News

Self-Determination Network News:

August 2021

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Registration Now Open!

The 2021 Self-Determination Conference will be October 18-20. With the health and safety of participants in mind and with the current raise in COVID cases and variants, it has been decided that a virtual conference is the best option for 2021. You’re in for a great virtual conference experience again this year! There will be lots of interactive and networking opportunities.  You'll receive a great conference kit and registration is FREE! Register today!

Calling Microbusiness Owners

There is a new way to exhibit at the Self-Determination Conference this year! The All Abilities Market is an online marketplace where microenterprises and artists can sell their products and/or services. You have the unique opportunity to join this marketplace and sell online, not only at the Self-Determination Conference but all year long! Applications are due September 1.

Exhibitor Applications Available 

Applications to be an exhibitor at the conference are now being accepted. Organizations that support self-determination and self-directed supports are encouraged to apply. Applications are due September 1.

Diehard Award Nominations

Do you know someone who goes above and beyond to improve community supports for individuals with disabilities?  Do they support self-determination?  Nominate them for a Diehard Award in one of the following two categories: Professional Advocate or Self-Advocate/Grassroots Advocate. Nominations are due September 1.

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're shining the spotlight on Sydney. This animal–loving self-advocate keeps busy by participating in various advocacy organizations , and she encourages others to get involved in some sort of advocacy. Stop by this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Sydney. 

Who should we shine the spotlight on next?

Voting Bills Update

Governor Evers recently vetoed bills that would have created new barriers and have impacted the voting rights of many people with disabilities. The Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition released a new document that highlights stories of voters who these bills would have impacted. While these bills were paused for now, we encourage you to continue to reach out to your legislators and share how important it is to make voting accessible for everyone. 

People First Wisconsin is Hiring! 

People First Wisconsin is a statewide Self-Advocacy organization for people with disabilities. They help people speak up for themselves, share ideas, start local Self-Advocacy groups, and work together with advocates across Wisconsin on issues important to members to improve life for people with disabilities. Currently, they're accepting applications for a Office Manager and a Financial Manger. Learn more about these positions and find out how to apply by clicking here. Applications are being accepted until September 8.

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:

• ADA 31st Anniversary: #ThanksToTheADA #ADA31st
• Supported Decision-Making 

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:

• SPARKS Grants: SPARKS grants are meant to give people with disabilities more social connections by participating in community activities, and they help provide inclusive programming that gives people more opportunities. Applications are due September 10.
• Input Needed on "No Surprise Billing" Rule: Surprise billing can occur when someone receives care from a provider outside of their insurance carrier’s network. This often occurs in emergency situations, when people do not have control over where they are taken for medical care. A new rule would implement requirements set in the No Surprises Act to establish protections against surprise billing. The public comment period closes September 7.
• The Importance of Web Accessibility: Most use the Internet on a daily basis. The opportunities that the Internet brings are endless. However, for people with visual impairments, these opportunities are significantly more limited.  Learn why website accessibility is becoming more and more important. 
• COVID Added to Disability Qualification List: Recently, the US Department of Justice and the US Department of Health and Human Services released guidance that explains that explains when “long COVID” may be a disability under the ADA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act. Learn about what this means. 
• Fact Sheet: Late in July, we celebrated the 31st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Biden-Harris administration released a fact sheet about what they've done to ensure people with disabilities receive resources and are included in key administration proposals.  Check it out. 
• Report on AVs: The U.S. Access Board has released a summary report on its four-part series of virtual meetings on making autonomous vehicles (AVs) accessible to passengers with disabilities. Learn what the report reveals.  
• Transit Training Opportunities: The National Center for Mobility Management recently announced some training opportunities for transit systems. Find out more about these opportunities. 
• Website Accessibility Website: Recently, a baseline for testing accessibility of web content was developed. The criteria sets a minimum for testing accessibility of websites.  Learn about what the criteria is. 
• Accessible Tourist Attraction: A popular tourist attraction in Door County has recently become accessible to all visitors. Find out which attraction got renovated. 
• Health Care Outreach Toolkit: The Aging and Disability Business Institute has developed a toolkit for community-based organizations to help conduct outreach to potential partners and craft effective messages. Learn what else is included in the kit. 
• Tech Giant Launches Employment Program: Google recently announced it's starting a program to help hire more people with autism. Read more about how the program is setup. 

Upcoming Events

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

• Webinar: Accessible Autonomous Vehicles (AVS): August 17, 1p.m. to 2:30p.m., Online
• Webinar: Universal Design In Mental Health For Individuals With Developmental Disabilities: August 17, 1p.m. to 3:30p.m., Online
• Webinar: Person-Centered Supports In Popular Culture: August 18, 12p.m. to 1:30p.m., Online
• Electronic Visit Verification: Hard Launch Update And Online Forum: August 26, 1:30p.m. to 3:30p.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.

People First Wisconsin is Hiring
Two positions open!

People First Wisconsin is a statewide Self-Advocacy organization for people with disabilities. By joining together in groups, individuals with disabilities learn to speak up for themselves, share ideas, friendships and information. 

People First Wisconsin helps people with disabilities speak up for themselves, share ideas,  start local Self-Advocacy groups, work together with advocates across Wisconsin on issues important to our members to improve life for people with disabilities.

Please send letter of interest and resume to:

peoplefirstwi@gmail.com

Office Manager - Milwaukee

• Part-time: Approximately 15-20 hours per week
• Must be willing to work a blended schedule - both in-person and virtual
• Report directly to the Executive Director of People First Wisconsin
• Please see our website for a detailed job description.

http://www.peoplefirstwisconsin.org/employment-opportunities.html

Financial Manager

• Virtual position across Wisconsin
• Part-time: Approximately 15-20 hours per month

• Please see our website for a detailed job description.

http://www.peoplefirstwisconsin.org/employment-opportunities.html

Now accepting letters of interest and resume through September 8, 2021

Start Date Mid- September 2021

Google recently announced it's starting a program to hire people with autism. With Google Cloud’s Autism Career Program, the company will work with experts from the Stanford Neurodiversity Project to train as many as 500 Google Cloud managers and others who are integral in the hiring process to work more effectively with candidates who have autism. Support will be available for things such as the application and interview. 

Read more

Communicating clearly and effectively about a community-based organization’s capabilities removes one of the biggest barriers to health care contracting for aging and disability community-based organizations (CBOs), allowing for successful cross-sector partnerships and healthier communities. A new toolkit guides aging and disability CBOs seeking partnerships and conducting outreach with potential health care partners.

The Aging and Disability Business Institute has released the Health Care Outreach Toolkit, developed in partnership with Partners in Care Foundation and the Business Institute’s Health Care Outreach working group. It provides aging and disability CBOs with guidance on conducting outreach to potential health care partners and crafting effective messaging.

The toolkit includes customizable messages and potential outreach targets for common types of health care partners—Medicare Advantage plans, Medicaid health plans, hospitals, accountable care organizations, and more. Check out the toolkit and get started on health care outreach efforts today.

A popular tourist attraction in Door County has recently become accessible to all visitors. Eagle Tower in Peninsula State Park now has a ramp to the top. The view from the top of the tower is a sight to see. This article talks about how important it is to make things like this accessible to all visitors. It also talks about the availability of all-terrain wheelchairs. 

Read more

Website accessibility is becoming more and more important. Sites are often tested using a combination of tools. It can be done manually or there are many different automated tools the do it. Recently, a baseline for testing accessibility of web content was developed. The criteria sets a minimum for testing accessibility of websites. 

Read more

Recently, the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition released a document of stories about how the new voting bills that were passed will impact those with disabilities. These bills will limit voter access even more than it already is. 

See document

Meet Sydney. This animal–loving self-advocate keeps busy by participating in various advocacy organizations. She thinks it’s so important to have a voice and speak up for what’s right. She encourages others to get involved in some sort of advocacy. We’re so fortunate to have her as a member of the Self-Determination Network!

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

Sydney is a disability self-advocate in Southern Wisconsin who lives on a farm out in the country. She serves on multiple disability advocacy boards including the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities, the Wisconsin Youth Leadership Forum Inc Board, and the National Council of Self-Advocates. She’s also a Crisis Counselor for Crisis TextLine.

How are you involved with self-determination? 

Sydney involved with self-determination by participating in activities with different disability advocacy organizations and making her own choices in life. She tells us that the best part of being an advocate is having a voice and being able to speak up for what’s not right. She also enjoys doing policy work.

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

The most exciting thing happening for Sydney is that she’s starting her own vlog on the Self-Determination YouTube Channel. She also recently became one of the hosts on the channel.

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

Sydney encourages people who want to be more self-determined to be aware of the different advocacy organizations. “If you aren’t already involved with them, to reach out to them,” she says.

What are some of your hobbies?

Sydney enjoys doing photography. She likes to photograph things like flowers and animals. She also loves taking care of her pets. She has 18 chickens, two cats, and a dog! 

***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.

The National Center for Mobility Management is a national technical assistance center funded through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration and operated through a consortium of three national organizations—the American Public Transportation Association, the Community Transportation Association of America, and Easterseals Inc. 

NCMM recently announced two new training/technical assistance opportunities.

Collaborations to Reduce Social Isolation for Older Adults

NCMM is seeking Letters of Interest from State and Tribal Agencies for a technical assistance opportunity to reduce social isolation for older adults. NCMM will facilitate collaborations among state-level agencies within a single state or tribal nation who are interested in working together to address the positive role of transportation in reducing social isolation among older adults. Eligible agencies include state or tribal departments of transportation, public health, aging, and similar agencies that have a role relevant to the issue.

Learn more about the opportunity

Training on One-Call/One-Click Systems

NCMM is seeking Letters of Interest from State, Regional, or Tribal agencies for a two part virtual training on One-Call/One-Click systems. The two-part initiative, requires state/regional/tribal applicants to assist in disseminating information to local communities within their boundaries. NCMM will provide free trainings to local communities selected within selected states, regions, or tribal nations, intending to increase relationships between state, regional, or tribal leaders and local communities implementing One-Call/One-Click systems. Eligible organizations include state departments of transportation, tribal nations, or other state- or regional-level organizations that can fund, provide guidance, and otherwise support local communities in setting up OC/OC systems.

One-Call/One-Click systems inform the public about most, if not all, available transportation options for all populations in a given geographic area. In their full deployment, One-Call/One-Click systems enable users to access trip information; where required, confirm eligibility for and book trips; and pay for trips. This allows community members to plan and implement travel within a single system or seamlessly across multiple systems.

Learn more about the opportunity

Gold. Silver. Bronze. Those have been popular words on TV the last few weeks with the summer Olympics taking place in Japan. Yes, because of the pandemic, it’s a little different because no fans are allowed, but the games have brought some much-needed positive excitement to the world. From the many records broken, to the stunning upsets, to the inspiring stories, it’s been refreshing to hear so many positive news stories after over a year and a half of pretty rough times. The Olympics have also highlighted some pressing issues in today’s society.

As I write this, I can think of three different types of Olympics: The “regular” Olympics, the Paralympics, and Special Olympics. I can’t help but think of the movie Murderball when describing the difference between the Paralympics and Special Olympics. The movie is about wheelchair rugby and in the movie the athletes make a not-so-nice comparison between the Paralympics and Special Olympics. It was trying to illustrate that Paralympians and Special Olympians are very different. Often, there’s confusing between the two which can be very degrading for both parties. Admittedly, I don’t know much about Special Olympics, but they are games for people with mostly intellectual disabilities. From my understanding, the athletes train and compete like other athletes, but it’s more about giving the athletes the opportunities to participate just like everyone else. It’s about having the ability to show personal strengths. The competition isn’t as intense. Whereas, in the Paralympics, the competition is just as intense as it is in the regular Olympics and the athletes are considered elite.

In recent years, both Special Olympics and the Paralympics have received more media coverage. The Paralympics begin a few weeks after the regular Olympics end this month. The opening ceremony and a few of the events will be on tv. I watched the opening ceremony of the last Paralympics a few years ago, and it was cool because I actually knew some of the athletes from Whitewater. I recently looked at the roster for this year’s USA Men’s Wheelchair Basketball team and I realized I still know four or five of the players. In fact, I was talking with one of my caregivers about it and I was saying I couldn’t believe some of those guys are still playing—they were playing on the Whitewater team over 15 years ago.

Watching the Olympics makes me wonder if things were different, would I be athletic? Surely, I probably wouldn’t be an Olympian or anything, but I think I would have done some sports. In a previous entry a few years ago, I talked about my love for sports. I absolutely love watching them—especially football and basketball. As I discussed, besides trying a little recreational power soccer a few nights in college, I’ve never played a real sport. Could I have been in Special Olympics or played in a Miracle League (where kids with disabilities are paired with able-bodied buddies to play baseball)? Probably, but I didn’t. It wasn’t on my radar, and, as a kid, I wanted to fit in with my friends. My sister and brother-in-law are involved in myTEAM TRIUMPH. It’s where able-bodied athletes volunteer to help someone with a disability complete a race. The able-bodied people often pull the person with a disability in a bike cart or an inner tube (while swimming). I know my sister would love for me participate in a race, but, for me, I can’t bring myself to do this. Saying this will make me sound incredibly vain, but, as a fully intellectually capable person, I can’t imagine being put it the spotlight for something others did. It’s amazing my sister and brother-in-law are involved in this, but, unfortunately, I don’t see myself ever doing it.

Competition is good for everyone. It’s motivates us to become better at whatever we’re doing. However, as we’ve seen in this Olympics, the pressure to perform can lead to serious mental health issues. Simone Biles, who was supposed to the gold medal favorite in gymnastics, took herself out of two of the competitions citing mental health issues. As unfortunate as it was, it has brought so much awareness to the issue. Social media has blown up with posts about this. While there are some negative posts out there about how she left her team hanging, most of the posts I’ve seen have fully embraced and supported Simone for recognizing it and stepping away. For many people, including myself, seeing her step away made them realize that it’s ok not to be ok. Besides the pandemic, I think it’ll be the biggest thing remembered from this Olympics. It’s amazing to see how much impact one athlete can have on the world. 

Athletics give us great entertainment. Sports have a funny way of pushing people to their limit, but also bringing people together. They make people realize what they are capable of and how far they can go. They also help us realize that humans are humans, and nobody is perfect. Sports teach us what’s important in life!

***The views expressed here are strictly those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of InControl Wisconsin, the Network or any of our sponsors.