Home | Search | Services | Resources | Advocacy |  Consumers |  Employment 
  Newsletter | Computers | Famous | About Us | Contribute | Contact Info

AHEAD OF THE TIMES 
Volume 22   Number 4 
January, 2002

CUTS TO SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES BEGIN JANUARY 1
Call to Legislative Advocacy on Major Reductions to SRS Budget 

During a town hall meeting at Independence, Inc. on December 7, Gina McDonald, CEO of the Kansas Association of Centers for Independent Living (KACIL), shared information concerning the changes to the SRS budget that are the combined result of the past year's economic recession, negative effects on the state's economy as a result of September 11, and tax cuts passed by the Kansas legislature during the economic boom years in the mid to late '90s. 

Cuts or changes to be made and, if known, the dates they begin.

• SRS issued notice on December 11 that the average attendant care rate was being reduced effective January 1, 2002.
• Increase co-pay for pharmaceuticals for everyone with a medical card. Effective July, 2002
• Make payment for services in Nursing Facilities/Mental Health (NFMH) only to individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. Effective March, 2002
• Reduce state aid to Community Mental Health Centers and Community Developmental Disability Organizations by 25%.
• Reduce Waiver protected income level eligibility threshold from $696 to $475 monthly. 
• Freeze access to all Home and Community Based Services waiver programs.
• Eliminate access to the Physical Disability Waiver for persons with a terminal illness.
• Require parental financial participation for children accessing Home and Community Based Services waiver services.
• Eliminate durable medical equipment for adults, such as wheelchairs and walkers.
• Eliminate vision services, audiology services and dental services for adults.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

1. Attend a letter writing rally Friday, January 4, noon, at Independence, Inc.
2. Contact your Kansas Legislators and Governor Graves before the legislative session begins on January 14, 2002 and ask them to consider and pursue additional revenue options to remedy the SRS budget cuts.
   • Do this by writing a one page letter to the Governor and your State Representative and Senator. You can also call your legislators by phone or arrange an in person meeting so they can hear your message in person.
   • Keep it short. In a one page letter, for example, explain how you, your family and friends will be affected by the SRS budget cuts.
   • If you receive any of the SRS services targeted for a reduction, explain how the services have made a difference in your life.
   • Be respectful. Thank them for their time and consideration of your message.

• How to contact the governor and legislators before January 14:

• Governor Bill Graves
  State Capitol, Second Floor 
  Topeka, KS  66612
  
  For security reasons constituents are encouraged to email, fax or phone concerns to the Governor. All correspondence (envelopes, letters, emails or faxes) must have a return address.
  

• Constituent Services: 1-800-748-4408
  785/296-6240
  TDD: 1-800-748-4408 
  Main Line: 785/296-3232
  Fax: 785/296-7973 
  Email: governor@ink.org

• Rep. Barbara Ballard, (D-44th District)
  1532 Alvamar Drive
  Lawrence, KS 66047-1605
  Phone: 785/841-0063
  
• Rep. Tom Sloan, (R-45th District)
  772 Highway 40
  Lawrence, KS 66049-4174
  Phone: 785/841-1526
  Fax: 785/841-3105
  
• Rep. Troy Findley, (D-46th District)
  1208 E 25th Terrace
  Lawrence, KS 66046
  Phone: 785/749-1259
  
• Rep. Lee Tafanelli, (R-47th District)
  7075 122nd Street
  Ozawkie, KS 66070
  Phone: 785/945-3808
  
• Rep. Ralph Tanner, (R-10th District)
  P.O. Box 647
  Baldwin City, KS 66006-0647
  Phone: 785/594-3505
  
• Sen. Sandy Praeger, (R-2nd District)
  3601 Quail Creek Court
  Lawrence, KS 66047-2134
  Phone: 785/841-3554
  
• Sen. Anthony Hensley, (D-19th District)
  2226 SE Virginia Avenue
  Topeka, KS 66605-1357
  Phone: 785/232-1944

3. Join the DEW (Disabled, Elderly and Workers) Coalition for Budget Fairness. 

4. Attend the statewide DEW Rally at the Capitol on Monday, January 14, 2 - 4 p.m.

If you need transportation to the rally please call by January 9th. If you are not sure who your legislators are, or would like more information on any of these activities, contact Bob or Jennifer at 841-0333, 1-888-824-7277 or email: bobm@independenceinc.org, jennifer@independenceinc.org

PIZZA PARTY AND ANNUAL PLANNING MEETING FOR CONSUMER GROUPS
Cooking Club and Peer Support Group are hosting a pizza and activity-planning party Monday, January 28, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. in the large conference room at Independence, Inc. Come join us for pizza and help us plan activities for the consumer groups for 2002. 

Are you interested in going bowling? What about having a group movie-night at the Southwind theater? Do you like arts and crafts? Come share your ideas and interests so we can plan as many exciting and fun events as possible. As a consumer, your ideas and participation in the consumer groups of Independence, Inc. is a valuable asset. Family members and friends are also welcome. RSVP with Tim or Ranita at 841-0333 by Friday, January 18 so we can estimate how many pizzas we'll need. 

The consumer groups would like to thank local musician and folk artist Russ Kapp for his wonderful performance of holiday music at Cooking Club's Holiday Festival last month.

Note to visitors at our center: 
Please remember that we are a scent-free zone. We ask you not to wear perfumes, colognes or other scented products. Thank you.

INTERESTED IN LEARNING TO QUILT OR CROCHET?
Are you interested in learning how to quilt? What about crocheting or needlepoint? Would you like to share this hobby with others? If you are, then you are invited to come to a special group meeting on Monday, January 7, 2 - 3 p.m. in the large conference room at Independence, Inc. We will have refreshments. For questions, please contact Nola or Ranita at 841-0333.

HUMAN DIVERSITY TASK FORCE ANNUAL PLANNING MEETING
Monday, January 7, 11 - 11:30 a.m., we will brainstorm ideas for human diversity inservice training for the coming calendar year. Then 11:30 - 12:30 we will watch a videotape, from the PBS series "People in Motion." We will see "Ways to Move" which is about dancers who use wheelchairs as part of their choreography, researchers on the quest for a cure for paralysis, and a candidate for Congress who has a disability. Call Susan at 841-0333 or toll-free at 888-824-7277 for more information or to request an accommodation.

WANTED: Electric box or oscillating fans that are broken or that you no longer want. Any brand and size accepted. If necessary, unwanted fans can be picked up. Contact Michael at 785/840-9861, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Saturday.

FOR SALE: Wheelchair accessible weight machine, $350.
Hewlett-Packerd Pavillion speakers, $50. Wheelchair accessible angle-adjustable table. $900. Bath spa, $50. Prices are negotiable. Call Lorraine at 832-0527.

Independence, Inc. will be closed 
Tuesday, January 1 for New Year's Day and 
Monday, January 21 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. 
No Transportation Available

BORED AND BROKE
Here is a listing of free events taking place around the area this month, courtesy of VisitLawrence.com

• LAWRENCE: FREE STATE FORTRESS
  25-minute docudrama showcases Lawrence's history from settlement through Quantrill's Raid on August 21, 1863. Film is shown daily, year round by request. Lawrence Visitor Information Center, 402 North 2nd. Mon. - Sat., 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., 785/865-4499
• LAWRENCE ART GUILD ALL MEMBERS SHOW
  Fine art crafted by Lawrence Art Guild members available for purchase. Lawrence Arts Center, 9th & Vermont. January 4 - 31, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., 785/843-2787
• ALICE WALKER: READINGS WITH COMMENTARY ON LANGSTON HUGHES
  Pulitzer Prize winning novelist Alice Walker will be reading Langston Hughes' poetry and writing, providing commentary on his work. Walker is a poet, novelist, short story writer, and biographer. She has written a biography of Langston Hughes. Lied Center, 15th & Crestline January 7, 7 p.m., 785/864-4790
• LAST NIGHT'S FUN
  A Celtic Music Sunday Concert. Allen Macfarlane, Jim Jeans, Fred Applehanz, and Kathleen Gannon will play hammered dulcimers, guitars, flutes, penny-whistles, octave mandolins, and the bouzouki for this unique performance. Lawrence Public Library Auditorium, January 13, 2:30 - 3:15 pm, 843-3833. 
• MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR CELEBRATION
  Includes the following events: Art Exhibit, Jan. 17, 6:30 p.m., Haskell Indian Nations University, 23rd & Barker; Musical, Jan. 20, 6:30 p.m., Lawrence Free Methodist, 31st & Lawrence Ave; Celebration Program, Jan. 21, Noon, Lied Center, 15th & Crestline, 843-8913.
• PRAIRIE WIND DANCERS/FIRST STEP HOUSE CONCERT
  January 23, 7:30 p.m. at Lawrence Arts Center, 9th and Vermont. Modern dance concert in honor of the women and children of First Step House, a halfway house for women recovering from chemical addiction.
• SIXTH ANNUAL EAGLES DAY
  Opportunity for the public to "celebrate the return of the eagles" and learn about nature and the environment. Presentations throughout the day feature information on nesting & banding. Live bald eagle presentation & performance by the Thunderbird Theater. January 27, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Douglas County Fairgrounds, 21st and Harper.
• WRITERS GROWING UP BLACK IN KANSAS 
  KU's John Edgar Tidwell will focus on the writings of Langston Hughes, Gordan Parks, and Frank Marshall Davis in this Kansas Day event, co-sponsored with the Kansas Humanities Council. January 29, 7:30 p.m. at the Lawrence Public Library, 7th & Vermont.
• ALICE WALKER: READINGS OF LANGSTON HUGHES
  Pulitzer-Prize winning novelist Alice Walker will be reading Langston Hughes' poetry and writing, providing commentary on his work. Ms. Walker won the Pulitzer Prize for her novel "The Color Purple" and has written a biography of Langston Hughes. January 31, 7 p.m. at Lied Center, 15th & Crestline. 
• HUMAN DIVERSITY PRESENTATION
  Join us on Monday, January 28, 11 a.m. at Independence, Inc. to watch a videotaped lecture by Abdullahi An-Na'im, who spoke at the University of Kansas on September 20. Mr. An-Na'im has been called the "Martin Luther of Modern Islam," and his work is considered relevant to those concerned about ethnic or religion-based crimes and violence. Call Susan Mikesic at 841-0333 or toll-free at 888-824-7277 for more information or to request an accommodation.

LOAN BANK NEWS
Here is a list of supplies that we currently have available in the Loan Bank for give-away. Please remember that items are given away on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Alcohol Prep Pads
• Iodine Swab Sticks
• Gauze Pads, Sponges, and Wraps
• Wound Packing kits
• Sodium Chloride Irrigation Solution
• Sodium Chloride Inhalation Solution
• Disposable Urinals
• Tube Feeding Formula
• Protein Drink (like Ensure, mostly vanilla flavor)
• Enteral Nutrition Sets
• Enteral Pump Sets
• Suction Catheters
• Suction Catheter Kits
• Urostomy Pouches (please call for sizes)
• Texas Catheters
• Bed Pads (chux)
• Adult Diapers (limited quantities)
• Feminine Bladder Control Pads

We can also always use donations of supplies and durable medical equipment. We especially need latex gloves and large adult diapers. Please keep us in mind if you are cleaning out your garage or basement and have equipment to get rid of. If you know a group or organization that would like to help us obtain 'give-a-way' items for our Loan Bank, please contact us.

Please call Jeff, Karen, or Jim at 841-0333 or 1-800-526-3648 if you have any questions regarding the loan bank. Thank you!

DOUGLAS COUNTY SPECIAL OLYMPICS BASKETBALL PRACTICE
Mondays, Jan. 7, 2001 - March 4 at Riverside Elementary School, 601 North Iowa. The first practice will be for both youth and adult athletes.

Depending on the number of athletes interested in basketball we will be having a youth basketball practice 6 - 7 p.m. and an adult basketball practice 7 - 8 p.m.

There will be two teams with ten players on each team for both youth and adult teams. Space is limited. There are a total of 24 openings for each practice time. The $25 sports fee is to be paid by Feb. 4 to go to Area Tournament. 

For more information about the program, practices dates and times, or information about scholarships, contact: Chris Koehler; Local Program Coordinator; Douglas County Special Olympics; PO Box 1390; Lawrence, KS 66044. Phone: 785/749-0937

NEW VOLUNTEER PEER MENTORING PROGRAM NOW AVAILABLE THE CENTER
By Pat Slick

For quite some time now I have perceived the need for persons with disabilities to learn advocacy from each other. About fifteen months ago I came to our previous director with the idea of beginning a Peer Mentoring Program. I am happy to say that after many meetings and much planning our program is well underway and you are welcome to join. We have taken fifty-five years of independent living advocacy and have put most of our knowledge into a training program that I can tell you about. We want to advocate for and with each other for our civil rights and our access to Lawrence and the rest of the country. There is no need to be isolated from society and our advocates here at Independence, Inc. are here to join you in asserting your civil rights.

I have been involved as a consumer and volunteer at Independence, Inc. for more than twenty years. I have traveled the nation and I can tell you that Independence, Inc. and Kansas are the best in the independent living movement. I love to travel and visit Independent Living Resource Centers every chance I get. 

Originally from Pennsylvania, I came to the midwest to finish school in 1969 and moved to Lawrence in 1979 and have lived here since. My political representatives know me and I know them in the field of advocacy on many issues. When I was a child, someone once said, "If you want something done, do it yourself." I wanted my peers to advocate for ourselves here in Lawrence and so, with the guidance of many, I have extended my volunteerism here at Independence, Inc. as Peer Mentor Advocate. We can and shall advocate for ourselves so that we may live independently in our state. I hope you will join us in this grass roots effort to secure our liberties. All are welcome and if you want to join us do please call me here at Independence, Inc. Together as self-advocates we can FREE OUR PEOPLE.