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Archive 2007
Articles From Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Online
Lawmakers push to reinforce ADA
Group wants to keep scope of original disabilities act
By AUDREY HOFFER
Posted: Oct. 4, 2007
Washington - Americans with disabilities told a House judiciary subcommittee Thursday that the Americans with Disabilities Act is not being implemented to the letter of the law because it excludes people whom Congress intended to cover.
To remedy this, Congress should pass the ADA Restoration Act of 2007, said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.). Hoyer and House Republican Jim Sensenbrenner of Menomonee Falls introduced the ADA Restoration Act on July 26, the 17th anniversary of passage of the original Americans with Disabilities Act legislation.
Click here for the full story including quotes from our staff
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=671292
Time out to show they care
Hundreds leave the office to help United Way cause
By JOHN SCHMID
Posted: Sept. 20, 2007
Rockwell Automation Inc. is as calculating as any company, with relentless shareholder pressure and competitors on all sides. The Fortune 500 giant knows all about business productivity because that's what it sells with its software and factory equipment.
See full story at http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=665354
Ben Vereen 'Takes Five'
Entertainer's life a triumph over tragedy
Posted: June 12, 2007
Fresh from a performance in the United Arab Emirates, where he dazzled the people of Abu Dhabi, the indomitable Ben Vereen, whose life is a tale of personal triumph over tragedy, is showing no signs of slowing down. At 60, the Tony Award-winning actor-dancer-singer continues to deliver - most recently in his tribute to Sammy Davis Jr., where he sings such popular tunes as "I've Got to Be Me" and "Black Magic." He also remains a highly sought-after motivational speaker. Inside of a decade, Vereen lost his teenage daughter in a car accident, was nearly killed after being struck by car and later suffered a stroke. He will be the featured speaker of IndependenceFirst's Power Lunch at noon Thursday at the Midwest Airlines Center. Shortly after returning to the States, he took five with urban affairs reporter Felicia Thomas-Lynn.
<Click here for the full article>
Duped into loan, disabled man faced huge bills
By ERICA PEREZ
Posted: Feb. 23, 2007
For 37-year-old Christopher Wiberg, being a friend means helping out, no questions asked.
So when a friendly woman persuaded him last fall to take out a high-interest loan at CitiFinancial on her behalf - and promised she would pay him back - Wiberg believed her. But she wasn't really his friend. And she never paid him back. She disappeared.
To read full story click here <http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=569821>
Seniors' needs often ignored
More affordable, accessible housing is vital, advocates say
By MICHELE DERUS
Posted: Feb. 10, 2007
Metro Milwaukee's housing stock is largely unsuited for its senior citizens and too expensive for them, industry experts say.
"We're seeing the premature placement of people in nursing homes and long-term care facilities," said Rocky Marcoux, commissioner of the Department of City Development. "It robs our community and our individual neighborhoods of the collective wisdom and incredible assets of our elders."
IndependenceFirst is referenced in the story as a resource on Universal Design see http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=563571 for the full story
Accessibility for all is admirable and achievable
By WHITNEY GOULD
Posted: Jan. 7, 2007
Sooner or later, those of a certain age have an epiphany: We have become our parents.
For me it came with last year's Christmas cards. One friend after another - some on the shy side of 50, others in their 60s and early 70s - offered up tales of new hips, knee replacements, foot surgeries and assorted other medical adventures that had left them temporarily disabled.
For full story see http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=550120
Articles from Alternative Sources
MBA's Abode Magazine
Building Innovations: Aging In Place
Today’s homes are being built to accommodate the changing needs of families. Homeowners in the twenty to thirty year old age range will use their homes differently than forty to fifty year olds, and there will be even more disparity between homeowners that are approaching retirement age. The question becomes how do you design a home that works for a variety of age groups and offers options like visitability and accessibility? Aging in place features can turn even your first home into a house that will adapt to the physical challenges of aging.
For full story featuring IndependenceFirst's expertise on Aging in Place and Universal Design, see http://www.mbaonline.org/adobe/documents/Building_Innovations.pdf
Freedom Festival in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Monday, July 16th, 2007 in Road Tour (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) With more than 200 attendees braving the weather, Milwaukee's Road to Freedom event was coordinated by IndependenceFirst, one of the tour's biggest sponsors. Being the City of Festivals, IndependenceFirst staff wanted to plan an event with music and entertainment that was inclusive of performers with disabilities.
For the whole story, see
http://roadtofreedom.wordpress.com/2007/07/16/freedom-festival-in-milwaukee-wisconsin/#more-69
Articles from TV News
4 On Your Side: Gas Ripoff
Shelley Walcott
With today's gas prices, we all need a break wherever we can get it. But we found some people getting charged more than the rest of us!
Thanks to a tip to our 'Call 4 Action', we found some gas stations charging disabled drivers up to 50 cents more a gallon.
Click here for full story and video link:
http://www.todaystmj4.com/features/onyourside/7618926.html
Amtrak Ordered To Make Trains Handicap Accessible
Renee Banot (Fox 6 10pm News)
Posted November 5, 2007
The Milwaukee Intermodal Stations was designed to serve as a "Gateway" to downtown Milwaukee. The multi-million dollar transportation project offers a variety of extra services. Underneath the new facade is an outdated feature that won't change this fall. FOX 6's Renee Banot shows you how amtrak is "off trak" with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Click on the link to see the full story video featuring interviews with two IndependenceFirst staffers.
http://www.myfoxmilwaukee.com/myfox/pages/ContentDetail?contentId=4843365