Self-Determination Network News:

November/December 2020

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Your Input is Needed! 

Wisconsin policymakers are right now making critical decisions about funding and changes to disability programs. The state budget is the most important piece of legislation that impacts people’s lives. Survival Coalition is gathering people’s stories and thoughts about the most pressing needs in our state to help policymakers understand disability issues. We encourage you to complete this survey to help bring the most important issues to the forefront.  

This year's Self-Determination Conference was a little different, but we were glad so many people could join virtually.   Let's keep the conversation going! Share your comments, questions, and ideas.

Join the conversation!

We want to congratulate this year's Diehard Award winners who were recognized at the Self-Determination Conference. These individuals received a Diehard Award for going above and beyond in supporting the lives of people with disabilities. Please help us congratulate and thank these people for their outstanding advocacy efforts:

• Pam Runge Malin
• Erica Andres
• Pam Jenson
• Monica and Francisco Javier Lopez Sr.
• Ashley Mathy
• Philip Temme
• Cindy Bentley

Check Out The Latest Videos! 

The Self-Determination Channel is a YouTube channel by and for people with developmental or intellectual disabilities. Unlike other channels, the Self-Determination Channel stands stand out from other channels on YouTube because self-advocates host the videos, and decide and create the content. Videos are posted a couple times a month on a variety of topics self-advocates care about such as technology, employment, caregivers, independent living, and advocacy. 

Check out the newest videos on the channel:

• 2020 Self-Determination Conference: Welcome and Keynote: Celebrating our Diverse Community
• 2020 Self-Determination Conference: Diehard Awards
• 2020 Self-Determination Conference: Keynote: Envisioning the Future
• 2020 Self-Determination Conference Overview
• My Vision for the Future
• My favorite Thanksgiving food and what I'm thankful for

We encourage you to subscribe to the Channel (you can do by clicking the red Subscribe button on any of the video pages).

The Self-Determination Network includes some very talented members and we want to help you to get to know each other a little better. Member Spotlight is a great way for us to get to know each other better.

In November, we shined the spotlight on Anastasia. This talented artist doesn’t let her limitations get in the way of pursuing her dreams. Stop by last month's Member Spotlight to get to know Anastasia.

This month, we're shining the spotlight on Emily. When this self-advocate isn't busy planning conferences and volunteering, she enjoys hiking and biking. Stop by this month's Member Spotlight to get to know more about Emily. 

Who should we shine the spotlight on next?

Stacy’s Journal

Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the Self-Determination Network:

• Home-and-Community-Based Services Resources: The quality of life of persons living with all types of disabilities is closely tied to the services they receive in home- and community-based settings.  Check out the new briefs on quality measures for HCBS. 
• Accessible Housing Struggles: For many people with disabilities, finding accessible housing is very challenging. Read about how one woman in Wisconsin is taking matters into her own hands. 
• COVID Dashboard: The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has developed several dashboards to provide information regarding how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting members and participants in the adult long-term care programs. Learn what the statistics show. 
• Assistive Technology Channel: Wisconsin’s Assistive Technology Advisory Council (AT Council) has launched a YouTube channel in order to share videos of WisTech assistive technology trainings. Check it out and see if any of of the videos may be useful to you. 
• Social Security Increase: Beginning in 2021, Supplemental Social Security and other benefits will increase. Find out how much the increase will be. 
• Great Resource: Parents of children with disabilities are facing difficult decisions about how to keep their children safe and learning.  Check out this "Back to SCOL" decision guide developed by Stanford University to help parents decide what is best for their child. 
• Emergency Preparedness Trainings: The Health and Human Services Office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response created a new online training on older adults and disasters. Learn about what this training includes. 
• Seeking Inventive Solutions: The Administration for Community Living is looking for creative solutions to help with better the direct care workforce and improve the quality of home-and-community-based services. Learn more about this competitive challenge. 
• Prioritizing Services: Medicaid officials are pushing states to move forward with efforts to rebalance the long-term care services for people with disabilities to favor home-and-community-based services rather than institutions. Read about a toolkit to to help providers and people who receive services make sure they're doing everything possible. 
• Biannual Report: The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities released its biannual report highlighting what they've done to support people with disabilities. Learn about some of the things they've done. 
• Guardianship Reform Briefing: The national Working Interdisciplinary Networks of Guardianship Stakeholders released briefing about guardianship reform and encouraging less restrictive options. Find out what some of the suggestions are. 
• Technology Competition: Most people don't think twice about completing simple tasks such as slicing bread or doing laundry, but for people with disabilities, technology equipment often help them do these basic tasks. Read about a competition for people with physical disabilities highlighting new technology that helps them complete daily tasks. 
• Caregiver Struggles: A recent survey found that nearly half of Wisconsin's direct care workers work a second job to support themselves. Find out what advocacy groups are urging the state Legislature to do to help with this. 
• Free Online Caregiver Courses: The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) and the Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources (GWAAR) recently announced a partnership with Trualta, a new free online educational tool for family caregivers across the state.  Learn more about these courses. 
• Accessibility in the 2020 Election: The 2020 election will be talked about for years to come. Despite all of the different challenges, it appears that voters with disabilities may have turned out more than people anticipated. Read about the initial findings. 
• People with Disabilities are Assets to the Economy: People with disabilities are aren't often thought of as assets to the economy, but, in several ways, they actually help it grow and thrive. Read about how one educator feels. 
• Pandemic Helpline: As the pandemic continues, a new 24-hour support line is working to help individuals with developmental disabilities and those who care for them cope during this tough time. Learn more about this free service. 
• Vaccine Distribution: With a COVID vaccine on the horizon, many disability advocates feel people with disabilities aren't being prioritized enough in distribution plans. Find out why advocates are concerned. 

Upcoming Events

Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:

• Webinar: Interior And Exterior Accessible Routes:  January 7th, 1:30p.m. to 3p.m., Online

Post your event on the Self-Determination Network and it can be included in future Network News emails to members! Questions? Suggestions?  Contact Stacy Ellingen. 

The Self-Determination Network is powered by InControl Wisconsin and supported financially by our members and Sponsors. We couldn't keep this Network going with you!  Find out how you can help support the Network.