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AHEAD OF THE TIMES 
Volume 22, Number 8
May, 2002

CLC SUMMER CLASSES
This year the Computer Learning Center at Independence, Inc. will be offering summer classes in Computer Basics and Microsoft Word. The class schedules and sign-up will be available May 1 by calling us at 841-0333 or checking our website at http://independenceinc.org/forms/html

Fall classes, including the vocational programs (Office Assistant and A+ Certification) will start in early September. That schedule and application form will be available July 1.

HOME OWNERSHIP IS POSSIBLE
Independence, Inc. was pleased to hear about a consumer who purchased her first home with assistance from Tenants to Homeowners, Inc., the Home Owners Out of Tenants loan (HOOT), and the Independence, Inc. Home Of Your Own (HOYO) Grant. The closing occurred in April. The buyer will now be able to run her business out of her home and be an asset to her neighborhood as a first time homeowner. 

Tenants to Homeowners, Inc. purchased and rehabilitated a home that was formerly a rental, and then sold it to the buyer. As a low income person with a disability, the buyer was able to take advantage of the HOOT Loan and the HOYO Grant. The home required lots of work to replace almost everything except for the outside shell of the home. Rehab included a new roof, new plumbing, new wiring, a new bathroom, new windows and doors, a new gas line, stairway, an addition to the back and much more. 

Tenants to Homeowners has adopted a visitability policy to build homes that are accessible and visitable for people with disabilities. They modified the property with features that will be useful to the owner. 
Further financing help was provided through contributions from project sponsors. Tenants to Homeowners would like to thank the following Lawrence businesses for their support of affordable and accessible housing: Allen Press, Inc., Amarr Garage doors, Central National Bank, Douglas County Title Company, Emprise Bank, Pur-O-Zone, Rueschhoff Corporation, Wal-Mart, Weaver's, Inc., and Whelan's.

Independence, Inc. would like to thank Tenants to Homeowners, Inc. for their commitment to affordable, accessible homeownership for low to moderate income people with disabilities in the Lawrence community. Their mission is to empower tenants to become homeowners through programs for education, construction and creative financing. 

The Independence, Inc. HOYO Grant is available to first time homebuyers who qualify for the HOOT loan and whose income is limited by a disability. If you would like more information about the Independence, Inc. HOYO program, contact Kelly Nightengale at 841-0333.

The next First Time Homebuyers Workshop will be Saturday, May 11, 9:45 a.m. - 1p.m. at the United Way Building, 2518 Ridge Court. 

Information provided by Rebecca Buford of Tenants to Homeowners, Inc. 

Independence, Inc. will be closed Monday, May 27 for Memorial Day. 
No transportation will be available.

PEER SUPPORT GROUP EVENTS
Members of the Peer Support Group are going to the Art Tougeau Car Parade on Saturday, May 4 at noon. The Parade will start at South Park from 12th and Massachusetts. The Art Togeau Parade includes anything on wheels that is creatively decorated, from cars to bicycles to wheelchairs. Independence, Inc. and the Peer Support Group will be participating in the Parade again this year. If you would like to participate in the Parade then join us in the church parking lot behind South Park at 10:30 a.m. If you have any questions, please call Ranita at 841-0333.

Peer Support Group - Upcoming Fishing Event in June
The Peer Support Group is going fishing on Saturday, June1, noon - 3:30 pm at Clinton Lake. June 1 is Free Fishing Day in Kansas. Independence, Inc. will provide transportation to and from Clinton Lake. We will also have hot dogs (soy dogs if you like, too.), chips, drinks, etc. If you have any fishing poles, lawn chairs, coolers, charcoal lighter fluid, etc. that you would like to donate, contact Ranita, Tim or Kendall at 841-0333. To RSVP your spot on the bus, please contact Ranita by Thursday, May 30. Please remember to bring sunscreen, plastic bags (for any fish that you catch) and a jacket if it gets breezy. We will load the bus at 11:30 a.m. sharp!

QUILTING/ARTS AND CRAFTS GROUP
The Quilting/Arts & Crafts Group will meet Monday, May 6 and 20, 1 - 3 p.m. in the large conference room. Ms. Wanda will demonstrate fun and exciting crafts. Refreshments will be served. If you have any questions, please call Ranita at 841-0333.

SOUPS ON FOR COOKING CLUB
Please join the Cooking Club on Monday, May 6 from 4:30-6:30 pm when Independence, Inc.'s very own Tim Cross will demonstrate how to make a delicious Beef and Broccoli soup. Tim Cross is our new Independent Living Skills Trainer and Outreach Specialist. If you haven't met Tim before, this will be a great chance to say hello and sample his "outstanding" cooking skills. If you have any questions, please call Ranita at 841-0333. 

Cooking Club members would like to say a huge thank you to Lisa from Hillel House for her wonderful presentation on Jewish cuisine last month.

SUMMERTIME SPORTS IDEAS
Attention consumers! Are you interested in doing a sports like activity for the summer? I'm interested in putting together a softball team or group of people to play tennis. If you're interested or have other ideas, then please contact Ranita at 841-0333.

MUSIC SUPPORT GROUP
The next meeting of the Music Support Group will be Friday, May 31, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. at Independence, Inc. For more information, contact Tim at 841-0333.

BORED AND BROKE
Here are this month's upcoming events that are free of charge to the Public! 

• RECENT PRINTS BY MICHAEL HAGER
  Michael Hager is on the art gallery staff of the new Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library. May 1 - 31, Lawrence Public Library, 7th & Vermont during regular hours of service. 843-3833. http://www.lawrencepubliclibrary.com
   
• SPENCER MUSEUM OF ART EXHIBITS
  Amish Quilts 1880 to 1940; Goltzius & the Third Dimension; Contemporary Ceramics East & West; Tim Rollins +KOS: The Langston Hughes Project. Spencer Museum of Art, 1301 Mississippi. May 1 - 30. Gallery hours: 10 - 5 Tuesday-Saturday; 10 - 9 Thursday; 12 - 5 Sunday, 864-4710. www.ukans.edu/~sma
  
• ANTIQUE AUTO SWAP MEET
  Trade or sell antique autos or antique parts at this 39th annual meet. Sponsored by the Lawrence Region Antique Automobile Club of America. Douglas County Fairgrounds, 21st & Harper. May 4 - 5, Saturday 6:30 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sunday 7 a.m. - 2 p.m., 843-4882.
  
• ART TOUGEAU
  The fifth annual Art Car Parade. Cars and other wheeled vehicles of various shapes, ages, and engine sizes are given new identities by their owners ranging from clever to comical to just plain nuts. Downtown Lawrence and North Lawrence. May 4, noon, 841-4598.
  
• 41st ANNUAL ART IN THE PARK
  Area artists display and sell their works outdoors. Live music, food. South Park, 11th & Massachusetts. May 5, Noon - 5 p.m., 887-6010.
  
• HASKELL INDIAN NATIONS 
  UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT
  Graduating students participate in this colorful ceremony, many attired in traditional dress. HINU Stadium, 23rd & Barker. May 10, time to be announced, 749-8404. http://www.haskell.edu
  
• LAWRENCE FARMERS' MARKET
  Opening day for the oldest Farmers Market in Kansas, offering fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, flowers, herbs, and crafts. 1000 Block of Vermont. May 11 - Nov. 9, Tuesdays and Thursdays 4 - 6:30 p.m.; Saturdays 6:30 - 10:30 a.m., 842-3883.
  
• UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS GRADUATION 
  Graduating students participate in the traditional "walk down the hill." Memorial Stadium, 11th & Mississippi, May 19, 2:30 p.m., 864-2700.
  http://www.ukans.edu
  
• PATRICK BIHLMAIER AND LINDA CHUBBUCK MUSIC PROGRAM
  Patrick Bihlmaier of Lindsborg returns, this time bringing Linda Chubbuck with him. The duo singer/songwriters will perform original bluesy music, May 19, 2:30 p.m. at Lawrence Public Library, 7th & Vermont, 843-3833.
  
• MS FAMILY FUN DAY
  An MS Family Fun Day will be held Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Kansas Museum of History, 6425 SW 6th Ave. in Topeka. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. Events include a guided tour and "Discovery Place," a presentation on Families and Chronic Illness by Byron A. Waldy. Each family will receive a free "Summer Crafts for Kids" book and a free sack lunch will be provided for everyone.
  
  To register, call the Eastern Kansas Branch of the National MS Society at 785/273-5292 or 1-800-745-7148 by May 8.
  

PEER ADVOCACY PROGRAM CONTINUES STEADY GROWTH
by Pat Slick

Thanks to the help of about 14 people with disabilities, our new Peer Advocacy program continues to move along. Over the past six months we have trained people in self-advocacy skills ranging from reasonable modification requests for housing, to how to ride and use our new city bus system.
We have matched several persons with disabilities with others having similar or different disabilities and have found success in showing persons that with a little help they can advocate for their own Civil Rights.

We have a series of video tapes (with alternative formats available) to help you to learn the skills our trainers have spent fifty-five years learning. All of our training materials are available in alternative formats and so, as we stress, not only will we teach others how to make our community accessible but our training is also available to all regardless of disability.

We are looking for more volunteers and we can compensate you for most expenses you may have in your advocacy work at Independence, Inc. If you would like to get involved or if you would like an advocate to teach you how to obtain that which you are entitled, do give us a call at Independence, Inc. at 841-0333 and ask for the Peer Advocate Mentor. 

NEW BOARD MEMBERS
At the April meeting of the Independence, Inc. Board of Directors, four new board members were elected to serve three-year terms which end in September, 2005.

• Julie Bayes works with the Day Program at Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center. She has experience in advocacy, social work, marketing, fund-raising, education, public relations, and print, video, and audio communication skills.
• Dr. Helen Gilles is a retired Lawrence pediatrician. She was a member of the Board of Directors in the 1980s and was actively involved in the Capital Campaign for the construction of our new building. 
• Dr. Darcy Morey is a professor in the Anthropology Department at KU. He feels that he will be most effective with issues related to peer counseling, especially for people who have had head injuries.
• Pattie Noonan is the Outreach Coordinator at the KU Special Education Department and a Ph.D. student in Special Education - Transition. She has experience in social work, education, public relations, public speaking, and an extensive knowledge of available services.

Other members of the board who will be profiled in future editions of Ahead of the Times are Jody Anderson, Steve Brown, Hal Cordry, Sheryle D'Amico, Jeanne Hetherington, Daryl Mellard, Dot Nary, and K.T. Walsh.

Thank you all for your willingness to serve and your commitment to Independence, Inc.

MOMS & KIDS NEEDED FOR RESEARCH
A KU Research program at The Life Span Institute is looking for moms and kids for research project on how children with special needs communicate. The research consists of two sessions of 90 minutes, with the child playing and doing crafts with mom and a researcher. The sessions take place in the play rooms at K.U. in Lawrence, or the K.U. Med Center in Kansas City. 

If your child is 3 - 5 years old, uses only gestures or a few words to communicate, is eligible for special education services, and can see and hear (with glasses or hearing aids, if needed), and you are interested in participating, contact Dr. Tammy Steeples at 785/312-5364 or toll-free at 866-591-3084. 
If you participate, you will be paid for mileage and get a $20 gift certificate.

DVS AT THE MOVIES 
The Media Access Group at WGBH -- comprised of The Caption Center, Descriptive Video Servicer and the National Center for Accessible Media (NCAM), a research and development facility -- is spearheading efforts to make movie theaters accessible to the nation's 34 million deaf, hard of hearing, blind and visually impaired movie fans. The project's goal is to make every showing of a film accessible from the first day the film opens. 

WGBH's Access Division, with an established history pioneering access to all types of media, has developed two innovative technologies: the Rear Window Captioning System (RWC, for deaf and hard-of-hearing people) and DVS Theatrical (for blind and visually impaired users). These technologies, collectively referred to as the MoPix System, are permanently installed at 50 first-run and specialty theaters nationwide. Negotiations with additional theaters and theater chains are ongoing. 
First-run films made accessible via the MoPix Project thus far include: 

• The Jackal 
• Titanic 
• The Mask of Zorro 
• 8MM 
• Entrapment 
• Star Wars: Episode I
• Big Daddy 
• Random Hearts 
• Stuart Little 
• Hanging Up 
• 28 Days 
• Dinosaur 
• The Patriot 
• The Hollow Man 
• Charlie's Angels 
• Vertical Limit 
• The Wedding Planner 
• A Knight's Tale 
• Pearl Harbor 
• Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within 
• Jurassic Park 3 
• American Pie 2 
• Captain Corelli's Mandolin 
• Riding In Cars With Boys 
• Monsters, Inc. 
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone 
• Spy Game 
• ALI 

Upcoming titles slated for accessible release include: 

• A Beautiful Mind 
• Black Hawk Down 
• Panic Room 
• Return To Neverland 
• Time Machine 
• Road To Perdition 
• Spider Man 
• Men In Black II 
• Stuart Little 2 
• Spirit : Stallion Of Cimarron 

How it Works:
The Rear Window Captioning System displays reversed captions on a light-emitting diode (LED) text display which is mounted in the rear of the theater. Deaf and hard of hearing patrons use transparent acrylic panels attached to their seats to reflect the captions so that they appear superimposed on the movie screen. The reflective panels are portable and adjustable, enabling the caption user to sit anywhere in the theater. 

DVS Theatrical delivers descriptive narration via infrared for FM listening systems, enabling blind and visually impaired moviegoers to hear the descriptive narration on headsets without disturbing other audience members. The descriptions provide narrated information about key visual elements such as actions, settings and scene changes, making movies more meaningful to people with vision loss. 
For more background on the MoPix project, the technologies, a list of equipped first run and specialty theaters and a helpful FAQ, visit the MoPix Web site: http://main.wgbh.org/wgbh/pages/ncam/mopix/
If you have further questions or would like to share your thoughts about the MoPix Project, contact: 

Descriptive Video Service
617/300-3600
617/300-1020 (fax)
access@wgbh.org 

National Center for Accessible Media 
617/300-3400 (v/TTY)
617/300- 1035 (fax)
access@wgbh.org