News

The NIDILRR-funded Collaborative on Health Reform and Independent Living (CHRIL) at the University of Kansas is looking for adults with disabilities to complete an online survey about health insurance, health care access and the current pandemic. Whether you have private insurance, insurance from an employer, TRICARE, Medicaid, Medicare or no insurance right now please complete the survey. 

  • Adults, 18 and over, with any type of disability, chronic illness/disease, mental or physical health condition are encouraged to participate.
  • The survey should take about 20 minutes to complete.
  • Responses are anonymous.
  • The survey may look familiar to you. It was posted in 2018 and 2019, and is being posted for a third time now. We welcome participation from those who completed it before and those who have never done it before.

To complete the survey, go to: http://tinyurl.com/NSHD2021


Whether or not you complete the survey, you can choose to enter a drawing to win one of fifteen $100 gift cards. Weekly drawings will happen until the survey closes April 30, 2021. If you prefer to take the survey over the phone or have any questions about participating, please call toll-free 1-855-556-6328 (Voice/TTY) or email healthsurvey@ku.edu
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By now, it is widely known that COVID has disproportionately affected those with disabilities and those in long-term care. This report details some of the statistics and explains where vaccine distribution is within the disability community. It has some interesting tables and maps. 

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A recently published study by Dr. Lisa Iezzoni discusses the treatment of persons with disabilities by those practicing medicine. Iezzoni, who herself is disabled, has studied the trends surrounding health care for disabled people for more than 20 years. Her new study focuses on the attitude of treating doctors towards patients with disabilities, and the results are discouraging.

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Recently, President Biden signed an executive order that will increase voting access. The order directs agencies to increase access to voter registration for groups such as military and overseas voters, Native American voters, and voters with disabilities. The order directs agencies to use their website and social media platforms to provide information about voter registration and the distribution of mail-vote-by-mail applications. 

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In February, there was a slight increase in employment for people with disabilities. The increase is contributed to the decline in COVID cases,  and the vaccine rollout. It's expected to continue to increase as things continue to improve. 

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96Self-Determination Network News:

March 2021

Connect Share |Learn http://sdnetworkwi.org/ 

Don't Forget to Register for Disability Advocacy Day of Action

Don't forget to register for Disability Day of Action that's on March 23rd. It's a virtual event focused on connecting Disability Advocates with their legislators to talk about issues that matter to them. Attendees are expected to participate in the morning briefing and call their legislators in the afternoon. Registration closes soon.  Learn more and register today

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2021 Self-Determination Conference Call for Proposals 

Are you interested in presenting at the 2021 Self-Determination Conference?  The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities is seeking session proposals for Tuesday, October 19th & Wednesday, October 20th, 2021. This year’s theme: Growing Stronger Together will help people with disabilities lead more Self-Determined lives by recognizing the valued role communities play in our lives! Presentations should include at least one self-advocate and must be able to be done both in-person and on video. Proposals are due April 2nd.  Learn more and apply today!  

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Opportunity to get Involved!

Are you a Self-Advocate?

Would you like an opportunity to speak up for yourself?

Do you want to be a part of the Self-Determination YouTube Channel?

Join the hosts of the Self-Determination Channel for a Zoom Drop In video recording session. We have questions- you have answers!

We will record your answers about how you live a Self-Determined life and what is important to you. This is your chance to make your voice heard.

Mark your calendar for Thursday, March 25th at 4p.m. You can drop in any time from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.

We look forward to seeing you and hearing what you have to say! 

Contact Fil Clissa at fil.clissa@wisconsin.gov for the  link to participate.

Check out the newest videos on the channel:

We encourage you to subscribe to the Channel (you can do so by clicking the red Subscribe button on any of the video pages).

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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.

This month, we're shining the spotlight on new InControl Wisconsin board member, Julie! As one of the founders of the Save IRIS movement, she’s a huge advocate for self-direction. She encourages everyone to remember the word “self” in self-direction and to get involved in some sort of advocacy. Stop by this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Julie. 

Who should we shine the spotlight on next?

128 Stacy’s Journal







"Most people aren’t comfortable with being called out for doing something good. Often, people appreciate acknowledgement and praise, but we are uncomfortable with it. For people with disabilities or health conditions, many times, offering to meet a celebrity or being praised for something can be a unique experience."


In this month's journal entry, Stacy talks about being recognized and receiving praise as someone with a disability. Do you have similar feelings?







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

  • Where Healthcare is Headed: As health systems continue to test approaches to better health care quality, the delivery of person-centered care is key for health care system transformation. Learn what researchers found in a recent study. 
  • Report Shows Improvement in Voter Accessibility: According to a new report, people with disabilities had far fewer problems with voting accessibility in 2020 than in 2012. Find out how things improved. 
  • Research Funding Opportunity for Blindness and Low Vision: The Administration for Community Living has opened up a funding opportunity to conduct research and development activities that will promote independence and community living for those with low vision and blindness. Applications due April 19th. 
  • Public Comment on Heightened Scrutiny: The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is opening a 30-day public comment period on its findings about home and community-based service long-term care settings that were identified for heightened scrutiny review. Review is needed to determine if these settings are truly home and community based and not institutional.  Public comment open until March 24th. 
  • Self-driving Vehicles Online Forum: Self-driving or “autonomous” vehicles stand to revolutionize transportation in the U.S. and around the world. Here's an opportunity to join an online forum discussing inclusive design for autonomous vehicles. 
  • Vaccine Frustration: While Wisconsin has made progress in the vaccine rollout, disability advocates say some of the most vulnerable  people still face multiple challenges accessing it. Read about some of the obstacles people with disabilities are facing. 
  • Self-advocate Class: The ARC of Wisconsin is leading a class for self-advocates. Registration closes April 1st. Learn more and register today! 
  • Your Input is Needed: The Center on Aging and Trauma of The Jewish Federations of North America’s Holocaust Survivor Initiative, invites organizations to participate in a national survey on Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed Care. Survey closes March 22nd. 
  • Vaccine Prioritization: With vaccines beginning to be more available, disability advocates want the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to update its prioritization plan to include the high-risk disability community. Read about why advocates want this.
  • Funding Opportunities for Technology Research and Activities: The Administration for Community Living has two new funding opportunities for research and activities for technology interventions to encourage community living outcomes for people with disabilities. Applications due April 26th. 

128 Upcoming Events

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

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. 

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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.


The National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) at ACL has opened a new funding opportunity for a Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program on Wireless Technologies and a Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers (RRTCs) on Interventions to Promote Community Living Among People with Disabilities.


The purpose of the RERC program is to improve the effectiveness of services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act by conducting advanced engineering research on and development of innovative technologies that are designed to solve particular rehabilitation problems or to remove environmental barriers. RERCs also demonstrate and evaluate such technologies, facilitate service delivery system changes, stimulate the production and distribution of new technologies and equipment in the private sector, and provide training opportunities.

RERC on Wireless TechnologiesThis particular opportunity is for an RERC to conduct research and development activities to improve the ability of individuals with sensory, mobility, cognitive, or other disabilities to obtain, independently access and use wireless technologies in their schools, communities, workplaces, or for emergency response.

View more details and application instructions.

Please visit the link above for more details about the grant opportunity and application process. This grant opportunity closes on April 26, 2021.


The purpose of the RRTC program, which are funded through the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Projects and Centers Program, is to achieve the goals of, and improve the effectiveness of, services authorized under the Rehabilitation Act through well-designed research, training, technical assistance, and dissemination activities in important topic areas as specified by NIDILRR. These activities are designed to benefit rehabilitation service providers, individuals with disabilities, family members, and other stakeholders. 

RRTC on Interventions to Promote Community Living Among People with DisabilitiesThis particular opportunity is for an RRTC to conduct research and related activities toward interventions to promote community living outcomes among people with disabilities.

View more details and application instructions.

Please visit the link above for more details about the grant opportunity and application process. This grant opportunity closes on April 26, 2021.


With vaccines beginning to be more available, disability advocates want the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to update its prioritization plan to include the high-risk disability community. The CDC has so far prioritized people in long-term care facilities in the 1a group to get vaccinated, it has not yet mentioned those with similar conditions who live outside of congregate settings. 

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Do you want to Present at the Self-Determination Conference in 2021?

Are you interested in presenting at the 2021 Self-Determination Conference?  We are seeking session proposals for Tuesday, October 19 & Wednesday, October 20, 2021.    

This year’s theme: Growing Stronger Together will help people with disabilities lead more Self-Determined lives by recognizing the valued role communities play in our lives!

Things to know when submitting a proposal:

  • Proposals must include a self-advocate(s) as a lead or co-presenter.
  • Panels should be limited to no more than 3 people. 
  • Conference sessions must support Self-Determination and Self-Directed principles.
  • Presentations will be in person and on video this year. Activity and tools must be available on both platforms. Presentations should focus on practical, take-home strategies that people can implement in their work and lives.
  • Sessions should not promote specific agencies or products. 
  • Repeat or similar sessions from previous conferences will not be considered.
  • Sessions will be 1.5 hours in length.
  • A typical session has an audience of 50-75 attendees. 

Download the Application:

All proposals are due by 12 p.m. on April 2, 2021.

Please submit your completed proposal form to:

Fil Clissa at Fil.Clissa@wisconsin.gov  or mail to BPDD, 101 E. Wilson St., Room 219, Madison, WI 53703


The Center on Aging and Trauma of The Jewish Federations of North America’s Holocaust Survivor Initiative, invites organizations to participate in a national survey on Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed (PCTI) Care. This ACL grantee is working to build the capacity of aging service providers to provide PCTI care to older adults with a history of trauma as well as their family caregivers. They are conducting this survey to collect information on the current capacity of organizations to provide this type of care.

Responses are anonymous. Only one survey should be submitted by an organization. Respondents are strongly encouraged to coordinate with colleagues to reduce multiple responses from a single organization. Only U.S. organizations should participate.

Respond by March 22, 2021

Take the Survey (estimated 15 minutes to complete)

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