January 2000
Dick A. Greco, Mayor
Tampa, Florida

WHAT WILL THE NEW MILLENNIUM BRING?

Here are some things the 1900's gave us: 1900s-major Blood groups typed; Novocaine discovered; Radiation used effectively against tumors; 1910's Vital amines (Vitamins) are discovered in research on now known deficiency diseases; 1920s-Insulin isolated and in the next year produced commercially; Anesthesia used on humans with success; Penicillin's bacteria-killing properties discovered, 15 years later refined to cure infections; Vitamin D found to cure rickets; 1930s-First antihistamine developed; 1940s-Dialysis developed; Contact lens created; First chemotherapy drug is approved; 1950s-Polio vaccine discovered; First use of a heart-lung machine during heart surgery; 1960s-First pacemaker implanted under skin; First laser eye surgery done; First hip joint is replaced; Measles vaccine discovered; First heart transplant operation; First ultrasonic removal of eye cataract; 1970s-Acupuncture introduced and accepted in the Western World; Heimlich maneuver saves lives; Lyme disease discovered related to Ticks; Smallpox eradicated; Radial keratotomy improves vision in persons with nearsightedness; 1980's-Aids and HIV virus isolated; Rogaine used to stop hair-loss; Sigmoidoscopy and colonscopy procedures introduced to fight colon cancer; Megadoses of Vitamin C said to prevent colds; More natural artificial knees introduced; Skin cancers related to exposure to the sun; 1990's-First cloned animal; Many drugs introduced to combat diseases; We all look forward to the next Millennium and what it will bring.

COUNTY COMMISSIONER LOOKS AT RESTROOMS
FOR THE DISABLED.

County Commissioner Jim Norman has met with leaders of the disabled community to discuss regulating the use of restrooms for persons with disabilities in public buildings. The discussion took place after the Commissioner received several complaints about nondisabled persons using the disabled designated stalls at Raymond James Stadium. Commissioner Norman is proposing that it be illegal for a nondisabled person to use the designated stalls. If passed by the County Commission it will carry a $250 fine for those caught using the stalls illegally. If you live in Hillsborough County and have experienced a problem with disabled designated stalls in public buildings call your County Commissioner and ask them to support Commissioner Norman's quest.

THE WORLD IS WAKING UP - WE DO SPEND MONEY!

Companies around the world are now realizing that persons with disabilities have disposable income and will have even more in the year 2000. Many companies are revising their sales plan to cater to these persons now that the Work Incentives Improvement Act is Law. Among the new companies dealing exclusively with the disabled community is wemedia.com a new internet portal that has information on everything from real estate to employment. If you surf the net try this site out.

MAYOR'S ALLIANCE BOARD MEETS
2nd WED.
EVERY MONTH, 2pm.
Freedman Tennis Complex
59 Columbus Dr.
Davis Island.
EVERYBODY
WELCOME.

COUNTY HAS NEW TTY NUMBER FOR
HEARING IMPAIRED.

Hillsborough County information line has a new phone number for users of the TTY system for persons that are hearing impaired. The number is (813) 301-7173. This number will be electronically answered by the county's TTY system in the Citizen Action center.

SUPPORT GROUP
FOR BRAIN INJURY
MEETS EVERY
OTHER WEEK.

The Hillsborough County Brain Injury Support Group meets from 7:30 to 9p. m. on the first and second Wednesday monthly at the Barksdale Recreation Center, 214 N. Boulevard. The group welcomes survivors of traumatic brain injuries and their families and caregivers. For more information call 251-1555.

MAYOR'S ALLIANCE
NOW ON
THE INTERNET.

The Mayor's Alliance is now on the World Wide Web or Internet. Starting the last week of October, the Alliance is on the City of Tampa's site at <www.tampagov.net>. The pages are listed under New, Citizens Guide or by searching for the word disabilities. Information about the Alliance and the monthly newsletter will be posted as available.

ACCESSIBILITY COMMITTEE MEETING.

The Accessibility committee meets the third Wednesday of the month at the Sandy Freedman Tennis Complex, 59 Columbus Dr., Davis Island. Everybody is welcome to attend, for more information call Norm Mallory at 988-4985 or Ben Ritter at 935 6540.

DATES TO REMEMBER

2ND. MON. OF THE MONTH, 7pm,
THE MAYOR'S HOUR,

live cable telecast on CH-15 Time-Warner in Tampa and Hillsborough County and CH-17 on Adelphia cable. Your chance to ask Mayor Greco a question or express your concern, live in the studio or by phone. To call in a question to the Mayor call 274-8328. To be part of the studio audience call Mindy Snyder at 274-7033. Program repeats on Sundays pm, Mondays at 7pm and Fridays at 3pm.

1ST. MON. EVERY MONTH, 3pm,
EMPLOYMENT & JOB FAIR COMMITTEE MEETING,

Promus Hotel Reservation Center, 7920 Woodland Center Blvd. for more info call Cindy Stephens at 251-2407 or Kathy McGlone at 243-7522. 3RD WED.

EVERY MONTH, 2:00pm,
ACCESSIBILITY COMMITTEE MEETING,

Sandy Freedman Tennis Complex 59 Columbus Drive, Davis Island.

3RD TUES. EVERY MONTH, 7pm,
FLORIDA COUNCIL FOR THE BLIND,
GREATER TAMPA CHAPTER.

USF Westside Conference Ctn. Section B.

3RD TUES. EVERY MONTH, 6:30pm,
Tampa Self Help for Hard of Hearing People (SHHH) Group,

Jefferson High School.

1ST THUR. EVERY MONTH,
THERAPEUTIC FOCUS GROUP,

All Peoples Life Center, call 744-5978 for more information.

4TH WED. EVERY MONTH, 2pm,
COUNTY ALLIANCE MEETING,

Tampa Lighthouse for The Blind, 1106 W. Platt St. Call Elizabeth Mueller at 273-3646 for more information.

3RD TUES. EVERY OTHER MONTH, 2pm,
HARTLINE'S PARATRANSIT ADVISORY COUNCIL,

Tampa Lighthouse for the Blind, 1106 W. Platt St. For more information contact Vasti Amaro-Dallas at HARTLINE 623-5835, ext.1171.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Hillsborough County Information Line 272-5900;

Self Reliance Cross Disability Support Group, 975-6560, Bill Renje;

VA Spinal Cord 972-2000 ext 6338 Debbie Kelley;

Arthritis Sufferers Support Group, 79-7300;

Brain and Head Injury Support, 288-0225 Jenny Paloumpis or Lisa Lowe;

Multiple Sclerosis Self Help Group 287-2939 or 800-922-0170;

Statewide Advocacy Network on Disabilities, Inc. (STAND)
offering education and resource services to persons with disabilities. 258-5700 Patricia Miller

Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology (FAAST)
learn about assistive technology 251-7591;

Amputees Together, 870-3323;

Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), 935-6540 Ben Ritter;
All People's Life Center 6105 East Sligh Avenue (east of 56th St.) fully accessible recreation center.
Call Al Orr at 903-2248 for more information.

EYES ONLY
SUPPORT GROUP SEEKS MEMBERS

People who are visually impaired and their families are invited to the next monthly meeting of the Eyes Only support group. The group's social activities include go-cart racing, attending local theater productions, symphony concerts and trips to Florida attractions. For more information call Becki Forsell or Cindy Hedinger at 251-2407 or the Division of Blind Services at 871-7190.

WHEELCHAIR TENNIS PROGRAM AVAILABLE.

A weekly tennis program for people who use wheelchairs is available at the USF tennis courts Saturday mornings. Participants must be at least 6 years old, and able to control their wheelchairs without assistance. Tennis rackets will be provided. The program is being offered by USF, the U.S. Tennis Association, Florida Chapter, and Shriners Hospital for Children. For more information, contact Alicia Argiz, director of public relations for the Shriners, at 975-7115.

OFFICERS AND
COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS

Chairperson: Norman Mallory, (813) 988-4985
  Treasurer: Connie Hayden-McPeak, (813) 276-5555
  Secretary: Kelly Hickman, (813) 974-8927
  Past Chairperson: Chuck Porter, (813) 276-2029 ext 7659
  Advocacy and Accessibility Co-chairpersons: Norman Mallory, (813) 988-4985
  Bob Ellis, (813) 974-2002
  Employment Committee Chairperson: Cindy Stephens (813) 984-6840
  Awareness Committee Chairperson: Chuck Porter (813) 276-2029 ext 7659
  Mayor's Representative: Herb Gold, (813) 254-1111

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