News
November 2017
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We want to congratulate this year's Diehard Award winners who were recognized at the Self-Determination Conference. These individuals received a Diehard Award for going above and beyond in supporting the lives of people with disabilities. Please help us congratulate and thank these people for their outstanding advocacy efforts:
David Pinno
Sue Urban
Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the Self-Determination Network:
- Watch: Watch this excellent short video done by The Arc designed to speak directly to people with developmental disabilities about supported decision-making and getting help making decision.
- Caregiver Act: A bill that would address the needs of family caregivers is gaining support. Learn how this act would help families.
- Unique Fashion Line: More and more fashion designers are designing clothes for people with disabilities. Find out which popular designer recently launched an adaptive clothing line.
- Accessible Airport Kiosks: One airline has incorporated new technology into their self-service kiosks to ensure they are accessible to all travelers. Read about these new kiosks.
- States Tighten Leash on Service Animals: A growing number of states are enacting laws designed to keep people from passing off their pets as service animals. Learn what states are doing.
- Smart Home Products Increase Independence: Smart home products are often marketed for their convenience, but the technology also can help people with disabilities become more independent. Read about how thousands of technology products have opened up a world of possibilities for people with disabilities.
- Building Full Lives Grant:The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities in partnership with In Control Wisconsin is offering a great opportunity for organizations Interested in supporting individuals with disabilities to Build FULL LIVES in the community. Applications due November 17th.
- Interesting Court Case: This in an interesting case about glass-front vending machines not being accessible. Find out why the Supreme Court declined to review the case.
- Successful Aging: As people age, they may experience new and chronic health conditions that make it difficult to participate in activities at home, at work, and in the community. A study showed that there are four areas that people felt were important for successful aging with a physical disability. Learn what the areas are.
- ABLE Account Annual Contribution Limit: It was recently announced that the total annual contribution limit to an ABLE account will increase in 2018. Find out how much it will increase.
- Polling Place Accessibility: A new report found that less than 20% of polling places were fully accessible during the 2016 election. Read about what's being done to try to correct it.
- Hunting Bill: The State Assembly passed a bill that would allow people with disabilities to hunt from a car with a lift. Read about the bill.
When most people hear the word “segregation,” they automatically assume it’s a negative thing. However, at times, that’s not the case. It’s human nature for people to associate with others like them. In this month's entry, Stacy discusses how, as a person with a physical disability, she often struggles to fit in within the disability community. Have you had similar feelings? We encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences as well.
Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:
- Webinar: Interdisciplinary Care Teams For Older Adults: December 7th, 11a.m. to 12:30p.m., Online
- 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.
Most children are taught not to discriminate or segregate at a very young age. Regardless of age, race, religious belief, sexual orientation, economic status, or disability, as a society, we are made to believe that everyone is equal and nobody is the better than anyone else. In theory, all types of people should be mixed together all the time. While thanks to laws passed in the 1950s, this notion should be technically true, but it isn’t realistic. Segregation still happens in today’s world. People may not realize it, but we all have bias. When most people hear the word “segregation,” they automatically assume it’s a negative thing. However, at times, that’s not the case. It’s human nature for people to associate with others like them.
As I’ve shared in past entries, I was brought up believing I should do everything like everybody else despite having a disability. Obviously, there were things I wasn’t able to do, but that was life. Attending therapies isn’t a normal activity for most families, but it was for mine. My parents did whatever they could so I could participate in normal childhood activities. My dad adapted hundreds of things so I could use them. My mom was a Girl Scouts leader so I could participate in activities. My parents never put me in respite; instead, I had regular baby-sitters. I never went to special needs camps; I went on vacations across the US (and beyond) with my family.
The only time that I was classes with other kids with significant disabilities was when I was in Early Childhood classes when I was really young. From Kindergarten on, I was in all regular education classes. Some years, I had with a modified gym class where there were other students with all types of disabilities and health conditions, but that was it. Since my disability is so apparent, I made a very conscious effort to try not to associate with students who had intellectual disabilities—especially in high school. That sounds really bad of me, but it was so important to me to do all that I could to prove my cognitive abilities to my classmates.
When I got to UW-Whitewater, obviously that all changed because Whitewater is known for serving students with disabilities. There was no need for anyone to prove their cognitive abilities since we were in college. It’s true; people with similar circumstances tend to befriend one another. I made friends with people who had various disabilities, but I also had friends who didn’t have disabilities. It was when I first really realized that there were other people who had similar abilities. It was also the first time I got involved in disability advocacy. Whitewater had a student organization for disability advocacy. It was the first time I was a part of something that focused on disabilities. Again, students with and without disabilities belonged, and there wasn’t a need to prove anything to anyone. It was a cool experience.
It wasn’t until after college that I realized just how seemingly segregated adults with disabilities are. Everything from finding appropriate cares, to finding an apartment, to finally landing a job, it took lots of time and effort. There are lots of services available for people with disabilities, but the reality is that most of them are geared towards people with intellectual disabilities. Yes, most services are customized to the individual, but generally speaking I’ve found that many of the services were developed for those who have intellectual delays. Those of us with physical disabilities like myself often have to pave our own path and piece together services to meet our situations. While personally I’m happy I can do this, sometimes it does get frustrating that it seems “people with disabilities“ get thrown into a general category. In no way am I belittling people who have intellectual disabilities, but, for me, especially since my speech is affected, people assume that I have cognitive delays. As one would guess, this can be incredibly frustrating.
Services aren’t the only thing like this; many of the disability conferences and trainings are more for those with intellectual disabilities. This by no means is a negative thing, but, personally speaking, I find it hard to fit in at those events. A lot of it probably has to do with the fact that while I obviously understand and accept that I have a disability, I normally don’t think of myself as being different; I don’t focus on that. I’m also not used to being with lots of people who have various disabilities. Recently, I attended the Self-determination Conference. I worked the exhibit table for InControl Wisconsin. I loved meeting and talking to so many people, but, even before we got there, on the way there, I told mom it was segregation. Again, it doesn’t mean it’s a negative thing. It’s just a fact that people with all types of disabilities were gathering in one place. I personally again felt the need to prove my cognitive ability. In my opinion, a lot of the events and activities were meant more for people with intellectual disabilities. I understand that it’s the majority of people who attend these events, so it has to be catered to that population; sometimes, I just wonder if I should be there.
Thanks to my amazing family and friends, I don’t usually think of myself as having a disability; I know people I love see past my challenges and see me for the person I am. People with disabilities in general are in a minority; those of us with physical disabilities are even fewer in number. We just have to continue fighting for what’s right and paving new paths!
***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.
We want to congratulate this year's Diehard Award winners who were recognized at the Self-Determination Conference. These individuals received a Diehard Award for going above and beyond in supporting the lives of people with disabilities. Please help us congratulate and thank these people for their outstanding advocacy efforts:
- David Pinno
- Sue Urban
- Deb Wisniewski
- Abigail Tessmann
The State Assembly passed a bill that would allow people with disabilities to hunt from a car with a lift. Permits are available for hunters with disabilities, but people who can't climb a tree stand and aren't eligible for a permit, hunting options are limited. This new bill would allow hunters with limited mobility to enjoy the sport with use of a car lift. The bill now heads to the Senate.
DISABILITY SCOOP: Most Polling Places Inaccessible During 2016 Election, Report Finds
By SD Network, 2017-11-08
A new report found that less than 20% of polling places were fully accessible during the 2016 election. Issues with parking, accessible entrances, and problems with the actual voting area itself were reported. Under the Help America Vote Act, all polling stations are supposed to have at least one accessible voting system for federal elections. The Government Accountability Office recommends that the Justice Department study how existing polling place accessibility requirements are being implemented.
NATIONAL ABLE RESOURCE CENTER: Annual Contributions to ABLE Accounts Increased to $15,000 in 2018
By SD Network, 2017-11-08
ABLE accounts are accounts that allow people with disabilities to have a savings account without jeopardizing their benefits. Accounts can be used for disability-related expenses that will increase and/or maintain a person's health, independence, or quality of life. It was recently announced that the total annual contribution limit to an ABLE account will be increased from $14,000 per tax year to $15,000 per tax year beginning in 2018.
NATIONAL REHABILITATION INFORMATION CENTER: People with Long-Term Physical Disability Have a Lot to Share About Successful Aging
By SD Network, 2017-11-08
As people age, they may experience new and chronic health conditions that make it difficult to participate in activities at home, at work, and in the community. Thanks in part to improved medical care, people with physical disabilities are living longer. A study showed that there are four areas that people felt were important for successful aging with a physical disability. Those include:
- Resilience and adaptability
- Autonomy and choice
- Social connectedness
- Physical health and access to health care
This is an interesting court case. In October, the Supreme Court declined to review Magee v. Coca-Cola, a decision in which the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals held that vending machines were not public accommodations under the ADA. Magee is blind and sued Coca-Cola over their glass-front vending machines. Magee said that these types of vending machines were inaccessible to him, because he was unable to know what item he was selecting or its price. The Fifth Circuit rejected his claim, stating the vending machines were not public accommodations under the ADA, because they were not physical places open to the public. On appeal, Magee argued that Coca-Cola has many options, such as an audio interface with a tactile keyboard, to make their vending machines accessible. Coca-Cola, on the other hand, argued that Congress did not intend to cover vending machines with the ADA. The administration submitted a brief supporting Coca-Cola's argument. By rejecting the appeal, the Supreme Court kept the Fifth Circuit's decision in place.
DISABLED WORLD: Conference on Autonomous Vehicles and the Disability Community
By SD Network, 2017-11-07
Recently, the National Federation of the Blind and the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers hosted a conference titled "The Promise: Autonomous Vehicles and the Disability Community". The conference brought together representatives from government, the automotive industry and advocates for people with disabilities to discuss the advances, challenges, and path forward for autonomous vehicle development.
Apply for a Building Full Lives Grant!
Deadline to apply is Nov. 17
The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities in partnership with Wisconsin In Control is offering a great opportunity for organizations Interested in supporting individuals with disabilities to Build FULL LIVES in the community.
Is your organization committed to shifting your business model from segregated to fully integrated services that are individualized, full of choices, and built around the dreams and aspirations of individuals? Is your organization invested in establishing services that support individuals FULL LIVES by flexibly combining customized employment with individualized community integrated activities?
If yes, then you should apply for a Building FULL Lives in the community technical assistance grant.
It is easy to apply.
Download the application here: http://wi-bpdd.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/2017-2018-BFL-RFA.final_.pdf
Deadline to apply is Friday, November 17th.
If you have any questions contact Shannon Webb at 608-318-0700 or
shannon@incontrolwisconsin.org
If you need a Microsoft Word revision of the document, contact Ann Sievert at 608-267-9897.or email ann.sievert@wisconsin.gov.