News

Wisconsin is currently the only state that doesn't have an ABLE program, which provides a tax-free savings account for people with disabilities. Currently, Wisconsinites can open accounts in other states, but not many have. A bill in the legislature would allow people in Wisconsin to open accounts. 

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It's widely known that people with disabilities are significantly less likely to get a job than the general population. However, the new tight job market has created new opportunities for people with disabilities. The increase in remote work has also helped. Workers with disabilities are more likely to be employed in four industries versus workers without disabilities: retail, leisure and hospitality, agriculture, and public administration.

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A new bill would require most public buildings in Wisconsin to have at least one universal adult-sized changing station in its restrooms. It would increase personal hygiene access for people who have disabilities. 

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The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has published its 2023 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan. There is a public comment period open through Wednesday, September 27 (approximately midnight, 11:59 a.m.). Your feedback is very important, and we hope you’ll take the time to participate in this opportunity. Visit http://www.wisconsindot.gov/ada to find the plan, along with an overview video presentation and options to comment using the web, email or standard U.S. Mail.

The Aging & Disability Resource Center of Brown County has launched a new accessible food truck with Grounded Cafe to offer an opportunity for people of every ability to get involved with food service. It's one of the first in the area. The truck has a wheelchair lift and adjustable counters  for volunteers and employees. Training is available to anyone who is interested in getting into the food service industry.

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Since November 2022, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services has awarded nearly $30 million in grants to 158 organizations to boost Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS). Funded projects excel in creatively and positively impacting Medicaid HCBS programs that serve members, participants, and their families, as well as direct care workers and HCBS providers.

Visit the new Medicaid HCBS Grants Success Stories webpage to see real results and exciting plans from our grantees. Evidence-based training for caregivers, poetry programs for Alzheimer patients, and improved mental health care are just a few examples of how we are helping to develop more and better services for older adults and people with disabilities across Wisconsin.

On this page, you’ll find:

• News clips
• Success stories
• Innovative ideas

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is meant to ensure that people with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of civic life. Under Title II, all state and local governments must follow the ADA regardless of their size.

Public entities are providing access to more and more government services through web and mobile apps. For example, government websites and mobile apps often allow the public to obtain information to correspond with local officials, pay fines, apply for state benefits, renew state-issued identification, register to vote, file taxes, and request copies of vital records. Yet, many state and local government entities' web and mobile app services are not accessibly designed. As a result, these web and mobile app services are not equally available to people with disabilities.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is proposing to revise the regulation implementing Title II of the ADA. The proposed rule would establish specific requirements aimed to improve accessibility of services, programs, and activities offered by state and local government entities to the public through the web and mobile apps.

For example, if a local government lets people pay for parking using a mobile app, the mobile app will have to comply with the specific requirements adopted through the rule change.

DOJ is proposing the adoption of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Version 2.1, Level AA (w3.org/TR/WCAG21/) as the technical standards that state and local governments would need to follow for web content and mobile apps.

DOJ is currently accepting public comment on this proposed rule. Public comment is due by October 3, 2023.

More information on the proposed rule is available on the Regulations.gov website (regulations.gov/document/DOJ-CRT-2023-0007-0001)

How to Submit Public Comment

You may submit comments, identified by RIN 1190–AA79 (or Docket ID No. 144), by any one of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Website (www.regulations.gov). Follow the website's instructions for submitting comments.
• Regular U.S. Mail: Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice, P.O. Box 440528, Somerville, MA 02144.
• Overnight, Courier, or Hand Delivery: Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 150 M St. NE, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20002.

ABLE accounts allow individuals with disabilities to save money without jeopardizing access to federal benefits like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income. People with disabilities can use ABLE accounts to invest and save for disability-related expenses, such as housing, transportation and assistive technology. Wisconsin is one of only four states that doesn't have a ABLE program, but a bipartisan bill could soon change that.

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Walmart is introducing a new adaptive product line. The line includes things such as adaptive utensils and dishware, assistive devices, sensory friendly toys, and much more. 

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A new proposal from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services addresses this often-lamented failure to support family, friends and neighbors who care for frail, ill and disabled older adults. For the first time, it would authorize Medicare payments to health care professionals to train informal caregivers who manage medications, assist loved ones with activities such as toileting and dressing, and oversee the use of medical equipment.

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