ACCESS PRESS is continuing to bring you the progress of the Health Care bills being considered by the Legislature. Many different plans and suggestions are being made, most of which would change the intent of the Heath Care Commission. What’s good for the insurance industry isn’t necessarily good for the average Minnesotan who needs coverage. Stay tuned and keep those who need to know informed of your personal ideas.
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Last Minute Alert! On March 11th from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M., there will be a Metro Mobility Rally at the State Capital Rotunda. Sponsored by the United Handicapped Federation. The rally will be asking the Legislature to FULLY fund the Metro Mobility system at 31 million dollars for this biennium. This amount may keep the system at its current level of service. People with disabilities need to be seen at these events, to show the people who make decisions on the funding that the money being spent on this service is going to a valuable population. It is not just for frivolous travel, but the only way many of us have to integrate into society.
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An attitude adjustment appears to be in order for the Ramsey County Board. They don’t feel people with disabilities need to have full access to the courts. (see City Council Member Long’s Column) Total accessibility isn’t just a matter of making a few court rooms accessible, its an attitude towards people with disabilities. I’m concerned that if a governing body like the Ramsey County Board doesn’t feel its important to make this building completely accessible, the message conveyed to the public is that it’s not important to make buildings and jobs accessible to people with disabilities.
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Those of us who attended the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) celebration last summer were impressed by Senator Dave Durenberger’s statements about the importance of implementing this new legislation. I came away confident that he was going to spearhead this new legislation which we referred to as ADA II. Last week I realized that I had heard nothing further about it. I called his office to ask about status of this bill. A staff member told me the matter is still being studied. I think Senator Durenberger needs to hear from us. Maybe a little encouragement will bring back his enthusiasm.
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Peter McLaughlin will be having an office open house. Saturday, March 23rd, from 10: A.M. to 12:00 P.M. in the Hennepin County Government Center, 24th floor. I hope you can attend.
