News
Self-Determination Network News:
February 2025
Connect | Share |Learn | http://sdnetworkwi.org
Disability Advocacy Day 2025
Registration is open for Disability Advocacy Day 2025! Join us in Madison on Wednesday March 12th with other advocates from around the state and meet with your elected officials. This is a great opportunity to share your story and educate your legislators on disability rights! Registration is free but required to attend. Register closes on February 26th. Register today!
Last Thursday the U.S. Senate budget committee voted to advance the first of two budget reconciliation bills (Reconciliation is a special process that means the bill needs fewer votes to pass). It assigned Senate Committees, including the committee that covers health and education, to find at least $175 Billion in cuts. This week the full Senate may hold another vote to formally tell the committees to begin looking for cuts. Sen. Tammy Baldwin serves on the Health and Education committee.
Action Steps
- Contact U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (202) 224-5653
- Ask how she can let constituents know what health and education cuts are being considered in real time
- Ask if there will be a public hearing, and how people can participate.
- Ask what kinds of stories would help her say what cuts would do to real people. (Sometimes Senators share constituent stories at public hearings.)
- Ask for no cuts to Medicaid, special education, or cuts of disability and aging organizations that serve people in Wisconsin.
- Ask how she can let constituents know what health and education cuts are being considered in real time
U.S. House
Last Thursday the U.S. House Budget Committee approved the "one-bill" reconciliation plan (Budget Blueprint) that calls for at least $2 Trillion in cuts and directed the committee that covers Medicaid to find at least $880 Billion in cuts. Multiple Medicaid cut ideas would have to be passed to reach $880 Billion in cuts.
A growing number of U.S. Representatives are beginning to understand what deep Medicaid cuts would mean to their districts, and are uncomfortable with Medicaid cuts. This week members of Congress will be in their districts and hear from constituents.
Action Steps
- If you don’t already have a meeting with your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators' in-district office, get a group of disability constituents together and drop by their in-district offices.
- You can ask for an impromptu meeting or to speak with staff.
- You can ask for an impromptu meeting or to speak with staff.
-
Ask your federal lawmakers what they think about Medicaid cuts (for or against).
-
If they are AGAINST Medicaid cuts, ask what they are doing to prevent cuts from happening.
-
If they SUPPORT cuts, ask what changes they want to make to Medicaid, why, and what they think the impact will be to Wisconsin's budget, workforce, and people with disabilities who need help over a long period of time.
-
- Take a picture at the in-district office and post (tag your lawmakers’ socials).
- Attend listening session your Representatives are holding and speak about Medicaid.
- Ask for a Medicaid town hall in every Congressional district to hear directly from constituents about what Medicaid cuts would mean for them.
The Board for People with Developmental Disabilities is hosting a webinar every Friday explaining the latest news about what's happening with Medicaid. Follow the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities and InControl Wisconsin on Facebook to find the registration information for the webinar every week.
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:
We encourage you to subscribe to the Channel (you can do so by clicking the red Subscribe button on any of the video pages).
Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the Self-Determination Network:
- Ending Subminimum Wage: After years of advocacy from the disabled community, the Department of Labor is proposing a rule that would end the issuance of 14(c) certificates, which enable businesses to pay subminimum wages to disabled workers. Learn what this rules would assure.
- Caregiver Training Courses in Different Languages: The Wisconsin Wisconsin Department of Health Services recently announced that the free online training courses for direct care professionals are now available in English, Spanish, and Hmong. Share these resources with others who may benefit from these.
- Labor Crisis Puts People at Risk: Caregivers are underpaid, overwhelmed, and increasing leaving the field. Find out what advocates say needs to be done to help with this crisis.
- Medicaid 2025: What to Watch: In 2025, many issues are at play that could affect Medicaid coverage, financing, and access to care. Learn what big changes are expected.
- Youth Leadership Forum: The Youth Leadership Forum is a week-long, overnight leadership training and career awareness program for high school students who have disabilities. Applications due March 24th. Learn more and apply today!
- Disability Representation in Images: Getty Images recently committed to focusing on ensuring that its images depict disability authentically and with appropriate diversity. Learn what they're doing.
- Work Requirements: Work requirements in Medicaid have resurfaced as part of a broader legislative package of potential changes to Medicaid designed to significantly reduce federal Medicaid spending. Read about what's being considered.
- Black Disabled Activists: February is Black History month. Check out this list of famous black disabled activists.
- Disability Employment at an All-Time High: The latest disability employment report revealed that the Labor Force Participation Rate for people with disabilities. Read about what's contributing to this increase.
Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:
- Webinar: I Do Not Want Your Cookies: People with Disabilities Experiences on Advisory Committees: February 26th, 1p.m to 2p.m., Virtual
- U.S. Access Board Webinar: Accessible Means of Egress: March 6th, 1:30p.m. to 3p.m., Virtual
- Disability Advocacy Day 2025: March 12th, Monona Terrace and State Capitol, Madison WI
- Natural Supports: Who's In My Circle?; March 12th, 1:30p.m. to 3p.m., Virtual
- Too Big to Thrive: March 19th, 1:30p.m. to 3p.m., Virtual
- Lessons from the Budget Authority State Innovation Lab Collaborative: March 26th, 1p.m. to 2p.m., Virtual
- Financial Management Services: Friend or Foe: April 2nd, 1p.m. to 2p.m., Virtual
- Proactive Program Integrity Within Self-Direction: April 9th, 1p.m. to 2p.m., Virtual
- Self-Direction for the Long Haul: April 16th, 1p.m. to 2p.m., Virtual
- Behind the Curtain: Understanding State Administration of Self-Direction: April 23rd, 1p.m. to 2p.m., Virtual
- People with Disabilities Love Self-Direction, But How Do Waiver Participants and Administrators Plan for the Future?: April 30th, 1p.m. to 2p.m., Virtual
- Circles of Life Conference 2025: May 8th & 9th, Wilderness Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI
- National Symposium on Quality Employment 2025: May 20th-22nd, Memorial Union, Madison WI
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.
CENTER FOR RESEARCH ON DISABILITY: nTIDE February 2025 Jobs Report: Labor Force Participation Rate for People with Disabilities Hits an All-Time High
By SD Network, 2025-02-16
|
The latest National Trends in Disability Employment (nTIDE) report revealed a record-breaking Labor Force Participation Rate for people with disabilities, marking an all-time high. These gains build upon a steady upward trend, which exceeded those seen among people without disabilities. |
WORLD INSTITUTE ON DISABILITY: 12 Black Disabled Activists and Advocates You Need to be Following
By SD Network, 2025-02-10
February is Black History month. The World Institute on Disability put together a list of black 12 advocates and activists with disabilities. They have a great social media.
Work requirements in Medicaid have resurfaced as part of a broader legislative package of potential changes to Medicaid designed to significantly reduce federal Medicaid spending. A draft budget outline from Congressional Republicans includes requiring Medicaid enrollees to work or look for work as a condition of receiving coverage. While the details of the current proposal are not yet available, an analysis of an earlier proposal by the Congressional Budget Office shows that Medicaid enrollment would drop and that federal spending on Medicaid would be reduced substantially, but that the policy would not increase employment.
FORBES: Getty Images Renews Focus On More Authentic Disability Representation
By SD Network, 2025-02-10
Getty Images cements its position as the world’s leading image library. Recently, it committed to focus on ensuring that its images depict disability authentically and with appropriate diversity. Previously, when it came to disability, images were often flawed. Too often, portrayals of disability is through a medical or caregiver lens. Getty Images announced earlier this week that it is teaming up with U.S. telecommunications giant Verizon and the National Disability Leadership Alliance to offer financial support to assist photographers in reimaging the disability community. Instead of care settings, the lens is to shift to the workplace and professional life to convey the idea that life with a disability can be rich, diverse and full of innovation and achievement.
WISCONSIN BOARD FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES: Youth Leadership Forum 2025: Applications are Open!
By SD Network, 2025-02-10
|
The Youth Leadership Forum is a week-long, overnight leadership training and career awareness program for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with disabilities to learn leadership and self-advocacy skills. When/Where: July 6 – 11, 2025 at Edgewood College in Madison, WI The Youth Leadership Forum is for:
Why Attend the Youth Leadership Forum:
To Apply: Complete the application by March 24, 2025. Download a Word document or use online the Google application (must be done in one sitting) The YLF is also looking for staff. If interested, review the position descriptions and apply by downloading a Word employment application or completing a Google employment application. Contact wisconsinylf@gmail.com for more information. |
As the saying goes, it’s okay to be different. Whether it’s referencing a hairstyle, an ethnicity, a sexual orientation, or one of the millions of different characteristics people have, the notion of being different has been supported in this country for many years. A slew of legislative laws have been passed to protect and support people who are considered different from the norm. A few months ago, I wrote a journal entry about going against the norm. I talked about how it was okay to be different. While in some aspects, people choose to be different, in many aspects, people don’t have a choice. Disability is one of those notions that people can’t control.
Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Those three words have made almost every news headline across the country the last few weeks. The new administration has made it blatantly clear that DEI will not be part of their agenda. In fact, they have already made sweeping changes. Within a day of the switch several webpages with vital information were taken down. Within days, a freeze on federal programs caused mass confusion. It was later blocked by a judge, but the anxiety for people who are in minorities is palpable right now. Furthermore, after a tragic plane crash, the President blamed people with disabilities without any proof that anyone with a disability had anything to do with it. That caused more uproar in the already on edge disability community.
While I am not going to share all of my thoughts on this, I will say that I think it brings up some deep questions as a country. The first and biggest being is it really okay to have a difference from the norm? Right now, in my opinion, the answer to this question is up in the air. Of course, everyone is going to have opinions about everything, and the idea of democracy is that everyone works together to make this country what it is. In order for that to happen, people have to have an open mind and be receptive to the idea that people have varying needs.
The second question is whether or not we have leaders in government who accept and support people who don’t fit the cookie cutter norm? In my opinion, the answer is some. There are numerous leaders in government who are supportive of the diverse needs of people in this country; however, there are some who are not. It makes it very tough for a country to run smoothly when you have leaders who don’t believe in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
As a person with a significant disability who relies on federal programs to literally survive, it’s an unbelievably scary time. Hearing that Medicaid could have significant cuts or potentially be defunded is unfathomable. Quite honestly, many people like myself can’t even imagine receiving less support than we do now and still lead the productive lives we have worked so hard to achieve. I don’t even want to think about what my life would be like without Medicaid. The truth is that I’d likely be in an institution.
To have leaders of the country not think that any person with a difference isn’t worthy of leading a successful life is infuriating. In my opinion, people who are in charge of this country should believe that every single person in this country is capable of leading a successful life. Of all people, people in leadership roles shouldn’t judge anyone—especially publicly.
While I can’t speak for the disability community as a whole, I will say that, personally, what has transpired the last three weeks in this country has just refueled my desire to advocate. I feel like I have no choice but to. The quality of my life is on the line!
***The views expressed here are strictly those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of InControl Wisconsin, the Network or any of our sponsors.
FORBES: DEI Is Being Cut As People With Disabilities Are Paid $0.22 An Hour
By SD Network, 2025-01-31
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), a clear and comprehensive prohibition of discrimination toward anyone on the basis of disability. Yet within that act lies a troubling loophole that currently affects hundreds of thousands of workers with disabilities in the US. It’s called “subminimum wage.”
In 2025, many issues are at play that could affect Medicaid coverage, financing, and access to care. While Medicaid was not discussed much on the campaign trail, there are expectations that big changes will likely be proposed through executive actions. Areas to watch with Medicaid implications include state budgets and long-term care workforce challenges.
The workers who care for people with disabilities are underpaid, overwhelmed, and increasingly leaving the field. Advocates say action is desperately needed to stem the tide.