News
Meet Randi. This advocate extraordinaire believes that everyone has a right to make choices and encourages people to keep asking questions. When she’s not busy advocating, she loves traveling to different places. We are so fortunate to have her as a member of the Network!
What's your story? Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Randi has Cerebral Palsy. She shares that she is a twin, and my little sister has Down Syndrome. She explains that they’ve been navigating the system for a long time. “We've come so far but we have so far to go. I do this stuff so it's easier for other people,” she tells us.
Randi currently serves as the secretary for the Independent Living Council of Wisconsin. She explains that she joined to raise awareness about Independent Living Centers and what they can do to help people with disabilities.
Randi has over 20 years of active nonprofit experience creating donors and business contacts with a variety of organizations and professionals in the community, for-profit and nonprofit areas; she has nine years of experience in building relationships with diverse populations and partner agencies during her active involvement with the Disability Program Navigator Project and the Department of Workforce Development. She also been an advocate and a support broker for almost three years.
How are you involved with self-determination?
Randi realized that people don't always get a choice and she believes that anyone that wants to direct their life should be able to. “It's not my job to decide for someone; it's my job to help them get where they need to be and where they want to be,” she says.
Why did you join the SD Network?
Randi joined the Network to help others and share her knowledge of the system, so that when she’ not here, there's always someone else that knows how to navigate something. “The only way to do that is to train people and to share,” she explains.
Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms of self-determination?
Randi loves to see that more and more people choosing what they want; they're not just accepting “well, I'm disabled this is what I get.” She thinks that has to be due to our work in Wisconsin.
What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?
Randi encourages anyone who is having trouble getting what they need or accessing what they need to use social media to ask questions. Facebook or Instagram—she doesn't care, but she suggests that people get in touch with someone if they need help. Keep asking questions; if it doesn't feel right, keep asking questions,” she says.
What are some of your hobbies?
Randi enjoys traveling to different places and doing crafts with her sister.
***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.
ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING: Contract Opportunity: Increasing Access to Augmentative and Alternative Communication
By SD Network, 2023-11-28
AUCD is now seeking proposals for a subcontract to support this work. Proposals are due to AUCD by Monday, December 18, 2023.
About the Project
A wide range of augmentative and alternative communication tools and technologies (AAC) are available, but people often are unaware of the options, how to get them, and how to pay for them. In addition, learning to use AAC can be challenging. As a result of those issues (and others), many people who could benefit from AAC go without, often at the expense of their independence and full participation in the community.
Through this project, ACL will work with a national consortium of people with disabilities, including people who use AAC; organizations and professionals that support people with disabilities; and other stakeholders to develop a model for providing peer-to-peer support to help more people who need AAC find and learn to use the tools that meet their individual needs.
AUCD is leading this project under a contract from ACL. AUCD is now seeking proposals for a subcontract for a one-year planning project to support this work. The subcontractor will work with AUCD on a variety of tasks, including creating the national consortium; conducting a comprehensive review and analysis to identify existing peer-to-peer models, projects, approaches, and activities; and developing an approach and plan to advance peer support models for AAC users.
Proposals must be submitted by Monday, December 18, 2023. Full details about AUCD’s RFP can be found on AUCD’s webpage. Questions and proposals should be submitted to urc@aucd.org.
NBC NEWS: Selma Blair calls ‘sub-minimum wage for people with disabilities’ ‘out of touch and wrong’
By SD Network, 2023-11-28
Actress and advocate Selma Blair joins Meet the Press and tells Kristen Welker her message to lawmakers as she fights for equity and accessibility for the disabled community.
APPLIED SELF-DIRECTION: New Report: Insights into Strengthening the Self-Directed Workforce
By SD Network, 2023-11-21
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ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING: 2023 National Survey on Health and Disability
By SD Network, 2023-11-18
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The University of Kansas Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies — funded by ACL's National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) — is seeking adults with disabilities to complete the 2023 National Survey on Health and Disability (NSHD).
The NSHD gives voice to the concerns of people with disabilities and documents their experiences with a variety of issues, including access to health care, insurance coverage, housing, transportation, Long COVID, employment, education, and more. The survey is open to U.S. adults 18 and older with any disability and/or health condition. For more information, please call 855-556-6328 (Voice/TTY) or email healthsurvey@ku.edu. Participants may complete the survey by phone. |
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WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO: Advocacy groups hope to revive bill requiring hospitals to better communicate with family caregivers
By SD Network, 2023-11-16
Organizations advocating for older adults and people with disabilities are hoping to build new support for a bill that would require Wisconsin hospitals to communicate with a patient's family caregivers. The CARE Act It would require hospitals to allow patients to identify a caregiver when they're admitted to the hospital. Hospitals would be required to communicate with the designated caregiver before the patient is discharged or transferred to another facility and to provide instruction to caregivers on any medical tasks the patient may need help with when returning home.
SPECTRUM NEWS: Wisconsin neighbors say they don't let Down syndrome stop them from living like others
By SD Network, 2023-11-16
Neighbors in Greenfield don't let having Down Syndrome stop them from living successful lives. These two incredible ladies live independently in separate apartments, but love to hang out and keep each other company. They both have jobs in the community and hope that by sharing their story of friendship and determination, it will show people that they are more alike than different.
PBS.ORG: Report finds people with disabilities continue to face outsized barriers to voting
By SD Network, 2023-11-13
A recent survey found that people with disabilities continue to face challenges voting. People with disabilities had a 20 percent likelihood of having difficulties voting in-person, compared to 6 percent for people without a disability. With a mail-in ballot, the likelihood of difficulties voting for people with disabilities was 6 percent, compared with 1 percent of people without disabilities.
As the planet warms scientists say natural disasters are becoming more destructive and more frequent, and the data shows certain communities are hit harder than others. Judy Woodruff reports from Florida on the disproportionate impact on people with disabilities as part of our series, "Disability Reframed."
Self-Determination Network News:
November 2023
Connect | Share |Learn | http://sdnetworkwi.org
National Family Caregiver Month
November is National Family Caregiver Month. We know that many people are caregivers for family members and we thank you. Legislators need to hear your story. We encourage you to contact your legislators and share your experience. The Survival Coalition put together a fact sheet that you can use when you do so.
Remembering Terry Lynch, a Wisconsin Self-Direction Pioneer
Terry Lynch, one of the earliest pre-IRIS self-direction practitioners and activists in Wisconsin, passed away on September 10. He was one of the founders of In Control Wisconsin and the author of But I Don’t Want Eldercare. Terry was a trainer, speaker and consultant on self-direction and workforce issues. To read Lynn Breedlove’s reflections on Terry’s contributions to the self-direction movement and the lessons we can learn from his book and his life, click 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 Jen. This volleyball fanatic has faced some challenges which have kept her off the court in recent years, but she has a goal of playing again one day. Check out this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Jen.
Who should we shine the spotlight on next?
Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the Self-Determination Network:
- Celebrating 25 Years of ADRCs: The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is celebrating the 25th anniversary of aging and disability resource centers (ADRCs) helping older adults and people with disabilities in our state to thrive. Learn about what ADRCs do.
- Inclusive TV: Read about how one television network is making strides in including performers who have disabilities.
- Disability Employment: As Disability Employment Awareness Month came to an end in October, it's obvious that most people with disabilities want to work, but there are many different barriers that make it challenging. Learn about some of the problems people are facing.
- Wisconsin Wayfinder: The Wisconsin Department of Health Services launched a new service that will transform the support structure for families of children with delays, disabilities, special health care needs, or mental health conditions. Find out how it works.
- 60th Anniversary of the DD Act: In late October, we celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act. Find out what this act does.
- Sheltered Workshops Violation: According to the Justice Department, segregating people with disabilities in employment and other day programs may violate their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Learn why.
- Proclamation: Read the proclamation from the White House for National Family Caregiver Month.
- New Accessibility Features in Google Maps: Google recently released many new accessibility features to make it easier for people with disabilities. Find out what these include.
- Medicaid Transportation Guide: CMS recently released a Medicaid Transportation Coverage Guide, which highlights existing policies and includes new policies to address issues such as extended wait times and long-distance trips. Check out this great resource.
Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:
- Webinar: Caregiving Chronicles - Lived Experiences And Life Edits: November 15th, 12p.m. to 1:15p.m., Virtual
- Webinar: Expanding Home Accessibility Services: Strategies For Sustaining Cross-Sector Collaborations: November 16th, 1p.m. to 2p.m., Virtual
- Accessible Tech: Accessible Word Documents: November 16th, 1p.m. to 2:30p.m., Virtual
- Webinar: Accessible Hybrid Meetings: November 28th, 12p.m. to 1:30p.m., Virtual
- Webinar: Providing Decision-Making Support For Youth With I/DD Making Health Care Transitions: December 6th, 3p.m. to 4:30p.m., Virtual
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.