News

Here is a short film about Madison native Karen Foxgrover that depicts self direction and extreme determination.

Karen Foxgrover

Take Your Legislator to Work Campaign

Showcasing the Employ-Ability of Workers with Disabilities

An invitation to Wisconsin lawmakers to visit constituents with disabilities on the job

To celebrate National Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD) is mounting a campaign to acknowledge and celebrate Wisconsin workers with disabilities. People with disabilities can be contributing members of our Wisconsin workforce.

Governor Walker has made job creation a top priority for our state. Its time to showcase the skills and talents people with disabilities make to Wisconsins economic success. We want legislators to see the employ-ability of individuals with disabilities and their valuable contribution to Wisconsins workforce.

BPDD is looking across the state for individuals with disabilities who love their jobs and employers who love them! We invite people with disabilities and their families to share their employment experiences with their legislator. By having your legislator visit your workplace, we will spread the word that people with disabilities are valuable employees with essential skills who enhance the work environment for everyone. All people want to work in a positive, engaging environment in their community. Their contributions not only benefit their own economic status but contribute to Wisconsins economy as well. Additionally, it improves the cost effectiveness of our Long-Term Care System. Everyone wants to help contribute to a brighter future for our state and our country.

To facilitate the campaign, the BPDD is looking for regional organizers who can work with individuals in their area to present their story to their legislator and host a visit to their workplace. We want to showcase the talents of people working in meaningful employment in our local communities and how they play a part in the future success of our state.

For more information on telling your story or acting as a regional coordinator for those with inspiring stories, please contact Beth Moss at the BPDD at beth.moss@wisconsin.gov. You can also call 608-266-7826 or 888-332-1677.

The WI Board for People with Developmental Disabilities is offering grants (from $500-$3,000) for projects that "SPARK"innovative methods of building community capacity in the areas of grassroots community organizing, Integrated Employment, and self-directed supports. The innovative methods SPARKS Grants ignite are intended to lead to systems change that improves the lives of people with disabilities.

Go to the link below to get more information about this great opportunity to do something in your community to improve the lives of people with disabilities. Grant application, requirements and contact information can be found on the link. Proposals are due by September 16th.

Get more information about SPARKS grants.

The DHS/DLTC, Bureau of Long Term Support, has updated the Guardianship Book with the excellent assistance of Roy Froemming, one of the original authors. This handbook provides an overview of guardianship of adults in Wisconsin who meet the standards for a finding of incompetence, alternative ways of providing decision-making support, and ways to tailor guardianships to individual needs. It is aimed primarily at people involved in trying to assist adults who need support in decision-making due to impairments in their ability to receive and process information, including family members, advocates, support service providers, and educators.

The handbook is now posted at a new link:
http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/P2/p20460.pdf

Feel free to download this and use it in your daily work. If you have difficulty with the link please contact Lois Mulder atLois.Mulder@wisconsin.gov

Thanks to Marcie Brost for sharing this information.

The Campaign for Disability Employment is a collaborative effort to promote positive employment outcomes for people with disabilities by encouraging employers and others to recognize the value and talent they bring to the workplace.

What can YOU do to share the message that at work, its what people CAN do that matters? Use the Campaign for Disability Employments Outreach Toolkit to promote positive employment outcomes for people with disabilities in your business and community!

You'll find sections for Employers, Family and Educators, Persons with Disabilities, YOUTH, and a "What can we ALL do" section.

I just learned about this site from the RSA Commissioner Ruttledge Update. This is a pretty cool site!

Enjoy!

Cheryl

Got Transition? is a national resource for health care professionals, families, youth, and state policy makers focusing on a young adult's transition from pediatric to adult health care. This site serves as the basis for an information exchange about health care transition, particularly as pertaining to youth with special health care needs.