News
What's your story? Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Daniel’s story began in Burkina Faso, Africa. He shares that when he was 12 years old, he came to America to live with his family as an adoptee. “I knew from a young boy that I wanted to grow to be independent and live out my purpose,” he tells us. He has three older siblings. Like them, he lives in his own house that he shares with his cat, Hank. He has worked at Goodwill for five years and enjoys position there.
How are you involved with self-determination? What advocacy things are you involved in?
Daniel served on the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities for several years and, through that involvement, has participated in Disability Advocacy Day. He also has learned about accessible voting and has been able to use his voice through voting.
Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms of self-determination?
Daniel explains that he continues to work to be a leader in his community—both through his employment and with his peers. He has been invited to share his story through several advocacy groups. “I hope my experience encourages others to keep advocating and make their needs known,” he says.
What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?
Daniel believes that it's important to find a good support system and people who can advocated alongside you. His friend Ashley taught the concept of "nothing about us without us." It's important to find people who will support you and listen; not just tell you what to do.
What are some of your hobbies?
Daniel is involved in Special Olympics. His favorite sports are track and bowling. He also plays the drums on the worship team at his church and serves his community through volunteering. He likes to make tiktok videos and watch shark movies as well!
***We love hearing the views and opinions of Network members. We need to mention that the views and opinions expressed on this site are those of the person who is sharing them. They do not necessarily reflect InControl Wisconsin or any of our supporters and funders.
The Harry and Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center in Milwaukee is highlighting its commitment to inclusive fitness in honor of World Down Syndrome Day. Through specialized programming, the JCC focuses on building ability, confidence, and community by creating welcoming workout routines for individuals of all levels. As featured by TMJ4 News, these initiatives emphasize personal growth and social connection, demonstrated by members like Sam who engage in activities ranging from gym workouts to basketball skill-building.
AARP: Long-Term Services and Supports Are Becoming Even More Unaffordable for Middle-Class Americans
By SD Network, 2026-03-21
This AARP Public Policy Institute report highlights a sharp decline in the affordability of long-term services and supports (LTSS) for middle-class Americans between 2019 and 2024, reversing a decade of gradual improvement. Driven by high labor costs and inflation, the median cost for home health and assisted living increased by nearly 50% over those five years, significantly outpacing the 22% growth in median household income for those aged 65 and older. By 2024, annual costs for typical home care or facility-based services often equaled or exceeded the entire median income of older households, frequently exhausting lifetime savings within months. The report also notes substantial geographic disparity, with care in the most expensive states costing more than double that of the least expensive states, leaving many middle-income families to rely on unpaid family caregivers or deplete assets to qualify for Medicaid.
DISABILITY BELONGINGS: Three Years After Her Passing, Judy Heumann’s Impact Lives On
By SD Network, 2026-03-21
Judy Heumann, often hailed as the "Mother of the Disability Rights Movement," was a transformative leader whose advocacy shaped landmark civil rights legislation including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Known for leading the historic 26-day 504 sit-in in San Francisco, she later served in both the Clinton and Obama administrations and co-founded the World Institute on Disability. Beyond her policy achievements, Heumann is remembered for her commitment to "nothing about us, without us," her mentorship of future leaders, and her ability to weave her identity as a disabled Jewish woman into a "roadmap" for religious and societal inclusion. Even three years after her passing in 2023, her legacy continues to empower the disability community to challenge ableism and demand equitable treatment in all facets of life.
THE ARC: The SAVE America Act Threatens Accessible Voting for People with Disabilities
By SD Network, 2026-03-21
The SAVE America Act (also known as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act) is a proposed federal bill that would mandate in-person proof of citizenship for voter registration and require government-issued photo ID for both in-person and mail-in voting. Disability advocacy groups, such as The Arc, argue that these requirements create significant barriers for voters with disabilities who may struggle with transportation, document duplication, or navigating physical polling places. While the bill aims to tighten election security, critics point out that it could conflict with existing protections like the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Help America Vote Act, potentially disenfranchising a voting bloc that relies heavily on accessible mail-in options and flexible registration processes.
MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTiNEL: Wisconsin bill to help free up hospital beds passes, but worries disability groups
By SD Network, 2026-03-21
A bill recently passed by the Wisconsin Legislature and sent to Governor Tony Evers aims to streamline the discharge process for hospital patients deemed incapacitated who lack a designated healthcare agent. Supported by hospital systems, the legislation addresses the "bottleneck" of patients who no longer require acute care but remain in hospital beds for weeks while awaiting court-appointed guardians. While proponents argue this will free up critical resources and reduce costs, disability advocacy groups have expressed concerns regarding the rights and protections of these vulnerable patients during the transfer to nursing homes.
WIFR: UW Health doctor creates adaptive crayons for people with disabilities
By SD Network, 2026-03-19
Dr. Amber McKenna, a UW Health resident, has developed a project to create adaptive crayons specifically designed for children and adults with developmental disabilities. After noticing that standard crayons were difficult for patients with varying muscle tone to use, she secured a grant to melt down old crayons into custom shapes and sizes—smaller ones for those with high muscle tone and larger ones for those with lower strength. Since the project's inception, McKenna and her team have produced thousands of these crayons, donating them to organizations like GiGi’s Playhouse and the Central Wisconsin Center to ensure that art remains accessible to everyone.
Finding assisted living in Wisconsin is best started through Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs), which offer free, objective information on local providers, payment options, and care levels. While online searches often lead to private referral agencies that may receive commissions from specific facilities, ADRCs provide unbiased lists and can help families navigate Medicaid or home-care alternatives. Experts also recommend reviewing facility surveys from the Wisconsin Division of Quality Assurance and asking referral agencies direct questions about their financial relationships and the criteria they use to recommend certain providers.
GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES: New State-by-State Medicaid and CHIP Tracker Shows Declining Enrollment as H.R. 1 Cuts Loom
By SD Network, 2026-03-11
The Georgetown University Center for Children and Families reports that total Medicaid and CHIP enrollment declined by approximately 3.3 million people (4.0%) in 2025, marking the third consecutive year of losses following the pandemic-era "unwinding." This downward trend occurred despite a modest rise in unemployment and is expected to worsen as states prepare for H.R. 1, which introduces mandatory work reporting requirements and more frequent renewals starting as early as mid-2026. The report highlights a "chilling effect" among mixed-status families and significant child enrollment drops in states like Alaska and Indiana, prompting the launch of a new state-by-state tracker to monitor these early warning signs of a rising uninsured rate.
CENTER ON BUDGET AND POLICY PRIORITIES: Federal Government’s Attacks on Medicaid Are a Pretext to Weaken the Program and Punish Particular States
By SD Network, 2026-03-09
The Trump Administration is reportedly using claims of "fraud, waste, and abuse" as a pretext to withhold billions in Medicaid funding from Democratic-led states, with a primary focus on Minnesota. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the federal government has deployed unprecedented legal maneuvers—including a rarely used compliance action and the deferral of hundreds of millions of dollars—that specifically target home- and community-based services for seniors and people with disabilities. Critics argue these actions are politically motivated weaponizations of oversight intended to punish states that provide health coverage to immigrants and to destabilize programs that help low-income residents meet basic needs.