News
FORBES: Amazon Alexa — Blurring The Boundaries Between Assistive Tech And Companionship
By SD Network, 2021-01-26
Technology keeps getting better and better. For many people with disabilities, it's a great time to be alive. Technology has enhanced our lives in so many ways. For many people, it has made many things possible that otherwise wouldn't have. It helps people to be as independent as possible. Voice assistant devices, such as the Amazon Alexa, have made more things possible. Devices like these allow people to control many things just by using their voice. A new study found that these devices also provide some emotional support for people. While there are some ethical debates going around about the concept, it is another avenue of support for people with and without disabilities.
PHI: Caring for the Future: The Power and Potential of America’s Direct Care Workforce
By SD Network, 2021-01-24
The direct care workforce shortage has continued across the country. This report provides a detailed, current analysis of the direct care workforce and outlines eight solid recommendations to improve jobs for this rapidly growing workforce.
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NATIONAL REHABILITATION INFORMATION CENTER: Well-Coordinated Electronic Health Records May Help Streamline Accommodations for Patients with Disabilities
By SD Network, 2021-01-21
People with disabilities often face multiple challenges when accessing healthcare services. Everything from inaccessible doctors offices, to needing a sign-language interpreter, to needing support transferring, the list is endless. People can request these accommodations, but they often get lost. The use of Electronic Health Records may help with this. People can put requests for accommodations in the system electronically. Researchers have done a study on this and it really seems to help.
DISABILITY SCOOP: CDC Study Pinpoints Prevalence Of Intellectual Disability
By SD Network, 2021-01-21
A new study from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that the 1.2% of 8 year-olds in several communities across the country had IQ scores of 70 or below qualifying them for an intellectual disability diagnosis. The CDC regularly looks at the health and education of 8-year-olds in selected communities. The study also found many other interesting statistics.
NCAPPS: Person-Centered Self-Assessment for Systems: Plain Language Overview
By SD Network, 2021-01-21
Your state is trying to make services work better for people. They want people who use support services to be listened to. They want people to have a say in what works best for them. In the service world, this is called being “person-centered.” “Person-centered” means people feel listened to and respected. It also means they feel in control of their own life. This is a plain language guide for person-centered self-assessment.
ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING: FCC Seeks Input on Providing Broadband Service and Devices to Low-Income Households by February 16
By SD Network, 2021-01-18
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking to provide broadband service and devices to low-income households. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 directed the FCC to create the program, which would reimburse participating companies for providing discounted broadband service and connected devices to eligible households during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program will pay up to $50 for a broadband connection per qualifying household. On Tribal lands, that monthly discount may be up to $75 per month. The program will also purchase a device (such as a phone, laptop, or tablet) to connect to the Internet up to $100 of the cost of the device so long as the household contributes no less than $10 and no more than $50 for the device. Participating providers will receive reimbursement from the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program for the discounts provided.
Find more information about this request for comment.
Comments are due by February 16
CHANNEL 3000: ‘We’re not going to be quiet’: Disability community in Wisconsin demands better access to voting
By SD Network, 2021-01-18
While some recent legislative changes and an increased emphasis on absentee voting helped some, Wisconsinites with disabilities continue to face multiple challenges when trying to exercise their right to vote. From inaccessible voting places, to ballots not being in an accessible format, to needing a witness for an absentee ballot, the list goes on and on. Advocates with disabilities continue to push for more funding to improve voting.
January 2021
Connect | Share |Learn | http://sdnetworkwi.org/
Happy New Year!
InControl Wisconsin would like to wish you a Happy New Year! We hope 2021 is a better year for everyone. To start off the new year, we want to encourage members of the Self-Determination Network to post news items or questions about self-determination or disability-related issues. By sharing knowledge and experiences with others, we can all learn from each other. If you have questions about how to post things, please contact Network Manager, Stacy Ellingen. Let's help one another by connecting with each other!
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:
- Help make voting more accessible and easier
- It is OK to talk about mental health
- How I find and hire caregivers
We encourage you to subscribe to the Channel (you can do by clicking the red Subscribe button on any of the video pages).
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 Anna. This coffee-loving author believes anything can be done by taking one step at a time. Stop by this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Anna.
Who should we shine the spotlight on next?
Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the Self-Determination Network:
- Candidates with Disabilities: Disability issues have become more prevalent in elections recently. Find out why many people feel that more people with disabilities need to run for political office.
- Input on Autonomous Vehicles: This spring, the U.S. Access Board, in partnership with other federal agencies, will host a series of virtual meetings on making autonomous vehicle accessible to all passengers, including those with disabilities. Find out how to participate.
- Program Helps with Isolation: We all have felt some degree of isolation during the pandemic. Read about a program in Marathon County that helps social isolation for seniors.
- Push to Make Rental Vehicles Accessible: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is aiming to make mobility far more accessible for people with disabilities - - especially those who use wheelchairs. Learn what is being proposed.
- The Remote Work is Evening the Playing Field: People with disabilities are often unemployed, even in times where a pandemic is not a factor. Read about how the new movement to work remotely is evening the playing field for people with disabilities.
- New Policy for Service Animals on Airlines: Airlines no longer have to make the same accommodations for emotional support animals as they do for service animals. Learn about why this is.
- Disability Employment Remains Study: According to December's disability employment report, despite a decline in the economy, people with disabilities remain active in the workforce. Find out what some people are worried about due to the pandemic surges.
Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:
- Webinar: Using Innovative And Alternative Approaches For De-Escalating Individuals In Crisis Situations: January 19th, 1p.m. to 2p.m., Online
- Webinar: Advancing The Full Participation Of Persons With Disabilities In All Areas Of Society: January 19th, 1p.m. to 2:30p.m. Online
- Webinar: Review Of The Revised 508 Standards (Part I): Requirements For Federal Websites And Electronic Content: January 26th, 12p.m. to 1:30p.m., Online
- Webinar: Vertical Access: February 4th, 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.
RESEARCH ON DISABILITY: nTIDE December 2020 Jobs Report: COVID surge slows recovery for people with disabilities
By SD Network, 2021-01-09
According to December's disability employment report, despite a decline in the economy, people with disabilities remain active in the workforce. Even with a increase in COVID cases, there was a slight increase in employment-to-population ratio in December. However, some believe the surges may cause a slow down in employment for people with disabilities in the months to come.