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Ahead of the Times
Volume 25, Number 3
February - March, 2005

ARO APARTMENTS
CTR Management is currently accepting applications for residency at Accessible Residential Options (ARO). These apartments are located at two sites in four-plexes and feature both one and bedroom units which are fully equipped for accessibility for a tenant who uses a wheelchair for mobility. The units have roll-in showers, accessible light and environmental controls, front loading laundry machines, and knee clearance underneath the kitchen counters and stove. ARO is subsidized by HUD so applicants are charged rent according to income and out-of-pocket medical expenses. To apply for ARO housing contact CTR Management at 785/840-5261 or call Independence, Inc. to get an application at 841-0333. 

The Center will be Closed Monday, February 21
for Presidents' Day. No Transportation Available

TRAVEL TRAINING PUTS FLEXIBILITY INTO TRANSPORTATION
By Rachel Cornish, Lawrence Transit System
The advent of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) opened many new doors for persons with disabilities. For transit, it ushered in accessible community transportation. The ADA created transportation reform through accessibility of vehicles, places, equipment, communication as well as requiring complementary paratransit service to fixed route transit service. For many individuals, the ADA complementary paratransit and other general transportation services are a lifeline to their community and independence. However, the use of these services has proven to be a costly alternative to the fixed-route transit service.

In 2005, Lawrence Transit System is making it easier to go places with public transit by offering travel training workshops to Lawrence residents. The workshop, "T" Time, targets seniors and persons with disabilities who are not familiar with using public transit, the workshop is also open to the general public. This tuition-free workshop will help individuals establish their ability to travel independently. It focuses on the use of the "T" fixed route service. Various issues, like the planning and safety involved with riding a fixed route system, are explored.

Using public transportation is one of the most important civil rights guaranteed under the ADA. "T" Time will give its participants freedom to choose what kind of transportation they wish to take and when. The "T" fixed route service costs less than paratransit service and taxis. Travel training allows travel to be spontaneous and flexible by not having to schedule in advance for a ride as is the case with paratransit, medivans, family or friends. Accessible transportation puts the individual in control of their schedule, time and life. For more information on "T" Time workshops visit www.lawrencetransit.org or call 832-3471.

CONSUMER SUPPORT GROUPS 

• FEBRUARY EVENTS
  Making Valentine's Day Cards and Stationary
  The Quilting/Arts & Crafts Group will learn how to make Valentine's Day Cards and stationary on Monday, February 7, 1 - 2:30 p.m. in the large conference room at Independence, Inc. Contact Ranita at 841-0333 for more information.
  
  Cooking Club Valentine's Day Dinner 
  No date for Valentine's Day? Don't worry! Join the Cooking Club for our version of a romantic candlelight dinner with friends on Monday, February 14, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. at Independence, Inc. We'll try to recreate the romance of Italy in Kansas. On the menu: pasta with meatballs and marinara sauce served with crusty bread, for dessert we'llbe making chocolate chip cookies. RSVP to Ranita by Friday, February 11.
  
• MARCH EVENTS
  Cooking Club
  In celebration of St. Patrick's Day, Cooking Club will host a Pre-St. Patrick's Day Dinner on Monday, March 14, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. at Independence, Inc. On the menu: traditional corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes. Please feel free to bring a "green" desert to share. RSVP with Ranita (841-0333) by 5 pm on Friday, March 11.
  
  Decorate for St. Pat's Day Parade
  On Wednesday, March 16, the Quilting/Arts & Crafts Group and Peer Support Group members will meet in the Independence, Inc. parking lot 1 - 5 p.m. to decorate a bus for the Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. Don't miss this FUN activity! Contact Ranita at 841-0333 with any questions.
  
  Peer Support Group Attends the St. Patrick's Day Parade
  Peer Support Group and Independence, Inc. will participate in the Annual Lawrence St. Patrick's Day Parade in Downtown Lawrence on Thursday, March 17. At the time of this publication, parade details, times, locations, etc. are still in the planning stage. If you would like to participate in the parade, contact Ranita at 841-0333. If you would like to watch the parade and cheer for the Indy entry, the parade starts 1 p.m. at South Park, 12th and Massachusetts.
  
  Accessible Self Defense Group
  The Accessible Self Defense Group will meet on Tuesday, March 1, 8,15, 22, and 29, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. in the large conference room at Independence, Inc. The Accessible Self-Defense Group is a training program that teaches people of ALL disabilities defense techniques associated with Martial Arts. Contact Ranita at 841-0333 if you have questions about enrolling in the group. 
  
  Accessible Gardening Group 
  Spring is just around the corner! It's time to start planning ideas for this year's Accessible Garden. Join us for our first meeting on Monday, March 28, 1 - 2:30 p.m. in the training kitchen at Independence, Inc. In 2004, we had a lot of success and FUN growing the baby cantaloupes, let's make 2005 even better! Contact Ranita at 841-0333 if you have any items you would like to donate to the Accessible Gardening Group.

SAFE WINTER WALKWAYS PROGRAM
The City of Lawrence and the Roger Hill Volunteer Center announce the Safe Winter Walkways program, which will match volunteers who will shovel snow to senior citizens and persons with disabilities who are unable to shovel their own walkways and cannot afford to pay a service. Volunteers will be matched with a single household for the season and are asked to shovel the snow from that household's front door walkway and the public sidewalk in front of the home after every snowfall. Interested volunteers and persons in need of snow removal may call 785/ 832-3338 to request application materials or visit lawrenceks.org to download them.

THINKING ABOUT PURCHASING YOUR FIRST HOME?
Independence, Inc. still has funds available for this year from the City of Lawrence Neighborhood Resources Dept. to provide financial assistance to first time homebuyers with disabilities through the Home Of Your Own Grant (HOYO). This grant must be used in conjunction with the Home Owners Out of Tenants Loan (HOOT Loan) for low to moderate income households purchasing their first home. The HOYO Grant adds up to $15,000 to the HOOT Loan (soon to become the Lawrence Community Land Trust) to be used for down payment, rehabilitation, or accessibility modifications. 

To qualify for the loan or for the Land Trust Program you must first complete a few educational requirements. Tenants to Homeowners, Inc. offers a first time homebuyers workshop every odd numbered month on the second Saturday of the month. This workshop is required for the loan. The next scheduled workshop is: Saturday March 12, 9:45 a.m. at the United Way building, 2518 Ridge Court. A pre-purchase counseling session is also necessary for the loan and can be scheduled by calling Tenants to Homeowners, Inc. at 785/842-5494.

Consumer Credit Counseling also offers budget counseling to fulfill the educational prerequisites for the loan. This can be set up by calling 785/749-4224. It is important to remember that the loan requires two years of good bill paying history and two years of steady income.

The HOYO Grant is available to any first time homebuyer who secures a HOOT Loan and has a disability. Applications are available at Independence, Inc. by appointment by calling 785/841-0333.

EXPERIENCE JAPAN
The U.S./Japan Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Disability Exchange Program will take young leaders (ages 18-24) with disabilities to Tokyo for 16 days, July 31 - August 15, 2005. The program includes a homestay experience, disability culture and networking, leadership workshops, and cross-cultural experiences in health, education, employment, gender issues, and recreation.

The program is funded by the New York Community Trust DeWitt Wallace/Youth Travel Enrichment Fund and administered by Mobility International USA. People with disabilities, people from minority backgrounds, first-time international travelers, and people with low incomes are encouraged to apply. Generous scholarships are available to qualified applicants. Application deadline: March 15, 2005. For information is at http://www.miusa.org/exchange/japan_summer_2005/ 

FRIENDS 4 LIFE YOUTH ADVOCACY GROUP
Are you a teenager with questions about life after high school? Do you have questions about where you will live, work, or go to college after high school? What happens if you don't go to college? How do you meet new friends after high school? Friends 4 Life is a youth advocacy group where teens just like you will learn how to become successful independent adults. Join us for a planning meeting on Monday, March 28, 5-6:30 p.m. in the large conference room at Independence, Inc. If you have questions contact Ranita at 841-0333.

ACCESSIBLE TENNIS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
We are interested in starting an "Accessible Tennis Group" for people with disabilities in Lawrence. Tennis rackets and tennis wheelchairs will be provided. Please contact Ranita at 841-0333 if you would like to participate.

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.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Independence Inc. is seeking volunteers for two programs: Volunteer Peer Counseling and Volunteer Readers for people who are blind. 

Volunteer Peer Counselors are people with disabilities who offer their assistance to others with disabilities. They provide advocacy, information, training, and emotional support and serve as role models for others who have disabilities similar to their own. Volunteer Readers are matched to a person with vision impairment for a weekly visit to read mail and other documents for them. 
For more information about these volunteer opportunities, call Susan Mikesic at 841-0333, or e-mail her at susanm@independenceinc.org.

COMPUTER LEARNING CENTER CLASSES
Upcoming classes for February and March include Computer Basics, Introduction to Word, Advanced eBay, Advanced Computer Basics and Excel II. There are still slots in all these classes. You can view the catalog or sign up on-line at http://independenceinc.org/forms.html

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 or 841-5046 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Mon. - Fri.

FAMILIES TOGETHER, INC.
FREE Conferences to put on your calendars:

• February 25-26, 2005 ~ Holiday Inn, Hays
  PARENT NETWORKING CONFERENCE
  This is a fun all expense paid getaway for parents/foster parents of children with special needs (birth through 21). Leave the kids at home, stay at a hotel and enjoy good company and food. You will participate in workshops and discussion groups, gaining lots of good information and getting the support you need from other families and Families Together staff. There will be guest speakers from Project STAY that will present information on Building Positive Relationships and Challenging behaviors. You don't want to miss this one! RSVP by 2-11-05
  
• April 2, 2005 ~ NKSESC 703 W. 2nd Oakley
  MINI-CONFERENCE: 
  Transition from school to adulthood
  Parents, students, professionals, service providers and other interested persons are encouraged to come. Guest speaker will address information on wills, trusts etc. Parents will also share their stories and experiences. Learn about the transition process as it relates to the IEP. 
  
• May 7, 2005 ~ Public Library, Wakeeney, KS
  MINI-CONFERENCE: Problematic behaviors 
  Parents, professionals, service providers and other interested persons are encouraged to come. Guest Speakers from Project STAY will present a workshop explaining their problem-solving approach to working with individuals with problematic behaviors and will discuss ways in which schools and families can work together in a more successful and collaborative fashion. Project STAY is a multi-disciplinary behavioral supports team providing technical assistance to educators working with students who present challenging behaviors.
  
  Register at 785/650-0455 or 866-775-7710 or email jane@familiestogetherinc.org. If you require specific accommodations to attend these conferences please let us know.

SUPPORT INDEPENDENCE INC. 
and enjoy free entrees at 16 great Lawrence restaurants

For $15, you'll receive buy-one, get-one-free offers, free dessert and appetizer offers, plus additional savings from 16 of the best restaurants in Lawrence. For only $15 you'll not only save hundreds of dollars dining out, you'll support Independence Inc. which receives $10 of the $15 price. Its a great value and savings all year, and a fun way to enjoy dining out in Lawrence. It also makes a great gift! Cards are available by contacting Independence, Inc. 2001 Haskell Ave., Lawrence, KS 66046, 785/841-0333. Take your valentine to one of these participating restaurants:

• Paisano's 
• Set 'Em Up Jacks
• Zen Zero 
• Aladdin Cafe
• Sushi Station 
• Teller's
• J.B. Stout's 
• Pachamama's
• Hereford House 
• Marisco's
• 75th Street Brewery 
• Scarlet Orchid
• Westside Deli 
• Stone Creek
• Wheatfields Bakery & Cafe
• Bambino's Italian Cafe