For people with disabilities, house  hunting can be very frustrating.  Often, "accessible" houses are few and far between.  Even if a house has some accessible features, usually people have to adapt or customize thinking more to meet their individual needs.  This article explains that there are organizations that assist injured veterans and people with disabilities with making homes accessible.  It points out that injury and disability aren't the only reasons to make homes accessible; aging often creates the need to made homes accessible.

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Federal officials announced that they plan to set aside millions of dollars to help people with disabilities access housing in the community.  Through the Mainstream Housing Choice Voucher Program, public housing agencies are encouraged to partner up with health and human services organizations that can offer supports to people with disabilities.

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An updated collection of emojis intended to be more inclusive and diverse was released.  Options for varying gender, skin and hair color as well as for people who use hearing devices, prosthetics, a white cane, guide dogs, service dogs, and wheelchairs will be in the mix.The article explains why this is part of a major business trend of finding new ways for all people communicate in a way that is  reflective of their true selves.

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The state budget passed by the legislature and approved by the Governor will fund state programs for the next two years. Here is a link to the Survival Coalition summary of the  Governor's budget and charts with more detailed information outlining the Governor’s original request, what the Legislature passed and then what adjustments were made through the Governor’s partial veto authority.

You can read the full document here. 

ACL has released a data profile using data from the Caregiver Outcome Evaluation Study of the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP). This data profile, “Family Caregivers: Examining caregiver characteristics, caregiving support, and other caregiving dynamics that differ between short term and long term caregivers,” compares caregivers who have been providing care for two or fewer years, and caregivers providing care for longer than two years. This data profile examines characteristics of caregivers including age, relationship to care recipient, level of caregiving intensity, and use of NFCSP services.

Download the new profile.

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) conducted an outcome evaluation of the Older Americans Act Title III-E National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP).The NFCSP provides grants to states and territories to fund various supports that help family and informal caregivers care for older adults in their homes for as long as possible. The Caregiver Outcome Evaluation Study of the NFCSP was released in 2018.

Learn more about the National Family Caregiver Support Program. For more materials about the Caregiver Outcome Evaluation Study of the NFCSP, see the section under "Completed Evaluations and Studies" on ACL's Program Evaluations and Reports page.

 Self-Determination Network News:

July 2019

Connect | Share | Learn | http://sdnetworkwi.org/  

Registration Now Open

The 2019 Self-Determination Conference will take place October 14th-16th at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells.  The Conference empowers people with disabilities in Wisconsin to have more control over their lives. Technology is constantly evolving and so is the Self-Determination Conference. Join us as we learn ways to live healthier, happier and more productive lives.  Register today!

Let's Talk about Self-Direction!

InControl Wisconsin Board member Lynn Breedlove has written a paper entitled, "Self-Direction Worldwide: Contrasting Beliefs and their Impact on Practice", which reviews the evolution of self-direction over the last 25 years, and the variety of self-direction definitions, values, and practices around the world.  He will present the paper at an international  Disability Congress in Scotland in August. We invite you to read the paper and join the discussion. 

Stacy’s Journal

"Whether it’s getting a new car, a new outfit, new appliances, or whatever it may be, getting something new brings excitement to people most of the time. Sometimes, though, getting new things can bring on mixed emotions and can feel like a reality check."

In this month's entry, Stacy talks about how getting medical equipment isn't always fun and can be emotionally difficult for some people. Have you ever experienced this?We encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences as well.

Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the Self-Determination Network:

• New Technology:  Technology continues to evolve.  Learn about a new service that allows people to control the television with their eyes. 
• ABLE Accounts Off to a Slow Start:  Viability of the ABLE account program is in question as far fewer people have opened accounts than expected.  Find out how many accounts need to be opened by 2021 in order to sustain the program.
• Comment Period for Nondiscrimination Rule: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a proposed rule to revise regulations implementing and enforcing Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Section 1557 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in certain health programs or activities.  People can submit comments on this until August 13th.
• Access to Fitness Equipment:  Recently,a bill was introduced in the Senate to improve access to fitness facilities for people with disabilities.  Read about what this bill would ensure.
• New Law Helps Deaf Community: In June, a bill was passed in Wisconsin that gives the Deaf community more assistance.  Find out what this bill does.
• Supported Decision Making Grant:  The Administration for Community Living seeks to support the planning of future state-based collaborative projects to make progress in strategies and facilitate decisional supports for all adults. The purpose of these planning grants is to develop action plans for advancing strategies that will ensure self-determination of older adults and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through the use of a full range of decisional supports. The grant opportunity closes August 19th.
• Transition Grants for People with Disabilities from Minority Backgrounds: The National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research announced funding opportunities for new Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects on Independent Living Transition Services for Youth and Young Adults with Significant Disabilities from Minority Backgrounds.  Find out more about these grants.
• Disability Inclusion Award:  The Department of Labor announced a new award program for federal contractors.  Learn more about the award.  

 Upcoming Events                                    

Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:

• Webinar: ADA Anniversary Update: 29 Years Burning Down The Road: July 16th, 1p.m. to 2:30p.m, Online
• ADA/Access Consumer Advocacy Team:  July 17th, 9:30a.m. to 12p.m., FISERV Forum
• Disability Rights Radio Show: July 23rd, 7p.m. to 7:30p.m., Online 
• Electronic Visit Verification Forum:  July 24th, 10a.m. to 11:30a.m. (for consumers) and 1:30p.m. to 3:30p.m (for providers), Online or Madison WI
• AbilityMKE Now!: July 24th, 9p.m. to 10p.m.,  Online or Milwaukee WI
• Webinar: Understanding The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Program:  July 25th, 11a.m. to 12p.m., Online
• Lynzay Legois Adaptive Water Skiing:  July 26th, 12p.m. to 5:30p.m., Fischer County Park, Burlington WI
• Madison Disability Pride Festival!:  July 27th, 12p.m. to 5p.m., Tenney Park Shelter, Madison WI 
• Webinar: How To Create And Test Accessible PDFs:  July 30th, 12p.m. to 1:30p.m., Online 
• Transportation Consumer Advocacy Team (TCAT): July 30th, 1p.m. to 3p.m., IndependenceFirst, Milwaukee WI
• Adaptive Waterskiing:  July 31st, 10a.m. to 3p.m., Lauderdale Landing, Elkhorn WI 
• Smash Zone Social Hours:  August 5th, 12p.m. to 3p.m., Milwaukee WI
• Long Term Care Advocacy Team: August 13th, 2:30p.m. to 3:30p.m., IndependenceFirst, Milwaukee WI
• Transition To Adulthood Town Hall:  August 14th, 5p.m. to 7:30p.m., Warner Park Community Recreation Center, Madison WI
• Lynzay Legois Adaptive Water Skiing: August 16th,  12p.m. to 5:30p.m., Fischer County Park, Burlington WI 
• The Organizer’s Forum:  August 20th, 12p.m. to 1p.m., Online
• Adaptive Waterskiing:  August 21st, 10a.m. to 3p.m., Lauderdale Landing, Elkhorn WI  
• Adaptive Sportsmen Family Picnic & Shoot:  August 24th, 10a.m. to 3p.m., Schultz's Gun Club, Muskego WI
• Transportation Consumer Advocacy Team (TCAT): August 27th, 1p.m. to 3p.m., IndependenceFirst, Milwaukee WI

Post your event on the Self-Determination Network and it can be included in future Network News emails to members! Questions? Suggestions?  Contact Stacy Ellingen. 

The Self-Determination Network is powered by InControl Wisconsin and supported financially by our members and Sponsors. We couldn't keep this Network going with you!  Find out how you can help support the Network.

In a growing trend, young adults with disabilities now have more opportunities than ever to live with typically-developing peers who double as their caregivers. Due to the  national shortage of care providers, and group homes often having long waiting lists, a company in Minnesota created a roommate matching program for people with and without disabilities.  People with disabilities are able to choose where they want to live, who they want to live with, and the level of support they receive.  For the roommate, the benefits are tax-free salaries and being able to assist people to live more independently.  

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We are excited to announce the U.S. Department of Labor’s new award program for federal contractors – the Excellence in Disability Inclusion (EDI) Award.

Established by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) and the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), the EDI Award recognizes federal contractors who go above and beyond to recruit, hire, retain, and advance individuals with disabilities in the workplace.

The 2019 application process is now underway. Interested federal contractors can click here to learn more and apply.

In addition to presenting an opportunity for federal contractors to be recognized for their disability-inclusion efforts, the EDI Award will help showcase successful programs and best practices that others can emulate.

In addition to being recognized for excellence in disability inclusion, EDI Gold Award recipients will receive a three-year moratorium from OFCCP compliance evaluations.

Federal contractors will need to meet certain criteria to be considered for the EDI Award.

Apply now

The National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) at ACL is announcing a funding opportunities for a new Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) on Independent Living Transition Services for Youth and Young Adults with Significant Disabilities from Minority Backgrounds.

Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects (DRRP) Program

The purpose of the DRRP program is to plan and conduct research, demonstration projects, training, and related activities (including international activities) to develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology that maximize the full inclusion and integration into society, employment, independent living, family support, and economic and social self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities.

DRRP on Independent Living Transition Services for Youth and Young Adults with Significant Disabilities from Minority Backgrounds: This particular DRRP priority is a joint-funding collaboration between NIDILRR and the Independent Living Administration (ILA), both within the Administration for Community Living (ACL). The grantee will conduct research to generate evidence-based practices for services provided by Centers for Independent Living (CILs) to facilitate the transition of youth with significant disabilities from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds who were eligible for individualized education programs and who have completed their secondary education or otherwise left school.

Applicants under this priority must propose to conduct research to:

(1) systematically identify promising practices for facilitating the transition of youth and young adults with significant disabilities from minority backgrounds,

(2) develop at least two manualized transition interventions for youth and young adults with significant disabilities from minority backgrounds, and

(3) assess the feasibility and efficacy of the transition interventions for youth and young adults with significant disabilities from minority backgrounds.

Applicants must also include a plan of dissemination, training, and technical assistance services to CILs, regarding services to facilitate the transition of youth and young adults with significant disabilities from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds to post-secondary life. To help ensure the relevance of the research-based knowledge generated by this grant, CILs must be substantially involved in the design and implementation of the proposal, including all research, development, dissemination, training, and technical assistance activities.

Minority entities are the only applicants that are eligible to apply for this grant opportunity. 

Please visit the link above for more details about this grant opportunity and application process. This grant opportunity closes on August 19, 2019.

A new grant opportunity from the Administration on Disabilities and the Administration on Aging at ACL has been announced.

Supported Decision Making Across the Lifespan Planning Grant: ACL seeks to support the planning of future state-based collaborative projects to make progress in strategies and facilitate decisional supports for all adults. The purpose of these planning grants is to develop action plans for advancing strategies that will ensure self-determination of older adults and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) through the use of a full range of decisional supports. The plans will be developed with consensus from inclusive representational groups of disability and aging communities, and other key stakeholders. This would include, but not be limited to, Supported Decision Making (SDM) as a specific way of supporting decisions, and would require looking across other mechanisms to strengthening decisional capacity. Three to five state planning grants will be awarded at a federal share of approximately $50,000 to $75,000 each.

The ultimate goals of the project are to:

• Provide access to more strategies to support decision-making;
• Be able to detect abuse, neglect and exploitation easier; and
• Allow individuals to elect their preferred autonomous means of supporting their decision-making.

Please visit the link above for more details about the grant opportunity, activities for grantees, and application process. This grant opportunity closes on August 19, 2019.