News
How are you involved with self-determination? Why did you join the SD Network?
Cathy explains that she thinks that as people, we are all involved with self-determination or can be. “We can all help each other to become our best selves. Self-determination is about sharing your dreams and then moving towards them. It is about finding trusted allies who will support you to get there,” she says. Right now, she works with Family Care at Community Care of Central Wisconsin. She is a resource for everyone connected to their organization around self-determination. She helps people learn more about self-directing their supports, think about getting a job, or present at a conference. She also helps her co-workers come up with ideas for creating conditions for self-determination. She points out that self-determination is a way of life--not just part of her work. Cathy joined the SD Network when it was first developed because she was part of some state wide groups that were working on self-determination.
Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms self-determination?
Cathy points out that the past few years have been exciting in the face of adversity. When changes to the long-term care system were proposed, recently thousands of people with disabilities and their allies were activated. “It was scary, but also invigorating to gather with others from across the state and make sure our voices were heard,” she says. Cathy accompanied people to the capitol several times. She explains that some of the were people had never spoken with their state representatives, and they became amazing advocates for themselves and for their peers. She believes that the energy from this will continue to grow and we can further expand the practice of communicating with our elected officials and keep them on their toes!
What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?
Cathy believes that think our own communities are our greatest resource. She explains that there are friends, neighbors, clubs, groups, organizations that will offer what some people call ‘radical hospitality’ where we feel really welcomed and supported; then we can find our allies and spend our time doing what we love to do!
What message would you like to share with the members of the SD Network?
Cathy appreciates all that she learns from advocates every day. She knows that we all come from different places and have differences in what we think and believe, but we can support each other and learn together what self-determination means for each of us.
What are some of your hobbies?
Cathy enjoys planting a garden every summer to grow food and to create a home for birds, bees and butterflies. She also loves to travel anywhere and meet new people. She’s a member of a group called PINC. PINC was born at the Self-Determination conference because they were doing some fun things and wearing pink shirts. Now, they work in the community at events or offer sessions in self-determination. She works a lot, but “I love my work so maybe it qualifies as a hobby” she says.
***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.
DOJ signs Final Rule revising Title III re: Movie Theatres and Auxiliary Aids and Services
By SD Network, 2016-12-05
We thank the Great Lakes ADA Center for providing us with the information regarding a Final Rule that was recently signed that clarifies the Americans with Disabilities Act title lll regulation of requiring movie theaters to provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services for people with disabilities.
On November 21, 2016, Attorney General Loretta Lynch signed a Final Rule revising the Justice Department’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) title III regulation to further clarify a public accommodation’s obligation to provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services for people with disabilities. The Final Rule requires require movie theaters to: (1) have and maintain the equipment necessary to provide closed movie captioning and audio description at a movie patron’s seat whenever showing a digital movie produced, distributed, or otherwise made available with these features; (2) provide notice to the public about the availability of these features; and (3) ensure that theater staff is available to assist patrons with the equipment before, during, and after the showing of a movie with these features.
Title III of the ADA requires public accommodations, including movie theaters, to provide effective communication through the use of auxiliary aids and services. This rulemaking specifies requirements that movie theaters must meet to satisfy their effective communication obligations to people with hearing and vision disabilities unless compliance results in an undue burden or a fundamental alteration. For a summary of the Final Rule and its requirements, see the “Final Rule Questions & Answers.”
An advance copy of the Final Rule can be viewed on-line at: https://www.ada.gov/regs2016/movie_rule.htm
An Frequently Asked Questions document regarding this final rule can be found on-line at: https://www.ada.gov/regs2016/movie_captioning_qa.html
The official version of the Final Rule will be published in the Federal Register, and the Final Rule will take effect 45 days after publication.
Source: https://www.ada.gov/regs2016/movie_captioning_rule_page.html
Recently, at an Apple product release event, the company highlighted the new ways in which its products allow for increased accessibility. At the event, Apple showed a video that demonstrated people with various types of disabilities using the new devices and new features. Apple also unveiled its new accessibility website that users can visit to learn about the accessibility features and how to use them.
OSHKOSH NORTHWESTERN: Commentary: Wisconsin in direct care workforce crisis
By SD Network, 2016-12-05
It is pretty known that Wisconsin is experiencing a crisis-level shortage of direct care workers. Elders and people with disabilities aren't getting the care they need to survive. More than 85% of people who rely on direct care in Wisconsin report that they can't find enough workers. This commentary article explains that the state has always been a national leader in supporting people with disabilities and older people in the community, but this care worker crisis jeopardizes that. It suggests that high worker turnover rates and growing job openings contribute to the crisis. Agencies struggle to keep up with the increased costs of doing business and to pay workers competitive wages with the current reimbursement rate. The demand for direct care is expected to increase by 28% by 2024 according to this commentary. It suggests that Wisconsin must take action now!
MAGELLAN HEALTH INSIGHTS: Full Citizenship and Inclusion for People with Disabilities Starts in Typical Places, Doing Typical Things
By SD Network, 2016-12-05
There is a new shift trending in supporting people with disabilities in our communities. Rather than purely focusing on their needs, it's important to consider the strengths, talents, and assets of the person. In this blog, InControl Wisconsin board member, Patti Becker, reflects on her experience at this year's TASH conference. TASH is an international advocacy organization for people with disabilities and advocates. She explains that she led a session which engaged people in using tools to make a path to inclusion, employment, and community connections.
With service dogs becoming seemingly more and more popular these, there are lots of misconceptions out there about service animals. A service dog trainer complied a list of common misconceptions people have about service dogs. She does a nice job of explaining why the misconceptions are wrong.
A new free app helps people with hearing impairments detect dangerous sounds, communicate with people, make emergency calls and dance to music. One of the app's founders is deaf and has been essential in developing it. The app, BeWarned, has four main features:
- Sound Monitor-- it detects possible dangerous sounds and alerts the user with flashing lights and vibration signals
- Connect--this allows users to communicate with others by using a special chat feature
- Dance-- this feature allows users to enjoy music which is converted into vibration signals or flashing lights
- Emergency Call-- allows users to inform family and friends about an emergency situation he/she is in
BeWarned is free and is currently available for Android and iOS.
This is a very interesting website about how the election results might affect Medicaid (and all the programs that are funded through MA). Key Medicaid Questions Post-Election
Survival Coalition conducted a survey about the direct care workforce crisis and received over 500 responses. Overwhelmingly, the results showed that people are not getting the help they need to live safe, healthy and independent lives in the community.
November 2016
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Proposed 40 Hour Work Week Rule
The Wisconsin Dept. of Health Services (DHS) has proposed a new 40-hour rule for IRIS, limiting the amount of time that a staff person may work for you. At this point, DHS is putting it on hold while they work on revisions of this rule. The Survival Coalition, a cross-disability advocacy coalition, has made recommendations about the proposed rule. After you read more about the proposed rule and recommendations, share your thoughts about it in this discussion.
Diehard Award Winners
We want to congratulate this year's Diehard Award winners who were recognized at the Self-Determination Conference.These individuals received a Diehard Award for going above and beyond in supporting the lives of people with disabilities. Please help us congratulate and thank these people for their outstanding advocacy efforts:
- Beth Wroblewski
- Olivia Quigley
- Nikki Vander Meulen
- Sherry Gundlach
- Kristy Bridenhagen
Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:
- Public Transit-Human Services Coordination: November 29th, 9:30a.m. to 3:30p.m., Milwaukee County Zoo Zoofari Conference Center, Milwaukee WI
- AbilityWI Now: November 30th, 9p.m. to 10p.m., Online Radio Broadcast
- Transportation and Equality Summit: December 3rd, 9a.m. to 5p.m., Milwaukee Area Technical College, Milwaukee WI
- Wisconsin Council on Physical Disabilities Quarterly Meeting: January 26th, 9a.m. to 4:30p.m., Skype, Telephone, or Crowne Plaza, Madison WI
- 2017 Multiple Perspectives Conference: April 13th to 17th, Ohio State's Columbus Campus, Columbus OH
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.
In this month's entry, Stacy discusses misconceptions many have about people with disabilities and how she handles them. Have you been in similar situations? We encourage you to share your experiences as well.
Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the Self-Determination Network:
- Person-Centered Planning: Person-Centered Planning is becoming more and more popular. Learn about a new approach to help people evaluate risk and the power of having choices.
- ABLE Act Changes Draw Backlash: Many disability advocacy groups are opposing changes to the ABLE Act. Find out why.
- Event Accessibility: Whether it's a large convention or a small meeting, event planners often struggle to make sure that events are accessible to all people. Read about a document that has been created to help event planners ensure events are accessible to all people.
- Benefits Increase: Find out how much Social Security benefits will increase next year.
- Communications Technology Accessibility Report: The Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission released its report on the state of accessibility of communications technology under the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010. Learn what the report entails.
- Voting Rights: Even though the election is over, this is an interesting blog about problems voters with disabilities had in the 2012 election. Did you or someone you know experience problems while voting this year?
- MiABLE: Michigan recently launched its program for ABLE accounts. Learn about the program.
- Service Dog Case: A very interesting case about the right to have a service dog in school is making national headlines. Read about this historic case.
- Air Travel Rule: Thanks to a final rule by the Department of Transportation, some air travel challenges for people with disabilities may be relieved. Find out how this rule will help.
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