Minutes for January 12, 2006

Meeting Location: Four Points Sheraton, Minneapolis

Present: Connie Lee Berg, Barbara Chromy, Roberta Cich, Mark Eggen, Adrienne Haugen, Lois Johnson, Sharon Johnson, Karen Larson, Larry Lura, Vicki Dalle Molle, Ann Zick, Mary Pennington, David Sherwood-Gabrielson (ex.officio).

Rehabilitation Services Staff: Gail Lundeen, Brad Westerlund.

Guests: Representatives of the Minnesota Association of Centers for Independent Living (MACIL): Randy Sorenson, Cara Ruff, Nate Aalgaard and Kim Tyler.

Absent: Bryan Jensen, Linda Lingen (ex.officio), Phyllis Coppess, Judy Sanders (excused).

Approval of December Draft Minutes and Agenda

Ann Zick moved to accept the December minutes with the amendment that Lois Johnson is not a member of the website committee. (Johnson will float between the committees.) Eggen seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.

Zick suggested that the agenda be revised to accommodate the visitors and allow them to speak at the beginning of the meeting. Johnson moved that the agenda be accepted with the proposed revision. Eggen seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

MACIL Discussion

MACIL members introduced themselves: Randy Sorenson, Options: Interstate Resource Center for Independent Living; Cara Ruff, Independent Lifestyles, Inc.; Nate Aalgaard, Freedom Resource Center for Independent Living; and Kim Tyler, Center for Independent Living of Northern Minnesota. Ruff stated that MACIL members would like to have a greater presence at the SILC meetings. Center directors hope to attend SILC meetings on a regular basis.

MACIL requested an hour in April to discuss a position paper on the statewide needs of the Centers for Independent Living (CIL). Ruff requested that the position paper be distributed to SILC members in advance of the next meeting. Westerlund requested that it be provided as early as possible to allow for formatting.

The MACIL members spoke about how each CIL provides a different mix of services and advocacy and of the geographical and economic challenges in their specific areas. SILC members were encouraged to visit the CIL in their area. MACIL members are receiving the SILC meeting minutes. MACIL members encouraged interested SILC members, if they do not already receive them, to request specific CIL newsletters.

DeafBlind Culture Presentation - Adrienne Haugen

Haugen spoke of the challenges being deaf and blind. She stated that one person in four lack food and medical services. Persons who are DeafBlind are not adequately served or supported. For example, once bind, an individual is referred to State Services for the Blind (SSB), where it is difficult to address the needs created by deafness. The Minnesota Deaf/Blind taskforce is calling for SSB to develop service policies for the deaf/blind community.

Most daily tasks are challenging and there is a huge issue with social isolation. It is hard to find people with the skills to be Service Support Providers' (SSPs). SSPs need a unique mix of skills to assist people who are Deaf/Blind. Adrienne spends a lot of time recruiting SSPs. Her husband must frequently fill this role. Ruff encouraged Haugen to use her local Independent Living Center to assist with advocacy.

Haugen demonstrated the challenges of vision and hearing loss by providing photos that demonstrated various types of vision loss and by playing audio tapes that simulated various types of hearing loss. Parts of the video Touching Lives: Portrait of the Deaf-Blind People was played. SILC members expressed an interest in having future access to the video.

Committee Planning

The Diversity/Outreach and Website Committee's met and continued to work on the attainment of the 2005-2007 SPIL goals and objectives. These two groups will provide minutes from these meetings, and will be included in the April packet.

SILC philosophy discussion

Ann Zick brought to the attention of the SILC members that the Independent Living Philosophy on the web site and the one in the SILC by laws were not the same. Ann Zick made the motion that the following philosophy be used.

The philosophy of Independents Living is consumer control, peer support, self-help, self determination, equal access, and individual and system advocacy, in order to maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence and productivity of individuals with disabilities and the integration and full inclusion of individuals with disabilities into the mainstream of American society.

Vicki Dalle Molle seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously. Vicki Dalle Molle added a friendly amendment to the motion that on the SILC web site that the phrase; "the SILC of Minnesota hold that" be added to the beginning of the philosophy statement. Connie Lee Berg seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.

704 report

Ann Zick motioned that the 704 report be signed by the chair, Lois Johnson. Vicki Dolly Molly seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.

Announcements

  1. Connie Lee Berg made the observation that there is a full agenda and the Council needs to finish its business. She stated that it can be frustrating to attempt to get all the work done, particularly if some leave early. Berg requested members be committed to the Council and its work. Chromy agreed that it feels as if the Council frequently must rush through its work.
  2. Zick announced that Mental Health Day on the hill is scheduled for March 28, 2006.
  3. The next meeting will be held on April 13 th at the Four Points Sheraton Minneapolis, 1330 Industrial Boulevard .

Connie Lee Berg motioned that the meeting be adjourned. The motion was seconded by Ann Zick and passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 3:00.