News

Wisconsin Partners in Policymaking is a six‐session advocacy and systems change training program designed to develop a group of future leaders across the state who are able to work with legislators and communities on policies and initiatives that will support the full participation and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all aspects of life.

Download the application by following this link: http://wi-bpdd.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/201920-Partners-Application.docx

Applications are due at noon on September 1, 2019.

Who can participate?

• Adults with developmental disabilities
• Adult siblings of individuals with developmental disabilities
• Parents/primary caregivers of children and youth with developmental disabilities ages birth to 21.

If you have questions or would like more information about the Partners in Policymaking program, please contact Jenny Neugart at jennifer.neugart@wisconsin.gov or (608) 266‐7707.

NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE 2019 DIEHARD Awards

Do you know someone who goes above and beyond to improve community supports for individuals with disabilities?  Do they support self-determination?  Nominate them for a Diehard Award in one of the following two categories: 

PROFESSIONAL ADVOCATE   

SELF-ADVOCATE/GRASSROOTS ADVOCATE

(You may only submit a nomination for one individual per category.) 

A Diehard is an individual who has made a significant contribution to the advocacy work here in Wisconsin. A diehard is someone with a steadfast commitment to the principles of community integration and self-determination. Diehards go above and beyond to make sure everyone is counted.

• Awards will be presented at the Self-Determination Conference on October 15th at the Kalahari Resort and Conference Center in the Wisconsin Dells.
• Nomination Forms must be in the BPDD office no later than 12 p.m. on Thursday, September 5, 2019.

•  The Conference Planning Committee reserves the right to present none or multiple awards in any of the categories. 

Download Nomination Form here: http://wi-bpdd.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/2019-SDC-Diehard-nominee-form.docx

Please complete the nomination form and submit to:
BPDD/Awards, 101 E. Wilson St., Room 219

Madison, WI 53703

Or Fax to  608-267-3906

Or Email to:  fil.clissa@wisconsin.gov

Apply for an Employment First Partner Grant! 

The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (WI BPDD) is seeking up to eight (8) organizations to engage in community outreach activities that lead to increased community, integrated employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Anyone committed to expanding integrated employment in their community can apply, including people with disabilities, family members, service providers, and schools. 

Possible activities include hosting a community conversation about employment, presenting to employer groups such as the chamber of commerce, or connecting families new to community-based employment with families who are committed to it to share experiences and alleviate concerns.  Each grantee will receive up to $2,000 plus coaching and presentation materials to engage in outreach activities. 

To learn more and apply, see the Employment First Partner application.  The deadline has been extended -- applications are due by 5:00 pm on August 30, 2019. 

Please contact Molly Cooney at 608-266-0266 or molly.cooney@wisconsin.gov with any questions.

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.

Read more 

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.

Read more  

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.

Read more

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.