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AHEAD OF THE TIMES
Volume 21, Number 4
January, 2001

HUMAN DIVERSITY TASK FORCE
The Human Diversity Task Force at Independence, Inc. has a mission: "Helping ourselves as individuals, our agency, and our community to understand, accept and appreciate human diversity." You can be part of helping that vision become reality. Every January, the Task Force brings together a committee to brainstorm options for Human Diversity events for the following calendar year. You are invited to be part of that effort.
Join us on Friday, January 12, 9 - 10:30 a.m. at Independence, Inc. To whet our creative appetites, we will be entertained from 9 - 9:45 a.m. by storyteller Anne Haehl. Anne, who will perform a series of tales from Native American and African cultures, will warm the hearts of her listeners and arouse memories as familiar as the smell of grandma's pies baking in the oven.
From 9:45 - 10:30 a.m. we will generate a list of Human Diversity training options for 2001. Please join us for the fun. Call Susan or Ranita at 841-0333 or toll-free at 888-824-7277 for further details.

The Center will be closed January 1 for New Year's Day and January 15 for Martin Luther King Day. No Transportation Available.

TRANSITION COUNCIL RESOURCE FAIR
The Douglas/Jefferson County Transition Council is sponsoring a Resource Fair for people with disabilities and their families to be held Thursday, April 19, 4 - 7 p.m. at Lawrence High School. This is an opportunity for families to gain first-hand information about the various services and service providers in the area. If your group or agency would like to participate by having a table to display information, contact Kimberly Anderson at Southwest Junior High School 2511 Inverness Drive, Lawrence, KS 66047. or call 785/832-5550. 

ARO IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
Accessible Residential Options (ARO) Apartments offer some of the most fully accessible housing in Lawrence. ARO has both one and two bedroom units at two sites located at 1401 E. 21st Terrace and 2222 Yale Rd. These apartments are HUD subsidized, so rent is adjusted according to income and medical expenses. They have accessible passageways to each room, knee clearance underneath kitchen counters, front loading washer and dryer, and roll-in showers. Call Liz Luck at 841-4935 or visit the office of Master Plan Management at 2619 W. 6th, Suite A to apply. Applications are also available at Independence, Inc.
The next ARO Board Meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 12, 3 p.m. at Independence, Inc. Tenants of ARO are also invited to attend the Board Meetings. Call Kelly at 841-0333 if you have any agenda items.

BUILDING A BETTER COMMUNITY
Are we a good community for all of the people of Douglas County? What can we do to make our community healthier? The Bert Nash Center invites Douglas County residents to discuss these vital questions at: Building a Better Community, A Bert Nash Mental Health Center Community Summit, Friday, January 26, 8:00 - 9:30 p.m., and Saturday, January 27, 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., at the Lied Center of Kansas. 
This is an important opportunity to find out how to assess and improve our community. The Community Summit will highlight three internationally recognized experts on building healthy communities and the important relationship between good mental health and a strong community. Douglas County residents will participate in the Community Summit through question-and-answer sessions and a discussion panel, sharing their experiences working to make our community a better place to live, work and grow.
Featured speakers are Professor Robert Putnam, Dr. Deborah Prothrow-Stith and Dr. Peter Benson. The Community Summit is open to the public at no charge. Call Patricia Roach Smith or Debbie Matthias at the Bert Nash Center (843-9192) for complimentary tickets.

PEER SUPPORT GROUP
The Independence, Inc. peer support group is going to Kansas City on Saturday, January 13, 1 - 6 p.m. We plan to spend the afternoon at Crown Center and then go to see the Plaza lights once the sun goes down. We will meet at Independence, Inc. at 1 p.m. and the cost for transportation is $1 per person (attendants ride free). Please reserve space by calling Ranita or Angie at 841-0333 by January 9.

DID YOU SAY ITALIAN SUB?
Cooking Club will meet Monday, January 22, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. at Independence, Inc. Our very own Mark Creamer will be showing us how to make a variety of submarine sandwiches. Feel free to bring any additions for the sandwiches and of course your appetite. You are responsible for scheduling your own transportation.

PAIN AND RELAXATION TECHNIQUES
If you would like to learn skills to deal with physical pain, a class is being held every Wednesday 1 - 2 :30 p.m. at Independence, Inc. If you would like more information call 841-7108 1 - 6 p.m. and leave a message.

COMPUTER LEARNING CENTER NEWS
by Bernard Droste
In the November edition of "Ahead of the Times," the Computer Learning Center (CLC) requested information from consumers in the form of a mini-survey. The purpose of the survey was to determine how many consumers felt that the CLC Lab hours should be changed or extended. The deadline for responding to the survey was November 29. The results of the survey are now in and show clearly that there is little interest in changing or extending the CLC Lab hours of operation. Therefore, the hours of operation for the CLC Lab will remain as follows: Monday - closed to consumers; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday - 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thanks to all who provided input and especially those who requested this review of CLC Lab hours.

The CLC Coordinator would like to thank all class participants who took time to fill out evaluation forms on the CLC classes they attended recently. Many positive comments were received. Those people who offered suggestions for improvement should rest assured that their ideas will be given full consideration. Thanks again for attending classes and for your thoughtful comments on the evaluation forms.

Please remember that a new round of CLC classes begins January 9. Registration for classes will be held January 2, 3 and 4. Please call 841-0333 or 1-888-824-7277 on one of these, three days to register for "Introduction to Computers" or "Learning Microsoft Excel." The introductory class will be taught Tuesday through Friday at 2:30 p.m. and the Excel class featuring spreadsheets will be taught Tuesday through Friday at 9:30 a.m. Classes will last eight weeks. 
Consumers who are interested in taking the Excel class should know that they will be expected to be able to manage their data: saving files, making folders, etc. Also, please don't forget to arrange for transportation if that is an issue. Thanks to all who have taken classes in the past, and we welcome all new students.

ATTENTION MEDICAID CONSUMERS
There has been some concern with consumers not being able to find attendant care workers. Independence Inc. does not keep a list of attendant care workers for self-directed consumers but you could! If any consumers are interested in participating in a group to help develop and maintain a list of attendant care workers please call Stephanie Pascua at 785/841-0333 or toll free at (888)824-7277.

RESEARCH PROJECT FOR WOMEN
The Center for Research on Women with Disabilities (CROWD) is looking for women to participate in an exciting new research project that will examine knowledge of reproductive health among women with physical disabilities. If you are interested in participating and you:

• are a woman age 18 or over; 
• have a chronic illness or physical disability such as: multiple sclerosis, arthritis, lupus, scleroderma, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spinal cord injury, brain injury, post-polio, amputation, stroke, orthopedic or neuromuscular impairment; 
• have access to the Internet; 
• would like to help other women like yourself, 

contact them at: 1-800-44-CROWD (1-800-442-7693), 713-960-0505 or www.bcm.tmc.edu/crowd and leave a "Message from friends" to become a potential CROWD research participant. If you are eligible and agree to participate, you will receive a small payment for your participation.

SEXUALITY AND DISABILITY
You are invited to attend a presentation on "Sexuality and Disability," Tuesday, January 16, 11 a.m. - noon at Independence, Inc. Susan McDaneld of the Douglas county Health Department will lead a discussion on topics ranging from birth control and family planning options to the Health Department's policies regarding confidentiality.

NEED A NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION? TRY TOASTMASTERS!
Are you nervous about speaking in front of large crowds? Would you like to overcome this fear? Do you need a New Year's goal that you can actually achieve . . . instead of that size 2 diet plan? Here's a solution - join us for the next Roger Harsh Toastmasters meeting on Friday, January 5 and 19, 12 - 1 p.m. in the conference room at Independence, Inc. Toastmasters offers a a great opportunity to develop your public speaking skills in a warm and friendly "peer-supportive" environment. You are welcome to bring your lunch to the meetings. If you have any questions, call Susan Mikesic or Ranita Wilks at 841-0333.

MUSIC APPRECIATION GROUP
Attention music lovers. M.A.G.N.E.T.'s Beginners Drum Circle will come together this month for another free-form jam session. We will meet on Friday, January 26, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. in the large conference room at Independence, Inc. Drums and percussion instruments along with a talented drum instructor will be provided. If you have any questions, please contact Ranita at 841-0333. The Drum Circle is open to everyone, especially the musically challenged.

SELF HELP FOR HEARD OF HEARING 
The Next meeting of SHHH will be Monday, January 15, 1 p.m. at Babcock Place, 1700 Massachusetts. At this month's meeting, audiologist Mary Counts will speak to the group about selecting a hearing aid, its maintenance, and the use of a hearing aid for maximum benefit and longevity. If you would like more information contact Gayle Sigurdson at 842-8358.

AS THE BUSES ROLL WE ARE WITH YOU
By Pat Slick
By the time you read this our fixed route bus system along with its complimentary paratransit system, the T-Lift should be rolling over our city streets. I don't know why but all new systems seem to take some time to work properly and so we all should exercise a bit of patience with the new bus system for a while. This system will be different from what most of us know riding the Independence, Inc. buses. With all fixed route systems and paratransit systems, we all have things we can expect and we have responsibilities. I am preparing a booklet outlining those rights and responsibilities and I shall be here at Independence, Inc. to answer any questions you may have regarding good and not so good things which may happen to you while using our new bus system.
Here, for now, I would like to note some things which will be different from what we are used to. You may reserve a ride on the T-Lift, seven days a week from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. for the next day (This is different from the 24 hour notice you have been hearing about. What I have just noted is the law.) You may also reserve a ride up to 14 days in advance. The government does not like turn downs, so if you are turned down, for any reason on the T-Lift, do let me know and let the bus company know too. They must offer you a ride within one hour of the time you request a ride. And they must be there to get you within 15 minutes of the time they promised to pick you up. You may have a companion but the companion has to pay. You may take your Personal Care Attendant (PCA)and the PCA rides for free but both companion and the PCA must be going exactly where you are going. Your fare and your companion's fare will be one-dollar each. You must tell the reservations person that you intend to take a PCA and/or a companion when you reserve the ride. You must give a one hour notice of any and all cancellations or you will have a "No Show." If you have any questions do not hesitate to phone me at Independence, Inc, 841-0333.
Now for a few notes about the fixed route system. All major intersections should be called out by the driver so you don't miss your stop. If you request that a stop be called out, the driver must call it out for you. These things are done by law to encourage those of us who possibly can use the fixed route system to do so. All fixed route buses will have a wheelchair lift. It must, by law, be operating or they have to send a spare vehicle out for you. Drivers are expected to be courteous when you ask for assistance and you are expected to be courteous also. The drivers are required to tie down your chair if you use one and to make sure that you are secure.
There are other situations which I will discuss in further issues of Ahead of the Times so please watch for them and be sure to ask about our manual which will be available when finished. MV Transit, the folks who are operating our system, have a policy manual which you may obtain by calling them at 312-7054.
Independence, Inc, and myself in particular, are ready to hear from you both any good news or bad news about our new bus system. Enjoy the ride. "See you on the bus."

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 - Saturday.

FOR SALE: Four-wheel, folding metal grocery cart. $40. Call Robert at 832-2426.

ARE YOU BORED AND BROKE? 
TRY THESE FREE OR LOW-COST LOCAL EVENTS
We're kicking off the New Year with the return of "Bored 'n' Broke." Maybe your resolution was to get out and enjoy the events this community has to offer? Maybe all the gifts you had to buy last month have left your wallet short of bills? Well, this is the column for you. 
There are plenty of things to do and see around town without shelling out the big bucks. You might want to check out these art exhibits:
Contemporary Art from Cuba runs January 13 - March 18 at the Spencer Museum of Art on the KU Campus. "Irony and Survival on the Utopian Island" showcases the work of 16 young Cuban artists, each of whom uses irony for psychological survival and oblique commentary. Works speculate on Cuba's complex past and its love/hate relationship with the U.S. 
Ming Painting through the Eyes of Connoisseurs runs January 20 - March 4, also at Spencer Museum of Art. On display will be 12 Ming Dynasty painted scrolls from the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Spencer Museum of Art, and the Allen Memorial Museum at Oberlin College. 
The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Thursdays until 9 p.m., and Sunday noon - 5pm. Admission is free. 
Many of you may want to swing by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Event taking place January 14 & 15. Sunday night members of the Civic Choir will join other community singers to pay tribute to King at the Free Methodist Church, 3001 Lawrence Ave. Monday's events will take place at the Lied Center in a community-wide observance of the national holiday. Call 843-6319 for details on times.
On January 30 at 7:30 p.m. there will be a First Step House Concert at the Lawrence Arts Center, 9th and Vermont. There is no admission charge for this event. Call 843-2787 for details.
As usual, Lawrence Parks & Recreation has lots of things to offer for everyone in the community. The January programs all begin the week of January 15 and will include:

• Dance Classes, Jan. 15
• Youth Unified Basketball, Jan. 16
• Adaptive Aquatics Lessons, Jan. 16
• Nature Center Classes, Jan. 16
• Jewelry Classes, Jan. 17
• Adult Unified Basketball, Jan. 19
• Swim Team, Jan. 20

For registrations, fees, and times, call Parks & Rec. at 832-7920, or call Independence, Inc. at 841-0333 for more information on any of the events listed.

DON'T PITCH THOSE OLD EYEGLASSES!
Thanks to two very active Lions Clubs in Lawrence there is a constant need for recycled eyewear. In many instances eye glasses can be reconditioned and distributed to those who need but are unable to afford to buy new glasses. Some reconditioned eyewear even goes to places like Mexico and Central America. So don't throw away your old glasses, frames, or lenses, bring them to Independence, Inc., 2001 Haskell. Thanks for helping your fellow citizens to see a little better.

BOARD MEMBER RECEIVES NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP FOR LEADERSHIP
Independence, Inc. Board Member Dorothy "Dot" Nary is one of three national winners of the $2,000 ELA foundation Scholarship. This scholarship is given to three female graduate students with disabilities who are developing leadership in the disability community and advancing creative thought in disability-related policy. She is a student at the University of Kansas and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Developmental and Child Psychology. Congratulations Dot!

LEARNING DISABILITY SUPPORT GROUP
A support group for adults with learning disabilities is held every other week at Independence, Inc. The next meetings will be held Wednesday, January 3, 17, and 31, 5:30 p.m. at Independence, Inc.

HOYO NEWS
Tenants to Homeowners, Inc. will be holding a First Time Homebuyer's Workshop Saturday, January 13, 9:45 a.m. at 2518 Ridge Court. This workshop fulfills one of the educational requirements for the Home Owners Out of Tenants (HOOT) loan, a first time homebuyers loan administered through lenders and Tenants to Homeowners. 
HOYO is designed to help low-income first- time homebuyers with disabilities purchase their first home. It works in conjunction with the Home Owners Out of Tenants (HOOT) loan, which is a low-income first-time homebuyers loan administered through lenders and Tenants to Home-
owners, Inc. If your income is limited because of a disability, you could be eligible for additional funds for accessibility modifications, rehabilitation, or down payment assistance if you qualify for the HOOT loan. 
To apply for a HOOT loan and HOYO Grant, these steps must be completed:
1. Complete the First Time Homebuyer's Workshop available the second Saturday of every odd month (January, March, May, etc.) through Tenants To Homeowners, Inc. at 2518 Ridge Ct. Call 842-5494 for more information.
2. Complete a pre-purchase counseling appointment with Tenants To Homeowners. Here you can get a copy of your credit report and get a picture of what you have to do to get a first time homebuyers loan.
3. Budget counseling is available through Consumer Credit Counseling, Inc. and fulfills another educational requirements for the HOOT loan. Call Robert Baker at 749-4224 to set an appointment. 
4. To determine your eligibility for the HOYO Grant, meet with Kelly Nightengale at Independence, Inc. Your income must be limited due to your disability. 
5. Approach a participating lender to apply for the HOOT loan. Douglas County Bank, University National Bank, Capitol Federal Savings and Loan, and First Savings Bank are lenders that administer the HOOT loan. 
The HOYO Grant still has funds available for first time homebuyers with disabilities using the HOOT loan. We have applied for continued funding for fiscal year 2001 from the City of Lawrence Community Development Block Grant / HOME funds. 

ASSISITVE TECHNOLOGY NEWS
Due to great response to an article that appeared in the Lawrence Journal-World in November, we have "beefed up" our durable medical equipment loan bank. However, we are always in need of items to add to the selection. Our most needed items are always shower chairs, bathtub transfer benches, and wheelchairs. So if you know anyone who has these items stashed away in their garage, please send them our way!
The Loan Bank is also in need of consumable items. We always have an overwhelming demand for adult diapers, bed pads, and disposable rubber gloves. Again, if you or someone you know would like to donate these, please contact us. 
We also have plenty of other consumable items to give away on a first come, first serve basis. These items include:

• Prosthetic sheaths
• Urinary leg bags
• Drainage bags
• Urostomy supplies
• Skin prep pads
• Tape remover pads
• Oral swabs
• Nebulizer hoses with mouthpiece
• Foam wheelchair pads
• Novartis Nutrition liquid feeding formula
• Irrigation trays with bulb
• Irrigation solution

Also, if you have any item that you have borrowed and have had it more than 30 days, please return it or call for an extension. 
The Assistive Technology Staff can be reached during regular business hours at 841-0333 or 1-800-526-3648

VOLUNTEER PEER COUNSELING SURVEY
Based on trends in consumer requests for peer counselors, we are planning to expand the various roles that our Volunteer Peer Counselors fill. For example, we have received a lot of requests from consumers who want a recreational companion or an advocate to help them work through independent living issues. We are considering providing a training to prepare volunteers to do more recreation and advocacy with consumers. 
We need your ideas to help us as we develop this training. Please take a few moments to answer the following questions. We really appreciate your time and assistance. (PRINT THIS PAGE, FILL IT OUT, MAIL IT IN)  

1. Would you be interested in serving as a: __? 
(Check one or both)
____ Recreational Companion
____ Volunteer Advocate

2. If you have not already received the listening-skills portion of the Volunteer Peer Counseling training, would you be interested in receiving it now?
____ Yes 
____ No 
____ Unsure
____ Not applicable

3. Would you be interested in receiving training on advocacy skills related to civil rights for people with disabilities?
____ Yes 
____ No
____ Unsure

4. If you are interested in receiving training, how much time would you be willing to devote to a training program?
____ Less than 8 hours
____ 8 to 16 hours
____ More than 16 hours
____ Other: ____________________

5. What time of day could you participate in a training?
____ During the day 
____ Evening
____ Other: _____________________

6. If you are interested in being a volunteer, how much time would you be willing to devote to the work? Check all that apply:
____ Less than 1 hour per week 
____ 1 or 2 hours per week
____ 3 or more hours per week

7. What topics do you think should be included in the training for Volunteer Peer Counselors? Check all that apply:
____ Disability rights laws 
____ Human rights issues 
____ Housing advocacy 
____ Confidentiality 
____ Listening skills
____ Problem-solving
____ Assertiveness skills
____ Crisis intervention
____ Other: _________________________

8. Do you have any other suggestions for us?





9. If you would like for us to contact you about participating in this training, please fill in the following information:
Name: _________________________________

Address: _______________________________

____________________________________________________

Phone Number: __________________________

e-mail: _________________________________

Please return this survey to:

Pat Slick 
Independence, Inc. 
2001 Haskell Ave.
Lawrence, Kansas 66046

Call Susan Mikesic at 841-0333 or 1-888-824-7277 if you would like assistance in filling out this survey. Thank you for your time.