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Jan '00 

AHEAD OF THE TIMES
Volume 20, Number 4
January, 2000

CLC ANNOUNCES FIRST CLASSES OF THE NEW MILLENNIUM
     Does your "New Millenniums Resolution" include learning to 
use the computer? Or improving upon the computer skills that you 
already have? The Computer Learning Center (CLC) has announced 
its next round of formal classes, which will include an 
Introduction to Computers class, an Advanced Microsoft Access 
class, and group training on Adobe Photoshop. 
     All classes will begin February 1, 2000. Sign-up days for 
these classes will be January 25 and 26. Please call the CLC on 
sign-up days in order to reserve your space in class (841-0333). 
No early sign up will be accepted unless circumstances prevent 
someone from signing up on the designated days. 
     The Introduction to Computers will meet in the afternoons, 
2:30 - 3:30, Tuesday through Friday, for eight weeks. This is the 
perfect class for someone who is new to computers. This class has 
limited seating, and names will be drawn for inclusion in this 
class. People who are not selected for the formal class can still 
receive computer training, but will do so through independent 
study or informal small group sessions. 
     The Advanced Microsoft Access class will meet in the 
mornings, 9:30 - 10:30, Tuesday through Friday, for six weeks. 
This class requires that people have a reasonable proficiency 
with computers, and some knowledge of the concepts of database 
design. Previous experience in Access is not required.  
     The Adobe Photoshop group sessions will be scheduled around 
consumers individual schedules. Multiple groups may be 
established if necessary. If you have an interest in computer 
graphics, and would like to learn to use one of the leading 
software tools in the graphic arts field, please call Mark to 
arrange this training.   
     Not interested in any of these topics, but still interested 
in receiving computer training? The CLC is open Tuesday through 
Friday, 8 a.m. - 5  p.m., with extended hours on Wednesday 
evenings until 7:30 p.m. Instructors are on hand anytime to assist 
you with your computer learning needs, even on computer topics 
not covered in the above classes. Call the CLC at 841-0333 for 
more information.

The Center will be closed  Monday, January 17  for Martin Luther 
King, Jr. Day. No transportation available.

HUMAN DIVERSITY TASK FORCE PLANS JANUARY EVENTS
     Join us for the 6th Annual Human Diversity Task Force 
Planning Meeting, on Friday, January 21, 12 - 2:30 p.m. at 
Independence, Inc., 2001 Haskell Ave. Bring your lunch and your 
ideas about human diversity presentations you would like to see 
us sponsor for the year 2000.   At 1 p.m., we will watch The 
Times of Harvey Milk, a documentary about a charismatic civil 
rights advocate.
     Also, on Tuesday, January 11, 11 a.m. at Independence, Inc. 
the Task Force will host a panel discussion conducted by several 
gay and lesbian individuals, who will speak about their 
experiences and the political and social issues in their lives. 
Join us for this important and informative discussion.

PEER SUPPORT GROUP
     The Peer Support Group will meet Monday, January 3, 4:30 - 
6:30 p.m. at Independence, Inc. Group members will work on 
organizing a monthly consumer group activity calendar. Please 
come and bring your ideas for both Peer Support Group and Cooking 
Club activities. Other fun ideas may be on the agenda. Please 
remember to schedule your own transportation early! If you have 
questions, contact Angie or Ranita at 841-0333.

MAMA MIA, COOKING CLUB IS MAKING PIZZA!
     The Cooking Club will start off the new year by learning how 
to make pizza. If you'd like to put your fist in some pizza 
dough, then join us on Monday, January 10, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. at 
Independence, Inc. If you have any items like pizza pans, yeast, 
sauce, cheese, etc. that you would like to donate to the Club, 
please contact Angie or Ranita at 841-0333. Any items donated 
will be greatly appreciated. A special thank you and Happy New 
Year to everyone who donated food to the Cooking Club in 1999. 
Please remember that you will need to arrange your own 
transportation.

HOYO NEWS
     The First Time Homebuyers Group will meet Wednesday, January 
12, 3:30 p.m. at Independence, Inc. Come join us to talk about 
first time home purchasing, the HOOT loan, and the HOYO Grant. 
This group is available for any person with a disability 
interested in purchasing a first home in Lawrence. If you are 
interested in learning more about HOYO, call Kelly Nightengale at 
841-0333.
     The HOYO Advisory Council will meet on Tuesday, January 18, 
1:30 p.m. at Independence, Inc.

FREE MEDICAL SUPPLIES
     The Assistive Technology program at Independence, Inc. has a 
variety of usable medical supplies that are available "as is" to 
anyone who needs them. If you need any of the following items 
contact John Rasmussen or Jennifer Schwartz, at 1-800-526-3648 
(if you are calling from outside Lawrence) or 785/841-0333.

Silicone catheters
Plastic tubing for adult nasal cannula
Lancets for use with blood glucose monitors
60 cc syringes with catheter tip
Transparent long-term dressing
Gauze single tipped cotton applicators
Yankam suction tube             
Latex surgical gloves           Arm sling
Ulcer care dressing             Alcohol swabs   
Hypodermic needles              3 cc syringes
Blood glucose test kit          Hospital bed (manual)

     WANTED: Dolls and stuffed animals of all sizes. Also full 
skiens 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.

     PAYEE AVAILABLE: for anyone in need of representative payee 
services, I would like to provide assistance. I have past 
experience being a payee and experience with many disability 
issues. Reasonable rates. Call Lorraine at 832-0527.

PROGRAM NEEDS DONATION OF TRAINING ITEMS AND EQUIPMENT
     C-TRAN is a community-based transition program designed to 
assist in the transition from school to adult life. C-TRAN is a 
collaborative effort among students, parents, the Lawrence school 
district, and adult service providers. Independence, Inc., along 
with representatives from these groups, are members of the 
planning committee which developed the basic parameters of the 
program. The program for individual students uses a person-
centered approach in which the individual's needs and desires are 
identified and an individualized program is then developed by the 
individual student and his/her team.
     The C-Tran program is located in an apartment in the 
community where students learn practical life skills such as 
cooking, cleaning, laundry, and vocational or organizational 
skills. The apartment space is donated, but many items are needed 
to keep the program running. Below is a wish list of items 
needed:

Pans                            Silverware
Flour canisters                 Bowls
A good set of knives            Pizza cutters
Potato peelers                  Papertowel holder
Printer (Mac - LCZ)             VCR
Office Chairs with wheels       Photocopier
Book shelves                    Flashlights
Tools

     If you have items you would like to donate, contact Llara 
Baska or Emily O'Shaughnessy at 331-2589 (in Lawrence).

INFORMATIONAL SESSION ON EPILEPSY RESEARCH
     The Pilot Club of Lawrence is sponsoring a free 
informational session on Epilepsy Research presented by Dr. Ivan 
Osorio, Associate Professor and Director of Comprehensive 
Epilepsy Center at the K.U. Medical Center. This session will be 
held Monday, January 10, 7 p.m. at Lawrence Memorial Hospital 
Auditorium, 325 Maine. Refreshments will be served.

TRAUMA AND THE BODY
     What do car accidents, invasive medical procedures, 
assaults, fevers and falls have in common? Events such as these 
arouse the central nervous system and the bodys natural defending 
responses. Join Susan Mikesic, Certified Trauma Specialist, at 
the Lawrence Public Library at 7 p.m. Thursday, January 20 and 27 
to learn how traumatic or shocking experiences impact the body 
and what can be done to help restore relaxation and composure.    

January 20 - Restoring the Breached Boundary
January 27 - Renegotiating Defending Responses

     If you are a woman with a disability and would like to come 
together with other women in a support group to address the 
effects of abuse, assault, or invasive medical procedures, 
contact Susan Mikesic at 841-0333

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)indyadv@sunflower.com  

GENEALOGY WORKSHOP
     Paul Jefferson will offer a genealogy workshop on Monday, 
January 10 at 2:30 p.m. at Independence, Inc. Included will be a 
demonstration of a genealogy computer program "Easy Family Tree" 
and Internet resources available for genealogy. Paul has done a 
lot of work on his own genealogy using these tools. Also included 
are tips on networking with relatives. Handouts will be provided. 

WORK INCENTIVES ACT SIGNED BY PRESIDENT ON DECEMBER 17
     On November 18 the House of Representatives passed the 
conference report accompanying H.R. 1180, the Ticket to Work and 
Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, by a vote of 418-2. The 
Senate passed the conference report, by a vote of  95-1, on 
November 19. The President signed the legislation into law on 
December 17. President Clinton explained why we needed this 
legislation:

     Today, 75 percent of Americans with severe disabilities who 
are ready, willing and able to work aren't working. One of the 
biggest reasons is they fear they'll lose their health insurance 
when they get a job. And theres a good reason for this fear.
     Under current law, many people with disabilities are 
eligible for Medicaid or Medicare coverage. But they can't go to 
work and keep that coverage. Yet, when they do go to work, they 
can't get private insurance because of their disability. So there 
is a tremendous disincentive to work.
     I'm very proud this week that Congress, on a bipartisan 
basis, finally agreed on the historic Work Incentives Improvement 
Act. Its bipartisan legislation to allow people with disabilities 
to keep their health care on the job. They can earn a salary, pay 
taxes and be role models by proving what people can do if given a 
chance to live up to their God-given potential.
     In the final hours of negotiations, we were able to further 
strengthen this legislation by getting $250 million for a 
demonstration program to allow these Americans to buy into 
Medicaid, stay on the job and stay healthier longer. I encourage 
all the states to take advantage of these new health care 
options.
     Taken together, this initiative is the most significant 
advancement for people with disabilities since the passage of the 
Americans With Disabilities Act almost a decade ago. 

The bill contains the following provisions: 

TICKET TO WORK AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY PROGRAM 
General
     Directs the Social Security Administration (SSA) to 
establish a Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency program which 
would provide SSDI and SSI disability beneficiaries with a ticket 
they may use to obtain vocational rehabilitation (VR) services, 
employment services, and other support services from an 
employment network of their choice. 
   

Social Security Administration
     Selects and enters into agreements with one or more 
organizations in the public or private sector to serve as a 
program manager(s) and employment networks to assist SSA in 
administering the Program and provide services. 

     Provides for periodic reviews of employment networks to 
ensure effective quality assurance in the provision of services. 

     Provides for a process to resolve disputes between 
beneficiaries and employment networks.
Responsibilities of the Program Manager(s) 

     Recruits and recommends for selection by SSA, employment 
networks which can provide services under the Program. 

     Monitors employment networks under its jurisdiction to 
ensure that beneficiaries have adequate choices of services and 
reasonable access to services, e.g., case management, benefits 
counseling, supported employment, job training, placement, and 
follow-up services.   
     

     Ensures beneficiaries are allowed changes in employment 
networks with good reasons for the change.
 

Employment Network(s)   
     Develops and implements an individual work plan in 
partnership with each beneficiary that includes a statement of 
the: (1) beneficiarys vocational goal, (2) services and supports 
necessary to accomplish that goal, (3) terms and conditions 
related to the provision of those services and supports, (4) 
rights and remedies available to the beneficiary, and (5) 
beneficiary's right to modify his/her work plan if needed. The 
individual work plan is effective upon written approval by the 
beneficiary and a representative of the employment network.   

     Authorizes SSA to pay an employment network under either an 
outcome payment system or an outcome-milestone payment system. 
Each employment network will elect the payment system under which 
it will be paid. 

State Agency Participation   
     Permits a state VR agency to elect participation in the 
Program as an employment network with respect to each disabled 
beneficiary for whom it will provide services.   

Continuing Disability Reviews 
     Prohibits SSA from initiating continuing disability reviews 
during  the period that a beneficiary is using a ticket to work 
and self-sufficiency. 

Financing 
     Requires payments to employment networks to be made from the 
Federal Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance Trust Funds 
(OASDI) in the case of SSDI beneficiaries and from appropriations 
made available for making SSI payments under title XVI.  

Regulations   
     Directs SSA to prescribe regulations necessary to implement 
the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program not later than 
one year after the date of enactment. 

Effective Date of the Program
     Effective January 1, 2001 and will be implemented in gradual 
phases. 
    

Work Incentives Advisory Panel   
     Establishes a Work Incentives Advisory Panel within the SSA 
composed of 12 members. At least one-half of the members should 
be individuals with disabilities or representatives of 
individuals with a disability, with consideration given to 
current and former Social Security and Supplemental Security 
Income disability beneficiaries. 

ELIMINATION OF WORK DISINCENTIVES 
     Prohibits the use of work activity as a basis for review for 
individuals who are entitled to disability insurance benefits 
under section 223 of the Act or monthly insurance benefits under 
section 202 of the Act based on disability and have received such 
benefits for at least 24 months. 

     Allows for continuing disability reviews on a regularly 
scheduled basis that are  not triggered by work activity, and 
termination of benefits if the individual has earnings that 
exceed the level of earning established by SSA to  represent 
substantial gainful activity (SGA). 

     Effective January 1, 2002. 
 

Expedited Reinstatement of Benefits 
     Provides that individuals, whose prior entitlement to 
disability and health care benefits had been terminated as a 
result of earnings from work activity, may request reinstatement 
of benefits without filing a new application. 
     

     Requires that such individuals (1) are unable to continue 
working on account of their medical condition and (2) file a 
reinstatement request during the 60-month period following the 
month of termination.

     Provides that, while SSA is making a determination (by 
applying the medical improvement review standard) on the 
reinstatement request, individuals are  eligible for the payment 
of provisional benefits for a period of not more than six months.    

     Requires that, if SSA makes a favorable determination, both 
the individual's prior entitlement to benefits and the prior 
benefits of his dependents who continue to meet the entitlement 
criteria would be reinstated.  

     Effective on the first day of the 13th month beginning after 
the date of enactment. 

EXPANDED AVAILABILITY OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES 
State Options Under Medicaid  
     Expands, for individuals who are at least 16, but less than 
65, years of age, the States options and funding for the Medicaid 
buy-in for workers with disabilities by permitting States to: (1) 
liberalize limits on resources and income, and (2) provide the 
opportunity for employed individuals with medically determinable 
impairments, as determined by HHS, to buy into Medicaid even 
though they are no longer eligible for SSDI or SSI disability 
benefits due to medical improvement. For purposes of the Medicaid 
buy-in, the States are authorized to require individuals to pay 
premiums, or other cost-sharing charges, set on a sliding scale 
based on income.

     Applicable with respect to medical assistance for items and 
services furnished on or after October 1, 2000. 

Continuation of Medicare Coverage 
     Extends premium-free Medicare Part A coverage for people 
with disabilities who return to work for an additional 4 1/2-year 
period beyond the four years provided under current law for SSDI 
beneficiaries.

     Effective date is October 1, 2000.

     Requires GAO (five years after enactment) to examine the 
effectiveness and cost of providing such premium-free Medicare 
Part A coverage and to recommend whether such coverage should be 
continued and to examine the viability of employer buy-in to 
Medicare. 
   

Responsibilities of Health and Human Services  
     Provide grants to establish State infrastructures to support 
working individuals with disabilities; and create a demonstration 
of a Medicaid buy-in for people whose disabilities have not yet 
become severe enough to cause them to stop work and file for 
benefits. Funding for both is authorized, not mandatorily 
appropriated.

Revocation by Members of the Clergy of Exemption from Social 
Security Coverage    
     Creates a two-year window to allow members of the clergy who 
applied for and received an exemption from Social Security 
coverage to revoke the exemption.  

     The application for revocation must be filed before the due 
date for the income tax return for the applicants second taxable 
year beginning after December 31, 1999. 

     The revocation is effective, at the applicants 
option,beginning with either the first or second taxable year 
beginning after December 31, 1999. 

SENATORS INTRODUCE MiCASSA 
     On November 16, the Medicaid Community Attendant Services 
and Supports Act (MiCASSA) was introduced in the Senate as bill 
no. S. 1935. The bill was co-sponsored by Senators Tom Harkin (D-
IA) and Arlen Specter (R-PA).
     Please fax or email your letters of support for  MiCASSA to 
202-228-0404 or email Tom Hlavacek at 
Tom_Hlavacek@labor.senate.gov .
     Below are excerpts from Harkin's speech as he introduced 
MiCASSA in the Senate:

     Our bill allows people to have a real choice about where 
they receive certain types of Medicaid long term services and 
supports. It also provides grants to the states to assist them as 
they redirect Medicaid resources into community-based services 
and supports.
     Given a real choice, most Americans who need long term 
services and supports would rather remain in their own homes and 
communities than go to a nursing home. Older people want to stay 
in their homes; parents want to keep their children with 
disabilities close by; and adults with disabilities want to live 
in the community.
     Our bill would allow any person entitled to medical 
assistance in a nursing facility or an intermediate care facility 
to use the money for community attendant services and supports. 
Those services and supports include help with eating, bathing, 
grooming, toileting, transferring in and out of a wheelchair, 
meal planning and preparation, shopping, household chores, using 
the telephone, participating in the community, and health-related 
functions like taking pills, bowel and bladder care, and tube 
feeding. Personal assistance services and supports help people do 
tasks that they would do themselves, if they did not have a 
disability.
     Personal assistance services and supports are the lowest 
cost and most consumer friendly services in the long-term care 
spectrum. They can be provided by a variety of people, including 
friends and neighbors of the recipient. In many instances, with 
supervision, the consumer can direct his or her own care and 
manage his or her own attendants. This cuts down on expensive 
administrative overhead and the current practice of relying on 
medical personnel such as nurses to coordinate a person's care. 
States can save money and redirect medically-oriented care to 
those who need it most.
     Our country is facing a long-term care crisis of epic 
proportions in the not-too-distant future. Our current long-term 
care system will be inadequate to deal with the aging of the baby 
boom generation. Our bill helps to create the infrastructure we 
will need to create the high-quality, community-based long term 
care system of the future. And it will give families the small 
amount of outside help they need to continue providing care to 
their loved ones at home.
     We all deserve to live in our own homes, and be an integral 
part of our families, our neighborhoods, our communities. 
Community attendant services and supports allow people with 
disabilities to lead richer, fuller lives, perhaps have a job, 
and participate in the community. Some will become taxpayers, 
some will do volunteer work, some will get an education, some 
will participate in recreational and other community activities. 
All will experience a better quality of life, and a better chance 
to take part in the American dream.