News
Self-Determination Network News:
February 2023
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Disability Advocacy Day 2023
Mark your calendar for Thursday March 23rd! Disability Advocacy Day is a day-long event in Madison focused on connecting self-advocates with their legislators to talk about issues that matter to them. Attendees are expected to participate in the full day of activities.
School Boards Matter Forum
Many Wisconsin communities will vote for school board members in the April 4th election. School Boards have a major impact on a community. On Monday March 6th from 6p.m to 7:15p.m., the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition is hosting a forum about the important role of school boards. The panel includes school board members who are parents of children with disabilities. You will also receive resources and be better prepared to vote on April 4th!
Registration is required. Register here for the School Boards Matter forum via Zoom.
Captioning will be provided. To request ASL Interpreters or other accommodations, please register as soon as possible and include that on your request.
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.
This month, we shined the spotlight on Amy. As both former Miss Wheelchair Wisconsin and Miss Wheelchair USA, this teacher has a passion for education and making policy changes that benefit all people. Check out this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Amy.
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:
- Human Rights: #14 Have the Faith You Want
- Shining a Light on Richard
- Human Rights: #15 Own the Things You Want
- 3 Tips to work with caregivers #Shorts
- Thank a caregiver in your life #Shorts
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:
- 2022 was a Historic Year for Disability Employment: According to a recent report, 2022 was a remarkable and histrionic year for employment for people with disabilities. Learn about how people with disabilities out performed those without disabilities.
- Program Helps Gain Work Experience: Thanks to an internship program, young adults with disabilities are getting connected with career opportunities in the Chippewa Valley. Find out what the program entails.
- Caregiver Shortage Hitting Hard: The caregiver is shortage affects almost everyone in one way or another. Read about how it's hitting LGBTQ elderly and people with disabilities really hard.
- Funding Awarded for Housing for People with Disabilities: In January, HUD announced that it would provide $24.7 million for permanent affordable housing to people with disabilities. Find out what this funding will be used for.
- Great Resources: Direct care workers, also referred to as direct service workers, provide essential supports to older adults and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, and behavioral health needs. Check out these great resources that owe strategies and information on self-direction of home and community-based services, strengthening the direct service workforce (DSW) in rural areas, and emerging strategies for states.
- Electronic Visit Verification: Electronic visit verification (EVV) is required by federal law. All states have to collect visit information using an EVV system or they won’t get their full federal funding for Medicaid. It's in soft launch currently, but find out when hard launch will start.
- State Transition Plan: The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) received final approval on its Statewide Transition Plan from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Learn what it includes.
- Collection of Disability Stats: A recent report addresses critical gaps in national and state data related to people with disabilities by synthesizing complex data from numerous U.S. federal agencies into accessible formats. Learn what the data revealed.
- Bill to Increase Caregiver Pay: U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, and U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell have introduced legislation to expand access to home and community-based services (HCBS) for adults, people with disabilities and injured workers, while increasing pay and improving benefits for in-home caregivers. Read about how this would help.
- Push to Make Transit Accessible: One in four adults in the US live with a disability; yet various public transportation continue to be inaccessible. Learn about how the Secretary of Transportation wants to make transit accessible for all.
- Future of Self-Directed Care: Self-directed care undeniably has a place in the future of home-based care. How big that place is, however, is still up in the air. Read about the benefits of self-directed. Learn about some of the benefits of self-directed care.
- President Calls to Invest in Services: President Joe Biden used his State of the Union address to double down on his plan to reinvigorate the nation's home and community-based services system. Find out what he plans to do.
- Immigrants Can Bridge Gaps: The U.S. is facing a growing crisis of unfilled job openings and high staff turnover that puts the safety of older, frail residents at risk. Read about why some experts feel that letting immigrants be care workers would work.
- Confusion about Ballot Return Assistance: As affirmed by an August 2022 Federal Court Order, people with disabilities have the right to receive assistance with all aspects of voting, including having a person of their choice deliver their ballot to their clerk or polling place. Read about how there is still confusion about this.
Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:
- Webinar: One State’s Lessons Learned And Best Practices To Creating An Equitable Work Environment In State Government: February 21st, 1p.m. to 2:30p.m., Online
- Webinar On HCBS Waiver And Participant-Centered Service Planning And Delivery: February 21st, 2p.m. to 4p.m., Online
- Webinar: Accessible Parking And Passenger Loading Zones: March 2nd, 1:30p.m. to 3p.m., Online
- School Boards Matter Forum: March 6th, 6p.m. to 7:15p.m., Online
- An Untapped Funding Approach: Using Medicaid To Pay For Live-In Caregiver Housing And To Offset Wages For Care: March 7th, 1p.m. to 2p.m., Online
- Emerging Workforce Practices For Self-Direction: March 9th, 1p.m. to 2p.m., Online
- Advocacy For Change: March 16th, 9a.m. to 4:30p.m., Concourse Hotel and the Capitol, Madison WI
- Disability Advocacy Day: March 23rd, 10a.m. to 3p.m., Monona Terrace and the Capitol, Madison WI
- Home Health Care Services Electronic Visit Verification Forum: March 23rd, 1p.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.
WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL: Rights group: Some clerks still telling disabled voters they can't get help filing ballots in Wisconsin
By SD Network, 2023-02-19
As affirmed by an August 2022 Federal Court Order, people with disabilities have the right to receive assistance with all aspects of voting, including having a person of their choice deliver their ballot to their clerk or polling place. Yet some voters are being denied.
KAISAR FAMILY FOUNDATION: As Long-Term Care Staffing Crisis Worsens, Immigrants Can Bridge the Gaps
By SD Network, 2023-02-10
The U.S. is facing a growing crisis of unfilled job openings and high staff turnover that puts the safety of older, frail residents at risk. In a tight labor market where job options are plentiful, long-term care jobs that are poorly paid and physically demanding are a tough sell. Experts say opening pathways for care workers to immigrate would help, but policymakers haven’t moved.
DISABILITY SCOOP: Biden renews calls to invest in services for people with disabilities
By SD Network, 2023-02-10
President Joe Biden used his State of the Union address to double down on his plan to reinvigorate the nation's home and community-based services system. During the speech, Biden called on Congress to invest in services that allow people with disabilities to receive care in their homes.
Self-directed care undeniably has a place in the future of home-based care. How big that place is, however, is still up in the air. There are many benefits to offering self-directed or consumer-directed care, especially for patients who would rather be cared for by a caregiver of choice. States see it as a win-win because it lowers the cost of care and gives families their preferred option. Others are concerned about potential fraud and lack of resources.
ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING: Funding Opportunity for RRTC on Community Living and Participation Among People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
By SD Network, 2023-02-09
The National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) at ACL has a new funding opportunity under the Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTCs) Program to address community living and participation for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The purpose of the RRTC program, which are funded through the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program , is to achieve the goals of, and improve the effectiveness of, services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act through well-designed research, training, technical assistance, and dissemination activities in important topic areas as specified by NIDILRR. These activities are designed to benefit rehabilitation service providers, individuals with disabilities, family members, and other stakeholders.
RRTC on Community Living and Participation Among People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: The purpose of this particular RRTC is to conduct research, training, and related activities to contribute to optimal community living and participation outcomes of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including those with co-occurring disabilities.
View more details and application instructions.
Please visit the link above for more details about the grant opportunity and application process. This grant opportunity closes on April 3, 2023.
What's your story? Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Amy has a master's degree in special education and school social work. In the past, she was a 504 coordinator. Currently, she’s a special education teacher at an elementary school. “I have a passion for education and working with kids and making policy changes that make positive changes for all people,” she says.
She has a two-year-old service dog named Beans. She was Miss Wheelchair Wisconsin and Miss Wheelchair USA.
What does Self-Determination mean to you? Why is it important?
To Amy, self-determination means living life to the best of her ability. She explains that it's important because it's a weight that everyone has and she thinks we need to do a better job with attendant care, transition, jobs and education for people with disabilities. “The possibilities are limitless when given opportunity but, unfortunately, we are not given opportunities,” she says.
Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms of self-determination?
The most exciting for Amy is that, even though it’s a struggle sometimes, every day she’s able to live in my own apartment and work a job as a special education teacher--while nagging over 13 specialists, needing attendant care, and not being able to drive.
What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?
Amy encourages everyone to never give up and don't let people speak for you. “It’s not who you think you are that holds you back, it's who you think you're not,” she explains.
What are some of your hobbies?
During her spare time, Amy enjoys hanging out with friends, being with her service dog Beans, volunteering, water skiing in the summer, and watching and playing wheelchair basketball. “I’m always an advocate,” she exclaims!
***We love hearing the views and opinions of Network members. We need to mention that the views and opinions expressed on this site are those of the person who is sharing them. They do not necessarily reflect InControl Wisconsin or any of our supporters and funders.
AMERICAN PLANNINGG ASSOCIATION: Pete Buttigieg Wants to Make Transit Accessible — And Pay for It, Too
By SD Network, 2023-02-07
One in four U.S. adults have a disability that affects major life activities. Yet transportation networks, from missing stretches of sidewalk to legacy train systems built long before the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, often lack features like elevators that are necessary for people who use wheelchairs, crutches, and other mobility aids. The secretary of transportation talks mobility justice, missing sidewalks and elevators, and billions in federal grants currently up for grabs.
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, and U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell have introduced legislation to expand access to home and community-based services (HCBS) for adults, people with disabilities and injured workers, while increasing pay and improving benefits for in-home caregivers.
RESEARCH ON DISABILITY: Release of Annual Disability Statistics Collection
By SD Network, 2023-02-07
StatsRRTC at the University of New Hampshire's Institute on Disability will release key findings from the Annual Disability Statistics Collection. The annual report addresses critical gaps in national and state data related to people with disabilities by synthesizing complex data from numerous U.S. federal agencies into accessible formats.
"We're getting our first look at post-COVID statistics for many indicators because the collection of 2020 data was corrupted by the COVID lockdown."
– Andrew Houtenville
The ADSC is designed to make finding and using disability statistics easier for individuals working on legislative and other matters relating to persons with disabilities.
Key findings from this year's Compendium include:
- The Annual Disability Statistics Compendium
- Annual Disability Statistics Supplement
- State Reports for County-Level Data
- New and Updated Infographics