The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

â€"Carrier Corner There is strong economic reasoning as well as noble humanitarian idealism behind the movement. The costâ€"effecâ€" tiveness of independent living versus the The movement to integrate disabled people into society has a long history beginning with the technological adâ€" vances developed during and after World War II, and culminating in 1983 being declared the International Year of the Disabled. Medical breakthroughs and the impetus of sports organizations, parent groups and consumer groups led to the development of the independent living concept. This concept holds that everyone has the potential to live more independently, and that even the most severely and profoundly disabled indiâ€" viduals should be given the opportunity to exercise maximum control over their lives. For those who are not familiar with its rapidly evolving work, an Independent Living Centre coâ€"ordinates programs to facilitate community integration for disabled persons. It is not a residence, but a netâ€"working body involved with all areas of living: housing, transportation, employment and social services. Proâ€" grams are designed to maximize a disabled person‘s satisfaction with his/her involvement within the commuâ€" nity by assisting in the development of the necessary support services. The first ILC was established in Kitchener, in December 1982, following the recommendations of OBSTACLES, the report of the Special Committee on the Disabled and Handicapped, pubâ€" lished in 1981. Another first for Waterloo Region! The Kitchener Centre is located in the Canada Life Building at 235 King Street, East. Jim Hunsberger is the Coâ€"ordinator. I was present when the Kitchener ILC first opened its doors, offering assistance to disabled citizens in matters of housing referrals, public education, peer counselling accessibility consultation and training in selfâ€"advoâ€" cacy. Monday Jan. 14, I was pleased, as Minister Responsible for the Status of the Disabled, to be able to address the first national meeting of Independent Living Centres â€" hosted in Kitchener. A space of our ownâ€" A picture you would like to see published? Do it here! A Space of Our Own for the people of Waterloo Please Address all correspondence to: Waterioo, Ontario N2J 1L7 att: Rick Campbell, editor Do you have a story to tell? "A Space of Our Own" 45 Erb St. E. Waterloo Chronicle More recently, 1 attended the opening of the Centre for Sight Enhancement at the University of Waterloo‘s School of Optometry. Continuing to be on the leading edge of technological innovaâ€" tion, the University of Waterloo is making it possible for people with very limited sight to be able to read. Under the direction of Dr. George Woo, the Centre combines optometry programs, offering both clinical services and lowâ€" vision research. Through research, support programs, and the hard work of the volunteer sector, Canadians are advancing toward the day when everyone will be a full participant in society. Sheila Hannon of the Kâ€"W Record speaking as Mistress of Ceremonies at the March of Dimes Employer of the Year Award reception said: "If we are not now suffering from a disability, then at present we can be classified as ‘T.A.B.‘ â€" Temporarily Ableâ€"Bodied." cost of institutional care is staggering â€" an average cost of $30,000 a year for a person to live in an institution, versus $8,000 under an independent living proâ€" gram. In addition the concept of indeâ€" pendent living has the capacity to reach an expanding clientele â€" the elderly as well as the disabled of all ages. â€" One problem that disabled people face, if they are going to be fully independent, is the need to earn a living. Many companies in Kâ€"W now realize that it is what people can do, not what they can‘t do, that should be the measure of their worth to an employer. In 1984 the March of Dimes honoured a number of local firms who are showing leadership in their patterns of hiring disabled persons, at the 4th Annual Employer of the Year Awards. As the Minister Responsible for the Status of the Disabled, I was very pleased to be able to address this group, in company with Mayor Carroll of Waterloo and Mayor Cardillo of Kitchener. The recepâ€" tion was held at the poolside of the Waterloo Inn, which is now accessible to wheelchairs. Dan Bell Dan delivers the Chronicle in the Lillian, Brendawood, Chrisâ€" topher area of the city and although he says he doesn‘t have any really favorite hobby, he certainly won an unusual prize recently. Dan took first in the school pillowâ€"making contest. (Do we have a sleeper on our hands? ) This week‘s carrier is 13â€"yearâ€" old Dan Bell, a student at Lincoln Heights public school. Hon. Walter McLean M.P. Waterioo Secretary of State As I‘ve often told those who have asked, I have nothing against ties (I lie, I can‘t stand them) and in fact I admire those who dress to the nines. It‘s just never been my bag. I‘ve always gone the comfortable route, at least until now, but I‘ve decided compromise is the better point of valor (or is that veâ€" lour?) The change wasn‘t as traumatic as I figured it might be. So what I‘ve lost 354 close confidantes in the workplace now that I‘ve become a twoâ€"piece turncoat. So what I have these ugly veins on my forehead all the time because my collar is so bloody tight I can hardly breathe. And so what now that any time anybody wants me, they don‘t yell anymore, just yank my customâ€"knit? There‘s worse things in life. The reactons have been priceless. My wife, Beth, who I credit/accuse with being the driving force behind the transformation (always the case, right guys?) has been very supportive. Less than five weeks into our marriage, she You see, around these parts, I‘ve always been regarded as a casual dresser. Casual as in polo shirts, white socks, loafers or tennies. That‘s how people have always come to recognize me. I have more little alligators and penguins in my closet than you could shake a stick at, all hanging for dear life onto my golf shirt pockets. No problem ever recognizing me, I‘ve always been equally dressed at home, at work or at play. Always brought me closer to the folks I work with, media contacts, and small circle of friends who rejoiced in the knowledge that they could arrive at my place in socks and underwear and blend right into the woodwork. But I‘ve been editor for over two years now, and while I maintain that a person‘s work, not the naked lady on his necktie, should be the measure of his value, I can understand why my superiors would have a far wider smile for me if I spiffed up somewhat. Not whole hog, mind you, until my paycheâ€" que elevates me to the class that attends the Charcoal every day for lunch, but you know, nice shirt and slacks, and the noose on most occaâ€" sions. But now, here I am, with a 1985 resolution saying that I need to improve my image, and will do so immensely by noosing up each working day. So be it. Wasn‘t that big a deal for me, but judging from the stares I‘ve received this week, you would have thought the Doomsday Clock has ticked its final tock. And, to be truthful, I can‘t really say the reaction has surprised me. Before I drive any more colleagues or cronies dround the bend with curiosity, let me use this space to answer all questions about My New Profile. Hey, I‘m an obliging guy. Who happens to hate ties. I wrote a column about learning how to do up the suckers a year or so back. Thought it was a stupid, insignificant piece. Didn‘t think the column was much, either. No big deal I‘ve been told. Any person in my lofty (cack, cack) position should not only be entitled to the privilege, but should also be obliged. Egads, the boy has taken to wearing a tie. WATERLOO CHRONICLE, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30 Letters welcome The noose Rick Campbell Chronicle Editor And, I suppose, so will I. But do me a favor for the next little while, will you please. When you come up to the office, or see me on the street, or in the bar, don‘t stare at my tie. Laugh at my grey hair, or the razor cut on my chin, or my skinny biceps or little pot belly. But don‘t stare at it, wondering what drugs I‘m on. Beneath the noose, it‘s still me. Rick C. Just folks, same as ever. Honâ€" est. The parents are thrilled their kid is growing up too. Dropped down to Toronto for dinner Tuesday night wearâ€" ing plaid shirt/knit tie variation, fully expecting to shock them out of their slippers. Half an hour later, I piped up. ~**Didn‘t notice, eh Dad, eh, eh?" ‘"I noticed. Want me to help you with that knot?" Gulp. ‘"Hey, hey, hey, didn‘t noticech Mom, eh, eh?" ‘"Of course I noticed, the minute you came in. Verrrry nice." She‘ll get used to it. was my reply. ‘"And because I have been told things/I would look better in one." “Oh." Noticed the same day Pete Brill of the Siskins was a bit nervous when he dropped in and noticed my new image. Pete‘s one of the best dressers in the Twin Cities, next to the unparalleled Larry (Silky Smooth) Anstett of Kâ€"W Record fame, and Pete has always been nice to me, even though he pretends he doesn‘t know me in the clubhouse at Mohawk. Don‘t worry, Pete, I‘ll never be a threat to you, though once Paul Puncher gets wind of my turnaround, he‘ll die trying to dress me. At work, the reaction varied. I spoiled the fun last Thursday by warning folks I‘d be all gussied up for the Labatt‘s Blue Jay hincheon Friday. That‘s always been a concern of mine, to make sure when I come out from behind Chronicle closed doors, that I‘ve been dressed to suit the occasion. Now apparently I have occasion to suit all the time. So the flaming red tie and handâ€"knit vest (Beth, again) hardly raised an eyebrow. But those eyebrows shot up noticeably when I seized the opportunity Monday to carry on with the new habits. Two days in a row! I noticed reporter Melodee Martinuk a trifle uneasy about the situation. In fact, 37 times between 9 a.m. and 9: 42, she asked other workers out of the side of her mouth and through her teeth: *"‘what‘s he doing wearing a tie." Finally, her curiosity got the better of her and she went right to the source. **You have to tell me," said wellâ€"tanned Melodee, just back from two weeks in Jamaica where I presume she wore no ties, ‘"Why are you wearing that tie?" had turfed three shirts, five pair of sweat socks and made wellâ€"known her dislike for certain other fashions forâ€" merly near and dear to my heart. Never once told me how sexy I looked in my Jimmy Connors $40 tennis shirt. But Monday I go home for lunch with this stupid tie on, and what does she say. *‘*Oh, you look so000000 sharp. Makes a whole new man out of you." As if she was shopping around and found what she liked... **Because I am changing my image," , 1985 â€" PAGE 7