News
TRAVEL+LEISURE: Yelp's Newest Features Help People With Disabilities Find Accessible Businesses
By SD Network, 2024-08-25
For people with disabilities, finding businesses that accommodate their specific accessibility needs can be challenging. Earlier this summer, Yelp, a business review company, added eight additional accessibility options that can be searched. Four of the filters are mobility related, two are for hearing accessibility, and two are for people with visual impairments. These options allow people to select the accommodations they need and then the website will filter in the businesses that have them.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) wants to hear what FEAs for the IRIS program are doing well, as well as how they can better serve participants.
We invite IRIS participants, families and friends, caregivers and providers, IRIS contract staff, advocates, and other partners to share their thoughts. This is a chance to share your ideas about services and improvements.
If you want to request a paper copy of this survey or want to take it in another language, email us at DHSIRIS@wisconsin.gov.
The survey will close on September 13.
Take the Survey
Access to in-home care, voting, and transportation for non-drivers impact all Wisconsinites Survival Coalition—a cross-disability and aging coalition of more than 20 statewide organizations ( including InControl Wisconsin) —has identified the top priorities affecting constituents in every district across the state. “People with disabilities and unpaid caregivers, many of whom are family members, rely on in-home services to keep contributing to their communities and living in their own homes,” said Patti Becker, Survival Coalition Co-Chair. “Ongoing investment in care infrastructure—including the care workforce—is
critical to support families and people with disabilities so they can continue to participate in the Wisconsin workforce and so people with disabilities and older adults can avoid costlier nursing homes and institutional settings. It’s not enough for children with disabilities and special health care needs to get into a program if they still can’t get the services you need, like private duty nursing, dentistry, and autism treatment
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An updated online interactive tool and an accompanying report which allow users to analyze state policies and direct care workforce outcomes across all 50 states and Washington, DC. The State Index helps policymakers, advocates, and other state leaders understand how their state currently supports direct care workers, identify areas for improvement, and see how their state ranks in comparison to other states. |
ADMINISTRATION FOR COMMUNITY LIVING: Applications for the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program Are Open
By SD Network, 2024-08-25
Applications for the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program Are OpenApplications due Monday, September 23, 2024
On July 24, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) made available nearly $1 billion to fund programs that ensure communities have access to devices and skills needed to fully participate in the digital world, regardless of their background or circumstances.
This is the first funding opportunity from the Digital Equity Act’s $1.25 billion Competitive Grant Program and is part of the “Internet for All” initiative, a key component of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. The disability and aging networks play a pivotal role in helping people learn about and access affordable high-speed internet, as well as the tools and resources needed to be successful online. ACL encourages the disability and aging networks to join with partners in your state and/or community to apply for this competitive grant opportunity. Under the Notice of Funding Opportunity, a variety of organizations can apply on a competitive basis for funding. Eligible applicants include political subdivisions of states, such as city and county governments; Native entities, including Indian tribes, Alaska Native entities, or Native Hawaiian organizations; certain nonprofits; community anchor institutions; local educational agencies; and workforce development organizations. United States Territories are eligible to apply for funding under a separate set-aside. Partnerships among these entities are allowed, and NTIA encourages proposals that demonstrate a broad partnership of entities with the ability to administer significant resources and address wide-ranging populations. Please direct programmatic questions to digitalequity@ntia.gov and grants management questions to darren.olson@nist.gov. |
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES: HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra Statement Marking 59th Anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid
By SD Network, 2024-08-25
When President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicare and Medicaid into law, the United States moved a step closer to being a country where health care was recognized as a right, not treated as a privilege only available to a select few. The data are clear: strengthening Medicaid benefits not only the individual, but the community.
MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL: These laws seek to simplify the wheelchair repair process in Wisconsin. How do they work?
By SD Network, 2024-08-25
For a long time, disability advocates and those who rely on mobility equipment have said that Wisconsin laws make it harder to repair devices. However, in the past year, two bills have been passed to address these issues. One of them will eliminate the need for Medicaid prior authorizations and doctors' prescriptions for wheelchair repairs and complex rehabilitative technology; the other will increase the reimbursement rate for complex rehabilitative technology and accessories. The new rules do not apply to managed care plans like Family Care, Family Care Partnership, or Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES: Expanded Care Choices Coming to Members in Nine Wisconsin Counties in 2025
By SD Network, 2024-08-25
Starting in January 2025, almost 8,000 Family Care and Family Care Partnership (Partnership) members in South Central Wisconsin will have more choices in who helps manage their long-term care. Members in Adams, Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Green Lake, Jefferson, Marquette, Rock, and Waushara counties will be able to choose from four managed care organizations (MCOs) for Family Care. That's an increase from the two currently available. Wisconsinites in these nine counties will also all have the option to participate in Partnership - a first for residents in five of these counties.
FORBES: .ADA At 34: A Landmark In Disability Rights And Workforce Integration
By SD Network, 2024-08-25
As we celebrated the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, there was a lot of reflection on what has improved and what still needs to be improved. This is a very informative blog about the ADA.
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WISCONSIN PUBLIC RADIO: Advocates for people needing long-term care hope state fee changes lead to more sustainable workforce
By SD Network, 2024-08-25
The Evers administration recently announced the establishment of minimum rates for home-and-community-based services care that must be paid by managed care organizations. The hope is that this will raise wages for direct care workers. Advocates feel that transparency is needed with higher rates so that increases actually show up in workers' paychecks.