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Volume 2 � Issue 1
July 2010
In This Issue
*Meet Miiriinia Waters...
*Services Offered
*New Minnesota Laws
*Recipe of the Month
*Celebrate the ADA
*Have you heard...?
*AccessNorth Receives Grant
*Summer Safety
Meet Miiriinia Waters...
Independent Living Specialist - Hibbing
picture of Miiriinia
I have worked in some kind of care field for all my adult life, most of which has been direct care, working with people with developmental disabilities. I have dreamed of working with children with emotional and behavioral disturbances.

I am a mother of two and have been married for 15 years to my high school sweetheart. I have two dogs, three cats and a rabbit. I enjoy the outdoors with my family, gardening, reading and writing.  I am the daughter of a remarkable woman who happens to have Cerebral Palsy. She is my greatest inspiration. She taught me that having a disability doesn't stop you from reaching your dreams, but it gives you the courage needed to pursue different ones.

If you need any assistance with living independently, Miiriinia can be reached at [email protected].
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Question of the Month.....

Who is eligible for our PCA Choice program?

Disability Mentoring Day Photo

To be eligible for the PCA Choice option a person must meet all these criteria:

�Be able to manage the responsibilities of hiring, training and firing employees or live with someone who can make those decisions for you

�Be eligible for PCA services through Medical Assistance

�Have an illness, injury, physical or mental condition that requires the level of support a PCA can provide

Services covered are:
  • Activities of daily living (eating, grooming, dressing, bathing, mobility, etc.)
  • Health related functions
  • Redirection and intervention for behavior
  • Instrumental activities of daily living (meal planning, finances, shopping, community participation, etc.)
AccessNorth offers complete PCA Choice services in the Northeastern Minnesota area. 

If you think you or a family member may need assistance or for more information, please call our offices at 218-262-6675 or visit our webpage AccessNorth PCA Choice.


If you have any questions you would like answered in a future version of our Newsletter, please send them to [email protected].  
Services Offered


  • Advocacy
  • Independent Living Skills Training
  • Information and Referral
  • Peer and Group Support
  • PCA Choice Program
  • Transition Services
  • Employment Services
  • Consumer Directed Community Supports
  • Relocation Services
  • Assistive Technology
  • Public Education
  • Ramp Project

New Minnesota Laws You Need to Know!
Tenant Bill of Rights
column

If you are a renter, please be aware of these new laws going into effect on August 1, 2010 and also later dates. 

For a full explanation of the new laws, please visit http://homelinemn.org/blog/state-policy/new-minnesota-laws/

Uncooked Fresh Tomato Sauce
Perfect for
Summer Dinners

Spaghetti with fresh tomato sauce picture
  • 1 clove garlic, minced (or more if you like)
  • 2-1/2 to 3 pounds fresh tomatoes (if possible, Italian pear tomatoes), unpeeled, unseeded, diced  1/4-inch
  • 1-1/2 tightly packed tablespoons fresh basil, torn
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 pound fusilli, penne, linguine or spaghetti
  • 1/2 to 1 cup freshly grated aged Pecorino Romano cheese or domestic Fontinella (optional)
1.  Mix together the garlic, tomatoes, basil, oil, salt and pepper to taste in large bowl. Let stand at room temperature while you cook the pasta, or up to several hours.

2. Cook the pasta until tender yet firm to the bite. Drain in a colander and turn it into the pasta bowl, tossing all the ingredients together. Taste for seasoning and serve.

If you like, pass cheese at the table.
Quick Links


Photo Kim TylerGreetings!

Hope you are enjoying your summertime!  The weather has been nice - generally - and it's time to pick those strawberries and blueberries!  The crops have been great so far.  What a great time of the year this is! 

We are always striving to serve our consumers better, and this month we have put together a few questions regarding this Newsletter.  Do you have any suggestions, comments or feedback? Is there a way we can make it better?  How are we doing?  We would appreciate it if you would take a few moments to answer these simple questions

We have also sent out our 2010 Consumer Satisfaction Survey to consumers as well.  If you haven't received one, or are a consumer and would like to participate, please click here.  We appreciate your feedback on our services!

For any information on any of our programs or services, or to give us ideas for future Newsletter articles, please contact [email protected]

Enjoy your summer!
 
Sincerely,
Kim Tyler
CILNM Executive Director

Celebrate the ADA
American's with Disabilities Act signed into Law 20 Years ago
ADA 20th Anniversary Logo2
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into Law on July 26, 1990 by President George H. W. Bush.  According to Wikipedia, its long title is, "An Act to establish a clear and comprehensive prohibition of discrimination on the basis of disability."  The ADA is a civil rights law that gives protections to people with disabilities and guarantees equal opportunity in public accommodations, employment, transportation, State and local government services and telecommunications.  As the 20th Anniversary of the signing of the ADA approaches, several local, State and National events are being planned to celebrate.

Access North is joining North Country Center for Independent Living and People with Disabilities for Change to celebrate.  The Twin Ports ADA 20th Anniversary celebration will be held on July 26, 2010 from 11:00 until 2:00 at the Barker's Island Pavilion in Superior.  There will be transportation provided from the DTA bus stop to the event.  If you have questions or would like more information, please contact the Duluth office at 1-888-625-1401.

If you happen to be in the Twin Cities area, there is an ADA Celebration at the Nicollet Island Pavilion (40 Power Street) in Minneapolis.  This event is also on July 26, 2010 and runs from 10:00 until 2:00.

Both events are free and open to the public.

Have you heard...?
Hearing loss options...
hand behind ear

If you are troubled by hearing loss, you are not alone.  Statistics show that over 35 million Americans (1 in 8 individuals) have a significant hearing loss.  Typical causes are not only age-related...excessive noise, drugs, genetic disorders, autoimmune diseases, infections as well as a blow to the head can cause significant hearing loss.

In our service area, there are many programs available to help.  One option is the Telephone Equipment Distribution (TED) Program. The TED Program offers telephone equipment at no cost to those that qualify. 

To qualify, a person must:
  • live in Minnesota
  • have phone service
  • have a hearing loss or a speech or physical disability
  • have an annual income of $43,391 or less for one person, $56,742 or less for two people.  Visit www.tedprogram.org for more than two person households or call 1-800-657-3663, 1-888-206-6555 (TTY users).
If you quality, TED program staff will decide what equipment you need, such as:
  • telephones that make voices sound louder and clearer
  • devices that make the phone ring louded or have a lamp flash when the phone rings
  • hands-free speaker phones for people who have trouble holding a handset or dialing
  • captioned telephones so users can read what callers say
  • TTY for deaf or speech-impaired callers
  • equipment for people who are deaf, blind or have other needs for non-standard equipment.
To learn more about these services, you may visit the website, call the above phone numbers or write to the TED Program, 444 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul, MN  55155-3814.

In addition to the TED Program, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division offers other services for deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf/blind individuals and their family members.  To find out more about these services, call 651-431-5940 (voice) or 1-888-206-6513 (TTY) or visit www.dhhsd.org.

Another option is the Hearing Aid and Assistance Technology (HAAT) Loaner Bank.  HAAT serves deaf, deafblind and hard of hearing individuals in financial need who do not qualify for other assistance programs.  When needed, they will arrange for a hearing evaluation through volunteer audiologists and hearing aid dispensers in the counties of Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake and St. Louis.

To qualify, a person must:
  • have an annual income of $16,500 or less for one person, $20,000 married or single and have a child under 18 who lives with you (add $4,500 for each additional child)
  • live in Minnesota
  • meet other eligibility guidelines.
For more information on this program call Virginia 218-748-2253 Voice, 1-866-448-3997 TTY or Duluth 218-723-4962 Voice, 1-866-488-3833 TTY or visit www.dhhsd.org.

AccessNorth receives grant from Miller-Dwan Foundation
Now offering cooking classes in accessible kitchen
picture of accessible kitchen

Access North teaches a wide variety of independent living skills to people with disabilities, who wish to become independent, maintain independence or just enhance skills.  Cooking is one of those skills that really increases someone's ability to not only live independently, but also to save money and maintain a healthy lifestyle.  Thanks to a grant from the Miller-Dwan Foundation, the Duluth Branch Office is now offering cooking classes in an accessible kitchen.  Not only is the kitchen wheelchair accessible, there is a wide assortment of assistive technology available for use by people of all abilities.

Some of the classes will teach very basic cooking skills and kitchen safety.  There will also be more advanced classes that will concentrate on a specific area.  For example, we may have an entire clpicture of accessible appliancesass devoted to making pasta dishes or a class for making cookies.  We welcome your suggestions.  Watch for more information in our upcoming newsletters and mailings.  If you have any questions, please call the Duluth office at 1-888-625-1401.

Summer Safety
Tips for a Fun-Filled Season
summer drink

(This article has been adapted from a previous article which originally ran in the May - 2006 Newsletter.)

As you renew your pool pass, plan a cook-out or take your boat out, don't forget to consider summer safety. Check out our guide for tips to stay accident-free!

Be Sensible About Sun Exposure
A bad sunburn can keep your skin tender for days. It may even send you to the hospital. But the temporary discomfort pales alongside the cumulative effect of frequent and severe sunburns: skin cancer. Sun exposure, particularly large but irregular doses of it without sunscreen, is the No. 1 cause of skin cancer. Sunscreen, long-sleeved clothing, wide-brimmed hats (and even sunglasses to protect your eyes) are examples of things you can wear or apply to protect yourself from the sun's damaging rays.

Watch Out for High Temperature & Humidity
Even grown-ups may get so caught up in having fun that they ignore the signs of overexertion and heat related illness. Whether you're working or playing outdoors, pay attention to your thirst, rest often and stop when you feel weak, dizzy or fatigued.

Be Wise in the Water
Nothing's more enjoyable than a cool dip on a hot day, but the fun can evaporate with terrifying speed. Don't let it happen. Learn to swim. Supervise those who don't know how. And review the rules for safe boating. And be careful about jumping off of high rock formations into the water!

Beware of Bugs
Mosquitoes swarming in your garden? Usually they're just a nuisance. A wasp's nest run over by your lawn mower? Now that's an entirely different story. Deal with insects, both flying and creeping by using insect repellant, wearing protective clothing, removing standing water where they can breed & bug zappers are all good ways to start.

Bike With Brains: Protect Your Head
It's great exercise, and when you're hurried, it sure beats walking. But if you whiz along on your bicycle without a helmet, you're courting a concussion, or worse. The same holds true for skate boarding, rollerblading and other sports on wheels. Of course, protective gear won't prevent biking accidents from occurring in the first place. Pay attention to your surroundings.

Fend Off Food Poisoning
That's a tempting burger, pink in the middle, sizzling on the grill. Grab a bun, scoop up the patty and - whoa there, partner! You might regret it. In warm weather, careless food preparation - such as an undercooked burger - and improper food storage can be disastrous. Don't let an outbreak of food poisoning ruin your good time.

And Finally: Have a Ball!
The things you do this summer may give you memories you'll cherish forever. Unfortunately, a moment's carelessness can have the opposite effect. While you can't eliminate all risks, you can certainly reduce the odds of a potentially tragic accident. What's more, the measures that save the most lives are also some of the simplest - wearing a bike helmet, for instance, or putting on a life jacket. When safety automatically comes first, you can truly start to have fun.