News

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has published its 2023 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan. There is a public comment period open through Wednesday, September 27 (approximately midnight, 11:59 a.m.). Your feedback is very important, and we hope you’ll take the time to participate in this opportunity. Visit http://www.wisconsindot.gov/ada to find the plan, along with an overview video presentation and options to comment using the web, email or standard U.S. Mail.

The Aging & Disability Resource Center of Brown County has launched a new accessible food truck with Grounded Cafe to offer an opportunity for people of every ability to get involved with food service. It's one of the first in the area. The truck has a wheelchair lift and adjustable counters  for volunteers and employees. Training is available to anyone who is interested in getting into the food service industry.

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Since November 2022, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services has awarded nearly $30 million in grants to 158 organizations to boost Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS). Funded projects excel in creatively and positively impacting Medicaid HCBS programs that serve members, participants, and their families, as well as direct care workers and HCBS providers.

Visit the new Medicaid HCBS Grants Success Stories webpage to see real results and exciting plans from our grantees. Evidence-based training for caregivers, poetry programs for Alzheimer patients, and improved mental health care are just a few examples of how we are helping to develop more and better services for older adults and people with disabilities across Wisconsin.

On this page, you’ll find:

• News clips
• Success stories
• Innovative ideas

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is meant to ensure that people with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of civic life. Under Title II, all state and local governments must follow the ADA regardless of their size.

Public entities are providing access to more and more government services through web and mobile apps. For example, government websites and mobile apps often allow the public to obtain information to correspond with local officials, pay fines, apply for state benefits, renew state-issued identification, register to vote, file taxes, and request copies of vital records. Yet, many state and local government entities' web and mobile app services are not accessibly designed. As a result, these web and mobile app services are not equally available to people with disabilities.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is proposing to revise the regulation implementing Title II of the ADA. The proposed rule would establish specific requirements aimed to improve accessibility of services, programs, and activities offered by state and local government entities to the public through the web and mobile apps.

For example, if a local government lets people pay for parking using a mobile app, the mobile app will have to comply with the specific requirements adopted through the rule change.

DOJ is proposing the adoption of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Version 2.1, Level AA (w3.org/TR/WCAG21/) as the technical standards that state and local governments would need to follow for web content and mobile apps.

DOJ is currently accepting public comment on this proposed rule. Public comment is due by October 3, 2023.

More information on the proposed rule is available on the Regulations.gov website (regulations.gov/document/DOJ-CRT-2023-0007-0001)

How to Submit Public Comment

You may submit comments, identified by RIN 1190–AA79 (or Docket ID No. 144), by any one of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Website (www.regulations.gov). Follow the website's instructions for submitting comments.
• Regular U.S. Mail: Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice, P.O. Box 440528, Somerville, MA 02144.
• Overnight, Courier, or Hand Delivery: Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 150 M St. NE, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20002.

ABLE accounts allow individuals with disabilities to save money without jeopardizing access to federal benefits like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income. People with disabilities can use ABLE accounts to invest and save for disability-related expenses, such as housing, transportation and assistive technology. Wisconsin is one of only four states that doesn't have a ABLE program, but a bipartisan bill could soon change that.

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Walmart is introducing a new adaptive product line. The line includes things such as adaptive utensils and dishware, assistive devices, sensory friendly toys, and much more. 

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A new proposal from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services addresses this often-lamented failure to support family, friends and neighbors who care for frail, ill and disabled older adults. For the first time, it would authorize Medicare payments to health care professionals to train informal caregivers who manage medications, assist loved ones with activities such as toileting and dressing, and oversee the use of medical equipment.

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In a refreshing counterpoint to the airlines’ indifference to accessibility and disabled travelers, Amtrak is seeking approval from the Federal Railroad Administration to make their new, intercity trains more accessible than current regulations mandate. In addition to accessible spaces in all seating cars and accessible rooms in all sleeper cars, they want wheelchair users to have accessible pathways between all parts of the train, elevator access to the upper level of bi-level cars, accessible restrooms wherever other restrooms exist and easier access from train to station.

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Self-Determination Network News:

August 2023

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

Don't Forget to Register!

Have you registered for the 2023 Wisconsin Self-Determination Conference yet? It will be held October 16th-18th Join us in-person at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells or virtually for this year’s conference. The theme is Be Curious: Explore the Possibilities. Check out the brochure and website for more information. Register today!

Share Your Caregiver Crisis Story with your Legislators 

Recently, Madison Magazine published an in-depth article "Wisconsin's Caregiver crisis: What happens when no one shows up?" In the article, people with disabilities and family members talk about the daily challenges they face because they do not have enough workers to hire, what has happened when they don't have enough workers, and their fears about the future. Do these people's stories match your lived experience? If so, you are not alone. People in every corner of Wisconsin are having the same struggles every day, day after day. If this story is your story, email your legislator a link to the article and say, "That's Me." Include a few sentences about how the care worker shortage is impacting you, your family, your future.

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 Richard. When he’s not working at the Department of Revenue, he’s either advocating on the Arc board or participating in one of his many hobbies. Check out this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Richard.   

Who should we shine the spotlight on next?

Stacy’s Journal

Check out the Latest Videos!

The Self-Determination Channel is a YouTube channel by and for people with developmental or intellectual disabilities. Unlike other channels, the Self-Determination Channel stands stand out from other channels on YouTube because self-advocates host the videos, and decide and create the content. Videos are posted a couple times a month on a variety of topics self-advocates care about such as technology, employment, caregivers, independent living, and advocacy.

Check out the newest videos on the channel:

• "Finding my passion has made a difference in my life"

We encourage you to subscribe to the Channel (you can do so by clicking the red Subscribe button on any of the video pages).

Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the Self-Determination Network:

• Accessible Housing: Despite 26% of the US population having a disability, less than 5% of housing is accessible and less than 1% is wheelchair accessible. Learn about several ideas which came from a hearing attended by both political parties that would help with the shortage.
• Creating Accessible Transportation: Late in July, the Vice President and the Secretary of Transportation held a roundtable discussion about accessible transportation. Read about the meeting.
• Improving Online Access to State and Local Services: Ahead of the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Acts, the Biden-Harris Administration announced a new proposal that would improve online access to state and local services for people who have various limitations Find out what the proposal includes.
• Accessible Changing Tables: For many families in Wisconsin, it's nearly impossible to leave the house for an extended length of time because of the lack of accessible adult changing stations in public places.  Read about a new program that would require all public buildings to have adult changing stations.
• Airline to Add Braille to Planes Interior: Finding your seat on airplane is challenging for anyone, but for people who have visual impairments, it's usually impossible to find their seat independently.  Read about how one airline is planning to install Braille to signs inside planes.
• UpliftWI: The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced a new phone line is now available allowing all Wisconsinites to share their successes and challenges with a peer who will listen and offer support. Find out more about this program.
• Partners in Policymaking: Wisconsin Partners in Policymaking is a six‐session advocacy and systems change training program that develops future leaders across the state who are able to work with legislators and communities on policies and initiatives that will support the full participation and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all aspects of life. Applications due October 2nd.
• SPARKS Grants:  Do you have an idea to make your community a better place for people with disabilities?  Organize your grassroots group and apply for funding to help make it happen! Individuals with developmental disabilities and family members may apply. Applications due September 1st. Learn more and apply today!
• Mandate to Make Planes More Accessible: The Department of Transportation is in the process of finalizing regulations to require many new commercial airplanes to more accessible for people with disabilities. Read about how new regulations would require some planes to have large enough restrooms that for a person with a disability and an attendant.
• Right-of-Way Guidelines: Pedestrians with disabilities throughout the United States continue to face major challenges in travel because many sidewalks, crosswalks, and other pedestrian facilities are inaccessible. Recently, the U.S. Access Board addressed this inequity by issuing a final rule on accessibility guidelines for pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way. Learn what these guidelines are.
• WisCaregiver Connections: The Wisconsin Department of Health Services recently invested in an online training program for 10,000 people to become certified direct care professionals. Find out more about this program.
• Call for Proposals: 
  

  Applied Self-Direction is seeking conference sessions that focus on best practices and innovations related to self-direction. We strongly encourage a range of perspectives including people and families who self-direct, state program staff, Financial Management Services providers, direct care workers, support brokers, and policymakers. Proposals due October 11th.

Upcoming Events 

Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:

• Webinar: Housing Act: August 22nd, 1p.m. to 2:30p.m., Online
• 45th Anniversary Open House And Assistive Technology Donation Drive: August 24th, 10a.m. to 3p.m., Access to Independence, Madison WI
• Electronic Visit Verification Forum: August  24th, 2p.m. to 4p.m., Online
• Options For Independent Living Community Expo: August 24th, 3p.m. to 7p.m., Options for Independent Living, Green Bay WI
• Webinar: Accessible Residential Housing: September 7th, 1:30p.m. to 3p.m., Online

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.