The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has assessed a civil penalty of $2 million against Delta Air Lines for violating rules protecting air travelers with disabilities. The penalty was announced February 17. The civil penalty is the largest penalty ever assessed against an airline by the Department of Transportation in a non-safety-related case. “Ensuring that passengers ...
Posts Tagged ‘Accessibility’
Letters to the Editor – July 2010
‘Disability culture’ hurts Disability is a reference group, not a culture. People of a culture exhibit similar values and beliefs. This cannot be said for the disability community. We all value independence, but beyond that we are very diverse. Some value participation in the mainstream fabric of society. Others are more comfortable within the disability community. ...
12 to one or 8 to one; that is the question
International Residential Code changes are controversial Anyone who has ever tried to navigate a too-steep ramp will want to weigh in proposed building code changes that will be voted on September 21. A lobbying and public education effort is underway to make sure the changes aren’t implemented. The International Residential Code (IRC) is the building code that ...
Bathroom Modifications on a Limited Budget
Dear Jane, We have spent the last few months working with a contractor designing our “dream” bathroom. We had big plans, but due to an unexpected financial situation, the amount of money we originally budgeted has been significantly reduced. Ultimately, we need to ensure the bathroom is safe for my husband, who uses a wheelchair. He ...
Legal Rights to Modify Rental Housing
Dear Jane, I live in a two-bedroom apartment and need a wider bathroom door and grab bars installed at the toilet and bathtub. My landlord has not responded to my request, and I am concerned that I will need to move. I have lived in this apartment for seven years and have developed strong relationships in ...
What is “Visitability?”
Dear Jane, My husband and I are thinking about building a new home. Lately I have been hearing this term “visitability.” Is this something we need to be thinking about for our home? Julie Edina, Minnesota Dear Julie, Congratulations—building a new home is very exciting; unfortunately, it can also be quite challenging. The Visitability movement began in the early ...
How to Make Transfers Easier
Dear Jane, My husband was injured in a car accident and is now a quadriplegic. I have been using a moveable patient-lifter to transfer him from his wheelchair to the bed or commode chair. I am finding this maneuver to be very cumbersome, and I am also worried I might injure my back trying to facilitate ...
A Bar, is a Bar, is a Bar. . . Or is it?
Dear Jane, We need to install grab bars in our shower. What do we need to be aware of? Art P., Elk River, Minn. Dear Art, Before beginning a grab bar installation, it is important to know what type of shower you have. The type of shower determines the installation method and products needed to have successful results. Grab bars ...
Cabin Design for a Flexible Future
Dear Jane, Thank you so much for responding to our last question (“Getting from the Cabin to the Lake,” Access Press, July 10, 2006). This got us thinking further. We have always known that when we permanently move up to our lake property, we will need to remodel and update our cabin to provide the “comforts ...
Getting from the Cabin to the Lake
Dear Jane, We have owned a cabin in northern Minnesota for several years. We have a steep hill down to the lake. As we continue to age, the slope is becoming more and more difficult for us to navigate. It has always been our desire to sell our existing home in the Twin Cities after retirement ...
Bigger Doesn’t Always Mean Better
Dear Jane, I live alone in a small town-house. I have multiple sclerosis, and there are good days and bad days. There are days when I am very fatigued and do not have a lot of strength to reach items in my upper wall cabinets or at the back of shelves in base cabinets. There isn’t ...
Home Access Answer – Ramp “Hide and Seek”
Dear Jane, We need a ramp installed at our home. My husband can no longer climb stairs. We’re over 68 years old and are concerned about safety, but don’t want to advertise to those who pass by that we are vulnerable. Do you have any suggestions? Eileen, Minneapolis, MN Dear Eileen, Many seniors with disabilities are concerned about safety. ...
Visiting for the Holidays
Dear Jane, I am a wheelchair user and am planning on visiting my brother over the holidays. He has a rambler style home and therefore believes most of the access issues will be at a minimum….I have a hunch otherwise. Do you have any tips on ways to make his home more accessible for me during ...
Thinking Bigger: Making the Most of a Small House
Dear Jane, I’m 47 and live by myself in a small, Cape Cod style home in a Minneapolis suburb. I have only 750 square feet on the main level (two bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen and living room) with a half story above (where my guests stay) and a full unfinished basement below. It’s small, but paid off. ...
Helping Your Contractor: Ideas for Visually Impaired Homeowners
Dear Jane, We are currently building a home in a Minneapolis suburb. I have MS that is affecting the use of my legs and arms, as well as my vision. Our builder has some ideas as to what could be done for future wheelchair access, but we are at a loss as to what features we ...
Minnesota Accessible Taxi
Minnesota Accessible Taxi is the brainchild of disabilities advocate Dale Findlay, who has served on disability advocacy boards for more than fifteen years. His idea is simple, “My service takes people where they want to go, when they want to go and ensures that when they disembark, they are safe.” Though there are mobility services that ...
ADA Rights & Responsibilities Conference
Disability advocates Judy Heumann and John Wodatch will be the featured speakers at the upcoming "Rights & Responsibilities Under the ADA and More" conference. This free, one-day seminar is being sponsored by a coalition of Minnesota disability organizations to provide education on the rights guaranteed by disability-specific laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act ...
May 1994 Issue
Contributors: No Bidders to Replace ATE - Situation is Complicated as Deadline Approaches - by Charlie Smith Mental Health Should be Included in Reform - by Sen. Paul Wellstone Library Services for the Blind and Physcially Handicapped in Minnesota - by Access Press Staff Hennepy County Library Offers Computer Access to Electronic Network, by Access Press Staff Editor's Column - ...
March 1993 Issue
Contributors: Smug Non-Compliance is the Norm - Our Favorite Advocate Surveys a Community Under ADA, by Mindy Desens Wellstone Bill Provides "A Yardstick for Health-Care Reform," by Access Press Staff Editor’s Column, by Charlie Smith RTB Working to Find Additional Metro Mobility Rides, by The Staff of the Regional Transit Board What Has Happened to Metro Mobility, by Charlie Smith Center for Assistive Rehabilitation - ...
December 1992 Issue
Contributors: A Sister Kenny - Institutionalized Innovation: Fifty Years of Making Lives Work, by Access Press Staff Disablity Rights Alliance, A New Name Working for Change, by Adam Quinn Editor’s Column, by Charlie Smith The Continuing Challenge of Making Minneapolis Accessible, by Rip Rapson The Hilton Hassle, by Bill Smith Disability Rights Alliance, 1993 Legislative Agenda, by Morgan Grant Comments, by Peter McLaughlin Advocacy ...
November 1992 Issue
Contributors: ARC: Humble Beginnings - Big Achievements - by Adam Quinn A New Era Begins? - by Bill Smith Editor's Column - Charlie Smith Medical Issues and Disability - by Sister Kenny Institute We Can Make the City Better - but It's Up to Us - by Steve Cramer Hello Nicole - by Nicole Fairview Hospitals Rehab Facilities, by Access Press Staff Here's the .pdf copy of November 1992
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- We're taking nominations for the 2012 Charlie Smith Award. Deadline is 8/10/12. Make sure to include a photo(s)... http://t.co/uN8aBmjT
- Have you heard about the Adaptive Sailing lessons at Wayzata Sailing Center? http://t.co/jBgK1Uap
- We received our first donation for the 2012 Silent Auction fundraiser last month. And it's from the fun and... http://t.co/qMbG2rJ5
- Looks like there's a live chat on http://t.co/gBvOga3Z about Nursing shortage myths and misperceptions right now. http://t.co/LaH6H5mR