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2016 Aging Empowerment Conference
There is still time to register for the 2016 Aging Empowerment Conference. It is hosted by InControl Wisconsin will be held June 7th and 8th at the Glacier Canyon Lodge Conference Center at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells. The conference focuses on the interconnected relationship between older adults, their caregivers, and the professionals who support them. It's an opportunity to explore ways to advance self-determination as the foundation for providing support while empowering older people to retain control of their lives. Learn more information and find out how to register today!
Changes to Wisconsin Long-Term Care: What’s Next?
Since the Department of Health Services (DHS) submitted the Family Care/IRIS 2.0 Concept Paper to the Committee on Joint Finance on March 31st, committee members and others have asked a number of questions about why the Department chose to have three separate administrative zones if Family Care/IRIS 2.0 is implemented statewide. DHS has released a new webpage entitled "Family Care/IRIS 2.0: "Why Three?" which has additional information about the topic.
Be sure to stay up to date on the latest developments on our Long-Term Care Redesign page.
Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the Self-Determination Network:
- Call for Proposals: Proposals to present at the 2016 Across the Lifespan Conference are now being accepted through July 31st.
- Call for Exhibitors: Applications are now being accepted to be an exhibitor at the 2016 Self-Determination Conference.
- Advocates See Opportunity in Self-Driving Cars: Read about how many people with disabilities see a new opportunity coming with the advancements in self-driving cars.
- States Work Together on ABLE Accounts: Learn about how many states are banding together to create ABLE accounts.
- The History of Disability: Check out pictures from an exhibit in London about how disability has changed over the last 80 years.
- Google Disability Initiative: Find out how Google is helping to increase independence for people with disabilities.
- Housing Tips: Here is a great list of tips people with disabilities should know about housing.
- Phone Communication: Learn about how the Federal Communications Commission is trying to make it easier to communicate over the phone.
- Accessible Technology: Read about a new Accessible Technology section recently added to a popular disability informational website.
- First ABLE Accounts: Find out which states will be the first to offer ABLE accounts.
This month, Stacy discusses her quest to inspire and how her opinion on this topic may differ from many others who have disabilities. We encourage you to ask her questions and/or share your experiences as well.
Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:
- Webinar: "Two Tickets Please": May 26th, 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Online
- Accessible Pontoon Boat Rides: June 1st-September 30th, Tenney Park, Madison WI
- Webinar: Vertical Access: June 2nd, 1:30p.m. to 3:00p.m., Online
- 2016 Aging Empowerment Conference: Living A Self-Determined Life: June 7th & 8th, Glacier Canyon Lodge Conference Center at the Wilderness Resort, Wisconsin Dells WI
- 2016 Transformation Conference: June 28th-30th, Hilton Alexandria Old Town, Alexandria VA
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.
Since the Department of Health Services (DHS) submitted the Family Care/IRIS 2.0 Concept Paper to the Committee on Joint Finance on March 31st, committee members and others have asked why the Department chose to have three separate administrative zones if Family Care/IRIS 2.0 is implemented statewide.
DHS published a new web page with additional information about this topic, Family Care/IRIS 2.0: "Why Three?"
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/familycareiris2/zones.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Click to view Family Care/IRIS 2.0: “Why Three?”
The first programs for ABLE accounts (accounts that allow people with disabilities to save money without losing their government benefits) are set to become available in some states this summer. Nebraska and Ohio are among the first states expected to offer ABLE accounts. Each state has to pass their own legislation and create regulations for these accounts.
A WISCONSIN FAMILY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
NOW accepting applications for 2016!
WiFLI is a new opportunity for Wisconsin families to participate in
an intensive leadership development experience. Upon completion families will be able to:
- engage with partners
- participate in quality improvement activities
- serve on advisory committees
- organize local groups
- improve their communities for children with disabilities or special health care needs and their families.
If you previously participated in a family learning opportunity such as PIP, YiPPE, Partners in Policymaking, or have served on an advisory or community committee, you will find WiFLI a great next step in your journey. WiFLI provides an in depth leadership development experience for families supporting a family member with disabilities or special health care needs. The Institute has a strong focus on building skills for participatory leadership, values of community inclusion and principles of individual and family centered practices.
WHO: Parents and other family members supporting a child or young adult 0-26 who has a disability or special health care need
WHEN: Summer/Fall weekends 2016
WHERE: Lake Lawn Resort, Delavan, WI
WHAT: Five, 1 ½ day face-to-face learning sessions starting Friday at 4:00pm, ending Saturday at4:00pm. Participants commit to all five sessions and participate in a community project.
COST: 25 participants will receive a full scholarship covering hotel and meals
Applications available at http://go.wisc.edu/hut55a. If you have questions, please call or email Sonja Oetzel at (608)265-8955, soetzel@wisc.edu or Liz Hecht at (608)263-7148. Visit the WiFLI website at http://www.waisman.wisc.edu/cedd/wifli.htm
Applications are due by May 15th
SCHEDULE FOR 2016
June 3-4
Clarifying Values and Creating a Foundation for Leadership
July 15-16
Innovations in Supporting Children and their Families
September 9-10
Developing Your Advocacy and Communication Skills
October 7-8
Building an Action Strategy as Part of a Team
November 4-5
Completing the Circle and Looking Ahead
This program is sponsored by the University of WI-Madison, Waisman Center UCEDD (University Center for Excellence in Development Disabilities) in collaboration with Family Voices of WI with funding from the Department of Health Services to the CYSHCN network of Regional Centers and Parent-to-Parent organizations.
For the last several years now, every spring, I’ve been asked to present to a special education class at a local high school. My mom is an administrator in the school district and she likes to have me speak to students as motivation. I talk about my life living with a severe physical disability and how I overcame and continue to overcome the many challenges I face. I tell them about growing up and going away to college. I share some of the funny experiences I had and how I persevered through tough times. My message to them is to never ever give up no matter what life throws at you. Oftentimes, I also talk to Kindergarten classes. At that age, it’s about exposing them to someone with a severe physical disability and having them not be afraid. I get some pretty funny questions from those kids! In the past, I’ve also presented to college classes. Education majors usually have to take an intro to special education course, and, since I wasn’t the “typical” student, my story is from a different perspective.
Maybe it’s because teaching is in my heart and soul, but I admit that I absolutely love presenting to others. While, personally, I don’t take offense to being called or seen as an inspiration, many people with disabilities do. To me, I feel like it’s my underlying duty to inspire people. If people are inspired and encouraged by seeing me lead a successful life despite all of my circumstances, I’m all for it. They may not like it, but I’m inspired by my friends who have different abilities. I guess, personally, I just don’t see the issue with being seen as an inspiration.
That said, most of time, I don’t want to standout just because I have a disability. I know that sounds contradictory. Let me try to explain. Nobody likes to have attention drawn to their flaws. While I like to present about living with a disability, on an average day, I don’t think about my disability. I don’t want to be seen as an inspiration just because of my disability. I want people to be encouraged by how I deal with my limitations.
Sometimes, I think disability awareness and advocacy is taken too far. For example, I have mixed feelings about disability awareness days. Days such as “World Down Syndrome Day,” “World Cerebral Palsy Day,” “Epilepsy Awareness Day,” and “Autism Awareness Day” are at the end of March and the beginning of April. On one hand, bringing awareness to disabilities is a great thing. The more ways we can get society as a whole to accept and include people with disabilities the better. On the other hand, though, wearing a certain color and/or a pin (which is often suggested on these days) isn't going to cure these disabilities. In fact, as I said, drawing attention to a person's disability is--in most cases--the last thing the person wants.
The notion of “inspirational porn” has been a controversial topic on the internet for awhile now. It’s when media outlets commend and do stories about people with disabilities doing “normal” things. Again, I have mixed feelings about this too. While I agree that some stories seem excessive, I think it’s important to share success stories about people who have disabilities with the general population. It promotes acceptance and inclusion.
I think it’s a very fine line between educating about disabilities and exploiting disabilities. There’s no rule book for this, so we are left to figure it out as we go. Many people disagree with me on this, and that’s ok. We are each entitled to an opinion!
***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.
We thank the Great Lakes ADA Center for providing us with the following information about how a new technology section was added to ada.gov.
New Accessible Technology Section Added to ADA.gov
The Department of Justice has launched a new Accessible Technology sectionfor ADA.gov, its Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Web site, to further assist covered entities and people with disabilities to understand how the ADA applies to certain technologies, such as Web sites, electronic book readers, online courses, and point-of-sale devices. Covered entities have longstanding obligations to make their programs, goods, services, and activities accessible—including those they provide online or via other technology. The new Web pages compile in one place the Department’s technical assistance and guidance about accessible technology, as well as information about the Department’s accessible technology enforcement efforts, regulation development, and other federal accessible technology resources and initiatives.
The Federal Communications Commission is trying to make it easier for people with disabilities to communicate over the phone. They proposed a rule that would require wireless phone networks to recognize real-time text starting in December 2017. Real-time text would allow people to send and receive messages as they're being relayed without a separate device or translator on the line.
People with disabilities often struggle to find appropriate housing. There are many different barriers and issues people have to consider when looking for housing. Disability.gov put together a great list of people should know about housing. It includes tons of excellent resources too!
Google is spending millions on technology that will increase independence for people with disabilities through its "Google Impact Challenge: Disabilities" initiative. The grants will go to various disability organizations to enhance technology for people with disabilities. Each organization that received a grant has committed to sharing their technology which will encourage innovation from other sources.
THE GUARDIAN: How the world of disability has changed in the last 80 years – in pictures
By SD Network, 2016-05-03
Over the past decades, attitudes towards people with disabilities have dramatically changed. Changes in legislation and services have improved people's lives. A charity in London recently held an exhibit called "Crippled, Handicapped, Disabled: Living Beyond Labels" which opened up the charity's archives to explore attitudes towards people with disabilities over the last 80 years.