April 2005 Publication
Transportation Funding
Increase Highlights Governor’s Budget Proposal
Bob Olsgard, Transportation Coordinator
Governor Doyle’s proposed 2006-2007 budget gives welcome attention to people with disabilities and those who are elderly who need transportation services. Over the two year’s of the proposed budget, the Governor would increase funding by $6 million dollars, a $2 million dollar increase in each year of the biennium.The funding increase targets Wisconsin’s Specialized Transportation Assistance Program (85.21), a program that funds counties to provide a variety of transportation services. Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities estimates that this system presently provides rides to less than 10% of those eligible for the program. Services are extremely limited. Programs that depend on volunteer drivers are finding it hard to recruit drivers. Systems are uncoordinated, providing spotty, limited services, and all of these problems are worse for rural counties.
Funding—while not the only problem—will help. In it’s letter supporting Governor Doyle’s proposal, the Northwest Disability Coalition emphasized that his proposed funding increase would be a good start; “providing a solid base for a transportation service for people with disabilities and the elderly.”
The letter also stressed that more improvements in this system are badly needed:
“Many of the counties have been limited by
funding to providing only transportation to medical appointments and
meal sites. People with regular dialysis or other regular medical
appointments have had to find other ways to get to appointments due to
lack of funding.”
Your help is needed in making this proposal a reality. Write, call or
email your legislator and the governor’s office.
While our lawmakers are supporting this legislation, Doyle's More
information on transportation in the proposed budget is available
on-line at: www.dawninfo.org.
Governor Doyle Proposes to Fund Medicaid Services
Governor Doyle’s 2005-2007 budget is proposing to maintain several programs important to people with disabilities. The Governor’s budget preserves current eligibility and benefits for Medicaid, Badger Care and Senior Care. Doyle is also requesting an increase of $13.2 million dollars in transportation aids, and $850 million more in general school aids to cover two-thirds of the cost of schools. Governor Doyle would also like to restore the Respite Care Program.As we go to press, the budget writing committee has rejected Governor Doyle’s plan to borrow $130 million to cover the Medicaid program. Republicans on the committee say they will find savings in the budget elsewhere to cover Medicaid programs.
(Continued on page 2).
An additional $600,000 in the State budget could help many more people with disabilities get the devices they need to communicate, learn, and play like the rest of society.
This is not a time to rest, but to act. Wisconsin’s Medicaid Program is under threat. While Governor Doyle is asking for full funding of this program, it’s possible that funding and services could be cut. Medicaid provides a variety of services to people with disabilities so they can live in their own homes and communities.
Governor’s budget proposal will be gone over carefully by the Joint Finance Committee. It is important that you contact Governor Doyle, your legislators and members of the Joint Finance Committee and let them know that Medicaid provides the services that people with disabilities need. Remember to participate in the May 11 Rally for Medicaid from noon to 1 p.m. at the State Capital. If you would like to “ride the bus to Madison” to support Medicaid, call North Country at 715-392-9118 v/tty or 800-924-1220 v/tty or in Ashland, 682-5676 v/tty or 800-499-5676 v/tty. You can also call Linda at ARC of the Northwoods, 682-7171, or Deb at the Ashland County Aging Unit, 682-4414. There is no charge for the bus. We will be making appointments to visit with our legislators.
If you would like to find out more about Governor Doyle’s budget or other issues important to people with disabilities, call North Country in Superior and talk with Scott about the new Northwest Wisconsin Disability Coalition. The Survival Coalition of Wisconsin Disability Organizations provided information for this article. You can contact them at 608-267-0214, e-mail: hfswiswcdd@dhfs.state.wi.us. Also visit DAWN on the web: www.dawninfo.org for more information about the State budget.
Back to Top, Column 2, Page 2
Technology Act Update
The original Assistive Technology Act was signed into law in 1998. This act provides grants to states to support technology initiatives for people with disabilities.Over the years, the Tech Act has helped people get the assistive devices they need to live independently at home, school, work, and the community.
The Tech Act was reauthorized again in 2004 with the goal of continuing funding for assistive devices that people with disabilities need to live in the community. North Country Independent Living has been able to use funds from the Assistive Technology Act to purchase kitchen aids such as can openers, large handle vegetable peelers and jar openers. We have purchased a variety of mobility aids such as suitcase ramps that can handle a small rise from ground to door or porch and communication devices to increase the independence of people with disabilities.
While Congress has reauthorized the Assistive Technology Act, President Bush is proposing to eliminate funding for this program in his new budget. This in spite of the fact that services provided under the Tech Act have benefited businesses and the economy, especially when people with disabilities can use technology to modify a work station and keep their job or return to work. Most of all, the Tech Act provides the programs and services that allow people with disabilities to live independently.
We ask that you take a stand and ask that our lawmakers and President Bush support funding at the level suggested by congress, $29.8 million dollars. Contact Congressman Dave Obey at his Wausau office and tell him that you want him to support full funding of the Tech Act. His number is 715-842-5606. You can also call Senator Herb Kohl at 800-247-KOHL or Senator Russ Feingold, 202-224-5323.
Calendar of Events
All phone numbers are in area code 715 unless otherwise noted.
May 11, Invest in Independence Rally at the Capital to save Medicare. Join us on a bus ride to the capital in Madison to rally for Medicare. The bus ride is free. For more information and to register, call North Country, 392-9118 v/tty or 1-800-499-5676 v/tty or in Ashland, call 682-5676 v/tty or 1-800-499-5676 v/tty. You may also call Linda at New Horizons North at 682-7171 or Deb at the Ashland County Aging Unit, 682-4414.May 17, 10-3 Regional meeting of the Northwest Wisconsin Disability Coalition, WITC-Rice Lake. Call Scott at North Country for more information, 392-9118 v/tty or 1-800-924-1220 v/tty.
May 18, Behavior & Dementia, Sensible Strategies, Ashland Senior Center. Call Lifespan Respite Network of Ashland & Bayfield Counties for more information at 682-7171 or 1-888-474-0217.
May 20-22, Fishing Has No Boundaries, Hayward. Call 1-800-243-3462 for
registration information.
June 2, Guardian ad Litem’s Role in Placing People With Developmental Disabilities or Mental Illness in the Community, WITC-Superior Conference Center, 600 N. 21st St. For more information, call Linda at Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy, 608-267-0214
v/tty or e-mail: applel@w-c-a.org.
June 4, IDEA Reauthorization Training, Americinn Motel, Ashland, 3009 Lakeshore Drive East, Ashland. Send $10 registration fee to WCA, 16 North Caroll Street, Suite 400, Madison, WI 53703. Scholarships available upon request.
June 4, 10th Annual Courage Duluth Walleye Tournament. Saturday, June 4, 7 a.m. Boats launch at United Northern Sportsman’s Lodge. Call Eric at Courage, 218-726-4762 for more information.
June 27-July 1, National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Minnesota. Sponsored by the Minneapolis VA Medical Center & Minnesota Chapter of PVA. Contact Sharon, 612-467-5273 or visit the event website:
www.wheelchairgames.org.
June 30-July 3, Self Help for Hard of Hearing People convention, Washington, D.C. For information, contact SHHH at the website: www.hearingloss.org.
New Members Join NCIL Board
Mary Jane Grande is one of three new members joining the North Country Board of Directors. Mary Jane is a Vietnam-area veteran who has been active in the Ashland community for many years. She has several adopted children as well as a grandson with a disability. Mary Jane does counseling for people with AIDS. She has also been working with Northwest Wisconsin Community Services in coordinating a new shelter in Ashland. Mary Jane has also worked with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) in the Ashland area.Mary Jane says that she wanted to join the North Country Board of Directors because she believes that people with disabilities are underserved, especially people with hidden disabilities.
“Consumers are valuable, they are doing the best they can; they need to be more visible,” Mary says.
Don Christensen of Spooner and Justin Nicoletti of Herbster are also new members to the NCIL Board. The Board of Directors and staff at North Country say “Welcome aboard.”
People With Cerebral Palsy
Invited to be a Part of Study
The Waisman Center at UW Madison is looking for adults and teenagers
with Cerebral Palsy to be included in a new study on speech.
The purpose of the study is to find out the ways that Cerebral Palsy affects speech production and understandability. People with Cerebral Palsy who are at least 14 years old, are able to read and talk, even if difficult to understand. Participants also need to be able to point to or touch letters on a communication board.
Participants will be scheduled all during 2005. You will be paid $100 if you complete the study. Participants will need to make one trip to the Waisman Center in Madison. An overnight stay will be paid for if you live outside the Madison area.
For more information, contact Katherine Hustad, Project Director, 608-265-9977,
Hustad@waisman.wisc.edu.
Keeping Our Mail List Fresh
Let us know if you have changed your mailing address so we can keep sending you North Country News through the Post Office. Call our Superior office at 392-9118 v/tty or 1-800-924-1220 v/tty and ask for Jeri. Jeri can also help you if you would like to get our newsletter electronically. E-mail Jeri at: .Tenant Resource Center Helps Consumers Learn about their Rights
Consumers are invited to find out more about their rights and responsibilities when renting from the Tenant Resource Center. They offer a housing counseling hotline to answer consumer’s questions about leases and other concerns. The hotline is available 10-4 M-F, toll free, 1-877-238-7368.One Dozen Roses for $9.99
For each $2 donation, you’ll receive one coupon to purchase one-dozen roses for $9.99 plus tax to be redeemed at any of the Engwall locations in Superior or Hermantown and Mount Royal in Duluth, anytime during June.All you have to do is complete and mail the order form, include a check or money order for your $2 donation to the address listed below, and we will send you your coupon to be used in June. One hundred percent of your $2 donation will be used to further North Country’s mission to empower people with disabilities.
Please complete the order form below or send a check or money order, along with your complete address to:
North Country Independent Living
ATTN: Roses Fundraiser
2231 Catlin Ave. Suite 16
Superior, WI 54880
Please send me______coupons. A check for $______has been included with this order form.
(Please Print)
Name___________________________
Address__________________________
City/State/Zip_____________________
Phone Number (Optional)_____________
I understand that if I lose my coupon, that
North Country will be unable to replace it.
Signature___________________________
Date______________________
Please contact Jeri at 715-392-9118 v/tty or 800-924-1220 v/tty if you need assistance with this form.
Support Groups
Superior MS Support Group meets the second Tuesday of each month from 6-8 p.m. at the Superior Public Library.Ashland MS Support Group meets the third Wednesday of the month in the Stockton Island Room at Memorial Medical Center, Ashland. Call Peggy at 682-6506 for more information.
Ashland Area Brain Injury/Stroke Support Group meets the third Wednesday of the month in the Gull Island Room of Memorial Medical Center, Ashland. Call Stewart at North Country for more information, 682-5676 v/tty or 1-800-499-5676 v/tty.
Women’s Peer Support Group meets the third Tuesday of each month, 10:30 a.m. at North Country Independent Living, Superior. Call Gloria for more information, 392-9118 v/tty or 1-800-924-1220 v/tty.
Young Adult Women’s Group meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month, 3:30 to 5 p.m. at North Country Independent Living, Superior. Call Gloria for more information, 392-9118 v/tty or 1-800-924-1220.
Chronic Pain Support Group meets the first and third Wednesdays at 12:30—2 p.m. at the Goslin Court main building on Summit Street, Spooner. Call Katie 468-2731 for more information.
Recreation/Social Group meets the first and third Wednesday at 1 p.m. at NCIL. Call Gloria for more information.
Going to the Movies
John Nousaine, Dir.
Many advocates have been critical of the Clint Eastwood movie Million Dollar Baby for good cause. The movie is about an aspiring female boxer played by Hillary Swank. She enlists the help of crusty manager Eastwood and through hard work gets her long awaited title shot. She acquires a spinal cord injury and eventually convinces Eastwood to help her end her life. The ending is an uninformed cliché that doesn’t help the image of people with disabilities.Some disability groups have been clamoring for a boycott. What I am advocating for here is there are a couple of movies that I think people with disabilities should see, Ray and The Aviator.
Ray is the story of bluesman Ray Charles Robinson aka Ray Charles (played by Jamie Foxx). Ray is the story of a man with tremendous talents. A blind African American man who faced prejudice on two fronts. Ray gains control of his life despite those that would abuse him. He is truly a hero to the disabled world and our struggle for our spot in the American Dream.
The Aviator is the story of Howard Hughes (Played by Leonardo DeCaprio). Howard Hughes was a man with tremendous abilities who accomplished some great things. He also had severe mental health disabilities. Anyone who has ever advocated in a legislative setting has to cheer as Howard dismantles Alan Alda’s character in a Senate hearing!
Both of these movies do an honest job of portraying disabilities and people with disabilities. Both men lived long before the ADA in a time when their disabilities were extremely stigmatized and attached to much more myth and stereotype than today. Both men accomplished great things. I think they’re heroes! Check ‘em out!
Katie Beckett Program
A program that provides Medicaid coverage for children living at home who have long term disabilities. If a family is making too much money to qualify for regular Medicaid, Katie Beckett may help. 1-800-362-3002.
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