News
The State legislature’s Joint Finance Committee has finished one-third of the public hearings on the 2017-2019 state budget. There are three more public hearings remaining:
Tuesday, April 18 (10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.)Spooner high School (Auditorium)801 County Highway ASpooner, WI 54801
Wednesday, April 19 (10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)Ellsworth High School (Gymnasium)323 West Hillcrest St. Ellsworth, WI 54011
Friday, April 21 (10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)Marinette High School (Auditorium)2135 Pierce Ave.Marinette, WI 54143
Reports from the first two hearings indicate turnouts have been lower than in the past several budgets and while several people have testified on aging and disability issues at each of the hearings, more voices are needed!
Some may feel there is no need to testify (orally or in writing) on the budget as they may not see any significant budget cuts or changes proposed for aging and disability programs. Please know two very important programs funded in the last budget – healthy aging grants and the dementia care specialist program – are not funded in the 2017 – 2019 budget and will not be funded unless we ask members of the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) to add funding for these programs.
The proposed budget includes small increases for some programs such as specialized transportation and the Medicaid Personal Care program. These increases do not reflect the actual need and are not guaranteed to stay in the budget. This is your opportunity to let member of the JFC know what you like and what you don’t like!
Don’t assume somebody else will be there to advocate for the issues that are important to you and the older adults and people with disabilities in your community! YOU are that somebody! You have the knowledge, expertise and responsibility to let these policymakers know how this budget will impact older adults and how they can make it better!
The JFC testimony is being limited to two minutes, so come prepared with short remarks and leave copies of longer written testimony. For additional information, including how and where to submit written testimony if you are unable to attend a hearing, see Tips for Testifying Before the Joint Finance Committee.
Are you interested in issues affecting older adults? You’re invited to join members of the Wisconsin Aging Advocacy Network (WAAN) and others to help educate state legislators about issues affecting Wisconsin’s aging population.
On Wednesday May 17, citizens from around the state will gather in Madison for a day of advocacy training and meetings with legislators. No experience is necessary; you’ll get the training and support you need before meeting with state lawmakers. Following the training, join others from your assembly and senate district to provide information and share personal stories with your legislators to help them understand how specific legislative policies impact older constituents.
Aging Advocacy Day Schedule
9:00 — 10:00 a.m.: Registration, Capitol Lakes - Continuing Care Retirement Community, 333 W. Main Street, Madison, WI 53703
10:00 a.m.: Advocate training, briefing on WAAN’s state priority issues, tips for effective communication with your state legislators
11:00 a.m.: Planning time with others from your district
12:00 p.m.: Lunch & walk/travel to the State Capitol (3 blocks)
12:45 p.m.: State Capitol, North Hearing Rm. - 2nd Floor North – Store your items during legislative visits or meet up with staff/volunteers to get any questions answered or discuss visits.
1:00 - 2:45 p.m.: Legislative visits (Senate visits will be scheduled from 1- 1:45p.m. and Assembly visits from 2-2:45 p.m.) *WAAN will be scheduling all legislative visits.
2:15 - 3:00 p.m.: Check-out and debriefing, State Capitol, North Hearing Room—2nd Floor. Turn in your Advocacy Day feedback sheets and evaluation.
Your voice can make a difference! For more information or to register, visit http://gwaar.org/waan or contact your local aging unit or ADRC. Registration deadline is May 1, 2017.
CHICAGO TRIBUNE: Dating app Glimmer wants to help folks with disabilities find love
By SD Network, 2017-04-06
A new dating app, Glimmer, is trying to create an inclusive space for online dating, particularly for people with disabilities. The app is not exclusively for the disability community but provides options to disclose disabilities easily. It aims to connect people "based on similar interests and lifestyles," unlike mainstream dating apps. Glimmer wants people to feel comfortable talking about all areas of life and hopes to change the culture of online dating. Glimmer not only aims to connect people romantically but also provides an opportunity for people to create friendships based on a of variety of discovery settings.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES: Wisconsin Launches Caregiver Career Program
By SD Network, 2017-04-05
In an effort to attract and retain more nursing home caregivers, Wisconsin is launching an innovative program called the Caregiver Career Program. The program is designed to add up to 3,000 nurse aides to the workforce. DHS is working together with nursing homes, LeadingAge Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Health Care Association, and the Wisconsin Technical Colleges to develop the program which will offer things such as free training and testing to students and a $500 retention bonus for aides after six months on the job at a nursing home. It will also include a marketing and recruitment plan.
Late in March, a proposal to overhaul the nation's healthcare system and revamp Medicaid was voted down. Advocates feel it's good news for people with disabilities. There were simply not enough votes to pass the legislation.
Many celebrities are going after the term "special needs." Actresses and actors from popular tv shows dubbed a video clip entitled, "Not Special Needs." The clip suggests that people who have Down syndrome don't have special needs. It explains that they have the same needs as everyone else.
HUFFINGTON POST: Artist’s Stunning Photos Shatter Misconceptions About Disabilities
By SD Network, 2017-04-04
This is a neat project that was done in North Wales. In hopes to change people's perspective, a photographer took photos and interviewed people with disabilities about what they wish others understood about their condition. The photos highlight the unique abilities of those who have disabilities.
PACER's National Parent Center on Transition & Employment (NPCTE) has a new section on their website focused on health and transition. Find information on health-related IEP goals, how to transition from pediatric care to adult care, building self-care and self-advocacy skills, and more.
INSPIRING POSSIBILITIES: Supporting Wellness for Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
By SD Network, 2017-04-03
This issue of Impact highlights ways in which disability service providers, health and wellness professionals, community fitness and recreation programs, employers, advocates, individuals with disabilities, and their families can help ensure that health and wellness activities are as available to individuals with disabilities as to anyone else. It shares examples of how adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are involved in healthy activity, making social connections, developing supportive relationships, and actively participating in health care. Impact is published by the Institute on Community Integration & Research and Training Center on Community Living.
2017 Self-Determination Conference!
Celebrating You…Mind, Body and Spirit
Application For Exhibitor Requests are now available for the 2017 Self-Determination Conference.
Self-Determination in Full Color, Celebrating You…Mind, Body and Spirit
Calling all Wisconsin organizations that support self-determination and self-directed support in Wisconsin.
We encourage you to submit an application. Space is limited and only applications from exhibitors that directly support self-determination and self-direction in WI will be accepted. All applications will be reviewed by a committee and selected based on interest, needs, variety and mission of the conference.
We are particularly interested in having exhibitors with innovative approaches to services and supports for self- direction including health and wellness supports for people with disabilities.
Exhibit tables are open Nov. 2-3, 2017.
Calling all Micro-business owners! If you are a person with a disability and own your own micro-business apply to share your gifts and talents with over 500 people this November? Be an exhibitor at the 2017 Self-Determination Conference!
Download the Exhibitor Application
Hurry! Completed applications must be received no later than April 14, 2017. Space is limited and we will run out before the deadline date!