Back-to-school time can be exciting. Different teachers, fresh school supplies and friends old and new are waiting. For students with a wide range of disabilities, going back to class can…
Category: Commentary
Tim Benjamin: Paying tribute to a trusted, kind and thoughtful friend
Editor’s note: Former Access Press Executive Director Tim Benjamin died this summer. An obituary appeared in the August edition. by Jeff Bangsberg More than 20 years ago, I met Tim…
His legacy is one of disability-focused journalism
by Jane McClure, Editor Tim never liked writing obituaries for Access Press. When we’d lose a valued disability community member he’d sadly remark about shortened life expectancies for our community…
Movement to eliminate subminimum wages is sometimes misunderstood
by Jillian Nelson and Andrea Zuber, co-Chairs of the Minnesota Task Force on Eliminating Subminimum Wages The recent commentary headlined, “Limiting work options for people with disabilities raises equity issues” perpetuates…
More than 170 facilities closed. Group homes were our answer to institutions; what happens to us now?
Are we forgetting the past? Minnesota long relied on a system of state institutions, referred to as state hospitals, to house people with an array of disabilities. Private and county…
Unsheltered people with disabilities have unique needs that must be met
by Lora Esse The dilemma of unsheltered people living in encampments is widely known. Less known is how many unsheltered Minnesotans are people with disabilities. These encampment residents and the people…