Newsletter Archives 01

When I first started working at Summit in the summer of 1985, the world - or at least our corner of it here in western Montana - was a very different place. You could count the number of accessible apartments in Missoula on your fingers, or at most on your fingers and toes. You could hop a bus to get across town, but if you used a wheelchair you were on your own because most buses didn't have lifts. Stores, restaurants and other businesses weren't required to have ramps and wide doorways, much less provide a menu in Braille or other accommodations. The Americans with Disabilities Act was still a pipe dream in the minds of national disability rights leaders, the Fair Housing Amendments Act more than half a decade from reality.

Fast forward to 2001. When I reflect on my years with Summit, I'm struck by how much progress has been made. All the buses in Missoula are now equipped with lifts. The
number of accessible apartments has increased dramatically (although many are still far from affordable), and many businesses have improved their accessibility. You see more and more people with disabilities out and about across western Montana -- working, going to school, shopping, eating out, participating in community affairs. This is due in large part to the ADA, the Fair Housing Act, IDEA, and other disability laws that mandate equal access and equal opportunity and forbid discrimination on the basis of disability.

On the local disability rights front, I'm also struck by the number of consumer groups that have emerged over the past several years and are now actively shaping legislation, policy and services for people with disabilities: People First chapters, the Coalition of Montanans Concerned with Disabilities (CMCD), the Alliance for Disability and Students at the University of Montana, and ADAPT, to name a few.

At Summit, I'm proud of the accomplishments our organization has achieved. In many ways we've been a part of the progress I've just described, through ongoing advocacy efforts and hard work to empower people with disabilities to stand up for their rights. Some of the most notable achievements over the past twenty years include:

Is our work done? Hardly. Transportation, housing, and accessibility are still high on our priority list, as are personal assistance services and other long-term care supports. The ADA itself has come under attack in recent years, and must be defended. Yes, we still have much to do as we move forward into the 21st century, but we do so with pride in our accomplishments and high hopes for continued progress.

The Montana Center on Disabilities has a program called Opening Doors to Community Service. The Opening Doors to Community Service Program is responsible for administering the State of Montana's Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities into the AmeriCorps community service programs.

AmeriCorps is the Domestic Peace Corps engaging some 40,000 people in community service projects. A person has to be a United States citizen, at least 17 years of age, and have a high school diploma or equivalence, and there are exceptions.

AmeriCorps does hire persons with disabilities who can do the essential functions of the job with or without accommodations.

AmeriCorps members receive some benefits for their term of service. A full time member receives a monthly living allowance of $718 a month, health insurance, worker compensation, unemployment insurance, child care, post secondary educational award of $4725, and training and job experience.

Do you want to find out more about this wonderful opportunity to share your skills and talents? Contact Gilbert Martell, Coordinator, email: Gmartell@msubillings.edu, or call 1-888-866-3822 or 406-657-2317, www.msubillings.edu/opendoors.

Summit Staff: Mike Mayer, Jude Monson, Paul Peterson, Dena Bauer, Flo Kiewel, Libby Miller, Carolyn Augare, Debbie Jackson, Sally Wahl, Randy Moddrell, Joanne Perkins, Patrick Gowen

Missoula Peers: Karen Bailey, Janis Berg, Jennifer Cerutti, Mike Connor, Andrea Dahl, Marianne Davis, Pam Davis, Debbie Ham, Travis Hoffman, Zen Hofman, Carol Ann Hovland, Paul Hughes, Sheila James, Brooke Jaqueth, Vera Mace, Gordon Payne, Mary Reopelle, Viola Sapin, Kelli Whitaker

Flathead Peers: Shelley Laing, John Polotto, Leo Kanning, Marty Wheeler, Liz Gibbons, Dianne Carrell, Nancy Buhre, Evelyn Pool, Melanie Stoddard, Michael Bridges

Ravalli Peers: Luanna Blancher, Susan Butchart, Joan Marie Connor, Nancy Holzer, Colleen Ireland, Connie Joslin

Senior Companions: Shirley O'Malley, Johan Nilsen, Margaret Strom, Betty Zander, Carolyn Anderson, Ruth McMillan

Board Members: Jamie Carpenter, Chris Clasby, Jim Drakos, Shelley Laing, Tom Lindell, John Polotto, Larry Riley, Arlene Templer, Shirlee Walker

And special acknowledgment to the hundreds of Personal Attendants who work in our SDPAS program.

Recently Summit has become involved in a volunteer project called Seasons of Change. Summit knows that many people with disabilities already volunteer their time in a variety of areas. The idea of this project is to also invite new volunteers from the disability community to join together in an assortment of opportunities in Missoula such as holiday giving, neighborhood beautification, and an oral history project.
Summit's part of this project is to find people with disabilities who would like to be involved in the oral history project. Ravalli County has participated in a "tell our disability story" project and it was such a big hit that we would like to expand the idea! Sharing your experiences would include talking from a local community historical perspective, and describing how changes in state or national laws have effected you. We will keep documenting these stories so that future generations can understand the lives of Montanan's with disabilities. We are starting in the Missoula area this fall. If this project interests you, call Jude Monson for more information at 728-1630.

As I look back at Summit's 20 years I know there are many people, both with disabilities and without, who have advocated for the changes needed in Western Montana. Whether you are someone who has assisted with improvements in housing, transportation, employment, financial benefits, accessibility, or something else, you demonstrated respect for yourself and responsibility for your community.

I believe self respect starts with pursuing our rights as human beings. As people with disabilities we call this advocating for ourselves. Our respect for the rights of others is shown by the way we support one another in everyday life as well as the challenges we encounter together. As people with disabilities, each new improve-ment in our community is a step toward living in a more equal world. It is powerful to know we have collectively made not only the life of people with disabilities better but have enriched our community as well.

I look forward to Summit's leadership in the next 20 years as we face future challenges and see continual progress. Let's keep our vision on opportunities to educate others about the disability and independent living needs in our local communities, our great state of Montana, and in our nation. Together we will continue to advocate for changes that improve access and inclusion for Montanan's with disabilities. The opportunities are limitless!

The above list of bills certainly does not include all bills that specifically affect people with disabilities. Many bills were passed that make changes in medical and mental health care, workers compensation, special education and other areas of interest to people with disabilities. People having questions regarding the above bills or other bills enacted by the Montana 2001 Legislature can contact Paul Peterson at (800) 398-9002, (407) 728-1630 or by email at paulpete@summitilc.org.

As of March 1st, Dena Bauer, a Summit staff member since 1987, is the new full-time Missoula peer coordinator. Some exciting changes are happening. A skills inventory was mailed to each peer in March to get feedback on their interests and skill level in different areas. These inventories are tallied and the peers have requested additional training in several areas. As the peers become organized you can expect to see more one-on-one peer matches, and continued involvement in personal assistance/long-term care, transportation, access, and ADA compliance issues. In addition, the Missoula peers will provide inservices to businesses and agencies on Summit and the peer program.

Summit's peer advocate training manual is being updated and a beginning peer training should be held sometime late summer to early fall. If you are interested in this training or have questions about the Missoula peer program, please feel free to contact Dena at 728-1630.

The second annual MYLF will be held in Billings July 23-27. Twelve girls and eight boys will attend this year's forum.
Communities represented are: St. Regis, Hamilton, Corvallis, Missoula, Bigfork, Helena, Bozeman, Laurel, Absorakee, Plentywood, Miles City, Billings, Roundup, and Cut Bank. There are four Native Americans and one Hispanic in the delegation. Nine different disabiling conditions are also represented.

April is national volunteer month and Summit would like to thank all our volunteers who help make our job easier. Volunteers include:

Board of Directors - Jamie Carpenter, Chris Clasby, Jim Drakos, Shelley Laing, Tom Lindell, John Polotto, Larry Riley, Gabe Skibsrud, Arlene Templer, Shirlee Walker

Missoula Senior Companions - Johan Nilsen, Shirley O'Malley, Margaret Strom, Betty Zander, Aleta Windes

Flathead Peer Advocates - Nancy Buhre, Leo Kanning, John Polotto, Shelley Laing

Flathead Senior Companioans - Carolyn Anderson, Helen Larrivee, Bernie Hamley

The 1999 legislature approved Senate Bill 241 MCA (statute) 87-2-803. This change significantly affects the eligibility criteria to be certified to receive a Permit to Hunt From a Vehicle from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP).

The language now states: "A person with a disability who is issued a permit under this subsection is entitled to have the department stamp the permit with 'Permission to Hunt From a Vehicle' if the person establishes to the satisfaction of the department that the person has 'substantially impaired mobility.'" "Substantially impaired mobility" means, with respect to a disabled person, that the person is nonambulatory or virtually unable to move on foot. The Fish and Game Legislative Committee and FWP interpreted nonambulatory or virtually unable to move on foot to mean, "permanently, physically reliant on a wheelchair or similar wheeled conveyance."

If you would like to receive a copy of the application and a brochure regarding the permit, please call (406)444-2535. If you have questions, feel free to contact Connie Mills, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Helena at (406)444-4040.

ADA Celebration Successful

The ADA 10 year celebration had very exciting outcomes. Nationally, the media was more pro- active about interviewing people with disabilities. In Montana, celebrations occurred in 11 communities: Billings, Butte, Bozeman, Dillon, Glendive, Glasgow, Great Falls, Hamilton, Helena, Lewistown, and Missoula. In Western Montana the media followed up with ADA stories in Flathead, Missoula, and Ravalli counties.

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Summit Welcomes New Board Members

Summit welcomes Shirlee Walker to its Board of Directors. Shirlee was appointed to the board in May of this year. She is a CPA for Elmore & Associates in Missoula and has extensive experience on not-for profit boards. She also trains and places service dogs for people with disabilities. Welcome Shirlee!

In addition, Arlene Trempler, was appointed to the board at the September meeting. Arlene heads up the Tribal VR program on the reservation. She is extremely versatile and has worked in the human services field for many years. We look forward to working with her and providing independent living services to her clientele. Welcome Arlene!

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Summit Trains New Peers

This past June 10 people with disabilities successfully complete Summit's peer advocate training program. In Missoula county we welcome: Gordon Payne, Tammy Shearer, Debbie Ham, Donell Neiss, Billie Jo Nelson, Becca Strom, Mike Connor and Dustin Hankinson. New peers in Flathead County include Marty Wheeler and Lisa Moorhead. Summit has 13 active peers working out of the Missoula office; 6 peers in Ravalli County, 9 in the Flathead area, and 4 in Sanders County.

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Research Center Seeks Participants for a Study of Self-Esteem Among Women with Disabilities

The Center for Research on Women with Disabilities (CROWD) is seeking women with physical disabilities who would like to participate in a study of self-esteem. This research project is part of a national study conducted by Dr. Margaret A. Nosek and her research team at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.

"Women with disabilities often struggle to overcome low self-esteem. Their disability and how others perceive them have a significant impact on the way they view themselves," said Dr. Nosek, principal research investigator and director of CROWD. "We are pleased that we have this opportunity to better understand how to help women with disabilities enhance their self-esteem."

"This study will explore the physical and attitudinal barriers that women with disabilities face everyday," said Dr. Rosemary B. Hughes, research project director. "This project will also help us to better understand the effect that depression, stress, and lack of social support can have on the self-esteem of women with disabilities."

Missoula is one of five U.S. cities participating in the research study. Other sites are: Phoenix, Arizona; St. Petersburg, Florida; St. Cloud, Minnesota; and Arlington, Virginia.

Women with physical disabilities who are interested may call Dena at Summit Independent Living Center, 728-1630 for more information. Qualified participants will receive a small payment.

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ADA! Don't Tread on the ADA!!

At press time Summit was busy preparing for an ADA march and rally to be held in downtown Missoula on October 11th. The event, dubbed "A March for Justice," is part of a national campaign in support of ADA as the U.S. Supreme Court begins arguments on October 11th in the case of Garrett vs. the University of Alabama. The Garrett case focuses on states' rights vs. individual civil rights under ADA. At stake is the very existence of Title II of ADA which prohibits states from discriminating in employment and services provided by state agencies. The March for Justice is sponsored by the Missoula Coalition for Disability Rights, which includes Summit, ADAPT, CMCD, People First of Missoula, and ADSUM, the Alliance for Disability and Students at the University of Montana. Civil rights not states' rights!

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Justin Dart

March for Justice Rally (10/3/00)

We are here today to say that civil rights, including ADA rights, are sacred in America. We are here today to ring the bell of freedom, to sound the alarm across the land.

This is our bell of freedom. It is made from shackles and chains that held people with psychiatric disabilities in concentration camp-like institutions.

We ring the bell of freedom to say, no more shackles or forced treatment of any kind, no more imprisonment of any kind in institutions, nursing homes or back rooms, no more segregation of any kind.

MiCASSA, now!

We ring the bell of freedom to say no more restrictions of any kind on access to society -- not in Alabama, not anywhere.

No more restrictions of any kind on the freedom to choose where and how to live.

We ring the bell of freedom to call on every American to join us in fighting for the ADA and supporting civil rights in the elections.

We are voting for our lives.

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Opinion Poll 2000

Keep 'em coming folks. It's a race to the finish, who will be the champion pollster county? Which county will benefit to the max because interested people let us know their opinion on the unmet needs of people with disabilities? So far, we have a whopping total of 70 polls completed and turned in. (This is only round one, let's continue to get our voices heard and wishes known.)

Top three unmet needs in each county by priority:

Sanders County needs: OT in Thompson Falls; Lift in Swimming Pool; supported living

Missoula County needs: Transportation; accessibility issues; employment

Ravalli County needs: Housing; transportation; socialization

Flathead County needs: Accessibility; acceptance; transportation

Lake County needs: Transportation; accessibility; socialization
Lincoln County needs: Accessibility; public awareness and education

If you have not filled out an opinion poll and would like to, please contact Carolyn in the Missoula office at 728-1630 or toll-free at 800-398-9002.

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Just For Students

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) turns 25 this year. This act ensures that all children with disabilities have available to them a free and appropriate public education that emphasizes education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for employment and independent living.

Since 1975 thousands of children with disabilities in the United States have received special education and related services under IDEA and have gone on to contribute immeasurably to their communities and to life in American society.

The Montana Youth Leadership Forum (MYLF) for students with disabilities held its first annual forum July 24-28th. This is a unique career leadership training program for high school juniors and seniors with disabilities. Eli and Michael, two students from Missoula, attended this forum and are excited about the new friends with disabilities they met from across the state. Eli suggests that students and adults with disabilities be asked directly about their needs. Michael was excited about the many disability resources available in our state. Both Eli and Michael feel there needs to be more advocacy with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and financial support for students with disabilities.

The 2001 MYLF applications are due March 1st. If you know of a high school junior or senior in Montana that would be interested in applying contact, Jude or Paul at 728-1630.

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This newsletter is funded by the U.S. Department of Education grant #H132A30808 and in part under an agreement with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human services. Any statements herein do not necesssarily reflect the opinion of the departments.

This page was last updated on 6/23/08