"No country, however rich, can afford the waste of its

CIL Needs Your Help - p.3 human resources." - Franklin Delano Roosevelt

I

Ground Breaking - Page 2

Access Press POLITICAL ROLE MODELS

Don't Hide FDR's Disability by Wendy S. Brower

A $55 million memorial to our country's 31"

president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, was commemo- rated on a 7.5 acre site on the bank of the Potomac River in Washington, DC, on Friday, May 2, 1997. As of this writ- ing, The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Com- * mission has declded that no statute will depict FDR as a man who was unable to walk during his last twenty-four

of the United States.

Other times he masked his disability to the public by learning how to make it "look like he was walking." To do this he wore heavy braces that were painted black to match his socks and was assisted (held up) by a person on each side.

"showing Roosevelt in his wheelchair or with his braces or cane would be a victory for historical accuracy, a way of shattering st&eotypes about disabilities and a lesson for all." The resolution was co- authored by Senators Roger Moe, Allan Spear and Dean Johnson; it passed on a v@ke vote. Once he was scheduled to

speak in a building where the only door was at the top of many steps. The solution?

*4w*~.t .Of the building was raised to eliminate the need for steps. Wow! Only the President bf the Unipd States would get that kind aF an accommoda- tion!

Governor Arne Carlson re- cently wrote, "Even though - 1 r 4 k w o h w that FDR's disability was a reality. To not recognize this reality in even one of his me- morial statues may be a dis- service to not only his memory but also to the 49 million Americans who live with and strive to overcome their own disabilities."

e

-z T&angy, 66% of America's adults with disabilities are unemployed. To help alter this startling statistic, people with disabilities need more role models. Who better than Three years ago, disability

groups learned that the FDR Memorial Commission would not include adepiction ofFDR in his wheelchair. The Na- tional Organization on Dis-

- - ~-~ - - ~ ~ - . ~ - - - ~ - - ~ - -

One of two photos depicting FDR in his wheelchair out of the 125,000phot0s at the memorial. one ofthe world's most pow- erful leaders of this century?

Other supporters who support depicting FDR's disability include: Minnesota Senator

lntervie w Mim4 Rep. Torrev Westrom I To millions ofdisabled people like Jim Dickson, organizer

Quietly Dissolving -

of FDRin a WheelchairCam- paign for the National Orga- nization on Disability, FDR is that role model. Dickson re- calls being told by his doctor at age seven that he had juve- nile maculardegeneration and would soon be blind. As he walked out of the doctor's of- fice. his mother told him, "If Franklin Roosevelt could be President, then you can do what you want."

- ability made several requests to change the memorial. The FDR Memorial Commission refused, so did the designer, Lawrence Halprin. He said, "Idon't thinkit needsit; from my point of view the memo- rial is acomplete work of art, esthetically and historically ."

Paul Wellstone, Representa- tives Bruce Vento, Martin Sabo, and Jim Ramstad along with sixteen of Roosevelt's family, past Presidents Bush, Carter. and Ford. Stereotypes

by Jane Wheeler In a 1995 Harris poll, 73% of those asked said the memo- rial should include "visible recognition of FDR's disabil- ity."

hat is most notable W a b o u t one of

become a role model for the disabled community, but he does recognize his position for opening doors. "I bring more hands on experience to the issues or concerns; so I think it's a good fit," Rep- resentative Westrom said of his relation todisability policy and added, "but it's not the only issuc out thcrc."

Throughout this past session, Westrom's reaction to fund- ing disability programs has been calculated. He has not deliberately opposed in- creases, but has been careful to secure that the legislature allocates and spends the money properly.

President Clinton, the FDR Commission's Honorary Co- Chair, announced on April 23, 1997, that he will introduce legislation tocongress to add another statue depicting FDR in a wheelchair. Why the last minute show of support'? Could i t be that he's learned from his recent knee injury that one can still he an cf'cc- tive president and usc crutches? Could i t he that he was afraid of 500 Americans with disabilities protesting at the memorial dedication cer- emonies on May 2nd?

Minnesota's newest legisla- tors is not his ability to navi- gate the halls of government with his white cane and his mental map, but his rare com- hination of youth and fiscally conservative politics. At 24 years old, Independent Rc- puhlican Torrey Westrom is thc second youngest state legislator and the f'irst meni- her ofthc state House of Rep- resentatives who is blind or visually impaired. He is break- ing two stereotypes; that blind people can not succeed in the mainstream and that young people just want to spend money.

Historian and author of No Ordinuty Times, Doris Kearns Goodw in declared, "Roose- velt's polio made his special relationship with the Ameri- can people possible. Not to allow that to be shown would be a l'undaniental distortion of history, u real loss."

In the 1930's and 1940's, FDR was well aware of society's negative attitudes toward people with disabilities. He

'was afraid that if American's knew the truth about his dis- ability, he would never be elected president. He had the full cooperation of the press corps to neverphotograph him seated in a wheelchair. Only two of the more than 125,000 photographs in the FDR Li- brary at Hyde Park show him using a wheelchair.

Wcstrorn reluctantly voted to increase funding for Metro Mobility. This is not an issuc that was simply brought to him by consumers. Hc has personally used the service and believes it is necessary. The program's efficiency con- cerns him, and he cautions that we are possibly "throw- ing more good money after bad." "You can kill over half a day just to go to one

Since he represents the pri- marily rural district 13 A, Representative Westrom is greatly concerned about rcvi- talizing the small communi- ties of Minnesota. Although these are the issues he built his campaign around, since coming to Saint Paul he has had to deal with legislation that affects disabled individu- als across the state.

"They're trying to steal our hero from us," says Hugh Gallagher. who wrote FDR's Splendid Deceptiot~. "It's bad enough that we spin the present. Let's not start spin- ning the past. It is not revi- sionist to show Roosevelt in a wheelchair because he was in FDR - cont. on p.2

In Minnesota, Senator Linda Berglin authored a resolution calling for the addition of an- other statue. She told her colleagues in the Senate,

Sometimes he arrived at events early so no one would see him enter in a wheelchair.

He did not pursue his seat in government specifically to Westrom - cont. on p.3

2 May 10,1997 ~ c c e s s Press

Legislative Update -

-

Letters . . . . Cont.onpage6 responsibility toactasrespon- to his legacy. Through my

Increase (COLA) for for growth. This is due to the sible stewards of public fund- many years of friendship with your ing, while concurrently assur- Ed he taught me one very im-

House and Senate and now is ate and House have pass

difference between th'e committee. The Senate bills is the funding. The includes $34.6 million

months we will he.strengthen- know thattwo of the three in- , And so, it is with mixed feel- its funding target. The House, Mobility compared to ing and expanding federally dividuals that were laid off as ings chat I respond to the letter which had a lower funding House bill of $36 million mandated .L core services: a m u k of the restructuring which appeared in your April . . $ target, did not fund the COLA .with the 10, 1997 edition.

vices Omnibus Bill. It wasn't viously indicated that.$38-40 In the future, should your let- until the bill made it to th'e million was needed to fully House floor, - where they fund Metro Mobility. hey' amendedthebill toincludethe now state, if Metro Mobility COLA and took money from weives$34.6 million in fund- the reserve, that they funded ing for the 1997-98 biennium,

ON DISABILITY

Wednesday, May 28,1997 Kelly Inn, St. Cloud -

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Topics: Community Integration, Education, gram (CHP) is a non- planned for Minneapolis and

Employment, Health Care and Transportation profit organization established greater Hennepin County. in 199 1 for the purpose of plan-

Purpose is to examine Jaws and policies for persons with disabilities the Community Home Pro- needing significant personal gram took place on April 28,

exchange ideas and review progress. To make care services. CHP finalized 1997, at the Hiawatha site in $6.5 million of Health Facili- Minneapolis. The five newly ties Development Revenue coostructed barrier free single Bonds with the City of Minne- homes will house four adults, apolis on April 15, 1997. Af- and each home wilioffer 24- ter several years of planning, hour personal care attendant CHP has su~cessfully worked services anddelium.idivid'raal with five cities, eight neigh- care and ther@py programs borh'ood groups, Hennepin which in turn are linked by an County, the State of-Minne- excIIdveaccessible transpar: sota, a private contractd;,'sev- on system. The first home era1 non-profit agencies,, a will open in August 1997. major bond finance organiza- tion, and at least seven attor- For info. call (6121 644-2871.

529=5019 -83-91 43

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heard about them. They bring you your paper.

Access Press May 10,1997 3

WESTROM - cant. from p. 1 IN BRIEF. . . . half-hour appointment,'' he said regarding using ~ e t r o ~ o b i - CIL Flooded - Help Needed To1 I-Free Accessi bi 1 ity 1 nf 0 ity which often involves an initial wait and many stops before reaching a destination. I The mighty flood is finally receding, but as it does, residents New toll-free information service for people withdisabilities

and business owners are realizing the full effects of its devas- who plan to visit New York City. Call 1-888-424-4685 be- tation. Jay Johnson, Executive Director of Options Interstate tween 9-5pm E.T., Monday-Friday. Before voting for the bill, he successfully attached an amend-

ment that requires athoroughstudy tocheck forMetroMobility's Resource Center for Independent Living, states they were hit

efficiency, compliance with the ADA, reaction to consumer hard; there is substantial damage to the building along with Commission Vacancies input, and the possible effect that competition would have on losses to office equipment and used medical equipmemt. The MN Commission Serving Deaf' and Hard of Hearing, for

contents of the building is not covered by insurance.' In information: (612)297-7305 service. addition, four Out of ten staffs hbmes were damaged signifi- Special Education Advisory Council, Call (61 2)297-5845 cantly. Westrom is always concerned about where allocated money is State Advisory Council on Mental Health, Call (6 12)297-4 163

coming from. In his four-month tenure at the capitol he has learned, "It all revolves around balancing here."

He cited his support of the cost of living increase for Personal Care Attendants and Home Health Aides. After years without a raise, he believed that the 5% increase was a well-deserved expenditure, but wasconcerned about themeans the legislature used to fund the raise. "I think it warranted enough significance and consideration that we should have paid for it out of the budget rather than take it out of the budget reserves." He initially worked with Republican representatives to pass an unsuccessful amendment that would proposed cutting 1/2% across the board from other areas that were funded by the Health and Human Services budget to fund the cost of living increase.

They need your help now! Cash donations W O U I ~ be the most I n t e r n e t Tr a i n i n g F o r beneficial. Cash and other donations can be sent to: Options Interstate Resource Center for Independent Living, I o I o Cen- Vi s ua 1 ly 1 m pa i red tral Ave. N.E., Grand MN 56721. Vision Loss Resources is offering 6-10 free Internet Access 3692. and training classes to allvisually impaired persons. For further Canoeing Opportunities information: (61 21871-2222.

Wilderness Inquiry offers opportunities for daily canoeing on 1 997 SOC 1 Security Basic local lakes. For full summer schedule call 379-3858 or (800) 728-07 19 (v/?TY). Training Public Policy Hotline Tasks Unlimited is offering a two-day training on June 3rd & Arc Minnesotahas apublic policy hotline, arecordedmessage 4th. On SSDI and SSI work incentives and other Social Secu- of current legislative developments affecting people with rity programs. Space is Pmited to 40. Deadline for registration developmental disabilities. Call 612-794-3864, Press 2. is May 23. Formore information: Tasks Unlimited 871-3320.

He is aware andconcerned about the controversy overthe $400,000 in funding to the State Services for the Blind for sensitivity training to workers. He is very careful to support the work they do. He has used their computer resources, and he says that his concern "does not reflectpn the jobs they are doing or the quality of people working there." He questions whether there may be higherpriori- ties than sensitivity training for a secretary that does not have contact with visually im~aired

' 1 li)(, The Nation's Leader J .C

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of training will likely provide excessive or irrel- I Usem evant information. He would like to see training COhOk for the mr door, and Imeel'mg ar- that would focus on helping workers to be more aware of the resources available to the blind and located inside and out. Once inside, the wheelchair me^

visuallyimpaired. able to lock down, grab the steering wheel, and go.

Westrom hopes to stay in the legislature for a 98% NOW Available while. but not forever. He recoenizes that term " . limits could diffuse the natural advantage of in- cumbents but that legislators q u i r e a certain amount of time to achieve their goals. "I do believe in term limits; however, they are quite ineffective until we can implement across-the- board term limits, because this whole place re- volves around age-old power." He would support a 10 to 12 year limit to allow those people with a vision and philosophy to have the chance to implement some of their special projects.

"It is obvious that the first few months or year of any job is grabbing and learning as much as you possibly can as fast as you can." Now that Representative Westrom has mastered the layout of the capitol buildings and managed to attach his scanner to his voice synthesized c2mputer, he is "grabbing and learning" quickly bow to best represent his constituents and remain in office.

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Reliuion & Disabilitv Life Goes On . . - s - - x-5. . ,+c :'.

' 8

In-clusion Without Fanfare A Time To Re-evaluate _,,,-;

-. Bill has been a quadriplegic and sings in one of the signedtokeeppeoplewithdis- have given much thought to thestandpointthatthedisabled hecalledhimself,wereweak- p since 1959, two importantfac- children's choirs. Ramps abilities out. Only the most taking a break for a couple of community had just finished minded. They couldn't think ;- tors when deciding on a place* blend into the beautiful archi- able were allowed to worship monthstore-evaluatemy goals two separate forums on as- for themselves and found it ':: . ofworship. Atsomechurches, tecture to provide access to God in those beautiful places. forwriting not only forAccess sisted suicide and then we easier to be in a controlled : Bill would have to sit in the the altar and choir loft. Some- Press, but writing in general, heard this news. It appears .environment. Therefore, those ri foyer where he could barely one hassuggestedthat Bill join Worshiping God in a place that while someof us are fight- cult members let their leader -.:

.. -

erally patted on the head and richly blessed to be a member thiscomputeratleastfo~rdays their lives -so that they may I wish to submit to you that the ;<:- disabledcommunity is agroup Y '

! by Bonnie Hammel r ..

by LeAnne Dahl

I t's becoming moreandmore cinated by the mass suicide of Brainwashed? Perhaps. How- ', difficult to come up with the group from "Heaven's ever, I'm more inclined to feel .

new ideas for this column. I Gate." My interest stems from that the followers of "Doe," as '

y husband Bill and I On Sunday morning, a young steps into all those beautiful have attended many girl with Downs Syndrome churches and great cathedrals

p churches. I am a singer and regularly serves as an acolyte of Europe were expressly de-

I hear me sing or miss out coi- the ehoir,the only thing ire- with beautiful music, wonder- You see, writing is like second ing so hard to stay alive and do the thinking forthem. What -- - pletely on the rest of the ser- venting him is the fact that he fulsermons,andcaringpeople nature to me now. I'm not live as normally as we can, a dull life it must have been. .P I

-

to have him attend the service. system with receivers to en- disabilities are accepted as a hance the sound for people matter of course and not treated

We have been attending with hearing impairments. as special. Wayzata Community Church Signage includes Braille sym- for the past 9 years. This bols. None of these methods Bonnie Hammel is president church accepts people with of inclusion is done in a flam- ofAccessAbility, Inc. She has

& disabilities without fanfare. It boyant manner. As members been a soloist and alto section

newsworthy items that inter- of strong people who have 4 =

est me which are not necessar- I wonder if those cult mem- faced and will face many tough ily related to disabilities. Yet, bess faund lifehere so unbar- problems individually and col- = you'll find thatnomatterwhat able that they had to look for lectively. Some people may P' happens around us, it eventu- what they thought would be a feel that we don't have choices, ;I;. ally touches our lives. Per- betterlifeelsewhere. Isympa- but I choose to think that we .'. haps, writing is an escape for thizewiththeirfamilies,Ican't are willing to meet our chal- *

has no special programs for of the church, we enjoy this leader at Wayulta Commu- mi from the real day to day even imagine the pain most of lenges head on. All in all our people with disabilities. The acceptance of people with dis- nity Church for eight years. pressures that go withhavinga them are going through. I say lives are pretty interesting ;,L congregationjust assumesthat abilities as standard operating Bill Hanmel became a q d - disability. I sincerely believe most because I saw an inter- * .

a person with a disability procedure. riplegic in a trampoline acci- that we all need to divert from view of the husband and This brings me back to the

tory of keeping people with Mankato State University My husbandandIhave always stayed aRd joined his wife and you like to see brought up in I This is demonstrated in many disabilities from participating when a brain hemorrhage h e n "&.wsiunkies,"b;utSince the others in the mass suicide. this space? I need your help! &

accessible to people in wheel- years ago, a guest preacher is now retired.

I m, our has grown. since this was her mother's LeAnneDahl, %AccessPress. .

chairs in 1968 when the noted that those magnificent Forinstance,I'mcurrently fas- wish, it should be respected. Wakefield chapel was built. ,. TL- -L ---- I. L-- --A --- I--.- 1

2 , should have the choice of par- dent while at the University of ' ticipating in any or all pro- We know that this kind of ac- Minnesota in 1958. He and b grams and services that this ceptance can be rare in Bonnie were married in 1971. II church provides. churches. m r e is a long his- Bill was a professor at

our own problems and find daughter of one woman. The issue loriginally brought up in other interests, at least for a husband left Heaven's Gate my opening paragraph. Is this - short while. three years ago, but-expressed column being read enough to

his wish that he could have continue? What topics would ,

ways. The church was made in religious worship. Several causedfurtherdisabilities. He I werecentlyiubscribedmcabl& The daughter indicated that Send your suggestions to

Medicaid. President Clinton These cuts are necessary, in put it there when he included part, to pay for the $85 billion Do not cut Medicaid! Op-

I - . - Medicaid cuts and the use of in tax cuts that are also part of pose a per capita cap for

(II ' per capita cap (a per-person this budget deal. Medicaid! '> -r -

- " 11 ' 1 R : m e ( = : a r ) e limit on spending) in his M 1998 budget proposal. NOW is a critical time, We A per capita cap Would hurt

must weigh in on this issue, those who need Medicaid the u 5 11 r -zm This is very bad news for and all members of Congress most, such as low-incomechil-

- people withdisabilities. Aper must understand the devastat- dren and adults with mental capitacap isespecially hurtful to people who are considered

ing cuts they are considering. This budget &a1 will not be

retardation and their fam lilies.

-. -j Saunders (. . ,.-,--, . ,,., constant input from his sister, 6ayle

Saunders (Public Relations Dimctor Client since 1987), about what peo

expect from a personal care prov(d

bommmea ro =-yua~~ry~- 1 service, not 'Quantity" "high-end" users ofMedicaid; considered by the Budget Do not cut Medicaid, Medi- that is, people who rely on Committees,itisgoingdirectly care or domestic programs to Medicaid for long-term ser- to the floors of the House and pay for tax cuts. vices and supports. The deal Senate. will apparently cut Medicaid Information provided by The $23 billion and Medicare by Call your Senators and Repre- Arc's Governmental Affairs $1 15 billion. It appears that sentatives this week. Youcan Ofice

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On Mental Health

"The Best Kept Secret", I

<

I by Laurie Janssen

I

ccording to Dave Moore, connecting disease and work- Everything tastes so good, so 4

People, Incorporated's ing the soil, planting and cre- nourishing, so healthy. I want ,

I

on the "Moore On Sunday" and lose who and where they yeardue toseveralconstraints,

vides services for persons with reversal. The worker is placed does, have your case manager disabilities in .Hennepin, in the caregiving role which or DRS counselor make a re- Ramsey and Anoka counties. generates confidence and a ferral to the names and num- GROW is a part of the LINK renewed sense of purpose. ber listed at the end of the program, located at 1908 Uni- Their work is physically and article. You may be eligible versity Avenue, St. Paul. The mentally challenging, it, en- for funding through a Ramsey gardens are on the grounds of courages emotional growth, County mental health grant. People, Inc., at 3 17 York Av- improves communication The main prerequisite is hav-

With assisted suicide, death smallest and one of many plants are tended so is one's mental illness. If you are in-

information call GROW'S

have an opportunity to see say to the GROW workers at 644-8319. We welcome your yaut own care, living in your where their food is grown and the end of the season: "As I interest in the GROW project.

d distressing to family and and the will to fight for the what you can me& illness. GROW, uses levels of housing/care/service needs."

"Striving to be the employer of

Dear Just a Elmd,

your letter is muchmoreeom- plex than I can address inthis short column. I am n d an especi~lly strong of, Q@W- At Hwy. 280 & UniversityAvenue geous person and ST Wm forced to live in a ^nnmi'i home I'm sure I would also becontemplating suicide.

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6 May 10,1997 Access Press Letters . . . . Dear Editor: Won't play this game! pletely out of touch with the

disability community. In fact, So what's the deal with the Mike Peterson most of the board members Metro Center for Independent Minneapolis don't even associate with the Living? First Mr. Hancox says ' disability community. To- ..... The City of Minnetonka thcre's financial problems, so

ASSISTANT has a full-time employment

he has to cut programs and lay Dear Editor: off disabled workers. Then I see in thc newspaper they're I think the Metropolitan Cen- and best yet, trying to run the INFORMATION hiring full-time workers. ter for Independent Living is

an absolute embarrassment. I Is somebody playing a game am well aware of how CIL's ASSISTANT with us?? If they end up hiring should operate and what they morc ablc-bodicd workcrs stand for and this one is lost. won't they be out of federal Here.we have an actorplaying compliance? I hope some of the part of interim exccutivc ing? the laid off people sue. director, hooked up with a

board of directors that's com- Well, cutting back to the core

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729-4116

/ ' r r m - r r A--- s . = + ~ ~ N C O R P O R A T E D

NON-EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION "Prwmpt and Fn'mdy"

A MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDER

535-1 399 I

DUNCAN SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

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High Quality, Lift Equipt service-s or:

MEDICAL.ASSISTWCE ,* ' P.WATE PA-

. 721-1940

Duncan STS . 3024 1 7th S; Minneapolis, MN 55407

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PNL SERVICES

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Mcdiul Assiscmcc U-Carc Rwidu (6 12) 535-0760 Sanlcc

AMERTCA'S BEST PEOPLE

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1 I Transportation, lac ' AVAILABILITY SEVEN DAYS A WEEK BY APPOINTMENT & ON CALL .

MA PROVIDER. SERVING 7 k ~ ENTIRE ~ ~ E T R O F O L ~ A N AREA

Specialized Builder of Wheelchair Accessible Vans U.CLYI • Side and Rex Dm - S u i c Liiu

VM Litts C u m F.brirrin8 Ha k%s a d lnnwr . Hand Cornds fa All Vchicb ird Exvria . Lor.Ellon~dZnoEEmSrain&

Conversion Lift Installation ad%rlin - blmurl md E M c W k H y i Tu Do* mr

Raised Tops (5 Lift Repair . m-mdDmOprm . Dit'img Aids . WkrrMuirR.npl . Fibqla, Topr 1- F w S d Raised Doors Drop Floor ' CUT+ Lihb Mini Sued Vans - Bus Lifis bid&

300 2nd St. S.E. R.C. SALES AND MFG., INC. Mpls., MN 55414 672-9342 14726 wake Street NE am me. MN 55304. (612) 7 8 6 - 6 ~

(near St. Anthony Main)