More events information: VSA Minnesota is here. The website has a large calendar at in the upper right hand corner of its home page. For information on galleries and theater performances around the state join the Access to Performing Arts email list at access@vsamn.org or call VSA Minnesota, 612-332-3888 or statewide 800-801-3883 (voice/TTY). To hear a weekly listing of accessible performances, call 612-332-3888 or 800-801-3883. Another web events listing is http://c2net.org (c2: caption coalition, inc.), which does most of the captioned shows across the country. Facebook is another way to connect with performances. Sign up to connect with Audio Description Across Minnesota. Connect with ASL Interpreted and Captioned Performances across Minnesota on Facebook.
ADA ANNIVERSARY MARCH AND RALLY
Planning is underway to mark the 27th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). ADA 27 –Protecting our Rights! The event is 1-4 p.m., Wed, July 26. A march from the Minnesota History Center lines up at 1 p.m., starts at 1:30 p.m. and ends with a 2:30 p.m. rally in the capitol rotunda. Enjoy speeches and entertainment. Accommodations for the orientation and rally include ASL interpreters, CART and audio description. Deadline to confirm audio description services or to request a reasonable accommodation not listed is July 7. FFI: Cindy at ADA
Minnesota, 651-603-2015, cindyt@mcil-mn.org
CELEBRATE THE ADA
The Community Shares Spring Social Hour is an Americans with Disabilities Act celebration, 5-7 p.m. Tue, June 13 at Bad Weather Brewing Company, 414 W. 7th St., St. Paul. Sample craft beers, sodas and appetizers. Learn about disability community issues and sign a letter advocating for services, to be sent to Gov. Mark Dayton. Hosts are Access Press, Advocating Change Together, National Federation of the Blind Minnesota and Upstream Arts, along with Community Shares Minnesota.
SAFE SUMMER NIGHTS 2017
Join the St. Paul Police Department, St. Paul Public Schools and St. Paul Parks and Recreation for a special edition of Safe Summer Nights, “St. Paul 4 Kids”. The event is 5-7 p.m. Tue, June 27 at Bridgeview School, 350 Colbourne St., St. Paul. Free. It will include a picnic-style barbecue cookout for children with special needs and their families and caregivers, face painting, a jump house, the K9 unit, mounted patrol, motors unit and more. FFI: St. Paul Police Community Engagement Unit, 651-266-5485.
TAPPING INTO POSSIBILITIES
RISE’s third annual “friendraiser” event, Tapping into Possibilities, is 5-7:30 p.m. Mon, July 17 at Bauhaus Brew Labs, 1517 Tyler St., Mpls. Advance tickets are one for $12 or two for $20. At the door pay $15 and $25. Enjoy appetizers, live music and $5 craft beers. Raffles add to the fun. FFI: www.tappingintopossibilities2017.eventbrite.com
REACH FOR RALPH
Attend Reach for Ralph, Hammer Residences’ summer fundraiser, is 5:30-10 p.m. Thu, July 20 at Earle Brown Center, 6155 Earle Brown Drive, Brooklyn Center. The event benefits adults and children with developmental disabilities. Enjoy a casual atmosphere, dinner, auctions, games and beautiful outdoor space. Tickets are $75 if purchased before June 30. Ralph was a student who was part of Alvina Hammer’s first school for children with disabilities. Rather than live in an institution, Ralph enjoyed a full life and grew to adulthood at Hammer. He died in 1995 but his spirit lives on as inspirationfor the Hammer logo, figure, statues, and event. FFI: www.hammer.org
WHAT’S LEFT: LIVES TOUCHED BY SUICIDE – RECEPTION
A multi-media exhibit designed to spur conversation about mental illness and suicide is at Great River Arts, Front and Satellite galleries, 122 First St. SE, Little Falls 56345 – plus satellite galleries at Family Medical Center and Morrison County Government Center. The exhibit is up through June during regular business hours. Free. It moves to Owatonna Arts Center in September. Additional hosting opportunities available. FFI for Little Falls: Sam Bruno, 320-632-0960, sam@greatart.org. FFI for hosting: Katie Marshall, 218-326-2697, www.whatsleftmn.com
SUMMER ARTS DISCOVERY
A summer-long exhibition, showcasing works by 10 artists throughout Landmark Center on Rice Park in St. Paul. Artists submitted work themed around a collective or inclusive community. The exhibit opens to the public with a free reception, 5-7 p.m. Thu, June 15, 5-7 p.m. Enjoy light refreshments, meet the featured artists and tour the exhibit. Featured artists are Betsy Alwin, Debbie Boyles, Cathy Durso, Kyle Fokken, Sophia Heymans, Isaac S. Lewin, Judd Nelson, Aziz Osman, Andrea Ellen Reed and Craig Snyder. Learn creative techniques directly from selected artists during a free “Make It and Take It” workshop, 1-4 p.m. Sun, Aug. 13. FFI: www.landmarkcenter.org
ART SHOW: MARI NEWMAN
Mpls. artist has created art in almost every media, has won many awards and has had work in many galleries and publications. She has vision and hearing loss. See her latest show at Vision Loss Resources, 1936 Lyndale Ave. S. (at Franklin Ave.), Mpls. The show is in the lobby, which is open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mon-Fri. It will be up through Aug. FFI: 612-332-3888, http://vsamn.org
ENGAGING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN THE ARTS: COULD, SHOULD OR MUST
Metro Regional Arts Council, with presenters from VSA Minnesota, presents a free workshop on ways to welcome people with disabilities to become part of arts events audiences, at Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, 451 Lexington Pkwy N., St. Paul. Session is 1- 4 p.m., Tue, June 20. Free. Free parking in the Wilder ramp or get there via bus or Green Line light rail. Learn how to provide accommodations and attract people with a wide range of hearing, visual, mobility, sensory and other needs to arts events. Hear experiences and learn about barriers. Discuss solutions including access needs, changes in publicity and what tools and resources are available. Accommodations available for this workshop but request in advance. FFI: 651-523-6388, bethany@mrac.org
MENTAL ILLNESS IS EXHIBIT’S FOCUS
Hennepin County Medical Center Inspire Arts Program and ZagZum host Celebrating Creativity 2017: A Visual Art Exhibition Featuring Artists with a Lived Experience of Mental Illness. The exhibit is on display through Aug. 17, at Hennepin County Medical Center, Inspiration Cafe, 701 Park Ave., Orange Building, Level 3, Mpls. Free. Café hours are 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. FFI: 612-836-9303, www.zagzum.org
LEARN ABOUT MEDICAL BENEFIT
The Minnesota Department of Human Services hosts three public meetings in Duluth June 21-22 to provide information about a medical benefit provided through the public Medical Assistance program and MinnesotaCare for people under age 21 with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related conditions. The benefit is designed to provide an early, intensive, and medically necessary intervention to address the functional skills and needs of children and youth with autism spectrum disorder and related conditions. (Examples of related conditions include Rett Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.) Services are based on the family’s values and culture and include training and support for the family.
The first meeting is 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wed, June 21, at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center Paulucci Room, 350 Harbor Drive. All are welcome to attend. Parents of children with ASD or a related condition should inform the parking attendant and obtain free parking.
Meetings Thu, June 22 are for anyone who cannot attend June 21 and are held at DRCC, 5629 Grand Ave., Duluth. The 2:30-4:30 p.m. meeting is for professionals including potential EIDBI providers, county, tribal or managed care staff, clinicians, and advocates. The 5:30-7:30 p.m. meeting is for parents only. A limited number of free child care slots is available by reservation for this parents meeting. Caregivers have been trained to serve children with ASD. To request a child care slot, call Laura Birnbaum, St. Louis County Public Health and Human Services Department, at 218-726-2492 or email her at birnbauml@stlouiscountymn.gov. A confirmation from Birnbaum is needed to reserve a child care slot. Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation to participate in these meetings should email: ASD.DHS@state.mn.us by June 15.
ADULT SUPPORT GROUPS OFFERED
AuSM offers free support groups for adults with autism spectrum disorder. Groups include those for adult family members, women with autism spectrum disorders and independent adults with autism. Check the website for upcoming groups. Groups meet at the AuSM offices at 2380 Wycliff St. FFI: 651-647-1083 ext. 10, www.ausm.org
OPEN THE DOOR TO EDUCATION
Help adults reach their educational goals and earn their GED. Tutor, teach or assist in a classroom with the Minnesota Literacy Council. Give just 2-3 hours a week and help people expand their opportunities and change their lives through education. The Council provides training and support and accommodations for volunteers with disabilities. FFI: Allison, 651-251-9110, volunteer@mnliteracy.org, their website.
BE A FREQUENT FILER
Ramsey County – Volunteer Services is looking for people who want to help in an office. Volunteer office assistants are needed in several areas. Multiple shifts are available, Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Midway area and downtown St. Paul locations have limited reimbursement for parking expense or bus fare is provided. Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age. Ask about accommodations. FFI: 651-266-4090, Volunteer@co.ramsey.mn.us
MCIL HOSTS CLASSES AND ACTIVITIES
The Metropolitan Center for Independent Living provides many life skills classes as well as fun outings and events for people with disabilities. MCIL is at 530 N. Robert Street, St Paul and most activities are there or start there. Classes and events are listed on the website, www.mcil-mn.org. Click on “Classes Groups and Sessions” for updated information or to print their calendar. Please give two weeks’ notice if the alternative format or other accommodations are needed. Events are free, accessible and mostly scent-free. FFI: 651-603-2030
ICICIL OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES
ICICIL Independent Lifestyles, 215 N. Benton Drive, St. Cloud, offers a number of classes, events and other opportunities for Minnesotans with disabilities in central Minnesota. The center offers its own programming and hosts, other groups. One group it hosts is the St. Cloud Area Parkinson’s Disease Support Group meets 1-2:30 p.m. the third Mon of each month. The center has a full schedule of its own activities including support groups, classes and more. FFI: 320-267-7717
VISION LOSS GROUP OFFERS ACTIVITIES
Vision Loss Resources provides free and low-cost activities in the Twin Cities for people who are blind or visually impaired. Life skills classes for those with low vision; card games, craft classes, book clubs, walking groups, dinners out, special outings and technology classes are among the offerings. Participants need to RVSP to participate. FFI: RSVP hotline 612-843-3439; activity phone 612-253-5155, www.visionlossresources.org
HEALTHY, INDEPENDENT LIVING
Healthy, independent living is the focus of a conference sponsored by the Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MNCCD). Save the date of Tuesday, Oct. 3 and make plans to attend the conference at St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church, Mpls. The church is accessible.
Keynote speaker is Henry Emmons. Emmons is a doctor and author of the book, The Chemistry of Joy. The conference is for direct support staff, professionals working with people with disabilities, and people experiencing significant health challenges. CEU’s and certificates of attendance are available.
MN-CCD is seeking conference presenters, vendors, and sponsors. Make plans now to participate in or support the event. The consortium is posting details about the conference, so check on the website home page’s conference tab. FFI: www.mnccd.org
