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.

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Feedback Wanted on Proposed Changes to the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set

Public Comment Open From February 13 - March 13

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) invites the public to comment on proposed changes to the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS). There are new measures, changes to existing measures and guidelines and strategies for addressing issues that apply across various HEDIS measures.

Submit Comments

 This is an opportunity for health plans, purchasers, consumers and other stakeholders to weigh in on the relevance, scientific soundness and feasibility of new and revised measures.

Proposed New Measures

• Risk of Chronic Opioid Use
• Hospitalization Following Discharge From a Skilled Nursing Facility
• Health Assessments for People With Multiple High-Risk Chronic Conditions
• Adult Immunization Status
• Prenatal Immunization Status
• Long-Term Services and Supports Comprehensive Assessment and Update
• Long-Term Services and Supports Comprehensive Care Plan and Update
• Long-Term Services and Supports Shared Care Plan With Primary Care Physician
• Long-Term Services and Supports Reassessment/Care Plan Update After Inpatient Discharge

Proposed Changes to Existing Measures

• Controlling High Blood Pressure
• Follow-Up After Emergency Department Visit for Mental Illness
• Plan All-Cause Readmissions
• CAHPS® Health Plan Survey 5.0H

Cross-Cutting Topics

• Exclusions for Advanced Illness
• Telehealth

Guideline Update

• General Guideline 2: Product-Specific Reporting
• General Guideline 19: Self-Insured Members

NCQA reviews all feedback submitted during the public comment period.
 
Reviewers are asked to submit comments by 11:59 p.m. (ET) Tuesday, March 13. Visit the NCQA website to submit comments.

Most cities aren't known to be disability friendly, but that could soon be changing.  A few cities are undergoing an amazing transformation.  For people with visual impairments, a "beacon of navigation system” sends audio cues to users via their smartphones, providing directions, flagging escalator outages and otherwise transforming what previously were“no-go” areas.  For people with physical disabilities, apps such as AccessMap allows users to enter a destination, and receive suggested routes depending on customized settings, such as limiting uphill or downhill inclines.  

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Call for 2018 SD Conference Presentations!

Are you interested in presenting at the 2018 Self-Determination Conference? We are seeking session presentations for Tuesday, October 30 &Wednesday, October 31.

• Proposals must include a self-advocate(s) as a lead or co-presenter.
• Panels should be limited to no more than 3 people.
• Conference sessions must support Self-Determination and Self-Directed principles.
• Presentations must include an activity and tools that can be used at the session and as a takeaway.
• Presentations should focus on practical, take-home strategies that people can implement in their work and lives.
• Sessions should not promote specific agencies or products.
• Repeat or similar sessions from previous conferences will not be considered.
• Sessions will be 1.5 hours in length.
• A typical session has an audience of 50-75 attendees.

If your session is accepted, presenters will be provided with a one day pass on the day of your presentation. If you would like to attend the entire conference, you must register. Self-advocate presenters can apply for a scholarship.

Download the Proposal Form (If you would like the form in other formats, contact Fil Clissa fil.clissa@wisconsin.gov)

Remember to vote tomorrow!  The Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition offers this helpful information:  http://www.disabilityrightswi.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2018-spring-elections-021520181.pdf

Spread the word on Facebook by connecting people here: https://www.facebook.com/wisconsindisabilityvote/

 Self-Determination Network News:

February 2018

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

Register Now for Disability Advocacy Day

Let your voice be heard at the 2018 Disability Advocacy Day on March 20th in Madison.  It's a day designed to connect you with your legislators so you can talk about issues that matter to you. You are the expert in sharing how legislative policies affect people with disabilities in their everyday lives.  Learn more and register today!

Join the Discussion!

As mentioned in our last newsletter, the Self-determination Network will be posting a discussion question related to self-determination/self-direction every month.   By doing this, our hope is that we can share experiences and learn from each other.

To kick this off, our first discussion question is about something that people with disabilities say is one of their biggest barriers--transportation.  What are some promising ways to obtain affordable, accessible transportation using self-direction strategies?  Join the Discussion!

2018 marks a big milestone for InControl Wisconsin – our 5^th 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 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.

We are also accepting workshop presentation ideas.  Here is our Call for Proposals, and we welcome your ideas about aging empowerment that you'd like to share with our conference audience!

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 February, we shine the spotlight on board member of InControl Wisconsin, Lynn.   Having been involved in a disability field for many years, he believes that we're still at the tip of the iceberg with learning how self-direction can impact on people's lives.  When he's not busy advocating for people with disabilities, he enjoys traveling to new places and exploring different cultures.  Stop by this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Lynn.

 Stacy’s Journal

What would the world be like today without cell phones or mobile devices? It’s nearly impossible to fathom. For many people, including those with disabilities, mobile devices have become a real lifeline. In this month's entry, Stacy discusses how having a cell phone has changed her life!  We encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences as well.

Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the Self-Determination Network:

• Get Involved:  Laura posted about an opportunity to get involved in an anti-violence leadership program for survivors of violence and underserved/under-represented communities.  Learn how to get involved!
• Accessibility Survey:  UW-Milwaukee is conducting a survey to examine the experiences of people with disabilities pertaining to the accessibility of public buildings, including physical and cognitive barriers that prevent people with disabilities from being able to participate fully in the community.  Take the survey and share it with others!
• Group Home Report:  The Department of Health and Human Services examined states' monitoring and reporting of injuries and other critical incidents of people with developmental disabilities living in group homes.  Find out what they found.
• New Medicare-Medicaid Resources:  The CMS Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office has three new resource guides intended to support providers and health plans serving older adults and caregivers. Learn what these guides offer.
• Airline Service Animal Requirements:  Airline accessibility has taken center stage recently.  One airline is taking steps to further protect its customers, employees and service animals and support animals by implementing advance documentation requirements for those animals.  Read about how the new requirements ensure safety for all.
• Poverty and Health Findings:   Recent population surveys have shown that nearly one third of people with disabilities live below the poverty line and they’re more than twice as likely to live in poverty when compared to their non-disabled peers.  Learn how this impacts their health.
• Updated Fact Sheet:  The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities recently released an updated fact sheet about Supplemental Security Income for people with disabilities.   Check out what's new!
• Accessible Clothing:  Another large retail chain announced a clothing line for people with disabilities.  Find out which store and what it will include.
• State Family Caregiver Rankings:  For family caregivers who provide unpaid to older adults and family members with disabilities, the state you live in can be a big factor in your ability to be a family caregiver.  Learn where Wisconsin ranks.
• New Tool:  Wisconsin has a new tool for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Learn how communication visor cards give deaf and hard of hearing drivers a clear way to communicate with law enforcement.

 Upcoming Events                                    

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

• WisconsinSibs: Journey Forward : February 17th, 8:30a.m. to 1p.m., Easterseals, Waukesha, WI
• Disability Rights Wisconsin Listening Session:  March 2nd, 4p.m. to 6:30p.m., Wisconsin African American Women's Center, Milwaukee WI
• Disability Advocacy Day:  March 20th, 9:30a.m. to 3:30p.m., State Capitol, Madison WI
  
• 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 application for WE LEAD, an anti-violence leadership program for survivors of violence and/or people from Wisconsin's underserved or under-represented communities (including people with disabilities, having limited English proficiency, people of color, indigenous peoples, deaf & hard-of-hearing, LGBTQ, refugee/immigrant, as well as the intersections of these identities) is attached here.

Please distribute to your networks and/or consider applying yourself!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WELEAD2018-19application

Wisconsin has a new tool for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.  The communication visor card is available to anyone at no cost and gives deaf and hard of hearing drivers a clear way to communicate with law enforcement.  The card has pictures on it that indicate things such as a broken taillight, expired license plate tags, reckless driving, and a need for a tow truck.

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The Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) Standards Committee on Air Travel is looking for input and concerns from the disability, veterans and caregiver communities regarding the problems with air travel for passengers with disabilities in order to set revised and updated standards for wheelchair handling, labeling, storage, airline and airline contractor training.

If you use a wheelchair or scooter, or are a caregiver/family member of someone who uses a wheelchair or scooter, we would appreciate you taking a few minutes to answer the following survey regarding your experiences with air travel. We would appreciate if you could complete the survey by Monday, February 12.

Commercial Flight Experiences Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/792HG6D

If you have any questions, feel free to contact:

Kathy Hooyenga

Assistive Technology Unit
University of Illinois at Chicago
hooyenga@uic.edu

It's widely known that where you live can have a significant impact on your quantity of life.  For family caregivers who provide unpaid to older adults and family members with disabilities, the state you live in can be a big factor in your ability to be a family caregiver.  States were recently ranked on the availability of supports and services for family caregivers.  Wisconsin came in at #7.  Senior care options aren't cheap, but we have many programs and policies that make it a great place for caregivers of senior citizens.

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