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Ahead of the Times
Volume 24, Number 5  
June - July, 2004

The Center will be CLOSED Monday, July 5 for Independence Day. No transportation available.

FLEA MARKET FUNDRAISER FOR INDEPENDENCE, INC.
Independence, Inc. is hosting a community-wide flea market Saturdays, June 5, July 3, and August 7, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. 2001 Haskell, Lawrence (rain dates are the following Saturday). 

This is a great opportunity to clean out your closets, basement, or garage, make a few bucks and at the same time benefit Independence, Inc. 

Don't have enough stuff of your own? Go in with some friends and split the cost! Spaces are $20 per month or $50 for all three months for a 12 foot by 12 foot spot. Turn your trash into someone else's treasure and reserve your space now! For more information call 785/841-0333 or visit www.independenceinc.org/fleamarket.htm  

VOTING RIGHTS
Larry Burnett had been denied the right to vote in two elections because the staff at the polls would not accept his signature as valid. Burnett uses a signature stamp to sign his name because his disability makes it difficult for him to sign his name by hand. As an American citizen who has the right to vote, he felt that wasn't fair. Disability advocates agreed with him, and the Kansas Legislature agreed as well. A bill has been passed, and now the discrimination that Mr. Burnett encountered is against Kansas law.

For several months, advocates from across the state lobbied in support of Senate Bill 166 to ensure that Kansas voters with disabilities enjoy the same rights in casting a ballot as their counterparts without disabilities. Senate Bill 166, which was the bill to implement the Help America Vote Act, passed overwhelmingly in both the House and the Senate. Governor Sebelius signed the bill into law the week of April 5. 

Specifically, the bill addresses accessibility of polling sites, that voters can request necessary assistance while casting their vote, and that voters will not be turned away because they cannot handwrite their signature. It also ensures that polling places will not be closed due to lack of access, but accessibility changes will be made to sites instead.

Kansas Advocacy and Protective Services (KAPS) will be watching closely while this law is new. They encourage all who are able to get out and vote. KAPS also would like feedback from any voter with a disability who has trouble at the polls, either with facility access or the act of casting the vote itself. If you do experience a violation of your legal right to vote, please contact them at 1-877-776-1541.

The Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas is sponsoring a Voters Caucus for people with disabilities. According to Shannon Jones, the director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas (SILCK), there are 80 spots available, and successful applicants will work in teams to assist with voter education and registration. Applicants in teams will also be expected to attend all candidate forums to pose questions about issues that affect Kansans with disabilities. If you would like to apply to be a member of the Voters Caucus, contact Bob Mikesic, Independence, Inc. Advocacy Coordinator, at 841-0333 bobm@independenceinc.org 

CONSUMER SUPPORT GROUPS

June 2004

• Quilting Arts & Crafts Group Goes to the Market
  The Quilting Arts & Crafts Group will attend the Independence, Inc. flea market fundraiser at Independence, Inc. All craft items sold will help support programs for consumers of Independence, Inc. If you have items to donate for the fundraiser or questions, please contact Ranita at 841-0333. The group will have a table on Saturday, June 5, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Independence, Inc., 2001 Haskell Avenue
  
• Cooking Club & Peer Support Group "Dinner Out" Event
  We're hanging up our apron strings this month and eating out! Join the Cooking Club and Peer Support Group for dinner out on the town. Friends and family members are welcome to join us for the dinner at King Buffet Restaurant, 1601 West 23rd (near 23rd and Ousdahl behind Perkins) Friday, June 18 from 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m. RSVP with Ranita at 841-0333 by Wednesday, June 16 so we will know how much table space to reserve. You should bring at least $6 for the meal. King Buffet serves "all you can eat" Asian cuisine and some American dishes. The restaurant also offers a salad and dessert bar. There is a combination of steamed and fried dishes and a variety of vegetables. The food may not be appropriate for those who follow a Vegan diet. 
  
• The Accessible Gardening Group 
  The Accessible Gardening Group will meet Monday, June 21, 1 - 3 p.m. in the training kitchen at Independence, Inc. We will work on completing our raised garden beds. The group could use the following donated items: gardening tools, soil, planters, lumber for building the accessible raised beds, and wonderful volunteers with green thumbs. If you have any items to donate, please contact Ranita at 841-0333. Independence, Inc., is a not-for-profit organization and donations are tax deductible to the extent provided by law.

July 2004

• Quilting Arts & Crafts Group Creates Decorations for Luau
  The Quilting Arts & Crafts Group will meet Monday, July 12, 1 - 3 p.m. to help decorate the large conference room for the Cooking Club's Hawaiian Luau party. If you have questions, contact Ranita at 841-0333. Note: The group usually meets the first Monday of the month, however, we are switching to the second Monday to help with set up for the Luau party. We will return to the regular meeting schedule in August.
  
• Cooking Club's Hawaiian Luau Party 
  It's hotter than July! So, let's cool off with a Hawaiian Luau party! Join the Cooking Club for tons of fun and good food. Hawaiian style. on Monday, July 12, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. We'll learn how to make grilled coconut chicken, and pineapple & mango ice cream. Come dressed in your Island wear. We'll also learn some fun Hawaiian games and dances. RSVP with Ranita at 841-0333 by Friday, July 9.
  
• The Peer Support Group
  The Peer Support Group will be joining the Cooking Club for the Hawaiian Luau Party on July 12, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Independence, Inc. Please remember to come dressed in your best Island wear and RSVP with Ranita at 841-0333 by Friday, July 9.
  
• Accessible Gardening Group
  The Accessible Gardening Group will meet Monday, July 19, 1 - 3 p.m. in the training kitchen at Independence, Inc. We will tend to our wonderful assortment of flowers and vegetables. Con-tact Ranita at 841-0333 if you have any questions.

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Worlds of Fun & Oceans of Fun Discounts for Consumers!
We have discount coupons for Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun activities. Save over $32.00 with a same day coupon for both Worlds and Oceans of Fun. Save $62.00 with Family Four-Pak coupons. For more information or to get coupons, please contact Ranita at 841-0333. Independence, Inc. cannot provide transportation these events, you must arrange your own transportation

Consumer Support Group Thank You!
The Peer Support Group of Independence, Inc. would like to thank Kendall Simmons, CLC Coordinator, for allowing us to destroy and decorate her car for the 2004 Art Car Parade in May. We truly appreciate your generosity! A huge thank you to all who helped turn Kendall's car into a brilliant work of "art."

CLASSES NOW FORMING
Applications for summer classes and the Fall Vocational Classes are now available at Independence, Inc., by calling 841-0333, or online at http://independenceinc.org/forms.html 
The Fall non-vocational class schedule will be out mid-summer.

INDEPENDENCE, INC. HOYO GRANT NOW AVAILABLE FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES
Independence, Inc. has a grant that assists people with disabilities in purchasing their first homes. The Home Of Your Own (HOYO) Grant is available as a complement to a first-time homebuyers loan called HOOT (Home Owners Out of Tenants). By combining the HOYO Grant with the HOOT Loan you can get an additional $15,000 for accessibility modifications, down payment, or rehabilitation of structural features. These funds accompany the subsidy that already exists as part of the HOOT Loan.

Now the HOYO Grant has expanded its eligibility criteria.

It is still primarily available to low to moderate income first time homebuyers with disabilities. However it has also been expanded to include parents with a son or daughter with a disability in the household who qualify under certain stipulations. 

HOYO will still be used only in conjunction with the HOOT Loan for low to moderate first-time homebuyers. The following stipulations apply for parents applying for HOYO for their child with a disability:

• The son or daughter with a disability must be young enough that they will not age out of the household for seven years.
• The parent's income must be limited because they have to assist the son or daughter with daily living tasks.
• Income guidelines and eligibility criteria for HOOT and HOYO still apply. A HOOT Loan must be guaranteed from a participating lender for HOYO funds to be released.
• Monies are still to be used for down payment, accessibility modifications, and/or rehabilitation.

If you would like to know more about the HOYO Grant call Independence, Inc. at 785/841-0333 and schedule up an appointment for eligibility with the Housing Specialist. 

The HOOT Loan requires that an applicant have two years of uninterrupted income. Source of income can be from employment, disability benefits, pension, or a combination of two or more documented sources. Also two years of demonstrated good bill paying history is needed to be a serious candidate for the HOOT Loan.

Since the HOYO Grant can only be used in combination with the HOOT Loan, it is important to complete the prerequisites for the HOOT Loan. Below are the educational requirements needed to become eligible for a HOOT Loan:

• Attend a First Time Homebuyer Workshop given by Tenants to Homeowners, Inc. These workshops are held the second Saturday of every odd numbered month at 9:45 a.m. in the United Way Building, 2518 Ridge Court, Lawrence, KS. Call 842-5494 for more info. 
• Complete a budget counseling session with Consumer Credit Counseling, Inc. also located at 2518 Ridge Court. This helps you learn your budgeting needs as a future homeowner and how to repair credit and debts. To schedule an appointment call 749-4224.
• Pre-qualification counseling with Tenants to Homeowners is another step needed for the HOOT Loan. Bring $3.50 with you to your appointment to get a copy of your credit record. Staff from Tenants to Homeowners will go over your report with you and advise you on how to qualify for HOOT given your income and debt. Call 842-5494 for an appointment.

Tenants to Homeowners will hold its next First Time Homebuyers Workshops Saturday, July 10 and Saturday, September 11, 9:45 a.m. at the United Way Building, 2518 Ridge Court, Lawrence. Call Tenants to Homeowners, Inc. 785/842-5494 for information about qualifying for the HOOT Loan. 

Independence, Inc. would like to thank the City of Lawrence Neighborhood Resources Department for granting the funds that make the HOYO program possible.

DINING CARDS STILL AVAILABLE 
Help support Independence, Inc. and enjoy the cuisine of Lawrence. The Lawrence Dining Card is available for $15.00 and provides discounts at some of your favorite restaurants. For each card sold, $10 goes to Independence, Inc. to support our direct services. For more information, call us at 841-0333.

WEST NILE VIRUS SEASON COMING
The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department is preparing for this year's West Nile Virus (WNV) season. Even though the chances of being bitten by an infected mosquito are small, West Nile Virus is serious and infected more than 9000 people in the U.S. in 2003. WNV is transmitted when a mosquito bites an infected bird and then bites an animal or person. WNV is not transmitted from person to person or directly from birds.

Though anyone can be infected, people over 50 years of age and those with weakened immune systems are most at risk of developing severe illness. Most people infected with WNV have no symptoms. A small percentage of people infected with the virus may develop mild symptoms 3-15 days after being bitten. These symptoms are much like the flu including fever, headache, body aches, swollen lymph glands, and a body rash. Less than 1% of people infected develop more severe symptoms including neck stiffness, high fever, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, paralysis, and coma. There is no vaccine or specific treatment for West Nile Virus infection. 

People who spend time outdoors should try to reduce their risk of being bitten. A few simple actions can help prevent infection such as using insect repellants with DEET, wearing light colored, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants if you are going to be outside, and mosquito-proofing your home by emptying standing water and installing screens. Female mosquitoes lay their eggs on water or moist areas, so containers that hold water should be emptied and cleaned regularly. These include birdbaths, pools and pool covers, buckets, gutters and tires.

Insect repellents containing DEET should be applied sparingly to exposed skin and on thin clothing. Repellent containing 20 - 30 percent DEET is recommended for adults and less than 10 percent for children.

For more information contact the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department, 200 Maine, Suite B, Lawrence, Kansas 66044, or call 785/843-3060.

We Need
The Independence, Inc. equipment loan bank is low on wheelchairs, walkers, and shower benches. If you have equipment that you are not using, please return it so others may access it. If you have equipment of your own that you no longer use, please consider donating it to our program. Call Kendall at 841-0333.

ACCESSIBLE HOME FOR SALE
Four bedroom home, two and a half baths. Two bathrooms with grab bars. Accessible entrance at the basement level. Washer, dryer and other appliances stay. 2905 Bellhaven. For sale by owner. For more information call Jim Turrentine at 842-3674. Price approximately $160,000.

PLEASE ACCEPT OUR APOLOGIES
Recently we discovered that someone, unknown by the agency, had inserted religious material inside our Independence, Inc. brochure. We would like to take the opportunity to remind our readers that we honor all definitions of diversity, including a person's choices relating to spiritual life. We also wish to offer our apologies to anyone who received one of these brochures and may have been offended.

COPING WITH STRESS MANAGEMENT
The Coping with Stress Management classes are held every Friday, at 12:30 p.m. at Independence, Inc.. For more information call 841-7108, 2 - 6 p.m. and leave a message.

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 or 841-5046, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Mon. - Fri.