News
DISABILITY SCOOP: United Airlines To Train Employees On Intellectual Disabilities
By SD Network, 2018-03-19
A major U.S. airline is taking steps to improve travel for people with intellectual disabilities. United Airlines recently announced that they would be train all of its employees to better understand the needs of people with disabilities. Training sessions will focus on issues people with disabilities face while flying.
March 2018
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Join the Discussion!
The Self-Determination Network posts a discussion question related to self-determination/self-direction every month in hopes that we can share experiences and learn from each other. Last month, we had to great discussion about transportation.
This month, we're tackling another major challenge for people with disabilities--housing. How can people use self-direction strategies to obtain affordable, accessible housing? Join the Discussion!
2018 marks a big milestone for InControl Wisconsin – our 5th Annual Aging Empowerment Conference! We are making a splash to celebrate, and hosting a global leader in the empowerment movement. Dr. Simon Duffy is the founding Director of the Centre for Welfare Reform in the UK, and Secretary to the international cooperative Citizen Network. Simon is best known for his work on models to extend self-directed support to all groups, including elders. His work on citizenship has also challenged the view that older people can no longer be citizens and he works to break down barriers between different groups trying to achieve a more inclusive and just society.
Simon's keynote address will illustrate a philosophical history of citizenship and old age; a review of the movement toward self-determination and self-direction; highlights of interesting developments globally; and strategic ideas for building strong moments for change on both the public awareness and political front. He'll stay with us for Friday's Advocacy Summit, where we will consider strategies relevant to our work in Wisconsin and learn how to impact change in our communities.
We are accepting workshop presentation ideas until April 1st. Here is our Call for Proposals, and we welcome your ideas about aging empowerment that you'd like to share with our conference audience! We also invite you to join us as a Sponsor/Exhibitor, where you'll be an instrumental presence throughout the conference. We'll have dedicated hours for tabling and networking, and every sponsor level includes conference registration, because we recognize that you'll want to be included in the entire event.
Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the Self-Determination Network:
- Call for Presentations: Proposals for presentations are now being accepted for the 2018 Self-Determination Conference. Submit a proposal today!
- Changes to the ADA: Despite strong opposition from disability advocates, the House approved the ADA Education and Reform Act. Learn what these changes would mean and why advocates are opposed.
- Be Inspired: For Daina of Nielsville, snowboarding is about being free. Read how participating in Special Olympics and training with famous Olympians has helped her gain so much confidence in herself.
- Medicaid Wavier Tracker: Are you trying to keep track of all the potential Medicaid waivers that are pending or approved? Check out the new Medicaid Wavier Tracker.
- Voting Struggles: Voting has long had various obstacles for people with disabilities, from inaccessible locations to unusable paper ballots. Find out what other factors have led to fewer people with disabilities voting in the last two elections.
- Key Findings: A report was recently published describing the percentage of adults with disabilities in the United States living in communities. Check out the interesting statistics in the report.
- Accessible Video Games: The racing auditory display (RAD) enables gamers who are visually impaired to play the same types of racing games that sighted players can play. Find out how the interface display works.
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.
For March, we shine the spotlight on board member of InControl Wisconsin, Jim. He has seen self-determination transform from a far fetched concept to an actual movement that has provided opportunities for many people to live self-determined lives. He encourages people to keep conversations about his/her desires and wishes for self-determination going, so they can actually happen. Stop by this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Jim.
Is it safe to go anywhere anymore? Regardless of political beliefs, it’s a question is on many people’s minds lately. This month, Stacy discusses how people with disabilities are among the most vulnerable in violent situations. We encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences as well.
Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:
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Disability Advocacy Day: March 20th, 9:30a.m. to 3:30p.m., State Capitol, Madison WI
- Webinar: Learn What You Need To Know To Open An ABLE Account; Tips For Special Needs Financial Planning In Wisconsin: March 28th, 6:30p.m., Online
- Advocacy for Change: April 12th, 8:30a.m. to 4p.m., Concourse Hotel, Madison WI
- 2018 Employment First Conference: May 22nd, Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells WI
- 2018 Aging Empowerment Conference: June 14th-15th, Crowne Plaza Hotel and Conference Center, Madison WI
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.
The racing auditory display (RAD) - enables gamers who are visually impaired to play the same types of racing games that sighted players can play with the same speed, control, and excitement that sighted players experience. The audio-based interface, which a player can listen to using a standard pair of headphones, can be integrated by developers into almost any racing video game, making a popular genre of games equally accessible to people who are blind.
CDC.GOV: Key Findings: Prevalence of Disability and Disability Type among Adults, United States – 2013
By SD Network, 2018-03-09
A report was recently published describing the percentage of adults with disabilities in the United States living in communities. The report found that over 53 million adults in the US have a disability. It also found that that age plays a factor--over a third of adults 65 and older reported having a disability. There are many other interesting statistics in this report..
How are you involved with self-determination? Why did you join the SD Network?
Jim originally became involved with Self-Determination through his work as the CEO of Community Care of Central Wisconsin, now known as INCLUSA. He explains that Community Care of Central Wisconsin (CCCW) grew out of one of eight original Family Care pilots operating in Portage County, WI. The organization believed that Self-Determination was not just a concept to consider, or to use as an add on to the managed care service. Rather, Self-Determination became a valued component of their offering to their participants, or members. As a result, Self-Determination was offered and used by a good percentage of members, either through Family Care or a distinct SDS option. When he retired in 2016, he felt really good about how Self-Determination worked for their members.
Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms self-determination?
Jim shares that the good news is that self-determination moved on from a concept in Wisconsin Long-Term Care circles in the late 1980’s to an actual movement that has provided opportunities for so many Wisconsin residents to live self-determined lives. “The fact that there is a Self-Determination Network and so many people working to support SDS is great news,” he says.
What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?
Jim encourages people who want to become more self-determined in his or her life to make sure that those around you--your circle of friends and support--know what your desires and wishes for living a self-determined life are--and that you keep those conversations at the forefront of your life so that it can actually happen.
What message would you like to share with the members of the SD Network?
Jim’s involvement with self-determination has continued in retirement with his involvement with the InControl Board. He says, “this is a really dedicated group of individuals whose purpose is to keep Self Determination in the forefront of conversation when it comes to the provision of long term care opportunities for residents across Wisconsin.”
What are some of your hobbies?
In addition to his involvement with the InControl Board, Jim enjoys serving his community (Stevens Point) by being a part of the Community Foundation and Green Circle Boards, and by hosting a long time radio show on 90FM WWSP called “The Acoustic Revival” every other Sunday morning. He loves to ride his bicycle, tend to his flower gardens, attend live music performances, walk his dogs, ride trains, cook, catch fish, feed the birds, talk to his daughters, hang out with friends, and pick at his guitar.
***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.
Stacy’s Journal: People with Disabilities Amongst the Most Vulnerable in Violent Situations
By Stacy Ellingen, 2018-03-04
Is it safe to go anywhere anymore? Regardless of political beliefs, it’s a question is on many people’s minds lately. Years ago, questions about safety weren’t very prevalent, but due to recent events, we have no choice but to consider “what would you do?”. As unbelievably disheartening as it is, we have to think about what we would do in a violent situation. While most people would know what to do (generally speaking) and could physically react to the situation, people with disabilities and health conditions don't have the ability to try to protect themselves. Truthfully, we, people with disabilities, are among the most vulnerable in violent situations.
I’ve been watching the news coverage of all the horrific events going on, but I hadn’t really ever thought about what I would do if I was in a shooting situation until a friend tagged me in a Facebook post. The post was written by a teacher in Ohio. The day after the Florida school shooting, the teacher got the dreaded question from a student—“what will we do if a shooter comes in your room?” The teacher explained that she cares about her students very much, but since she was in a wheelchair she couldn’t protect them like an able-bodied teacher would. She told them to escape if they could and not to worry about her. A student in a class then explained that they had already discussed it and if anything would happen they would carry her. That post touched me on so many levels. As I’ve explained in previous entries, if my circumstances were just a little different (mainly if I had the ability to speak), I would have been a teacher. It made me think about how I would have responded to the question. I would have said the exact same thing. Of course, I’d want my students to escape if they could rather than worrying about me.
The post also made me think about other situations. Unfortunately, these awful things seem to be happening all over the place in today’s world. I’m blessed to have the cognitive ability to know what was happening, but physically, I wouldn’t be able to do much to protect myself or others. I could move my wheelchair around, but I’m unable to get out of my chair myself. I can kind of cover my head with my arms, but with cerebral palsy in exciting or stressful situations my body tends to really tense up. I can only imagine how tense my muscles would be in a situation like that. Oftentimes, under dangerous circumstances, you are supposed to be as quiet as possible. For me, the harder I try to be quiet the more noise I unintentionally make. It’s just the way my body unfortunately works. Also, many times in those situations, herds of people often run to escape danger. When a person uses a wheelchair or another mobility device, it’s often very difficult to navigate through a crowd of people.
Those with mobility limitations aren’t the only ones more at risk in those violent situations. People with intellectual disabilities may not understand what’s going on in dangerous circumstances. This could cause behaviors that could provoke the situation even more. Screaming and lashing out could attract the suspect’s attention. Depending on the circumstances, running could also cause danger. Some people with intellectual delays may not understand the importance of following directions under the circumstances.
It’s troublesome to me that this even has to be a topic of conversation. As a person with a disability, it’s my reality that I’d very vulnerable in if I was ever in a violent situation. Like most people, I’d rather have others save themselves than risk their life helping me; however, I truly believe most people in this world have a good heart and would risk their own life to save others. It’s getting to the point where it’s a risk to even leave our homes, but we can’t let a few bad people ruin life for the rest of us. Although, at times it’s hard to believe, the good still outweighs the bad in the world, and we have to continue living life like we always have. If we put ourselves in a bubble, we would conceding be to those few evil people, and we don’t want to do the that!
***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.
DISABILITY SCOOP: How Voters With Disabilities Are Blocked From the Ballot Box
By SD Network, 2018-03-02
Voting has long had various obstacles for people with disabilities, from inaccessible locations to unusable paper ballots. People with disabilities often need special voting machines, equipped with earphones and other modifications that increase accessibility at the polls. However, as cybersecurity concerns have increased, many states and counties have switched back to paper ballots. obstacles include untrained poll workers and accessible machines that are not turned on. According to a 2016 survey, voter participation has decreased among people with disabilities over the last two elections. The study pointed out a number of contributing factors to this decrease, including lack of accessible voting machines, physical barriers at polling stations, voter I.D. laws, and other obstacles.
Are you trying to keep track of all the potential Medicaid waivers that are pending or approved? The Kaiser Family Foundation has released a new interactive Medicaid Waiver Tracker.
TMJ4.COM: 'I'm free. Free from my disability': Snowboarding changes Wisconsin Special Olympian's life
By SD Network, 2018-02-26
For Daina Shilts of Nielsville, snowboarding is about being free. She took home two silvers and a gold medal from the Special Olympic World Games Games in Pyeongchang. However, probably more important than that, she found a new confidence in her abilities. She has had the opportunity to train with famous Olympians and she has gained so much confidence in herself.
DISABILITY SCOOP: House Lawmakers Approve Changes To Americans With Disabilities Act
By SD Network, 2018-02-22
Despite strong opposition from disability advocates, the House approved the ADA Education and Reform Act. The legislation would require people facing accessibility barriers at public plain to provide written notice of their concerns. Businesses would have up to 60 days to respond and then an additional 60 days to begin improvements. The bill is aimed to decrease frivolous lawsuits around the ADA, but advocates feel the language in the law would basically allow businesses to take no action on accessibility until a complaint is filed.