News
DISABLED WORLD: New US CDC Statistics Reveal 1 in 4 Adults Live with Disability
By SD Network, 2018-08-21
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention figures show 1 in 4 US adults now live with a disability, with cognitive disability most common in younger adults and mobility disabilities most common for others. The data shows that disability is more common among women, non-Hispanic American Indians/Alaska Natives, adults with lower income, and adults living in the South Census region of the United States.
CNBC: How Google has stepped up its efforts to makes its own tech more accessible to the disabled
By SD Network, 2018-08-21
In the past few years, Google has shifted the way that it thinks about accessibility, moving from grassroots advocacy to codified systems. Beyond making all its products accessible, the next big challenge is finding ways for its technology to help disabled people navigate the wider world. While Google works to improve its own products and processes and launch into new domains, the Accessibility team has also ramped up its external focus
A lawsuit is seeking to force the nation's airlines to make major changes to better accommodate travelers with disabilities. The suit filed against the Department of Transportation accuses the agency of delaying rules aimed at adding accessible restrooms to single-aisle airlines. In 2016, Congress asked the Department to release rules on airplane restroom accessibility by 2017. The Department has yet to do this. The lawsuit asks that the court demand the Department to take action.
DISABILITY SCOOP: Incentives Floated For Treating People With Developmental Disabilities
By SD Network, 2018-08-21
Federal lawmakers are pushing to make doctors and other health care services much more available for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. A bipartisan bill introduced late last month would for designate people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as a “medically underserved population” and qualify this group for additional resources under more than two dozen federal programs. Health care experts think this bill would increase access to medical and dental care, reduce health disparities, and improve training for medical professionals.
With a new exhibit, the Smithsonian Institution is highlighting how athletics have helped to dramatically change the lives of people with intellectual disabilities over the last 50 years. The exhibit showcases the history of Special Olympics.. It also features stories of four well-known Special Olympians.
Citizen Network is working with the European SKILLS project to identify the extent to which self-directed support is being adopted in different countries around the world. They are now seeking to identify people around the world who would like to help us map progress on self-directed support in their own country.
August 2018
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Hurry! Early Bird Registration Ends Soon!
Register today for the 2018 Self-Determination Conference! The annual conference works to empower people with disabilities in Wisconsin to have more control over their lives. More than 600 people each year participate in the conference to learn more about self-determination and Self-Directed Supports so they can live independently, be members of their communities, and use public funds efficiently. The conference participants include people with disabilities and their family members, direct care providers, and professionals from Wisconsin’s disability community. Conference Scholarships will be available until September 7, 2018 or until funds run out. There are a limited number of scholarships available and they are determined on a first come, first serve basis. Early bird registration ends August 30th!
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 August, we shine the spotlight on dedicated mother, Lisa. She's a firm believer in self-determination as she has witnessed it do amazing things for her daughter. Stop by this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Lisa.
"We’re in the twenty-first century. Shouldn’t people know to treat a person who happens to have a disability like any other person? Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Although, it has significantly improved over the years, the general population still isn’t comfortable with people with disabilities."
In this month's entry, Stacy discusses how while the acceptance of people with disabilities has greatly improved, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done! We encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences as well.
Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the Self-Determination Network:
- SPARKS Grants: Applications for the 2018-19 SPARKS Grants are now available. These grants help to organize grassroots groups to make changes in the community that will have a positive impact on the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Learn more and apply today!
- 2018-19 Partners in Policymaking: Partners in Policymaking is a six-session advocacy and systems change training program for people living with developmental disabilities, their siblings, and parents of children with disabilities ages birth to 21. Applications for the 2018-19 Policymaking class are due September 1st.
- Straw Bans: States and cities are being pressed by environmentalists to eliminate plastic straws, but strong objections from disability advocates and others have delayed or stopped some proposed bans. Learn why many people with disabilities are opposed to eliminating plastic straws.
- Caregiver Shortages Affecting Housing Prices: It's well known that the caregiver shortage is nationwide, but read about how now some people are saying that the high housing costs are making it more difficult to find caregivers.
- Voter Registration: Advocacy groups are working to educate people with disabilities about the multiple accommodations available to assist with voting. Read about some of the available accommodations.
- Children's Long-Term Support Forums: The Department of Health Services is holding multiple forums across the state about updates for Children's Long-Term Support. Learn about the latest updates in the CLTS Waiver Program.
- Segregation Comments Cause Alarms: Remarks from a top official at the federal agency responsible for community living leaves lawmakers looking for answers. Find out what was said.
- National Park Accessibility: The National Park Service recently announced that nine parks have received more than $10 million to improve accessibility. Read about what the funding will be used for.
- Transportation Survey: The National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM) is seeking input from state and local stakeholders to inform the future of transportation coordination.
- Modernizing Home Care: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has suggested changes to its payment system to improve access to remote patient care services and update the payment model. Read about what the changes will do.
- Technology Helps Travelers with Disabilities to an Extent: While some airlines have mandatory training on how to assist people with disabilities, the advances in technology have made it easier for people with disabilities to travel; however, transportation systems still need some improvements. Learn about ways things could be improved.
Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:
- Ability Fest: October 14th, 7:30a.m. to 4p.m., Camelot Golf Course, Lomira WI
- 2018 Self-Determination Conference: October 29th-31st, Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells 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.
NYTIMES.COM: For Disabled Travelers, Technology Helps Smooth the Way. But Not All of It.
By SD Network, 2018-08-02
While some airlines have mandatory training on how to assist people with disabilities, the advances in technology have made it easier for people with disabilities to travel. Apps like Be My Eyes and Aira can help people with visual disabilities navigate through airports independently. Wheelchair ramps and lifts allow people with mobility disabilities to board buses and trains. Transportation systems could still use some improvements. Ground travel is travel by trains, subways, and busses. Although ground travel and airports must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), airplanes do not. They are governed by the Air Carrier Access Act. This does not have as many accessibility standards as the ADA. For example, people who use wheelchairs must leave them at the entrance to the plane, transfer to the airline's wheelchair and then to a seat on the plane. Travel on buses and trains can be challenging as some drivers do not know how to operate the lifts and some ramps have a steep incline, which is dangerous and violates the ADA.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has suggested changes to its payment system. The changes improve access to remote patient care services and update the payment model. Home health agencies will be able to report the cost of remote patient care as allowable costs. A new patient-driven model would make home health payments better. The old system had a 60-day payment period and used the number of therapy visits to calculate payments. The new system would only use a 30-day period and no longer count therapy visits. The changes will save Medicare providers millions of dollars and hours when they go into effect in 2019-2020.
How are you involved with self-determination? Why did you join the SD Network?
Lisa is involved with Self Determination because she believes people have a right to direct their own lives. She explains that the thought of her adult daughter, Kelsey, living in a situation where she had no power to choose how she lives her life was simply not an option. Through their involvement in, and utilization of, self-directed long-term support programs, Kelsey has crafted a life of community integration, natural relationships and supports. She points out that being non-verbal does NOT limit her negotiating skills and this is what Lisa absolutely loves about her. “It is because of Kelsey that I want self-determination for everyone – I only wish I had as much self-determination for myself,” she says.
Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms self-determination?
Lisa thinks the perspective and self-determination of the family caregiver all too often gets lost or pushed to the way-side. She explains that one of the definitions of Self-Determination in the dictionary is “[self-de·ter·mi·na·tion] noun - the process by which a person controls their own life.” Through her involvement with Respite Care Association of Wisconsin and subsequent collaborations, she hopes to create greater awareness of the need for family caregivers to also achieve self-direction.
What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?
A tip Lisa would like to share is to be patient and intentional in understanding communication cues in regards to living a self-directed life-- especially for those who have difficulty communicating verbally. She explains that daughter communicates with her eyes, her behaviors, her interactions, her voice inflection – she knows with parents and guardians this comes more naturally – but to some others, this is the key to opening up many worlds for individuals with disabilities. It’s about going into it understanding it’s not always going to be an easy path (at least not in her household).
What message would you like to share with the members of the SD Network?
Lisa believes in the power of collaboration. She explains that great things happen when shared or related visions are addressed from multiple perspectives. She shares this quote with us: "It is the long history of humankind (and animal kind, too) that those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed." – Charles Darwin
What are some of your hobbies?
“Good question. Who has time for hobbies,” Lisa jokes. This is a growth area for me, but she did recently start listening to audio-books, both fiction and non-fiction, as it is a form of respite to her from the world and herself. “Ask me again a year from now,” she says.
***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.