News

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration announced $7.8 million for 17 projects that will improve public transportation for people with disabilities, older adults, and low-income individuals. The grants support organizations that coordinate public transportation for underserved groups, allowing them to access healthcare, community services, education, and jobs by building partnerships among health, transportation, and human services providers.

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The Village of Grafton Police Department recently built a sensory room in the department to provide a calming space for those who may be in distress. It includes specific features to help calm individuals. Things such as images of swimming fish projected on the wall, a bubble machine, weighted blankets, and stuffed animals are in the room. The room is available to everyone.

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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.

We are looking for groups or individuals who want to be more inclusive of people with disabilities but are not sure how to do it. Traditionally underserved groups are especially encouraged to apply. Examples include: 

  • Faith-based, civic and nonprofit groups
  • School districts
  • Municipalities or local governments such as community recreation programs
  • Family groups
  • Individuals or groups with strong connections to their community

Examples of what you can do with the grant. 

  • Make school extracurriculars accessible to students with disabilities and be intentional about inviting them to participate.
  • Host a community conversation to talk about ways to meaningfully include people with disabilities in community programs. Work on an idea or tow over the next year.
  • Implement innovative ways to make families with children with disabilities feel welcome in their faith community.

Questions?  Contact Jenny Neugart at jennifer.neugart@wisconsin.gov or at (608) 266-7707.
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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 are due October 4th 2024.

Who can apply?

  • Individuals who are highly motivated to create more inclusive communities AND are:
  • Parents or primary caregivers of children under the age of 21 who have developmental disabilities
  • Adults with developmental disabilities
  • Adult siblings or family members of individuals with developmental disabilities

We are seeking cultural and geographic diversity within the guidelines above. The selection of participants is made by a team of parents, self‐advocates, and professionals. 

 If you have questions, please contact Jenny Neugart at jennifer.neugart@wisconsin.gov or (608) 266‐7707.
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The Pink Umbrella Theater Company was founded in 2018 as Milwaukee’s first theater for artists with a wide range of disabilities. The organization holds sensor-friendly plays throughout the year and holds classes for aspiring artists and performers. In April, the Ruth Foundation for the Arts announced that Pink Umbrella will be the recipient of a $200,000 grant to be distributed over the course of two years. The funding will be key to growing the company

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According to a recent poll, the majority of people with disabilities have negative health care experience. 78% of the people reported having trust-damaging experiences in health care.  Many feel that stats like this should be a big wake-up call for the government to step in.

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released three resources to promote quality improvement efforts within Medicaid-funded HCBS. The resources are:

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The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking comments on emergency message templates for multilingual Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), which the FCC proposes to provide in English, the 13 most commonly spoken languages in the United States, and American Sign Language (ASL).

In October, the FCC adopted rules to require participating wireless providers to make certain WEA available in these languages and to allow consumers to opt-in to receive them in ASL. Currently, WEAs are only available in English and Spanish. Providing WEAs in additional languages will help ensure these messages are accessible to as many people as possible.

For the video messages signed in ASL, the FCC seeks comment on the effectiveness of the ASL videos, as well as the format and production of the ASL videos. The proposed templates for ASL are not final and are presented solely for the purpose of seeking comment on what the final templates should be.

Comments on the 18 proposed WEA emergency message templates can be submitted online or by mail until June 12, and the public may respond to submitted comments until July 12. All filings must reference PS Docket Nos. 15-91 and 15-94. People with disabilities who need assistance to file comments online may request assistance by email. 

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Home health care services and personal care nurse supervisory visit code 99509



Electronic visit verification (EVV) hard launch for home health care services (service codes 92507, 97139, 97799, 99504, 99600, S9123, S9124, T1001, T1021, T1502) and personal care nurse supervisory visits (service code 99509) begins in Wisconsin on October 1, 2024.

On and after hard launch, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services will impose consequences when EVV information is not captured for required services. Consequences include claim denial and exclusion from future HMO and managed care organization capitation rate setting development.

Hard launch is required by the federal government for Wisconsin Medicaid to continue to receive its full federal funding.

Learn more about EVV in Wisconsin.
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National developmental disability advocacy groups are inking multimillion-dollar partnerships with some big players in health care in a push to better address co-occurring conditions. The Arc of the United States said it will work with the United Health Foundation to improve mental health for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities..

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