A great article by Michelle Diament from Disability Scoop about the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act.

Congress Weighing Tax-Free Disability Savings Accounts

By Michelle Diament

July 24, 2014

A long-stagnant bill that would establish a new way for people with disabilities to save money without jeopardizing their government benefits is starting to make its way through Congress.

The legislation known as the Achieving a Better Life Experience, or ABLE, Act would allow people with disabilities to create special accounts where they could save up to $100,000 without risking eligibility for benefits like Social Security. Whats more, under the plan, individuals would not lose Medicaid coverage no matter how much money is deposited in the proposed accounts.

A U.S. Senate hearing Wednesday marked the first step in Congress for the bill which has been under consideration since 2006.

Under the proposal, individuals with disabilities would be able to create ABLE accounts at any financial institution. Modeled after the popular 529 college savings plans, funds deposited in ABLE accounts could be used to pay for education, health care, transportation, housing and other expenses. Interest earned on savings within the accounts would be tax-free.

In testimony before the Senate panel, Sara Wolff, 31, who has Down syndrome, said that passing the ABLE Act would change her life. Under current law, Wolff and many others with disabilities cannot have more than $2,000 at any given time without forfeiting government benefits. As a result, Wolff said she works two jobs but is careful not to earn more than $700 a month even though shes capable of far more.

Just because I have Down syndrome, that shouldnt hold me back from achieving my full potential in life. I can work a full-time job, be a productive member of society and pay taxes but because of these outdated laws placed on individuals with disabilities, people like me are held back in life, said the Moscow, Pa. resident who has amassed more than 250,000 signatures on an onlinepetitioncalling on Congress to pass the bill.

With widespread support from lawmakers in both political parties and the disability community, backers say they expect the ABLE Act to be fast-tracked and hope to have a bill on President Barack Obamas desk by the end of September.

This is really the most popular piece of legislation in Congress right now, said Sara Weir, vice president of advocacy at the National Down Syndrome Society, who indicated the bill has 366 co-sponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives and 74 in the Senate.

Next up, the House Ways and Means Committee is expected to consider the ABLE Act before sending it for a vote in the full House and Senate.

Weir said advocates are already in talks with financial institutions who are eager to begin offering the new accounts should the ABLE Act become law.

No other bill in Congress has this level of bipartisan, bicameral support, said Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., the legislations leadsponsor. We want all 535 members of Congress behind this important legislation, and we need to build on our momentum in order to get the bill passed when we return from the August recess.

Source:http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/07/24/congress-weighing-savings/19545/

Interesting blog on commerce.gov about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). I find the facts and figures very interesting--particularly the age statistics.

Census Bureau Releases Disability Facts and Figures in Recognition of ADA Anniversary

Self-Determination Network News: July 2014

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

New Network Manager

We would like to thank Deb Wisniewski for all her years of hard work and dedication to theSelf-Determination Networkand theEmployment Network. We really appreciate all the time you have spent getting these networks going. We cant thank you enough!

As of June 1^st, Stacy Ellingen took over as the network manager. She comes with knowledge about what services, resources, etc there are available for people with disabilities. Shes hoping to be able to use her experiences to help others. Shes looking forward to getting to know our members!

It Only Takes "Five"

Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the SD Network:

• Join the Conversation: Deb posted an interesting discussion about person-centered planning and personalization. Shes wondering if these concepts are failing people within our long-term care systems. What do you think?

• Share your ideas: We posted some of the ideas and resources shared during our last Coffee Break with Kat Savyannah of the hOur TimeBanks. We discussed the benefits of TimeBanks and how people can get involved.

• Get Involved: The 2014 Self-Determination Conference is quickly approaching. Be sure to register today!

• We need your help: Check out this announcement from Wisconsin Employment First about how your voice can be heard!

• Post news or start a discussion: It's easy to do and a great way to share information and network with others!

Monthly Coffee Breaks will return in September. When should we hold Coffee Breaks? Answer ourOne-Minute Poll now!

New Members

Stop by to welcomeour newest members.

• She's an advisor of the People First Door County Group and also theexecutive director of a corporate guardian agency that promotes self-determination
• Sheworks with older adults and people with disabilities
• Sheworks with people with disabilities
• Shes a registered nurse and also aparent to children who have special needs
• Shes aProgram Directorat Lutheran Social Services
• Shes an advocate andworks with In Control Wisconsin
• Shes a volunteer with theWisconsin ADA Partnership
• She hasconnections with In Control Wisconsin
• Shes involvedin Wisconsin Partners in Policymaking
• Shes a parent to a child who has special needs andstaff at Family Voices of WI
• Shes the Executive Director of the Fox Valley Sibling Support Network and aparent to a childwho has special needs
• Shesupports individuals with disabilities
• Hes activelyinvolved in implementing/developing supports for individuals with developmental disabilities
• Shes aCommunity Network Specialist at TMG-IRIS
• Shes a self advocate for the WI-LEND Program anda student intern for Think College
• Shes ablack belt in tae kwon do and karate
• Shes agrandmother to two granddaughters who have special needs
• Sheworked in Human Services for 22 years
• Shes an IRIS Consultant anda board member of the Wausau area TimeBank
• Shes thehOur Community TimeBank Coordinator
• She has been doingperson centered planning for 17 years
• Shes a very passionateperson who continues to work toward inclusion for all individuals
• Shes a retired administrative professional who isinvolved in the hOur Community TimeBank
• Sheworks with people with disabilities
• Sheowns a graphic design business
• Shes the founder of Einstein Productions andan advocate for individuals with different abilities
• Shes adisability advocate
• Sheworks with adults who have developmental disabilities
• Sheworks with older adults and people with disabilities
• She hasworked with people with disabilities for the past 12 years
• Shes thestate coordinator for the Disability Benefit Specialist program
• Hes anEmployment Specialist with a CRF
• Shes aparent to a daughter who has special needs

Do you know someone who should join the SD Network? Spread the word and invite friends, families and other interested folks!

Upcoming Events

Here's a sample ofupcoming eventslisted on the SD Network:

• everyBODY Plays! An Adaptive Sports and Recreation Expo: July 26^th, 9am to 3pm, Nathan Hale High School, West Allis WI
• Think College Wisconsin: Expanding College Opportunities for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: October 17^th, 8:30am to 4pm, Cardinal Stretch University, Milwaukee WI
• Across The Lifespan: Bringing the Best Together: November 13^thto 14^th, Glacier Canyon Lodge and Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells WI

Post your eventon the SDS Network and it can be included in future Network News emails to members! Questions? Suggestions? Contact Stacy Ellingen aticwstacy@gmail.com.

The Self-Determination Network is powered by In Control Wisconsin and supported financially by ourmembersandSponsors. We couldn't keep this Network going with you! Find out how you can help support the Network.

Did you know that your Family Care, IRIS or other long-term care services may be changing FOR THE BETTER- soon? Thats right! TheSurvival Coalition has new recommendationsregarding Implementation of theNew HCBS Regulations Issued by CMS in Non-Residential Settings,including Vocational Settings. You can view the recommendations by clickinghere.Watch for your opportunity to tell the Department of Health Services how to make changes that matter to YOU!

Stay tuned! Watch for a webinar on the new rule coming soon!

Register nowfor the 2014 Wisconsin Self-Determination Conference!

The2014 Self Determination Conferencewill be held November 10-12, 2014, at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. This will be the seventh year of the conference and the theme is, Mission Possible: Discovering the Potential in our Communities. We will explore life in our communities: what does it mean to belong, how does one get involved, and what can we contribute to our communities?

Click here for more information

An interesting article by Cheryl Anderson from Post-Crescent Media about how Wisconsin has dropped in the rankings for serving older residents and people with disabilities.

State drops in rankings for serving older, disabled residents

Cheryl Anderson, Post-Crescent Media

Eight out of 52 isn't bad, right? Wrong.

"Raising Expectations 2014: A State Scorecard on Long-Term Services and Support for Older Adults, People with Physical Disabilities and Family Caregivers," released by AARP, ranks Wisconsin No. 8 in terms of meeting the long-term care needs of older and disabled residents.

In the comprehensive scorecard, states are ranked within 26 performance indicators based on affordability and access, choice of setting and provider, quality of life and quality of care, support of family caregivers and effective transitions.

"Wisconsin, for a long time, has a history of being innovative and creative in the care and programs for older Wisconsinites and we do pretty good," said Helen Marks Dicks, state issues advocacy director with AARP Wisconsin. "But we could do a lot better."

In fact, we did. In 2011, the last time the national study was done, Wisconsin came in fifth.

One way to improve long-term care here is through Family Care, a low-income program for people who qualify financially.

"We need to expand Family Care into the rest of the existing counties (in the state) where the service isn't available because we really need to encourage that people receive their care and their support in their homes, if at all possible," Dicks said.

Family Care, which is available in Outagamie, Calumet and Winnebago counties and now in most of the northeast corner of the state, helps people in their homes so they don't have to go into nursing homes. While it may help with medications, it also provides basic needs for those who live alone, like bathing, cooking and shopping.

"And it costs about one-third to support people in their homes as opposed to supporting people in an institution," Dicks said.

The second way Wisconsin can do better is in giving support to caregivers, an area where the state ranked especially low, she said.

Unpaid family caregivers provide the bulk of care for older residents partly because the cost of long-term care also remains unaffordable for most middle income families. That translates to 524,000 state residents who help their aging parents, spouses and loved ones at an estimated cost value of about $5.8 billion.

"Not only is it terribly demanding physically, it gets demanding economically because often they're paying for things that aren't covered by insurance," Dicks said. "And many of them actually end up leaving the workforce or reducing their work time, which has a long-range financial implication. We need to take a look at what we can do to be more supportive of the uncompensated caregivers."

Unfortunately, middle and higher income people that don't qualify for Family Care receive no help.

"That's where you really see the financial burden falling on the family," Dicks said.

To access the full report, got to www.longtermscorecard.org.

Cheryl Anderson: 920-993-1000, ext. 249, canderson@postcrescent.com; on Twitter @chermanderson

Source: http://www.postcrescent.com/story/life/2014/06/28/state-drops-rankings-serving-older-disabled-residents/11549815/

Do you live in a county with Family Care/IRIS? Do you remember a time before there was Family Care/IRIS? Are you waiting for Family Care/IRIS?

The Survival Coalition is conducting asurveyto hear from people with disabilities and the aging community about their experiences with the long-term care services available to them.

Survival Coalition is comprised of more than 30 statewide disability organizations that advocate and support policies and practices that lead to the full inclusion, participation, and contribution of people living with disability.

Click herefor more information

BPDD encourages self-advocates to enter artwork that represents self-determination!

The purpose ofSPARKS Grantsis to organize grassroots groups that identify and make changes in their communities. These innovative changes result in a positive impact on the lives of people with disabilities.

SPARKS Grants projects have been making a difference in Wisconsin since 2010. Because of these innovative projects:

Apply for a SPARKS Grant and spark a change in your community!

Deadline: August 1st

Click herefor more information.