News
CONSORTIUM FOR CITIZENS WITH DISABILITIES: PRESERVE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME: A VITAL PART OF OUR SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM
By SD Network, 2018-01-31
The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities recently released an updated fact sheet about Supplemental Security Income for people with disabilities. The sheet covered a variety of topics and has some very interested statistics.
People with disabilities have been a demographic that experiences poverty at a rate disproportionate to their peers without disabilities. 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. Poverty can obviously cause food and health care insecurities. There are initiatives that can create partnerships with disability organizations to increase focus on things such as housing, employment, nutrition and health promotion, and health care for those in poverty.
DISABLED WORLD: Delta Introduces Enhanced Requirements for Customers Traveling with Service or Support Animals
By SD Network, 2018-01-22
Airline accessibility has taken center stage recently. Delta AirLines is taking steps to further protect its customers, employees and service animals and support animals by implementing advance documentation requirements for those animals. This comes as a result of a lack of regulation that has led to serious safety risks involving untrained animals in flight. The new requirements support Delta's top priority of ensuring safety for its customers, employees and trained service and support animals, while supporting the rights of customers with legitimate needs, such as veterans, to travel with trained animals.
The CMS Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office (MMCO) has three new resource guides intended to support providers and health plans serving older adults and caregivers. An estimated four to five million older adults live with dementia in the United States. Caring for these individuals can present unique challenges to both caregivers and healthcare professionals. These two resource guides, one created for caregivers and the other for healthcare professionals, include training and toolkits, fact sheets, publications, and information resources from various organizations and health plans.
Additionally, family caregivers are an integral part of the care planning process and experience for older adults. This guide includes resources that providers can use to support family caregivers, including information about mental health and respite care, care transitions, and evidence-based dementia care training.
ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING: Joint Report: Health and Safety in Group Homes
By SD Network, 2018-01-18
At the request of Congress, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) examined states' monitoring and reporting of injuries and other critical incidents of people with developmental disabilities living in group homes. They found that up to 99% of these critical incidents were not reported to the appropriate law enforcement or state agencies as required. To assist states in making improvements, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) joined OIG and the HHS Office of Civil Rights, along with the U.S. Department of Justice, to develop Model Practices to help address gaps in reporting and monitoring efforts.
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. We encourage you to take the survey and share this link with others who may have valuable input, such as people with disabilities and their family members, friends and caregivers.
January 2018
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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 January, we shine the spotlight on the Chair of InControl Wisconsin, Kate. As a firm believer of self-determination and self-direction, she loves that this Network brings people together who have the same passion. Stop by this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Kate.
Coming in February...
Beginning in February, the Self-Determination Network will post a monthly discussion question related to self-determination/self-direction. We will be sending out a special message in the first week of each month telling you what the question is and providing you with a link where you can respond. By doing this, our hope is that we can share experiences and learn from each other. Keep your eyes open for the first question!
"Oftentimes, comparing ourselves does no good, but sometimes it can ignite a spark in us and make us realize what is possible!" In January's entry, Stacy discusses how comparing ourselves to others is a part of life. Do you agree? 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:
- New Resource: Tyler, a junior at UW-Whitewater, developed a website about transitioning from high school to college when living with a disability. It's full of great tips and resources. Check it out and let Tyler know what you think.
- ABLE Accounts Popularity: According to a recent report, thousands of people with disabilities have opened ABLE accounts, but experts point out that millions more could benefit from them. Find out why participation has been slower than anticipated.
- Housing Affordability and Availability: A recent report released explains the nationwide housing affordability crisis people with disabilities are facing. Learn about some solutions and recommendations that some groups are suggesting to end this crisis.
- Website Accessibility: There has been a rise in the number of lawsuits alleging that companies with inaccessible websites are violating the American's with Disabilities Act (ADA). Read about why it is likely that companies will continue to reach settlements in web accessibility cases, rather than take cases to trial.
- ADA Guidance: The Justice Department has rescinded many guidance documents which clarify implications of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Learn what impact may have on people with disabilities.
- Changes to ABLE Accounts: A major tax law that took effect in January is bringing changes to savings accounts for people with disabilities and causing concern about funding for programs. Find out why advocates are concerned.
- Family Caregiver Input: When developing health and long-term care policy, the government hears a lot from providers, drug and medical device makers, and various lobbyists and advocates, but they rarely hear from family caregivers. Read about how a new law could change that.
- Be Inspired: Read about how having a disability doesn't stop one Wisconsin farmer from living his dream.
Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:
- Webinar: Changes To ABLE In 2018: January 25th, 1p.m. to 2:30p.m., Online
- Webinar: International Perspectives On Supporting People With Dementia And Caregivers: January 30th, 1p.m. to 2p.m. Online
- Transition Conference 2018: Answering The Call, Pathways To Success!: February 5th-6th, Kalahari Resort and Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells WI
- ADA Live! Rights And Responsibilities With The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA): February 7th, 12p.m. to 12:30p.m., Online
- Disability Advocacy Day: March 20th, 9:30a.m. to 3:30p.m., State Capitol, Madison WI
- WisconsinSibs: Journey Forward : February 17th, 8:30a.m. to 1p.m., Easterseals, Waukesha, 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.
Having a disability doesn't stop this Wisconsin farmer from living his dream. Koch, who grew up on a farm, was raised without pity or sympathy. It may take him longer to do certain things, or he has to do some tasks differently than someone with arms or legs, but Koch says he can do anything others can do. When he's not farming, he's traveling to speak his message, "if I can."
When developing health and long-term care policy, the government hears a lot from providers, drug and medical device makers, and various lobbyists and advocates, but they rarely hear from family caregivers. A new bill entitled the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, And Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act would change that. Under the bill the Department of Health and Human Services would be required to develop a strategy to recognize and support family caregivers. An advisory council which includes Caregivers had business and government representatives would create this strategy. The strategy would address are expanding person- and family-centered care, training and respite services for family caregivers, policies to help support caregivers at work, enhancing the financial security of caregivers, sharing information about innovative caregiving models, and assessing the effectiveness of federal family caregiving programs.
A major tax law that took effect in January is bringing changes to savings accounts for people with disabilities and causing concern about funding for programs. Under the new law, people with disabilities will be able to roll over their funds from a traditional 529 college savings plan to their ABLE account. This change will help families who setup regular college savings plans before learning that their child had a disability. In addition, the new law allows people with disabilities to save their earnings exceeding the federal poverty level. However, advocates warn that the change comes with risks due to the way the law was written. Account holders are responsible for monitoring their contributions to ensure that they're in compliance. Mistakes could be costly-- potentially disqualifying people from government benefits.