News

How are you involved with self-directed supports and self-determination? Why did you join the SDNetwork?

I have been involved with adults who have developmental disabilities and focusing on their life in the community for 33 years. I have known since I was in high school that I was not someone destined for corporate life, but rather that my work was meant to be working side by side with individuals who have a disability. To my good fortune that often has come with family, friends and community who surround those individuals. Working with people to identify the possibilities their lives hold and working toward the realization of hopes and dreams for their futures has been my lifes work and passion. I have met wonderful people and have been part of people's community-based homes and lives for many years. Being part of this ever-growing and transforming movement of life in the community and self-determination has been a blessing in my life. I was asked to help host the SDSnetworkand my hope is that through conversation and connectedness, that we together can find a sense of common purpose and sharing through this on line community.

The most exciting thing for me personally, at this juncture in my life, is that I amnetworkingwith people from around Wisconsin and the United Stated and finding that this movement is BIG! I moved to Madison in 1982 because it was where things were happening- creative, innovative and ground breaking. Today, widening my scope, outside of the world of residential supports in Dane County, I see this movement is BIG around the world! I have met people in the past several years from England, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Ireland, Canada, Michigan, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, my dear home town of Madison, etcand am so excited to be living and learning in a widenetworkof passionate and energetic people who get-it! I guess I shouldnt be surprised. While I was working hard on a micro level, the world just kept charging forward around this on a macro level! Its awesome!

My tip is, be sure to tell your story. There is wisdom to be drawn on and information deep in your life stories that tell others, in a special way, who you are, whats important to you and what makes you tick. If people are listening well and looking to discover and realize what you are all about, your stories will go a great way in identifying those things. Personally, I believe that telling your life story through conversation goes much farther than answering a lot of questions about yourself on a piece of paper.

Also, identify your gifts; if you dont know what they are, just think about what you have to offer with your head, your hands and your heart. If you cant come up with it on your own, ask those who surround you in your life. You will be surprised with how the list grows once you start asking. Examine and think about what others say your gifts are. Gifts, talents, strengths, what you bring to others lives will be the beginning of your own discovery process and your journey of sharing and building on your lifes dreams.

Identify and grow yournetwork; these are your friends, family, acquaintances, fellow workers, neighbors etc,.., its amazing when people know your stories and dreams where that will lead. People will often reach out to help you discover your lifes goals once they know you value and acknowledge them as important in your life.

Thisnetworkis our common ground, were united by the thread of self-determination and self direction, lets make the most of it. The SDSnetworkis our community so lets engage. We can connect, have conversation, learn, or just run things by one another. The sky is the limit, but it takes each of us to extend ourselves out just a little bit. I know, I myself have wondered about what to post, wondered if it was the appropriate forum, thought about how to word things etc. My commitment is to no longer let that questioning voice get in the way of putting myself out there andnetworkingwith you all. I ask you to do the same. One thing I did do, which you too may find helpful, is make the SDSNetworkone of my home pages. Everyday when I log on to the internet, the SDSnetworkopens up and I have the opportunity to see whats new or better yet to comment and share.

I actually have had a dream vacation that I want to relive. How about that? I went to Grand Cayman Island about 20 years ago on a fluke. It was one of those last minute unbelievable deals that my husband and I could not pass up. To tell you the truth I didnt even know the first thing about the Cayman islands when I got on the plane. The 7-day vacation was such a beautiful experience that I want to go back. The land, the water, the people, were all amazing and beautiful. My favorite experience while on Grand Cayman was snorkeling. I took a sailboat out to a reef and swam with stingrays! I also snorkeled in a beautiful cove where schools of fish came and surrounded me and I swam with them. I could feel their little bodies swimming all around me. It was surreal.

My immediate community is Windsor/DeForest Wisconsin. I have lived here for about 19 years. Its a suburb about 5 minutes north of Madison. Its very green and country-like, but close to all the amenities of Madison. Perfect! The first thing I noticed out here is the country wave. Everybody waves when you drive by. Its heartwarming! I have great neighbors who have come to be good friends over the years. I love country walks and all the natural beauty I live near. As far as Madison; I love the openness, the people, the creativity, the lakes, the neighborhood festivals and the community as a whole. I couldnt think of a better place to live.

If you are passionate about making a change that will improve the lives of people with disabilities in your community, apply for a SPARKS Grant!

The purpose of SPARKS Grants is to develop local grassroots groups that will work on identified changes in their communities through grassroots community organizing. Grassroots community organizing means groups collaborating for positive community change for individuals with disabilities on issues that are important to them. The innovative methods SPARKS Grants ignite are intended to lead to systems change that improves the lives of people with disabilities. SPARKS Grants are availableto people with disabilities and family members in Wisconsin.

Priorities for 2013 SPARKS Grants include, but are not limited to, projects that focus on: Get Out The Vote (GOTV), state legislative issues, and local advocacy activities. Individual grants range from $500 to $3,000. Projects will begin no later than October 1, 2013 and should be completed by September 30, 2014.

To apply for a SPARKS Grant, complete and submit the SPARKS Grants Application and Budget Worksheet. The deadline to apply is 12:00 p.m. on Friday, August 2, 2013.

SPARKS Grants are funded by the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities. More information about SPARKS Grants is available.

Please forward this message to parties who might be interested in applying for a SPARKS Grant.

Self-advocates and family members of a person with a developmental disability (DD) who want to improve their leadership skills are encouraged to apply for Wisconsin Partners in Policymaking. The deadline to apply is September 1, 2013.

Partners is a six-session advocacy and systems change training program designed to develop future leaders who will work with legislators and communities on policies and initiatives that support the full participation and inclusion of people with DD. Nationwide, close to 15,000 graduates are part of a growing network of community leaders and decision makers serving on policymaking committees, commissions, and boards at local, state, and national levels.

The program is designed for (A) adults with DD, (B) parents, grandparents, or primary caregivers of children under the age of 21 with DD, and (C) siblings of individuals with DD. Applicants should be highly motivated to create more inclusive communities.

The six sessions will be held in Madison between November 2013 and May 2014. Each session begins at 1 p.m. on Friday and concludes at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

This program is an initiative of the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD). BPDD covers all costs associated with the program, including the training, lodging, meals, and materials. More information about the program is available.

Those interested in participating must submit an application packet by September 1, 2013.

If you have questions about Wisconsin Partners in Policymaking, contact John Shaw at john1.shaw@wisconsin.gov or (608) 266-7707.

WE NEED YOUR INPUT! Help Shape the 2014 Wisconsin Employment First Conference

Mark Thursday, April 3rd, 2014 on your calendars! Wisconsin will host its first statewide Employment First Conference at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities and Wisconsin Association for Persons Supporting Employment First (APSE) , along with many other organizations, will join together to host a conference that will help us get closer to achieving our statewide goal of doubling the number of people with disabilities in Integrated Employment by 2016!

Our goal is that everyone leaves this conference feeling empowered with knowledge, skills and tools to use when you are back in the challenges of the real world! In order to accomplish this goal we need your input. Please got to the following survey monkey link http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SN9GKCZ and complete the brief survey. In addition to providing input on key activities and topics to include in the conference, you have a chance to win an awesome prize if you come up with the best title for this conference!

The conference is for anyone interested in community employment for people with disabilities, including people with disabilities, families, long term care providers (Family Care and IRIS), Aging and Disability Resource Centers, Employment providers, state agency staff (DVR, DHS, DPI), schools , service coordinators and employers. A variety of topics will be addressed, including: Employment First policy and practice, Community Rehabilitation Program (CRP) re-balancing Efforts, best practices in job development and job coaching, innovative employment practices happening in Wisconsin, employment and youth in transition, self -directed supports and employment, natural supports in the work environment, and much more!

If you have any questions please contact: Ann Sievert, WI-BPDD, 608-267-9897 or ann.sievert@wisconsin.gov<mailto:ann.sievert@wisconsin.gov>.

Meet Martha Oie, Northwoods gal and Community Connector Extraordinaire. She can't help herself... When she meets you, Martha immediately begins to look for connections, for places where you can share your talents and gifts. Learn more about Martha as we shine the Member Spotlight on her.

Why did you join the SD Network?

I joined the Network to share stories. People learn from each other and I try to do anything I can to widen my network of people. I use the social media that works for me, depending on what Im working on.

Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening in terms of self-determination or Self-Directed Supports?

There are a lot of cool connections happening for folks. People are starting to focus on their skills and assets to find ways of helping each other. A couple of people I know who cant read or write are providing cares to some other people. It works for everyone theyre employed and the people theyre supporting are getting great care. Another couple has a farm and are worrying that they wont be able to pay the mortgage. So were getting them connected to some folks who might want to rent out some of their land to focus on sustainable agriculture. Everyone wins that way!

Were also working to make our local timebank (http://www.timetradersnorth.org) more effective. Were learning how help it grow & develop, connecting to more networks. Were learning to ask people, What do you have to offer? Its about the person I can do this, see me for who I am, take the time to know me.

What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to direct their own supports, or who would want to be more self-determined?

Get connected to the Internet. Look for special programs to get Internet in your home or use the computers at the public library. The Internet provides access to education, whats happening in the world, whats happening in your community.

What message would you like to share with the members of the SD Network?

Focus on what you have (not what you dont have). Join groups youre interested in local book clubs, etc. Start small and get started. Access whats local bring what you have.

What famous person have you met or would like to meet?

I know Rudi Stajduhar, whos originally from Croatia. He was spokesperson for United Nations Secretary-General, Kurt Waldheim. I spend time with him every year and learn so much from him. Hes 93 yrs old and still reads a lot. He inspires me in so many ways.

Are you a dog person or a cat person?

Both! I dont know which Id pick. We have 2 dogs & 4 cats. The cats tend to hide out.

Wisconsin has lost one of our true heroes - Al Buss. The following was shared with me by his good friend, Dan Johnson.

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

On Sunday, March 17, 2013 surrounded by his family Al Buss passed away.

Al worked for the Department's Bureau of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse until retiring in 1999 on disability. He brought statewide awareness to the need for alcohol and drug programs and services to be fully accessible to people with coexisting physical, sensory or intellectual disabilities and alcohol and drug abuse. He understood firsthand as an individual with a spinal cord injury and recovering alcoholic how important it was to have inpatient treatment and ongoing AODA support programs in the community accessible to someone in a wheelchair and how important it was to have printed materials available in alternative format for people who were blind or for meetings to be interpreted for individuals who are deaf. He worked hard to incorporate into state contract language requirements and program guidance requirements for compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and later the Americans with Disabilities Act. He provided statewide training and technical systems.

When he retired he continued his advocacy work co-founding with Dennis Moore, Bob Olsen and others the National Association of Alcohol, Drugs and Disability and heading up the Wisconsin Association of Alcohol, Drugs and Disability. Al was serving as a Chairperson of the Board of Directors for Access to Independence, one of eight independent living centers in Wisconsin. His second stint on a Board of Directors for independent living center. His first was back in 1984 when he served on the Board of Directors of Society's Assets, Incorporated in Racine. A position he left to come to work in Madison as an LTE in the Bureau of Long-Term Support working with me on improving programs and services for people with physical disabilities.

We were friends for more than 35 years, Over the years we have taught and learned, cried and celebrated, failed and achieved. All of which has made our life's richer and more successful. Al's life will be celebrated on Thursday afternoon at 5 PM after visitation from 3 PM to 5 PM at the Gunderson Fitchburg Funeral and Cremation, 2950 Chapel Valley Rd.

Here is Al's obituary for further information:

http://host.madison.com/news/local/obituaries/buss-elmer-al-adolf/article_5484d0d0-9002-11e2-a1b8-001a4bcf887a.html

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

March 13, 2013

Wisconsin Disability Advocacy Day - Last Day to Register!

People with disabilities need to be heard. Tell your state legislators what you think. Today is the final day to register online for Disability Advocacy Day! Don't wait to sign up - no fee!

Learn more about this opportunity.

It Only Takes "Five"

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

• Learn:Special Needs Vouchers, which are included in the Governor's proposed budget - How will they affect education for children and youth with disabilities? What can you do about them?

• Join a Discussion:Dean and Deb are talking about whether to use SDS through Family Care or through IRIS.

• Support Timebanking: Are you a member of a Timebank? Do you know what a Timebank is? Martha shared some information about timebanking and you can join the discussion to learn more.

• Member Spotlight: In our new series, we are turning the spotlight on members of the SDS Network. Each month, we'll highlight one (or more!) of our amazing members. This will give us the opportunity to get to know each other a bit better, as well as learn about tips and resources we have to share with each other. This past month, we began by shining the spotlight on Patti Becker and Kate Parizek.

• Learn: We keep hearing about sequestration. What is it and how will it affect people with disabilities?

• Access Resources: Dean shared information about a service for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, and the ADA Wisconsin Partnership told us about the Campaign for Disability Healthcare Justice. Find out what other resources might be available!

• Watch a Video: Join the fun at "Tim's Place" and promote the end of the R-word.

Support the Network with "Five":

• We rely on contributions to keep the SDS Network in business. If you are finding it valuable to be a member,consider making a donation of five dollars or more, orbecoming a sponsor. For more information, contactDeb Wisniewski.

Join Us for a Coffee Break

Coffee Break: Connections and Contributions. April 17th, from 8:30-9:00 am CDT. The Coffee Break gives us an opportunity to participate in a live chat about a topic related to self-determination, SDS and having a good life. It's not a presentation, but an opportunity for all participating members to share ideas, questions and resources. It's easy to participate and all are welcome to join the conversation.

You can join this live chat in April as we talk about Connections and Contributions.How do you get connected in your community? What contributions do you make? How can we support people to find meaningful ways to be contributing members of their community? There is no cost to participate in the Coffee Break.

Welcome New Members

Stop by to welcome our newest member.

• She works at MCFI and isdevoted to helping persons achieve their greatest level of independence.
  

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

Upcoming Events

Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the SDS Network:

• Wisconsin Disability Advocacy Day 2013, Wed., Mar. 20th- Register today! No fee.
• Youth Transition Conference, Mar. 21st.
• If I Had Known... Trauma-Informed Ethics and Boundaries, April 2nd.
• Wisconsin Self-Determination Conference, Submit a proposal by April 30th. Conference will be held on Oct. 30-31, 2013
• And many more!

Post your event on the SDS Network and it can be included in future Network News emails to members! Questions? Contact Deb Wisniewski at scgwis@gmail.com

Thanks to the sponsors of the SDS Network!

Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD) is seeking Session Presentations for Wednesday, Oct. 30 and Thursday, Oct. 31.

• Proposals by citizens with disabilities are encouraged.
• Conference sessions support SDS principles, activities, and outcomes.
• Presentations should focus on practical, take home strategies that people can implement in their work and lives.

Handouts: Presenters are responsible for providing 50-75 copies of their handout materials.

Equipment: One Screen, AV/Cart, LCD Projector and Microphone will be provided in each breakout session room. (Presenters are responsible for providing their own laptop.)

Conference details:
2013 Wisconsin Self-Determination Conference
Kalahari Resort
Wisconsin Dells, WI
October 29-31, 2013

Please complete the proposal form and submit it to: Fil Clissa atfil.clissa@wisconsin.govor mail to:

BPDD
101 E. Wilson St., Room 219
Madison, WI 53703

All proposals are due by12 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30, 2013.

• Presenter Proposal Form- Word
• Presenter Proposal Form- PDF

Resources From Previous Conferences

Check out information about previous conferences, including resources and videos.

• 2011 Conference
• 2010 Conference

Updates

As the conference draws closer, check out theBPDDs Facebook Pagefor up-to-date details and information.

I thought I might share a service that I am using myself and I foundhelpfulto people who are hearingimpaired. I have one phone number and the tty functions on my computer no matter the phone I am using. It is wonderful.

Hamilton CapTel Call Me #

Now you can pass out a single phone number for family, friends, colleagues and businesses to call you using your Hamilton CapTel account!

"I'm at this number" is the number where you can be reached, such as your home phone or mobile phone. This number will be stored in your account and can be updated at any time. Now, you won't have to enter your telephone number every time you log into Hamilton CapTel on your PC/Mac.

Your Hamilton CapTel Contacts

In the Main Menu, you will see a tab labeled Contacts. This is your personal phone book where you can add and edit your personal telephone numbers for one-click dialing.

So, if you talk on the phone, have a computer and surf the Web you're ready to place and receive calls using Hamilton CapTel for PC/Mac.

http://www.hamiltoncaptel.com

Dean Choate

Thanks to Theresa Kulow for sharing the following information with us.

Check out this informative article about how the series of automatic, across-the-board cuts to federal government spending totaling $1.2 trillion over the course of 10 years are set to take effect this Friday, March 1. Dubbed sequestration these cuts, if implemented, will be split between defense and domestic discretionary spending.

The National Council on Disability (NCD) outlines how these cuts wouldimpact people with disabilities and their families. Read more aboutwhat sequestration would mean for people with disabilities.