News

Interesting blog on commerce.gov about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). I find the facts and figures very interesting--particularly the age statistics.

Census Bureau Releases Disability Facts and Figures in Recognition of ADA Anniversary

Submitted on July 22, 2014 - 1:47pm

Cross blog post fromDisability.gov

In preparation for the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, the U.S. Census Bureau released its collection of themost recent datapertaining to Americans with disabilities. The numbers are striking. People with disabilities represented 19 percent of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population. Persons with a disability have a physical or mental impairment that affects one or more major life activities, such as walking, bathing, dressing, eating, preparing meals, going outside the home, or doing housework. A disability can occur at birth or at any point in a persons life.

  • Approximately57 millionAmericans have a disability. There are more people with disabilities living in America than the entire population of Canada or the Caribbean.
  • More Americans with disabilities require the assistance of others to perform basic activities of daily living than the entire population of Greece.
  • If you take the population of Ireland and cut it in half, thats roughly the number of Americans living with Alzheimers or other neurocognitive disorders.
  • The number of Americans with vision impairments is comparable to the entire population of Switzerland, and there are more Americans with hearing impairments than in all of Denmark, Paraguay or Hong Kong.
  • By age in the U.S., 8 percent of children under 15 had a disability; 21 percent of people 15 and older had a disability; 17 percent of people 21 to 64 had a disability; and 50 percent of adults 65 and older had a disability.
  • West Virginia had the highest rate at 19% of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability, the highest rate of any state in the nation. Utah, at 9 percent, had the lowest rate.

On July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodations, commercial facilities, telecommunications, and state and local government services.

Source:http://www.commerce.gov/blog/2014/07/22/census-bureau-releases-disability-facts-and-figures-recognition-ada-anniversary

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Self-Determination Network News: July 2014


By SD Network, 2014-07-16

28_blogs.pngSelf-Determination Network News: July 2014

Connect|Share|Learn|http://sdnetworkwi.org/

New Network Manager

We would like to thank Deb Wisniewski for all her years of hard work and dedication to theSelf-Determination Networkand theEmployment Network. We really appreciate all the time you have spent getting these networks going. We cant thank you enough!

As of June 1st, Stacy Ellingen took over as the network manager. She comes with knowledge about what services, resources, etc there are available for people with disabilities. Shes hoping to be able to use her experiences to help others. Shes looking forward to getting to know our members!

It Only Takes "Five"

Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the SD Network:

  • Join the Conversation: Deb posted an interesting discussion about person-centered planning and personalization. Shes wondering if these concepts are failing people within our long-term care systems. What do you think?
  • Share your ideas: We posted some of the ideas and resources shared during our last Coffee Break with Kat Savyannah of the hOur TimeBanks. We discussed the benefits of TimeBanks and how people can get involved.
  • Get Involved: The 2014 Self-Determination Conference is quickly approaching. Be sure to register today!
  • We need your help: Check out this announcement from Wisconsin Employment First about how your voice can be heard!

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Monthly Coffee Breaks will return in September. When should we hold Coffee Breaks? Answer ourOne-Minute Poll now!

30_blogs.pngNew Members

Stop by to welcomeour newest members.

Do you know someone who should join the SD Network? Spread the word and invite friends, families and other interested folks!

31_blogs.jpegUpcoming Events

Here's a sample ofupcoming eventslisted on the SD Network:

Post your eventon the SDS Network and it can be included in future Network News emails to members! Questions? Suggestions? Contact Stacy Ellingen aticwstacy@gmail.com.

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The Self-Determination Network is powered by In Control Wisconsin and supported financially by ourmembersandSponsors. We couldn't keep this Network going with you! Find out how you can help support the Network.

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Did you know that your Family Care, IRIS or other long-term care services may be changing FOR THE BETTER- soon? Thats right! TheSurvival Coalition has new recommendationsregarding Implementation of theNew HCBS Regulations Issued by CMS in Non-Residential Settings,including Vocational Settings. You can view the recommendations by clickinghere.Watch for your opportunity to tell the Department of Health Services how to make changes that matter to YOU!

Stay tuned! Watch for a webinar on the new rule coming soon!

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Register nowfor the 2014 Wisconsin Self-Determination Conference!

The2014 Self Determination Conferencewill be held November 10-12, 2014, at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. This will be the seventh year of the conference and the theme is, Mission Possible: Discovering the Potential in our Communities. We will explore life in our communities: what does it mean to belong, how does one get involved, and what can we contribute to our communities?

Click here for more information

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An interesting article by Cheryl Anderson from Post-Crescent Media about how Wisconsin has dropped in the rankings for serving older residents and people with disabilities.

State drops in rankings for serving older, disabled residents

Cheryl Anderson, Post-Crescent Media

Eight out of 52 isn't bad, right? Wrong.

"Raising Expectations 2014: A State Scorecard on Long-Term Services and Support for Older Adults, People with Physical Disabilities and Family Caregivers," released by AARP, ranks Wisconsin No. 8 in terms of meeting the long-term care needs of older and disabled residents.

In the comprehensive scorecard, states are ranked within 26 performance indicators based on affordability and access, choice of setting and provider, quality of life and quality of care, support of family caregivers and effective transitions.

"Wisconsin, for a long time, has a history of being innovative and creative in the care and programs for older Wisconsinites and we do pretty good," said Helen Marks Dicks, state issues advocacy director with AARP Wisconsin. "But we could do a lot better."

In fact, we did. In 2011, the last time the national study was done, Wisconsin came in fifth.

One way to improve long-term care here is through Family Care, a low-income program for people who qualify financially.

"We need to expand Family Care into the rest of the existing counties (in the state) where the service isn't available because we really need to encourage that people receive their care and their support in their homes, if at all possible," Dicks said.

Family Care, which is available in Outagamie, Calumet and Winnebago counties and now in most of the northeast corner of the state, helps people in their homes so they don't have to go into nursing homes. While it may help with medications, it also provides basic needs for those who live alone, like bathing, cooking and shopping.

"And it costs about one-third to support people in their homes as opposed to supporting people in an institution," Dicks said.

The second way Wisconsin can do better is in giving support to caregivers, an area where the state ranked especially low, she said.

Unpaid family caregivers provide the bulk of care for older residents partly because the cost of long-term care also remains unaffordable for most middle income families. That translates to 524,000 state residents who help their aging parents, spouses and loved ones at an estimated cost value of about $5.8 billion.

"Not only is it terribly demanding physically, it gets demanding economically because often they're paying for things that aren't covered by insurance," Dicks said. "And many of them actually end up leaving the workforce or reducing their work time, which has a long-range financial implication. We need to take a look at what we can do to be more supportive of the uncompensated caregivers."

Unfortunately, middle and higher income people that don't qualify for Family Care receive no help.

"That's where you really see the financial burden falling on the family," Dicks said.

To access the full report, got to www.longtermscorecard.org.

Cheryl Anderson: 920-993-1000, ext. 249, canderson@postcrescent.com; on Twitter @chermanderson

Source: http://www.postcrescent.com/story/life/2014/06/28/state-drops-rankings-serving-older-disabled-residents/11549815/

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Do you live in a county with Family Care/IRIS? Do you remember a time before there was Family Care/IRIS? Are you waiting for Family Care/IRIS?

The Survival Coalition is conducting asurveyto hear from people with disabilities and the aging community about their experiences with the long-term care services available to them.

Survival Coalition is comprised of more than 30 statewide disability organizations that advocate and support policies and practices that lead to the full inclusion, participation, and contribution of people living with disability.

Click herefor more information

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27_blogs.pngBPDD encourages self-advocates to enter artwork that represents self-determination!

Self-advocates are encouraged to submit original artwork for the2014 Mosaic Art Contest!

Mosaic is a unique art contest for self-advocates who live in Wisconsin and want to express what self-determination and/or self-advocacy means to them through their art. The theme for the 2014 contest is Mission: Possible Discovering the Potential in Our Communities. Your art submission should focus on this theme. The art contest is sponsored by the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD) and is conducted in conjunction with the 2014 Wisconsin Self-Determination Conference.

BPDD will accept artwork in three categories: 2D visual art, photography, and poetry. All submitted artwork will be featured on BPDDs Facebook Page and all participants will receive a certificate of participation. One overall Grand Prize Winner will be awarded and each category will recognize one Top Prize Winner. All artwork will be displayed at the 2014 Wisconsin Self-Determination Conference.

Prizes for the 2014 Mosaic Art Contest:
Grand Prize Winner - $500
Top Prize Winner - $200 (one for each category)
Deadline: Friday, September 5, 2014

Click herefor more information.
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Become a Leader with Partners in Policymaking

Leadership and advocacy training program now accepting applications

Self-advocates and family members of a person with a developmental disability (DD) who want to improve their leadership skills are encouraged to apply forWisconsin Partners in Policymaking. The deadline to apply is September 1, 2014.

Partners is a six-session advocacy and systems change training program designed to develop future leaders who will work with legislators and communities on policies and initiatives that support the full participation and inclusion of people with DD. Nationwide, nearly 15,000 graduates are part of a growing network of community leaders and, since 2011, 75 people have graduated from the Wisconsin program.

The program is designed for (A) adults with DD, (B) parents, grandparents, or primary caregivers of children under the age of 21 with DD, and (C) siblings of individuals with DD. Applicants should be highly motivated to create more inclusive communities and support thecore valueslaid out in the Developmental Disabilities Act. The six sessions will be held in Madison between November 2014 and May 2015. Each session begins at 1 p.m. on Friday and concludes at 4 p.m. on Saturday. Go here for thesession dates.

This program is an initiative of the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD). BPDD covers all costs associated with the program, including the training, lodging, meals, and materials.

The deadline to apply is 12 p.m. on Monday, September 1, 2014. On the BPDD website, you can learn more aboutPartnersand even get to know thegraduates. Or you can get started now by downloading theapplication.

If you have questions about Wisconsin Partners in Policymaking, contact John Shaw atjohn1.shaw@wisconsin.govor(608) 266-7707.

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The purpose ofSPARKS Grantsis to organize grassroots groups that identify and make changes in their communities. These innovative changes result in a positive impact on the lives of people with disabilities.

SPARKS Grants projects have been making a difference in Wisconsin since 2010. Because of these innovative projects:

Oshkosh has an accessible city park,
Wausau has an expanded public transportation system, and
Stevens Point has an accessible community garden and kitchen.

Apply for a SPARKS Grant and spark a change in your community!

Deadline: August 1st

Click herefor more information.

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A great article from Disabled Worldabout how Walgreens is now is offering talking prescription devices for people with visual impairments.

Walgreens Now Offer Talking Prescription Devices for Customers with Visual Impairments

Author:Walgreens
Published:Jun 03, 2014 (Revised: Jun 03, 2014)
Author Contact Information:www.walgreens.com
Abstract:Walgreens launch of talking prescription devices to customers with visual impairments is a new service that complements other accessible prescription information provided.
"The initiative is the result of a collaboration between Walgreens, The American Council of the Blind (ACB) and the ACB affiliates in California and Illinois."

Detail:Initiative adds to Walgreens other accessible prescription information services; leadership of blindness organizations praise companys program.

Walgreens, the nations largest drugstore chain (NYSE: WAG) (Nasdaq: WAG), today announced the launch of a nationwide program offering talking prescription devices to customers with visual impairments. The initiative introduces a new service that complements other accessible prescription information Walgreens currently provides.

Walgreens is the first in the industry to offer this exclusive talking prescription device, called the Talking Pill Reminder, at its retail locations chainwide. The device attaches to prescription containers and will be provided free of charge with prescription medications that Walgreens dispenses to its pharmacy customers who are blind or who have visual impairments. The Talking Pill Reminder can be recorded to speak the information on the customers prescription medication label, and also has an audible alarm to remind patients when to take a medication.

The Talking Pill Reminder is available to customers of Walgreens retail pharmacies across the country and through Walgreens prescription mail service. The devices also are available in Walgreens drugstores for purchase for a retail price of $9.99.

Adherence to medication can be critical in treating illness today, and this is an innovation that will help our visually impaired customers correctly identify and take medications as prescribed, said Jeff Koziel, Walgreens group vice president of pharmacy operations. As part of our mission to help customers get, stay and live well, were proud to have worked closely with other leading organizations to make the Talking Pill Reminder available across all of our more than 8,100 stores nationwide.

The initiative is the result of a collaboration between Walgreens, The American Council of the Blind (ACB) and the ACB affiliates in California and Illinois. All partnering organizations praised the Walgreens announcement.

Accessible prescription information is critical to people who are blind, and with todays announcement, Walgreens assumes a significant leadership role in serving its customers with visual impairments, said ACB President Kim Charlson.

Illinois Council of the Blind representative Ray Campbell commended Walgreens initiative, saying, So many of our members and ACB members across the country value Walgreens excellent customer service. The companys rollout of the Talking Pill Reminder gives them yet another reason to make Walgreens their pharmacy of choice.

California Council of the Blind President Donna Pomerantz said, Standard prescription labels put customers who are blind at risk for mixing up medications or taking them incorrectly. For this reason, Walgreens initiative is a matter of basic safety, and we congratulate the company on its efforts in this important area.

In addition to providing the Talking Pill Reminder, Walgreens also offers large print patient information sheets to customers who have visual impairments.

Walgreens accessibility initiative will help people with visual impairments who have difficulty or are unable to read a standard prescription medication label.

Source: http://www.disabled-world.com/news/public-notices/walgreens.php

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