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AHEAD OF THE TIMES
Volume 20, Number 7
April, 2000

DAY AT THE CAPITOL
On March 16, consumers and staff from Independent Living Centers across the state gathered at the state capitol to meet with state legislators and advocate for their support of the following issues:

Home and Community Based Services (HCBS)
Adequate funding for home and community based services was the highest priority item. These in-home services improve the quality of life for older Kansans, people with physical and developmental disabilities, and people with head injuries while avoiding more expensive means of health care that increase costs to the state. 
Advocates asked Kansas Legislators that all home and community based services continue to be funded at levels adequate to serve the basic needs of people who choose to live in the community rather than a costly institution or nursing home. State funding for HCBS services is now being considered in the Kansas Senate. Eventually the House and Senate will work out their different funding ideas during the final Omnibus meetings at the end of the session. 

Long Term Care Task Force 
Kansas does not have an official policy for long term care. As Kansans grow older and medical technology enables people with disabilities to live longer, the number of individuals who will require long term care services will continue to increase. Advocates recommended to the Legislature that a Long Term Care Task Force develop a comprehensive plan that crosses disability and age to focus on integration of people into community settings and to ensure adequate resources to provide services. 
This recommendation is in keeping with the recent Supreme Court decision to allow people a choice of whether to receive services in the community or in an institution.

Substitute for Senate Bill 304 (Formerly Senate Bill 304) 
Kansas Visitability Initiative
This bill would require five basic accessibility or "visit-ability" features in single-family, duplex and triplex housing units that are built or rehabilitated using public financial assistance, such as state funds or federal funds that are administered by the state. By making such dwellings visitable, this law would begin to counteract the isolation people with disabilities face when they are unable to visit friends and family who live in inaccessible houses. The bill would also expand housing choices by creating more housing with basic accessibility features, which is needed by a growing number of people of all ages. 
The five basic features the Bill requires in new construction are: an accessible entrance; wide doorways throughout the interior; an accessible route throughout the main floor; reinforcement of bathroom walls for future installation of grab bars; and accessible locations for light switches, electrical outlets and other controls. 
The Substitute for SB 304 would only apply to housing constructed or rehabilitated by developers and organizations - it would not apply to individual homeowners or occupants. The requirements for housing rehabilitation or remodeling are minimal. Accessibility is only required when the area being remodeled includes one of the five design requirements that apply to new construction. The intent of the rehabilitation part of the bill is to ensure that features be reconstructed according to accessible design so that old barriers are not rebuilt. For example, when replacing a doorway damaged by termites install an accessible width door rather than a narrow one. 
Current laws, such as the federal Fair Housing Act and the Kansas Act Against Discrimination, only include accessibility requirements for housing with four or more units. 
The bill is currently under consideration by the Committee on Federal and State Affairs in the House, having passed by a large margin (30-8) on the Senate floor a few weeks ago. Our job now is to focus on winning the support of all of our Representatives on the House side. Call Bob or Kelly at Independence, Inc. 841-0333 or toll free at 1-888-824-7277 to get an update on how you can work for passage of Substitute for SB 304.

Agrability 
Agrability is an initiative to assist farmers in staying on or returning to the farm after an injury. Farming is considered to be one of the three most dangerous occupations- surpassed only by mining and logging. Kansas ranks fifth in the number of farm injuries with nearly 6,000 people seriously injured on the farm every year. Much could be done to link agriculture and technology resources for farmers so they could return to farming or other agribusinesses. A state commitment of $140,000 is being sought to develop the capacity of Assistive Technology for Kansans (ATK) regional access sites to help meet this need. State dollars would be utilized for a federal match through Kansas Rehabilitation Services to meet employment-related objectives in farming and other agribusinesses. For an update on this issue, call the ATK Project at Independence, Inc. at 841-1067 or 1-800-526-3648.

Senate Bill 265 Increasing State Minimum Wage 
The minimum wage bill, Substitute for SB 265, has been declared dead by Senate Majority Leader Tim Emert. The bill would have raised the state's minimum wage from $2.65 to $5.15 an hour. Even though SB 265 appears to be dead for the session, the issues - minimum wage and living wage are just heating up. Please contact your legislator and tell them how important adequate wages are. Urge them to support measures that will increase wages for Kansas workers, especially those at the low end of the scale. 
The bad news about the demise of this bill is that approximately 26,000 extremely low-paid Kansas workers may not see a wage increase this year, at least not one required by the state. The good news is that living wage has been introduced at the Capitol and to the public via news stories. Living wage campaigns represent a movement that is spreading across the country, and is popular with voters. 
For more information or updates about these advocacy efforts, call Independence, Inc. at 785-841-0333 or 1-888-824-7277.


The Center will be Closed
Friday, April 21
No Transportation Available

SPIRIT OF INDEPENDENT LIVING INDEPENDENCE, INC. PHOTO CONTEST
Independence, Inc. is having a photo contest! "Spirit of Independent Living" as seen by people with disabilities is the theme of the contest. Our goal is to open it up for everyone, to have fun, and to photographically illustrate what Independent Living means to people with disabilities. This includes students with disabilities in transition to adult community life, and their family support system. We have a number of disposable camera available to persons wishing to participate. Cameras are available for a $5 donation, but grant assistance is available for even further cost reductions. For further information please contact Richard Gutierrez at 841-0333. See next month's Ahead of the Times for more information including what prizes are available.

EGGS TO DYE FOR
Come celebrate Spring with the Peer Support Group on Thursday, April 6, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. at Independence, Inc. Group members will demonstrate their artistic skills by decorating eggs for Easter as well as baskets. We are accepting donations of any art supplies, small plastic or wicker baskets or crates. The group, which is open to all consumers, would like to thank Checker's grocery store for donating the eggs. If you have any questions, call Angie or Ranita at 841-0333. Remember, you are responsible for arranging your own transportation.

ATTENTION CONSUMER GROUPS 
The fourth annual Art Tougeau (to-go) art car parade is coming Saturday, May 6 to downtown Lawrence. Organizers for the event are asking anyone with wheels to come join the fun. The parade consists of creatively decorated cars, bikes and anything else on wheels. If you would like to help decorate cars, bikes, or wheelchairs, then plan to join the Peer Support Group on Friday, May 5th to help out. Also, if you're interested in being in the parade, please call Ranita at 841-0333 by April 10 for more details.

MUSIC APPRECIATION GROUP ACCEPTING DONATIONS
The Music Appreciation Group at Independence, Inc. is now accepting donations of used percussion instruments or acoustic guitars in good repair for jam sessions and other music-related activities. Drop off your donations at 2001 Haskell Avenue, or call Susan, Terry or Ranita at 841-0333 for more information. 

COOKING CLUB IS DOING THE BREAKFAST HOP!
Forget about other possibilities, come join the Cooking Club's Breakfast Indy Hop. This month we're heating up the griddle with breakfast items. Come prepared to learn how to make those flap jacks fluffy and those sunny-side up eggs . . . sunny. For a special touch, come dressed in your favorite p.j.s (nothing scandalous, please). The date is Monday, April 10, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. at Independence, Inc. The menu will be pancakes, eggs, muffins and juice. Thank's to Checker's grocery store for providing the eggs. Donated items of syrup, butter or jelly are still needed. Cooking Club is open to all consumers, the only requirements are participation and a smile. Please arrange your own transportation. If you have any questions, call Ranita or Angie at 841-0333.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TIP OF THE MONTH
Having difficulty holding onto utensils?
Try purchasing foam pipe insulation at the hardware store. It comes in a variety of diameters and is inexpensive. Cut it to the appropriate length and place over the utensil handle. This will increase the size of the handle and make it easier to use. This also works for tooth and hair brushes, pens and other small diameter items.

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD
ECKAN is sponsoring forums on poverty in various communities. The focus will be to identify the problems related to poverty in your community and how those can be solved. Come be part of this nationwide effort.

Lawrence
Tuesday, April 4, 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Lawrence Public Library

Ottawa
Monday, April 10, 7 p.m.
Franklin County Annex
1418 South Main

For more information call ECKAN at 785/841-3357

HUMAN DIVERSITY TASK FORCE SPONSORS DIVERSITY TRAINING
The Multicultural Resource Center at the University of Kansas will present a cultural diversity workshop training Friday, April 14, 11 a.m. at Independence, Inc. Come learn more about yourself and others through a series of fun and educational exercises. If you have any questions contact Ranita at 841-0333.

INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
Tax season is here again and a group of law students from the University of Kansas are donating their time to assist people with their taxes. The KU Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, or VITA, began their assistance at the beginning of February and will continue until April 15. 
Individuals seeking assistance should bring their W-2 forms, tax forms, and any other financial information they have from the year 1999. Tax forms are available at Dillon's grocery stores, Douglas County Courthouse, Lawrence Public Library, and the post office. No appointments are necessary. 
Students assisting people with their taxes must be law students and have completed at least one year of income tax courses. They must also pass a test before helping others with their taxes. 

Assistance is available at:

ECKAN Mondays, 1 - 4:30 p.m. 
1600 Haskell Ave., #197; 
Wednesdays, 1 - 5p.m. 
1600 Haskell Ave., #169; 

Salvation Army Wednesdays, 3 - 5 p.m.
946 New Hampshire St. 

KU Law School Thursdays, 3 - 5 p.m. 
Green Hall, Room 203

Penn House Thursdays, 9 - 11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.
1035 Pennsylvania St. 

Ballard Center Thursdays, 3 - 5 p.m. 
708 Elm St. 

Assistance for International Returns is available 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturdays in the KU Law School Building, room 203. People can get assistance filing their taxes electronically 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the KU Law School Computer Lab, room 306D. For more information contact the University of Kansas Law School at 864-4550.

COMMITTEE SEEKING INPUT FOR ANNIVERSARY ACTIVITIES
A newly-formed committee is planning events to celebrate two important anniversaries that occur this year, the 10th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the 25th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). 
Representatives of local organizations have met several times at Independence, Inc. to brainstorm and develop ideas for community-wide activities. Ideas are still welcome! If you are interested in participating as an individual or as a representative of an organization, please call Dot Nary at 864-4095 or Suzanne Mace at 841-0333 for the date and time of the next meeting. 

HOUSING NEWS
The Independence, Inc. Home Of Your Own (HOYO) program offers information and referral, peer support, and advocacy to people with disabilities who are interested in purchasing their first home. There is also a first time homebuyer's group that meets once a month for ongoing education on budgeting, planning, purchasing, and maintaining a first home. Call the Housing Specialist at Independence, Inc. for one-on-one information.
The next HOYO First Time Homebuyer's Meeting will be Wednesday, April 12, 10:30 a.m. at Independence, Inc. We will listen to a speaker discuss his experience purchasing a home with the HOOT loan and HOYO Grant. We will also watch a video on how to weatherize a home.

The Fair Housing workshop scheduled for April 4 has been cancelled. It will be rescheduled for a later date.

FILL OUT CENSUS ON-LINE
The 2000 census is available on-line as a place to fill out your form and get more information. Computer users wanting to complete their 2000 census on-line should visit www.2000.census.gov

To fill out the form on-line, you must have first received a paper form in the mail. The paper census form should be returned by April 1 but people filling out theirs on-line have until April 15.
The U.S. Census Bureau conducts the census every 10 years to help direct the distribution of millions of dollars in state and federal funding to programs in each county that help children, people without housing, the poor, unemployed, elderly, and people with disabilities. People who answer the census help their communities obtain funding and valuable information for planning schools, hospitals, roads, and more.
According to the Census Bureau's Web site, the short form of the census contains questions on tenure (whether a housing unit is owned or rented), name, sex, age, relationship to others in the household, Hispanic origin, and race. The long form questionnaire, which goes to an average of one in six households, has the short form questions plus additional questions about marital status, occupation, veteran status, disability, income, physical characteristics of the housing unit, and more. 
Internet access is available on every computer in the Independence, Inc. Computer Learning Center (CLC). For assistance accessing the on-line census form contact one of the CLC instructors.

MUSIC APPRECIATION GROUP MEETING AND POTLUCK
Independence, Inc. in collaboration with Down Beat Magazine, an international music publication that reaches 114 countries, will be hosting a Music Appreciation Group planning and outreach meeting on Monday, April 17. A potluck meal will be served and the meeting will take place noon - 2 p.m. Table service and drinks will be provided.
During this meeting we will identify how a unique music program can be built for consumers' special needs which reaches out to share and enhance life through music. Tom Alexios, Director of Special Projects for Down Beat Magazine, will be working with Independence, Inc. consumers and staff in identifying what type of music outreach program will be best for our service area.
Down Beat Magazine has had a positive impact on the world music scene for over 67 years and has been helping to nurture music outreach programs and music education since the early 1950s. In recent years there have been major studies on music and its effects on humans which show positive results in improving the quality of life.
Music is very easy to incorporate into one's life without having to change lifestyle. We hope to see you at the meeting. Your opinion and ideas make a difference. For more information contact Susan Mikesic, Ranita Wilks, or Terry Thompson at 841-0333.

DISABILITY AWARENESS PRESENTATION
Independence, Inc. will host a disability rights and ability awareness presentation at 11a.m. - 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 8. The presentation will be held in the Fellowship Hall of the United Methodist Church in Ozawkie.
The discussion will be lead by a panel of Jefferson County residents who have disabilities. They will discuss disability issues, services available, and ways for communities to be more accommodating. Refreshments will be provided. 
Susan Mikesic, Independence, Inc. Community Coordinator, said, "We're hoping that this event will be an opportunity for people to share with each other their coping strategies, goals and wishes, and their accomplishments."
For more information or to request an accommodation, call Susan Mikesic or Ranita Wilks at 785/841-0333 or 1-888-824-7277. Call 785/876-2425 or 785/484-2224 for directions to the church. 

ICAN PROJECT BEGINS
Last month the end of this article was accidentally deleted. It is reprinted in its entirety below.
Thanks to a grant from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Interfaith Caring Neighbors (ICAN), a local human service program, is undertaking a survey project to better understand the needs of older residents in the East Lawrence area. The project aims to locate and survey elders to learn their views on services needed to help them remain at home. Another goal of the outreach is to educate seniors about the volunteer services that ICAN provides, including friendly visiting and phoning, grocery shopping, caregiver respite and handyman services. During the project, neighborhood associations and churches will be contacted to join with ICAN in this effort. If you or someone you know would like to participate in the survey, or if you would like information on volunteering, contact Rita Mika or Laura Kaiser at 749-2005. 

EXCELLENCE IN ACCESS AWARDS
Nominations are still being accepted for Excellence in Access Awards to recognize businesses, organizations and facilities that exemplify the equal opportunity and inclusion provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Mail, call-in or e-mail your nominations for the Awards to any of the sponsoring organizations listed below. In the nomination, list the name of the business, organization, or facility you are nominating; the reason(s) they deserve an award; and your name and phone number.

KLWN / KLZR; c/o Andy Stahmer; 3125 W. 6th St.; Lawrence, KS 66049; 843-1320; award@lazer.com

Cottonwood, Inc.; c/o Keisha Larson; 2801 W. 31 St.; Lawrence, KS 66047; 842-0550; cwood11@ inc.org

Independence, Inc.; c/o Bob Mikesic; 2001 Haskell; Lawrence, KS 66046; 841-0333 (V/TDD)bobm@independenceinc.org 

PARTICIPANTS NEEDED: College female with disability seeks women with physical disabilities, 18 years+, to participate in research project on sexuality and disability. Interviewed by telephone or in person. Information related to the interview will be kept confidential. Contact Danette Crawford, Macalester College, 1600 Grand Ave., St. Paul, MN 55105, 651/696-7561 or e-mail: dcrawf1390@aol.com

FOR RENT: Furnished room. Share utilities. Christian single person, no pets, no children, no smoking. Volunteer needed as well. Call 785/841-4608 or e-mail SCRESSA@juno.com

WANTED: Dolls and stuffed animals of all sizes. Also full skeins of yarn to create outfits for them. The finished toys will be given to families who can't afford to buy them for their children. I love to crochet and make others happy, but cannot afford the materials. Contact Nola at 842-6854 after noon.

FOR SALE: Converted 1995 Dodge Caravan green, good condition, automatic transmission, air conditioning, electric windows and locks, wheelchair accessible ramp, 52,000 miles, contact Joe Powell at 913/585-1211.

DISABILITY AND HEALTH CONFERENCE
A national conference Disability & Health: A Wellness Agenda will be held May 4-5 in Dearborn, MI. This conference will examine four major issues affecting health and wellness for people with disabilities: current and emerging practices, political and systems issues, theory and research, and building a wellness network. Registration deadline is April 3. For information contact Doug Schwentor at 800-656-5245.

ACCESSIBLE HOUSING PROGRAM
Is your apartment or house accessible? Are there ways to make your rooms easier to use? The Accessible Housing Program (AHP) at Independence, Inc. uses funds from a Lawrence Community Development Block Grant to provide people with disabilities improved access to their rented units.
AHP is a result of a provision in the 1988 Fair Housing Amendments Act that states a landlord may not refuse reasonable accessibility modifications needed by a tenant with a disability. AHP is also a response to the needs of persons with disabilities who can't afford to make accessibility modifications to their present rental homes.
Some typical modifications are building ramps, widening doorways, installing visual signal systems for telephone and doorbells, installing lever-type handles on doors or faucets, modifying door thresholds, and nstalling grab bars in the bathroom
To qualify, applicants must have a mobility or sensory impairment, currently rent housing in Lawrence, and need accessibility modifications. General maintenance, such as roof repair, is not covered by AHP. Applicants also must be within the low to moderate income levels established by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department. These levels are based on annual income and the number of persons living in a household. For an application and more information contact Bob Mikesic or Kelly Nightengale at Independence, Inc., 841-0333.

ACCESSIBLE HOME TOUR 2000
The need for more accessible housing in the Lawrence community has never been greater. Not only do people with physical disabilities need them, but as the population ages living in a barrier free environment becomes crucial. 
Independence Inc., Tenants to Homeowners, and KU's Studio 804 have joined forces to help draw attention to this issue, and to offer options for people to consider when they think of home modifications, accessibility features, or universal design. In June, Independence, Inc. will host Accessible Home Tour 2000 featuring accessible home designs in Lawrence. The tour will feature new construction as well as older homes that were designed with accessibility features or were retrofitted for special needs. The public will have the opportunity to see real-life design for independent living and at the same time help raise money for Independence, Inc. 
In the weeks ahead, Independence, Inc. also will be involved with a number of awareness and educational events discussing independent living, the uses of Assistive Technology to promote independence, and the application of universal design concepts. If you or your group would like to know more, call the Center for more information or to schedule a speaker. 
To assist us with the organization, development, and implementation of the coming events Independence Inc., has secured the help of friends David Rosenthal, Kansas Relay Center; Tammy Bennett, - City of Lawrence; Tim Metz, attorney - Stevens & Brand; and David Longhurst, Riverfront Center. We are most grateful for their leadership and willingness to help. We have a lot of work ahead of us so your assistance is most welcomed. This will be Independence, Inc.'s major fund raising event of this year. But while we raise a little money, our aim is also to heighten awareness and understanding for the work we do in the Lawrence community, our programs and our role as advocate for disability concerns in our community. Your support is most important for its success. For more information contact Richard Gutierrez at 841-0333.