News

Speak Up!

Let us know what is important to you as a person who is blind or visually impaired in Wisconsin.  What are the most important or urgent issues your community is facing right now?  What strengths or assets does your community offer? We will be holding community conversations using Zoom on the following dates: 

• Tuesday, May 17^th 6:30PM-8:00PM
• Wednesday, May 18^th 2:00PM-3:30PM
• Thursday, May 19^th 10:00AM-11:30AM
• Tuesday, May 24^th10:00AM-11:30AM
• Wednesday, May 25^th 2:00PM-3:30PM
• Thursday, May 26^th 6:30PM-8:00PM

Join by Zoom:

https://dhswi.zoomgov.com/j/1616709312

Join by Phone:

(669) 254 5252

Meeting ID: 161 670 9312

If you can’t attend, we still want to hear from you, click this survey link and complete a short survey.

Your Words Matter!

Hosted by:  The Wisconsin Statutory Council on Blindness

Nine-person council appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Health Services to make recommendations and advocate for Wisconsin residents who are blind and visually impaired.

                          dhsscobstaffsupport@dhs.wisconsin.gov

Many people with disabilities and health conditions are worried after a federal judge's decision lifted the mask mandate on public transportation. Against the CDC's recommendation, people no longer are required to wear masks in airports, on planes, trains and buses. Many people's people with who are immunocompromised are questioning whether to go on planed plane trips and worrying about how to navigate public transportation. It's particular concerning because people with disabilities (who are often immunocompromised) are a group of people who heavily rely on public transportation. The Department of Justice is appealing the ruling. 

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While far from a comprehensive inventory of the economic picture for people with disabilities in the United States, this report offers a current snapshot of the economic crisis facing the U.S. disability community—and highlights several of the major systemic barriers and policy failures standing in the way of economic justice for people with disabilities and their families today.

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Recently, Governor Evers vetoed several bills that many feared would have a negative impact on people with disabilities. Two of the bills had to do with Medicaid making it harder to stay eligible. Another two bills were about public education. One would have caused disruption Milwaukee students with disabilities splitting the district into four-to-eight smaller districts. The other bill would have expanded Wisconsin's voucher programs in which students give up their rights and protections under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. 

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There are jobs available everywhere in today's society. With the economy the way it is, people can pick and choose. While it's great for people looking for jobs, it's an incredibly frustrating scenario for employers trying to fill positions. Home care has struggled for years - - even before the pandemic. This article gives statistics and lays out the current situation in detail. 

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Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program

The purpose of the RERC program is to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act by conducting advanced engineering research on and development of innovative technologies that are designed to solve particular rehabilitation problems or to remove environmental barriers. RERCs also demonstrate and evaluate such technologies, facilitate service delivery system changes, stimulate the production and distribution of new technologies and equipment in the private sector, and provide training opportunities.

RERC on Recreational, Sport, and Exercise Technologies for People with Disabilities: This particular opportunity is for an RERC to conduct research and development activities toward technologies that promote exercise and health among people with disabilities.

View more details and application instructions.

Please visit the link above for more details about the grant opportunity and application process. This grant opportunity closes on June 13, 2022.

Government agencies have started reviewing policies that were put in place to meet the needs of states, localities, and the public during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. When the federal declaration of a public health emergency (PHE) expires, many of the flexibilities initiated during the PHE will need to be rolled back. This return to pre-pandemic operations will have far-reaching impacts for older adults and people with disabilities. Changes in Medicaid enrollment and eligibility will be particularly important—and potentially confusing or disruptive—for current enrollees. The aging and disability networks can prepare in advance for the coming changes to best meet the needs of people who rely on Medicaid coverage for essential services and supports. This fact sheet will help address some common questions ACL grantees may have.

View fact sheet

Self-Determination Network News:
April 2022

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

Join the Conversation: The Caregiver Crisis 

For many people with disabilities and their families, the caregiver crisis has become front and center in their lives.

There are thousands of hours of needed care are going unmet. People are not receiving the care they need. Whether you work for an agency trying to find caregivers for clients or a person who is trying to hire workers yourself, finding caregivers is almost impossible.

Lots of advocacy groups are trying to come up with a solution to this. When you need to find direct care workers, individually or with an agency, what are some unique ways it can be done? Do you have an idea of how to help improve the current situation we are in? What are some ways we can start to mitigate this issue?

If you could ask for one thing right now to fix the problem, what would it be?

Let’s brainstorm ideas here!

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 Emily. When this determined self-advocate isn’t working with the Living Well Grant, she’s probably busy doing one of her several hobbies. Check out this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Emily.   

Who should we shine the spotlight on next?

Stacy’s Journal

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:

• How We Stay Connected
• Shining a Light on the Latest COVID-19 News

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:

• Hidden Costs: Two years into the pandemic, and many people with disabilities are facing hidden costs that most people don't even think about. Learn what some of these are. 
• National Guard Assisting in Nursing Homes and Hospitals: Over 150 National Guard members recently completed CNA training and are assisting staff in hospitals and nursing homes. Read more about why this is. 
• New Innovations Often Inaccessible: Through the pandemic, many new innovations have been created in the medical field. While great for most people, some of them aren't accessible to people with disabilities. Find out more about why some are inaccessible. 
• A Vision of a Great Self-Direction Program: A recent paper was published by former InControl board member and forever friend,  Lynn Breedlove, entitled, " What Would a Great Self-Direction Program Look Like?" He lays out the information framework for what an ideal self-direction program would look like. This is meant to be conversation starter. What do you think? Do you have other ideas? 
• Web Accessibility Guidance: The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has published guidance on web accessibility and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to inform state and local governments and businesses open to the public on how to ensure their websites are accessible to people with disabilities. Learn about what the guidance explains.
• Real Pay for Real Jobs Initiative: The U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) invites applications for the Subminimum Wage to Competitive Integrated Employment (SWTCIE) demonstration project, aimed at increasing access for people with disabilities to jobs that pay good wages. Submissions are due June 21. 
• Voting Worries: Due to recent court rulings, many people with disabilities in Wisconsin are concerned about their ability to vote. Read about what the rulings could mean.
• States Efforts to Address Workforce Shortage: This brief looks at state Medicaid efforts to address the Home-and-Community-Based Services workforce shortage. Learn about what states are doing. 
• Inclusive Coffee Shop: A new coffee shop in Waukesha, focused on inclusiveness, recently opened. Find out what makes this shop unique.
• Robots in the Classroom: The use of artificial intelligence has skyrocketed in recent years. People with disabilities often can increase their independence with the use of it. Read about how robots are helping students with disabilities in the classroom. 
• Proposed Rule to Improve Accessibility on Laboratories on Single-Aisle Aircraft: The Department of Transportation is seeking public comment a rule that would improve accessibility of laboratories on new single-aisle airplanes. Comments can be submitted until May 21.
• History Made at the Oscars: A movie featuring predominately people with disabilities made history at this year's Oscars. Find out what film it was. 
• Boost to Money Follows the Person Program: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid recently announced a $110 million boost to the Money Follows the Person program. Learn about what this will help with. 
• Voter Experience Survey: The League of Women Voters is conducting a Voter Experience survey to hear from voters about their experience in the April 5^th election. Take the survey now.  

Upcoming Events

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

• Circles Of Life Conference: May 12-13, Virtual or the Holiday Inn in Stevens Point Wisconsin 
• Employment First Conference: May 24, Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells Wisconsin 

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.

The League of Women Voters is conducting a Voter Experience survey to hear from voters about their experience in the April 5^th election. 
Please complete the survey and be sure to share any concerns about how the new restrictions on ballot return assistance and on drop boxes affected your voting rights.  If you were not able to vote April 5^th because of these restrictions, be sure to complete the survey.  Survey results will be used to support the need for improvements in policy and accessibility. 

Click on the links to view the survey:   English Survey  or  Spanish Survey