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Etusivu / Albumit / Tunnisteet apartments
+ Las Casitas Housing 6
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Rocky Mountain News March 26, 1977 News PHOTO by John Gordon: A small person (Mary Cisneros) with apparently no legs is seen from the back in wheelchair, wheeling through an empty lot. In the background is a clothes line with clothes hanging out to dry. [Headline] The beginning of a quiet war Once destined to spend her life in state institutions, Mary Cisneros, 25, is starting over. She lives in a Denver apartment and plans to become a tutor for the blind. Here, she's shown at the Atlantis Community, where she and others have found new hope. Atlantis is working on behalf of the disabled. Handicapped starting a 'quiet revolution' continued from.... ,,, the first time. For others, it means learning how to read and write. Mrs. Sue Sutherland, 23, is one of two women who tutor the Atlantis residents, using a special teaching machine developed by a University of Colorado professor. A staff of 27 persons, including some who were themselves rescued from institutional settings, provides attendant care. Their pay comes from the state and county attendant allowances of up to $217 per month to which many in Atlantis are entitled by law. A HOTLINE CONNECTS the housing units and the apartments of those no longer at Las Casitas, so residents can seek help quickly in emergencies. The job of manning the line is one of many tasks performed by the residents. Each is paid $50 a month, a figure arrived at because anything higher would oblige the recipients to involve themselves in red tape - and, in many cases, to lose the welfare payments they now receive. Most residents draw $184 a month in public assistance, most of it coming in the form of federal "SSI" payments. The rest comes from the state. From this, they pay $101 for room and board. Blank is the highest paid staff member. He gets about $8,000 a year from a combination of state and private grants. This leaves him eligible for food stamps. Administrator Mary Penland "gets paid when we can scrounge it up," and Kopp - who lives in Blank's house and has bought a third of it - hasn't been paid a dime of salary during his two years as co-director. Needless to say, Atlantis has made waves. lt has clashed with doctors who insist that the place for severely disabled persons is in an institution. And it has fought with those label people as "mentally retarded," saying the phrase is largely meaningless. "WE TOTALLY REFUSE to use that label here." says Blank. “We don't think the term is applicable to most young people. If they're retarded, it's socially retarded." Blank bubbles with excitement at the success stories of the people around him - those he proudly describes as “my circle of friends. “ And their affection for him is equally visible. There is Gary Van Lake. a 24-year-old Wyoming native who broke his neck in a 1973 car crash. Wyoming rehabilitation officials insisted he had no hope of returning to a normal life. "They told me I had reached my potential," he recalls. Coming to Denver to attend college, he wound up in a nursing home. Atlantis got him out and helped him get into Craig Hospital where he learned anew how to do things like go to the bathroom and drive a car. Now he has a specially equipped van, complete with an elevator for his electric wheelchair, and is engaged to marry in May. An outsider, viewing the rundown setting and the severity of the residents' physical problems, has to rely on their words and smiles to know how much their lives have improved. ONE TESTIMONIAL came from John Folks, 21, who has been paralyzed from the neck down since he was shot in June 1972. He breathes through a tube in his throat and uses a specially equipped telephone with a loudspeaker and a switch that he can trigger by moving his head to one side. Soon after Blank told how Folks had joined other Atlantis residents on a camping trip last summer. Folks explained how he felt about leaving the nursing home in which he lived for nine months before he came to Atlantis: “It's just like getting out of prison. lt is like starting over again. " Acknowledging that he and others at Atlantis “are somewhat egotistical" in their boasts of success, he adds: "We have to be to survive." But he also contends that the boasts are well-founded. For one thing, he notes, Atlantis has caught President Carter's fancy and could play a role in Carter's upcoming plans to revamp the welfare system. Last summer, when candidate Carter passed through Denver on the campaign trail, he met briefly with Atlantis officials. This week, two HEW aides from Washington came to Denver for a briefing on what Atlantis is doing. And a thick report, put together by Atlantis with an $82,500 federal grant, will go to Washington as Colorado's minority report at the White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals. The May event, planned when Gerald Ford was still president, is the first of its kind. lt is expected to set the stage for significant action by Congress to aid the nation's disabled citizens. The money for the Atlantis reports which was unveiled in February, came as a belated response to the original efforts of Blank and Kopp to get enough money so they could build Atlantis from the ground up. When the money came through in 1976, they knew it wouldn't be enough to get them out of Las Casitas. But they saw the value of a comprehensive report about the need of the disabled. ITS CONCLUSIONS are clear and blunt. Blunt as Wade Blanks words when he describes why Atlantis has the potential to be seen us model for the nation. “Our critics say all we have to offer is the slums," he noted a couple of days ago. "Yet 55 people are on our waiting list." "I think the nursing homes are going to have to start watching their words because the waiting list indicates, in essence, that these people would rather live in a slum than in a nursing home " NEXT: “We are demanding our rights."
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The Denver Post? [Headline] Atlantis Residents Train for Hot Line Handicapped persons residing in the Atlantis Community in Denver are being trained to man a telephone hot line to respond to the emergency needs of all the disabled in Denver. Wade Blank, Atlantis co-director, said the hot line -- soon to be put into service -- is being funded by the Colorado Vocational Rehabilitation Division. [Subheading] FURNITURE GIVEN In other developments at Atlantis, the Denver Hilton Hotel ls donating furniture for the apartments in which the handicapped persons reside at the Las Casitas Public Housing Development here. The furniture is being made available by the hotel as the result of remodeling of some of the Hilton’s rooms, Blank noted. Atlantis ls a nonprofit organization which began operations last spring to offer the handicapped the opportunity to live in apartments so that they might attempt to realize their full potential. Blank also said the IBM Corp. in Denver, through its staff member Burt Lipell, donated a new washer and dryer to Atlantis. This equipment is operated by George Roberts, one of the Atlantis residents. The Denver City Council, Blank said, is being asked to appropriate $2,000 for installation of sidewalks among all the Atlantis apartments before winter comes. Atlantis has received three new electric wheel chairs and one manual chair through the efforts of Dr. James Syner of Medicaid’s special Medical Equipment division. [Subheading] COMMUNICATIONS A communications system also ls being planned among each of the apartments at Atlantis. And one of Atlantis’ most severely disabled residents is the coordinator of a wheel chair van which Atlantis leases from this resident, Blank said. This project also is funded by the rehabilitation division. Five Atlantis residents are attending local schools or colleges - one resident attending Metropolitan State College, one at Red Rocks School, two at Boettcher School and one at Opportunity School. PHOTO on bottom: Side view of a man's (Wade Blank) head, with below the shoulder long straight blondish hair, clean shaven, and wearing round glasses and a dark shirt. Caption reads: Wade Blank, The Disabled. Next article on right Disabled Helped by Wirth's Compassion To the Denver Post: IN A RECENT LETTER to the Forum (April 27), Rita Jackson complained that Representative's Wirth office is not accessible to the handicapped "via the front door." A partial truth can be a big lie, and the whole truth should be told. It is true that the front door is hard to negotiate in a wheelchair, but the office building is accessible from the rear, which is where the parking lot is located. Here, as in many office buildings, the "rear" is the normal, preferred building entrance, and as no "second class" connotations. What is more important, Tim Wirth is not the kind of ivory tower legislator who hides in his office and expects the world, disabled included, to bring its problems to him. Tim Wirth constantly leaves his office, goes out into the community, and talks to the people about their problems in their own environment. The disabled have often been helped by his blend of energy and compassion. Atlantis has found that Tim Wirth's heart and mind are always accessible, and that is what counts. Atlantis' Residents - Carolyn Finnell, Darrell Clark, Jackie Nielsen, Jean Joyce, Delbert Spotts, Jim Lundvall, Gary Van Lake, George Roberts, Will Cornelison, Alex Chavez Denver AD in a box: The Perfect Gift... "Companions" A book of unusual poetry by Michael Smith. Available soon at local book stores (All proceeds, after printing and selling costs, will go to the Atlantis Community for the handicapped in Denver.) PHOTO: Close-up of a man (Michael Smith) with long hair and dark mustache and beard looking up soulfully from a bed. Someone, mostly out of the picture, is looking down at him.
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[Headline] Make Atlantis Work With a newfound militance mixed with not a little nervousness and a bit of tear, eight young persons recently moved into their first apartments. What made them different? All possess severe physical handicaps; all moved from the protective atmosphere of nursing homes which they had grown to find stifling. The little group moved into renovated apartments at Las Casitas complex in the 1200 block of Federal Boulevard. On July 1, they will be joined by six others. Atlantis Community, Inc., as they call their new venture was born of a small sum of "seed" money from Dr. Henry Foley, director of the state Department of Social Services, and matching federal funding. If the program works—if the young people are able to successfully live in a semi-protected, semi-free community environment—it is hoped that it will be expanded.
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The Denver Post Tues. March 4, 1975 [Big Masthead: The Denver Post Founded on October 28, 1895 by F.G. Bonfils and H.H. Tammen Helen G. Bonfils, Officer and Director, 1933-72 "Dedicated in perpetuity to the service of the people, that no good cause shall lack a champion and that evil shall not thrive unopposed" Donald R Seawell, President, Chairman of the Board Charles R Buxton, Executive Vice President, Editor and Publisher Earl R Moore, Secretary-Treasurer William Hornby, Vice President, Executive Editor Robert H Shanahan, Vice President, General Manager] [Headline] The Post's Opinion [Subheading] A New Atlantis Is Born It didn't attract much attention. but the birth of the first phase of the Atlantis project is an event for rejoicing—as well as a warning for caution. A group of disabled persons in Denver, spurred to expectations of a better life by a new-found militancy, for some months now have been working to bring to to life a planned community in which handicapped persons could live a more normal life. This type of community, they hoped, would be free of confining nursing home atmospheres which so easily could make "vegetables" out of young patients without hope for anything more. Now, it has been announced, the first step toward that new independence has been successful. Within three months 14 disabled young persons will move from nursing homes into a cooperative apartment living situation in which they can receive the medical and supportive services they need in addition to the freedom they so desperately seek. The group will move into a renovated apartment complex called Las Casitas Homes at W. 11th Ave. and Federal Blvd. They will receive services and funding from a variety of sources. It is with a project such as this — perhaps unique in the nation — that disabled persons can find their level of dignity and productivity. For too long they have suffered through stereotyping which never realized their potential. However, the note of caution comes here: The participants in the program must be carefully screened so that those who take part can experience success in their new life styles; and those who are chosen must not reject the level of assistance that they still require in the headiness of their new freedom. If the commitment of all concerned is well established, the program should work and become a guiding light for other communities across the country.
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The Denver Post 2/28/1975 (Handwritten note at top of the page: Hey Bar - Congratulations! What's your projected involvement in it?) [Headline] Cooperative Project Disabled to Get Apartments By Sharon Sherman, Denver Post Staff Writer Fourteen young disabled persons are expected to move from nursing homes into apartments of their own within three months as part of a cooperative project paid for by city, state and federal funds. The young people would rent at a reduced rate renovated apartments in the Las Casitas Homes, at 11th Ave. and Federal B1vd., operated by the Denver Housing Authority. They would receive medical, rehabilitative and counseling services from community agencies. The project, named the Atlantis Community Early Action Program, will be funded through the Denver Mayor's Commission on the Disabled. It was designed by members of Atlantis Community, Inc., a committee of disabled and able-bodied persons working to create a planned community for the young physically handicapped. "I don't think this is the final answer (to problems of the young disabled in nursing homes), but it's a beginning with good possibilities,” said Dr. Parnell McLaughlin, director of the Colorado Division of Rehabilitation, through which the money for the project will come. The early-action program is expected to cost $16,417 initially. A little more than $3,000 of that has already been committed by Dr. Henry A. Foley, director of the Colorado Depart Social Services. That money will make it possible for McLaughlin to tap unused federal matching funds available to Colorado for rehabilitation projects. "We're still about $400 short, but I think we can work that out,” McLaughlin said. Las Casitas was chosen for the early-action program because it is built on relatively flat terrain, with some open space available, has access to bus service and is near the Westside Neighborhood Health Center. The aim of the program, according to the written proposal, is “to offer a normal way of life to the severely disabled.” In addition to rent subsidy, the project would provide residents with a program coordinator and home-care attendants who will see that medical, education, transportation and other services are available. Residents will receive the attendant care needed and will be billed only for the actual hours of service they receive. [Subheading] SCREENING PROCESS Those persons renting the units will be selected by a screening committee of disabled persons from Atlantis Community, Inc. The screening process will include a written application, supplying background, medical and financial information, and an interview. If the Atlantis Community is achieved, the units at Las Casitas would become “satellite" housing for the community.
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[this page contains a letter and below it an article from the newspaper Rocky Mountain News] Atlantis Community Inc. 619 south broadway denver, co 80223 303-297-3056 March 12, 1975 For Immediate Release At a recent meeting between Dr. Parnell McLaughlin, Director of the Colorado State Dept. of Vocational Rehabilitation, his staff, and representatives from the Atlantis Community it was discovered that an additional $400 will probably be needed to finalize the Atlantis Early Action Program. Dr. Henry Foley, newly appointed Director of the Colorado State Dept. of Social Services, announced at a press conference, March, 1975 that a $3,000 grant will be matched with a $12,000 federal grant for the rehabilitation of seven apartment units at the Las Casitas Housing Projects. These apartment units will be designed specifically for severely disabled young adults in wheelchairs. Although officials from the Denver Housing Authority and the Architectural Consultant from Atlantis estimated the cost for rehabilitating the apartments to be $14,000-15,000, a more detailed study puts these costs in the neighborhood of $16,500. Since no more emergency funds are available from the Dept. of Social Services, the Atlantis Early Action Program will fall short about $400.00 in State matching monies. The Atlantis Community is therefore appealing to the citizens of the State of Colorado for this money. In the event that more than $400 is raised, this extra money shall be used for furniture, transportation and printing costs. Applications for the Atlantis Early Action Program are now being taken. Disabled individuals should write Atlantis Early Action Program, 619 S. Broadway, Denver, Colorado 80223 for applications or call Cindy Montgomery, Glenn Kopp or Ingo Antonitsch at either 321-7269 or 297-3056. [signed] Atlantis Rocky Mountain News Handicapped to get chance in apartments photo: head shot of a man looking to the side. He is balding and has glasses, a jacket and tie. Caption reads: Henry A. Foley Fourteen severely handicapped young persons will be given a chance to live together in apartments instead of being confined in nursing homes because of a jointly funded pilot program called "Atlantis." The program was announced Thursday by state and city officials to an audience of about 25 handicapped persons who may become eligible to be the project's first residents. "This program may not be unique in the country, but we hope it will become a model," said State Social Services Director Henry A. Foley. He said the state has pledged $14,500 to remodel the seven apartment units which will be used for Atlantis residents. The apartments, which will each house two handicapped persons, are located in the Las Casitas housing project on Federal Boulevard between 11th and 12th Avenues. Ingo Antonitsch, director of the Denver Commision of the Disabled and chairman of a seven-member board created to administer the project, said he hopes the first residents can move in next month. The board will screen handicapped persons now living in nursing homes or with relatives to determine which are best suited, he said. Antonitsch said the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department has pledged $80,000 in federal funds to help plan the program. The Denver Department of Health and Hospitals has agreed to provide Atlantis residents with part-time medical assistance, he said. Residents wlll be required to pay rent for the apartments. “We want to prove that even the severely disabled, when given a little moral support, can become sell-sufficient and integrate with the community at large," Antonitsch said.