Are you interested in joining an advocacy group, but don't know how start or who to contact? You may contact me and I will help you find the answers to the best of my abilities. Becoming apart of People First of Wisconsin and starting my own chapter with the help of friends was one of the best decisions I ever made, and it has helped me shape myself into the person I am today. I am proud to say I am apart of a grassroots self-advocacy group. All you need to have is a group of people that want to help tell the world that we are here and want to be able to live as "normal" as possible. I love writing letters, making calls, and connections with people that want to have their means of life.

People First of Wisconsin tries to work together across the state on three top things. They are Transportation, Long-Term Care, and Employment. As President of my chapter and Vice President of the State chapter, I am always trying to help talk about these issues with people and finding possible solutions. My chapter is like many around the state; we work on issues we face at home. For example, we advocate for more jobs, more transportation, more homes for people in the communities and accessibility.

If you would like to become apart of this great group of people, please do not hesitate to contactme and I will steer you in the right direction to go forward.

Growing up, I rarely thought of myself as having a disability. Much in thanks to my parents, I was treated as normal as possible. Obviously, my disability was (and still is) evident in many facets of my life, but I grew up learning not to dwell on it. I couldnt use it as an excuse. Sure, things like regular therapy sessions, wheelchair appointments, school IEP meetings, and occasional telethon appearances were part of our routine, but that was just the way life was for us. My family never sent me to respite care for weekends. I never went to any camps for people with disabilities. I certainly could have done those things; instead, my family chose to include me in vacations, outings, etc

When I was really young, I received Birth to Three services, and I was in Early Childhood classes. From Kindergarten on, though, I was in all regular education classes. With the exception of pull-out therapy sessions and a couple modified gym classes, I was in classes with my peers. I had accommodations as needed, but I had the same expectations as everyone else. Classmates came to see past my limitations and treated me just like other kids. At UW-Whitewater, it was a really different environment because so many students had disabilities, but, yet, the majority of students didnt have disabilities. Im not sure how to explain it, but I felt just like one of the students there as well. In other words, I didnt feel singled out most of the time.

It wasnt until after I graduated from college that I really felt the true impact of my disability. I guess one could say the real world hit me hard. Everything from finding an apartment, to finding cares, to finding employment, my limitations seemed to get in my way. As always, though, with help and encouragement from my friends and family, I persevered and fought until I reached my goals. Thats still true today. Giving up isnt an option in my world because I have set pretty normal expectations for myself regardless of my disability.

When I found out InControl Wisconsin was going to be an exhibitor at this years Self-Determination Conference, I was so excited! My mom made arrangements to take off work so she could go with me as my caretaker. We were there Monday through Wednesday. I had been to the State Transition Conference as a presenter a few times before, but this was my first time going to the Self-Determination Conference. I was very impressed with all the different activities and sessions they had. For me, personally, the section about the ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Act was particularly interesting. Once the regulations are in place and it takes effect in Wisconsin, it will potentially change the lives of many people with disabilities. Being able to put money aside for essential necessities without losing benefits will be so beneficial for so many people. It was very interesting learning about it.

It was great reconnecting with many friends and meeting so many new people at the conference. I really enjoyed meeting so many people that Ive communicated online with. That was awesome! It was also amazing to see so many self-advocates come together. I kept thinking of how impressive it was to have so many people come together to support people with disabilities. I had a great time networking! By the third day, though, I had to keep reminding myself I was there for my job.

You see, Im not used to focusing on my disability 24/7. Even though, I work in the field now, I rarely think of myself as being a person with a disability. Its not that Im ashamed of itIm totally notI just dont normally draw attention to it. Obviously, since the conference was all about people with disabilities, I couldnt help but focus on how my disability affects my life. It wasnt a bad thing. In fact, I learned a lot of valuable information and got some helpful ideas that I hope to use in my personal life. It was just that I had never experienced three full days where I mainly focused on my disability before.

Yes, I was there for work, but, at something like that, you cant help but think of your personal life. By the last day, I pretty much had had enough. Though, the conference was great and it was terrific networking with so many people, I was tired of focusing on my disability. On the way home, my mom and I had great conversation about this. I told her that I felt like I wasnt a great advocate because I dont like focusing on my disability all of the time. She reminded me that I am a good advocate because I continue to fight to make my life as normal as possible. She explained that the main reason I felt like that is because our family never has focused on my limitations, and shes right.

It was certainly an interesting few days. I am really grateful I got to go to the conference. It was a great opportunity for me to network with lots of people and share information about the Networks. While, sometimes, its helpful to attend a conference about a topic to gather information and network with others, Im thankful that my life doesnt revolve around my disability. I love working for an advocacy organization and being part of various advocacy efforts, but I have other interests as well.

Do I still consider myself a strong advocate for people with disabilities? Absolutely. Are there others who advocate better than me? Of course, there are many! We each do what we can, and together we make things happen for people with disabilities!

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.

The Sixteenth Annual

Multiple Perspectives on Access, Inclusion & Disability

April 13 - 14, 2016

The Ohio State Universitys Columbus Campus

This past July marked the 25^thanniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act; November the 20^thAnniversary of the Disability Discrimination Act in Brittan; and December, 2016, will be the 10^thanniversary of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.

It is time to move beyond the letter of the law to the spirit of the law; to shift our focus from redressing human and environmental problems through remedial design to preventing problems through holistic design.

Leslie Kanes Weisman

Multiple Perspectives is an ongoingexploration of disability, a conversation including many voices and reflecting perspectives gained through experience and research; theory and practice, arts and sciences.

Preference will be given to presentations that encourage discussions across the typical social, political, and disciplinary boundaries; connect the individual to local, national and international approaches; or consider parallels, distinctions and intersections with race, gender and ethnicity.

Past programs and conference updates as they become available can be found at:http://ada.osu.edu/conferences.htm.

To be on the mailing list for the conference, send e-mail toADA-OSU@osu.edu

The Multiple Perspectives Conference is hosted by Ohio State Universitys ADA Coordinators Office is made possible thanks to the generosity of the Ethel Louise Armstrong Foundation Endowment Fund and ongoing support from The Ohio State University.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES FOR MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES 2014

Proposals are due January 18^th, 2015

Proposals should be submittedby e-mail as an attachment (Word, Word Perfect, TXT, or RTF formats)toADA-OSU@osu.edu withMultiple Perspectives 2016in the subject line.

Proposals must include:

1.Name of each presenter with titles, institutions, employers etc. as appropriate

2.Contact information (phone, mailing address, and e-mail) if there is more than one presenter please indicate one individual as the contact and lead presenter.

3.Title of Presentation (12 words or less)

4.Description (700 words or less) Please describe the content, focus and desired outcomes for the presentation using these questions as a guide.

• What is the format of the presentation (Lecture, Panel, Discussion, Performance, Other)?
• Who is the intended audience (educators, employers, businesses, advocates, students, consumers, researchers, or other)?
• How familiar should the audience be with the topic (beginner, intermediate, advanced)?
• What are your three main goals for the presentation?

Please Note:The full conference fees will be waived and lunch provided for presenters of accepted proposals. Presenters are responsible for their own travel and lodging.

I'm looking for volunteers to complete an online survey for my dissertation research on direct support professional characteristics and work experience

To qualify for the study you must:

• Currently work as a direct support professional with at least one individual with an intellectual and/or developmental disability
  • The support provided can be residential, vocational, or any other work that assists individuals in their community
  • The direct support provided cannot be to a relative or family member

The first 50 people to complete the survey will receive a $10.00 gift card. All participants will be put into a drawing for a $50.00 gift card.

Your participation will also contribute to the general knowledge about direct support professionals to enhance the work experience in efforts to retain workers and provide quality care to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Contact Angela Klemm (aklemm@email.fielding.edu) for more information and if you are interested in being part of the study.

Thank you!

This is a very interesting article inDisabled Worldabout about a free app that searches the nearest handicapped parking spots. It started in Poland, but is rapidly growing to the US and other countries. They're encouraging everyone to help them locate handicapped spots in their area. It sounds like a really neat idea!

iParkomat Disabled Parking Spots App

Brief Synopsis:IParkomat provides free and open database to search for nearest blue-badge parking spots by anyone.

"The database of available parking spots is constantly increasing, thanks to a growing iParkomat community, around the globe."

Most people with a disability can get a drivers licence - and even those who cannot and travel by car with someone else should have transportation barriers reduced to minimum.

Although many disabled parking spots are created, there is still no specific, universal database that would allow people to quickly and easily find the closest disabled parking spot, from any location. iParkomat.com wants to change that.

As of only a couple of days ago, iParkomat has launched new functionality that allows users to register, store and search information for any disabled parking spot in the world. Now people with disabilities can find a place for their cars in the most convenient location - with one tap on their smartphone.

iParkomat App

iParkomat has made the finding and adding of disabled parking spots near users as easy as possble. Simple entering the address on www.iparkomat.com, the website immediately shows a list of the nearest parking spaces, including disabled parking. In addition, iparkomat.com will display whether this parking space is paid, its price, and its availability.

IParkomat provides free and open database to search for nearest blue-badge parking spots by anyone, and absolutely anyone can register a disabled parking spot through his/her smartphone or computer, making the parking spot immediately searchable and available to all in need.

The database of available parking spots is constantly increasing, thanks to a growing iParkomat community, around the globe - our solution is aimed to help reduce transportation barriers and increase the touristic possibilities of your city for all persons with disabilities.

iParkomat invites you and local authorities for cooperation.

The city of Warsaw, Poland, where iParkomat has its roots, has already provided data on public parking places for the disabled within the city, and now the entire citys population can find the location of all of the hundreds of public parking spaces for people with disabilities. Users can also find the first disabled parking spots registered in the US, Spain, Germany, and other countries.

iParkomat is currently in talks with some of the largest cities around the globe, and invites all individuals, businesses, foundations and associations to join their effort in reducing transportation barriers for people with disabilities.

We will be very grateful if you could provide us with data about public disabled parking spaces located within your municipality or county. As soon as we receive the data we will import locations of each parking spaces for the disabled and we will present them for free to all in need - iparkomat.com

Source: http://www.disabled-world.com/assistivedevices/apps/iparkomat.php

This is an interesting article inDisability Scoopwritten by Michelle Diament about how Social Security benefits won't increase next year. She explains that it's due to inflation. The maximum an individual can get will remain at $733 per month and for couples it's $1,100.

SSI Benefits To Remain Unchanged

By Michelle Diament

For only the third time in decades, individuals with disabilities who receive Social Security benefits will see no increase next year in their monthly payments.

The Social Security Administration said Thursday that there will be no automatic cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, for 2016. Thats because inflation is too low to warrant an automatic benefit hike, the agency said.

Since 1975, federal law has mandated that Social Security benefits adjust upward annually to account for increases in inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index. There have been only two other years 2010 and 2011 without a COLA.

Without an adjustment, the maximum federal Supplemental Security Income benefits for individuals will remain at $733 per month. For couples, that figure will continue to be $1,100 per month.

Many states supplement SSI benefits for their residents so actual payments may be higher.

Across the nation, over 59 million people receive Social Security benefits and 8 million rely on SSI.

Source: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/10/15/ssi-benefits-unchanged/20876/

To play a key role in advancing self-determination for people with disabilities and older adults in Wisconsin. InControl collaborates to ensure that all individuals live a productive community life as valued citizens, we work to discover, share, and promote best practices and as advocates for sound programs and good public policy

Date:October 28, 2015
To: Wisconsin Dept. of Health Services
From: In Control Wisconsin Board of Directors
Subject: Comments on the new Long-Term Care Plan for Wisconsin

In Control Wisconsin was formed in 2009 to a) promote the nationally and internationally growing idea that people with disabilities and older adults should have more control over their lives and the long term care (LTC) services they receive, and b) improve the cost effectiveness of the LTC system by ensuring that people only receive the level of support they need. This trend has been called self-determination, self-direction, and selfdirected supports. In Control Wisconsin is the only organization in Wisconsin that is solely focused on promoting this philosophy and its best practices. Our work is based on these core beliefs:

• people are capable of taking responsibility for making thoughtful, cost-effective decisions about their lives and their services,

• people have a right to substantial control over how public dollars are spent on their behalf and they can exert that control without directly handling the funds themselves, and

• it should be possible to deliver quality services with limited red tape for the individual.

Many people with physical and/or developmental disabilities, and a growing number of older adults are expressing a strong preference for having some level of self-direction in their services (an estimated 25,000 people in IRIS and Family Care are currently electing to fully or partially self direct their services).This enthusiasm for self direction also came through loud and clear in the JFC hearings on the 2015-2017 state budget.

We believe that self-direction is the way of the future in long term care. It resonates with the desire of many people to not be passive recipients of the care someone else chooses for them, but rather to be in the drivers seat and be able to say what supports they want, when they want them, and to hire the agency or the people who will provide them. This is an effective way to ensure that people are actually getting the services they want and need, and to ensure that public dollars are not spent on unnecessary services or bureaucracy.

In developing the specifics of Wisconsins LTC Plan for the future, we believe there are several important elements which must be included in the Plan to ensure that there is a robust self directed supports option available to anyone who wants it, which not only preserves the essential features of IRIS but actually make improvements on it. These elements include:

1. Education and Information.All LTC-eligible people in WI must be objectively informed and educated about the self directed supports (SDS) option.

2. Full access to Self Directed Supports. All LTC-eligible people in WI must have the right to elect a fully or partially self directed supports option. No one should be excluded from SDS because of the nature or extent of their disability. Shared or supported decision-making (with family and/or friends) is a legitimate form of SDS, and some people will need training on shared/supported decision-making.

3. Participant decision-making. SDS participants get to set their own goals. People who elect to self direct their services believe that they are the experts on their own lives, and Wisconsins experience with the IRIS program has proven that to be true.

4. Participant Control. SDS participants must have full budget authority and employer authority.(Budget authority = decision-making authority over how the Medicaid funding in your individual budget is spent. Employer authority = decision-making authority re who provides your services and how the services are provided. You get to choose any provider agency, or directly recruit, hire, train, supervise, and fire the people who provide your services, including parents, spouses, and relatives.)

5. Reliable budget-setting. Individual budgets must be set fairly and objectively before the person-centered planning process begins, and must be based on the individuals long term care needs and desired outcomes. The Plan should include safeguards to ensure consistency and transparency of the budget-setting process.

6. Quality Support. SDS participants must have access to ongoing support for self direction. Peoples circumstances change and some people experience crises. For many people, SDS wont work without the support of a competent SDS consultant.

7. Self-direction of the Whole Person. In the context of the new Integrated Model, SDS must now also apply to the provision of acute and primary health care, and behavioral health. This fits with national trends toward more consumer-directed health care and the use of the recovery model in the behavioral health field. It is also important that SDS not become medicalized, e.g. prior authorization procedures for medical treatment should not be applied to long term services and supports in SDS.

8. Appropriate Cost Effectiveness approaches. Promote cost effectiveness in SDS in ways that fit the values of SDS. SDS is inherently cost effective, as evidenced by the fact that IRIS participants give back 17% of their individual budget allocations. But traditional cost containment methods used in managed care (e.g. across the board provider rate cuts) can undermine the concept of SDS. Experience has shown that the most impactful cost effectiveness strategies in SDS are local and individualized. It is also important that individuals are given enough flexibility to fully capitalize on all the unique, cost effective opportunities to utilize natural supports which are inherent in SDS.

9. Program integrity. Create mechanisms to ensure that services are actually resulting in the outcomes chosen by the person, and that comply with CMS rules. Also, utilize fraud prevention and detection mechanisms that do not add unnecessary bureaucracy to SDS.

10. Participant rights. Include adequately funded Ombudsman services in the Plan which are independent of ADRCs, IHAs, and provider agencies. Include safeguards to prevent unnecessary institution admissions, and incentivize a safe, timely return to the community. Allow individuals placed in institutions less than 90 days to stay enrolled in SDS.

Thank you for your consideration of our views.

Contact information for Lynn Breedlove, President, InControl Wisconsin: lynnbreedlove.wi@gmail.com 608-577-0468

Board of Directors
Officers:

Lynn Breedlove,
President

Kate Norby,
Vice President

Jenny Felty,
Secretary

Patti Becker,
Treasurer

Peter Tropman
Ruth Adix
Terry Lynch
Jim Canales
Dennis Harkins
Erik Scribner
Laura Hanson
Trista Brandt
Monica Bear

Self-Determination Network News:October2015

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

Changes to Wisconsin Long-Term Care: Whats Next?

On October 12^th, InControl Wisconsin held a webinar withLynn Breedlove, Co-chair of the Wisconsin Long-Term Care Coalition, and Lisa Pugh, Public Policy Director of Disability Rights Wisconsin, about what's next for Long-Term Care in Wisconsin. Weve setup aResource pagein our Wisconsin Long-Term Care section where you can find links to the webinar (both the audio-recording and the Powerpoint) as well as multiple resources to help you understand what's happening. We encourage you to check these out and share your resources as well.

In addition, weve started adiscussionwhere you can ask questions and express your thoughts and concerns regarding Long-Term Care in Wisconsin. Join the conversation today!

Member Spotlight

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 this month, we shine the Spotlight on Dennis Granzen. Having the unique perspective of advocating for people with disabilities, but then also needing supports himself, he understands the importance of self-determination and advocacy. Stop by this monthsMember Spotlightand get to know Dennis!

Who should we shine the Spotlight on next?

Take our One-Minute Poll

In our last one-minute poll, we asked what your favorite Halloween candy was. About 26% reported that they liked Reeses Peanut Butter Cups best. M&Ms came in a close second at about 23%, and Snickers and Butterfingers tied at about 13%. About 20% of people said they either liked a different kind of candy or didnt like candy.

As you know, InControl Wisconsin recently offered a webinar focusing on an update of the State budget and its impact on long-term care programs in Wisconsin. As we consider future webinars, wed like to know if there are other topics youre interested in. Take ourone-minute pollnow!

It Only Takes "Five"

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

• Call for Proposals: Proposals are now being accepted for the Autism Society of Wisconsin 27^thAnnual Conference.
• Advocacy Continues: This is a great article about how people continue to voice their concerns about changes to long-term care.
• Power of Networking: This is a great blog about the power of networking for people with disabilities.
• Register Now: Registration is now open for the Across the Lifespan Conference.
• Emergency Preparedness: This is a terrific article about emergency preparation for people with disabilities.
• Disability and Arts: Read about this great Wisconsin organization that provides arts programming for people with disabilities.
• City Ranking: This is an interesting article about a ranking for the best and worst cities for people with disabilities.
• Caregiver Wage Protections: This is a great article about caregiver wage protections finally took effect after many delays.
• Call for Exhibitors: The Across the Lifespan Conference is still looking for exhibitors. Exhibitor registration deadline is November 30^th.
• Post news or start a discussion: It's easy to do and a great way to share information and network with others!

Stacys Journal

This month Stacy shares about howa new IRIS rule has really impacted her life. We encourage you to ask her questions and/or share your experiences as well.

New Members

Stop by to welcomeour newest members:

• He wants to keepinformed about long-term care.
• Thismotherwants to learn about programs for her daughter.
• ThisVocational Coordinatorwants to keep current with whats happening and network with others.
• She wants to assist inpromoting disability rights.
• She joined the SD Networkto gather more information.
• This personworks with people with disabilitiesand wants to understand the upcoming changes.
• She joined the Network tokeep learning.
• She wants to betterunderstand the philosophy of self-determination.
• She's aSDS Specialist.

Do you know someone who should join the Self-Determination Network? Spread the word and invite friends, families and other interested folks!

Upcoming Events

Here's a sample ofupcoming eventslisted on the Self-Determination Network:

• Youth in Partnership with Parents for Empowerment (YiPPE):October 23^rdto 24^th, Sleep Inn & Suites Conference Center, Eau Claire WI
• Mia Mingus Presentation: October 23^rd, 4:15pm to 6pm, Sterling Hall, Madison

• Webinar: Accessible Trails: November 5^th, 1:30pm to 3pm, Online
• Self-Determination Conference:November 9^thto 11^th, Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells WI
• Across the Lifespan Conference: December 3^rdto 4^th, Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells WI
• Wisconsin Transition Conference: February 18^th to 19^th, Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells WI

Post your eventon the Self-Determination Network and it can be included in future Network News emails to members! Questions? Suggestions? ContactStacy Ellingen.

The Self-Determination Network is powered by In Control Wisconsin and supported financially by ourmembersandSponsors. We couldn't keep this Network going with you! Find out how you can help support the Network.