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Being a starter on a sports team.  Standing up in a wedding.  Getting a promotion at work.  Being asked to speak at a big event.  What do these things have in common?  Things such as these make an individual feel valued.  Being valued is a psychological need of every single person on this earth.  There are a million different ways to make a person feel valued, and what makes an individual feel that way varies from person-to-person.  Feeling valued, wanted, and needed is essential to everybody.  In today’s society, it’s especially important that people feel valued.  People who have disabilities or health conditions are no different; we need and deserve to feel valued just like everybody else. In fact, sometimes, I believe people who have any sort of limitation have the need to feel more valued because, the truth is, society still doesn’t view us as equal. 

“I know you’re busy, but I’d like to come visit with Parker a day next week.  We won’t stay long.  What day would work best?,” my sister recently texted me.  Nearing the end of her maternity leave with my second nephew and wanting to visit my parents as well, she was trying to find a day to drive up.  Having talked with my parents, they told her how busy I’ve recently become.  After looking at my calendar and texting her back with the few days and times that’d work, I was talking with my mom and I said, “it’s weird that people have to schedule around my stuff. It’s usually vice versa.” What I mean by this is that I’m not used to being this busy.

As I’ve discussed in past entries, I’ve learned the hard way that my body can handle so much.  A few years ago, I took on another very part-time job doing very similar things I do for InControl Wisconsin.  People had reached out to me and encouraged me to apply.  The fact that people thought that I had the right skills and would bring value to the organization meant so much to me.  However, as I explained, a few months into the job, I ended up having emergency surgery.  After doing my best to continue working while I recovered, I discovered that my body couldn’t handle it.  Much to my dismay, after many doctor and hospital visits, I ended up resigning from the position. People totally understood, but it was really hard on me because I knew that people valued me and wanted me to do it.

That was nearly two years ago.  Knock-on-wood, my health has vastly improved and I’ve been on a really good streak.  Because of that, I’ve been able to participate in more activities and take on more responsibilities. I’m not sure of the reason, but it seems like in the past month or so, I’ve been fortunate to have been asked to participate in several different advocacy activities. With almost all of these opportunities, people reached out to me and asked me to participate in the particular activity because they thought I’d add value to the project.  Due to timing, I had to say no to one or two of the things, but I’ve been able to do most of the opportunities.

Having people reach out to me because they think I bring value to something is an unexplainable feeling.  Although, the perception of persons with disabilities has vastly improved, I still constantly feel the need to prove myself.  As I’ve said before, being in a wheelchair, having involuntary movements, and being nonverbal, I know people make assumptions.  I get it—I make them too.  We all do.  It’s human nature to.  Admittedly, knowing this, makes me self-conscious and I find myself always trying to show people that, despite my physical challenges, I can accomplish things and be successful.

Knowing that people value who I am and what I do greatly boosts my confidence.  It does for everyone, but, for people who have blatant stereotypes attached to them, being wanted and needed means a little more. Personally, as I’ve shared before, when I get discouraged or depressed because things aren’t going well or I can’t do something, my mom reminds me of all that I’ve accomplished and of all the people who value me.  Honestly, depending on the situation, often I shrug it off because she’s my mom and she has to say those things; however, deep down, it helps to be reminded.

Being valued greatly improves one’s self-worth.  Everybody benefits from getting a boost of confidence every once in a while. Have you made somebody feel valued recently?  My challenge for you is to make a friend, family member, or colleague feel valued today.  By doing so, there’s a strong possibility that you’ll feel more valued as well! 

***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.

Check out the webpage featuring the Youth Voice Youth Choice Ambassador Program.

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The HCBS settings rule requires states to develop a transition plan for reaching and maintaining compliance with the rule. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) received final approval on its Statewide Transition Plan from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on January 20, 2023. Read the approved Statewide Transition Plan here. 

Find more information about the statewide transition plan.

Now is the time to learn about and practice EVV

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) took a major step towards rooting out longstanding inequities in housing and fostering inclusive communities by announcing the “Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH)" proposed rule. This proposed rule would implement the Fair Housing Act's affirmatively furthering fair housing mandate, which directs the government to promote fair housing choice, eliminate disparities in housing, and foster inclusive communities.

This proposed rule seeks to simplify the required fair housing analysis, emphasize goal-setting, increase transparency for public review and comment, foster local commitment to addressing fair housing issues, enhance HUD technical assistance to local communities, and provide mechanisms for regular program evaluation and greater accountability, among other changes.

The proposed rule contains a number of changes of particular note to the aging and disability community, including:

• incorporating the housing needs of people with disabilities into the definition of “affordable opportunities;”
• defining “fair housing choice” for persons with disabilities as providing “a realistic opportunity to obtain and maintain housing with accessibility features meeting the individual’s disability-related needs, housing provided in the most integrated setting appropriate to an individual’s needs, and housing where community assets are accessible to individuals with disabilities, including voluntary disability-related services that an individual needs to live in such housing;”
• requiring consultation with organizations that advocate on behalf of individuals with disabilities such as centers for independent living, protection & advocacy agencies, aging and disability resource centers, and councils on developmental disabilities as a part of the community engagement process jurisdictions must take as they develop their Equity Plans; and
• restores previous references to the Olmstead decision and the integration mandate of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

HUD seeks public comments on this proposed rule. The 60-day comment period will open once the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register. HUD has created a guide to submitting comments. ACL networks and stakeholders are encouraged to submit their views, comments, and recommendations.

Additional fair housing resources: review the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) Fact Sheet and Engaging the Disability Community in Fair Housing Planning Webinar Series.

In January, HUD announced that it would provide $24.7 million for permanent affordable housing to people with disabilities. This award allows local public housing authorities to house up to 2,210 additional families, and further support community integration for persons with disabilities.

The assistance is provided through the HUD Section 811 Mainstream Housing Choice Voucher Program, which offers funding to housing agencies to assist non-elderly people with disabilities who are transitioning out of institutional or other isolated settings, at serious risk of institutionalization, homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless.

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Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program

The purpose of the RERC program is to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act by conducting advanced engineering research on and development of innovative technologies that are designed to solve particular rehabilitation problems or to remove environmental barriers. RERCs also demonstrate and evaluate such technologies, facilitate service delivery system changes, stimulate the production and distribution of new technologies and equipment in the private sector, and provide training opportunities.

RERC on Rehabilitation Strategies, Techniques, and Interventions: The purpose of this particular opportunity is to conduct research, development, and related activities that lead to rehabilitation technologies, practices and services that improve the health, and the physical, cognitive, sensory, or communication abilities of people with a wide range of disabilities, especially those with the greatest support needs. Rehabilitation engineering in this area should result in new or improved products, devices, and technological advances that enhance rehabilitation services in clinical or community settings. 

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 March 25, 2022.

The caregiver is shortage affects almost everyone in one way or another.  It's hitting LGBTQ  elderly and people with disabilities really hard.  In Wisconsin, caregiver vacancies increased by 4% in two years (currently at 27.8%), which includes a current 28.4% vacancy rate for certified nursing assistants and direct care workers.  Some feel it's because society doesn't value caregivers, elderly, and people with disabilities enough.

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Thanks to an internship program, young adults with disabilities are getting connected with career opportunities in the Chippewa Valley. Project SEARCH helps high school sstudents with disabilities transition into various employment opportunities.  The program provides students the opportunity to learn real work skills, soft skills, and why those are important to have in the workplace..

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