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Self-Determination Network News: October 2025

By SD Network, 2025-10-10

Self-Determination Network News:

October 2025

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Federal Fallout Update

Here are the recording and slides from the latest webinar that the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities puts on regarding the federal fallout. Here is a quick summary of the latest:

Federal changes from H.R. 1 are hitting Wisconsin FoodShare now. The state legislature must act to make sure FoodShare keeps running well and meets new federal requirements.
The federal government shutdown is starting to impact funding for local disability and aging programs.
Congress has a lot on its plate in the next few weeks, passing a 2026 federal budget, doing something (or nothing) about the expiring ACA Marketplace subsidies, and whether it will do more health care legislation and avoid sequestration.
Meanwhile, the administration is proposing changes to Social Security disability benefits for older adults, new H.R. 1 address verification requirements could put some people at risk of losing Medicaid coverage, and the challenges for counties and states implementing H.R. 1 Medicaid cuts keep increasing.

We encourage you to continue to contact your legislators and let them know how these things will impact you and your family.

Candidate Questions

Many positions in Wisconsin will be up for election in November 2026, including offices for Governor, all 8 members of Congress, all members of The Wisconsin Assembly and a third of State Senate seats.
Now is a great time for you and members of your community to come together and invite candidates to discuss the issues most pressing to you and other members of the disability community. Your questions are a great way to educate both the candidates and your communities about how policies make real impacts on you and your loved ones’ lives.
Here are a series of questions that the Survival Coalition has put together to get you started, but feel free to ask your own. Consider talking by phone or asking to meet with candidates who have announced or are considering running for an elected seat in Wisconsin. Now is a great time, when candidates are trying to gather input on what is most important to potential constituents and before their calendars fill up.

Stop by and Learn How to Be Entered into a Drawing for an Amazon Gift Card!

We look forward to seeing many of you at the Self-Determination Conference next week. Please stop by the InControl Wisconsin exhibit table and say hi. We'll have some InControl Wisconsin swag and, this year, we're going to do a drawing for an Amazon gift card. You'll have to comment on a discussion on the Network to be entered into the drawing.

Not attending the conference? You can still have a chance to win. Just comment on this discussion by November 1st. We will be drawing one name of those people who commented.

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 this month's Spotlight, we're shining the Spotlight on an incredible author who has seven books published. Steven has worked hard to create a life for himself and he is worried about how the effects of the cuts to Medicaid will affect him. Stop by this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Steven.

Who should we shine the spotlight on next?

Stacy’s Journal

"For me, having self-confidence and self-worth go hand in hand. Having top officials slash the assistance programs you rely on is anxiety provoking to say the least. It makes one question their own worth. Am I not worthy enough to get the assistance I need to live my life? That’s not a logical question, but it has crossed my mind too often lately."

For this month's journal entry, Stacy opens up about how the government changes are affecting her mental health. She discussing the concept of worthiness as it pertains to people with disabilities. How are you handling the fallout?

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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:

Just Ask - Episode 3: Stacy and Jordan

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

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

Employment Trap: Disability experts argue that the U.S. disability system traps people in poverty through contradictory programs and benefit cliffs that punish work. Read about why people are trapped.
Social Security Changes Causing Problems: A new report reveals that the recent changes at the Social Security Administration are causing problems for poor people and people with disabilities.
Key Facts about Medicaid: This article highlights key facts about the role Medicaid has in providing essential services for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Find out how the potential spending cuts to Medicaid will affect this population.
Advocates Push Back: Wisconsin disability advocates are pushing back after President Trump publicly claimed that Tylenol during pregnancy could be the cause of autism. Learn what people are saying.
City Rankings: New data has revealed the best, and worst, U.S. cities for people with disabilities. Read about what metrics were used to determine the rankings.
Service Animal Study: Participants are needed for a service or emotional support study. Find out more information!
Proposal Calls for More Medicaid Funding for Institutions: New legislation would repeal Medicaid's Institutions for Mental Diseases exclusion, allowing federal funds for mental health facilities with more than 16 beds. Learn why disability groups argue that this could lead direct billions of dollars towards Institutionalization.
Home Care Industry Faces Millions of Job Openings by 2034: A new report shows that home care workforce doubled in the last decade. Find out why there will be great need for more workers in the next decade.
Recommendations to Better Support Family Caregivers: A new report includes recommendations to better support family caregivers through Medicare payment reforms. Find out what they are.
Accessible Checkout: Target recently announced that the launch of a first-of-its-kind accessible self-checkout. Learn about what accessibility features these checkouts will have.
Policy Internship: The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities launched its Policy Internship. Applications due October 31st. Learn more and apply today!
Disability Community Quickly Seeing Gains Diminish: With all of the changes happening federally, people with disabilities are feeling that the gains that have been made in the last 50 years are quickly being diminished. Read about some of the threat that the disability community is facing.
Government Shutdown: The federal government shut down after lawmakers failed to approve spending by the start of the new fiscal year on October 1. Find out how this is affecting people with disabilities.
Verification Requirements Could Cause Burdens: HR 1 requires states to verify Medicaid beneficiary addresses by January 1, 2027, and submit cross-state data to CMS by October 1, 2029, to prevent duplicate enrollment. Learn why advocates warn this could cause significant burdens to vulnerable populations.
Bill Would Crack Down on Fake Service Animals: A new bill in Wisconsin would fine individuals for misrepresenting their pets as service animals in public. Read about what the legislation seeks to do.
The Fight Continues for an Electronic Ballot Continues: Wisconsin voters with disabilities continue to advocate for an electronic accessible ballot. Find out why it's getting hung up in the courts.

Upcoming Events

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

Self Determination Conference 2025: October 20th-22nd, Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells WI
Webinar Series: Making Flexible Work – ADA and Flexible Work Arrangements: October 21st, 1p.m. to 2:30p.m., Virtual

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.'

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WSAW: Advocates continue to push for online voting for disabled Wisconsinites

By SD Network, 2025-10-07

Wisconsin voters with disabilities continue to advocate for an electronic accessible ballot. Advocates say online access would give disabled voters the opportunity to vote privately and independently. However, the Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature is concerned online voting presents security risks for election integrity.