News
In Control Wisconsin (ICW) is interested in contracting with a Network CommunityManagerto work collaboratively with the ICW Technology Workgroup to facilitate the development and growth of two vibrant online communities that are dedicated to the self-determination of elders and people who have disabilities in Wisconsin. These two communities are theSelf-Determination Networkand theEmployment Network.
The NetworkCommunityManagershould be someone who:
- Supports the values of the Networks;
- Believes in and supports the engagement of Network members as the primary strategy for building active online communities;
- Is familiar with the systems that affect the lives of people with disabilities;
- Is a self-starter willing to take the lead and to work collaboratively with a team of key partners; and
- Enjoys working with technology and embraces the potential of social media.
We hope to identify our new Community Manager by mid-April. If interested in being considered for this contract, please email your resume toonlinenetworks@incontrolwisconsin.orgas soon as possible.
For more information, please see thisdocument. You may alsosubmit questions toonlinenetworks@incontrolwisconsin.org.
The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (BPDD) has issued aRequest for Proposals(RFP) to develop strategies to inform and train individuals with disabilities to use self-directed supports (SDS).
The goal of the project(s) will be to increase the number of people with disabilities who self-direct their services and supports, including youth transitioning into the Long-Term Care system. These projects also will include a focus on building natural community supports and connections.
Deadline: April 8th
The Wisconsin Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) is a week-long leadership training and career awareness program for high school sophomores, juniors and seniors with disabilities. It provides training in leadership, self-advocacy skills, and career awareness to approximately 25 students with disabilities from throughout the state of Wisconsin.
Edgewood College
Madison, WI
July 13-18, 2014
There is NO CHARGE to attend YLF. General program expenses are paid for by YLF sponsors.
Complete the application (PDF) (Word)
Get 3 letters of recommendation that highlight your leadership skills
Complete two essay questions
Submit your application beforeMonday, April 1, 2014.
If you have questions, or for more information about YLF, contact Cassandra Lokker at:715-307-2185orwisconsinylf@gmail.com
Transportation Access for Persons with Disabilities - What's Your Experience?
By Theresa Kulow, 2014-02-10
The Rocky Mountain ADA Center,a member of the ADA National Network is sponsoring a survey of individuals with disabilities to understand the impact of access to transportation on social opportunities. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete online atTransportation Access for Persons with Disabilities.
Those who complete the survey may elect to be entered into a randomly selected drawing for one of eight $25 Visa gift cards.
The Rocky Mountain ADA Center, a member of the ADA National Network, is a federally funded program providing technical assistance regarding disability issues. This survey will be used to inform the training, materials, and telephone consultation services available from the Rocky Mountain ADA Center (www.adainformation.org)and other members of the ADA National Network.
If you would like additional information, please contact Keith Christensen atkeith.christensen@usu.eduor435 797-0507.
Thank you for taking the time to participate.
The National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability (NCWD) for Youth recently published a series of six tip sheets that provide youth with action steps for dealing with various life transitions and challenges. Each tip sheet begins with a series of questions geared toward helping youth determine the degree to which each topic is relevant to their lives.
The tip sheets then provide background information on the subject matter, including definitions of key terms and reasons that the youth should consider making progress within that domain. Specific action steps are provided, and the tip sheets conclude with helpful supplementary information, such as additional resources. Visit the NCWD for Youth website formore youth development-focused publications!
The tip sheets cover the following topics:
- Becoming a Stronger Self-Advocate
- Leading Your Transition Planning
- Learning Disability History
- Getting Involved in Volunteering
- Serving on Decision-Making Boards
- Participating in Internships and Work-Based Experiences
This information was shared by thePACER Center
Connect | Share | Learn |http://sdnetworkwi.org/
December 16, 2013
Welcome to the Self-Determination Network!
In 2010, we began an online community called the SDS Network. It was named after a series of face-to-face meetings about self-directed supports in Wisconsin (initially funded through Wisconsin's Medicaid Infrastructure Grant). This new online community was seen as a way to share information about self-directed supports (SDS) between those meetings.
From the beginning, we hoped the online community would grow. In fact, the connections, ideas, questions and resources shared over the last three years have been much broader and deeper than we could have guessed. So in keeping with how this online community continues to evolve, we are now re-naming and celebrating the (re-)creation of the Self-Determination Network!
If you've been a member of the SDS Network,you don't need to do anything else to be a part of the SD Network - your profile will automatically continue (although you may want to re-decorate your profile page if you had previously individualized it. We were unable to keep the personal touches you may have added.) You may want to change the address you use to access Network It can now be found at sdnetworkwi.org,although the old address will still take you there for a while.
If you aren't already a member of the Self-Determination Network, please consider joining. There is no registration fee to join. Just click here and follow the directions. We'd love to have you join the conversation!
It Only Takes "Five"
Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the SD Network:
- Join the Conversation: Lynn wants to know what self-determination looks like for older adults. He'd like to hear stories and examples of how people are experiencing self-determination beyond just hiring their own support workers.
- Share your ideas: We posted some of the ideas and resources shared during our last Coffee Break, with Chris Patterson of Night Owl, about how to stay safe and independent in your own home by using technology, especially something called Remote Monitoring.
- Get Involved: Give back to your community by getting involved with World Book Night 2014. Deb shares information about this great opportunity.
- Learn about Resources:Check out these two new Resources - the Wisconsin Housing Search website and a new Healthcare Toolkit.
Join Us for a Coffee Break
When should we hold Coffee Breaks? Answer our One-Minute Poll now!
Living in Your Own Home: December 18, 2013, 8:30-9:00 CST
Are you thinking about moving into your own home but aren't sure where to start? Maybe you already have your own place and have some ideas to share with Network members about what helped get there. Or you just want to hear about the possible options to explore for the person you support. Join special guest, Howard Mandeville, from Movin' Out, as we talk about a home of your own.
The Network Coffee Breaks give us an opportunity to participate in a live chat online about a topic related to self-determination. It's not a presentation, but an opportunity for all participating members to share ideas, questions and resources. It's easy to participate and all are welcome to join the conversation.
There is no cost to participate in the Coffee Break. RSVPs are encouraged but not required.
Welcome New Members
Stop by to welcome our newest members.
- She's aCommunity Living Specialistfor the Community Connections program
- He's a boardmember withIn Control Wisconsin
- He co-developedSound Response and Night Owl
- He's the director of Movin' Out and ourspecial guest on the next Network Coffee Break
- She'sa parent and an IC with IRIS
Do you know someone who should join the SD Network? Spread the word and invite friends, families and other interested folks!
Upcoming Events
Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the SD Network:
- SD Network Coffee Break: Living in Your Own Home, Dec. 18th, Online Chat
- SD Network Coffee Break: Topic to be decided, Jan. 15th, Online Chat
- Save the Date! Wisconsin Disability Advocacy Day, March 19th, Madison
- And many more!
Post your event on the SDS Network and it can be included in future Network News emails to members! Questions? Contact Deb Wisniewski at scgwis@gmail.com
World Book Night is an annual celebration dedicated to spreading the love of reading, person to person. Each year on April 23, tens of thousands of people go out into their communities and give half a million free World Book Night paperbacks to light and non-readers.
World Book Night is about giving books and encouraging reading in those who dont regularly do so. But it is also about more than that: Its about people, communities and connections, about reaching out to others and touching lives in the simplest of waysthrough the sharing of stories.
I participated in this in 2013 and loved it! So cool to give out free books to folks The Deadline to sign up to be a book giver is Jan. 5th. It's a great opportunity for folks with disabilities to do something for their communities.Learn more about this...
The summer 2014 Youth in Development (YiD) internship program is now open for applications from November 11, 2013, through January 29, 2014.
The United States International Council on Disabilities (USICD) launched the YiD internship program in2013. The YiD program focuses on youth withdisabilities from across the U.S. who are interested in international development and foreign affairs careers. The project follows from a vision, core to USICD's mission, to increase disability inclusion in U.S. foreign affairs by supporting future generations of Americans with disabilitiesto invest their skills and talents in this field.
The summer 2014 YiD internship program will bring a groupof talented graduate students, recent graduates, and rising college juniors and seniors with disabilities to Washington, DC, for nine weeks. This will include a one-week training and orientation program followed by an eight-week internship at an international organization in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. USICD will cover the cost of fully-accessible housing during the YiD progam, reimburse travel expenses to and from DC, and provide a limited stipend. It is anticipated that the program will run from May 25 to July 25, 2014.These dates may be subject to change.
Tolearn more about the YiD program, eligibility criteria, and the application process,please visit usicd.org/template/page.cfm?id=257. This websiteanswers Frequently Asked Questionsfor applicants.You can alsodownload a printable handout about the YiD internship program.
Please disseminate this information among students and recent graduates who may be interested. If you are an international organization in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area interested in hosting a YiD intern, please communicate with yid@usicd.org.
Application deadline for the summer 2014 YiD program is January 29, 2014.
In addition to coordinating the YiD program, USICD is leading the campaign for U.S. ratification of the "Disability Treaty"--the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Campus and student leaders atare a key source of energy in mobilizing others to take action. If you want to connect with campus/student leaders at other colleges/universitiesin support of CRPD ratification, please communicate with ashettle@usicd.org. Learn more about the CRPD at disabilitytreaty.org. Campus and student leaders also can organize themselves via Facebook at facebook.com/Students4CRPD.
Thanks to the National Youth Leadership Network for this information.
You will also have access to a website with information and worksheets about things like
- how to prepare for appointments,
- how to communicate better with your provider,
- how to follow up after a visit, and
- what your rights are in healthcare.
You will take a 20-minute survey before and after using the toolkit. With your permission, we'll also ask your provider for feedback on the toolkit.
If you take part in the study, you will receive a$30 Amazon.com gift card or check.
To learn more, please contact
Angie at(503)725-9634
WIHousingSearch.org is a free Wisconsin resource to help you find a home that fits your needs and budget. Property providers can list apartments or homes for rent any time, which means that our list is always current.