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Artificial intelligence has blown up in recent years. People use it multiple times a day to perform tasks or to obtain information. For many people with disabilities, artificial intelligence has made a huge impact on independence. There are countless examples of this.One unique way is in the classroom. This article talks several different ways robots can be used to assist children with disabilities in the classroom. 

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A new coffee shop called, Inclusion Coffee Co.,  recently opened in Waukesha. The owner has always wanted a place where people with disabilities felt equal and valued. The goal of this coffee shop is to have 50% of the staff be people with disabilities. Unlike many other restaurants, employees with disabilities will actually help make the food and drinks. Training will be hands-on with employees learning every process of running a restaurant. 

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This issue brief looks at state Medicaid levers to address the HCBS workforce shortage, and is based on a literature review, stakeholder interviews, and a panel at MACPAC’s October 2021 public meeting. State strategies for increasing HCBS workforce capacity include raising worker wages, providing benefits, expanding training opportunities, developing recruitment and retention initiatives, and supporting family caregivers. This issue brief also provides examples of state actions in each of these areas and explores how states plan to use funds provided under the American Rescue Plan Act to further support the HCBS workforce.

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Due to recent court rulings, many people with disabilities are worried about their ability to vote in the April election. They also are concerned about being able to vote in larger elections later this year. Under the rulings, it's illegal to have someone else put absentee ballots in mailboxes or drop boxes. There are also questions around getting assistance filling out the ballot. The Wisconsin Supreme Court is expected to have more to say about these rulings this summer. 

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US Department of Education Launches Real Pay for Real Jobs Initiative for People with Disabilities

States eligible to compete for Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment Grants totaling $167 million
The U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) invites applications for the Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment (SWTCIE) demonstration project, aimed at increasing access for people with disabilities to jobs that pay good wages.
The SWTCIE project is the largest discretionary grant administered by RSA, with $167 million available to State Vocational Rehabilitation agencies and their partners.
“Economic security should be available to all Americans,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “Providing individuals with disabilities with a high-quality education and the services that they need to thrive will result in real pay for real jobs, empowering them and leading to greater social and economic inclusion.”
SWTCIE is a step toward ending practices that have allowed some employers to pay less than the federal minimum wage to people with disabilities. The new grant program will sponsor innovative approaches that allow people with disabilities to successfully secure jobs working alongside their non-disabled peers while earning the same pay.
To help eliminate subminimum wage employment, this competition will award grants to as many as 18 state vocational rehabilitation agencies and their partners that will create employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The jobs will be in critical need areas, including home and community-based services, the arts, or transportation and related industries. In addition, applicants may submit proposals in other areas that will transition individuals from subminimum wage employment to competitive integrated employment.
The SWTCIE project advances a key Biden-Harris Administration goal – strengthening the economic security of Americans with disabilities. This funding opportunity aligns existing and emerging employment opportunities with the needs of employers and the public infrastructure. Most notably, activities will ensure people with disabilities are earning real pay for real jobs.
The Department's Rehabilitation Services Administration webpage provides additional information about vocational rehabilitation opportunities for people with disabilities.
The Notice Inviting Applications is available in the Federal RegisterThe deadline for submissions is June 21, 2022.
View the application opportunity
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The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has published guidance on web accessibility and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to inform state and local governments and businesses open to the public on how to ensure their websites are accessible to people with disabilities. This guidance uses plain language and clear examples to review Title II and Title III of the ADA, the importance of web accessibility, barriers that inaccessible websites create for some people with disabilities, requirements of the ADA to web content, and tips on making web content accessible. 

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A review of self-direction literature, statutes, policies, and advocacy papers in the U.S. and other countries reveals a number of recurrent aspirations of the creators of these programs. Considering these themes as a whole makes it possible to generate a composite vision of a “Great Self-Direction Program” with a number of discrete elements. This paper is an attempt by long-time, InControl Wisconsin board member, Lynn Breedlove at describing such an aspirational program, which doesn’t exist anywhere (yet). It is intended to be a starting place for a conversation, not the last word on the subject.

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You can email Lynn with any questions or comments you may have. 

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Going into the third year of the pandemic, things such as telemedicine, working at-home rapid tests, virtual schooling, and drive-thru vaccine clinics have become the norm for most people. However, as people raced to come up with solutions for living in a pandemic, some people with disabilities were left behind. Medical things such as interpreters for virtual appointments, an small print instructions for at-home tests, long lines at drive-thru testing or vaccine sites for non-drivers who rely on other paid transportation, and various other things have made it more challenging for people with disabilities. 

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Governor Evers recently announced that 154 National Guard members have completed certified nursing assistant (CNA) training to assist with staffing in hospitals and nursing homes. This is intended to be short-term. 

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Two years into the pandemic, and many people with disabilities are facing hidden costs that most people don't even think about. Many people are struggling to obtain regular much-needed medication due to pharmacies not being able to get them. In addition, many of the replacement parts for medical equipment aren't readily available. Materials needed to make home modifications aren't easily available either. Costs of materials have nearly doubled , so building something like a ramp to get in and out of the house is costly. 

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