changed and the Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities is likely to continue to work on this in future sessions.

Department of Human Services officials have indicated the state will contact the financial workers for those who turn age 65 from April 1 on to tell them about the changes. Those who are already over age 65 should contact their financial workers and get back on MA-EPD and pay the April premium to avoid the spend-down.

The Health and Human Services omnibus bill passed and was ceremonially signed into law by Gov. Mark Dayton on April 30. Most of the bill is a victory for the disability community, although there are some related issues that we will have to continue to work on in the years to come.

The 20 percent reduction in wages for PCAs caring for a relative was repealed until next July, 2013 which is a victory. We will need to work for permanent repeal of the 20 percent reduction in the following year. With continued pressure, and given the insight of Dayton, Commissioner of Health and Human Services Lucinda Jesson and many of our legislators, there is a good likelihood that we could get this completely repealed. I hope that the PCA fraud unit and Jesson will also research the 20 percent reduction to determine if it would really reduce any significant fraud in the program.

In another provision of the bill, Medical Assistance for Employed People with Disabilities (MA-EPD) has dropped the age limit of 65. Now an individual with a disability can continue working and continue at their higher asset threshold until the person withdraws from the program. This is a huge accomplishment and something that I personally didn’t think would happen this session. A downside is that the income limitations apply after a person quits working. There will have to be a lot of hashing-through to determine how liquid assets will be calculated in combination with income. It’s not certain now how it will all play out and how much the federal government will have to be involved in the final decision-making. I’ve been told by some lobbyists that the income limits will be difficult to get alter because of the overall cost. Also, they’re already talking about a $1 billion deficit in the coming fiscal year, which can’t be good news.

On the really good-news side, Chuck Van Heuveln, the St. Paul Public School employee Access Press has been writing about—and the man who put his neck on the line for legislators to see the devastation the MAEPD limits would cause in real life—won’t lose his pension completely. There is concern that when he quits working, his pension could be considered income (we think). Nevertheless, Chuck is in a much better situation today than he would have been without this legislation. Thank you, Chuck, and all your colleagues and associates that helped to bring this huge issue to the forefront for people to see.

Thank you, too, to Sen. Kathy Sheran (DFL–Mankato), for her tenacity on this issue. For those of you who don’t know her, Sheran has been working on this legislation continually for the last six years of her legislative career. Without her insight and ability to convince other legislators that this was the right thing to do, this legislation probably wouldn’t have happened. Of course, nothing at the Capitol happens because of one person alone, so we extend big thanks as well to Dayton, Rep. Jim Abeler (R–Anoka), Senator David Hann (R–Eden Prairie), Rep. Michael Paymar (DFL–St. Paul), and Rep. Terry Morrow (DFL–St. Peter), who also worked vigorously to make this legislation happen and find the financial support to make it reality.

As spring brings thoughts of summer, I hope everyone will take a few moments to write a fall date in your calendar–Nov. 2–for the Charlie Smith award banquet. And more immediately, start thinking about your nominations for the winner of the 2012 award. We’ll be asking for nominations starting next month. Let the newspaper staff or board know if you need accommodations in submitting a nomination.

Students were also given an opportunity to use visual arts to produce two squares for a quilt–one about themselves and one about an individual with a disability that they researched. Each student was then asked to give a short speech at the magazine release and quilt unveiling. About 60 people attended the April 20 event, including the Robbinsdale School District special education administrators, school staff, students, family members and friends.

Four students were interviewed to get their reaction to the class and reception. They were asked the following questions:

• What was the most important lesson you learned from the Disability Disclosure class?
• What was the one thing you learned from the Disabilities History and Culture class?
• What is the one thing you would like people to know about how you deal with your disability?
• What are your plans for the future?
• What is the one thing you would like people to know about you?

Meet the students:

Damonte: In the Disability Disclosure class, I liked talking about our disability. It felt comfortable. It also taught me to connect with others and to understand their disability. In the class, I liked reading the books and I learned that everyone has a community they can belong to and everyone has a purpose. I get along fine with my disability. You can do more than you think you can if you put your mind to it. I’m a good leader but sometimes it’s better to be a follower. I plan on joining the police reserves and getting a job through Goodwill. I want people to know what we go through every day. It’s painful when others see us as not normal. What is normal? We all have issues we live with.

Deon: I liked the reading and volunteering we did in the Disability Disclosure class. I learned from the Disability History and Culture class that it’s okay to have a disability and it’s okay to open up and talk about it. What I want people to know about me is that I’m helpful and I’m a good listener. I plan on painting houses and doing construction work. The reception helped me to open up a lot more, to express myself and it felt great to feel like a family.

Elizabeth: In the Disability Disclosure class I learned how to address my disabilities with the help of managers and school counselors. In the Disabilities History and Culture Class, I learned about autism through reading. Before I was scared of people who had autism, now I’m more comfortable with it. My plans for the future are to get married and become a family and to attend college and become a psychologist or mentor. I want people to know that I’m a very open and serious person. My disability will not overcome me. When people get to know and understand better, they will realize that disability does not define a person.

Amy: Before I was in the Disability Disclosure class, I felt that disability was a negative. Now I am okay with it. In the Disability History and Culture class, I learned that persons with disabilities have accomplished many things. I also designed the front cover of reflections Magazine. I want people to know what this place, (the Robbinsdale Transition Center), is and what they accomplish here. I plan on working in childcare. I want to attend art classes so that I can illustrate books for the children.

Several theaters around the state offer accommodations for movie-goers, such as captioning or descriptive services. www.captionfish.com  lists cinemas with access (AD/CC) features. Find theaters in your area by typing in your zip code. MoPix-equipped Rear Window Captioned Films are listed at cam.wgbh.org/mopix/nowshowing.html#mn

May is Mental Health Month

May is Mental Health Month, recognized by many awareness-raising events across the country. Mental illnesses are medical conditions that disrupt a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others and daily functioning.

Mental illnesses are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character or poor upbringing; anyone can be affected. This includes neighbors, coworkers, friends, children, parents, siblings or other relatives. With proper treatment and support most people can recover from depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, panic and anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder and other serious mental illnesses. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Minnesota offers free educational classes, support groups and resources for families and individuals living with a mental illness. FFI: NAMI, 651-645-2948 or 1-888-NAMI-Helps

Scholarships available

Courage Center has announced the EMPOWER Scholarships. EMPOWER Scholarships are open to ethnically diverse students for attendance at an institution of higher learning. Applicants must have demonstrated interest in medical or rehabilitation field by having some volunteer involvement related to a healthcare field. Selection is based on the applicant’s intentions, achievements, volunteerism and need. Applicant deadline is May 15 and applicants must be a resident of Minnesota or Western Wisconsin, and must identify how they will use their educational training. Volunteer involvement in the community is required. A minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale is required. Request an application from Courage Center’s Volunteer Services Department, or download it. FFI: www.couragecenter.org/ContentPages/empower_details.aspx

SpinLife.com offers scholarship

Spinlife.com, the largest U.S. direct-to-consumer Internet retailer of durable medical equipment, provides one $500 Innovation Motion Scholarship to students who are manual or power wheelchair users enrolled at an accredited four-year institution. In May SpinLife will announce the theme of its 2012 Innovation Motion Scholarship and begin accepting applications on line. FFI: collegescholarships@spinlife.com

Give away that car

Autos for Arc can take old vehicles off your hands, give you a tax deduction and say “Thank you” for helping change the lives of people with disabilities. Autos for Arc accepts cars and trucks of any model and condition and other vehicles including boats (with trailers), RVs, ATVs, golf carts, personal watercraft, motorcycles and snowmobiles. Within the seven-county metro area, Autos for Arc can arrange to have a vehicle towed free of charge.

Call the toll-free Autos for Arc hotline, 1-877-778-7709, to arrange a pickup. Or drop off vehicles at a Value Village location. FFI: 1-877-778-7709, www.autosforarc.org

Volunteer with RSVP

Volunteers age 55 and older are eligible to receive free supplemental insurance, mileage reimbursement and other benefits through the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) sponsored by Volunteers of America of Minnesota.

RSVP/Volunteers of America of Minnesota and AARP Foundation need volunteers with good budgeting and organizational skills to help manage finances of older or disabled low-income individuals. Have a few hours a month to volunteer? Money Management Program staff will train and match you with someone in the community. FFI: 612-617-7821