News

Voters with Disabilities in 2014


By Theresa Kulow, 2014-11-12

Do you have a disability? Did you vote? What was your voter experience? The United States Election Project estimates that the turnout of eligible voters for the 2014 midterm election was the lowest, around 36.3%, since 1942.

For eligible voters with disabilities, simply getting to their polling place can be a struggle. As a result, voters with disabilities turnout at even lower rates. This results in less-representative elections - despite the fact that 16 percent of the population is considered to have a physical, developmental or learning disability, while the2010 U.S. Census puts the figure as high as 19 percent, or one in five Americans.

Read more about this discrepancy and efforts around polling place accessibility, getting out the vote efforts, and voter turnout.

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A great article inThe New York Timesby Paul Stenqust about how the idea of self-driving cars is very exciting for many people who have disabilities. While technology isn't quite there yet, the advancements in years to come could be life-changing for people with disabilities. He does a nice job of explaining the history and where things are at.

In Self-Driving Cars, a Potential Lifeline for the Disabled

By Paul Stenqust

The self-driving car, embraced as a stress-reducing convenience for harried drivers and a potential advance in road safety, could also prove to be a life-changing breakthrough for many people with disabilities, granting them a new measure of independence.

While much of the necessary technology is well along in development, those awaiting vehicles that can provide unassisted transportation will have to be patient.

Self-driving cars have been the stuff of science fiction and experimentation since the early days of the automobile. In 1925, Time magazine carried an article about a car that cruised New York City streets without a driver, guided by radio control. The General Motors Futurama exhibition at the 1939 New York Worlds Fair depicted a future of self-driving cars by the industrial designer Norman Bel Geddes.

The Bel Geddes vision, with its implications for the disabled, may be getting closer to reality. Automakers have demonstrated cars capable of self-driving operation, and in August the chief executive of Nissan,Carlos Ghosn, said the automaker would offer a car with autonomous drive technology by 2020.

Mr. Ghosn did not promise a vehicle that could be operated without a driver at the wheel, and a Nissan spokeswoman, Wendy Payne, said the company had not studied the disability issue.

Confirming that Nissans first self-driving car would require an able driver, she said that all automakers were taking that approach: At this point, the driver has to be able to operate the vehicle.

G.M. is among the makers demonstrating self-driving prototypes, and a driver-assistance technology that it calls Super Cruise, to be introduced in 2017 model Cadillacs, makes partly autonomous operation possible on the highway. Still, the company is reserved in its optimism.

We believe that one day there will be fully automated cars that drive themselves under all circumstances, a G.M. spokesman, Dan Flores, said about the potential of driverless vehicles for the handicapped. A lot of societal benefits are possible, but were years away from achieving those benefits.

Audi recently obtained a permit to test self-driving cars on California roads. But the cars are equipped with manual controls so a driver can take over if necessary.

Present-day tech developed by every automaker and accepted by state laws requires human ability to take over, a company spokesman, Brad Stertz, wrote in an email. Fully autonomous driving is mostly a human generation away, no matter who is making promises.

Google is making promises, or at least offering suggestions. The company, which declined to provide an interview for this article, has developed two prototypes. The first was a standard vehicle fitted with sensors, hardware and computers that enabled self-driving. Equipped with steering wheel and brakes, it could be operated by a backup driver in an emergency.

The second-generation Google car is entirely driverless and has no steering wheel or brake pedal. Driver intervention is impossible, even in an emergency, so its design would be appropriate for people physically unable to operate a vehicle.

In ablog postlast April, Chris Umson, director of Googles self-driving car project, said the company was growing more optimistic about reaching an achievable goal a vehicle that operates fully without human intervention.

In a statement provided to The Times, Google said that the potential of a self-driver to help those with disabilities could be realized only if the human operator were taken out of the equation. The company maintains that denying the driver an active role in vehicle control will also eliminate human error and improve driving safety.

Steve Mahan of Morgan Hill, Calif., executive director of the Santa Clara Valley Blind Center, has ridden in both of Googles prototypes. Mr. Mahon, 61, is legally blind. Google contacted him about three years ago to discuss how self-driving vehicles might benefit the disabled. He was offered a chance toexperience Googles retrofitted Toyota Priusand provide feedback. He has since ridden in thenew driverless prototype.

My read on Googles approach is, how do you create vehicles that are smart enough to drive on existing roadways, Mr. Mahan said in a phone interview. Theyre looking at a paradigm shift in transportation, where the vehicles assume all of the driving tasks for efficiency and safety.

He added: Ive been in the Google cars quite a bit in urban traffic and highway. The technology is incredibly capable. They drive like good drivers. I spoke to a programmer who helps define how the car behaves. I told him, So youre the person who made these cars drive like my wife.

Googles driverless vehicle is in testing. Because California law requires that self-driving vehicles be fitted with backup manual systems, the company has installed a temporary steering wheel and controls. On a website devoted to the car, Google said, Well remove these manual controls after the prototypes have finished being tested and permitted, because our vehicles are ultimately designed to operate without a human driver.

The marketplace together with regulators could have the final say as to what type of autonomous car is ultimately offered for sale and whether the vehicle could accommodate those incapable of controlling the car manually.

Research doesnt suggest that a clear majority of drivers are eager to turn the wheel over to a robotic driver. Asurveyby the Pew Research Center and Smithsonian magazine, for example, found that 48 percent of Americans would be interested in a self-driving car; 50 percent would not. The survey did not attempt to determine whether those who were accepting of self-driving technology would be willing to relinquish all control to a vehicle without a steering wheel or brake pedal.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has not issued regulations for self-driving vehicles, and it would not comment for the record in regard to potential rules. But it has issuedguidelinesfor on-road testing and advised the states in regard to on-road operation

Not everyone who lacks the mobility needed to drive a conventional car wants a driverless car. Bruce Chargo, a 55-year-old financial planner from Clio, Mich., who is paralyzed below his chest and has no control of his hands, feet or back muscles, drivesspecially equipped vehicleswith his upper arms and head.

A self-driving car isnt for me, he said in a telephone interview. There are very few things I can do independently, but I can drive. If self-driving cars reach dealer showrooms, funding for vehicles like mine might not be available. That concerns me.

But Mr. Mahan, the director of the center for blind people, wants to be mobile as well, and alternative-control systems cant enable a vision-impaired driver.

I miss driving, he said. My experience with Google has been terrific, and I want it to happen. Everyone in the blind community wants it to happen."

Source:http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/09/automobiles/in-self-driving-cars-a-potential-lifeline-for-the-disabled.html?_r=0

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An article inDisability Scoop written by Michelle Diament about a famous comedian/actor who thinks he's on the autism spectrum. I think this will be a great awareness builder for autism.

Jerry Seinfeld: I Think Im On The Spectrum

By Michelle Diament

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld says he believes he may be on the autism spectrum.

Seinfeld tellsNBC Newsthat he sees traits of autism in himself, indicating that he isnt the best socially and does not always follow what others are saying.

I think on a very drawn-out scale, I think Im on the spectrum, said Seinfeld, 60. Youre never paying attention to the right things. Basic social engagement is really a struggle. Im very literal, when people talk to me and they use expressions, sometimes I dont know what theyre saying.

The revelation came in an interview to promote a new season of Seinfelds web series, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. Each episode finds the comedian cruising in a different classic car alongside a celebrity pal. Guests have included Chris Rock, Jay Leno, Sarah Jessica Parker and Larry David.

Seinfeld said fellow comedians are the only kind of people that I feel completely relaxed around.

Nonetheless, he doesnt see his autism tendencies negatively.

I dont see it as as dysfunctional. I just think of it as an alternate mindset, he said.

Source: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/11/07/jerry-seinfeld-spectrum/19831/

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An article inDisability Scoopby Michelle Diament about how the US Justice Department had people monitoring disability access at polling centers across the US during yesterday's election. The statistic that 1 in 5 voters with disabilities were prevented from voting independently in the 2012 election is ridiculous. It will be interesting to hear feedback on how this election went.

Justice Department Monitoring Disability Access At Polls

By Michelle Diament

Federal officials are fanning out across the country on Election Day to ensure that voters including those with disabilities dont encounter barriers to casting their ballots.

The U.S. Department of Justice is sending election monitors to polling places in 18 states Tuesday.

These officials will gather information on numerous aspects of local election procedures, including whether voters are treated differently depending on their race or color; whether jurisdictions are adequately serving individuals with disabilities; whether jurisdictions are complying with the provisional ballot requirements of the Help America Vote Act; and whether jurisdictions are complying with the Voting Rights Acts requirement to provide bilingual election materials and assistance in areas of need, Attorney General Eric Holder said in a video message.

Among their tasks will be assessing whether jurisdictions allow voters with disabilities to cast a private and independent ballot, the Justice Department said. Specifically, monitors will be looking to see if accessible voting machines are available and if people with disabilities who need assistance at the polls are able to obtain it from the person of their choice.

Despite federal protections, a report from the National Council on Disabilityfoundthat 1 in 5 voters with disabilities were prevented from casting their ballot independently during the 2012 election. Whats more, more than half said they faced barriers including rude or condescending attitudes from election workers at their polling place.

Individuals who believe that their voting rights have been violated can file a complaint with the Justice Departments Civil Rights Divisiononlineor by calling 800-253-3931.

For Tuesdays election, federal monitors are expected to be on the ground in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin.

Source: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/11/04/justice-access-polls/19813/

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A great article in thePost Crescentwritten by Cheryl Anderson about a young lady from Greenville who has a lot of determination. A freak accident hasn't stopped her from moving forward with life!

Falling tree didn't break Greenville woman's spirit

By Cheryl Anderson

Samantha Schroth, 22, lives life to the fullest despite an accident that left her with paralysis.

Samantha Schroth's favorite color has always been lime green.

When asked the odds that her favorite color also represents spinal cord injury awareness, the Greenville woman said it's as likely as having a tree fall on you.

In August, Schroth, 22, was crowned Ms. Wheelchair America 2015 at ceremonies in Long Beach, California. She was one of 27 candidates competing for the national title and will spend the next year advocating for the more than 54 million Americans living with disabilities.

Schroth never expected she'd be one of them.

Shortly after graduating from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in May 2013, Schroth accompanied a friend to her family's lake home in northwestern Minnesota to help get things ready for summer.

"We had just put in their dock and it was a gorgeous day outside," Schroth said. "Their sailboat was parked where it was all winter long in their front yard. We're looking at their sailboat and getting ready for it to get actually loaded up, and while we're standing in the front yard a tree just fell."

Schroth still doesn't recall the incident but was told it took two people to lift the 5-foot long and 1-foot diameter section of dead tree off her chest.

Driven from the cabin to a clearing, Schroth was airlifted to the nearest trauma center in Fargo, North Dakota, where she spent 3weeks in intensive care.

When her mother, Darlene Schroth of Greenville, heard the news she began praying. "I said, Lord, I can live with Samantha being in a chair as long as, No. 1, she's alive, and No. 2, she has her mind and her brain and her smarts because they were so important to Samantha. She was always an intelligent girl. And that she had use of her hands. ... The thing is the Lord answered my prayers."

Schroth was transferred to the world-renowned Craig Hospital in Colorado, where she spent the next 2 months in rehab.

When the brain fog lifted around the first week of July, Schroth said she knew she had a spinal cord injury and would never walk again.

"I think it took a long time for it to all set in," she said. "You know something but it doesn't really hit you for a while. I think that really took its toll when I was discharged from Craig," which specializes in spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries. "I was surrounded by people that looked like me, that moved like me, that were facing the same trials as I was."

Back in Greenville, Schroth said no one looked like her anymore.

"I went from the walking majority to the wheeling minority. You don't see many people that are young in a wheelchair in our community. Those first two months that I was home from the hospital, whoa. This is kind of hard."

Beyond losing her ability to walk, Schroth felt she lost her independence and future career plans.

"I think I had to go through a time of grieving for it. That's completely natural, and everyone's (grieving) looks a little different. And everyone's lasts for a different amount of time."

But Schroth said she's not good at sitting still and "hanging out with life," so a month into her grief she decided it was time to stop the pity party and move on.

"I always say I'm living on bonus time," she said. "There are so many times I could have died ... while I was in the ICU. I might as well live life to the absolute fullest."

Schroth credits her strong faith and her family for her positive attitude and for helping her find a new normal, which she admits she's still getting used to.

She's also getting used to what she calls the pity looks from others looking at "the girl in the wheelchair that's never going to amount to anything. That was really hard especially for a girl who is fiercely independent," she said. "I'm going to get back there, it will just look different."

A pageant beckons

While Schroth was at Craig Hospital, she saw a Ms. Wheelchair Colorado poster hanging on a bulletin board in the gym. In her boredom during those first few months back at home, Schroth Googled the pageant.

"I'm not really a pageant kind of gal," Schroth said, with a laugh. "I am the worst girly-girl on the planet."

But Ms. Wheelchair is not based on traditional standards of beauty but on the ability to educate and advocate for people with all forms of disabilities, whether seen or unseen.

In March, Schroth competed in and won Ms. Wheelchair Wisconsin. In early August, she moved on to the national competition after living with her spinal cord injury for only 11 months.

"I didn't think I stood a chance. Somehow the judges just enjoyed my personality," said Schroth, who won the national title and is excited about showing the world that being different is OK.

Ms. Wheelchair America's duties are to promote awareness of the need to eliminate architectural and attitudinal barriers, informing the general population about the achievements of the millions of people in the country living with disabilities and helping to establish programs in the country.

Schroth must travel, make public appearances and speak before advocacy groups. She has a blog and Facebook page where she shares her viewpoint on what life is like from her perspective. Fundraising for her travel expenses also is part of what she must do.

"It's like another job in the best way possible," she said.

A new calling

The Rev. Zach Gebert, youth and outreach pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church in Appleton, met Schroth about three months ago when she expressed interest in the ave., a new Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod ministry to provide an opportunity for teens to learn together.

"She's been very eager to help out in any way that she can," Gebert said. "A lot of what she sees her role as right now ... is just kind of hang out and find those kids who maybe aren't totally connected to the group, maybe on their own, and start to amalgamate them with the rest of the group. She has a real heart for that."

Gebert said it's apparent to anyone who meets Schroth that she is filled with joy, excitement and optimism.

"It's something that people recognize and it can shape the entire mood of a place. ... In the short couple of months that I've known her, so much of that is rooted in her recognition of how God has worked in her life.

"Right away when you ask to hear her story that's what she wants to make known. It's not about her, it's about how God has worked in her life and the plan that God's got for her. All the joy she has, I know, is coming from that faith she's got and recognition of what her savior's done for her."

Changing paths

Schroth volunteers as a peer mentor for new spinal cord injury patients, works part-time for the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities as an assistant researcher and is taking business courses at the University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley.

She's also changed her life's course from animal science to medicine of the "two-legged variety," she said, and is in the process of applying to medical schools in hopes of one day becoming a physiatrist (rehabilitation physician).

"I would love to be a physician," she said. "I never really thought about human medicine before as a career ... until I spent three months in a hospital."

Schroth's love of running also has led her to train to compete in marathons in her racing chair, she said.

For as many doors that have closed for Schroth, her mother said, so many more have opened.

"A lot of times people say she's inspirational, but it's her living her life," Darlene Schroth said.

As for lessons learned, Schroth said, the biggest is to not be afraid to ask for help.

"I think that sometimes it's OK. And it's OK to have bad days because everyone has bad days whether you walk or you roll.

"Bad days come, but I think it's important to remember it's those bad days that make you really appreciate the good ones. When you're having one of those good days ... take in all the moments you're blessed with."

Source: http://www.postcrescent.com/story/life/2014/11/02/falling-tree-break-greenville-womans-spirit/18257985/

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An interesting blog on the Disability.gov blog site written by Marian Vessels about accessibility. She makes several valid points about how even though the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has significantly helped, the US still has a ways to go.

Hospitality, Accessibility and the ADA

By Marian Vessel, Mid-Atlantic ADA Center

Eating out. We Americans love to eat out! We enjoy having someone else cook for us, exploring different cuisines, sharing a congenial meal with family and friends or enjoying the ease of a quick meal. It seems that even the smallest of towns has a caf, coffee shop or restaurant where folks go to eat, but often more importantly, socialize.

Travel. Americans also are known to travel for work, pleasure or family events. We enjoy seeing new sights, experiencing adventures, traveling for business or to celebrate, mourn or connect with family and friends. These activities often require one or more nights in a rented room. Staying in a hotel, motel or other lodging is a staple for many of those who travel.

Over the last quarter century, diners and travelers with disabilities have benefited from substantial improvements in their ability to enjoy these venues since theAmericans with Disabilities Act(ADA) became law and continues to be woven into the fabric of American life.

We are now eagerly anticipating the 25th anniversary of the signing of the ADA. This is a monumental step for the civil rights of those with disabilities. President George H.W. Bush stated at the signing of the ADA on July 26, 1990, Let the shameful walls of exclusion finally come tumbling down. Unfortunately, we are still a long way from full inclusion in the hospitality industry. Many owners, operators and staff are still not aware of the broad requirements of the ADA and their application. Simple features such as accessible parking, a clear path of travel from parking areas or the street to entryways, accessible entrances, accessible lower front counters and clear routes through main areas of properties are often not provided or maintained. Concerns by front-line staff about how to interact with a person with a disability are as prevalent now as they were twenty-four years ago.

I love to eat out and enjoy travel for pleasure, work and for family events. I am also a diner, a traveler and a family member who has used a wheelchair for the last 40 years. I have seen significant changes since the signing of the ADA. I sometimes forget to call ahead to ensure that an unknown restaurant will accommodate me independently. I presume that my hotel room is truly accessible and will accommodate my needs. I assume that I will be treated with dignity and respect by hotel and restaurant staff. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Waiters still address my dining companions, asking for my dinner selection (instead of asking me directly) and many hotel rooms still do not allow me to move around, change the temperature or open the drapes independently.

There remains a great need in the industry to be more knowledgeable about the provisions of the ADA and provide inclusive customer service for their patrons with disabilities. TheADA National Network(ADANN) recognized this need and developedADAhospitality.org, a website dedicated to providing the hospitality industry with information, resources and training on the application of the ADA.ADAhospitality.orghas free downloadable staff ADA training materials, facts sheets and a myriad of other resources. ADANN, a network of 10 regional centers, can also provide customized, confidential information on the application of the ADA via a toll free phone line: 800-949-4ADA (4232).

The demands of a growing disability community (over 54 million in 2012) and an aging affluent baby boomer population (an estimated 84 million persons 55 years and older in 2010) requires the industry to be ready and willing to meet their needs. Find out how the ADA applies to your business, to you as person with a disability, or as a concerned individual. Review resources, tax credits and deductions and other materials to become more knowledgeable. YOU can make a difference in ensuring that all who dine or use lodging facilities are included. When restaurants and hotels welcome guests with disabilities, they are welcoming not only those individuals, but their families, friends and colleagues who dine and travel with them. Implementing the provisions of the ADA is a great business decision for all!

Marian Vessels is the Director of theMid-Atlantic ADA Center, a project of TransCen Inc. Serving in this role since 1996, she has been the liaison with entities and disability coalitions in the six-state Mid-Atlantic region (D.C., Del., Md., Penn., Va. and W.V.). The Center is one of 10 regional centers comprising the ADA National Network, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, providing information, guidance and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Among her primary areas of expertise are training and guidance on the ADA as it relates to employment, state and local government and hospitality.

Source:http://usodep.blogs.govdelivery.com/2014/10/23/hospitality-accessibility-and-the-ada/

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An inspiring article in theStevens Point Journal about a man who was recognized for looking beyond his disability. This incredible man works hard to look past challenges and does what he can to give back by encouraging others. This is a very inspirational article.

Stevens Point man honored as Difference-Maker

Stevens Point Journal Media

The 2014 Easter Seals Wisconsin Difference-Makers recently were honored at a recognition dinner in Madison. These individuals, groups and businesses have inspired others and made outstanding contributions to the disability community statewide and to Easter Seals Wisconsin throughout the years.

This years recipient for Recognition of Personal Growth and Development is Matt Kluender of Stevens Point.

Recognition of Personal Growth & Development is an honor given to an individual who looks beyond his or her disability to see potential and meets challenges head on. Kluender seems to only see possibilities, working hard to look past obstacles; he does what he can to give back and to encourage and empower others.

Easter Seals Wisconsin Camps, located in Wisconsin Dells, is ever grateful to Kluender, his family and friends for the time and money they have dedicated to helping other children and adults look beyond their disabilities and reach their goals.

Kluender set a goal for himself early on in his life to hike across America in his wheelchair. After months of preparation, Kluender and his uncle Don set out in June 2012 to Long Beach, Calif. After 800 miles, in Cameron, Mo., his equipment trailer, holding everything he needed for this trip, was struck by a car and destroyed.

Even with his journey coming to an abrupt end, Kluender is not discouraged and plans to set out for California once again in the next year. In the meantime, he has spent his time inspiring others to dream big.

Source: http://www.stevenspointjournal.com/story/life/2014/10/29/stevens-point-man-honored-difference-maker/18120405/

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A great article on Fox6Now.com written by Katie Delong about a proposal passed in Milwaukee County allowing seniors and people with disabilities to ride the bus free of charge beginning in April.

Seniors, persons with disabilities can ride the bus for free in Milwaukee starting inApril

By Katie Delong

MILWAUKEE (WITI) Milwaukee County Board Chairwoman Marina Dimitrijevic is applaudingcommittee passage of a proposal that will allow seniors and persons with disabilities to ride Milwaukee County Transit System buses for free starting April 1st. The budget amendment also extends transit service to growing job centers in Oak Creek and Brown Deer.

GO, or Growing Opportunities passes will allow seniors and persons with disabilities to ride the bus for free.

The time is now to take the largest transit system in the state to the next level, Dimitrijevic said. In 2015, our riders will be using smart cards to travel throughout and outside of Milwaukee County. Our county is growing and we need to grow opportunities to match it. Under our proposal seniors and persons with disabilities will ride for free with the GO pass while we add new services to important job centers.

The status quo of freezing fares that are some of the highest in the region, while the disconnect to growing job centers remains, simply isnt good enough, Dimitrijevic added. We know that a healthy public transit system fuels Milwaukee County, Wisconsins economic engine. I rode the bus to each of the 19 municipalities and heard from riders trying to access jobs and remain independent. Now is the time for action and progress in our county.

She said that other metro areas, including Chicago; Pittsburgh; Jacksonville, Florida; Pittsburgh; and Providence, RI already offer free bus rides for seniors and low-income people with disabilities.

Nino Amato, President of the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups, wrote: Public transportation also provides freedom and independence to seniors and people with disabilities, so they can stay connected with family, friends and the community. Moreover, public transit is a local economic development tool for our communities. Seniors and persons with disabilities are major contributors to the local economies in Milwaukee County.

Supervisor Patricia Jursik cited the importance of transit to all residents of Milwaukee County, and she said the County must constantly work to improve it.

The new transit service to the south shore will go through the MATC Campus through Howell Avenue and the business park along 6th Street to new development along Drexel Avenue, Jursik said. The extension will provide service to new areas of commerce. We need to make sure we are connecting riders to growing job centers across our county.

Source: http://fox6now.com/2014/10/29/seniors-persons-with-disabilities-can-ride-the-bus-for-free-in-milwaukee-starting-in-april/

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An interesting article in The Guardianwritten by Ian Loynes about how giving people with disabilities choices and control are key. He points out that isolation and institutional care have become unacceptable in most cases. Some of the points he makes are interesting to ponder.

Choice and control are still key for people with disabilities

By Ian Loynes

The challenge now is to find new and creative ways to deliver care and support30 years of independent living for people with disabilities

The past 30 years have seen a remarkable journey for a simple but powerful idea: that disabled people should have choice and control over their support to enable them to live as full and active members of their communities.

The belief that a life of isolation and dependency in institutional care was both inevitable and normal has been consigned to history. We now have widespread acceptance that choice and control are not just possible, but essential and vital components of mainstream policy and practice on personalised care and support.

Yet, at the very time we are celebrating the achievements of the past 30 years such as direct payments and personal budgets for all independent living and choice and control are under renewed threat as a result of severe pressures on public finances.

The reality is that support from public sources will remain low for the foreseeable future. The challenge now is to find new and creative ways to deliver care and support and to build stronger collective resources and partnerships without losing site of the essential principles of choice and control.

There also remains the long-standing challenge of how to ensure that the benefits of choice and control are universally available. The model of independent living as originally developed by disabled peoples organisations was a product of its specific historical time and, from the start, there were concerns that it was not a precise fit for all disabled people (especially mental health service users and older disabled people). There has been a progressive adaptation over the years and, more recently, personalisation has in theory at least extended choice and control to all user groups.

As always, however, implementation has been variable and there is still much work to be done.

Ian Loynes is chief executive of the Spectrum Centre for Independent Living

Source: http://www.theguardian.com/social-care-network/2014/oct/29/choice-and-control-are-still-key-for-people-with-disabilities

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Resource: Disability Vote Guide


By SD Network, 2014-10-29

Voting is a constitutional right and responsibility of citizenship. It is an important way to help select the national, state and local officials who make laws, design programs and decide how tax dollars are spent. For information on voting in Wisconsin for individuals with disabilities, download a copy of the manualDisability Vote Guide 2014.

Drafted by the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition.

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