News

Actor and disability rights advocate Selma Blair and President Biden recently celebrated the legacy of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act. Blair, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2018, walked together with Biden to a ceremony on the White House’s south lawn with her cane and her service dog.  The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs conducted by federal agencies, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prevents discrimination against disabled people on everything from employment to parking to voting.

Watch remarks

The Department of Transportation issued a new rule that requires airline lavatories to be more accessible. The rule requires airlines to make lavatories on new single-aisle aircraft large enough to permit a passenger with a disability and an attendant to approach, enter, and maneuver within using an on-board wheelchair. It also requires improvements to on-board wheelchairs to make them easier and safer to use. These changes are intended to make travel easier and less stressful for people who use wheelchairs.  

The rule also requires lavatories in new single aisle aircraft to have important accessibility features, including:  

• Grab bars 
• Accessible faucets and controls 
• Accessible call buttons and door locks 
• Minimum obstruction to the passage of an on-board wheelchair  
• Toe clearance 
• An available visual barrier for privacy 

The rule takes effect on October 2, 2023, with changes phased in over the next twelve years.  

CMS released a set of resources addressing the needs of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) living with, and receiving care from, aging parents or guardians. The set includes resources for state Medicaid and partner agencies to provide new or additional support to adults with I/DD and their caregivers as they age and experience life transitions. They include: 

• State Spotlights: Supporting Adults with I/DD and Their Aging Caregivers  
• How State Agencies Can Anticipate and Meet the Needs of Adults with I/DD and Their Aging Caregivers  
• State Policies and Practices to Support Person-Centered Planning Across the Lifespan for Individuals with I/DD and Their Aging Caregivers  
• State Policies and Practices to Support Aging Caregivers of Adults with I/DD  

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. It's a month to recognize workers with disabilities,  and the country recommits to providing equal access and opportunity to all people regardless of disability.

Read President Biden's proclamation

The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) is an easy way to get connected to the services you need! Visit DIAL’s new website, dial.acl.gov, to get connected to programs and services that can help you access transportation, housing and other essential services—right in your community. Ways to connect with DIAL: online search or chat at dial.acl.gov, call/text/videophone 888-677-1199 or email DIAL@usaginganddisability.org. Connect directly to an agent in American Sign Language.

Meet Melanie. This young lady is determined not to let her limitations stop her from living a successful life. She has many goals and she’s determined to meet them. She encourages people not to give up even when life seems unfair. We’re so fortunate to have her as a member of the Network!

What's your story?  Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Melanie shares that she was born with her disability. As a kid, she says she had a decent life. She explains that during college is when it really started to hit her how many barriers adults with disabilities face to be able to be self-sufficient, contributing adults in society. She’s currently still working through trying to find resources to get employed enough to cover her healthcare needs and find affordable accessible housing.

How are you involved with self-determination? Why did you join the SD Network?

Melanie first heard the term self-determination during the pandemic after joining the Wisconsin Disability Connections Facebook group. She was looking for support and resources and was very interested in learning more about what all self-determination all entails. “I joined the Self-Determination Network to gain a greater sense of community and belonging with other people with disabilities,” she says. 

Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms of self-determination?

Some exciting news for Melanie is that she’s working towards getting employed for the first time. She has an associate degree in accounting, and she explains that now that she knows how to advocate better, she’s working with the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation in hopes to find employment. She’s looking for something in the Administrative Assistant field she thinks. 

What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?

Melanie encourages people not to give up! She tells us that she has gotten really down on herself as an adult when life milestones such as getting a drivers license, graduating college, and now getting a job, and moving out all seemed to come at a slower later pace in life than her peers without disabilities. “But I am determined to make those goals happen for myself,” she exclaims!

What are some of your hobbies?

Melanie loves being an aunt to my niece and nephew. In her free time, she enjoys Diamond Painting.

***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.

Following an investigation by the federal government after a complaint by a disability advocate, United Airlines has agreed to improve the experience for passengers who use wheelchairs. The airlines will add a filter tool on their website to help people find flights on which the plane can be more easily accommodate wheelchairs. They also agreed to refund the price difference if a passenger needs to take a more expensive flight to accommodate their wheelchair. These changes are expected to take effect early next year.

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Wisconsin disability advocates continue to worry as for-profit companies buy two of the four nonprofit organizations that run Family Care. Advocates are concerned about access and quality of services. The caregiver crisis causes delays and wait lists for care as is.

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In late September, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act. It is responsible for banning discrimination on the basis of disability by federally funded entities through Section 504 of the law, and it paved the way for the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

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It's no secret that self-driving vehicles are becoming more and more popular. There are several pros to these vehicles for people with disabilities, but there are also many concerns. This article does a good job of laying out the the benefits and risks of autonomous vehicles.

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