News
ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING: New Brief: Research Supporting Competitive, Integrated Employment
By SD Network, 2022-08-02
Competitive, integrated employment (CIE) – working in the community, alongside people with and without disabilities, at competitive wages – offers a direct pathway to greater independence and self-sufficiency for people with disabilities. CIE is increasingly becoming the expectation across the country.
ACL is committed to expanding employment opportunities for people with disabilities. In addition to funding programs that provide direct employment support services to people with disabilities and advocating for policies and practices that prioritize and support CIE as a key element of community living, ACL also is investing in research to increase knowledge about the benefits of employment of people with disabilities – both for the individual and for the employer – and to increase the availability of effective interventions to support employment.
Last week, as the country celebrated the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Disability Pride Month, ACL's National Institute on Disability Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) is released a new issue brief summarizing the research supporting CIE.
Four voters with disabilities recently filed a lawsuit against a federal court. The lawsuit asks the court to ensure that voters can get assistance returning their ballot. This comes after the Supreme Court ruled that unsupervised drop boxes are illegal. However, the Court did not clarity whether voters could get assistance returning ballots by mail.
WHITEHOUSE.GOV: FACT SHEET: The Biden-Harris Administration Marks the Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
By SD Network, 2022-07-26
To mark the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Biden-Harris Administration released a fact sheet. It details several different topics such as civil rights, education, voting, employment, and healthcare. This provides some interesting statistics.
WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO: What protections exist under the Americans with Disabilities Act?
By SD Network, 2022-07-26
The Bureau of Labor Statistics says people with disabilities are unemployed at more than double the rate of people without disabilities. On the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, we learn about the state of protections and where progress is still needed.
MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL: State program helps people with disabilities remain in the workforce
By SD Network, 2022-07-26
The Department of Vocational Rehabilitation helps people with disabilities and health conditions find and maintain employment. Even after an life-changing medical diagnosis, a farmer in Price County was able to get back to doing what he loves. The Department of Vocational Rehabilitation helped get him the accommodations and technology he needed so that he could continue farming.
KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION: Medicaid Public Health Emergency Unwinding Policies Affecting Seniors & People with Disabilities: Findings from a 50-State Survey
By SD Network, 2022-07-26
The Kaiser Family Foundation recently released a report on a study done on how unwinding public health emergency policies are affecting people with disabilities. A survey was done in all 50 states and the main issues brought up were enrollee confusion and staffing shortage. This report includes lots of interesting statistics.
HOME HEALTH CARE NEWS: Majority of States Lacked Caregiver Hazard Pay, Sick Leave During Pandemic
By SD Network, 2022-07-18
More than half of U.S. states did not support direct care workers with hazard pay or paid sick leave policies during the first 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new study from the New York-based direct care worker advocacy organization PHI revealed. Researchers with PHI also advocated for the need to develop a national compensation strategy for direct care workers that creates a “livable, competitive wage” for this workforce.
GREEN BAY PRESS GAZZETTE: The pandemic only worsened the quality of life for family caregivers. It's an ongoing problem with no end in sight, experts say.
By SD Network, 2022-07-18
The pandemic only made the caregiver shortage worse. Family caregivers are forced to sacrifice their ambitions to take care of loved ones. This has taken a major toll on people. Older adults are having to take care of their parents. Facilities that provide some relief are closing because they can't find enough workers. Experts say unfortunately there's no end in sight.
ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING: Survey on COVID-19 Pandemic Experiences of Americans with Disabilities
By SD Network, 2022-07-18
The University of Kansas Institute for Health & Disability Policy Studies (funded by ACL's NIDILRR) is looking for adults with disabilities to complete the National Survey on Health and Disability (NSHD).
The NSHD is an annual, online survey about health, quality of life, access to health care services, and the COVID-19 pandemic, concerning people with disabilities or health conditions.
- Adults 18 and over with any type of disability, chronic illness/disease, mental or physical health condition are encouraged to complete the survey.
- The survey should take about 20 minutes to complete.
- Responses are anonymous.
The NSHD especially needs individuals who identify as men to participate in the survey. This is a multi-year survey conducted since 2018 and previous respondents are encouraged to participate.
Participants may also complete the survey by phone. Participants will have a chance to win one of ten $100 gift cards. The survey closes September 2nd.
For more information, call 855/556-6328 (Voice/TTY) or email healthsurvey@ku.edu.
Self-Determination Network News:
July 2022
Connect | Share |Learn | http://sdnetworkwi.org/
The 2022 Self-Determination Conference will be held October 17-19 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. Join us for one of the largest events for people with disabilities and people who support them. There is an option to attend virtually as well. Register now!
2022 Diehard Award Nominations
Do you know someone who goes above and beyond to improve community supports for individuals with disabilities? Do they support self-determination? Nominate them for a Diehard Award in one of the following two categories: Professional Advocate and Self-Advocate/Grassroots Advocate.
A Diehard is an individual who has made a significant contribution to the advocacy work here in Wisconsin. A diehard is someone with a steadfast commitment to the principles of community integration and self-determination. Diehards go above and beyond to make sure everyone is counted. Awards will be presented Tuesday October 18th at the Self-Determination Conference. Nominations due by noon on August 15th. Nominate someone today!
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.
This month, we shined the spotlight on Cheryl. Not only is she a phenomenal photographer, she’s also a best-selling author. She believes self-determination is the key to creating the life just as we want it to be. Check out this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Cheryl.
Who should we shine the spotlight on next?
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:
We encourage you to subscribe to the Channel (you can do so by clicking the red Subscribe button on any of the video pages).
Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the Self-Determination Network:
- Electronic Visit Verification Impedes Quality and Quantity of Care: In 2016, the CURES Act required all Medicaid-funded Personal Care Services and Home Health Services to implement Electronic Visit Verification. States have been working on getting a system set up; however, several issues have come up. Read about how a impact study found EVV tends to reduce quality and quantity of care.
- Funding Deadline Extended: The Department of Health Services announced that states would have an additional year to use the funding from the American Rescue Plan to enhance and expand home-and-community-based services. Find out why this is great news.
- COVID Changed the Way the World Sees Disability: The pandemic has opened many people's eyes about disability. Learn about how many found their lives drastically changed and learning what it's like to have a disability.
- Disability and the Digital Divide: The Office of Disability Employment Policy in the Department of Labor has released a paper on the digital divide and disability. It discusses details in three main categories: employment outcomes, home internet subscriptions, and internet use. Find out why people with disabilities tend to use the Internet less.
- Medicaid and CHIP Report: The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission released its 2022 report to Congress with various recommendations on how to improve Medicaid and CHIP. Learn what those recommendations include.
- Take a Survey: Are you a person with a disability who is working for an employer? Take this survey to about the wellness programs you participate in.
- Advocacy Priorities Guide: The National Council on Independent Living released its 2022 Advocacy Priorities Guide. Check out this great resource.
- Watch: The Wisconsin workforce shortage is worsening partly because family caregivers are being overlooked. In this interview on Wisconsin Eye, experts discuss survey results, tell us what employers are saying, and share recommendations for improvement.
- Inaccessible Sidewalks and Streets: The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law almost 32 years ago, but, yet, there are several public places that still aren't accessible--especially streets and sidewalks. Read about what advocates hope the infrastructure bill will help with.
- Accessible At-Home COVID Tests: The Biden-Harris Administration has launched a new initiative to expand the availability of at-home tests that are more accessible for people who are blind or have low vision. Learn about how they work.
- Report Illustrates Increased Risk of COVID for People with Disabilities: The CDC recently released findings from a comparison data on COVID cases and hospitalizations for two groups of Medicare beneficiaries. Learn what the report found.
- Program Helps Farmers Find Success: There are about 38000 farmers who have a disability or limitation in Wisconsin. Learn about a program that helps them succeed.
- Social Security Benefits Expected to Increase: People who receive Social Security and Supplemental Security Income will likely see a significant increase in their benefits next year. Find out why.
- Accessible Housing Training: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Fair Housing/Equal Opportunity (FHEO) will provide comprehensive virtual training on accessibility requirements of the Fair Housing Act for residential elements and spaces, including kitchens, bathrooms, routes, public and common-use areas, and structures Find out when more about this training.
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Court Ruling Concerns Advocates: A recent ruling by the Wisconsin Supreme Court bars drop boxes and restricts how voters return their ballots. Read about why this is concerning.
Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:
- Webinar: ADA Anniversary Update: July 18th, 1p.m. to 2:30p.m., Online
- Meeting Of The President's Committee For People With Intellectual Disabilities: July 28th, 11a.m. to 4p.m. Online
- Webinar: Accessible Recreational Boating Facilities And Fishing Piers And Platforms: August 4th, 1:30p.m. to 3p.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.