Upcoming Events
Interested in housing issues?
Housing for people with disabilities
is a persistent and complex problem. Four focus groups will be held
throughout Minnesota to identify and prioritize housing issues, and
also consider short-term and long-term solutions. They will be held
in the metro area, Mankato, Fergus Falls and Hibbing, at Center for
Independent Living sites. The groups are being conducted by Options
Too, the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living and the Minnesota
State Council on Disability, with the Consortium for Citizens with
Disabilities. Results from these meetings will be given to a study
group who will issue a final report at the end of October 2009.
FFI: Ann Roscoe, 651-603-2026,
annr@mcil-mn.org, or
MCIL, 1600 University Avenue #16, St. Paul MN
55104.
Walk n’ Roll
The 21st Annual Wings Wheel-a-thon is 10 a.m.-2
p.m. Saturday, June 20 at 4135 Lake Harriet W. Parkway, Lake Harriet
in Mpls. This year’s event honors the late Viking Karl Kassulke.
Former Viking John Campbell will be the speaker. Enjoy a free picnic
lunch and help Wings raise funds. Wings is a ministry for adults
with physical disabilities. RSVP.
FFI: 651-213-6652, 507-252-8553
ADA Anniversary
In recognition of the 19th anniversary of the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Minnesota State Council on Disability
(MSCOD), ADA Minnesota, VSA Arts of Minnesota and the Minnesota Department
of Public Health MCSHN are co-hosting an ADA Celebration 10:30 a.m.-1
p.m. Friday, July 24 from 10:30 am to 1 p.m. at the Dept of Health,
Snelling Office Park Building, Mississippi Room, 1695 Energy Park
Drive, St. Paul. Keynote speaker will be Janet Peters, Project
Coordinator with the Great Lakes ADA Center (DBTAC) on An Introduction
to Accessible Technology. She has 15 years of experience and knowledge
in the area of assistive technology and accessibility issues with
technology. She has worked with business entities, state and local
governments, and education institutions to advocate for equal access
for individuals with disabilities. Bring a bag lunch and enjoy
entertainment, light refreshments & beverages provided. Indicate
what disability-related accommodations you need. RSVP.
FFI: Katie,
651-361-7800(v/tty) or 1-800-945-8913(v/tty) by July 17
Where Will
We Live? Summit
Arc Greater Twin Cities invites people with intellectual
and developmental disabilities, family members and the public to
a free housing policy summit addressing one of today’s biggest
challenges for people with disabilities. Where Will We Live? is noon-5
p.m. Monday, June 22, at Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, 451 Lexington
Parkway N., St. Paul. Featured speaker is Bobby Silverstein, Director,
Center for the Study and Advancement of Disability Policy. The free
event is sponsored by the Minnesota Governor’s Council on Developmental
Disa-bilities. Pre-register.
FFI: www.arcgreatertwincities.org or 952-920-0855
Brain Injury Safety
Hennepin County Medical Center wants everyone
to be aware of safety, to prevent traumatic brain injury (TBI). This
month the medical center continues a campaign using ladders as a
way to illustrate this problem. According to HCMC, the busiest Level
1 Trauma Center in the state, falls from ladders account for more
than 17,000 brain injuries a year nationwide. The campaign will be
at the Great River Energy Bike Festival Expo on June 12; the Minnesota
State Fair’s
Kid’s Day on Aug. 31; the Mpls. Bike Tour on Sept. 20; and
the Walk for Thought in Como Park on Sept. 26.
Adaptive technology
classes
Free adaptive technology classes are offered by Hennepin
County Library, at the downtown Mpls. library, 300 Nicollet Mall.
Classes are free but you must pre-register for these classes for
persons who are blind or have low vision. Do you believe in Magic?
Learn to use Magic to magnify and read from your computer screen.
4-6 p.m. Thursday, June 25. Learn to use the JAWS powerful screen
reader with Microsoft Office as well as many other applications,
11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, July 15. Learn about Open Book and enter
a brand new world of reading at 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27. A class
on using the Internet for blind and low-vision persons is offered
11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, June 10 and Wednesday, Aug. 12. In addition
to classes there are often volunteers available to introduce patrons
to the equipment and software available. Volunteer hours vary,
so it’s best to call ahead. The Blind and Low Vision Computer
User group meets in Room N402 1-3 p.m. the second Saturday of each
month. Attend a meeting and network with others. Funding for Adaptive
Technology classes is provided by a generous grant from the Hudson
Family Foundation.
FFI: 612-630-6469, www.hclib.org
Caregivers Support Group
Parents and caregivers of children with
fetal alcohol syndrome can join a caregiver’s support group
organized by , Arc Greater Twin Cities. The free group meets on the
first Tuesday of each month from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. at Arc
Greater Twin Cities, 2446 University Ave. W., Suite 110, St. Paul..
The group is an opportunity for participants to support one another,
share successful parenting techniques, discuss the challenges and
hopes of raising a child with FASD, and become better educated about
the disorder. The FASD Relative Caregivers Support Group is sponsored
by Arc Greater Twin Cities and the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Regional Network.
FFI: Janet Salo, 952-920-0855
Rise Golf Tournament
Rise, Inc. hosts its 17th annual golf tournament
Monday, June 15 at Mpls Golf Club. WCCO TV Sports Director Mark Rosen
is the event host. Golfers are sought as are donations of items for
the silent and live auctions. Sponsorship costs range from $400 to
$5,000. Or pay $75 to attend the dinner and auctions. Participants
raise money for Rise programs.
FFI: 763-792-2415
UCP Golf Tournament
United Cerebral Palsy hosts its 13th annual golf
tournament on Monday, July 20 at Oak Marsh Golf Course in Oakdale.
Event sponsors are sought as are golfers. A range of sponsorship
and advertising options are available.
FFI: ucpmnstacey@hotmail.com,
www.ucpmn.org
Golf for Opportunity Partners
Opportunity Partners is the beneficiary
of the Eden Prairie Lions Foundation charity golf tournament on Monday,
Aug. 3 at Dahlgreen Golf Course in Chaska. Money raised will benefit
Opportunity Partners’ senior
programs and Meals on Wheels in Eden Prairie.
FFI: Stan Mustanski,
612-327-6900 or Jerry Biese, 612-382-4363
Jeans to Gems
Save the date of Saturday, Sept. 26 for the Fifth annual
Opportunity Partners gala, Jeans to Gems. The event is at the Mpls
Marriot Southwest, Minnetonka.
FFI: 952-938-5511; www.OpportunityPartners.org
A Fetching Good Time
Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota hosts
The Fetching Ball, a gala fundraiser celebrating the organization’s
20th year. The event is Saturday, Nov. 7 at Marriot Hotel Southwest
in Minnetonka. Keynote speaker is author Karin Winegar. Tickets will
be on sale soon. Individual and corporate sponsorships are available.
FFI: Tickets, Jessica, 612-729-5986
ext. 152, jandeau@hsdm.org; Sponsorships, Janet, 612-729-5926, jcobus@hsdm.org
Help others manage
finances
RSVP/Volunteers of America of Minnesota
and AARP Foundation need volunteers with good budgeting and organizational
skills to help manage finances of older or disabled low-income individuals.
Have a few hours a month to volunteer? Money Management Program staff
will train and match you with someone in the community.
FFI: Money
Management Program Coordinator, 612-617-7821.
Be a literacy volunteer
Last year, Minnesota Literacy Council volunteers
helped more than 24,000 adults achieve their learning goals. Tutor
immigrants, refugees and life-long Minnesotans in reading, writing
and English. Tutor one-to-one, in a small group or as a classroom
assistant. Training, ongoing support provided. Opportunities are
available throughout Minnesota.
FFI: Allison at volunteer@theMLC.org or 651-645-2277, Ext 219.
Access Press welcomes submissions
for the events listings. Email to: access@accesspress.org or call
651-644-2133.
