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Ahead of the Times
Volume 23, Number 7.1
Dec./Jan., 2003/04

AWARD RECIPIENTS RECOGNIZED 
AT INDEPENDENCE, INC. OPEN HOUSE
Independence Inc. presented Community Access Awards to three recipients at its 25th anniversary open house on November 12. These awards publicly recognize people who have advanced independent living opportunities for people with disabilities in the community. 

The ceremony began with a presentation by Ray Pence from the K.U. Beach Center on disability, who spoke about Roger Williams, pioneering disability rights activist in Lawrence and a founder of Independence, Inc.

The highest award, the Roger B. Williams Community Access Award, was presented to Dot Nary, in recognition of her strong advocacy for people with disabilities at local, state, and national levels. Her contributions to health care reform from a disability perspective, health promotion, environmental accessibility, and self-advocacy have helped create communities that are richer for all. 

Community Access Awards were also presented to Linda Wildgen, Transition Counselor for Lawrence High School, and Lorna Larson, Transition Counselor for Free State High School. Linda and Lorna play key roles in assisting students with disabilities explore job possibilities and plan for future employment. They have both played a major role during the last three years in National Disability Mentoring Day activities in Lawrence, when students with disabilities spend a day shadowing in a career field of their choice. 

This year Linda and Lorna helped the Independence, Inc. Peer Counseling Coordinator match 50 students with disabilities with 46 business mentors. 

Congratulations to Linda, Lorna and Dot!

THE CENTER WILL BE CLOSED

• December 25 - January 1 
  for the holidays (No transportation available)
• January 19 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  No transportation available.

COMPUTER LEARNING CENTER SPRING CLASSES
The Spring 2004 Catalog will be available online December 5 at independenceinc.org/forms.html. We always try to come up with some new classes, so check it out! Classes beginning in January are: 

• Office Assistant I, Jan. 6 - April 30, 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.; 
• A+ Computer Repair (date and times to be announced); 
• Intro to Computer Basics, Jan. 6 -30, 10:30 - 11: 30 a.m.; 
• Intro to Excel, Tuesdays - Fridays, January 6-23, 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.; 
• Creating Your Own CD-Covers and Labels, Tuesday - Friday, Jan. 27-30, 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. 

For more information call 785/841-0333.

LOAN BANK DONATIONS
The Independence, Inc. Loan Bank is always in need of donations of adult diapers, both tape and pull-up. We are in particular need of XL and M sizes right now. Both new and opened packages are acceptable, as is financial support to purchase them. 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR FUNDRAISER
It's time to gear up for this year's "Mardi Gras on the Kaw" fundraiser. Last year was a fantastic success but we want to make this year's event even better. Since we have been through it once we know what we did right (and wrong). We have planned to have the event on Friday, February 20 but need some assistance with pulling it all together.

We'll need volunteers for a variety of tasks: contacting vintners, mailing invitations, soliciting door prizes, setting up, tearing down, and a myriad of other tasks. If you are interested in helping, contact Independence, Inc. at 841-0333.

CONSUMER SUPPORT GROUPS WINTER PARTY AND POTLUCK
On Monday, December 8, 4:30-6:30 p.m., the consumer groups of Independence, Inc. will come together for a winter party and potluck. We will play fun party games, sing songs, make hot apple cider, bake cookies and (if it snows) we might even make a snow man/woman. Bring a favorite dish or snack to share if you like.

The Consumer Groups wish a Happy Holiday Season and thank you to the following:

• Godfather's Pizza, thanks for the free pizzas in January.
• The Lied Center of Kansas & Christina Hixson Foundation, we appreciate your generous gift of free Lied Center tickets.
• Modupe, volunteer guest chef for the Cooking Club in February.
• Kendall Simmons and Steve Braswell, thanks for all your help at the Hawaiian Luau.
• James McCrary, volunteer guest chef for the Cooking Club in August.
• Anju Mishra, volunteer guest chef for the Cooking Club in September.
• Checkers Foods, thank you for the food donations.
• Mark Creamer, thanks for always willing to help with whatever is needed.
• Lori Neuman, thanks for the donated kitchen items.

And, if we forgot to mention someone, please know that we do appreciate you and the support you give to the consumer support groups of Independence, Inc.

SUPPORT GROUPS PLANNING MEETING
The Consumer Support Groups of Independence, Inc. will have the Annual Planning Meeting and Pizza Party on Monday, January 26, 2004 from 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm in the large conference room at Independence, Inc. We will enjoy delicious pizza while we plan our activities for 2004. Start making your list of fun things you would like to do. If you have questions contact Ranita at 785-841-0333.

FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER'S WORKSHOP
The next First Time Homebuyer's Workshop by Tenants to Homeowners is: Saturday, Jan. 10, 9:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. at the United Way Building, 2518 Ridge Court, Lawrence. For more information call 785/842-5797.

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.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY for KANSANS PROJECT
Northeast Assistive Technology Access Site (NEAT)
1-800-Kan-Do-It 
1-785-841-1067 

Dedicated to equal opportunity through access to assistive technology for all Kansans with disabilities at Home, Work, or School.

The Assistive Technology for Kansans Project provides information and referral, advocacy, acquisition and maintenance of devices, peer counseling, and public awareness services. These services are offered at five regional sites throughout Kansas. The Northeast Kansas site serves 13 counties: Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson, Shawnee, Wyandotte, Johnson, Douglas, Osage, Miami, Franklin, Hiawatha, and Leavenworth. 

Northeast Kansas Access Site services include: 

• Information on assistive technology devices. 
• Technical support implementing use of assistive technology.
• Information on funding sources for assistive technology. 
• Information on and access to local, regional, and statewide assistive technology loan banks. 
• Reference library of vendors who supply assistive technology devices. 
• Public awareness presentations for consumers, their families and representatives, public agencies and private entities that have direct contact with people with disabilities, policy makers, and business community members. 
• Home Modifications:
  The Northeast Access Site can provide information, funding support and contractor recommendations to support consumers, who have disabilities, with home modifications. Home modifications include: ramps, bathroom modifications, kitchen modifications, grab bars, doorway widening, and electric lifts. 
• Telecommunications:
  NEAT is a demonstration site for the Telecommunication Access Program, or better known as TAP. TAP is a statewide initiative that provides telephones to people who have disabilities who meet income guidelines.
• The Kansas Equipment Exchange (KEE)
  As of June 1, 2002, any durable medical equipment purchased by Medicaid will remain the property of the state of Kansas. KEE staff will contact the recipient shortly after they have received the new equipment to find out if it is meeting their needs or if additional training or support is needed to get maximum benefit from the device. When the recipients no longer need the equipment, they are to contact the KEE toll free number (866-666-1470) to arrange to have the equipment picked up. 
  Members from the regional Kansas Equipment Exchange network pick up the item, clean, and repair it as necessary, or work with the KEE Coordinator to have a vendor refurbish the device. The KEE Coordinator checks the applications and arranges to recycle the equipment to another consumer. The equipment is redistributed, at no cost, to "Medicaid beneficiaries, Medicaid eligible, or those likely to become eligible for Medicaid." Available equipment and equipment wanted lists will be available on the project website. Donations of durable medical equipment are welcome. Our criteria for donations are: the equipment is in good working order, age of the equipment, and consumer need. 
  
  Want to be a KEE representative? We are looking for organizations that would like to be a part of a terrific program that brings durable medical equipment to people in need. If you or your organization would like to be a KEE member, please contact Meredith Funkhouser or Jim McCrary at the NEAT Access Site. 1-800-Kan-Do-It. 
  
• Kansas Assistive Technology Co-operative
  Founded in 2000, the Kansas Assistive Technology Co-operative provides Kansans with disabilities and their families' access to financial resources for acquiring assistive technology. Families on fixed incomes, or who have credit problems related to disabilities, may qualify for loans through KATCO. The Co-op staff offers assistance with a combination of education, savings and low interest borrowing.
  
  The NEAT access site can also provide assistance with the KATCO application process. For more information call 1-800-KAN-DO-IT.

KANSAS BIG TENT COALITION PUBLIC MEETING INVITATION
December 9 at 3 p.m. we will be hosting a public meeting at Independence, Inc. to provide information about state funding shortages that continue to impact Kansans who need Medicaid and other state funded social services. Please join us for this important meeting. It will give you the opportunity to ask questions and discuss these issues. 

This meeting is one of a series that will be held statewide by members of the Kansas Big Tent Coalition (BTC). We fought very hard last year to see some restoration of budget cuts. However, there is more to do in the coming legislative session. There are still families, seniors, and people with disabilities who are going without needed services. Alternative resources are few and people's lives are being significantly impacted by the lack of necessary health and supportive services. They may be our neighbors, our friends, or even our families.

Please join us and learn what each of us can do to make a difference. We value your input and participation. If you are unable to attend, please let us know if you would like to updates and advocacy alerts from the Kansas Big Tent Coalition throughout the 2004 Kansas Legislative Session. Your phone calls, email and letters to legislators at key times during the legislative session will be critical to people with disabilities and seniors receiving the services they need.

Linda Lubensky, Executive Director 
Kansas Home Care Association 
BTC Regional Leader 
1512 B Legend Trail Drive
Lawrence, KS 66047 
785/841-8611 
khca@kshomecare.org 

Bob Mikesic, Advocacy Coordinator
Independence Inc.
BTC Local Leader
2001 Haskell Ave.
Lawrence, KS 66046
785/841-0333
bobm@independenceinc.org