The pandemic has caused upheaval in everyone's life. For people with disabilities it's brought on some additional challenges. Everything from loss of independence and mobility, to Caregivers not showing up, to concerns over hospital accommodations,  The list is endless..  However, the situation would be much worse without the Americans with Disabilities  Act.

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Lifespan Respite Care Programs: Projects to Strengthen Program Development, Implementation, and Sustainability

ACL's Administration on Aging has announced a grant opportunity for special projects authorized by the Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2006. Lifespan Respite Care programs are coordinated systems of accessible, community-based respite care services for family caregivers of children and adults of all ages.

The special projects funded by this cooperative agreement will complement the work of the Lifespan Respite Technical Assistance and Resource Center. Projects will focus on strengthening:

• Respite workforce recruitment, training, and retention
• State-based frameworks for respite system planning and development
• Caregivers and family natural support systems

Optionally, projects may also address other areas of capacity building to improve state-based respite, as identified by applicants and their partners.

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In late July, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA). This video how the legislation changed the lives of people with disabilities and where there's room for improvement. 

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Working from home used to be a hard accommodation to get for people with disabilities and health conditions. However, the pandemic changed that. Companies were forced to make changes so that employees could work remotely. For people with disabilities, this is both good and bad news. Good news because employers are now familiar with how to set up remote business. The bad news is that there are already some misconceptions about accommodations related to the pandemic. To help with this, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recently released guidelines for accommodations during the pandemic. 

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ForwardHealth Updates

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has released two new ForwardHealth Updates that explain Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) policy and training:

• ForwardHealth Update 2020-31, “Implementation of Electronic Visit Verification for Personal Care and Supportive Home Care Services”
• ForwardHealth Update 2020-32,“Electronic Visit Verification Training for Personal Care Services and Supportive Home Care Services”

Next Steps

Non-Medicaid-Enrolled Providers

The EVV soft launch starts November 2, 2020, in Wisconsin. To prepare, provider agencies that do not have a Medicaid ID will need to obtain a unique provider agency ID. This includes provider agencies that plan to use an alternate EVV system and those who operate a self-employed business.

• Learn how to obtain a unique provider agency ID.
• Start the process to obtain a unique provider agency ID.

The provider agency ID is generated in real time and will display once you have finished submitting your information.

Medicaid-Enrolled Providers

Review the email listed on the Mailing Address panel in the demographic maintenance tool in your secure ForwardHealth Portal account, and update the email address if necessary. DHS will use this provider agency email address for EVV communication with providers. DHS must have the correct email on file for the individual in your organization that is responsible for the administration of EVV.

Please complete the email verification by July 31, 2020, to ensure receipt of needed EVV information.

Training

For information about and to register for EVV training, go to the EVV Training webpage. Training begins mid-August and is required to access the DHS-provided EVV system.

Please send questions or comments to Wisconsin EVV Customer Care by emailing or calling 833-931-2035.

FEMA is committed to making sure that people with disabilities have access to, and can benefit from, their programs and services. To celebrate the 30th ADA Anniversary,  they came up with 30 ways the agency supports emergency preparedness, response and recovery for people with disabilities.

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Apple has always been known for their commitment to people with disabilities. From accessibility and assistive technologies, to hiring people with disabilities in all facets of the company, they've always been very inclusive. Recently, they've gone a step further by producing a New TV+ drama series. The series stars people with visual impairments and won Seal of Authentic Representation award. 

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A new coffee shop in Lake Geneva ran by people with disabilities found a way to open despite the pandemic. Inspired Coffee hopes to break stereotypes of people with different abilities. The training for employees was supposed to be in-person, but, due to COVID, they set up an online training classroom. They're taking precautions, such as wearing masks, to ensure safety. The hope is that the experience workers get will help them get jobs down the road. 

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Self-Determination Network News:

July 2020

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

Exhibit at the 2020 Self-Determination Conference 

Applications are now being accepted for organizations who support self-determination and self-direction and for micro-business owners to exhibit at the 2020 Self-determination Conference. Applications are due by August 1st. Apply today! 

Check Out The Latest Videos! 

The Self-Determination Channel is a YouTube channel by and for people with developmental or intellectual disabilities. Unlike other channels, the Self-Determination Channel stands stand out from other channels on YouTube because self-advocates host the videos, and decide and create the content. Videos are posted a couple times a month on a variety of topics self-advocates care about such as technology, employment, caregivers, independent living, and advocacy. 

Check out the newest videos on the channel:

• Check Out This Cool Art Studio
• Virtual Services: Have Fun and Just be You

We encourage you to subscribe to the Channel (you can do 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.

In July, we're shining the spotlight on Duane. When he’s not biking, kayaking, or playing hockey, he strives to assist people with disabilities have choices through the help of technology. Stop this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Duane.

Who should we shine the spotlight on next?

Stacy’s Journal

"With the ongoing pandemic colliding with the outbursts from the equity movement, 2020 will be read about in history books for years to come."

In this month's journal entry, Stacy shares some of her thoughts about what's going on in this country. Do you agree with her? What are some of your thoughts?

Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the Self-Determination Network:

• Innovative Assistive Technology Grants:  The Administration for Community Living has opened up grant opportunities for to help state programs expand assistive technology through innovations. Applications are due September 15th.
• Social Security Disability Insurance Confusion: Recently, there has been some confusion about Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance in Wisconsin. Read about where the situation stands. 
• Be Inspired: It's becoming increasingly popular for parents to start businesses so that their son or daughter with a disability will be able to work. Learn about a neat father-son duo that has not one, but three businesses going.
• Transit Woes Continue: After 30 years of the ADA, transit problems continue for people with disabilities. Find out what challenges people still face.
• Housing Disparity Brief: Housing security is vital for the health, wellbeing,  and community integration of people with—and without—disabilities. Learn about some of the disparities. 
• Employment First Partner Grants: Does your program, school or organization want to increase employment for people with disabilities? Applications for Employment First Partner grants are now available. Apply today!
• SPARKS Grants:  Do you have an idea to make your community a better place for people with disabilities? Our SPARKs grant applications are now being accepted. Learn more!
• Partners in Policymaking: This workshop will train you how to advocate for policies and initiatives that support full participation and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities. Apply today!
• ADA Online Exhibit: Check out this online exhibit that showcases some of the history of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• ADA Timeline: This is an interesting timeline depicting the key steps of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Learn about some of the legislation that went into it.   

Upcoming Events

Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:

• BPDD Conversation Cafe:  July 23rd, 6p.m. to 7:30p.m., Online
• BPDD Conversation Cafe: July 28th, 11a.m. to 12:30p.m., Online
• Online Forum For Electronic Visit Verification: July 29th, 1:30p.m. to 3:30p.m., Online
• Webinar: Using The ADA And ABA Standards-Communication Elements And Features: August 6th, 1:30 to 3p.m., Online
  
• BPDD Conversation Cafe: August 18th, 3p.m. to 4:30p.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.

This historical timeline of the ADA from the ADA National Network starts in 1986 and ends in 2020. It highlights key steps of the legislative and regulatory process as well as significant court decisions such as the Olmstead decision of 1999. It notes the 2008 ADA Amendments Act and ends with the 30th anniversary of the law.