News
We thank the Great Lakes ADA Center for providing us the following information about a proposal that assesses the monetary value of captioning web content for people with hearing impairments.
The Department of Justice published a Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) Notice in the Federal Register on 5/12/16 indicating that the Department will submit an information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. The proposed information collection is titled Assessing the Potential Monetized Benefits of Captioning Web Content for Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and is intended to solicit information about the perceived monetary value of captioning on Web sites from individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. The Department is not suggesting that people with disabilities be asked to pay for captioning, but is merely soliciting information about the theoretical monetary value that they place on the captioning of Web content in order to help the Department quantify the benefits of captioning on Web sites. The Department hopes the information collected will assist it in the preparation of future regulatory assessments, which are required by Executive Order 12866 and Executive Order 13563.
Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies are encouraged. Comments will be accepted until July 11, 2016. The PRA Notice provides more detailed information on the types of comments that the Department is seeking. More information can be found on the www.ada.gov website under the “New on ADA.Gov” section.
A new study finds that many families of those with disabilities who had to transition from institutions to community living are happy with the results. Oklahoma families whose relatives were part of a mandatory deinstitutionalization process in 2015 were assessed. There was some opposition at first, but the study found that family members are now satisfied with their relatives' current living situation.
The National Council on Disability recent a letter to the US Department of Treasury asking that the agency move forward to make the dollar bill accessible to people with visual disabilities. In 2008, there was a lawsuit that ruled that the current form of the dollar bill violates the Americans with Disabilities Act. Disability advocates were told that the braille cells would be included in the redesigned ten-dollar bill, but accessibility issues seemed to have disappeared in the discussion about the bills' redesign.
HUFFINGTON POST: New App Will Serve As ‘TripAdvisor’ For People With Disabilities
By SD Network, 2016-06-01
A new app is helping travelers with disabilities find accessible hotels. Much like the TripAdvisor website, users will answer questions and write reviews based on the accessibility of the hotel. The engineers are working to add sensory and cognitive disability criteria in the future. The full version of the app is expected to be available this summer.
THE ARC BLOG: DOL Releases New Overtime Final Rule-Including Non-Enforcement for Some Medicaid Providers
By SD Network, 2016-05-19
The Department of Labor released its final rule for overtime workers. It also released a non-enforcement policy for providers of Medicaid-funded services for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities in residential homes and facilities with 15 or fewer beds. Both the overtime rule and the non-enforcement policy will take effect on December 1, 2016.
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2016 Aging Empowerment Conference
There is still time to register for the 2016 Aging Empowerment Conference. It is hosted by InControl Wisconsin will be held June 7th and 8th at the Glacier Canyon Lodge Conference Center at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells. The conference focuses on the interconnected relationship between older adults, their caregivers, and the professionals who support them. It's an opportunity to explore ways to advance self-determination as the foundation for providing support while empowering older people to retain control of their lives. Learn more information and find out how to register today!
Changes to Wisconsin Long-Term Care: What’s Next?
Since the Department of Health Services (DHS) submitted the Family Care/IRIS 2.0 Concept Paper to the Committee on Joint Finance on March 31st, committee members and others have asked a number of questions about why the Department chose to have three separate administrative zones if Family Care/IRIS 2.0 is implemented statewide. DHS has released a new webpage entitled "Family Care/IRIS 2.0: "Why Three?" which has additional information about the topic.
Be sure to stay up to date on the latest developments on our Long-Term Care Redesign page.
Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the Self-Determination Network:
- Call for Proposals: Proposals to present at the 2016 Across the Lifespan Conference are now being accepted through July 31st.
- Call for Exhibitors: Applications are now being accepted to be an exhibitor at the 2016 Self-Determination Conference.
- Advocates See Opportunity in Self-Driving Cars: Read about how many people with disabilities see a new opportunity coming with the advancements in self-driving cars.
- States Work Together on ABLE Accounts: Learn about how many states are banding together to create ABLE accounts.
- The History of Disability: Check out pictures from an exhibit in London about how disability has changed over the last 80 years.
- Google Disability Initiative: Find out how Google is helping to increase independence for people with disabilities.
- Housing Tips: Here is a great list of tips people with disabilities should know about housing.
- Phone Communication: Learn about how the Federal Communications Commission is trying to make it easier to communicate over the phone.
- Accessible Technology: Read about a new Accessible Technology section recently added to a popular disability informational website.
- First ABLE Accounts: Find out which states will be the first to offer ABLE accounts.
This month, Stacy discusses her quest to inspire and how her opinion on this topic may differ from many others who have disabilities. 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:
- Webinar: "Two Tickets Please": May 26th, 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Online
- Accessible Pontoon Boat Rides: June 1st-September 30th, Tenney Park, Madison WI
- Webinar: Vertical Access: June 2nd, 1:30p.m. to 3:00p.m., Online
- 2016 Aging Empowerment Conference: Living A Self-Determined Life: June 7th & 8th, Glacier Canyon Lodge Conference Center at the Wilderness Resort, Wisconsin Dells WI
- 2016 Transformation Conference: June 28th-30th, Hilton Alexandria Old Town, Alexandria VA
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.
Since the Department of Health Services (DHS) submitted the Family Care/IRIS 2.0 Concept Paper to the Committee on Joint Finance on March 31st, committee members and others have asked why the Department chose to have three separate administrative zones if Family Care/IRIS 2.0 is implemented statewide.
DHS published a new web page with additional information about this topic, Family Care/IRIS 2.0: "Why Three?"
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/familycareiris2/zones.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Click to view Family Care/IRIS 2.0: “Why Three?”
The first programs for ABLE accounts (accounts that allow people with disabilities to save money without losing their government benefits) are set to become available in some states this summer. Nebraska and Ohio are among the first states expected to offer ABLE accounts. Each state has to pass their own legislation and create regulations for these accounts.
A WISCONSIN FAMILY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
NOW accepting applications for 2016!
WiFLI is a new opportunity for Wisconsin families to participate in
an intensive leadership development experience. Upon completion families will be able to:
- engage with partners
- participate in quality improvement activities
- serve on advisory committees
- organize local groups
- improve their communities for children with disabilities or special health care needs and their families.
If you previously participated in a family learning opportunity such as PIP, YiPPE, Partners in Policymaking, or have served on an advisory or community committee, you will find WiFLI a great next step in your journey. WiFLI provides an in depth leadership development experience for families supporting a family member with disabilities or special health care needs. The Institute has a strong focus on building skills for participatory leadership, values of community inclusion and principles of individual and family centered practices.
WHO: Parents and other family members supporting a child or young adult 0-26 who has a disability or special health care need
WHEN: Summer/Fall weekends 2016
WHERE: Lake Lawn Resort, Delavan, WI
WHAT: Five, 1 ½ day face-to-face learning sessions starting Friday at 4:00pm, ending Saturday at4:00pm. Participants commit to all five sessions and participate in a community project.
COST: 25 participants will receive a full scholarship covering hotel and meals
Applications available at http://go.wisc.edu/hut55a. If you have questions, please call or email Sonja Oetzel at (608)265-8955, soetzel@wisc.edu or Liz Hecht at (608)263-7148. Visit the WiFLI website at http://www.waisman.wisc.edu/cedd/wifli.htm
Applications are due by May 15th
SCHEDULE FOR 2016
June 3-4
Clarifying Values and Creating a Foundation for Leadership
July 15-16
Innovations in Supporting Children and their Families
September 9-10
Developing Your Advocacy and Communication Skills
October 7-8
Building an Action Strategy as Part of a Team
November 4-5
Completing the Circle and Looking Ahead
This program is sponsored by the University of WI-Madison, Waisman Center UCEDD (University Center for Excellence in Development Disabilities) in collaboration with Family Voices of WI with funding from the Department of Health Services to the CYSHCN network of Regional Centers and Parent-to-Parent organizations.
For the last several years now, every spring, I’ve been asked to present to a special education class at a local high school. My mom is an administrator in the school district and she likes to have me speak to students as motivation. I talk about my life living with a severe physical disability and how I overcame and continue to overcome the many challenges I face. I tell them about growing up and going away to college. I share some of the funny experiences I had and how I persevered through tough times. My message to them is to never ever give up no matter what life throws at you. Oftentimes, I also talk to Kindergarten classes. At that age, it’s about exposing them to someone with a severe physical disability and having them not be afraid. I get some pretty funny questions from those kids! In the past, I’ve also presented to college classes. Education majors usually have to take an intro to special education course, and, since I wasn’t the “typical” student, my story is from a different perspective.
Maybe it’s because teaching is in my heart and soul, but I admit that I absolutely love presenting to others. While, personally, I don’t take offense to being called or seen as an inspiration, many people with disabilities do. To me, I feel like it’s my underlying duty to inspire people. If people are inspired and encouraged by seeing me lead a successful life despite all of my circumstances, I’m all for it. They may not like it, but I’m inspired by my friends who have different abilities. I guess, personally, I just don’t see the issue with being seen as an inspiration.
That said, most of time, I don’t want to standout just because I have a disability. I know that sounds contradictory. Let me try to explain. Nobody likes to have attention drawn to their flaws. While I like to present about living with a disability, on an average day, I don’t think about my disability. I don’t want to be seen as an inspiration just because of my disability. I want people to be encouraged by how I deal with my limitations.
Sometimes, I think disability awareness and advocacy is taken too far. For example, I have mixed feelings about disability awareness days. Days such as “World Down Syndrome Day,” “World Cerebral Palsy Day,” “Epilepsy Awareness Day,” and “Autism Awareness Day” are at the end of March and the beginning of April. On one hand, bringing awareness to disabilities is a great thing. The more ways we can get society as a whole to accept and include people with disabilities the better. On the other hand, though, wearing a certain color and/or a pin (which is often suggested on these days) isn't going to cure these disabilities. In fact, as I said, drawing attention to a person's disability is--in most cases--the last thing the person wants.
The notion of “inspirational porn” has been a controversial topic on the internet for awhile now. It’s when media outlets commend and do stories about people with disabilities doing “normal” things. Again, I have mixed feelings about this too. While I agree that some stories seem excessive, I think it’s important to share success stories about people who have disabilities with the general population. It promotes acceptance and inclusion.
I think it’s a very fine line between educating about disabilities and exploiting disabilities. There’s no rule book for this, so we are left to figure it out as we go. Many people disagree with me on this, and that’s ok. We are each entitled to an opinion!
***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.