News
Virginia recently launched its program for ABLE accounts (accounts that allow people with disabilities to have a savings account without jeopardizing their benefits). In Virginia, the program is known as "ABLEnow." Accounts can be used for disability-related expenses that will increase and/or maintain a person's health, independence, or quality of life. These accounts are open to both residents in Virginia as well as across the country.
Kentucky recently launched its program for ABLE accounts (accounts that allow people with disabilities to have a savings account without jeopardizing their benefits). In Kentucky, the program is known as "STABLE Kentucky." Accounts can be used for disability-related expenses that will increase and/or maintain a person's health, independence, or quality of life. These accounts are available to Kentucky residents only.
Oregon recently launched its program for ABLE accounts (accounts that allow people with disabilities to have a savings account without jeopardizing their benefits). In Oregon, the programs are known as "Oregon ABLE Savings Plan" (which is specifically for Oregon residents) and "ABLE for ALL Savings Plan" (which is available to people who qualify nationwide). Accounts can be used for disability-related expenses that will increase and/or maintain a person's health, independence, or quality of life.
DISABLED WORLD: TellMe TV: World's First Netflix-like Service for the Blind Debuts in US and Canada
By SD Network, 2017-01-04
Over the last decade or so, online entertainment services, such as Netflix, have become increasingly popular. People who have visual impairments can now enjoy many tv shows and movies thanks to TellMe TV. TellMe TV fully described video on-demand service delivers a wide selection of rich entertainment experiences to US and Canadian blind and vision-loss community. It's available on any device that has Internet connection.
This position will serve the southeastern part of the state (Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, etc.). Here is the link for the posting:
--Describe your familiarity and experience with accessing support systems and resources available for individuals with disabilities and their families in the State of Wisconsin.
--Describe your experience in planning and coordinating meetings or events.
--Describe your experience or familiarity with electronic mail, spreadsheet and word processing software.
Please share far and wide!!!
December 2016
Connect | Share | Learn | http://sdnetworkwi.org/
InControl Wisconsin wants to take a minute to wish everyone Happy Holidays! We really appreciate all of our Network members and Sponsors. We couldn't keep this Network going with you!
This is the season of giving! Our sponsors help us out in so many ways. Learn about how you can support the Network.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WOIA) Webinar
Register now for a free webinar hosted by InControl Wisconsin on Thursday January 12th from 2:00p.m. to 3:30p.m. for a webinar about the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WOIA). WOIA is new federal policy that is shaping transition and employment services for individuals with disabilities around the country, including Wisconsin. about the importance of collaboration among schools, DVR, and long term supports; the three main shifts for schools; information about Pre-Employment Transition Services; new sub-minimum wage policy; and WIOA resources.
The Self-Determination Network includes some very talented members and we want to help you to get to know each other a little better. Member Spotlight is a great way for us to get to know each other better. For this month, we shine the spotlight on Cathy Derezinski. For Cathy, self-determination goes far beyond just her work—it’s a way of life. She believes self-determination is about sharing dreams and moving on them. Stop by this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Cathy.
Who should we shine the Spotlight on next?
Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:
- Advisory Committee on Transportation Equity: December 15th, 1:30p.m. to 4p.m., Online
- ADA Live: January 4th, 12p.m. to 12:30p.m., Online
- Reception on Ability Advocacy and Story Telling: December 28th, 6p.m. to 8:30p.m., Fuel Cafe, Milwaukee WI
- AbilityWI Now: December 28th, 9p.m. to 10p.m., Online Radio Broadcast
- Webinar: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WOIA): January 12th, 2:00p.m. to 3:30p.m., Online
- Dating Workshop: January 20th, 5p.m. to 8p.m., ADRC of Sheboygan County, Sheboygan WI
- Wisconsin Council on Physical Disabilities Quarterly Meeting: January 26th, 9a.m. to 4:30p.m., Skype, Telephone, or Crowne Plaza, Madison WI
- 2017 Multiple Perspectives Conference: April 13th to 17th, Ohio State's Columbus Campus, Columbus OH
- 2017 Aging Empowerment Conference: June 6th-7th, Glacier Canyon Lodge Conference Center at the Wilderness Resort, Wisconsin Dells 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.
In December's entry, Stacy shares about how while animals are great for some people with disabilities, they can cause others a great amount of anxiety. We encourage you to share your experiences as well.
Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the Self-Determination Network:
- Results are In: The results from the Survival Coalition's survey about the direct care workforce are in. Find out what the survey found.
- Post Election Medicaid Questions: Deb posted a link to a website about how the results of the election may affect Medicaid. Learn about how you may be affected.
- New App: Check out a new app that helps people with hearing impairments detect dangerous sounds, communicate with people, make emergency calls and dance to music.
- Service Animal Misconceptions: With service dogs becoming seemingly more and more popular these, there are lots of misconceptions out there about service animals. Read about some of the common misconceptions.
- Citizenship and Inclusion: There is a new shift trending in supporting people with disabilities in our communities. Read a blog by InControl board member, Patti Becker, about how considering a person's strengths, talents, and assets is more important than focusing purely on their needs.
- Direct Care Workforce Crisis: It is pretty known that Wisconsin is experiencing a crisis-level shortage of direct care workers. This commentary does a great job of putting things into perspective.
- Technology Accessibility: Recently, at an Apple product release event, the company highlighted the new ways in which its products allow for increased accessibility. Learn about some of the ways the company is helping people with disabilities.
- Movie Theaters: The Dept. of Justice recently signed a Final Rule that clarifies the Americans with Disabilities Act title lll regulation of requiring movie theaters to provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services for people with disabilities. Read about this rule.
As the saying goes, “A dog is a man’s best friend.” Many people love pets. Animals are like therapy for many people. Many say having a pet actually expands a person’s life expectancy. For animal lovers, their pets become part of the family. When pets pass away, the owners grieve almost like the pet is a person. For many people, a pet serves as a companion. Either you love pets or you avoid them at all costs.
For many people who have disabilities, pets are a source of companionship. Pets, mainly dogs, can be trained to actually physically and emotionally help people with disabilities. Service dogs and their owners go through intense training. The dogs are trained to do a variety of things based on the owner’s needs. If a person has a visual impairment, a dog can be trained to guide the person around. If the person has a seizure disorder, a dog can be trained to detect oncoming seizures. If the person is in a wheelchair, a dog can be trained to pick up things the person dropped or push automatic door buttons and elevator buttons. Dogs are also being trained to work with people who have autism and anxiety. They have a calming effect. I think it’s absolutely amazing what dogs are able to do.
Personally, I’m not an animal person at all. I admit, most animals scare me. I think it’s because if an animal jumps on me, I can’t protect myself. Although I’ve never had that happen, I shy away from most animals. When I’m alone walking around the neighborhood and there’s a dog loose in a yard, I’ll likely speed by the house hoping the dog doesn’t chase me. I’ve had a dog start following me a couple of times, but the owner saw it and came to the rescue.
It’s just not outside dogs I’m afraid of. Inside pets, such as small dogs and cats, scare me too. I just don’t like animals crawling on me or rubbing up against me. I don’t like that I can’t get away from them. Some of my relatives have dogs. When I go to their houses for family gatherings, I have to very vigilant of my surroundings at all times because when I visit other people’s houses, I’m usually in my manual chair which means I can’t myself if a dog would jump on me. I know that my sister and her future husband are planning to get a dog someday, so it’s something I’ll have to get used to.
Years ago, my sister and I each had a rabbit. They were kept in the garage and we played with them outside. With some practice, I got to the point where I was able to hold my rabbit on my lap and pet it for a few minutes. Even then, someone had to be right there in case the rabbit started moving or I got spastic (jumpy).
Many people have suggested that I look into getting a service dog. While I like the of having a companion and essentially being a “mom” to a living being, I don’t foresee myself getting a dog anytime in the near future. Aside from my fear of them, pets are a lot of work. I’m not sure that I’d want to share the time I have people assisting me with my cares with an animal.
Animals are great for some people, but for me, they cause anxiety. Maybe down the road, my feelings toward animals, but for now, I avoid animals whenever possible!
***The views expressed here are strictly those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of InControl Wisconsin, the Network or any of our sponsors.
How are you involved with self-determination? Why did you join the SD Network?
Cathy explains that she thinks that as people, we are all involved with self-determination or can be. “We can all help each other to become our best selves. Self-determination is about sharing your dreams and then moving towards them. It is about finding trusted allies who will support you to get there,” she says. Right now, she works with Family Care at Community Care of Central Wisconsin. She is a resource for everyone connected to their organization around self-determination. She helps people learn more about self-directing their supports, think about getting a job, or present at a conference. She also helps her co-workers come up with ideas for creating conditions for self-determination. She points out that self-determination is a way of life--not just part of her work. Cathy joined the SD Network when it was first developed because she was part of some state wide groups that were working on self-determination.
Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms self-determination?
Cathy points out that the past few years have been exciting in the face of adversity. When changes to the long-term care system were proposed, recently thousands of people with disabilities and their allies were activated. “It was scary, but also invigorating to gather with others from across the state and make sure our voices were heard,” she says. Cathy accompanied people to the capitol several times. She explains that some of the were people had never spoken with their state representatives, and they became amazing advocates for themselves and for their peers. She believes that the energy from this will continue to grow and we can further expand the practice of communicating with our elected officials and keep them on their toes!
What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?
Cathy believes that think our own communities are our greatest resource. She explains that there are friends, neighbors, clubs, groups, organizations that will offer what some people call ‘radical hospitality’ where we feel really welcomed and supported; then we can find our allies and spend our time doing what we love to do!
What message would you like to share with the members of the SD Network?
Cathy appreciates all that she learns from advocates every day. She knows that we all come from different places and have differences in what we think and believe, but we can support each other and learn together what self-determination means for each of us.
What are some of your hobbies?
Cathy enjoys planting a garden every summer to grow food and to create a home for birds, bees and butterflies. She also loves to travel anywhere and meet new people. She’s a member of a group called PINC. PINC was born at the Self-Determination conference because they were doing some fun things and wearing pink shirts. Now, they work in the community at events or offer sessions in self-determination. She works a lot, but “I love my work so maybe it qualifies as a hobby” she says.
***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.
DOJ signs Final Rule revising Title III re: Movie Theatres and Auxiliary Aids and Services
By SD Network, 2016-12-05
We thank the Great Lakes ADA Center for providing us with the information regarding a Final Rule that was recently signed that clarifies the Americans with Disabilities Act title lll regulation of requiring movie theaters to provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services for people with disabilities.
On November 21, 2016, Attorney General Loretta Lynch signed a Final Rule revising the Justice Department’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) title III regulation to further clarify a public accommodation’s obligation to provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services for people with disabilities. The Final Rule requires require movie theaters to: (1) have and maintain the equipment necessary to provide closed movie captioning and audio description at a movie patron’s seat whenever showing a digital movie produced, distributed, or otherwise made available with these features; (2) provide notice to the public about the availability of these features; and (3) ensure that theater staff is available to assist patrons with the equipment before, during, and after the showing of a movie with these features.
Title III of the ADA requires public accommodations, including movie theaters, to provide effective communication through the use of auxiliary aids and services. This rulemaking specifies requirements that movie theaters must meet to satisfy their effective communication obligations to people with hearing and vision disabilities unless compliance results in an undue burden or a fundamental alteration. For a summary of the Final Rule and its requirements, see the “Final Rule Questions & Answers.”
An advance copy of the Final Rule can be viewed on-line at: https://www.ada.gov/regs2016/movie_rule.htm
An Frequently Asked Questions document regarding this final rule can be found on-line at: https://www.ada.gov/regs2016/movie_captioning_qa.html
The official version of the Final Rule will be published in the Federal Register, and the Final Rule will take effect 45 days after publication.
Source: https://www.ada.gov/regs2016/movie_captioning_rule_page.html
Recently, at an Apple product release event, the company highlighted the new ways in which its products allow for increased accessibility. At the event, Apple showed a video that demonstrated people with various types of disabilities using the new devices and new features. Apple also unveiled its new accessibility website that users can visit to learn about the accessibility features and how to use them.