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Changes to Wisconsin Long-Term Care:
What’s Next?
On July 28th, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced plans to expand Family Care and IRIS programs statewide by beginning of 2018. This will eliminate the wait list for hundreds of people seeking long-term care services. This means the final seven counties in Wisconsin will finally have access to services. Learn more about the plan.
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 August, we shine the spotlight on Chad Murphy-Price. As an avid waterskier and public speaker, he fully believes in the power of self-determination. He has an incredible outlook on life which he uses to inspire others everyday. Stop by this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Chad.
Who should we shine the Spotlight on next?
Take our One-Minute Poll!
InControl Wisconsin is always trying to come up with ways to improve our Networks for people. Occasionally, we're going to start asking for simple feedback from our members. Using the data that's collected, we will better be able to serve our members.
To start with, we simply want to know who you are. We'd greatly appreciate it if you would take a minute to take our poll.
Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the Self-Determination Network:
- Watch: This is an excellent webinar recording about the new ABLE programs.
- ADA 26th Anniversary: Late in July, America celebrated the 26th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Check out these great links about the ADA.
- Caregiver Wage Rule: The US Supreme Court recently threw out a case disputing a 2013 Department of Labor regulation that requires in-home care workers to receive minimum wage and overtime pay. Learn why many care agencies sued over this change.
- Community Living on the Rise: A new report reveals that more Medicaid dollars are going toward community-based services than institutional care. Read more about how community living seems to be trending.
- Register Now: The Across the Lifespan Conference is coming up in November. Register today!
- Disability in America: The most common characteristic among people with disabilities in this country is living near or in poverty. Find out how many people think that can be changed.
- Bringing Disability into Entertainment: More and more television shows are bringing the notion of disability into storylines. Learn how this helps people gain a new perspective on disability.
- Call for Presenters: Presenter applications are now being accepted for the 2017 Circle of Life Conference. Applications are due October 7th. Apply today!
- Virtual Reality Simulator: Learn about how a new virtual reality simulator is helping teens with autism learn how to drive.
- More Community-Based Options: Read about how states are being urged to strengthen community based options so that people with disabilities can remain in their communities.
- Accessible Cabins: In Wisconsin, camping is often thought to be a fun summer activity. Learn about how accessible cabins in some state parks make it possible for people with physical disabilities to experience camping.
In this month's entry, Stacy discusses her opinion about disability in the world of sports. We encourage you to ask her questions and/or share your experiences as well.
Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:
- Sibling Summit: September 17th, 8:30a.m. to 3:30p.m., American Family World Headquarters, Madison WI
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Across the Lifespan Conference: November 3rd-4th, Glacier Canyon Lodge, Wisconsin Dells WI
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.
MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL: State park cabins make camping accessible for all
By SD Network, 2016-08-16
Oftentimes, camping is thought of as an fun summertime activity in Wisconsin. However, for many people with physical disabilities, tent camping is too difficult. To try to accomodate people who have physical challenges, the Wisconsin Dept of Natural Resources has 10 wheelchair-accessible log cabins around the state. The cabins are equipt with things such as two hospital beds, a Hoyer lift, and a shower-commode chair.
How are you involved with self-determination? Why did you join the SD Network?
Chad joined the SD Network because he wanted to help others become more self-determined in their lives. He finds it very rewarding to be able to self-direct his care attendants when he goes on trips and speaking engagements. He says it makes him feel very self-determined.
Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms self-determination?
Right now, Chad is really looking forward to being the keynote speaker at the Speak Up Speak Out Conference in Chicago at the end of October. He presents about livin
What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?
The tip Chad would like to share with others is “no matter how hard or how difficult things may seem, always remember to continue the very best you can, and that will in turn get you through the times."
What are some of your hobbies?
In his free time, Chad enjoys doing website design and adaptive waterskiing.. He skies with the Pewaukee Lake Waterski Club every Thursday in summer.
***We love hearing the views and opinions of Network members. We need to mention that the views and opinions expressed on this site are those of the person who is sharing them. They do not necessarily reflect InControl Wisconsin or any of our supporters and funders.
Like many Americans, I recently watched the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympics. I enjoy watching athletes from all of the different countries march in and listening to stories of the athletes. Gymnastics, swimming, and diving are my favorite sports to watch during the Summer Olympics.
Many people don’t realize this because they don’t get near the amount of media coverage that the regular ones do, but there are Olympics for people who have disabilities too. The Paralympics are for people with physical disabilities and the Special Olympics are for people with cognitive disabilities. People who participate in these are athletes just like people who participate in the regular Olympics. Just like regular Olympians, these athletes spend countless hours training and competing. In my opinion, it’s a real shame that the Paralympics and Special Olympics aren’t televised. There are petitions going around on the Internet to try to get them televised, so maybe in the future, they will be!
Although my physical limitations are too severe to participate in many adaptive athletics, sports have been a part of my life ever since I was young. My family and friends are avid football fans. Each season, I setup and run a family football pool. If there’s a NFL game on (doesn’t matter which teams are playing), chances are that I’ll be watching it. I also follow college football and basketball pretty close too. I absolutely love attending sporting events as well. I’ve been to one pro football game and a few Badger football games.
In high school, I rarely missed a football or basketball (both boys and girls) game—home or away. I think by being a spectator at them, it helped my classmates accept me. In fact, my senior year, I was invited to the Senior Sports Awards Banquet. I received a sportsmanship award. It’s a memory I will always treasure. At UW-Whitewater, I continued to attend many of the football and basketball games as time allowed. I also attended most of the wheelchair basketball games while I was there. They have both a men’s and women’s team now. I know the men’s team has won multiple national championships, and I think the women’s team is also pretty good. It’s a pretty amazing sport to watch!
Growing up, I also watched my sister participate in various sports such as soccer and swimming. Just as she attended hundreds of my therapy sessions, I attended hundreds of her soccer practices and games. As she has gotten older, she has done some marathon and triathlon type events. She has expressed interested in sometime doing a race or something with me. Many people with disabilities participate in various types of races with the help of a partner who pushes or pulls (in biking and swimming events) the person along. My Team Triumph is a big organization in Wisconsin that pairs persons with disabilities up with a partner (they call them angels) who is willing to help. While this is a great opportunity for some, personally, I wouldn’t feel comfortable participating in something like this. I’m not comfortable highlighting my disability like that. I think it’s great that people are willing to do that for others, but I would feel too awkward being in the spotlight for something I didn’t do. People will disagree with me on this and that’s ok; I respect your opinion.
Although, I’m not able to physically participate in athletics, I think it’s good for me to actively follow sports. It’s a good way for me to socially connect with people.
Who’s ready for some football?!?!?!
***The views expressed here are strictly those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of InControl Wisconsin, the Network or any of our sponsors.
Circles of Life Conference - CALL FOR PRESENTERS!!
The Call for Presenter application and instructions are now available on the COL website! The conference will be held May 4-5, 2017 at the Holiday Inn, Stevens Point and draws 400 - 500 families who have children with special needs from around the state. The deadline is October 7th.
The Circles of Life Conference Planning Committee encourages you to submit an application!
http://www.circlesoflifeconference.com/call-for-presenters/
DISABLED WORLD: VADIA Virtual Reality Simulator Helps Teenagers with Autism Learn How to Drive
By SD Network, 2016-08-05
Vanderbilt University has designed a virtual reality simulator to help teens who have autism learn how to drive. It's specifically designed to teach people the basic rules of the road, and it also collects information about ways they react to situations. It then can alter the scenarios with varying degrees of difficulty to provide people with the training they need. Overall, trials of this program have had positive results, but more research needs to be done.
Medicaid officials want states to do more to make sure that people with disabilities have access to services to remain in the community. Recently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released guidelines states and services can take to ensure a strong home care workforce is in place. States are also being urged to create registries to help people find qualified home care workers.
The most common characteristic among people with disabilities in the US is living near or in poverty. Nearly, one in three Americans with disabilities currently lives in poverty. There are many reasons contributing to this statistic. Limited access to educational and employment opportunities are just two of the many factors. Racial disparities also factor in. The National Disability Institute has started a campaign called DISABLE POVERTY that aims to build awareness around disability, financial capability, and poverty.
HUFFINGTON POST BLOG: Entertainment That’s Helping Society Gain New Perspective On Disability
By SD Network, 2016-08-04
More and more television shows are bringing the notion of disability into storylines. While there are still many troublesome factors associated with this (such as exploiting disabilities and characters are usually played by an actor without a disability), having disability in the storylines is helping society gain a new perspective on disability. The show "Born This Way" (which is about seven young adults living with Down Syndrome) is gaining popularity. The show doesn't focus on Down Syndrome but rather by how the cast pursue their passions and dreams.
Late in June, the US Supreme Court decided it wouldn't hear a case disputing a 2013 Dept. of Labor regulation that requires in-home care workers to receive minimum wage and overtime pay. Before this rule took effect, caregivers weren't entitled to the same rights as other types of employees. Many care agencies sued over this change stating that it would make care unaffordable to their clients, but the Supreme Court found otherwise.