Home | Search | Services | Resources | Advocacy |  Consumers |  Employment 
  Newsletter | Computers | Famous | About Us | Contribute | Contact Info

Ahead of the Times
Volume 21, Number 5
March, 2001

February, 2001

Dear Friends and Consumers 
of Independence, Inc.,

This letter is to say thanks to you all for the support you have given me as Executive Director over the past 8 1/2 years. With your support, the organization has grown to provide its current array of services in a beautiful new facility.
There are still great things on the horizon. We have just begun a new program - a job development and placement program for CLC consumers - that will be more visible in the very near future. And there are other possibilities in the works, for example, expanding the transportation in rural Douglas County, as well as mentoring programs for children, youth and adults with disabilities. With your ongoing involvement and support, the organization will continue to grow and prosper. Although this is an ending with Independence, Inc., it is also an exciting new beginning for me through my new position. My life, however, has been forever affected by the wonderful people I have known through Independence, Inc. I will miss you.

Sincerely,
Ann Fahrbach Branden
Executive Director 

COMPUTER LEARNING CENTER NEWS
by Bernard Droste

Members of the community may know that the Kansas Medicaid Buy-In Program was a topic of discussion recently in Topeka. In order to support this very necessary program, written testimony was presented. Members of the Independence Business Advisory Council also signed a testimonial letter of support of the Program. For your information, this testimony is presented below.

SENATE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE
January 23, 2001
Testimony in Support of the Kansas Medicaid Buy-In Program 
Bernard Droste, Computer Learning Center Coordinator
Independence, Inc. of Lawrence, Kansas

Thank you Senator Morris and all Committee Members for this opportunity to express support for the Medicaid Buy-In Program. The mission of Independence, Inc. and the Computer Learning Center (CLC) is to empower people with disabilities to control their own lives and to advocate for integrated and accessible communities. National surveys have indicated that only 32% of people with disabilities of working age work full or part-time compared to 81% of the non-disabled population. Even more important is the fact that many people with disabilities do not return to full or part-time work because if they do, they may lose their healthcare benefits.

In 1999, Independence, Inc. held consumer forums as part of its planning efforts. These forums indicated that assistance with obtaining employment was an unmet need and implementing a job development and placement program was the highest priority. This was strongly recommended by consumers who were trained in the CLC. These consumers stated that while they had a high level of technical skill, they still were unable to find employment. Or, if they did obtain full or part-time employment, they would lose healthcare benefits.

In order to address these needs, this past July the CLC surveyed the local business community. With the survey results, the CLC adjusted its' curriculum to meet business needs, and on October 9, 2000 formed the Independence Business Advisory Council. At the same time, Independence, Inc. began a grant writing process requesting assistance with the development of a job development and job placement program. In January of 2001, Independence, Inc. was awarded two grants to develop a job development and job placement program. For our job placement program to succeed, we need your help to remove current disincentives for employment by enacting a Medicaid Buy-In Program for Kansas. The Independence Business Advisory Council and Independence, Inc. strongly supports a Medicaid Buy-In Program, and most importantly, people with disabilities who want to work are asking for implementation of a Medicaid Buy-In Program in Kansas. Our goal is productive employment, contributing to the Kansas economy. Please act favorably and create a Medicaid Buy-In Program for Kansas. Thank you for your time and consideration.

COOKING CLUB
Cooking Club will meet Monday, March 12, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. in the kitchen at Independence, Inc. Our special guest chef will be independence, Inc.'s own Paula McMahon. Paula will show the group how to prepare a traditional Irish dish. If you would like to come and taste the "luck of the Irish," then RSVP to Angie or Ranita at 841-0333 by Friday, March 9. Please remember to arrange your own transportation.

PEER SUPPORT GROUP
Members of the Peer Support Group will visit the University of Kansas Museum of Natural History on Thursday, March 22, 3 - 5 p.m. The event is free. Group members will first meet on the main level inside the Kansas Union at the candy counter. After everyone arrives we will head over to the museum. Both the Kansas Union and the Museum of Natural History are located on Jayhawk Boulevard. If you plan to attend, RSVP to Angie or Ranita at 841-0333 by March 22.

TOASTMASTERS GROUP
Do you feel light headed? Do your palms sweat in anticipation of having to speak in front of a crowd? Do you want to learn ways that will help you overcome your fears of public speaking? Join us at Toastmasters on Friday, March 2 and Friday March 16, 12 - 1 p.m. in the large conference room at Independence, Inc. If you have any questions contact Rob Tabor at 841-0333 or 888-824-7277 or by email robt@independenceinc.org

NEED A LITTLE EXTRA CASH?
Did you know that even if you do not draw a salary you might be eligible for a tax return? Join us on Tuesday, March 27 at 11 a.m. when Jack Connolly from the Douglas County Senior Center will tell us how to file Food Sales Tax and Homestead Tax Returns. Since Tax Day, April 15, is right around the corner and you may be eligible for this tax rebate, you might want to know this information. Call Susan at 841-0333 for information or to request an accommodation.

BEGINNERS DRUM CIRCLE
The Beginners Drum Circle will meet Friday, March 23, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. at Independence, Inc. in the large conference room. Join us as we learn Afro and Latin rhythms from a talented drum instructor. The group is free and open to all who wish to participate. If you have any questions, call Ranita at 841-0333.

TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AVAILABLE
ECKAN and KU announce that the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program will begin February 5 at KU. This program gives people who are on a low or limited income, are elderly or have a disability free assistance with their income tax, food sales tax, and Homestead applications. The program will be available at Ballard Center, Penn House, Salvation Army, Resident Services, and KU at various dates and times and will continue until April 15. For more information contact ECKAN at 841-3357 or one of the other participating agencies.

PAIN MANAGEMENT CLASSES
The Pain Management Classes held at Independence, Inc. have a new meeting time. Classes are now held every Friday, 1 - 2:30 p.m. in the Conference Room. If you would like more information call 841-7108 2 - 6 p.m. and leave a message.

HUMAN DIVERSITY TASK FORCE
The Human Diversity Task Force at Independence, Inc. invites you to attend two exciting events for the month of March:
- Monday, March 5 at 11 a.m., The Heritage Panel, a group of speakers from Lawrence High School, will speak about diversity issues from a teenager's point of view. Their topics include women's issues, racial issues, disability issues and more. Expect a spirited discussion. 
- On Tuesday, March 20 at 11 a.m., Dr. Liliana Mayo, Director and Founder of the Center Ann Sullivan of Peru, will speak about Providing First Class Services in a Third World Country to Persons with Developmental Disabilities: A Life-Time Approach. As part of this presentation, we will also learn about Montana, a service dog from Cares, Inc. in Condordia, Kansas, who is on his way to serve a person with a disability in Peru. 

Join us for these fascinating presentations. For more information or to request an accommodation, contact Susan at 841-0333.

END SPECIAL NOTATIONS ON TESTS
In a victory for disability rights groups, the Educational Testing Service has announced that on many of its standardized exams it would stop flagging the results of students with physical or learning disabilities who receive special accommodations, like extra time, for the tests. 
The announcement is part of the settlement of a lawsuit filed two years ago by a California man with no hands who was granted extra time and the use of a computer with a trackball for taking the management test.
For decades, students granted accommodations on standardized tests had results flagged with the notation "Scores Obtained Under Special Conditions." When the plaintiff in the California suit was rejected from the business schools to which he applied, he filed his suit charging that the testing service's flagging policy violated state and federal anti- discrimination laws, stigmatizing disabled students with a kind of scarlet letter.
In settling the case, the testing service did not admit any violation of the law. The new policy will go into effect in October. 

BORED AND BROKE
The month of March brings thoughts of St. Patrick's Day and a prelude to spring!  Check out these events that are happening this month.
- Saturday, March 3, 5 p.m. there will be Team Steer Roping at the Douglas County Fairground, 21st & Harper. Admission is free. Call 865-4499 for details. 
- Wednesday, March 7, 7:30 p.m. the "That's Funny! Books that Make us Laugh" book group will be meeting in the Lawrence Public Library Gallery to discuss "The Mammy" by Brendan O'Carroll. There is no charge to attend.
- Monday, March 12, 7:30 p.m. there will be a Choral Concert at St. John's Catholic Church at 1234 Kentucky. Doctoral student Lincoln Andrade will conduct the K.U. Men's Glee Club and the University Singers. Call 864-3436 for more details. Admission is free.
- The Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade will be happening Saturday, March 17 at 1 p.m. Join the fun downtown on Massachusetts Street.
- Saturday, March 24 the exhibit "Remembering the Family Farm, 150 years of American Prints" begins at K.U.'s Spencer Museum of Art and runs through June 3. The exhibit examines the material culture of the American farm as documented by prints of farm implements, barns, silos, and other buildings. Hours are Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Thursdays until 9 p.m., and Sundays noon - 5 p.m. Admission is free. Call 864-4710 with questions.

If those events aren't excitement enough, you might think about taking a class at the Lawrence Arts Center since their course catalog is available this month. Call 843-2787 for details. Perhaps you'd be interested in courses at Parks and Recreation, 832-7930; or the Senior Center, 842-0543. Most of these courses cost, but please call Susan Mikesic at Independence, Inc. at 841-0333 for information about applying for a scholarship.

LOAN BANK NEWS
Thanks to all of you who responded to the reminders sent about items we've loaned you from our Durable Medical Equipment Loan Bank. We appreciate your response and are thankful to get items back to the Loan Bank so we can loan them to others in need.
We have recently had large donations of consumable items to our Durable Medical Equipment Loan bank. If you are in need of any of the following items, please call Assistive Technology at 841-0333 or 1-800-526-3648. 

Adult disposable diapers
Rubber gloves
Prosthetic sheaths
Drainage bags
Perineal skin cleanser
Skin prep pads
Tape remover pads
Nebulizer hoses 
Foam wheelchair pads
Irrigation trays with bulb
Irrigation solution

Please be considerate in the amount of consumables you request and how often you request them. These are our most popular items and we need to make sure there is enough for everyone. Thank you.

HOUSING NEWS
The next Board Meeting for Accessible Residential Options (ARO) is Tuesday, March 20, 3 p.m. at Independence, Inc. If you are an ARO Board member, please call Kelly a week ahead of time to RSVP and if you have an item that needs to be included on the agenda. The ARO Board welcomes and invites tenants to the meetings as well!

The HOYO Advisory Council will meet Tuesday, March 27, 1:30 p.m. at Independence, Inc. For people interested in purchasing their own home, there is a First Time Homebuyer's Seminar Saturday, March 10, 9:45 a.m. at the United Way Building, 2518 Ridge Court. Tenants to Home-owners, Inc. will be giving the workshop. This is an excellent way to learn more about first time homebuying, and is also a requirement for any applicants of the Home Owners Out of Tenants (HOOT) loan and the Home Of Your Own 

ADA TRAINING SCHEDULED
A basic ADA class will be held Wednesday, May 23 and an advanced ADA class will be held Thursday, May 24 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, 1717 SW Topeka Boulevard in Topeka. Watch for more information in future editions of Ahead of the Times.(HOYO) grant. For more information about HOOT and HOYO, please call Kelly Nightengale at 785/841-0333 or Alan Bowes at 785/842-5494.
This legislative session Independence, Inc. is supporting House Bill 2020, also known as the "Visitability Bill." This bill would require five basic accessibility features in single-family, duplex and triplex housing built or remodeled using public funds from the state. It would increase the amount of housing with basic accessibility for people with disabilities to visit or live in, and keep public funding from building any new barriers to housing. 
The House Federal and State Affairs Committee should be scheduling a hearing for the bill soon. For more information about the status of the bill, to find out when the hearing is, or how you can support the bill, please call Kelly or Bob at 785/841-0333. Thank you for your support for more accessible housing!

SPUnK MEETING
Special Parents Unique Kids (SPUnK) is a group of parents that come together monthly to provide information and support for families that include a child with a disability or special needs. They meet the first Thursday of each month at Independence, Inc. Our Next meeting will be Thursday, March 1, 7 - 8:30 p.m. Lori Myrick will be the featured speaker and will talk about "Relationships with Love and Logic." If you would like additional information on SPUnK or would like to be added to their mailing list, contact Denise at 748-0932 or Jennifer at 841-0333.