News
SPARKS mini-grants of $500 to $3,000 are designed to help community groups of people with disabilities and family members make a change in their community. People with disabilities must be at the center of the project and participate at all levels. This year’s SPARKS mini-grants have a priority on transportation ideas/strategies. Priority will be given to under-served and under-represented groups. The mini-grant also includes a full day of support and technical assistance (Sept. 27, 2017) and ongoing support during the year of the grant. Applications are available at: http://wi-bpdd.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2017-18-SPARKS-Grant-Application-Revised.pdf
This is a very interesting article about disability statistics in the US. It has disability statistics catagorized by age, state, county, and city. It's interesting to see the statistics for Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities has developed a Self-directed Health Care Kit designed to help individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities (I/DD) advocate for their own health care and support clear communication between the individual and their health care practitioners. The kit includes a set of forms for tracking health care concerns and interventions.
More than 1,500 people responded to Survival Coalition's survey asking how Wisconsin's disability community uses our state's more than 20 Medicaid programs, and how their lives would be impacted if Medicaid changes (e.g. funding is cut and per capita caps are imposed as passed in the House version of the AHCA). Here is a sampling of those statewide results, organized by Congressional district, along with information about Medicaid and Medicaid funding in Wisconsin.
How are you involved with self-determination? Why did you join the SD Network?
Ann has been an IRIS Consultant with TMG/Magellan for five years. She joined the Network to stay informed about self-direction, work strategies for people who self-direct, and to hear the latest about concerns and legislation.
Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms self-determination?
Ann explains that she loves to see the light in the eyes of people when they start to think of life’s possibilities and how the IRIS program can partner with them to enable them to have the life that they want.
What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?
Ann encourages people to “dare to dream.” She explains that people should be creative and brainstorm with their IRIS consultant. “ASK! Don’t assume that the thing you need to achieve is not covered by IRIS. Partner with your consultant to make it happen. You are in the driver’s seat of your life…go where you want to go, do what you want to do and be who you want to be,” she exclaims! Her personal theme is, “there is no such thing as Impossible.”
What message would you like to share with the members of the SD Network?
“Foundational to Self-Direction is Problem Solving from the consumer up,” Ann says. Ann explains that each organization needs a consumer advisory committee to identify what is not working well and to brainstorm creative remedies. People want their programs and services to be sustainable, flexible, and effective. They know what needs to be fixed. Get them together and develop creative solutions together.
***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.
DISABILITY AND HEALTH JOURNAL: Fitness facilities still lack accessibility for people with disabilities
By SD Network, 2017-06-08
According to a recent study published in the Disability Health Journal, individuals with physical and mobility disabilities have limited opportunities to participate in physical activity due to barriers in the built environment, the lack of knowledge of fitness staff, and the costs associated with membership fees at recreation facilities. Previously, only a handful of studies examined the accessibility of fitness facilities for individuals with disabilities. The results of this latest study indicated that none of the facilities examined were fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Of the fitness facilities included in the study, the majority received a low accessibility score in all sections other than programs, parking, and water fountains. The study found similar results in both urban and suburban facilities, regardless of whether they were built after the passage of the ADA. Further research is needed to plan how to remove barriers in fitness facilities.
The Waisman Center is conducting a WI Adult Long Term Care Survey, The survey is now available for individuals or family members to complete. People who receive adult long-term care support were mailed letters by WI DHS.
Technology has come so far that most people rely on the Internet on a daily basis. Making sure that websites and apps are accessible to people with disabilities has become a big emphasis. This article explains the difference between "accessibility" and "usability" when it comes to websites and apps. It explains that "accessibility" is the act of making websites and apps usable for people with disabilities. While "usability" is a measure of how easy a website or app is to use. The article also explains why developers have to consider the kind of people who will be using the website or app. Various factors of user personas should be thought about in the development process.
Massachusetts recently launched its program for ABLE accounts (accounts that allow people with disabilities to have a savings account without jeopardizing their benefits). In Massachusetts, the program is known as "The Attainable Savings Plan." Accounts can be used for disability-related expenses that will increase and/or maintain a person's health, independence, or quality of life. The Attainable Savings Plan will be available to people with disabilities nationwide.
After nearly 10 years of no increases, a personal care rate increase is being debated by the state legislature this THURSDSAY! This short video explains how the care worker shortage is directly impacting thousands of people in the state.
Wisconsin is closer than ever to getting a rate increase, but we need your help to make this happen. If no rate increase is approved this Thursday, it will be at least another TWO years before the legislature will reconsider this issue.
The powerful Joint Finance Committee will vote on the Governor’s proposed 2% per year increase to the personal care rate on Thursday, May 25th. This is an important first step in addressing the workforce crisis but a 15% increase is needed. The current Medicaid personal care rate of $16.08 per hour is $2.50 below the actual cost of providing care.
Call your state senator and state representative today!
- Ask your legislator to please make a motion to increase the personal care rate by 15%. Let them know the Joint Finance Committee is voting on personal care on Thursday, May 25th.
- Ask that the $330 million Medicaid surplus and any savings from the new Independent Assessment be re-invested in the personal care program to help fund the rate increase.
- Thank them for their time and consideration.
To look up your legislators’ phone numbers go to the legislative website or for assistance call the legislative hotline: 1-800-362-9472
Find out who represents you in the state capitol:
The first step in contacting your legislator is knowing who your legislator is. The easiest way to do this is the tool found on the Legislature’s home page. In the right-hand side of that page is a link that says Find My Legislators! Type your address in the box below that link to get the names of your state representative and senator.
Attend the Vote on May 25th to Show Your Support:
We need to pack the room on May 25th!! The Joint Finance Committee will begin voting at 11 a.m. in Room 412 East of the State Capitol. Please let us know if you can attend the vote on Thursday. Our goal is to fill the hearing room. Contact Erin Fabrizius if you plan to attend the vote or if you have any questions: efabrizius@mblumenfeld.com or 608-257-1888.