News
PBS NEWS HOUR: People with disabilities explain how Medicaid cuts could impact their lives
By SD Network, 2025-05-02
Congress is back in D.C. with plans to move forward on a budget framework that could include cuts to Medicaid. About one in three people with disabilities is enrolled in the program which helps them access health care and live independently in their communities. Stephanie Sy reports and we hear from people with disabilities and their caretakers about what Medicaid means to them.
Have you used telehealth services? We’d like to hear from you!
We would like to see the experiences people with disabilities have had with telehealth services. Telehealth is the use of digital information and communication technologies to access health care. Our goal is to find any telehealth barriers that you may face to improve access to telehealth.
To answer our survey, please click on this link: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7951780/Telehealth-Survey
BPDD has placed an intern at the Department of Transportation through our new Disability Policy Program. Matt is working on a project to review the accessibility of the Department of Transportation website. He asked me to reach out to some of my contacts to see if you or anyone you work with would be interested in participating in this project. See his invite below. I have included him on the email so you can send any questions you might have about the project.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation Needs Your Help.
We are looking for people to take an online survey regarding the accessibility of the WisDOT website. This group will help make access better for everyone.
What will you do?
- Try some basic tasks on our website.
- Share how easy or hard it was to use the site with your technology.
- Tell us about problems you find.
Why is this important?
Your feedback will help make the website work better for all people in Wisconsin. We want everyone to be able to get transportation information easily.
Who should join?
We want to hear from people who:
- Use screen readers or other assistive technology.
- Have different ways of using computers and websites.
- Have had trouble using the WisDOT website before.
Your real-life experience is very valuable to us. The problems you find today will help us make better changes tomorrow.
If you want to help, please reply to this email at: matt.glowacki@dot.wi.gov
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Matt Glowacki
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION: The WHO Global report on equal health for people with disabilities
By SD Network, 2025-04-26
The World Health Organization put out its report on equal health for people with disabilities in a EasyRead format. It is in plain language and includes visuals.
Autism advocates are pushing back after U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said that kids on the spectrum will never have a job, play baseball, go on a date and more.
These 51 State Fact Sheets focus on Medicaid enrollees ages 50 and older in every state and the District of Columbia. Medicaid program dollars have been shown to provide stability in the health care system, particularly in lowering rates of rural hospital closures.
URBAN INSTITUDE: Sweeping HHS Cuts Will Put Disabled and Older Americans’ Right to Live in Their Communities at Risk
By SD Network, 2025-04-13
Meals on Wheels, centers for independent living, and other critical programs for seniors and disabled people across the US are now at risk, as the US Department of Health and Human Services leaders dismantle the small agency that coordinates federal policy on aging and disability.
A major home furnishings retailer is introducing a new line of products designed to make life easier for people with disabilities. Ikea said this month that it is rolling out a collection of accessible items for the home. The line known as Bäsingen includes a shower chair, two different step stools and a handful of bathroom accessories.
Self-Determination Network News:
April 2025
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Federal Fallout Update
Here is the recording from the latest webinar that the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities puts on about what's happening with Medicaid, Social Security, and beyond. Your relentless advocacy is making a difference, but we need to keep it up. Keep calling legislators, making visits, writing letters, etc... We need to keep these issues visible!
Call for Presenters for the 2025 Self-Determination Conference
Are you interested in presenting at the 2025 Self-Determination Conference? The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities is seeking session proposals for Tuesday, October 21st and Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025. This year’s theme: Self-Determination by Design: Your Life, Your Way will help people with disabilities lead more Self-Determined lives by offering tools to plan the life they want to live in the communities they choose! Proposals are due May 9th. Learn more and submit a proposal!
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.
For April, we're catching up with Jason. This amazing self-advocate has played a pivotal role in turning one of Wisconsin’s state disability councils around over the last couple of years. He also has enjoyed helping family members navigate and advocate for what supports they need to be successful. Stop by this month's Member Spotlight to catch up with Jason.
Who should we shine the spotlight on next?
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:
- Fear of Losing Protections: An ongoing lawsuit challenges Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which legally mandates access and accommodations across wide swaths of the public. Learn what losing protections would mean for millions of people.
- Changes to the Social Security Administration: Recently proposed changes to the Social Security Administration have advocates worried. Read about what these changes entail.
- Five Key Facts about Medicaid Integrity: Program integrity efforts work to prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse, to increase program transparency and accountability, and to recover improperly used funds. Learn what these key things do to ensure integrity.
- Movie Star: In Wisconsin and beyond, Cindy Bentley is known as an incredible disability self-advocate. Learn about her new short film which highlights her story of determination and resilience.
- Risk of Work Requirements: Potential work requirements for people on Medicaid would further complicate things for people with disabilities. Find out why.
- Dismantling of the Administration for Community Living: Recently, the Trump administration announced the dismantling of the Administration for Community Living which oversees a wide range of services. Read about what what this could mean for people with disabilities.
- Proposed Improved Accessibility for 911 Networks: The Federal Communications Commission adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) proposing improvements to ensure the resiliency, reliability, interoperability, and accessibility of Next Generation 911 (NG911) networks Learn what these improvements will do.
- Voter Barriers Continue: Voting barriers for people with disabilities in Wisconsin continue. Read about how a lawsuit continues in the courts that would allow people with disabilities to use an electronic ballot to vote.
- REAL ID: When enforcement of the REAL ID Act begins May 7, 2025, the regular Wisconsin driver license or ID will no longer be accepted identification for domestic air travel or to enter a federal building or military base. Find out more about this new rule.
- Concerns over ACL Dismantling: Nearly half of staff at the Administration for Community Living have been terminated as part of broader Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) layoffs, disrupting funding distribution for disability programs nationwide Find out why advocates are concerned.
- Disrupting the Department of Education: The Education Department enforces disability rights in schools by distributing Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funds and investigating discrimination complaints. Learn why advocates are concerned with Trump transferring the responsibilities to Health and Human Services.
- Changing Course on Social Security Administration Requirements: The Trump administration is backing off the in-person requirements it announced for people needing services at Social Security Administration. Learn what made them change course.
Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:
- 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
- Webinar: Outdoor Dining, Retail, and Community Spaces: May 1st, 1:30p.m. to 3p.m., Virtual
- Circles of Life Conference 2025: May 8th & 9th, Wilderness Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI
- Employment First Conference: May 19th & 20th, Kalahari 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.
NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO: Trump administration changes course on in-person requirements for Social Security
By SD Network, 2025-04-11
The Trump administration is backing off the in-person requirements it announced for people needing services at Social Security Administration. This requirement was originally created in efforts to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. The administration claims that the pullback is due to new technology being in place, but many feel it's due to pushback from advocates.
