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Ahead of the Times
Volume 20, Number 11
August, 2000

COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION UPDATE
by Rob Tabor
This month's update must, as is sometimes the case, begin with a few corrections to our July update. First, we reported that ElDorado National, a bus manufacturing company, filed a protest with the City of Lawrence on finding out that another manufacturer had been recommended by City staff. In an e-mail correspondence sent June 30, 2000, Karin Rexroad, City Public Transit Administrator, stated that El Dorado did not file a protest. It merely sought clarifications on specifications called for in the City's Request For Proposal (RFP). Rexroad further told us that "We have taken the opportunity to look closer at the vehicles and make further specifications to meet Lawrence's needs."
Next, we reported that the Lawrence City Commission would be expected to rule on the merits of a protest petition filed by Lawrence Bus Company after MV Transportation was recommended by City staff to operate the bus fleet. Rexroad stated that Lawrence City Manager Mike Wildgen has the City's final word on bid protests, and has in fact found Lawrence Bus Company's protest to be without merit. Lawrence Bus has filed its protest appeal with the Federal Transit Administration, (FTA), U.S. Department of Transportation, and the appeal is pending on FTA's regional office docket. As of yet we have no word on when FTA will take up the appeal by Lawrence Bus.
Now with the corrections out of the way, here is some need-to-know information about the coordinated paratransit system. Paul Weimer, Douglas County Area Transit Administrator, announced recently that DCAT is now actively enforcing its no-show ridership policy. 
What is the no-show policy? The policy put into place by the Kaw Regional Transit (KRT) Board of Directors, states that a consumer who has had three no-shows within a 90-day period starting with the first no-show date is subject to a 30-day suspension of transportation services. No missed ride is deemed to be a no-show unless you receive notice to that effect. A no-show is defined as any failure or refusal to board a KRT-administered vehicle when it arrives at your requested pick-up location. A no-show is deemed to have occurred even if the driver is at your pick-up point or in route to get you when you attempt to cancel the ride.
Why is KRT just now enforcing its no-show policy? Although the policy has been in effect for about a year it was seldom enforced due to the lack of broad-based publication of KRT's ridership policies. But finally a policy brochure is now available on request from your driver, by calling the KRT administrative offices at 766-1374 or Independence, Inc. at 841-0333 Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
What should I do if I receive a notice of a no-show or suspension and I feel it should not have been sent? You may call the KRT office to speak with Paul Weimer. It is not unusual for a paratransit vehicle to show up at your doorstep even if you've called to cancel well in advance of the pick-up time. The dispatcher may have forgotten to enter the cancellation request into the computer or forgot to inform the driver of your cancellation. Also, there are unforeseen developments that may honestly have prevented you from boarding your bus, car or van, such as sudden illness. Mr. Weimer will probably ask you to send him a letter or fax explaining the circumstances surrounding your missed ride.
What should I do if DCAT does not change its mind about the no-show or suspension notice?You simply need to write a short note to the DCAT office stating that you want to appeal the decision and mail to: DCAT, P.O. Box 446, Lawrence, KS 66044. An appeal panel was recently formed to hear no-show and suspension appeals.
Does KRT's no-show policy apply if I receive rides from Independence, Inc., or Douglas County Senior Services? The answer depends on whether you are scheduling your rides through the DCAT central dispatch office (749-2287), or whether you call Independence, Inc. or Senior Services directly. If you book your ride through DCAT, the no-show policy will apply even if a participating Independence Inc. or Senior Services vehicle was sent to pick you up. If your ride was scheduled through either of those agencies, the policies of that agency will apply to your situation.
Last but not least, the next Lawrence City Public Transit Advisory Committee will be 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 15 at City Hall, 6 E. Sixth Street in the City Commission Chambers.

CLC FALL CLASSES
Fall will be here before you know it and so will Computer Learning Center (CLC) classes. The CLC is in the process of planning courses. Please give us an idea of what kind of class you would like to attend and when the classes should be held. Any computer related idea would be considered. Please phone your thoughts, ideas and times to Bernard Droste, CLC Coordinator at 785/841-0333.

The CLC recently received a phone call from Joe Jarvis who works at the Lawrence City Manager's Office and who is a Communications Intern. He is involved with changes to the City of Lawrence website and wanted information about how to make the City's website as accessible as possible. He was able to find the information he needed about website design at Independence, Inc.'s website www.independenceinc.org. Our thanks go to Mr. Jarvis, and the City of Lawrence, for their appreciation of the need for accessibility.

DRUM ROLE PLEASE!
We had so much fun we're going to do it again. The Music Appreciation Group (Not Especially Talented) is hosting a second beginners drum circle Friday, August 25, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. at Independence, Inc. Please remember that everyone is welcome, especially the musically challenged. Join us to learn some basic techniques for Afro-Latin rhythms and Rock-n-Roll beats. M.A.G.(N.E.T.) will provide pickle buckets, bongos, drum sticks and a talented drum instructor. If you have percussion instruments that you would like to bring, please do. A huge thank you to all those fabulous "beginning" drummers who joined us last time. For more information, call Ranita at 841-0333. Please remember to arrange your own transportation.

IT'S PRETTY BUT WHAT DO I DO WITH IT?
Cooking Club will meet Monday, August 14, 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Independence, Inc. We will learn how to use fresh herbs to make simple dishes, including a pasta final‚. If you plan to attend call Angie or Ranita at 841-0333. To schedule transportation call 843-5576.

HOYO NEWS
The First Time Homebuyer's Group will feature a guest speaker at this month's meeting on Wednesday, August 16, 1:30 p.m. at Independence, Inc. Leroy Rieschick from the Department of Agriculture will discuss how to get a low income loan for purchasing your first home in a rural area. If you are interested in looking into purchasing a home outside the city limits of Lawrence, this is an excellent opportunity to find out what resources are available. 
If you have any questions about the Independence, Inc. Home Of Your Own program (HOYO), please call Kelly Nightengale at 841-0333. You can set an appointment if you want information about resources available for first time home purchase within the city limits of Lawrence.

PEER SUPPORT GROUP
The Peer Support Group is going to the Kansas State Fiddling and Picking Championship on Sunday, August 27, 1-3 p.m. We will enjoy free music on two different stages in South Park (south of downtown). We plan to meet at the southeast corner of the park and then "pick" a place to hang out. Feel free to bring snacks, a drink, or a blanket to spread out. Call Ranita or Angie at 841-0333 for further information.

ICC FUNDRAISER
A restaurant tour in downtown Lawrence will be held Sunday, September 10 to benefit the Douglas Count Infant-Toddler Coordinating Council (ICC). Around the Block for Kids will feature selections from Teller's, Milton's, Shalor's, and Paradise Cafe. Seating times will be 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. ICC is a non-profit organization providing special services to children birth to three years of age with physical or developmental disabilities. For information about tickets or donations, call the ICC office at 832-5089, #216.

FOR SALE: New three-wheel Rascal scooter. Purchased December, 1999. Never used. Comes with battery charger and portable aluminum ramp. Paid $4,000 asking $3,500. Call Don Harris at 785/542-2566 or 542-5029

FOR SALE: Pentium 200 computer. $200. For details contact Pat at 841-0333.

PUT ON THOSE DANCIN' SHOES
Self-Advocates of Lawrence will be hosting a dance Thursday, September 7, 6:30 - 9 p.m. at the United Way Building, 2518 Ridge Court. Admission is free.

SOCIAL SERVICE LEAGUE OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES
by Megan Deines
The Social Service League has a 110 year-old reputation of helping Lawrence residents with low incomes. The organization was founded in Lawrence in 1887 and moved to its current location at 905 Rhode Island in 1937. As a way for the community to help during World War II, "The League" operated a canning kitchen and sewing room for soldiers and their families.
The League has recently extended its hours to 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. In addition to the thrift store, some of the current programs are the Dora Bice back-to-work room where people seeking employment can get a free outfit for an interview or new job; the shoe fund for Douglas County students, kindergarten through high school, can get a free pair of new shoes; and the eye fund which provides free eye exams and glasses for Douglas County children.
"The thrift store survives on household donations," said Jean Ann Pike, Social Service League director. "We take any donations people want to give us: jewelry, books, CDs, tapes, eye glasses, furniture, clothes, pretty much anything you want to give us."
They also have a reputation for offering many volunteer opportunities to people from all walks of life. The organization welcomes a group of volunteers from Bert Nash every Friday to the store, said Pike.
"We give people with low incomes the ability to shop and the ability to volunteer which gives them a sense of community and ownership which people sometimes don't get when they are struggling," said Pike.
The store is wheelchair accessible through the back entrance. Pull into the back driveway off of the alley between Rhode Island and New Hampshire to access the ramp. For more information on the organization, services, or volunteering, call 843-5414.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE
The Seventh Annual Assistive Technology Conference: Into the Future will be held September 18 -20. For registration brochures, costs, and lodging information call 785/272-4060 or watch future editions of Ahead of the Times for more information.

ADA / IDEA CELEBRATION
of the people. by the people. 
for ALL the people! 
The evening of July 13 was a very special night in the history of Independence, Inc. as nearly 200 consumers, staff, and friends of the agency gathered for dinner and to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the 25th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). These two landmark bills together empower people with disabilities to live independently in their community. 
Events also included presentation of this year's Community Access Awards. These awards recognize people whose actions promote independent living for people with disabilities in integrated and accessible communities. This year's recipients were Tenants to Homeowners and Dr. Dennis and Mikki Sale. The Roger Williams Community Access award was presented to Jeanne Hetherington. 
The evening was particularly special because Justin Dart, considered the father of the ADA for all his work, presented introductory remarks he specially recorded for us which helped set the tone and spirit for the evening. We have a transcript of his address below and have his memorable words on tape, should you wish to hear them next time you come to the Center. Justin Dart does not make too many public appearances because of his health, but we are sure he would enjoy hearing from you . if the spirit moves you. If you wish to write to him, please send your letters to Independence, Inc. and we'll forward them to him.

Remarks by Justin Dart 
ADA/IDEA Celebration, July 13,2000
Colleagues in Independence, Inc. I love you.
I congratulate Ann Branden, Saunny Scott, Matt Sherman, Dot Nary, Bob Mikesic and all the members, consumers and supporters of Independence, Inc. on two decades of magnificent contributions to the quality of human being.
It is you, not the astronauts, who are the real pioneers at the horizons of humanity in 2000.
Special congratulations to Jeanne Hetherington, this year's recipient of the Roger Williams Award.
I am honored to participate today with my old friend and dynamic colleague, Bill Malleris.
I join you in celebrating the 25th anniversary of IDEA and the 10th anniversary of the ADA. I believe that relative to rights laws of the past these world-first mandates of disability rights have been profoundly successful.
But I am not going to speak only about that success. I will speak about our responsibility to the present and the future.
You have the power, you have the responsibility to defend and to expand democracy now.
Thanks to patriots past, thanks to you, America is the greatest nation in history.
But we have not kept the promise to all. In the midst of record riches, poverty and discrimination persist. Millions have inadequate food, housing, health care, education and security for the future. In spite of our movement's historic victories, people with disabilities are still the oppressed of the oppressed.
Powerful forces attack the inclusive democracy of Thomas Jefferson and Martin Luther King. They attack ADA, IDEA and all civil and social rights. They block health care and community based services in order to lower taxes for the rich. They have a good chance to take the White House, the Congress and the Courts in 2000. Back to power and privilege for the few.
Many of you have fought well. But all of us must fight more.
We must not only defend our rights, we must lead democracy on the offense.
Humans are totally interdependent. People with or without disabilities will never achieve their full potential until there is a revolution that empowers all.
A revolution to eliminate primitive prejudice and primitive paternalism with its values of power and prestige and its authoritarian cookie-cutter solutions.
A revolution to establish a culture that focuses the full force of science and free-enterprise democracy on the individualized empowerment of each person to achieve full personal potential.
Individualized empowerment means that every human being - with or without a disability - has an inalienable right, and inalienable power and an inalienable responsibility to govern self and society and to produce the good life for self and for all.
Individualized empowerment means that cultural supports will be molded to the individual preferences and abilities of each person.
Individualized empowerment means that every aspect of government and society will be infused with the principles of ADA, of IDEA and of independent living - of Independence, Inc.
Individualized empowerment means choices for all, power for all, government by all. Free enterprise becomes real for all.
Great, but how can we possibly overcome the ancient attitudes, the powerful lobbies for the status quo - and for retreat?
Who will make the dream live?
Look around the room. The buck stops here. You are responsible. I am responsible. We are responsible.
The world is watching our movement, the world is watching America. The world will follow what we do. Failure is unthinkable.
Get into empowerment, get into politics as if your life depended on it. It does. And the lives of all humans in the 21st century.
But, you say, how can I lead a revolution. I have no power.
I don't care whether you are eight or eighty, whether you are a consumer, a family member, a business person or a provider of services, you do have power.
When you change yourself, you have changed the society, because you are the society.
You do have the power. Each one of you has the power. And because you have the power you have the responsibility. You do not have to wait for anybody's permission. You can be a revolution of one today.
But you will not be alone. There are increasing thousands of us. A great army, a beautiful, loving family of brothers and sisters in justice.
When you have time, take out a five dollar bill. Look at Mr. Lincoln. He had one year of school. As a young man, he did not have five dollars. He suffered from severe depression. He probably made more spectacular mistakes than anyone in this room ever will. But he never gave up. He died for democracy. He saved democracy.
Colleagues, let us unite in action - each in our own way - let us overwhelm hate and fear with the greatest powers in the universe: love and truth.
Let us reach out with love and truth to our families, our friends and to all Americans.
Let us go forward in eternal solidarity to create a culture that empowers all. Let us unite in one thundering voice: people of America, join us in keeping the sacred pledge - one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Colleagues, I love you. I am with you always. Together, we shall overcome.