News

A report from the Governor’s Task Force on Caregiving, presenting their policy recommendations, is now available. The report details the process and recommendations developed to address the charges in Executive Order #11 and  improve conditions for family caregivers and paid direct care workers.

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The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) has published a nonpartisan policy report COVID-19 and the Disability Vote, urging federal, state, and local governments to take immediate action and ensure that voters can cast a ballot safely, accessibly, and securely in the 2020 general election. This report explores how COVID-19 has both created and worsened a variety of accessibility barriers that disenfranchise voters with disabilities. 

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As the pandemic continued, the American with Disabilities Act turned 30.  Many people think one thing became clear - - reality falls short of the law. COVID-19 has made clear health care rights for people with disabilities are far from equal. There are several different examples of this.. This article explains some of the problems. 

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As we all know, there is a presidential election coming up in November. In any election, voting often present challenges for many people with disabilities. Add a pandemic to the situation and the challenges are even more. Everything from voting place accessibility, to not getting accessible mail-in ballots, there are many issues for people with disabilities. 

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ACL's National Paralysis Resource Center (managed by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation) is announcing a new funding opportunity for organizations and agencies that serve people living with any type of paralysis. A special $300,000 Quality of Life (QOL) grant program was just created to address social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. As we all continue to practice the COVID-19 safety guidelines, we must remember social distancing becomes harmful when it turns into social isolation. The goal of this opportunity is to enhance connectedness of people living with paralysis and their caregivers to their communities in combating social isolation. 

They seek to support programs and projects to:

• Connect isolated individuals and foster engagement and connection (examples may be virtual support groups, online activities to support stress management, online adaptive physical activity and health promotion programs, art sessions, gaming, and more);
• Adapt services or create new services to support family caregivers;
• Facilitate connection through the use of technology (such as increasing Internet access, technology loan closets, and more);
• Provide opportunities for online volunteering;
• Strengthen or build social networks; and
• Provide access to tools and resources to help people remain connected and engaged.

Quality of Life (QOL) grants are federally funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living (ACL). Organizations that have previously been awarded a Quality of Life grant in any category may re-apply for funding one year following the close of their grant and notification of grant closure by the Reeve Foundation.

Submit Letters of Intent to QOL@ChristopherReeve.org with the subject line “LOI: COVID-19 Grants.” Selected organizations will be invited to submit a full application.

The National Paralysis Resource Center anticipates awarding six to 10 grants within the range of $25,000 - $50,000. Letters of Intent are due October 13 and full applications are due Wednesday, October 30.

Visit the website for more details on this funding opportunity.

The Foundation is no longer able to provide individual pre-award assistance either by telephone or email. However, they welcome questions about the application process to QOL@ChristopherReeve.org.

In 2002, AAPD launched the Summer Internship Program to develop the next generation of leaders with disabilities. We place college students, graduate students, law students, and recent graduates with all types of disabilities in paid summer internships with Congressional offices, federal agencies, nonprofit and for-profit organizations within the Washington, DC area. During the summer, each intern is matched with a mentor who provides them with career guidance. AAPD provides interns with a living stipend, transportation to and from Washington, DC, and fully accessible housing. We recruit a diverse cohort of interns. As a result, we connect our host employers to talented emerging leaders with disabilities.
 
Apply for the 2021 AAPD Summer Internship by Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at 5:00pm ET.

Through the AAPD Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leader Awards, the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) recognizes outstanding emerging leaders with disabilities who exemplify leadership, advocacy, and dedication to the broader cross-disability community. Two (2) individuals will each receive $2,500 in recognition of their outstanding contributions and $7,500 to further a new or existing project or initiative that increases opportunities for people with disabilities. The recipients of the 2021 AAPD Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leader Awards will be honored among national disability leaders at the 2021 AAPD Leadership Awards Gala which will be held virtually in Spring of 2021.
 
Apply for the 2021 AAPD Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leader Award by Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at 5:00pm ET.
 
AAPD will host a Zoom webinar on Thursday, October 15 from 4:00pm to 5:00pm ET for any interested applicants to review the information below and answer any questions you have. ASL and CART will be provided. Register here for the webinar. 

Transition Parents in Partnership trainings will take place virtually via Zoom beginning this fall. Now is a great time to take advantage of top-notch training without the stress of traveling or being away from home!

Transition Parents in Partnership (TPIP) will prepare families for the transition process for their youth with disabilities ages 14-21 in the areas of employment, education, living and health.

Why should I attend a Transition PIP?

• Begin your planning for life after high school
• Learn about valuable resources and adult services
• Become part of a network of parents who have youth with disabilities
• Explore ways to share the information you have learned
• Strengthen partnerships between the many professionals you interact with on behalf of your child

Choose 1 of 4 options:

1. Statewide Tuesday Evening Training (13 sessions)
2. Statewide Saturday Training (8 sessions)
3. Milwaukee Area Saturday Morning Training (8 sessions)
4. Green Bay Area Thursday Evening Training (13 sessions)

Attendance at all virtual PIP sessions per location you register for is required.

Register online at https://www.wspeidatasystem.com/pip/register/student/tpip

Si habla español llame a…Fatima Becerra 414-399-0236, fatimaabecerra@gmail.com

For training dates visit: https://www.wspei.org

For more information, contact: Martha DeYoung, PIP & YiPPE Training Coordinator 608-745-5435, deyoungm@cesa5.org or visit: https://wspei.org/families/pip.php

The November Presidential election is fast approaching. People with disabilities have always had barriers to voting, but the pandemic has added additional challenges. The Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition is working hard to help people with voting.. Through webinars, Facebook posts, and their website, they're providing education and assistance. 

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