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AHEAD OF THE TIMES
Volume 23, Number 1
October, 2002

COMPUTER TECHNICIAN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Effective August 1, the Computer Learning Center at Independence, Inc., in conjunction with Computer Support & Technical Services of Lawrence, began its Computer Technician Internship Program. This program gives certified graduates of our A+ Certification Computer Repair Program the opportunity to get on-the-job training at a decent wage.

We've done, and are continuing to do, extensive outreach to area non-profits to offer our services. Response has been positive with over 30% of contacted agencies expressing interest and a desire to use our intern service when needed. Two agencies have already utilized our services while another has asked us to provide a detailed bid for a large project.

If you would like more information about the program contact Kendall Simmons at 841-0333 or Phil Baer at 842-1009.

DAY OF CARING SUCCESS
Saturday, September 14 was the annual United Way Day of Caring. We had ten volunteers come help work on donated computers for our Computer Giveaway Program. The volunteers made 18 systems ready for consumers, as well as checking out monitors, keyboards, mice, and organizing spare parts. Many of the volunteers came from NCS Pearson, Sunflower Broadband, and Pearson Collision Repair. 
This is the second time we've organized a day of working on donated computers and intend to make it an annual event. We really appreciate all the volunteers donating their Saturday to us. Thanks!

CANDIDATE FORUM
The Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas and the Kansas Association of Centers for Independent Living will host a Candidate Forum Wednesday, October 16, 7 - 9 p.m. at the Topeka Capitol Plaza Hotel, 1717 SW Topeka Blvd.

Candidates for the following races will be attending and responding to questions related to disability and aging communities.

Attorney General: Phil Kline & Chris Biggs
Secretary of State: Ron Thornberg & David Haley
InsuranceCommissioner: Sandy Praeger & Jim Garner

Candidates for Governor are responding to written questions. Copies of their responses will also be available for people attending the forum.

IT'S TIME TO REV UP!
Important Dates to Remember:
October 21 Books close for registration for the general election
November 4 Advanced voting ends
November 5 ELECTION DAY

Register to vote
Educate yourself about candidates
Vote for the candidate of your choice

For information on registering to vote or to be part of the REV Up Campaign contact Bob Mikesic or Jennifer Schwartz at Independence, Inc. 785/841-0333 or 888-824-7277 (toll free)
bobm@independenceinc.org jennifer@independenceinc.org 

TAI CHI PRESENTATION 
The Human Diversity Task Force and the Peer Support Group of Independence, Inc. invite you to join us Monday, October 21, 5 - 7 p.m. for a presentation on Tai Chi.

Yueting Wan, instructor for the Tai Chi Health Club, will do a lecture and demonstration on the many therapeutic uses of Tai Chi for heart disease, high blood pressure, back aches, and exercises. Tai Chi is a centuries old Chinese self-defense discipline for health, relaxation, meditation, and self-cultivation. This presentation is part of a series on martial arts. Look for a second presentation on "Martial Arts & Self-Defense Techniques for People With Disabilities" in the November issue of "Ahead of the Times." If you have any questions, call Ranita at 841-0333. 

COOKING CLUB SOUTH OF THE BORDER FLAVOR
Cooking Club will meet Monday, October 14 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. at Independence, Inc. Mark Creamer will be the guest chef this month. Vegetarians and vegans can look forward to some whole protein with a little south of the border flavor when Mark shares his recipe for bean quesadillas. For more information and to reserve your seat at the table, contact Ranita at 841-0333.

QUILTING/ARTS AND CRAFTS GROUP 
The Quilting/Arts & Crafts group will meet Monday, October 21, 1 - 3 p.m. in the kitchen at Independence, Inc. Craft instructor, Ms. Wanda, will teach us how to make Halloween candles and ghostly decorations for the spooky at heart. We will also decorate for the large conference room for the Halloween party. For information, contact Ranita at 841-0333.

PEER SUPPORT GROUP HALLOWEEN PARTY 
Join us for a spooky good time at the Peer Support Group Halloween bash on Thursday, October 31, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Come to the party dressed in your trick or treat. Music and refreshments provided. For information contact Ranita at 841-0333.

MUSIC APPRECIATION GROUP
Inspired by the incredible Robert Mirabal concert at the Lied Center and the recent donation of a Yamaha PSR-6 electronic keyboard by Susan and Bob Mikesic, the MAGNET Music Support Group will have a Jam Session on Monday, October 28, 4:30 - 6 p.m. In case you're wondering . . . well,yeah, we got rhythm, we got music . . . even if we're not especially talented.

CONSUMER GROUP THANK YOU!
The Consumer Groups of Independence, Inc. would like to say a HUGE thank you to those who made September a fun month. Thank you to Ray Chao for donating seven tickets to see the Kansas City Wizards play at Arrowhead stadium. The game was awesome! Another thank you goes to the Lied Center for donating 40 tickets to see Robert Mirabal in concert. Each year the Lied Center and the Cristina Hixson foundation provide consumers of Independence, Inc. with the opportunity to see performances that most could not afford. Last but not least, thank you to Patty Holt for providing us with a bus for the Lied Center -- we love ya!

RECALL OF INVACARE BATTERY POWERED WHEELCHAIRS
A recall has been announced for all battery powered wheelchairs manufactured by Invacare, Inc between 1989 and 2000. If you or anyone you know has an Invacare power wheelchair and have questions about the recall they should contact one of the numbers listed below or visit the Invacare, Inc. website at: www.invacare.com .

Invacare Corporation contacts: Susan Elder, 440/329-6549 or Robert Gudbranson, 440/329-6001.

SHHH ANNOUNCES MEETING SCHEDULE
The Lawrence Chapter of Self Help for Hard of Hearing (SHHH) meets the third Monday of each month, 1 p.m. at Babcock Place, 1700 Mass.

SHHH meetings are a mix of elements addressing the belief that well informed consumer will make the best decisions on how to deal with hearing loss. People with hearing loss, their families, friends, and anyone seeking to better understand hearing loss is welcome to attend. Members come together to share and learn about all aspects of hearing loss. As we listen to each other, common concerns and desires emerge. The fellowship helps members realize that they are not alone. The schedule for the upcoming year is listed below.

• October 21, 2002 - Tinnitus
• November 18 - Meinere's Disease
• December 16 - Social trip
• January 20, 2003 - Hearing Loss in Medical Settings
• February 17 - The Role of Heredity in Hearing Loss
• March 17 - Psychosocial Issues Related to Hearing Loss
• April 21 & May 19 - Introduction to American Sign Language
  
  For further information contact Pat Chapman, 841-3758 (TDD), or Gayle Sigurdson, 832-1692.

ACCESSIBLE RESIDENTIAL OPTIONS
If you are looking for accessible housing in Lawrence, put an application in to ARO Apartments. These one and two bedroom apartments are fully equipped with features for maximum accessibility for tenants who use wheelchairs. There are 36 inch passageways, accessible electrical controls, roll-in showers, knee clearance under kitchen counters, and front loading washers and dryers in every unit. 

The sites are on Yale Road and East 21st Street Terrace. For more information or to pick up an application, call Master Plan Management at 841-4935 or Independence, Inc. at 841-0333.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT INDEPENDENCE, INC.
By Susan Mikesic, Community Coordinator 

One of my jobs at Independence, Inc. is to answer questions about our services and about eligibility requirements. Here are some of the questions I get asked most frequently:

What are your services?

Independence, Inc. has a variety of services, all designed to help people with disabilities be more independent and involved in the community. We have four core services that independent living centers all across the country offer:

Advocacy 
Ed Roberts, often attributed as the founder of the independent living movement in this country, said that an independent living center is about "Advocacy, advocacy and advocacy, and not necessarily in that order." Our advocates help people know what their rights are as persons with disabilities. There are a variety of laws that protect people's civil rights at work, at school, and in obtaining services. If you feel you have been discriminated against or are being treated unfairly because of you disability, you will want to speak to one of our advocates.

Peer Support 
Independent living centers are based on a model of peer support. Our funding sources mandate that over 50 percent of our staff and over 50 percent of our board members be people with disabilities. We also utilize the services of Volunteer Peer Counselors, who are people with disabilities we train in listening and advocacy skills and then put to work serving our consumers in one-on-one peer relationships. 

Independent Living Skills (ILS) Training 
Our ILS trainers are available to teach you almost anything you want to learn to become more independent. For example, they might teach money management and household management skills to a young adult who has never lived away from home before. Or they might teach a consumer who is new in town how to access the public transportation system more effectively. 

Information and Referral
Generally speaking, if you have a problem or concern and need services, Independence, Inc. is a good place to call. If we don't have a service that can help you, we try to stay informed about what is available in the community, and we will try to refer you to someone who can help.

In addition to these core services, the state of Kansas independent living centers have adopted a fifth core service of Deinstituationalization. This long word refers to our efforts to get people out of institutions such as nursing homes or hospitals and back into their own home in the community. We also try to help people avoid going into the institutional setting in the first place, if at all possible. In Kansas there are funding sources available to help with this. Call us for more information if you think this service might benefit you.

Additionally, at Independence, Inc., we have the following services available:

• Computer Learning Center - In our fully equipped Computer Learning Center we have state-of-the-art equipment, such as screen magnifiers and voice activation, as well as special keyboard, track balls, and adjustable workstations. 
• Assistive Technology - We have a full range of phones, canes, walkers, bathroom gear, wheelchairs, utensils, software, communication devices, alarm clocks, doorbells, and so forth that you can learn about and even borrow.
• Transportation - We provide rides throughout Douglas County for local purposes, or to Kansas City and Topeka for medical appointments. 
• Benefits Advocacy - Our Benefits Advocate helps people apply for disability benefits or to understand how their benefits will be affected by returning to work.
• Housing Assistance - Our Housing Specialist will help people apply for subsidized housing programs or to search for an appropriate house or apartment.
• Counseling - As the counselor on staff, I provide counseling services and counseling referrals to our consumers.

Am I eligible for your services?

Anyone with any kind of disability is eligible for our services. This includes having a physical disability, a learning disability, a sensory impairment, a psychiatric disability, or a chronic illness. Some examples: If you have a heart condition, or a back injury, or are recovering from substance abuse, you would be eligible for our services. This includes people who have conditions that are controlled by medication or are in remission. You just have to let us know what your disability is, and we take your word for it. We don't need a doctor's statement or to see your medical records.

Sometimes I have people ask me if being pregnant is a disability. No, not unless there are complications, or if the woman has a medical condition in addition to the pregnancy itself. A normal pregnancy, although requiring medical attention, is not considered a disability in and of itself. 

Also, sometimes I get asked if being poor is a disability. Again, no. Although being poor can be a difficult situation, a person in a low-income situation is eligible for our services only if he or she has a disability. 

Will I have to pay for these services?

All of our services are free to our consumers. We ask for a donation of one dollar per ride for riding our buses, or $10 round trip for going to Kansas City or Topeka. And sometimes we are able to charge your medical card for our services. But we never charge our consumers. We like that a lot, and so do our consumers!

What Kansas counties do you serve?

We serve Douglas, Franklin and Jefferson Counties with our core services. Our Assistive Technology program is one of five access sites in the state of Kansas, and ours serves 13 counties in the Northeast corner of the state. 

If you live in a county that we don't serve, we have a list of all the independent living centers in the state and we can refer you to the one nearest you. 

Do you have a web site?

Why, yes, we do. If you would like more information about our services or eligibility requirements, or to read our monthly newsletter on line, go to www.independenceinc.org. 

DISABILITY AND POLITICAL VIOLENCE
The editorial board of DisabilityWorld, www.disabilityworld.org, the international webzine of news and views, has issued a Call for Submissions on "Disability & Political Violence." Researchers, writers and organizations around the world are invited to contribute articles, annotated bibliographies, photo-essays, and audio-video presentations examining the relationship between disability and political violence. The deadline is December 31, 2002.

They are looking for material documenting how political violence leaves impairment and trauma in its wake. While this is a problem of global proportions, they believe that the international disability community has yet to acknowledge the relationship of political violence to disability. They define "political violence" broadly as violent conflict motivated by national, religious, ethnic, cultural, racial and other differences, often rooted in disputes over power within a historical context.

Submit material to editor@disabilityworld.org in the following formats: written articles as MS Word (.doc) or plain text (.txt) documents; graphics in JPEG (.jpg) or TIFF (.tif), preferably at 300 dpi resolution; and audio-video files as Real Media or Quicktime files.

FALL IS HERE!
If you have a disability or if you are over age 65, and if you want your lawn raked, call Matt at the Roger Hill Volunteer Center at 865-5030. Matt will send a volunteer to rake your yard on the Day of Caring, which is October 25. 

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 - Friday.

For Sale: Three-wheel Rascal scooter. Call 913/599-6639. 

HELP WANTED

• RECEPTIONIST/OFFICE SUPPORT STAFF 
  Full time position responsible for assisting staff with routine office tasks, including typing, filing, assuming receptionist & phone duties. Complete job description & qualifications available by calling 841-0333. Submit cover letter & resume by October 7 to: Elise Patrick, Independence, Inc., 2001 Haskell, Lawrence, KS 66046.
• PASS ASSISTANT 
  Half-time position with flexible hours to assist with operation of payroll management system for individuals self-directing attendant care. $9.50-$11.50/hour. Requires prior experience in payroll processing & accounts receivable. Complete job description available by calling 841-0333 or at http://independenceinc.org/jobs.html.  Submit cover letter & resume by 5 p.m., Oct. 7 to Mary Beth Retke, Independence, Inc., 2001 Haskell, Lawrence, KS 66046.