Welcome to the Access Press Accessible Fun listings. Readers looking for additional opportunities to enjoy the arts have these options:
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. The web accessible performance listings at www.vsamn.org/calendar.html, www.mrid.org, www.testing.accesspress.org, or http://c2net.org (c2: caption coalition, inc.), which does most of the captioned shows in Minnesota and across the country.
Performances on Facebook; sign up to connect with Audio Description Across Minnesota (www.facebook.com/pages/Audio-Description-Across-Minnesota/202035772468). Connect with ASL Interpreted and Captioned Performances across Minnesota on Facebook http://tinyurl.com/FBcaption
Highlights of the Target Wing: The Sacred
Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 2400 Third Ave. S. hosts a free ASL-interpreted public tour on the first Sunday of each month at 1 p.m. begins by the Information Desk in the museum lobby. Interpreted tours are also scheduled on other days. On the second Friday and Saturday of each month at 10:30 a.m., free tours are offered for visitors with memory loss, Alzheimer’s and their friends or care partners. Assisted listening devices and wheelchairs are available. FFI: 612-870-3131, 612-870-3140, TTY 612-870-3132; dhegstro@artsmia.org, www.artsmia.org
Discuss legislative issues
The Arc Greater Twin Cities invites residents of Senate District 63 to discuss issues affecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families at a legislative visit with elected officials, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thu, Jan. 16 at Minnehaha United Methodist Church, 3701 E. 50th St., Room 310, Mpls. It is hosted by Antonietta Giovanni. Elected officials invited to participate are Sen. Patricia Torres Ray, Rep. Jim Davnie, Rep. Jean Wagenius, Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, Minneapolis City Council Member Andrew Johnson, Minneapolis Park Board District 5 Representative Steffanie Musich and At-Large Members Annie Young and Meg Forney, Minneapolis School Board members Alberto Monserrate, Richard Mammen and Rebeca Gagnon, and Metropolitan Council Representative Adam Duininck. Elected officials need to know about the concerns of constituents who have disabilities and their families. Participants can educate state and local policymakers by sharing their stories and perspectives on issues such as transportation, special education, recreation, Consumer Directed Community Supports, county case management services, Medical Assistance and state budget issues impacting Hennepin County. The event is free but participants should pre-register by Wed, Jan. 15. FFI: 952-915-3665, denafelper@thearcgtc.org
Pay attention to proposed income, asset changes
The Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities is alerting everyone to a waiver request and its consequences.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services(DHS) has submitted its 1115 waiver request to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to allow for Minnesota to continue to disregard income and assets of a spouse when the other spouse uses HCBS waiver services. The request would affect married couples with one spouse using HCBS waiver services for persons with disabilities under the age of 65.
Minnesota needs this federal waiver because the ACA requires all states to apply the spousal anti-impoverishment rules (designed for senior couples where one is going into a nursing home facility) to couples under age 65 with one using HCBS waiver services in the community.
Changing what Minnesota is now doing for anti-impoverishment provisions could be very disruptive and possibly result in some individuals losing Medical Assistance (MA) HCBS services. If you, or someone you know, would be impacted by changes to spousal anti-impoverishment provisions, state officials need to hear the community’s stories, either at a hearing or in writing by Jan. 22.
Written comments can be submitted to: Section1115WaiverComments@state.mn.us Testimony can be given 1-4 p.m. Tue, Jan. 14 at the Room 6146, Department of Human Services, 444 Lafayette Rd., St. Paul. The consortium has additional information at www.mnccd.org
Vet Connection Group meets in Minneapolis
NAMI Vet Connection gives veterans the opportunity to talk with other veterans and share their experiences, and the successes and hardships of the reintegration process. The group meets 2:15-3:45 p.m. Mondays at the Mpls VA, 1 Veterans Drive, in Room 1B-102 (1st floor). FFI: Rebecca, 612-801-7415 or Brian, 651-645-2948 x116.
Share a smile
Brighten the day of a senior citizen in north or southwest Minneapolis and have fun. Visit an elder and do things together: movies, games, crafts or just friendly conversation. Hang out with an elder on a regular basis and do things that you both enjoy, like watching a movie, building stuff, playing games or friendly conversation. One-time or ongoing opportunities through the NIP Senior Program. FFI: Jeanne, 612-746-8549, srvolunteer@neighborhoodinvolve.org or www.neighborhoodinvolve.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, www.mnliteracy.org/volunteers/opportunities/adults.
Mental health support offered
NAMI-MN offers free support groups for families who have a relative with a mental illness. NAMI has about two dozen family support groups, more than 20 support groups for people living with a mental illness, anxiety support groups, groups for veterans and other groups. Led by trained facilitators, groups provide help and support. FFI: 651-645-2948. A full calendar of all events is offered online.
Partners and Spouses support group meets 6:45 p.m. the first Tue of each month at Falcon Heights United Church of Christ, 1795 Holton St. FFI: Lois, 651-788-1920, or Donna, 651-645-2948 ext. 101. Open Door Anxiety and Panic support, meets at 6:30 p.m. the first and third Thu at Woodland Hills Church, 1740 Van Dyke St., St. Paul and 6:30-6 p.m. on the second and fourth Thu at Goodwill-Easter Seals, 553 Fairview Ave. N., St. Paul. FFI: 651-645-2948.
NAMI Connection peer support group for adults are led by trained facilitators who are also in recovery lead NAMI Connection groups. One group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Tue. A group meets at 6:30 p.m., on the fourth Tue of the month, at Goodwill-Easter Seals, 553 Fairview Av., St. Paul (The group previously met at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer.) FFI: Shelly, 651-228-1645. Bi-weekly adult recovery groups meet at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Wed at Centennial United Methodist Church, 1524 Co. Rd. C-2 West, Roseville. FFI: Will, 651-578-3364.
A family support group meets in St. Paul on the second Wed of each month from at 6-7:30 p.m., at Goodwill- Easter Seals, 553 Fairview Ave. N., St. Paul, in room 123. FFI: Sonja, 651-357-2077. A family support group meets in Oakdale on the second and fourth Tue of each month, from 7:00-8:30 p.m., at Canvas Health, 7066 Stillwater Blvd., in the community room. FFI: Dan, 651-341-8918. A group also meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Wed of each month at Centennial United Methodist Church, 1524 Co. Rd. C-2 West, on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. FFI: Anne Mae, 651-730-8434
