Memorandum Date: August 1, 1993 To: Senator Dole From: Alec Vachon Re: Follow up to ASK Independent Living Center Dedication I spoke with Glade Jones, Executive Director of the ASK ILC in Dodge City, today. He felt the dedication went very well (barring a few glitches such as the microphone that didn't work), and was impressed with your remarks. About 100 people signed the guest book, and perhaps double that number attended. Both local TV stations (NBC and CBS affiliates), as well as the Dodge City Daily Globe (article attached), covered the event. As a result of the publicity, ASK has received six phone calls from prospective clients on Tuesday and Wednesday. Incidentally, Jones expects renewal of their State grant to be automatic. He indicated that you suggested he call me if ASK plans to pursue addtional grant opportunities, which I also encouraged (Handwritten) Dale {illegible} Dodge City Daily Globe (Hand written 8-10) (Printed on right side) 08/11/93 08:13 SEN BOB DOLE'S OFFICE, WICHITA 008 Pages 50 cents Dodge City, Kansas 67801 Tue Kansas Senator Bob Dole stands by at the opening of facility for area disabled By Sue Sprenkle Globe Reporter The grand opening may have been a couple of months late, but as far as Glade Jones is concerned it was worth the wait. The executive director of Accessing Southwest Kansas Inc. welcomed Senator Bob Dole to the dedication ceremony for the new disabled services facility Monday afternoon. Dole made the short stop in Dodge City during a statewide tour. He said he wanted to show his support for the disabled. "This is very important to me. I met some of the people who are making ASK happen almost 14 years ago. They mean a lot and we're trying to address these problems in southwest Kansas," he said. ASK serves a seven-county area including Ford, Hodgeman, Gray, Meade, Clark, Kiowa and Edwards. It was established to meet the independent-living needs of Southwest Kansas residents with disabilities. This is the only facility of its kind in west of Wichita and Salina. Dole Acknowledged the hard work it took to get the program established and what it would take to continue. "This is a big step in the right direction" he said "Issues affecting disabled Americans sometimes don't make it in the headlines, so those with disabilities have no idea where to turn." ASK was established just for that purpose. The program is based on four service areas: Information and referral, independent living skill training, peer conseling and advocacy. Jones said peer counseling will include addressing issues a disabled person faces with someone who has gone through similar experiences with their disability. In just two months, the center has helped almost 40 people. Jones said anyone with disabilites is welcome to use their services by either an appointment or just coming in off the street. "ASK will service individuals with any disability type. There is no age requirement and services will be available at no cost for people with disabilities," He said. Despite the already good response to the new facility, Dole has high hopes that more will come. "By having the formal type of grand opening. I hope some will hear about this program who wouldn't otherwise be able take advantage of it" he said. The center also offers accessibility surveys for local businesses. Jones said they rate and give suggestions on how to improve access to the businesses. Dole said this added feature is of great assistance to the community as a whole. "It may cost the businessman to revamp a little, but they will gain more customers when the disabled can easily gain access to their buildings." he said. Elsewhere with Dole Dole: GOP ready to join in a truly bipartisan effort Wichita (AP)-- Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole said Monday Republicans are prepared to work with President Clinton but it's got to be a truly bipartisian effort. "Unfortunately, Democrats see bipartisanship as having Republicans simply sign off on their ideas." Dole said at a stop here during a three-day tour of his home state as the August congressional recess began. "I hope President Clinton truly does want bipartisanship and cooperation on the tough issues facing Americans today. So far, he has only rarely asked for our cooperation, and ignored our efforts to help when it was offered "President Clinton still acts as if the law presidential campaign was still in progress. "If we cannot work with him, Republicans will attempt to try to work with the Democrat leadership in the congress on uupcoming issues and problems facing the country" (Printed on right side) 08/11/93 00:12 SEN BOB DOLE'S OFFICE, WICHITA 007 Image (Credit: Keith Jones/ Daily Globe) Caption: U.S. Sen. Bob Dolegreets state government officials Monday afternoon at the grand opening of Accessing Southwest Kansas Inc., a non-profit service and advocacy group of the disabled in seven southwest Kansas counties. Dole spoke of the importance of facilities like ASK before helping cut the grand-opening ribbion.