News
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES: Department of Health Services (DHS) Announces the Managed Care Organizations to Provide Family Care Services in Northern Wisconsin Expansion Counties
By SD Network, 2017-02-01
Recently, the Department of Health Services (DHS) announced the expansion of Family Care services in six northern Wisconsin counties including Oneida, Vilas, Florence, Forest, Taylor and Adams. This will provide many people access to long-term care services for the first time. DHS plans to expand Family Care ad IRIS statewide in the first quarter of 2018.
ABLE NATIONAL RESOURCE CENTER: New USDA Regulation Confirms ABLE Funds Protection
By SD Network, 2017-02-01
Recently, the Food and Nutrition Service published a final rule regarding various aspects related to, among other things, eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. SNAP offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families (including those with disabilities) and provides economic benefits to communities. Since SNAP is federally funded, this rule confirms that ABLE funds won't compromise eligible people from accessing benefits under the SNAP program.
GEORGIA TECH: Read the Wireless RERC research brief, Observations of the 2016 National EAS Test
By SD Network, 2017-02-01
The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technologies (Wireless RERC) did a study of the National Emergency Alert System (EAS) test that was done in September 2016. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) established the EAS in 1997 for an easy way to alert the public of local and national emergencies. Wireless RERC's study finds that there is inconsistent implementation of the EAS nationwide, which results in inaccessibility to people with disabilities. The Wireless RERC made recommendations that would improve accessibility, like slower scrolling announcement text, uniformity of presentation, and muting of the regularly scheduled television program.
BUSINESS INSIDER: A group of Google employees spent their '20% time' making Google Maps wheelchair-friendly
By SD Network, 2017-02-01
Google developers have spent time gathering information regarding accessibility for public places like restaurants in order to add the information to Google Maps. When you search for a restaurant on Google Maps, general information like the hours of operation, reviews, and the restaurant's website are included in the entry. Now, the entries will also show information on accessibility, such as whether the restaurant is wheelchair accessible.
MY SOCIAL GOOD NEWS: Tangata Group Is Founded To Address The Rights of People With Disabilities Worldwide
By SD Network, 2017-02-01
Several disability rights scholars have joined together to form The Tangata Group, a nongovernmental organization (NGO) dedicated to promoting disability rights. The group's name is from the Maori language; "tangata" means "the essence of being human." The founders hope to consult on domestic and international human and disability rights issues, including matters involving the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the Americans with Disabilities Act, and accessibility issues.
DISABLED WORLD: Training to Improve Access to Air Travel for People with Disabilities
By SD Network, 2017-02-01
After receiving the largest number of complaints in the area of disability air travel, the US Department of Transportation recently released new training material for airlines and passengers. The DOT worked with disability organizations, airlines, and airports to develop the material. The material reinforces implementation of the Air Carrier Access Act which prohibits airlines from discriminating against people with disabilities. It addresses four main areas which include:
- Wheelchair and guide assistance
- Stowage, loss, delay, and damage of wheelchairs and other equipment
- Aircraft seating accommodations
- Travel with service animals
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Family and Individual Needs for Disability Supports (FINDS) Survey The Family and Individual Needs for Disability Supports (FINDS) Survey is currently being conducted by the University of Minnesota’s Research and Training Center on Community Living and The Arc to learn more about the experiences of parents and family members who provide support to their family member with intellectual or developmental disability. |
Announcement from the Great Lakes ADA Center: National ADA Symposium Registration Stipend Application
We are pleased to announce that the ADA National Network is hosting the 21st annual ADA National Symposium on the Americans with Disabilities Act and related disability issues.
About the Symposium
The Symposium will take place at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont, Illinois from May 14th to May 17th, 2017.
The ADA Symposium includes up to date information regarding employment, communication, transportation, emergency preparedness, case law, regulatory updates for government and private entities and the latest on the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.
Hear from presenters representing various federal agencies including the Departments of Justice, Education, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and U.S. Access Board. This year there are break-out sessions on a wide-range of ADA related topics and online access to hand-outs from all sessions prior to the conference. You can view the Symposium schedule and agenda on-line.
Stipend to Attend
The Great Lakes Center will continue our history of supporting participation and attendance from across our six state region. To that end, we are making available a number of stipends in the amount of $750.00 to cover the cost of registration (we will not pay late registration fees). The conference is very popular and registration numbers have imploded over the past few years resulting in cut off of registration before the deadline due to it being full. Thus, it's very important that individuals desiring to attend register for the conference in a timely manner.
Applications will only be accepted from individuals who reside in the Great Lakes Region (IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, and WI). This stipend is only valid for the 2017 Symposium and registration should be completed as soon as possible. Applications will be accepted through January 27th, 2017.
Notification to recipients will be made by email within the first week of February. Individuals will be responsible for completing the registration process in a timely manner. The sooner you register, the better chance you have of getting the sessions that you want as well as reduce the risk of the registration closing due to being full. Individuals who fail to register in a timely manner will forfeit the stipend. Receipt of the stipend does not guarantee registration. The registration process for the National symposium is a first come, first serve process and our office does not have control over it.
Questions regarding the Symposium and the stipend program should be directed to the Great Lakes Center at 800-949-4232 (V/TTY) between the hours of 8:00am-5:00pm Central Time or by email to adata@adagreatlakes.org.
Stipend recipients are responsible for their own travel arrangements and travel costs. The registration fee includes 2 breakfasts and 2 lunches plus a networking reception. The 2017 Symposium will be held at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, Rosemont, IL. Rooms are available at a discounted rate of $159.00 plus tax. Hotel information can be found on the Symposium Website or by calling (847) 696-1234.
January 2017
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The 4th annual Aging Empowerment Conference: Living a Self-Determined Life will be held June 6th (full conference) and June 7th (Self-Determination Summit) at the Glacier Canyon Lodge Conference Center at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells. Sponsored by InControl Wisconsin, this unique event gathers older adults, their families, and the professionals who support them and explores self-determination and empowerment in aging. Presentation proposals and exhibitor applications are now being accepted. Submission are due February 15th. Apply today!
Medicaid Block Grants
The future of Medicaid will be a big issue in 2017. Federal efforts are underway to change Medicaid to a block grant program that states would administer. This could have a major impact on programs such as Family Care, IRIS, BadgerCare, SeniorCare, and many other programs that older adults and people with disabilities rely on. The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities/The Arc have put together this presentation that explains in detail what block grants are and how this would effect people with disabilities. Additionally, the Wisconsin Long-Term Care Coalition has launched a survey for adults and children with disabilities, older adults, their families, care providers, and low income adults to take about how these changes would effect them. They have also created a document to help people talk to policymakers about how block grants would effect them. We encourage you to take a few minutes to learn about Medicaid block grants and to share your thoughts and opinions with your legislators.
ABLE Accounts
The second anniversary of the signing of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act is approaching. It allows people with disabilities to setup tax-free saving accounts for disability related expenses which won't jeopardize their government benefits. Wisconsin legislation repealed the law, so we won't have an ABLE program. However, several other states have enacted the law and have setup programs for ABLE accounts. Many of the programs allow people who reside in other states to setup accounts as well. In our ABLE account section on the Network, we're posting information about states creating new programs as they become available. Additionally, the ABLE National Resource Center recently released an Accomplishments and Outcomes Report. It includes lots of interesting statistics and success stories about how ABLE accounts have helped people so far. Learn more about how these accounts could help you or people you know lead a better life!
Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:
- Webinar: Top ADA Cases of 2016: January 18th, 1p.m. to 2:30p.m., Online
- Dating Workshop: January 20th, 5p.m. to 8p.m., ADRC of Sheboygan County, Sheboygan WI
- Wisconsin Council on Physical Disabilities Quarterly Meeting: January 26th, 9a.m. to 4:30p.m., Skype, Telephone, or Crowne Plaza, Madison WI
- Advocacy for Change: March 2nd, 8:30a.m. to 4:30p.m., Concourse Hotel, Madison WI
- 2017 Multiple Perspectives Conference: April 13th to 17th, Ohio State's Columbus Campus, Columbus OH
- 2017 Aging Empowerment Conference: June 6th-7th, Glacier Canyon Lodge Conference Center at the Wilderness Resort, Wisconsin Dells 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.
For this month's entry, Stacy discusses how the New Year brings different types of new hope and opportunities for people with disabilities. We encourage you to share your experiences as well.
Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the Self-Determination Network:
- Wisconsin AAC Network: Mike is looking for people to join the Wisconsin Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) Network. Find out what this Network is about.
- TellMe TV: The first online movie service for people who have visual impairments is now available. Learn about how it works.
- Airplane Accessibility: The Department of Transportation is trying to improve accessibility of airplanes for those with disabilities. Read about the rule proposal.
- Updated ADA Guidelines for Buses and Vans: The US Access Board recently updated accessibility guidelines for transportation vehicles covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Learn what the guidelines address.
- Hotel Accessibility: A report reveals that hotel accessibility is right on track. Find out what's improving.
- Special Needs Trusts: A new law makes it possible for people with disabilities to create their own special needs trust. Read about this law.
- Home Health Care Worker Shortage: It's pretty well known that Wisconsin has a shortage of direct care workers. Learn about how some high schools in southwest Wisconsin are trying to help.
- Accessible Medical Diagnostic Equipment: New accessibility standards were recently released for medical diagnostic equipment. Find out what these standards mean.
- Information and Technology Accessibility: A new rule was recently released updating accessibility requirements for information and technology in the federal sector. Read about how the new requirements will help people with disabilities.
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.
Survival Coalition has launched an important survey for adults and children with disabilities, older adults, their families, care providers, and low income adults. You can take this survey, share the link, and ask everyone you know to take it. Many people are unaware that the health care, supports, services, and programs they are familiar with (Family Care, IRIS, CLTS, Katie Beckett) are funded by Medicaid. Policymakers in Wisconsin and Washington, D.C. are proposing big changes to Medicaid, including Medicaid Block Grants. These changes could happen quickly and could have big impacts on the disability community. The survey asks about the Medicaid services and supports that you or your loved ones use to help you live your life and stay healthy, and how important these supports are to your life. Deadline to fill out the survey is Jan. 31.