“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” *

A recent issue of Access Press overflows with both information and reminders.  Front page information is that Stuart Holland who has managed the Minnesota Radio Talking Book Network since 1986 is retiring.  His retirement prompted the newspaper to published a great review of the RTB history written by Jan Willms.  It’s a good read and a good reminder.  http://www.accesspress.org/blog/2017/09/08/retirement-awaits-new-chapter-for-radio-talking-books-holland/

But don’t stop there, subscribe to Access Press online or pick up a free copy at a convenient newspaper rack.  AP is a timely and indispensable source of information about what’s happening in the disabilities community – a tool for anyone who has a disability or who is in a position to share the news with friends, family, patrons, the faith, academic or other community.  So many resources, so many opportunities to share the word!  Much more about the mission, content and programs of Access Press here: (http://www.accesspress.org)

“Feast” is the theme of Interact Visual Artists’  exhibit (https://interactcenter.org/artists/visual-arts/) open through October 8 at Birchwood Café in the Seward neighborhood of Minneapolis. (http://birchwoodcafe.com)  The exhibit explores the subject of food and the relations and perceptions of food and art.  Individual artists assume varying relationships with food by exploring different ethnic foods and approaching the issue in a variety of media and styles.

October 5 – Talk of the Stacks features journalist and food industry authority Larry Olmsted, 7:00 PM at the Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall.  Olmsted’s book, is entitled Real Food Fake Food: Why you don’t know what you’re eating and what you can do about it…. The event is free, doors open at 6:15; programs begins at 7:00 PM

October 12 – The City of Minneapolis is offering a class for group that are interested in creating a cooperative.  Sessions run October 12-December 7.    Details here:  http://webbercamden.org/2017/09/27/city-of-minneapolis-free-class-on-creating-a-cooperative/   To learn more about the history and present state of coops check this recent talk given by Tom Pierson at the Seward Coop –https://seward.coop/posts/1048

October 18 – The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) announces the Autumn Open House, 5:30 – 7:30 PM at the historic Crosby Mansion, 2105 First Avenue South.  RSVP by Friday, October 14 at iatp.org/open-house.  Speakers include IATP ED Juliette Major and Tara Ritter, Senior Program Association for Climate and Rural Communities.  Free and open RSVP by 9/14. (https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/15ed34ccdaf2ec36 .  IATP is also developing a robust distance learning component, including an informative podcast series on NAFTA(https://www.iatp.org/blog/201709/trade-ag-your-ears-our-new-podcast-uprooted)  Take time to explore the many facets of IATP, a robust and timely resource essential in this world of global/corporate economic flux. (https://www.iatp.org/nafta-portal)

October 20 – Insurgent knowledges: Book talk with Damien Sojoyner and Sabrina Vaught.  Sojoyner is the author of First Strike: Educational enclosures in Black Los Angeles (U of M 2017) and Vaught is the author of Compulsory: Education and the dispassion of youth in a prison school, U of M Press 2017,7:00 PM at the East Side Freedom Library, 1105 Greenbrier Street in St. Paul.  Details online.

October 21 – A Resister’s Handbook: A benefit performance for East Side Freedom Library.  Xavier Morilla, described as “a labor leader, activist, podcaster, writer and storyteller” – not to mention President of SEIU Local 26.  Working with Levi Weinhagen, Morilla has created the presentation in which Morilla will share his “wit and optimism” with ESFL supporters at a fundraiser event, 5:30-7:00 PM.  A minimum tax-deductible gift of $25 is requested at the door.

November 2-  ESFL will also co-sponsor a timely presentation, The Origins of the Radical Right and the Crisis of Our Democracy, a talk by Nancy MacLean, Professor History and Public Policy at Duke University.  The event is sponsored by ESFL, ISAIAH-Minnesota and the U of MN History Department.7:00 PM at ESFL 1105 Greenbrier Street in St. Paul, 651 230 3294. http://eastsidefreedomlibrary.org

A recent study by the Pew Research Center reports on details of the digital divide.  Data re the Minneapolis-St Paul-Bloomington area are above average, with plenty of room for improvement.  Broadband access in households with income under $20K was 55.5% while 86.6% of 20K+ households enjoy broadband access.

The latest greatest fad at Eat My Words bookstore is Squibs. Squibs are short one-to-ten-page writing pieces – with or sans visuals – described by Squibs hosts as “mini-stories with a beginning, middle and end.”  They can be about any topic that helps get the writer writing.  To follow the EMW muse to a new life of squibbing, join a Squib writing session, Saturdays Noon-1:00 PM at EMW Bookstore, 214 13^th Avenue NE (new location) 651 243 1756 or more at www.eatmywordsbooks.com.

Note to out-of-control bibliophiles: Help is at the ready:  https://www.bustle.com/articles/183327-9-things-book-lovers-do-in-the-fall-because-autumn-is-the-perfect-season-for-reading

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As we plunge into the season’s political melee, it might be a good time to catch up on some basics of the democracy.  Following are some tools to help us review and put in contemporary context some of the basics:

• This primer on the topic prepared by the U.S. Historical Office: https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/briefing/Direct_Election_Senators.htm
• Nation Needs First Amendment Refresher Course, A commentary by Edward Fitzpatrick published in the Roger Williams University Blog, 9/29/17

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  * Quote from  L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

 

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Fringe Festival 2017-A celebration for every Minnesotan

Fringe Festival 2017 is just one calendar flip away.  Set for August 3-13, 2017,  Fringe is just one of Minnesota’s honored traditions that needs no introduction. Just in case, take a digital tour of the highlights here: (http://www.fringefestival.org)   Or check out the official Wikipedia site which is both thorough and up-to-date. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Fringe_Festival

While the creative spirit and energy for Fringe comes from individual Minnesotans the fiscal support is provided by all of the state’s residents whose taxes support the Legacy Fund (http://www.legacy.leg.mn/funds/arts-cultural-heritage-fund) The intent of this post is to assure that all Minnesotans will enjoy access to the events, the camaraderie and the spirit of this legendary celebration of the state’s creative expression.

Happily, Fringe has been mindful of accessibility as a priority and VSA Minnesota has provided a generous grant to support accessibility services.

Dawn Bentley, the almost new director of Fringe, has been very helpful in pointing out the accommodations.

General:  Reservation fees are waived for patrons using ASL and AD services.

Beginning at the gate – All Fringe venues are accessible to visitors with mobility challenges.  The specifics of access (e.g. entrance doors, elevators, parking) are noted on individual venue pages.

There are 42 scheduled and three wildcard spots for performances to be Audio Described or ASL Interpreted. The full list of shows with access services can be found here:  http://www.fringefestival.org/2017/shows/access/

As an extra service, during tech week crew members take note if performances use flashing or lights or if they  include loud noises that will be harmful or irritating to patrons.  If they see a problem House managers will post signs outside the doors of performances.

Reservations: Any patron wishing to use the services can make a free reservation online using the code “accessfringe” at checkout to have the reservation fee waived. 

Questions about Fringe accessibility:  Call 612 872 1212.

Disability Rights March and Rally July 26

Live not for Battles Won/ Live not for The-End-of-the-Song/
Live in the along. ~  Gwendolyn Brooks

A generation ago, on July 26, 1990, President George H. W.Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Next Wednesday, July 26, Minnesotans who continue to struggle for the cause will gather at the State Capitol for the Disability Rights March and Rally. Advocates will celebrate the positive impact of federal legislation even as they let it be known that the struggle continues. (http://www.disability.state.mn.us/2017/06/02/disability-rights-march-rally/)  They will be coming together in a political and digital reality very different from that day of triumph in 27 years ago.

Clearly, this month’s March and Rally have great accomplishments to herald; signs of progress in implementation of the ADA are so commonplace as to be taken for granted.  As a refresher, take time to view this blog post created by a few creative souls determined to give voice to women with disabilities in the January 2017 Women’s March.  https://disabilitymarch.com

Today we live and breathe, study, work and play in a digital world.  As the possibilities for people with disabilities expand exponentially institutions of every sort, from mighty  bureaucracies to the faith community – struggle to seize the moment.  What’s happening on the institutional front – including plans still waiting on the digital launch pad – pushes the boundaries that were but a gleam in the eye of ADA advocates a generation ago.

For those who are immersed in meeting the challenge this is chance to capitalize on progress, to prove the power of collaboration, to share the word of what’s possible.  Organizations and institutions – small businesses, nonprofits, legislators themselves – may be unaware of the wealth of resources. The Rally offers an opening to share stories of digital possibilities.  This is chance to demonstrate the amazing tools of digital access, starting with the mega toolkit created by the Minnesota State Council on Disabilities. (http://www.disability.state.mn.us/digital-accessibility/). The challenge is to share a vision of dynamic intellectual participation that was a rare possibility “back in the day”

Equally important, as the nation is led to question the fundamental right to vote, the rights of people with disabilities are a concern to legislators as well as every voter.  This post might resonate with elected officials motivated to act in light of the March. https://marytreacy.wordpress.com/2016/08/12/sharing-the-right-to-vote-the-right-the-reason-some-resources/

Emcee of the July 26 March and Rally is Kristen Jorenby, Director of the Center for Accessibility Resources (CAR) at Metropolitan State University. (http://www.metrostate.edu/student/student-services-support/student-services/center-for-accessibility-resources

In a pre-Rally interview Jorenby underscored the urgency of the July 26 Disability Rights March and Rally:

Given the current political climate, the community is really concerned about cuts to healthcare, their ability to remain independent and cuts to transportation funding. We have problems within the system that continue to exist. The ADA is a huge civil rights act. And this [event] is really a chance for people to celebrate that and reassert that they have this civil right, and they are not going to let them be taken away.”

If you’re walking down the right path and you’re willing to keep walking, eventually you’ll make progress ~ Barack Obama

 

 

 

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month – A time to refocus on what we can learn

As I hope readers know March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.  The month was first proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1987.  In previous years  I’ve posted tons of resources available to promote the contributions and rights of people with disabilities.  Because this post is late in the month it’s too late for promotion, so I’m thinking more about individual awareness.

In this environment, it’s probably best to take time to really think about our awareness of the potential of people in our community – the writers, the artists, the performers, our colleagues who may see the world from a unique perspective.  We need to see and appreciate their contributions.

Through Voices of Northeast we have interviewed  people who share light on the facts of what individuals with developmental disabilities contribute to this fragmented society.  Their words and the work that they are doing are critical to forming our thinking about the potential of those who offer unique insights.

The interview with Bryan Boyce and writer Vince Fiorilli of Cow Tipping Press is illustrative.

https://marytreacy.wordpress.com/2016/07/28/cow-tipping-press-a-mission-as-unique-as-the-name/

We also spoke with a representative of ArtForce, a Northeast Minneapolis organization that is very aware of the potential of individuals with developmental disabilities to inform our thinking about this world and this society.

Interact is on my short list for learning more.  So many more on my list!  I’m always eager to learn more about individuals and groups that are exploring the ways in which people with disabilities share their special perspectives so that we all increase our understanding of the community, the world, life, the universe and everything. Ideas welcome and appreciated!

 

 

Rainy days, Mondays — and a Google alert!

Though we all delight in the Google graphics sometimes we click too fast and miss the message! Slow down this gloomy Monday morning – take time to Explore the work of disability rights advocates in America

It’s a great story, one that reminds us that progress comes not from financial deals and alternative facts but from hard work, commitment and hope.

Thank you Google!

Disability March on Saturday, January 21, enables inclusivity

UPDATE:

Activism isn’t always access – and the Women’s March on Washington is no exception. 

And this is why some marchers and march planner have created the Disability March. (http://mashable.com/2017/01/18/disability-march-womens-march-on-washington/#FxqT7IdFrmqt)

My personal suggestion is that anyone who is unable – or even hesitant – to participate in the march think about clicking in to participate. This applies to anyone who may have problems walking, or who simply doesn’t have the time to participate in either the state or national march

The Disability March is an all-volunteer effort, made for the disability, by the disability community. It’s also an official co-sponsor of the national Women’s March in Washington.

Understand that this is not simply streaming the DC March so people with disabilities can view! As of last week over 50 online “marchers had signed up to participate in the virtual march. They and countless others will participate by sharing their opinions and stories and statements online. All will be uploaded Friday and Saturday to coincide with the DC March;

Sonya Huber,  one of the organizers of the Disability March, is quoted as saying:

I began to wonder about other ways to be visible, especially for our community, besides marching – even though the march will of course include many disabled people…Since the disabled community is going to be so impacted by the Republican agenda, it seemed that giving people a platform to tell their individual series was most appropriate.

This is also a good example of the ways in which resources created by and for people with disabilities serve the needs of a much broader community.

Submissions due by January 20.  To participate online, click here:

https://disabilitymarch.com/join-the-march/

Note: I had some difficulty with this link – just keep trying or go to the facebook Women’s March on Washington – Disability Caucus, twitter #disabilitymarch or email disability@gmail.com

 

 

 

Disabled and Proud! Listen and learn at KFAI

Among the many unsung learning resources of this community, KFAI (kfai.org) merits high marks – for independence, community support, diversity in coverage, producers, on-air hosts and more.   Though the signal is ubiquitous KFAI expands programming reach to anyone with online access.

The unique personality of KFAI lies in the fact that it is entirely volunteer-based. A committed cadre of audiophiles produce and promote a montage of listening options that reflect their proclivities, aspirations, and commitment to share a message to an underserve community of listeners. The station is also managed by a volunteer community board of directors, staff by a sparse paid staff.  Operating at 900 watts KFAI airs at 90.3 in Minneapolis, 106.7 in St. Paul; the station went live in I978 with several technical upgrades over the years.

My interest in community resources designed to reach members of the disabilities community has tuned me into one of KFAI’s notable programs, Disabled and Proud!  It’s a mix of insights, ideas, discussions and features by, about, and geared to the myriad interests of a large and diverse audience.

Sam Jasmine hosts the show, Charlene Doll helps with research and webmaster Tom Lennox forecasts future shows and archives the recordings for prospective online listeners.

The programming for Disabled and Proud! is inclusive. For example, the January 12 show shares the mission and reach of Helping Paws of Minnesota, whose mission is to further the independence of people with disabilities through the use of a service dogs.   On January 26 the guest will be Bent Renneke, PR manager of the Minnesota MS Society. Past programs have covered a wide range of topics including a series on Alzheimers and dementia took a two-pronged approach; one show dealt with the diseases themselves while a second examined the role, needs and resources for caregivers.

Listen live at 6:30 on Thursday evenings or listen online at kfai.org/disabledandproud. Email disabledandproud@tcq.net to sign up to receive regular programming updates.

 

 

A DIY design for mapping wheelchair access

We need to make every single thing accessible to every single person with a disability. ― Stevie Wonder

And so we celebrate every move towards that goal. A recent Google update, accessible to all, can make life a bit easier for wheelchair users – and many others who will enjoy the most recent application for Wheelmap. http://wheelmap.org)

Wheelmap is an online interactive open system, based on the OpenStreet Map (www.openstreetmap.org) that identifies and rates wheelchair accessible sites ranging from restaurants to libraries. The system was created by a German-based charity, Socialhelden e.V., the brainchild of the foundation’s co-founder Raul Krauthausen.

The idea of Wheelmap is that anyone can contribute, mark and rate public places according to their wheelchair accessibility – ranging from no wheelchair access, to fairly accessible, to fully accessible. Everyone is free to post and rate yet-unlisted sites. The information is free to all and the system is easy to share.

Wheelmap.org is available as a web app and as an app for iPhone, Android and Windows 10.

Every open system invites creative improvement – which is where a team of Google employees stepped to the fore. Motivated by the famous Google policy that once allowed employees to use 20 percent of their time to make Google Maps reflect resources accessible for people with physical disabilities, a team of Google employees took on the challenge to couple the power of Wheelmap with the power of Google Maps.

For a year the team assessed the needs and possibilities so that today there’s an app for that! Wheelchair accessibility is now listed alongside other Google Map features such as traffic and store hours.

As with many applications originally designed for people with disabilities, the Google Maps info about wheelchair access can be a boon to anyone for whom high curbs can be a barrier to easy access.

Mark the wheelchair accessibility of a favorite hangout by clicking on https://wheelmap.org/map#/?zoom=16 to find the site, then click on the level of wheelchair access as you know it to be!

 

Human Rights Day – Respecting our rights right at home

Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home – so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world. Eleanor Roosevelt

The bombardment of post-election analysis and anecdotes come sometime drown out major events. At least that’s how I missed the fact that today, December 10, 2016, is Human Rights Day.   Late, but not too late, to reflect on the universal theme.

According to the official HRD website, “Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December. It commemorates the day on which, in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 1950, the Assembly passed resolution 423 (V), inviting all States and interested organizations to observe 10 December of each year as Human Rights Day.

Emphasis of the international recognition of Human Rights Day 2016 is on standing up for the human rights of others; clearly the focus is on global challenges. Some starting points:

• Human Rights Day 2016: http://www.un.org/en/events/humanrightsday/
• Stand Up 4 Human Rights Day http://www.standup4humanrights.org/en/highlight_human-rights-day.html
• Human Rights Watch: https://www.hrw.org

Still, during this turbulent year we face an unprecedented challenge to focus on the human rights within our own community. We cannot ignore the voices of intolerance or the overt expressions of vicious hate within our community; nor can we gloss over the nuanced indicators of disrespect for our fellow humans. As we pat ourselves on the back for legislative gains it’s clear that man’s inhumanity to man is not written off by legislation.

A quick skim of the daily press – which actually conveys news that takes more than 140 characters – proves the prevalence of intolerance, hatred, and human rights abuse around the world and the nation. Still, it is revealing to take a look closer to home.   Here are some, definitely not all, of the Minnesota organizations that play leadership roles in looking at our politics and values from the human rights perspective. An armchair search of their websites is enough to remind us of the intrusions on human rights we encounter – perhaps overlook – on a daily basis:

• The Advocates for Human Rights:   http://www.theadvocatesforhumanrights.org
• Legal Rights Center: http://www.legalrightscenter.org/about.html
• Outfront Minnesota: https://www.outfront.org/library/humanrights
• Minnesota Disability Law Center http://mylegalaid.org/about/our-work/disability-law/
• Minnesota Department of Human Rights: http://mn.gov/mdhr/
• University of Minnesota Human Rights Center: http://www1.law.umn.edu/humanrightscenter/index.html

 

 

Give thanks by sharing access to ideas and information

Disability doesn’t make you exceptional, but questioning what you think you know about it does. Stella Young

This quote popped to mind this week as I pored through the most recent issue of Access Press. (www.accesspress.org) I remember reading the quote a couple of years ago in an obituary for Stella Young, a physically challenged Australian journalist and advocate for people with disabilities. Her observation may help explain a fact that perplexes me, i.e. why so many people miss the wealth of information and ideas that Access Press generates and every month at free and handy newsstands we pass by every day.

Though this great resource is targeted to the disabilities community, the content is relevant to a broad circle of readers who need to know, to take action and to share with a friend, family member or neighbor. If there’s a missing link in this information chain it’s that too many people just don’t understand the depth and breadth of this robust resource that hides in plain sight on local newsstands or with a click on the keyboard. (http://www.accesspress.org/the-real-story/about/)

With Thanksgiving on my mind, it seems a good time to share some of the treasures found on the pages of Access Press. As a regular reader I know AP as a unique, comprehensive and an untapped community resource – unrealized because folks don’t know what lies within the literal or virtual pages of the monthly journal. The potential readership of AP extends to individuals challenged by physical or psychological barriers, to those who would love to learn and enjoy activities – and have their ideas shared — without nighttime driving, climbing steps, and to those whose eyesight, hearing or stamina are not what they once were, That reach extends to anyone who knows someone who has yet to discover the resources featured in AP.

So, with thanks to Executive Director & Editor-in-Chief Tim Benjamin and to all who create and support AP, what follows are random links to what I gleaned from the November 10, 2016 issue which is still on the newsstands and forever online:

• A highlight of every issue is a sampling of books available through the Minnesota Radio Talking Book Network (http://www.accesspress.org/blog/2016/11/10/radio-talking-book-november-2016/)

• Among my favorite features are those that explore the narrative of events, organizations, legislation, programs and projects that illuminate the history of Minnesota’s disabilities community. This month it’s the story of Thompson Hall – a St. Paul landmark you’ve passed thousands of times and always wondered what it is. (http://www.accesspress.org/blog/2016/11/10/history-note-deaf-community-has-a-home-at-thompson-hall/)

• An example of calendar updates are regular updates from the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living that offers skills classes, events and more, all of which are listed on their website. The note in AP includes something I hadn’t seen elsewhere “MCIL activities are “free, accessible and mostly scent-free – the sort of inside scoop readers need to know (mcil-mn.org))

• The events calendar offers a veritable potpourri of opportunities that range from grant possibilities to support groups to policy and advocacy initiatives. http://www.accesspress.org/blog/2016/11/10/accessible-events-november-2016/

There’s much more, but you get the idea – AP is a dependable, accessible, affordable gift to all of us. The unique treasure trove of information and ideas will be of interest to you and to many in your circle who aren’t yet aware of what they’re missing.

Face it, you’ll be looking for conversation starters during the coming holiday season. Those gathered will thank you in the moment for changing the conversation and in the long-term for sharing Access Press.