News
DISABLED WORLD: Conference on Autonomous Vehicles and the Disability Community
By SD Network, 2017-11-07
Recently, the National Federation of the Blind and the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers hosted a conference titled "The Promise: Autonomous Vehicles and the Disability Community". The conference brought together representatives from government, the automotive industry and advocates for people with disabilities to discuss the advances, challenges, and path forward for autonomous vehicle development.
Apply for a Building Full Lives Grant!
Deadline to apply is Nov. 17
The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities in partnership with Wisconsin In Control is offering a great opportunity for organizations Interested in supporting individuals with disabilities to Build FULL LIVES in the community.
Is your organization committed to shifting your business model from segregated to fully integrated services that are individualized, full of choices, and built around the dreams and aspirations of individuals? Is your organization invested in establishing services that support individuals FULL LIVES by flexibly combining customized employment with individualized community integrated activities?
If yes, then you should apply for a Building FULL Lives in the community technical assistance grant.
It is easy to apply.
Download the application here: http://wi-bpdd.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/2017-2018-BFL-RFA.final_.pdf
Deadline to apply is Friday, November 17th.
If you have any questions contact Shannon Webb at 608-318-0700 or
shannon@incontrolwisconsin.org
If you need a Microsoft Word revision of the document, contact Ann Sievert at 608-267-9897.or email ann.sievert@wisconsin.gov.
DISABILITY SCOOP: Smart Home Products Prove Useful For Those With Special Needs
By SD Network, 2017-10-27
A growing number of states are enacting laws designed to keep people from passing off their pets as service animals. Service dogs, which are trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability, were first used by people with vision and hearing impairments. They are now also used by those who use wheelchairs or have other impairment in mobility, people who are prone to seizures or need to be alerted to medical conditions, like low blood sugar, and people with autism or mental illness.
Many states are pushing for legislation to crack down on people who try to pass their pets off as service animals. The laws would make it a misdemeanor to represent an untrained dog as a service animal and would come with fines.
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DISABLED WORLD: United Airlines Obtains EZ Access® Certification For New Self-Service Kiosks to Better Ensure Accessibility for All Customers
By SD Network, 2017-10-26
United Airlines has incorporated EZ Access technologies into self-service kiosks to better ensure they are accessible to all travelers including travelers with sensory or mobility impairments. Thanks to extensive research, the kiosks are cross-disability accessible.
FORBES: Tommy Hilfiger Has Designed a Fashion Line for People with Disabilities
By SD Network, 2017-10-26
More and more fashion designers are designing clothes for people with disabilities. Tommy Hilfiger recently launched an adaptive adult clothing line. Clothes have features such as adjusted seams and openings and magnetic closures. Clothes also have things such as adjusted leg openings and hems to accommodate leg braces and orthodontics and they also have magnetic buttons On shirts that people to fasten them using one hand.
DISABLED WORLD: Social Security Announces 2% COLA Benefit Increase for 2018
By SD Network, 2017-10-23
The U.S. Social Security Administration announced monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits will increase 2% in 2018. This is just a smidge higher than what was originally estimated. The increase is based on the cost of living adjustment. The increase will take effect in January.
A bill that would address the needs of family caregivers is gaining support. The Recognize, Assist, Include, Support and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act would create and implement a plan to "recognize and support family caregivers" which includes steps that can be taken at the federal, state, and local level. It also calls for a family caregiving advisory council to be created. The Senate recently approved the bill, and now it goes on to the House of Representatives.
NATIONAL COUNCIL ON INDEPENDENT LIVING: National Survey about Accessible Parking and Placard Abuse
By SD Network, 2017-10-17
The National Council on Independent Living (NCIL) invites you to participate in an online survey for people who require accessible parking, or have disabled placard or license plates. The survey takes about 15 minutes and will have a major effect on policies related to parking for people with disabilities.
Have you faced challenges when it comes to finding available parking? Have you been frustrated by parking spaces that are designated for people with disabilities but are used by those who don’t need them? What other parking problems do you encounter?
Here is your chance to share your experiences, insights, and challenges. NCIL is part of a newly-formed Accessible Parking Council to address these issues on a national scale.
If you require accessible parking and have a disabled placard or license plate, please take this 15-minute online survey on Accessible Parking and Placard Abuse to ensure your voice is heard.
It is important to complete the survey before it closes November 1. Results are being reported at a Stakeholder’s Forum on Accessible Parking and Placard Abuse,December 6 in Washington, D.C. at the U.S. Access Board, the federal agency responsible for developing and updating the American Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Guidelines.
In addition to the National Council on Independent Living, participating organizations include American Association of People with Disabilities, the United Spinal Association, the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, and the International Parking Institute, among others.
Your responses are anonymous and appreciated. The more people who respond, the more valuable the survey will be in making positive changes for people in our community.