News

Wisconsin’s direct caregiving workforce is the backbone of home and community-based services. However, the direct caregiving industry is in crisis—one in four direct caregiver positions is vacant. 

• Examine workforce challenges
• Identify areas for further investigation
• Benchmark the workforce data
• Measure improvements from policy or program changes

States can also create their own questions and can compare their data to other states and national averages. Agencies from all 72 Wisconsin counties participated in the IDD and AD surveys in 2021, while 70 participated in 2023. The most recent findings on all workforce metrics are available at the DHS Workforce Surveys webpage. 

Learn more about our workforce surveys

This episode of the Work in Progress podcast, talks about the critical role paid and unpaid home caregiving workers play in our society, and the economic, physical, and emotional toll they face on a daily basis. Hear a conversation about what can be done to support them as they support us.

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When companies talk about inclusion and diversity, they often forget about one of the most underrepresented groups: people with disabilities. Studies have shown that people with disabilities often bring unique traits to the workplace. This blog talks about some of them.

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Data for Progress polling reveals effective strategies for advocates opposing Medicaid cuts: remind voters that home care services they may need come through Medicaid (not Medicare), clarify that popular state healthcare programs are actually Medicaid, rename "work requirements" as "job loss penalties,” and emphasize how cuts affect seniors and people with disabilities who depend on home-based services for independent living—messaging that resonates across party lines.

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As disability rights face threats from Medicaid cuts and the dismantling of support agencies, Ari Ne'eman, Harvard researcher and co-founder of the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network, suggests looking to history for strategies. "Disabled Americans really have a uniquely challenging position," Ne'eman explains, noting that many require costly home-based supports costing "$40,000 or $50,000 a year" to live independently. He warns cuts could force people into institutions, cause family caregivers to leave jobs, and increase unmet healthcare needs.

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A coffee shop that stands on inclusivity is making a difference in one Wisconsin community. The Inclusive Bean in Racine employs people who have intellectual and physical disabilities. It’s a business that is not only brewing up coffee but also lifting up its employees and giving them the skills to succeed.

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Congress is back in D.C. with plans to move forward on a budget framework that could include cuts to Medicaid. About one in three people with disabilities is enrolled in the program which helps them access health care and live independently in their communities. Stephanie Sy reports and we hear from people with disabilities and their caretakers about what Medicaid means to them.

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Have you used telehealth services? We’d like to hear from you!

We would like to see the experiences people with disabilities have had with telehealth services. Telehealth is the use of digital information and communication technologies to access health care. Our goal is to find any telehealth barriers that you may face to improve access to telehealth.

To answer our survey, please click on this link: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7951780/Telehealth-Survey

BPDD has placed an intern at the Department of Transportation through our new Disability Policy Program.  Matt is working on a project to review the accessibility of the Department of Transportation website.  He asked me to reach out to some of my contacts to see if you or anyone you work with would be interested in participating in this project.  See his invite below.  I have included him on the email so you can send any questions you might have about the project. 

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation Needs Your Help.

We are looking for people to take an online survey regarding the accessibility of the WisDOT website.  This group will help make access better for everyone.

What will you do?

• Try some basic tasks on our website.
• Share how easy or hard it was to use the site with your technology.
• Tell us about problems you find.

Why is this important?
Your feedback will help make the website work better for all people in Wisconsin.  We want everyone to be able to get transportation information easily.

Who should join?

We want to hear from people who:

• Use screen readers or other assistive technology.
• Have different ways of using computers and websites.
• Have had trouble using the WisDOT website before.

Your real-life experience is very valuable to us.  The problems you find today will help us make better changes tomorrow. 

If you want to help, please reply to this email at: matt.glowacki@dot.wi.gov

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Matt Glowacki

matt.glowacki@dot.wi.gov

The World Health Organization put out its report on equal health for people with disabilities in a EasyRead format. It is in plain language and includes visuals.

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