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.

 

Moses memorial performance set

A memorial celebration performance honoring Ken Moses is 7 p.m. Mon, Aug. 15 at Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center, 2800 Curve Crest Blvd., Stillwater. Moses died at age 71 on Aug. 17, 2015. Moses wrote his story, using his words and musical selections from throughout musical theater history. He asked baritone

Bradley Greenwald to lead a professional ensemble in performing the hour-long program. The event will be recorded on video and DVDs will be available upon request. He was a talented puppeteer, theater producer, audio describer and former staff member at Metropolitan Center for Independent Living. He was active in the Critical Thinkers, Art St. Croix (for east metro artists with disabilities), Bridge Theatre and Stillwater Human

Rights Commission during his two decades in Stillwater. Friends are invited to stay and visit after the service. In spring 2017 a portion of Moses’ remains will be sent into deep space on a Voyager mission. Accommodations are available upon request. FFI: Paul Brown, pbrowkblak@aol.com Bradshaw at 651-439-5511 or www.bradshawfuneral.com/obituary/Ken-Moses/Stillwater/1537811

 

 

 

Visual Arts Experience and Sale

ZagZum hosts its second annual Visual Art Exhibition and Sale, and a conference presenting visual artists who have a lived experience with a mental or physical disability. The call for submission is 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Wed, Sept. 7th, Room 204, Mpls Convention Center, Seasons Venue, 1301 2nd Ave., Mpls. The event is Sun, Sept. 10 at the convention center, with the exhibit 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and the conference taking place 11 a.m.-4 p.m. View signature artwork and award-winning artists including Peter F. Hinze of Rockpike Art. Enjoy a conference including a presentation by art therapist and mental health practitioner Deb Costandine on Discovering Your Hero Journey. Hali Kolkind, development and communications associate for the Mental Health Association, will moderate a panel of visual artists as they converse on Storytelling through Visual Art. The mission of ZagZum is to exhibit visual art of artists who are differently-abled in spaces that embrace the concept of universal design, or accessible to persons regardless of their age, size, ability, or disability. FFI: 612-836-9303, www.zagzum.org

 

 

Challenge Walk nears

Challenge Walk MS Twin Cities 2016 is Sept. 23-25, starting and ending in St. Louis Park. Gather pledges, walk with friends and raise money for the Upper Midwest Chapter of the MS Society. Registration fee is $55, and fundraising minimums are $750 to $1,500. FFI:855-372-1331, FundraisingSupport@nmss.org

 

 

Lights! Camera! Woof!

Cats can’t have all of the video fun. Dogs get their day Sat, Sept. 17 at the Can Do Canines Can Do Woofaroo’s dog video festival. Anyone with a dog video is urged to make a submission. Chosen videos will be compiled into a feature presentation. The master of ceremonies and grand marshal for the Can Do Woofaroo and Dog Video Festival is radio personality Moon from the Moon, Staci, and Crisco show on KS95. Deadline for submissions is midnight Sun, Aug. 14. Videos can be submitted at can-do-canines.org/video-submissions The video festival is part of a day-long fundraiser, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sept. 17. The event includes a walk, food, fun activities and the 1 p.m. video festival. FFI: 763-331-3000, www.can-do-canines.org   

 

 

Art Show: Quilts by Halle O’Falvey

Vision Loss Resources, 1936 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls. hosts a display of original quilts by St. Paul artist Halle O’Falvey in this exhibit, part of a rotating series of exhibits coordinated by VSA Minnesota. On display through September 2016. Lobby hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Mon-Fri. Free. FFI: 612-871-2222, 612-332-3888, www.vsamn.org

 

 

Challenge Walk nears

Challenge Walk MS Twin Cities 2016 is Sept. 23-25, starting and ending in St. Louis Park. Gather pledges, walk with friends and raise money for the Upper Midwest Chapter of the MS Society. Registration fee is $55, and fundraising minimums are $750 to $1,500. FFI: 855-372-1331, FundraisingSupport@nmss.org

 

 

PACER Run Walk Roll set

PACER Center’s National Bullying Prevention Center hosts its Run Walk Roll Against Bullying Sat, Oct. 1 at Normandale Lake in Bloomington. Registration is $20 for people ages 16 and older, $10 for persons ages 7- 15 and free for younger children. Form a team, gather pledges and raise money for anti-bullying efforts. FFI: www.pacer.org/bullying/nbpm/runwalkroll/

 

 

The On-Time Circus

Puppets, clowning, live music and songs performed by puppeteer Margo McCreary, Paulino Brener, music by pianist Marya Hart and percussionist Bruce Wintervold come to two area parks. Bring a blanket or chair to sit on. ASL offered 6 p.m. Tue, Aug. 16 at Conway Park, 2090 Conway Ave. St. Paul. Free. FFI: mcc@earpop.com, www.margomccreary.com

 

 

Take the PCA survey

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking information as a follow-up to the July 26 Workforce Summit, to help address and develop creative solutions to the current and growing shortage of direct care/support workers. Two surveys are available online, one for workers to weigh in on the work they’ve done and the other for people who receive services and need daily, hands-on care to continue living and working where they want. Input is needed from both groups. The surveys are open until Sat, Aug. 27. Worker survey is at http://tinyurl.com/hunu7nh  The survey for those receiving services is at http://tinyurl.com/gr43sy4

 

 

Help with hearing loss

New devices that help people who are deaf and hard of hearing in their daily lives are now available to be tested at offices of the Minnesota Department of Human Services Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division. DHS doesn’t sell the technology but can demonstrate it and allow individuals to test it on-site by appointment. Ask if demonstrations of some technology can also be offered to groups off-site. The largest technology lab is at the Metro Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services office, 85 E. 7th Place, Suite 105, St. Paul. Equipment is also available at offices in Duluth, Mankato, Moorhead and St. Cloud. Ask about assistive listening devices for the television; flashing alarms for doorbells, smoke alarms and alarm clocks; amplified and captioned telephones and vibrating devices to alert people who are deafblind. DHS loans at no cost a variety of telecommunications devices to people who meet eligibility guidelines through its Telephone Equipment Distribution program. FFI: 651-431-5957, mary.bauer@state.mn.us (metro area), dhhs.duluth@state.mn.us, dhhs.mankato@state.mn.us, dhhs.moorhead@state.mn.us, dhhs.stcloud@state.mn.us in Greater Minnesota. For technology for individuals who are deafblind or experience dual vision/hearing loss, FFI: 612-284-3170, sara.kreiling@state.mn.us

 

 

Power of Community’ is conference theme

The Arc Minnesota has announced that registration is open for its statewide conference and awards banquet, Sept, 23-24 in Shoreview. The Power of Community: Connections That Transform Lives is this year’s theme, carried forward in panel discussions, presentations and videos. Amy Hewitt, a nationally-recognized leader in research on innovative disability policy and services, will give the keynote address, “Making the Case for Community.” See how life in the community is possible in school, with friends, in finding employment and housing, and at the capitol. FFI: http://tinyurl.com/2016ConfFlyer, http://tinyurl.com/2016ConfRegis

 

 

Senior Linkage Line help

Non-English speaking Minnesotans now have a new resource to find the critical assistance they may need. A video “What is Senior LinkAge Line?” has been created in Hmong, Somali, Spanish and Russian in addition to English to inform Minnesota’s older non-English speaking residents and their families about the service. Videos were created in partnership with the Minnesota Board on Aging and ECHO, a non-profit organization that helps bridge the communications gap for Minnesota immigrants and refugees. Senior LinkAge Line offers free, objective guidance for older adults and their families to find community services and plan for their future.

By calling 1-800-333-2433, Minnesotans can get information on Medicare, insurance, housing choices and find out how to volunteer in their community, among other age-related topics. All versions of the video are available on ECHO Minnesota’s YouTube page. FFI: English, www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgvhfEzv6Lo; Hmong, www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1otxfBN-18; Somali, www.youtube.com/watch?v=boruEGuGJ3c; Spanish, www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqKdztIBz8o; Russian, www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-CoYGpaweg

 

 

Navigate food issues

The Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) will offer an AuSM Skillshop 7-9 p.m. Tue, Aug. 30 to help families address food issues in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The two-hour workshop, Food Fight! Nutritional Strategies for Children with ASD and Their Families, will be held at West Metro Learning Connections in Edina. Research has proven that children with ASD have numerous nutrient deficiencies and gastrointestinal disorders that contribute to poor health and behavioral symptoms. Sensory issues, food refusal, and peculiar cravings affect many children with ASD, making it difficult to introduce healthier foods. Presenter Anne Kelly will share information on the use of whole food powders to make nutrient-rich shakes that are affordable, dairy-free, soy-free, and gluten-free. She also will offer strategies for simplifying nutrition routines for the whole family. Preregister as space may fill quickly. FFI: www.ausm.org

 

 

Make an advocacy binder

Overwhelmed by the stacks of paperwork for your child with special needs? Can’t find the newest diagnostic assessment or IEP? NAMI Minnesota offers a free parent training class on How to Assemble an Advocacy Binder for Your Child 6-7:30 p.m. Mon, Aug. 29 at South St. Paul Library, 106 3rd Ave. Turn that stack of paperwork into purpose. Parent educators will help everyone assemble an advocacy binder to help organize loose papers into a resource. Participants can bring their paperwork to the class such as current Individualized Education Plan (IEP, IFSP), 504 Plan, behavior intervention plans, County, Legal, Medical or Support Plans. Participants will leave with a completed binder. Parents and caregivers will receive one free advocacy binder at the door. Preregister. FFI: 651-645-2948, www.namihelps.org

 

 

Fun is ‘Made in the Shade’ Sept. 17

People with disabilities, family members and caregivers are reminded to save the date of Sat, Sept. 17 for the annual Made in the Shade Walk, Run, and Roll. The 24-year-old event is 9:30 am to noon at Thomas Beach, Lake Calhoun, Mpls. Several non-profit disability service agencies stage the fundraiser, which includes a fun run, walk/roll, art contest winners’ display, live bluegrass music, health and wellness vendors, lunch served by Lions clubs and more. Ally People Solutions, Choice, Inc., Episcopal Group Homes, Inc., Homeward Bound, Partnership Resources, Inc., The Phoenix Residence, Inc., TSE, Inc., and Wingspan Life Resources are event sponsors. Junior Partners in 2016 are Reach for Resources, Inc. and Zenith Services. The event raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for the organizations and their work. Donations and participants are needed. FFI: Janet Virnig, Partnership Resources, Inc., 952-925-1404, www.madeintheshade.org

 

 

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

 

  

MCIL offers 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

 

 

Vision rehabilitation offered

Vision Loss Resources is offering a full menu of vision rehabilitation services, available in clients’ home or onsite at VLR. An affordable individualized service plan will be offered to each participant. The rehabilitation services are geared to provide participants the practical skills they need to remain independent and at safe at home. Services are offered as part of an affordable service plan. Sliding fee scale options are available and a grant from United Way will help continue to serve those who cannot afford to pay for services. The support groups, peer counseling, and volunteer services will continue to be offered without charge. FFI: 612-843-3411

 

 

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 literacy council provides training and support and accommodations for volunteers with disabilities. FFI: Allison, 651-251-9110, volunteer@mnliteracy.org, http://tinyurl.com/adult-opportunities

 

 

Volunteer with Ramsey County

Ramsey County offers many volunteer opportunities, and can find accommodations for volunteers with disabilities. One is for a volunteer receptionist. Be the smiling face that provides a warm welcome, and general information to visitors of the Ramsey County Government Center East. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. FFI: Ramsey County Community Human Services—Volunteer Services, 651-266-4090, HumanServicesVolunteer@co.ramsey.mn.us

 

 

 

Share a smile

Brighten the day of a senior citizen and have some fun. Spend time with an elder individual on an ongoing basis and do fun things in Minneapolis and suburban Hennepin County. Small groups and families welcome.

Youth volunteers must be age 12 or older and supervised by an adult. This volunteer program through Senior Community Services now includes the seniors program formerly served by the Neighborhood Involvement Program. Many volunteer options available. FFI: Jeanne, 952-767-7894, scsvolunteer@seniorcommunity.org