News

The U.S. House of Representatives has taken a crucial step forward in supporting the autism community by passing the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support (CARES) Act of 2024. Over the past two decades, the Autism CARES Act has been a beacon of progress, fundamentally transforming our understanding of autism and reshaping the landscape of support for individuals on the spectrum.

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In August, the Access Board, held public hearings on artificial intelligence (AI) with members of the disability community and others. This series stems from the Board’s Memorandum of Understanding with the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT).

The hearings supported the Access Board’s work in fulfilling the executive order on the use of artificial intelligence to engage with disability community members and AI practitioners to learn about the risks and benefits of AI, and to issue recommendations and technical assistance to promote equity, accessibility, and inclusion for all.

In addition to those hearings, the Access Board is accepting written comments of 300 words or less until October 31.

The General Services Administration (GSA) recently published a final rule adopting the public right-of-way accessibility guidelines issued by the Access Board. Under the rule, which went into effect on September 3, GSA’s federal new construction, alteration, and renovation projects will have to comply with the Access Board’s guidelines.

For new and modified facilities this will mean ensuring accessibility, including by addressing:

• Travel distances from on-street parking to building entrances, making it easier to access government buildings while increasing efficiency for everyone who uses street parking.
• Sidewalk sizes and widths, making it easier for people to pass on the sidewalk, reducing accidental collisions, and better accommodating mobility aids such as walkers, rollators, and both manual and electric wheelchairs.
• Ground slope at passenger loading zones to prevent them from being too steep for people with mobility disabilities to climb.
• Audio and tactile warning systems, including audio signal warnings, truncated domes, and detectable warning pavers, to increase safety by alerting pedestrians to an imminent street crossing and to when they have the right-of-way to cross the street.

Two months ago, many voters with disabilities in Wisconsin were looking forward to being able to receive and mark a ballot electronically. However, an appeals court disrupted the plan. Now, advocates are continuing their battle in the Wisconsin Supreme Court. As it takes longer and longer, it appears highly unlikely that voters with disabilities will have access to electronic ballots for the November election.

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States are regularly required to evaluate the eligibility of Medicaid beneficiaries. For people with developmental disabilities, the outcome of this process can affect not only their medical coverage, but also their access to community living supports. With new guidance, federal officials are outlining steps that states should take to ensure that people with disabilities are not inadvertently dropped from Medicaid home and community-based services.

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HUD published on August 27th updated guidance for its Mainstream Voucher program that creates new alternative requirements and waivers to enable public housing agencies (PHAs) to better utilize Mainstream Vouchers, helping people with disabilities transition from – or avoid altogether – institutional settings and instead to live in community.

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Self-Determination Network News:

September 2024

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InControl Wisconsin's Caring Across Cultures Project

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

• New Data: The Center for Disease Control recently released the annual update to the Disability and Health Data System. Find out what the new data revealed.
• Push for Nationwide Headcount: Disability advocates are pushing for the federal government to track the number of direct support professionals there are. Learn why this is a crucial piece of data that is missing.
• Employment Toolkit: This U.S. Department of Labor toolkit provides strategies and best practices to recruit, hire, retain, and advance workers with disabilities in good jobs in construction, manufacturing, and clean energy. Check it out!
• Proclamation: In late July, in celebration of the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the White House put out a proclamation explaining what has been accomplished and what still needs to be done. Read about the actions being taken to further make things accessible.
• State Fee Changes: The Evers administration recently announced the establishment of minimum rates for home-and-community-based services care that must be paid by managed care organizations. Learn what advocates feel is needed to ensure that the increases actually show up in workers' paychecks.
• Reflecting on the ADA: As we celebrated the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act in July, there was a lot of reflection about not only how far the country has come, but also about how much still needs to be done.  Take a look at this very informative blog that recaps everything nicely.
• Expanded Care Choices: Starting in January 2025, almost 8,000 Family Care and Family Care Partnership (Partnership) members in South Central Wisconsin will have more choices in who helps manage their long-term care. Find out which nine countries will be able to choose from two additional managed care organizations.
• Laws Simplify Equipment Repair Process: For a long time, disability advocates and those who rely on mobility equipment have said that Wisconsin laws make it harder to repair devices. However, in the past year, two bills have been passed to address these issues Learn what these laws will do.
• Updated Index: An updated online interactive tool and an accompanying report which allow users to analyze state policies and direct care workforce outcomes across the country. Learn why this is helpful to policy makers, advocates, and state leaders.
• Finding Accessible Businesses: For people with disabilities, finding businesses that accommodate their accessibility needs can be challenging. Learn about the accessibility options one popular business review company added to help people find the specific accommodations they need when looking for a business.
• Healthcare Task Force Report: Governor Evers recently announced that the Governor's Task Force on the Healthcare Workforce released its final report and advisory action plan including solutions to address the ongoing healthcare workforce shortages. Read about the recommendations the task force adopted.
• Emerging Leader Award: The American Association of People with Disabilities Paul G. Hearne Emerging Leader Awards recognizes outstanding emerging leaders with disabilities who exemplify leadership, advocacy, and dedication to the broader cross-disability community. Applications due October 15th. Learn more and apply today!

Upcoming Events 

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

• WisTech 2024 Training #5 Technology And Tranquility: AT For Mental Health And And Self Care: September 17th, 10a.m. to 11a.m., Virtual
• Webinar: Accessible Tech: Locked Out: Barriers to Accessible Technology Inside Prison Education Programs: September 19th, 1p.m. to 2:30p.m., Virtual
• Webinar: Creating Healthy, Safe, and Connected Communities: The Living Well Blueprint: September 25th, 2p.m. to 3:30p.m., Virtual
• FOCUS 2024 Conference:  November 20th-21st, KI Center, Green Bay 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.

Governor Evers recently announced that the Governor's Task Force on the Healthcare Workforce released its final report and advisory action plan including solutions to address the ongoing healthcare workforce shortages. The 25-member task force met six times since March to hear from healthcare industry experts and leaders, analyze labor market data, and produce an advisory action plan for Gov. Evers’ review and consideration. As a result of those meetings, the Task Force adopted 10 recommendations with 26 action items representing a variety of policies and programs to address various industry issues, including education, training, recruitment, and retention of healthcare workers. The action plan represents a strategic set of policy and implementation approaches targeting the healthcare industry’s chronic challenges.

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