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Archives for 2021

Upcoming Webinars

The Great Lakes ADA Center invites you to register for these upcoming webinars:

Inclusive Exhibition Design

Featuring Valerie Fletcher, Executive Director, Institute for Human Centered Design (IHCD) and Jan Majewski, Director, Inclusive Cultural and Educational Projects , Institute for Human Centered Design (IHCD).

This webinar will present important issues in designing museum exhibitions to be inclusive for diverse audiences of people with a broad range of abilities and ages, from all societal groups. Topics addressed will include: inclusive physical space and furniture; effective communication of content, including media and digital and mechanical interactives; a sensory environment that is comfortable as well as engaging; and the critical role of staff training. There will be time for participants to ask questions of the speakers following the presentation.

Date:   Thursday, December 9th, 2021

Time:   1-2:30pm

Format:   Zoom Webinar Platform (closed captioning will be provided via Zoom and Stream Text link option)

Cost:   No Charge

Registration Required:   Registration for this session can be found on the schedule page at www.accessibilityonline.org/artsnrec.  (If you do not have an account with our system you will be required to establish one before registering.)

Registration deadline:   Wednesday, December 9th, 2021

CEUs: Certificate of Attendance, ACTCP

Questions should be directed to webinars@adaconferences.org.

ADA Audio Conference Webinar

The Great Lakes ADA Center in collaboration with the ADA National Network invites you to register for the upcoming ADA Audio Conference Webinar titled, “Accessible Technology on Smartphones & Tablets for users that are Blind and Low Vision", featuring Michael McCulloch , President, iBug, Sandhya Rao, Vice President of Training and Special Event, iBug, and Harshid Trivedi, Android Insight Facilitator, iBUG.

Join us for the first of two sessions highlighting accessible technology on smartphones and tablets for persons with disabilities. In this session our speakers will highlight mobile apps used by persons who are blind or have low vision. The session will include apps used for way finding, social media and more. The session will also explore built-in accessibility features of iOS and Android operating platforms. There will be time following the presentation for questions.

Date:   Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Time:   1-2:30pm

Format:   Zoom Webinar Platform (closed captioning will be provided via Zoom and Stream Text link option)

Cost:   No Charge

Registration Required:   Registration for this session can be found on the schedule page at www.ada-audio.org.  If you do not have an account with our system you will be required to establish one before registering.

Registration deadline:   Monday, December 13, 2021

CEUs: Certificate of Attendance, ACTCP

Questions should be directed to webinars@adaconferences.org.

Resources to help you get vaccinated

MCIL is proud to be partnered with the State as a COVID-19 Community Coordinator. In this role, we are working with the State to ensure people with disabilities in Minnesota have access to the Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector and other COVID-19 information specific to their communities, including in multiple languages.

Our COVID Community Coordinator page now includes a "How to get vaccinated" section, which includes information about the latest opportunities to get the vaccine and how to get accessibility accommodations.

Click here to learn more.

Free COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Information

Get vaccinated at the State Fair Community Vaccination Site! This site offers the opportunity for anyone 18 and older to get a single-dose, Johnson & Johnson, shot at the facility. Specifically, the site has a disability and sensory friendly drive thru option, translators available in many common languages as well as ASL, and accepts walk-ups in addition to pre-scheduled appointments.

The site’s final weeks are from May 26 until June 8, when it will permanently close. You can find all necessary information on the vaccination site’s website.

Ed Roberts Day Minnesota Commendation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:

Jesse Bethke Gomez, MMA, MCIL Executive Director 651-603-2012 | jessebg@mcil-mn.org

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz Offers Certificate of Commendation for January 23, 2021 as "Ed Roberts Day"

January 23, 2021 as “Ed Roberts Day”

Commendation honors disability rights activist and recognizes critical role of independent-living programs and practices

ST. PAUL, Jan. 23, 2021: Recognizing the lasting legacy of disability rights advocate Ed Roberts, and the vital role the Independent Living Philosophy—which he pioneered—plays in the lives of Minnesotans with disabilities, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued a Certificate of Commendation celebrating January 23, 2021, “Ed Roberts Day.” The Commendation is notable recognition of the critical mission Minnesota’s Centers for Independent Living share to ensure Minnesotans with disabilities and their families can achieve the same civil rights and control over choices in their own lives as people without disabilities.

“Ed Roberts made activism for disability rights his life’s work,” said Governor Tim Walz. “Few have done as much to advance the causes of expanding access for students with disabilities and creating communities that are barrier-free. He left an incredible legacy, and I’m pleased to offer this Certificate of Commendation honoring his contributions.”

Born on January 23, 1939, Ed Roberts contracted polio at age 14. Paralyzed from the neck down, he required an iron lung or respirator to breathe. After completing his high school education, he was the first student with significant disabilities to attend the University of California, Berkeley, where he founded the college’s Physically Disabled Students Program, which became the model for Berkeley’s Center for Independent Living. Today, there are more than 400 independent living centers across the country, including eight in Minnesota. Roberts was the first California State Director of Rehabilitation with a disability, was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship, and was co–founder and President of the World Institute on Disability.

Roberts spent his lifetime overcoming countless obstacles and fighting to ensure all people with disabilities could fully participate in society. The United States House of Representatives declared January 23, 2011, “Ed Roberts Day,” which is now recognized at federal and state levels across the country, including Minnesota.

"Ed Roberts was a trailblazer who made it his life's work to fight for the civil rights of people with disabilities," said Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman. "His incredible legacy and spirit serve as an inspiration in our work to eliminate barriers and improve the lives of Minnesotans with disabilities."

“Ed Roberts was truly a pioneer in changing perspectives about the disability community,” said President of the Minnesota Senate Jeremy Miller. “He’s responsible for much of the progress that’s been made, and I’m glad to see the state of Minnesota recognize his work and his leadership with this honor.”

Under Minnesota Statute 268A.01, Minnesota’s Centers for Independent Living assist Minnesotans with disabilities and their families in accessing supports designed for the unique needs of every individual and ensuring equal access, inclusion, and independence. The Centers are guided by the State Plan for Independent Living from the Minnesota Statewide Independent Living Council MN (Statute 268A.02). In Minnesota, close to 600,000 individuals report having a disability.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, nearly 220,000 people or approximately 4

percent of Minnesota’s population live with serious mental health conditions.

“We are honored Governor Walz offered the Certificate of Commendation for Ed Roberts Day, and thank House Speaker Hortman and Senate President Miller for their thoughtful remarks,” said Metropolitan Center for Independent Living Board Chair Jeff Bangsberg. “The Independent Living Philosophy is foundational to our work to ensure people with disabilities can live their most independent lives. Our commitment to Removing Barriers and Promoting Choices is rooted in Ed Roberts’ lifetime of advocacy and advancing opportunities for people with disabilities. In light of these difficult times and ongoing challenges facing members of the disability community, we are grateful to Governor Walz and our legislative leadership for shining a light on the enduring impact of Ed Roberts’ work and the critical role the Centers for Independent Living play in the lives of so many across our great state.”

Learn more about Ed Roberts’ life and legacy at https://www.edrobertscampus.org/about/

Learn more about Minnesota’s Centers for Independent Living at https://www.macil.org

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Minnesota Association of Centers for Independent Living 2200 2nd ST SW |Rochester, MN 55902 | www.macil.org

1-23-21 Ed Roberts Day Minnesota Commendation PDF Version (147 KB)

 

Distribution Plan for the COVID-19 temporary 8.4% rate increase

Distribution Plan for the COVID-19 temporary 8.4% rate increase

Metropolitan Center for Independent Living

This plan will be posted onsite at 530 Robert St North and online at www.mcil-mn.org from December 20, 2020 until at least January 30, 2021

In response to COVID-19, the Minnesota Legislature approved a temporary rate increase of 8.4% to begin tentatively on Dec. 1, 2020 and will be in effect until approximately February 7, 2021. The legislature is requiring that each PCA agency dedicate 80% of the temporary increase towards wages, benefits, and payroll taxes for PCAs. This amounts to 6.72%. As a result of this legislation, you will see a direct 6% increase in your wages (retroactive to 12/01/20). The remaining .72% goes toward increase in FICA taxes, Medicare taxes, state/federal unemployment taxes and workers' compensation premiums. The other 20% must be spent on the cost for activities and items necessary to support compliance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance on sanitation and personal protective equipment.

This rate increase does not apply to Qualified Professionals or office staff.

If any PCA does not feel that they received the compensation related increase as required, you should contact Michelle Vrieze at 651-603-2030, and you may also contact the Department of Human Services:

By Mail

Minnesota Department of Human Services
Community Supports and Continuing Care for Older Adults
PCA Temporary Rate Increase
P.O. Box 64967
St. Paul, MN 55164-0967

By Email

Email questions to dhs.ccarates@state.mn.us. DHS will direct the questions to the person who can best provide an answer.
By Phone

If -you have questions, you can call the DSD Response Center at 651-431-4300. DHS will direct the questions to the person who can best provide an answer.

Note: The telephone number listed is a voice number. TDD users may call the Minnesota Relay at 711 or 800-627-3529. For the speech-to-speech relay, call 877-627-3848.

Reference: https://mn.gov/dhs/partners-and-providers/news-initiatives-reports-workgroups/long-term-services-and-supports/pca-enhanced-rate/covid-8.4-increase.jsp

Click here for PDF version of the Distribution Plan (13 KB)

Online Survey: Wheelchair accessibility in ridesharing through Uber and Lyft

WHAT: Seeking participation of wheelchair/scooter users anywhere in the U.S in a research project out of Virginia Tech (Research Project IRB # 20-629).

RESEARCH TITLE: Wheelchair accessibility in ridesharing through Uber and Lyft

STUDY PURPOSE: The purpose of this research is to develop a greater understanding of the accessibility of service hailed through Uber and Lyft apps from the perspective of wheelchair/scooter users and support informed policy making. The study is not affiliated with Uber or Lyft.

WHO: You are a wheelchair or scooter user (at some point in the past, currently, occasionally, sometimes, full-time) and live anywhere in the US. You may or may not have experience with Uber or Lyft. The study is interested in impressions too.

HOW: Eligible participants will complete an online survey that takes less than 10 minutes for those without experience with Uber and Lyft and about 15 minutes for those with experience.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please email ul_wheelchair@vt.edu or call 202-643-2474.

OTHER: You will be entered into a drawing for three $50 gift cards from Amazon in appreciation of your time and effort upon completing the online survey.

LINK: Click the link to go to the online survey: Wheelchair Accessibility of Ridesharing Hailed Through Uber and Lyft (qualtrics.com)

A chance to review and renew the celebration!

With more than 400 people registered to participate in the ADA 30th Anniversary / National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) 75th Anniversary virtual event, participants experienced a new and novel way to celebrate. The free, online 90-minute event offered attendees a variety of presentations, education, artist works, and reason for celebration.

We are grateful to all those who served as presenters, providing expertise and insight, artistic inspiration, heartfelt commentary, and civic leadership. This truly successful virtual gathering was made accessible thanks to the technological expertise of a team from Minnesota State, Metropolitan State University, and the Assistive Technology Lab at St. Cloud State University. Thanks also to all the organizations who served as host sponsors and to the planning committee for their commitment to creating this important event.