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

Ahead of the Times
Volume 22, Number 1
October, 2001

INDEPENDENCE, INC. OPEN HOUSE AND COMMUNITY ACCESS AWARDS 
Independence, Inc. will hold an Open House and Community Access Awards presentation ceremony on Tuesday, October 30, 3 - 5:30 p.m. at the Center with Awards ceremony at 4:30 p.m. The awards recognize individuals, organizations, and businesses whose actions clearly promote independent living for people with disabilities in an integrated and accessible community. The Roger Williams Community Access Award, named in honor of the pioneering disability advocate, recognizes and individual whose advocacy efforts have made a positive impact on people with disabilities and the community. The deadline to nominate someone for a Community Access Award is Thursday, October 12. Nomination forms are available at the Center or on page 15 of this month's Ahead of the Times. Nominations may also be sent to bobm@independenceinc.org or tonyp@ independenceinc.org

We will also celebrate Disability Employment Awareness Month. We will have handout information on issues related to the employment of people with disabilities. There will also be information on the employment services provided by Independence, Inc., CSS - Bert Nash, Full Citizenship, Goodwill Industries, Job Link, Job Start, Lawrence Workforce Center, and Kansas Rehabilitation Services to people with disabilities. 

Refreshments will be provided. For more information, contact the Center at 841-0333.

DISABILITY MENTORING DAY
October 24 is Disability Mentoring Day, a national effort to promote the employment of people with disabilities age 16 - 24 through personal mentoring. With leadership, coordination, and resource materials, local communities organize activities that bring students and employers together for informational sessions about career opportunities and one-on-one mentoring with volunteers at public and private places of employment.

In Lawrence, Independence, Inc. will be the host agency for Disability Mentoring Day. If you are interested in participating or would like more information, contact Ranita Wilks or Jennifer Schwartz at 841-0333.

CLC CLASSES NOW IN SESSION
The Independence, Inc. Computer Learning Center computer classes are off to a successful start. The first Computer Basics class is full and the second one (October 9 - 26) may be full by the time this newsletter is published. The next three-week Computer Basics class will begin November 5. 

We also offer a number of other classes. For a complete listing, contact Independence Inc. or go to the web at http://independenceinc.org/forms. html Note: we are no longer accepting applications for the fall Vocational Training Programs.

WAIVER CHOICE TO BE AVAILABLE 
The Department of SRS, Department on Aging, the Interim committee and the Kansas Association of Centers for Independent Living, along with the Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas and ADAPT, have agreed to start the process allowing people who are receiving services on the Physical Disability (PD) waiver to choose to remain on that waiver or go to Frail Elderly (FE) waiver when they turn 65. The choice will begin July 1, 2002.

WELCOMING DIVERSITY
The Human Diversity Task Force at Independence, Inc. invites you to welcome diversity at our independent living center. Visitors are encouraged to follow these guidelines to ensure that everyone feels welcome:

• Avoid jokes or conversations that are racists, sexist, homophobic or otherwise demeaning of people. This includes negative comments about people of a certain faith or nationality. 
• Avoid any language that could be hurtful to someone. You never know who might be listening.
• Treat every person with the same respect that you would want. You wouldn't want someone to judge you before they knew you. You wouldn't want someone to make jokes about a group you belong to. You would want others to be friendly, respectful, and welcoming to you. 
• Avoid making judgments about people based on stereotypes. A wide range of diversity exists within any group. As human beings, we all want to be known and accepted for who we really are and not prejudged.
• Take time to educate yourself about issues of diversity. Attend a Human Diversity Task Force presentation, participate in a cultural event in your community, visit the library for books and videos on topics such as world culture, world religion, civil rights, gay and lesbian issues, feminism, and so forth. 

For information about the Human Diversity Task Force at Independence, Inc., call 785/841-0333 or 888-824-7277. Or contact the Multicultural Resource Center at 785/864-4350.

COPING WITH STRESS MANAGEMENT
The Coping with Stress Management classes held at Independence, Inc. have a new meeting time. Classes are now held every Friday, 1 - 2:30 p.m. in the Conference Room. For more information call 841-7108, 2 - 6 p.m. and leave a message.

MMMM SOMETHING SMELLS GOOD!  MUST BE COOKING CLUB
Please join members of the Cooking Club and Peer Support Group for a "Vegetarian Lover's Extravaganza" on Monday, October 15 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Cooking Club's own Pat Slick and Independence, Inc.'s Beth Chao will show you how to make a potatoes and vegetarian sausage dish. If you would like to learn how to make this delicious meal then please reserve your spot at the table by Friday, October 5 with Ranita or Teresa at 841-0333. Members of the Cooking Club would like to say thank you to our September guest chef, Dot Nary, for teaching us how to make a wonderful tortellini and spinach soup. 

I HEAR NOISE - MUST BE DRUM CIRCLE
Let's get together and make some music! The Beginners' Drum Circle will assemble on the last Friday of this month, October 26, 4:30- 6 p.m. If you like, you can come dressed up in your favorite costume since October is the perfect month for dressing up and asking for treats. Also, please feel free to bring any treats you would like to share. As always, we will provide you with buckets; drum sticks and other items to beat on. For more information, please call Ranita at 841-0333. The Drum Circle is a year old now, and we would like to thank Mark Creamer for his continued support for the group and for all the wonderful flyers he makes for us. Salud!

MORE TOASTMASTERS THAN EVER !
Attention fellow public speakers! For those of you who have often wished for more chances to stand at that podium and look out into a sea of faces waiting anxiously to hear your words of wisdom this is your lucky day. Toastmasters now meets every Friday noon - 1 p.m. in the large conference room at Independence, Inc. Congratulations to our fearless leader and Master of Ceremonies, Rob Tabor, who recently won two awards in speech competitions. Rob is now the proud owner of trophies for first place in the "Speech Evaluation" category and second place in the "Humorous Speech" contest. Rob you are the top banana on our sundae! For more information about Toastmasters, call Rob Tabor at 841-0333.

BORED AND BROKE
Here are this month's free happenings around Lawrence. As always, please call Susan or Elise at 841-0333 if you have questions, or call the numbers provided for details about any event.

• The Experience of Farmers
  Lora Jost will exhibit 12 mixed-media artworks, created from her interviews with Kansas farmers at the Lawrence Public Library, 7th and Vermont, October 2 - 24 during regular hours of service. Call 843-3833 for more information. In addition, there will be a "Gallery Talk" regarding this exhibit on October 4, 6:30 p.m. at the library. Ms. Jost will be present to discuss her artwork.
• Prairie Wind Dancers First Step House Concert
  This modern dance concert will honor the women and children of First Step House, a transitional home for women recovering from chemical addiction. Come and watch the dancers at the Lawrence Arts Center, 9th and Vermont, October 3 at 7:30 p.m. Call 843-2787 for details.
• Sin in Soft Focus: Pre-Code Hollywood Film Series
  Four films will be featured, all shown at 7 p.m. at the Lawrence Public Library. Call 843-3833 for details.
  - October 5 -- Red Headed Woman (1932) starring Jean Harlow
  - October 12 -- Scarface: The Shame of the Nation (1932)
  - October 21 -- Employees Entrance (1933) starring Warren William and Loretta Young
  - October 26 -- She Done Him Wrong (1933) starring Mae West and Cary Grant
• University of Kansas Open House
  The entire campus will be open for parades, music, food, and special exhibits. October 6, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 864-2341 for details.
• 28th Annual Free Car Show
  More than 250 antique and special interest vehicles will be on display at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 21st and Harper, October 7, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Call 843-2222 for details.
• Late Night with Roy Williams
  Get to Allen Field house early to see the KU basketball team kick off their season with an evening of entertainment and a scrimmage at midnight. October 12, doors open at 9 p.m. Call 1-800-34-HAWKS for details. 
• Lawrence Kennel Club Dog Show
  More than 120 different dog breeds from 40 states will compete in Conformation Competition, obedience, and a special competition for young people at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 21st and Harper, October 13 - 14, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. each day. Call 865-4499 for details. 
• Maple Leaf Festival
  The Baldwin City annual celebration of fall foliage with a parade, entertainment, crafts, food, and more is October 20 - 21. Baldwin is located 15 miles south of Lawrence. Call 785/594-7564 for details.
• Dark at the Top of the Hill
  This annual family fun event features the magic of chemistry, strange and unusual animal pets, a Mexican Halloween celebration, games and much more! Bring your flashlight to the University of Kansas Campus, October 27 at 7 p.m. Call 864-4450 for details.
• Halloween Trick-or-Treat
  Downtown Lawrence, Inc. sponsors this safe trick-or-treat event on October 31. The time is still to be announced, so watch the paper or call 842-3883 for details. 
• Boo-Fest
  This arts and crafts and Haunted House is for children under 10. It will take place at the Lawrence Arts Center, October 31, 4:30 - 7 p.m. Call 843-2787 for details.

NOSTALGIC OBJECTS POT LUCK
Join us on Friday, October 19 at noon for our Annual Human Diversity Task Force Pot Luck. Once again, we will invite participants to bring "Nostalgic Objects" to share. A Nostalgic Object is anything that holds a significant meaning for you. It can be a possession from your childhood, a family heirloom, a souvenir from a trip, a gift you received, a photograph, a letter from a loved one, or any other object of great importance to you that you would like to share. 
Bring a food item to contribute to the Pot Luck. We will eat together and after the meal, people will have the opportunity (like Show and Tell when we were in grade school) to show their Nostalgic Object and to tell its story. Last year's stories were very moving, so prepare yourself to hear some very touching testimonies. Join us.

For more information or to request an accommodation, contact Susan Mikesic or Ranita Wilks at 841-0333 or 888-824-7277. 

ACCESS TASK FORCE
The next meeting of the Access Task Force will be Friday, October 12, 2 p.m. in the Independence, Inc. conference room. If you have any agenda items for the meeting, contact Bob Mikesic at 841-0333 or bobm@independenceinc.org

LOAN BANK NEWS
Attention PCAs and other health care workers! We have finally sorted through our inventory and we have plenty of consumable items to give away. Please remember that these items are given away on a first-come, first-served basis and we cannot always guarantee that we will have them in stock. However, come and get them while their hot! We have:

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

We can also always use donations of supplies. We are currently out of gloves, both latex and latex free. We also could use donations of durable medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, shower chairs, bathtub transfer benches, and walkers.

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

BREAST CANCER RELIEF FUND
Have you or someone you know been diagnosed with breast cancer? Check out the website of the Judy Kennedy Breast Cancer Relief Fund, Inc. at www.geocities.com/jkbreastcancerfund. They are self-proclaimed "guardian angels" who "cook, clean and mow" for breast cancer patients. As a non-profit organization, they utilize volunteers and local donations so you might also consider donating your time or resources to their efforts. Call 913/642-8509 for more information. 

A HOAX ON ALL OUR VIRTUAL HOUSES
by Rob Tabor
In the September issue of Ahead of the Times we reported on the credit reporting industry's Opt Out program which provides a way for consumers to prevent their names and financial information from being passed from credit bureaus to list brokers and other interested parties. We had received the information via e-mail from a law enforcement officer who in turn had received the information from a ranking officer with the New York City Police Department (NYPD) Detective Division. The credit reporting industry information sharing opt-out program seemed to be further validated by a member of the Kansas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division. But as we found out, even the most reputable of us make mistakes. It turns out that the information passed over the Internet through the usual chain of e-mail is a hoax, but at least a harmless one.

A call to the Credit Reporting Industry Opt Out program's toll free hot line gave us the following message:

". if you are calling as a result of the recent e-mail that appeared over the Internet regarding a July 1 law affecting personal financial data please press 1 now. . 
The e-mail stating that credit reporting companies are now allowed to share your personal credit information with anyone who asks is incorrect. Credit reporting companies can only release your credit information to those legitimate businesses that have a permissible purpose for obtaining it under the provisions of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The opt-out privileges granted by the July 1 law apply to financial institutions sharing their personal information with third parties. If you are calling about this you should contact each financial institution where you do business and ask them not to share your personal financial information with other companies. You can not obtain the opt out privileges granted by the new law at this number."

Unfortunately, some individuals who sought to exercise their supposed opt-out privilege before the error was discovered were sent and have returned completed information verification forms which list the requester's name and social security number. However, these are likely to be disregarded altogether since the opt-out provisions only apply to financial institutions. We should also note that the credit reporting industry exercised good judgment in changing its opt-out hot line message notifying callers of the erroneous e-mail chain rather than allow the error to persist.

SPEAKERS BUREAU PRESENTATION
The Independence, Inc. Speakers Bureau will present a panel discussion about the experience of having a disability on Tuesday, October 16, 11 a.m. - noon at the Center. Panel members, who are people with various disabilities, will share stories about their triumphs, frustrations, and dreams, and will give information about how the community can be more accommodating. 

For further information or to request an accommodation, call Susan Mikesic or Ranita Wilks at 841-0333 or 888-824-7277. 

LAWRENCE PUBLIC LIBRARY BOOK SALE
The annual book sale at the Lawrence Public Library begins, Friday, October 5, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. and continues Saturday October 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, October 7 (Half Price Day), 1 - 5 p.m., Monday, October 8 (Five Dollar Bag Night) 5 - 8 p.m., and Thursday, October 11 (Three Dollar Bag Night), 5 - 8 p.m. 

If you have a physical disability that limits your mobility, you are eligible to come ahead of the usual schedule on Thursday, October 4, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Look for the entrance at the north side of the tent located on the west side of the library at 7th and Kentucky Streets. If there is a line, just come up to the entrance and ask for admission. After you have selected your books, look for someone with a "Friends of the Library" badge to take you money.

Members of Friends of the Library are eligible to shop 5 - 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 4. You can become a Friend of the Library for $10. Call Jeanne Hetherington at 842-3619 if you have questions.

NEW WHITE HOUSE WEBSITE
The White House has launched a new and revamped website to make the site accessible to people with disabilities. The site has been user-tested by web experts with disabilities to improve accessible features.

The website, www. whitehouse.gov, provides a "skip to content link" that allows users to bypass repetitive header information. This feature has been built to technology standards and relies on outside screen readers to work consistently. The text-only section is kept up-to-date in real time with the graphics version. This section is geared for users who prefer text-only browsing.

Accessibility Features:
Go to Buttons

• The site includes an invisible "go to content" button in the top of the header that allows site visitors who are using screen readers to skip to the content of the page and bypass repetitive information included in the navigation. http://swoa-05.eop.gov/
• In addition to the "go to content" the site provides a "go to text only" and a "go to search" button in the header, which again allows users to bypass repetitive information and go directly to the search or text only areas of the site.

Alt tags 

• The graphics and photos on the site include alt tags. When screen readers encounter a graphic image, it reads the alt tag to the user, which provides a richer experience and allows the user to better understand the photograph or picture. 
  http://swoa-05.eop.gov/president/gallery/photoessay/index.html

Forms

• Whitehouse.gov makes use of web forms, and these have been tested for accessibility. For example, the Appointments application includes several drop-down menus, which are often difficult to code for accessibility. These were built according to W3C standards and then fine-tuned based on user tests. 
  http://sawho04.eop.gov/cgi- bin/appointments

Tables

• To make tables more accessible, header fields clearly label the columns. http://swoa-05.eop.gov/news/nominations/

Closed-Captioning

• In addition to text transcripts of speeches, the site's on-demand video takes advantage of web captioning technology that provides closed captioning of videos. http://swoa-05.eop.gov/news/releases/2001/08/20010814- 4.html

Text-Only

• The site's text only section is updated at the same time as the rest of the site. This serves not only the disability community but also users who prefer text-only surfing. http://swoa-05.eop.gov/president/text/gwbbio.html
  
  Use the Search Engine in the upper right hand corner of the webpage to access the President's New Freedom Initiative for people with disabilities. Just enter "New Freedom" in the box, and you will be linked directly to the full text version of the President's agenda.

POSITION AVAILABLE AT THE CENTER
Half-time OFFICE CLERK for the Northeast Assistive Technology Access site located at Independence, Inc. Position responsible for performing office tasks, including data entry, information & referral, record keeping, reception & telephone duties. Coordinate adaptive equipment loans through local and interagency loan banks. Requires high school diploma or equivalent, typing speed of 50 wpm, word processing, knowledge of office machines, familiarity with IBM compatible personal computers, oral and written communication skills. Sensitivity to the needs of persons with disabilities. Prefer qualified individual with a disability, office work and internet experience. A complete job description is available. Send cover letter and resume by noon Oct. 8 to Elise Patrick, Independence, Inc., 2001 Haskell, Lawrence, KS 66046. EOE/AA. Reasonable accommodations provided to employees with disabilities. 

CHOCOLATE, COFFEE, TEA AT THREE
Chocolate-lovers unite. Coffee and tea lovers too. The Community Drop-In Center will host its first "Chocolate and Tea at 3," a gourmet chocolate, coffee and tea tasting fundraiser, Saturday, November 10, 3 - 5 p.m. at Abe and Jake's Landing by the Riverfront Plaza.
This is the Drop-In Center's first major fundraiser and is designed not only to raise money to help the Center offer services to Lawrence's homeless and low-income residents, but also raise awareness of the Center within the community.

Abe and Jake's Landing has donated the use of its facilities for the event, local restaurants, bakeries and caterers are donating chocolate delights to tempt your pallet, and the KU Jazz ensemble will dazzle you with their tunes. Tickets are $25. For ticket information contact the Community Drop-In Center at 832-8864.

TRANSITION COUNCIL RESOURCE FAIR:
MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW
The Douglas/Jefferson County Transition Council is sponsoring a Resource Fair for people with disabilities and their families on Thursday, February 28, 2002, 4 - 7 p.m. at Lawrence Free State High School. This is an opportunity for families and other residents of the area to gain firsthand information about available services and service providers. There will be a wide range of community resources represented so families can explore options and gather information to assist them in accessing services and planning for their child's future. Participating agencies will represent services available for individuals from birth to adulthood. Childcare will be available. If you would like more information about the Resource Fair, contact Linda Wildgen at 785/832-5050, e-mail lwildgen@ usd497.org; Sheila Vander Tuig at 785/594-2737, e-mail svander tuig@hotmail.com; or Sharon Branson at 785/887-6711, e-mail sbranson@ nekesc.org 

FINANCIAL LITERACY SERIES
Housing and Credit Counseling, Inc. and Tucker Financial Services have teamed up to produce a new educational series entitled Financial Literacy 101. All classes in this three part investment basics series will be presented by professionals from Tucker Financial Services at the Buchannan Center, 1195 S.W. Buchannan, in Topeka, 6 - 7:30 p.m. The "Basics" beginner class, the first in the series, will be taught on October 18 and November 15. The Intermediate and Advanced classes will begin in the spring of 2002.

During the "Basics" class you will learn from the experts about setting the foundation, savings strategies, the emotion of finances, investment terminology and vocabulary, goal setting and much more. Classes are free to the public, however, reservations are requested. For information and registration call 785/234-0217, extension 368 in Topeka, or 800-383-0217 statewide.

This series is designed to walk the novice through their fears and concerns about financial investments and how and where to get started. If you know little to nothing about investments or saving money, but feel it's time to learn, these classes are a great place to get started.
Housing and Credit Counseling Inc. is a nonprofit organization which provides education and confidential help on credit, budgeting, debt repayment, tenant/landlord rights and responsibilities as well as home ownership issues, with offices in Topeka, Manhattan, Lawrence, and Emporia.

FOR SALE: Electric hospital bed with mattress. Excellent condition. $430. Call 749-2463.

Community Access Awards -- Independence, Inc. 
Independence, Inc. is seeking nominees for the annual Community Access Awards. The awards publicly recognize people whose actions clearly promote independent living for people with disabilities in integrated and accessible communities. Nominations are requested from people in Douglas, Franklin, or Jefferson counties knowing someone deserving such an award. Categories include:

• Individual - Recognizes an individual's efforts - whether through their job, volunteer efforts, or personal actions - to advance opportunities for people with disabilities to live active, contributing lives in the community.
• Business - Recognizes the efforts a business has taken to (1) extend equal employment opportunities or practices to people with disabilities, or (2) provide exemplary customer accommodations or accessibility improvements. 
• Organization - Recognizes the efforts of an organization to promote or support community activities that either empower people with disabilities to live more independently, or enhance the public's understanding of people with disabilities which contributes to integration.
• Roger Williams Community Access Award - Named in honor of pioneering disability advocate Roger Williams, this award recognizes an individual with a disability whose advocacy efforts make a positive impact on the Lawrence community.

To make a nomination send the following information by October 11 to Independence, Inc.2001 Haskell Ave., Lawrence, KS 66046

• Name of Nominee
•  Title/Organization (if applicable)
• Address, Telephone Number
• Category: _____ Individual / _____ Business / _____ Organization 
  _____ Roger Williams Community Access Award

Indicate why you feel this nominee should be considered for the Community Access Award.

• Your Name
• Title/Organization (if applicable)
• Address
• Your Telephone Number