News

A first-of-its-kind residential community for people with developmental or intellectual disabilities is getting ready to open this Spring.  Located in Florida, Noah's Landing will be operated by staff, volunteers, and parents.

The community will offer things such as supportive services,vocational opportunities, and much more.  Rent and expenses  will be subsidized making it affordable for  people with disabilities.  Many people are excited about this as it's thought of as an alternative to a group home.

Learn more: https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2016/02/16/once-disability-community/21909/

For people with disabilities, traveling anywhere often presents multiple challenges.  Whether it's down the street or across the world, transportation often becomes an issue for many.  From avoiding  sidewalk curbs to planning vacations, there are many things to keep in mind when traveling.

Here is a list of 10 things to know before traveling.  It has a lot of links to valuable resources.

The Department of Health Services released their draft concept paper for Family Care/IRIS 2.0 today. There are two chances to testify on the paper on March 7th.  DHS will accept written testimony about the concept paper through 5 p.m., on March 7th.

Now accepting proposals for presenters for the 2016 Self-Determination Conference, November 8-10.  Are you using self-directed supports in an interesting way? Do you want to share your story at the SD Conference? 

We’re looking for new and innovative ideas that help you and others live successfully in the community. Share ideas about transportation, employment, community living, housing and more. Take a look at our special sessions on life hacks! Do you have some life hacks you want to share? Share these ideas with over 500 advocates this November! Proposal deadline is April 8. 

Download the 2016 Presentation Proposal Form  

***Thanks to the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities for sharing this information with us.

The Wisconsin Dept. of Health Services sent out a news release today with some details about the proposed redesign of the long-term care system. The news release is in advance of the concept paper scheduled to be released the first week of March. The release includes information about Choice for Members and Quality Measures.

DHS has scheduled two public hearings that will be held March 7, shortly after the concept paper for the redesigned system is released. They will accept written comments until March 7th.  

Here's an opportunity to share your thoughts and opinions with the Independent Living Council of Wisconsin as they develop their next state plan.

www.surveymonkey.com/r/M9HSWNZ

Volunteer for Disability Advocacy Day!

Tuesday March 15, 2016

Disability Advocacy is successful because of the many volunteers that give of their time and expertise.

Volunteers are needed for the following duties:

Help at Monona Terrace with set up and registration: help needed between8 am-12pm(20 people needed)

• Put materials on tables
• Check participants in when they arrive
• Hand out t-shirts or lunches

Assistance at the Capitol: help needed between 12-3 (30-35 people needed)

• Guide participant to their appointments
• Assist individual who may be lost
• Assist in the debriefing rooms

Table/Visit facilitators:10am- 2:30 pm(70 people needed)

• Facilitate discussion as tables to coordinate a smooth visit
• Stay with your table members (district constituents) and escort them to the visits and help facilitate the conversations with their legislators.
  (note there may be more than one facilitator for each group and you may facilitate both the Senate and Assembly visits)
  * Every effort will be made to keep you in your own district but we cannot guarantee this.

** Facilitators are not able to volunteer to other duties between10am and 2:30 pmas you will be busy with your group

If you are interested in helping please use this link to sign up

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0b48aeaf22aafa7-2016

or contact Todd or Fil for assistance:

Todd Costello:(608) 242-8335orcostellot@clanet.org

Fil Clissa:(608)698-0333orsurvivalcoalitionwi@gmail.com

People with disabilities and older adults in Wisconsin have a lot atstake in how Wisconsin redesigns its long-term care system. Thats why over 60 Stakeholder groups worked together over the past few months to develop a vision for the future of long term care in Wisconsin. This led to the creation of the Stakeholders Blueprint for Long Term Care Redesign.

All stakeholders agree with the Legislature and Department of Health Services that Wisconsin needs a sustainable long-term care system that provides people with cost-effective and quality care. The Blueprint fits within the parameters laid out by the legislature in the 2015-2017 budget. It is intended to help DHS and the legislature develop the best plan possible to implement the budget guidelines.

Executive Summary of the Plan

Stakeholders' Blueprint

Source: http://www.wilongtermcarecoalition.org/#!blueprint/sga91

Airlines will soon offer closed captioned on-demand entertainment videos on flights, through an agreement between the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and Gogo Version.

Gogo will add technology to allow customers with hearing impairments to display closed captions for content.  They plan use a phase-in process to replace all of its existing content with content that has closed captions by June 30, 2017.

To learn more: http://www.disabled-world.com/disability/types/hearing/communication/cc.php

Wisconsin PROMISE, a project of the Wisconsin Department for Workforce Development (DWD), aims to foster improved health, education and post-secondary outcomes for familiesand teenage youthwith disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Enrolled families have access to a number of trainings and services, including a training for families on transition and employment planning basics. The Waisman Center at UW-Madison is partnering with the project to help deliver this transition and employment training by developing a network of family advocates across the state to work with identified families. TheFamily Advocates will connect with families, in their homes or in the community, to share information about the transition process and employment planning using the already-developed training. Advocates may also assist with navigating service systems as needed. In addition, the Family Advocates will strive to organize small learning communities for local families to meet and share their experiences. Ideally, Family Advocates will be individuals with personal, or professional, experience with disability and public support systems. If you know people who might be interested in these positions, please share this with them. There are 10 positions located in various regions around the state. Individuals will telecommute and will travel regularly within their region. See links to the position postings below. When you click on the link, youll see a Job Summary and then if you click on Position Description you will see more details of the position. The deadline for applying isFebruary 23, 2016.

For more information about the larger WI PROMISE project, visitwww.promisewi.com

Racine/Kenosha area(Region 1), Position #97755:http://www.ohr.wisc.edu/Weblisting/External/PDSummaryApply.aspx?vacid=97755&title=08500

Milwaukee area(Region 2/3), Position #97761(Full-time):http://www.ohr.wisc.edu/Weblisting/External/PDSummaryApply.aspx?vacid=97761&title=08500

Milwaukee area(region 2/3), Position #97764:http://www.ohr.wisc.edu/Weblisting/External/PDSummaryApply.aspx?vacid=97764&title=08500

Milwaukee area(Region 2/3), Position #97763:http://www.ohr.wisc.edu/Weblisting/External/PDSummaryApply.aspx?vacid=97763&title=08500

Green Bay/Fox Valley area(Region 5), Position #97796:http://www.ohr.wisc.edu/Weblisting/External/PDSummaryApply.aspx?vacid=97796&title=08500

Northcentral WI(Region 6), Position # 97795:https://www.ohr.wisc.edu/Weblisting/External/PDSummaryApply.aspx?vacid=97795&title=08500

Northwestern WI(Region 7), Position #97758:https://www.ohr.wisc.edu/Weblisting/External/PDSummaryApply.aspx?vacid=97758&title=08500

Western WI(Region 8), Position #97793:https://www.ohr.wisc.edu/Weblisting/External/PDSummaryApply.aspx?vacid=97793&title=08500

La Crosse area(Region 9), Position #97757:http://www.ohr.wisc.edu/Weblisting/External/PDSummaryApply.aspx?vacid=97757&title=08500

Madison area(Region 10), Position #97327:http://www.ohr.wisc.edu/Weblisting/External/PDSummaryApply.aspx?vacid=97327&title=08500

Thank you for sharing this with your networks! If you have any questions, please contact Molly Cooney at608-266-0266ormolly.cooney@wisconsin.gov.