This is a very interesting but disheartening article inDisability Scoopwritten by Michelle Diament about how federal statistics indicate that people with disabilities are far more likely to be victims of violent crime. The statistics and facts she gives are very interesting. It certainly makes one think.

Crime Odds Double For Those With Disabilities

By Michelle Diament

People with disabilities remain far more likely to be victims of violent crime, new federal statistics indicate.

There were 1.3 million nonfatal violent crimes committed against persons with disabilities in 2013, according to data released this month from the U.S. Department of Justices Bureau of Justice Statistics.

Overall, people with disabilities were more than twice as likely to experience violent crime as compared to the general population, the agency said.

Within this population, those with cognitive disabilities were the most likely to report being victims ofviolent crime and about half of victims had multiple conditions. The vast majority of crimes cited were related to simple assault followed by aggravated assault, robbery and rape or sexual assault.

The findings are based on data from the National Crime Victimization Survey, an annual survey of about 90,000 households asking about their experiences with crime whether reported or unreported to authorities.

Just under half of incidents involving people with disabilities were reported to police, the Bureau of Justice Statistics found. In other cases, those surveyed said they didnt seek law enforcement assistance because they dealt with the matter another way, believed the incident was not significant enough or thought police would not help, among other reasons.

Nearly a quarter of those with disabilities who were victimized indicated that they believed they were targeted due to their disability.

Source: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/05/26/crime-odds-double/20329/

An interesting story on wbay.com written by Andrea Hay about the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). She explains some of the effects the ADA has had including workplace discrimination laws. She tells the story of one Wisconsin man who has immensely benefited from the ADA.

How far have we come? The Americans with Disabilities Act 25 years later

By Andrea Hay

From accessible buildings with ramps and wheelchair lifts to automatic doors and elevator keypads, many experience the effects of the Americans with Disabilities Act every day without even realizing it. But to some people with disabilities, the past 25 years have made a world of difference.

Tom Deidrich lost his arm in a farming accident at age 18, and later, a car accident broke his neck and left him paralyzed. He says living as a quadriplegic in the 1980s meant rarely leaving the house, and finding work nearly impossible.

I applied for a job in Green Bay doing interior sales work, got called in for an appointment to meet with the manager, told him who I was, and he looked at me and said you cant work here, said Deidric.

That cant happen now, and thats important. I dont think people realize how blatant the discrimination was, he said.

Deidrich says his life changed when the ADA declared equal access to everything public in 1990. Movie theaters, grocery stores and shopping centers put in ramps, elevators, and create wider doorwaysas well as other accessibility requirements on public accommodations. The upgrades imposed on businesses made the act controversial.

Workplace discrimination of people with disabilities became illegal. Diedrich gained employement at Options for Independent Living, and even helped the Green Bay Packers renovate for people with disabilities. They really did an excellent job, he said, adding they went beyond the requirements.

A lot of positive things have happened, but were not done yet, said Deiedrich. Transportation is a big issue. While weve got very good transportation services here in the metropolitan Green Bay area, what about people in the country who have issues and cant drive?

He says his mission is to end discrimination permanently in business and home life alike.

[People with disabilities] want to be your next door neighbor. They want to be able to work and pay taxes just like everybody else, he said.

A MONUMENTAL TIME FOR CIVIL RIGHTS

Two years prior to the passing of the America ns with Disabilities Act, Eunice Kennedy Shriver won her uphill battle to gain official approval to use the name Olympics in the Special Olympics.

Its the only other thing that can be listed as having Olympics in it because the actual Olympics are so well known, explained Matt Harper, Special Olympics Wisconsin Regional Director.

So she had to fight through and kind of work through a lot of controversy and use her family name and do whatever it took to get Special Olympics recognized in the disability community and make sure that everybody knew what Special Olympics was trying to accomplish, he said.

The Special Olympics has grown from a small event just a few hundred athletes in in Soldier Field to millions of athletes all over the world, with the International Torch Run Conference hosting thousands of attendees. This years torch run will be held in the Bahamas, and hundreds of law enforcement officers will participate to raise money for Special Olympics.

Source: http://wbay.com/2015/05/24/how-far-have-we-come-the-americans-with-disabilities-act-25-years-later/

*DRW Mental Health Advisory Council Seeks New Members*

*The PAIMI (mental health) Advisory Council of Disability Rights Wisconsin seeksnew members who want to advance positive change in working to protect andadvocate for the rights of Wisconsin residents with mental health diagnoses.*

The Council has openings for the following positions:

Parent of a minor child or youth who has received or is receiving mental healthservices

Person who has received or is receiving mental health services or the familymember of a person who has received or is receiving mental health services

Current Council members are from La Crosse, Milwaukee, Menominee, and RacineCounties -we are especially interested in candidates from counties *not*currently represented.

*To apply, please complete and submit thisapplicationbyJune 19th*.

*_BACKGROUND ON THE PAIMI ADVISORY COUNCIL_*

Disability Rights Wisconsin is Wisconsins Protection and Advocacy agency, partof a nationwide network of disability rights agencies mandated by Congress toprovide advocacy services and legal representation on behalf of all persons withdisabilities. Since 1986, DRW and other Protection and Advocacy agencies haveworked through the PAIMI program (Protection and Advocacy for Individuals withMental Illness) to protect the human and civil rights of children and adultswith serious mental health conditions. This work is supported by a PAIMIAdvisory Council.

The PAIMI Advisory Council helps staff and board of directors of DRW setpriorities for the PAIMI program and advises the board on policies and issuesthat affect people with mental illness. The Council also serves as a liaison tothe various communities its members represent.

*Who Can Serve on the PAIMI Advisory Council?*

The Council is committed to maintaining a strong consumer voice, and requiresthat at least 50% of its members be people with the lived experience of mentalillness, who are receiving or have received mental health services. The Councilmust also include the parent of a minor child or youth who has received or isreceiving mental health services. In addition, the Council must include anattorney; a mental health professional; a provider of mental health services;and a member of the general public who is knowledgeable about mental illness,the advocacy needs of persons with mental illness, and has demonstrated asubstantial commitment to improving mental health services.**

*What Are Council Member Expectations?*

The PAIMI Advisory Council meets at least three times per year, generally on aFridayafternoon prior to a DRW Board meeting. Members may also meetperiodically to fulfill committee assignments. Council terms are for two yearsand members may be re-appointed for a second term. Council bylaws require us torecruit members from each region of the state so that the Council can have astatewide voice, and to have membership that reflects the racial and ethniccomposition of the state. Travel, meals, hotel and other meeting expenses arereimbursed for Council members.

*Barbara Beckert, Milwaukee Office Director*

*DISABILITY RIGHTS WISCONSIN*

6737 W. Washington St., Suite 3230

Milwaukee, WI 53214

414-773-4646 Ext 15Voice

414-773-4647Fax

barbara.beckert@drwi.org

One Last Opportunity to Ask that the State's Budget Include Funding for School Districts that Secure Employment for Students with Disabilities

Wisconsin Legislature
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMay 14, 2015

Rep. Dean Knudson, Member, Joint Finance Committee(608) 266-1526
Senator Leah Vukmir, Member, Joint Finance Committee(608) 266-2512
Rep. John Nygren, Co-Chair, Joint Finance Committee(608) 266-2343
Senator Alberta Darling, Co-Chair, Joint Finance Committee(608) 266-5830

JFC REPUBLICANS PROTECT LONG TERM CARE
Remove Governors Proposed Changes, Preserve Self-Directed Care

MADISONOn Thursday, Republican leaders on the Joint Finance Committee (JFC) announced the rejection of Governor Walkers proposed long term care changes, while pursuing limited reforms with strong legislative oversight. Rep. Dean Knudson (R-Hudson) and Sen. Leah Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa) unveiled the changes alongside JFC Co-chairs Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette) and Sen. Alberta Darling (R-River Hills).

In removing the Governors changes to FamilyCare and IRIS, the legislators proposed giving the Department of Health Services (DHS) limited authority to negotiate with the Federal Government on potential changes to FamilyCare to integrate long term and medical care, with the following requirements:
Require public and stakeholder input before any changes are made.
Require self-directed care with budget authority, to be defined in statute.
Require a regional model with multiple Integrated Health Agencies (IHA) per region.
Require an independent actuarial study to set rates.
Require the acceptance of any willing provider for a multi-year transition.
Preserve ADRC services.
Require final approval of any waiver application by the Joint Finance Committee before submission to the Federal Government.

This plan requires public input, includes a self-directed option, and gives patients choice between competing providers. Integration of care provides better care for customers and doctors, as well as a better value for taxpayers.

Go to the Wheeler Report (www.thewheelerreport.com
<http://www.thewheelerreport.com&gt and see10:53 AMannouncement form Vukmir,Knudsen, Nygren and Darling that JFC has taken the governor's LTC proposalout of the budget.

A great article inDisability Scoopwritten by Michelle Diament about how the White House hired a disability liaison to address the needs of the disability community. The new liaison has lots of experience advocating for people with disabilities.

New Disability Liaison On Board At White House

By Michelle Diament

There is a new staffer at the White House tasked with addressing the needs of the disability community.

Maria Town took over this week as an associate director in the White Houses Office of Public Engagement. In the post, she will focus on incorporating the needs of people with disabilities in Obama administration activities.

The new hire comes just over a month after Taryn Mackenzie Williams left the role. Williamswasin the position temporarily and has since returned to the U.S. Department of Labor where she was stationed previously.

Town, who has cerebral palsy, is a full-time, permanent hire, White House officials said.

Before joining the presidents staff, Town worked as an adviser in the Labor Departments Office of Disability Employment Policy. In that role, she focused on improving employment among youth and young adults with disabilities.

Marias track record on bolstering youth with disabilities as they transition into the workforce and her demonstrated skill crafting career development opportunities in classrooms, fostering leadership for young people with disabilities and building opportunities for inclusive volunteerism will serve the existing efforts of the White House on behalf of Americans with disabilities well, said Rebecca Cokley, executive director of the National Council on Disability, a federal agency that advises the president on disability issues.

Source:http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2015/05/06/new-disability-liaison/20272/

I turn 30 next week. I cant help but take a few moments to reflect on my 20s. To say a lot has happened in this decade of my life would be a huge understatement. I graduated from UW-Whitewater, moved into my own apartment, and landed a job just to name a few highlights. For most 30 year olds, milestones such as those things are often taken for granted, but for people with significant limitations, like myself, they become much bigger accomplishments we learn to cherish. With that said, this decade has also brought many challenges and obstacles for me.

Until age 26, besides having Cerebral Palsy, I was a relatively healthy lady. I saw my primary doctor for a physical annually, but that was pretty much the extent of my medical appointments. When I hit 26, it was like a switch flipped in my body. I need to mention thiswhen I moved back in with my parents after graduating college, I continued to receive physical therapy once per week. At the time, since I was 25, I was still on my parents insurance. After a few months of receiving therapy in Fond du Lac, the insurance companies decided my treatments were preventative instead of rehabilitative. In other words, in their eyes therapy wasnt going to help me get better anymore, and therefore, they stopped paying. We checked into all the options, but, in the end, I had to stop therapy. Up until that point, I had had physical therapy at least once per week since I was eight months old. Although, there is no way to prove it, I feel as if stopping therapy caused some of my medical issues.

When I turned 26, I switched to being on straight Medicaid. Because of my disability, I had always qualified for Medicaid, but since I was always covered by my parents insurance, Medicaid had been like the last resort. Now, its my primary and only insurance. Before I switched over, I was a little nervous because I had heard many nightmare stories from friends who were on the so called system. Little did I know how thankful Id be to have that coverage just a short time later.

In summer 2011, it all started when I somehow broke my wrist. I went to the doctor and while there she referred me to a pain doctor because my muscle tone had gotten pretty bad. To make a long story short, after that appointment, while on vacation in Florida, I ended up in the hospital with an infection. It was thought to be an one-time thing, but I was back in the ER days after we returned home with the same symptoms. I was referred to a gastroenterologist and had tests done. The problem was thought to be found and I was put on medication to fix it. While all this was going on, I also had a mysterious rash all over my body. After a few trips to urgent care and trying different medications, I was referred to a dermatologist. Eventually, with medication, thankfully the rash did clear up. I finally saw the pain doctor after the holidays; she referred me to a neurologist in Neenah to be evaluated for a Baclofen pump (its a surgically inserted pump that releases medicine directly into the spinal fluid to relax the muscles). I saw him that March, and I had a test spinal tap done in April (that too ended up being a fiasco as I got spinal headaches as a result of it and needed a blood patch). It was decided a Baclofen pump would benefit me. I had the surgery in July 2012 and it was very successful; it helped me so much. I thought I was finally back to being healthy, but just a mere three weeks later, I was back in the ER with excruciating stomach pains. I ended up having emergency surgery which we later found out was literally life-saving. I spent 11 days in the hospital. Since then, Ive been admitted for more tests and had another emergency surgery related to it. Ive had very minimum copays, but Medicaid has paid literally hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical bills for me without a fight. Knock on wood, Ive been pretty healthy for over a year now, but, needless to say, Im very thankful to have coverage!

Im just now beginning the process of getting a new power wheelchair. This will be my first one through Medicaid. I was very fortunate to have had my parents insurance pay for all my chairs in the past. I didnt know how the process worked, so I asked my friends on Facebook. Basically, I got varying answers. My mom has a call into the wheelchair place to setup an eval and get the process started. Ive been warned it may take awhile, so Im prepared to wait.

Learning how the long-term care and healthcare system works is crucial for people with disabilities. Im still learning the ropes. Ive learned that its very important to ask questions and advocate for whats best for yourself.

In closing, I hope this next decade will be better medically. I cant even put into words how much I learned about life in my 20s. I learned just how important self-advocacy really is. I have no choice but to keep advocating for not only myself but for all people with all people with disabilities. Its the only way were going to be able to get the appropriate support we need in order to lead successful lives!

Heres to the next 30 years!

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.