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. The sessions featured presentations by invited speakers who shared information and research results on design considerations and solutions for making AVs accessible to passengers with mobility, sensory, or cognitive disabilities. They also provided an opportunity for members of the public to pose questions and to share information and ideas during the session or through an online discussion platform. 

Read summary

The Internet has opened up a whole new world for society, but it's far from being fully accessible to all people. Accessible websites allow users to absorb digital content by senses like sound and sight. They also have keyboard-based and voice-based navigation abilities. One of the challenges of improving website accessibility is that hundreds of new websites are created each minute. 

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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. 

Read fact sheet

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.  Many people are experiencing long-term effects of COVID and the government is committed to ensuring that people understand their rights under federal nondiscrimmination laws. 

Read guidance

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. While equipment like screen readers have improved, the opportunity for people with visual impairments to use the Internet is far from perfect. The author of this article explains why she thinks businesses should make web accessibility a priority. 

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ACL Policy Update: Your input is needed on the “No Surprise Billing” rule

By: Vicki Gottlich, Esq., Director, Center for Policy and Evaluation

On July 13, an interim final rule with comment period (IFC) was published in the Federal Register that implements requirements set forth in the No Surprises Act to establish protections against surprise billing and excessive cost-sharing in health care.

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. It also can occur if someone visits their in-network doctor, but another provider who is outside of the insurance carrier’s network assists that person’s doctor in their care.

In those instances, if the person’s insurance carrier doesn’t cover the cost for the care received from the out-of-network provider, or only covers part of the cost, the person may be billed for the difference between what insurance covered and the total cost – even if they have met their deductible or out-of-pocket limits. Those surprise bills often do not count toward deductibles or out-of-pocket limits.

Medicare, Medicaid, Indian Health Services, Veterans Affairs Health Care, and TRICARE already provide protections against surprise billing and excessive cost-sharing. The new rule adds these protections for people who are covered by commercial health plans.  

People with disabilities and older adults are more likely to have to go to the doctor frequently or have medical emergencies than people without disabilities or younger adults. For people with disabilities and older adults who are covered by health plans through their employer, a federal or state-based Marketplace, or the individual market, this rule means those visits will be protected against surprise billing and excessive cost-sharing. The rule also ensures that no one can be charged for out-of-network costs without notice. That notice must be accessible to people with disabilities and people with limited English proficiency. This means that language assistance services and/or auxiliary aids and services must be provided at no cost to the individual. These include:

• Interpreters
• Large print materials
• Accessible information and communication technology
• Open and closed captioning
• Other aids or services for persons who are blind or have low vision, or who are deaf or hard of hearing

Patients also have to provide informed consent to the notice, meaning that they have to be able to understand the information in the notice and be free to make a decision about whether to consent to the out-of-network costs they are receiving notice for.

Input from the aging and disability networks, and the older adults and people with disabilities that we serve, is critical. HHS is particularly looking for comments on:

• Whether the provisions and protections related to communication, language, and literacy sufficiently address barriers that exist to ensuring all individuals can read, understand, and consider their options related to notice and consent
• Additional or alternate policies HHS may consider to help address and remove such barriers

Comments on the rule can be submitted online or by mail until September 7, 2021 at 5pm.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently released a public notice seeking nominations for membership on the Communications Equity and Diversity Council (CEDC) for the new two-year charter through June 29, 2023. 

The purpose of the CEDC is to provide recommendations to the FCC on advancing equity in the provision of and access to digital communication services and products for all people, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, or disability.

The FCC seeks applications from representatives of various sectors of the communications industry, representatives of state and local regulators, and representatives of consumer and community organizations. 

No specific nomination form is required; however, each nomination must include the following information:

• Name, title, and organization of the nominee and a description of the organization, sector, or other interest the nominee will represent (if any);
• Nominee’s mailing address, e-mail address, and telephone number;
• A statement summarizing the nominee’s qualifications and reasons why the nominee should be appointed to the Committee;
• A statement, if the nominee will represent a specific organization, describing the organization as well as the benefit of having the organization represented on the Committee; and
• A statement confirming that the nominee, if seeking appointment for the individual’s expertise and not as a representative of an organization or entity, is not a registered federal lobbyist.

All nominations, including the requisite statements listed above, should be submitted by e-mail to CEDC@fcc.gov. 

Application Deadline: August 10, 2021

General information about CEDC is available at https://www.fcc.gov/communications-equity-and-diversity-council. For additional information about the Committee, please contact Jamila Bess Johnson, the Designated Federal Officer for the Communications Equity and Diversity Council, at 202-418-2608, or Jamila-Bess.Johnson@fcc.gov.  Individuals who use videophones and are fluent in ASL may call the FCC’s ASL Consumer Support Line at (844) 432-2275 (videophone).

Self-Determination Network News:

July 2021

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

Registration Opens August 2nd!

The 2021 Self-Determination Conference will be October 18-20. As the COVID variants continue to be monitored, plans are being made to offer three options how people can safely participate in the conference. 

1. At the Kalahari! If you have been fully vaccinated and are comfortable with large in-door gatherings, join us at the Kalahari.
2. At one of the local Watch Parties around the state. If you have been fully vaccinated and are comfortable with smaller in-door gatherings, join others at a local watch party.
3. Join Virtually. If you are not comfortable with coming in person or have not been fully vaccinated, we are offering a virtual option.

Calling Microbusiness Owners

Business owners who have disabilities are encouraged to apply to sell their products/services/art at the conference. People will also have the opportunity to sell online 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 Kristi. This up-and-coming self-advocate has found her passion--disability advocacy. She has recently realized that her voice does matter and that she can make a difference in the world. Stop by this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Kristi. 

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:

• Ideas for Job Coaches and Workers with Disabilities
• Virginia and Wisconsin Self-Advocates Speak Up

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:

• Impact of the Pandemic: It's widely known that people with developmental and intellectual disabilities are at much higher risk of getting COVID and dying from it. Learn about what a study found about how COVID has impacted quality of life for people with disabilities. 
• Inclusion Employment Platform: The push for inclusion in the workplace has become more popular in recent years. Read about a professional and employment platform with a committed focus on flipping the conversation around.
• Budget Helps but not Enough: The state budget for the next two years has more money for nursing homes, an pay increase for in-home caregivers, and additional help for people with Alzheimer's and dementia, but it leaves out funding for improvements in services for people with disabilities. Find out what advocates feel was missed. 
• Become a Leader: 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 for the next class are due October 1. Find out more and apply today! 
• Prioritizing Inclusion in Film: Recently, a famous Hollywood studio committed to putting more people with disabilities on screen. Learn how one Hollywood studio is taking steps to increase inclusion of people with disabilities. 
• Ipads for Loan: WisTech, Wisconsin's Assistive Technology Act Program, now has iPads available for short term loan for up to 30 days. Find out how the program works. 
• Paralympics May Help Boost Inclusion: Many experts think that this summer's Paralympic Games are an opportunity for businesses to embrace an underrepresented segment of the workforce and help with the global coronavirus recovery. Read about why advocates feel the games will spotlight the need for inclusion. 
• Public Comment on Statewide Transition Plan: The Wisconsin Department of Health Services opened a 30-day public comment period on its updated statewide transition plan to be submitted for final approval to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service.  The public comment period closes July 26.
• Great Resources: Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government has provided a range of programs to support individuals, families, and communities. Check them out! 
• Executive Order: Recently, President Biden signed an Executive Order to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in the Federal workforce. Learn what the order confirms. 
• Boost to Disability Services: Although, President Biden's effort to get eliminate waiting lists for people with disabilities by getting more funds into Medicaid and home-and-community-based services has halted at the moment, it appears the plan may soon get new life. Find out why advocates think an increase in funding will be coming soon. 
• Travel Website: The world is opening up again and that means people are beginning to travel. The International Transport Forum and the Federation Internationale de l' Automobile recently launched a new website that has information on facilities and options for people with disabilities traveling by car. Read about what kind of information the website provides. 
• Rise in Employment: According to the June jobs report, there were big rises in employment for people with and without disabilities. Find out how much it increased. 
• Celebrity Case Calls Attention to Questions on Guardianship: Recently, due to the attention from the Britney Spears case, debate over Guardianship has been highlighted. While legal oversight arrangements are needed as protection for some, many disability advocates question the need for them in many cases.  Learn about why many people feel guardianship is too widely used for people with disabilities. 

Upcoming Events

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

• Webinar: ADA Anniversary Update: July 20, 1p.m. to 2:30p.m.,Online
• EngAGED Virtual Social Engagement Summit: July 22, 11:45a.m. to 1:15p.m., Online 
• Webinar: New Approaches To Web Accessibility Requirements Under WCAG3: July 27, 12p.m. to 1:30p.m., Online
• Webinar: Accessible Pedestrian Trails And Shared Use Paths: August 5, 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.

Meet Kristi. This up-and-coming self-advocate has found her passion--disability advocacy. She has recently realized that her voice does matter and that she can make a difference in the world. She encourages others to “just go for it!”  We’re so fortune to have her as a member of the Network!       

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

Kristi is 30 years old and was born with Spina Bifida.  Due to this, she is paralyzed from the waist down. “Even though going through all of the medical issues associated with Spina Bifida hasn’t been easy, I feel like it has made me a stronger person and really what led to my calling to become a self-advocate,” she says. She has started joining different advocacy groups and is a Self-Advocate Leader with the Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD). She’s passionate about making this world more accepting and accessible to people with all different abilities.  

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

While Kristi is new to the Self-Determination Network, she has been in a few videos for the Self-Determination YouTube channel.  She joined the SD Network because she saw a post on Facebook from a friend, asking if anyone would be interested in answering some questions for an upcoming Member Spotlight.  She jumped at the chance because she wanted to get out there and share opinions on disability related topics. “Again, I feel like bringing awareness to different abilities and helping individuals overcome the obstacles that may arise is my purpose in life.  Everyone has a story and I want to help people tell theirs from a position of power and strength rather than a position of pity and others feeling sorry for them,” she explains. She points out a quote from Dr. Seuss: “Why blend in when you were born to stand out?” 

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

The best thing happening for Kristi is that she’s building up her self-determination skills.  She explains that she’s gradually learning how to make her voice heard and that the value of what she has to say. She tells us, “before joining all of these self-advocate groups I was shy and reserved.  I didn’t really give my feelings or opinions because I felt like no one was listening to me anyway so why should I bother?” In terms of self-determination, she’s learning that she does matter and she has the right and responsibility to get her thoughts and feelings recognized. “I’ve become more aware of the thought that if I don’t share my story, thoughts, and feelings, who will?” she says.       

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

The advice that Kristi would give to others who are looking to become more self-determined is; even though it will be scary and you’ll have doubts, just go for it!  She explains that if you don’t like how something in your life is running, let someone know who can help you make the changes you want.  “Yes, you may not solve the issue or get the exact result you wanted, but you will make it known that you do have an opinion and need to be asked about different choices rather than having someone just make the choices for you.  It’s your life, live it how you think is best for you,” she exclaims!

What are some of your hobbies?

Kristi likes going out with friends and scrolling through Facebook.  She also enjoys attending a Pound fitness class on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

***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.