News
ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING: New Funding Opportunities on Reducing Social Isolation of People with Disabilities and National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities
By SD Network, 2021-03-13
ACL's National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) has opened two new funding opportunities for Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) on on Reducing Social Isolation of People with Disabilities and National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities.
The purpose of the DRRP program is to plan and conduct research, demonstration projects, training, and related activities (including international activities) to develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology that maximize the full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities.
DRRP on Reducing Social Isolation and Loneliness Among People with Disabilities: Under this particular DRRP priority, the grantee must conduct research to identify categories of people with disabilities who are most at risk of social isolation. The grantee must also conduct research that will inform the development of in-person, community-based solutions and approaches to reduce social isolation and loneliness among people with disabilities.
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 May 7, 2021.
WFW.COM: Wisconsin eliminates waitlist for long-term care services for medicaid-eligible adults
By SD Network, 2021-03-11
February 28th was a special day for Wisconsin's Long-term care system. The very last person on the waiting list for long-term care enrolled in the IRIS program. This ended all waiting lists for adults who are eligible for long-term care services in Wisconsin.
CNBC: Disabled Americans may want to save their stimulus money in an ABLE account
By SD Network, 2021-03-11
For the first time, adult dependents will now be eligible to receive a stimulus check. The stimulus checks are meant to be spent to help boost the economy, but many people with disabilities may want to put their money in an ABLE account. ABLE accounts are allow people with disabilities to save money in an account without it counting against their benefits. There are many requirements of an ABLE account, but it allows people to save money in an account for disability related expenses.
ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING: HUD Funding Opportunity: Older Adults Home Modification Grant Program
By SD Network, 2021-03-11
HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes has announced $30 million in grant funds and training resources to non-federal entities to establish the Older Adults Home Modification Grant Program. The grant program will assist experienced nonprofits, state and local governments, and public housing authorities in programs that make home modifications and limited repairs to meet the needs of low-income older adult homeowners.
The goal of the program is to help these homeowners "age in place" through low-cost, low barrier, high impact home modifications that:
- Reduce the risk of falls.
- Improve general safety.
- Increase accessibility.
-
Improve older adults' functional abilities in their homes
HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes has announced $30 million in grant funds and training resources to non-federal entities to establish the Older Adults Home Modification Grant Program. The grant program will assist experienced nonprofits, state and local governments, and public housing authorities in programs that make home modifications and limited repairs to meet the needs of low-income older adult homeowners.
The goal of the program is to help these homeowners "age in place" through low-cost, low barrier, high impact home modifications that:
- Reduce the risk of falls.
- Improve general safety.
- Increase accessibility.
-
Improve older adults' functional abilities in their homes
HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes has announced $30 million in grant funds and training resources to non-federal entities to establish the Older Adults Home Modification Grant Program. The grant program will assist experienced nonprofits, state and local governments, and public housing authorities in programs that make home modifications and limited repairs to meet the needs of low-income older adult homeowners.
The goal of the program is to help these homeowners "age in place" through low-cost, low barrier, high impact home modifications that:
- Reduce the risk of falls.
- Improve general safety.
- Increase accessibility.
- Improve older adults' functional abilities in
Applications due May 4th.
- Adults, 18 and over, with any type of disability, chronic illness/disease, mental or physical health condition are encouraged to participate.
- The survey should take about 20 minutes to complete.
- Responses are anonymous.
- The survey may look familiar to you. It was posted in 2018 and 2019, and is being posted for a third time now. We welcome participation from those who completed it before and those who have never done it before.
KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION: COVID-19 Vaccine Access for People with Disabilities
By SD Network, 2021-03-11
By now, it is widely known that COVID has disproportionately affected those with disabilities and those in long-term care. This report details some of the statistics and explains where vaccine distribution is within the disability community. It has some interesting tables and maps.
US NEWS: Too Many U.S. Doctors Biased Against Patients With Disabilities: Study
By SD Network, 2021-03-11
A recently published study by Dr. Lisa Iezzoni discusses the treatment of persons with disabilities by those practicing medicine. Iezzoni, who herself is disabled, has studied the trends surrounding health care for disabled people for more than 20 years. Her new study focuses on the attitude of treating doctors towards patients with disabilities, and the results are discouraging.
Recently, President Biden signed an executive order that will increase voting access. The order directs agencies to increase access to voter registration for groups such as military and overseas voters, Native American voters, and voters with disabilities. The order directs agencies to use their website and social media platforms to provide information about voter registration and the distribution of mail-vote-by-mail applications.
RESEARCH ON DISABILITY: nTIDE February 2021 Jobs Report: Modest job gains provide hope for economic recovery
By SD Network, 2021-03-11
In February, there was a slight increase in employment for people with disabilities. The increase is contributed to the decline in COVID cases, and the vaccine rollout. It's expected to continue to increase as things continue to improve.
March 2021
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Don't Forget to Register for Disability Advocacy Day of Action
Don't forget to register for Disability Day of Action that's on March 23rd. It's a virtual event focused on connecting Disability Advocates with their legislators to talk about issues that matter to them. Attendees are expected to participate in the morning briefing and call their legislators in the afternoon. Registration closes soon. Learn more and register today!
2021 Self-Determination Conference Call for Proposals
Are you interested in presenting at the 2021 Self-Determination Conference? The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities is seeking session proposals for Tuesday, October 19th & Wednesday, October 20th, 2021. This year’s theme: Growing Stronger Together will help people with disabilities lead more Self-Determined lives by recognizing the valued role communities play in our lives! Presentations should include at least one self-advocate and must be able to be done both in-person and on video. Proposals are due April 2nd. Learn more and apply today!
Opportunity to get Involved!
Are you a Self-Advocate?
Would you like an opportunity to speak up for yourself?
Do you want to be a part of the Self-Determination YouTube Channel?
Join the hosts of the Self-Determination Channel for a Zoom Drop In video recording session. We have questions- you have answers!
We will record your answers about how you live a Self-Determined life and what is important to you. This is your chance to make your voice heard.
Mark your calendar for Thursday, March 25th at 4p.m. You can drop in any time from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
We look forward to seeing you and hearing what you have to say!
Contact Fil Clissa at fil.clissa@wisconsin.gov for the link to participate.
Check out the newest videos on the channel:
- In the Spotlight: Black History Month - A Conversation with Cindy Bentley
- Stewing with Stacy: Meet Charlie
We encourage you to subscribe to the Channel (you can do so by clicking the red Subscribe button on any of the video pages).
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.
This month, we're shining the spotlight on new InControl Wisconsin board member, Julie! As one of the founders of the Save IRIS movement, she’s a huge advocate for self-direction. She encourages everyone to remember the word “self” in self-direction and to get involved in some sort of advocacy. Stop by this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Julie.
Who should we shine the spotlight on next?
Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the Self-Determination Network:
- Where Healthcare is Headed: As health systems continue to test approaches to better health care quality, the delivery of person-centered care is key for health care system transformation. Learn what researchers found in a recent study.
- Report Shows Improvement in Voter Accessibility: According to a new report, people with disabilities had far fewer problems with voting accessibility in 2020 than in 2012. Find out how things improved.
- Research Funding Opportunity for Blindness and Low Vision: The Administration for Community Living has opened up a funding opportunity to conduct research and development activities that will promote independence and community living for those with low vision and blindness. Applications due April 19th.
- Public Comment on Heightened Scrutiny: The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is opening a 30-day public comment period on its findings about home and community-based service long-term care settings that were identified for heightened scrutiny review. Review is needed to determine if these settings are truly home and community based and not institutional. Public comment open until March 24th.
- Self-driving Vehicles Online Forum: Self-driving or “autonomous” vehicles stand to revolutionize transportation in the U.S. and around the world. Here's an opportunity to join an online forum discussing inclusive design for autonomous vehicles.
- Vaccine Frustration: While Wisconsin has made progress in the vaccine rollout, disability advocates say some of the most vulnerable people still face multiple challenges accessing it. Read about some of the obstacles people with disabilities are facing.
- Self-advocate Class: The ARC of Wisconsin is leading a class for self-advocates. Registration closes April 1st. Learn more and register today!
- Your Input is Needed: The Center on Aging and Trauma of The Jewish Federations of North America’s Holocaust Survivor Initiative, invites organizations to participate in a national survey on Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed Care. Survey closes March 22nd.
- Vaccine Prioritization: With vaccines beginning to be more available, disability advocates want the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to update its prioritization plan to include the high-risk disability community. Read about why advocates want this.
- Funding Opportunities for Technology Research and Activities: The Administration for Community Living has two new funding opportunities for research and activities for technology interventions to encourage community living outcomes for people with disabilities. Applications due April 26th.
Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:
- Virtual State Budget Training: March 10th, 11a.m. to 12:15p.m., Online
- Webinar: Adapting Health Transition Services For Youth With Special Health Care Needs During The COVID-19 Pandemic: March 11th, 12p.m. to 1p.m, Online
- Webinar: Livable Communities For A Lifetime: March 16th, 1p.m. to 2:30p.m., Online
- Webinar: The Future Is Accessible: A Legal Perspective: March 17th, 1p.m. to 2:30p.m., Online
- Virtual State Budget Training: March 18th, 6p.m. to 7:30p.m., Online
- Disability Advocacy Day Of Action: March 23rd, 10a.m. to 4p.m., Online
- Webinar: Access To COVID-19 Vaccines: Issues And Barriers For Persons With Disabilities: March 24th, 1p.m. to 2:30p.m., Online
- Virtual State Budget Training: March 25th, 12p.m. to 1:30p.m., Online
- Virtual Advocacy For Change: March 30th and 31st, 9a.m. to 12p.m., Online
- Webinar: Review Of The Revised 508 Standards (Part II): Requirements For Hardware And Software: March 30th, 12p.m. to 1:30p.m., Online
- Virtual Employment First Conference: May 13th, 8:30a.m. to 3:30p.m., Online
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.