News
Self-Determination Network News:
August 2025
Connect | Share |Learn | http://sdnetworkwi.org
Public Comment Period Open for the 2025 ADA Transition Plan
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has published the 2025 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan. There is a public comment period open through Sunday, August 31st. Your feedback is very important, and we encourage you to participate in this opportunity. Visit http://www.wisconsindot.gov/ada to find the plan, along with an overview video presentation and options to comment using the web, email or standard U.S. Mail.
New Survival Coalition Survey
The Survival Coalition of state disability organizations is conducting this survey of people with disabilities and older adults who use Medicaid, their caregivers, and their providers. The purpose of the survey is to find out how much time and effort currently goes into Medicaid eligibility, how much unpaid care already is provided, and what people are most concerned about with the more than $900-990 billion in Medicaid cuts that were signed into law July 4th, 2025. Take survey
Have you registered yet?
Have you registered for the 2025 Self-Determination Conference? This year's conference will be held October 20th-22nd at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. Self-Determination by Design: Your Life, Your Way is the theme this year. Learn more and register today!
Diehard Award Nominations
Die Hard applications are now open through August 14th! Nominees must demonstrate some or all of these characteristics:
- Excellence in advocacy toward Self-Determination and Self-Direction principles, activities, and outcomes.
- Excellence in leadership on systems change in areas of community living, employment, housing, healthcare, education, and technology that enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families throughout Wisconsin.
- Sets a high standard of excellence that promotes values of independence, productivity, inclusion, and self-determination for people with disabilities and their families.
- Commitment to growing Self-Advocacy in Wisconsin.
- Commitment to ensuring people in unserved or underserved communities from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds have a voice
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.
In August, we're shining the Member Spotlight on Autumn. This amazing lady has held a lot of jobs, but the one that she’s most proud of is being a mother. She has used her lived experience to support others in becoming independent. Stop by this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Autumn.
Who should we shine the spotlight on next?
Check out the Latest Videos!
The Self-Determination Channel is a YouTube channel by and for people with developmental or intellectual disabilities. Unlike other channels, the Self-Determination Channel stands stand out from other channels on YouTube because self-advocates host the videos, and decide and create the content. Videos are posted a couple times a month on a variety of topics self-advocates care about such as technology, employment, caregivers, independent living, and advocacy.
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).
Take five minutes to check out what's happening on the Self-Determination Network:
- Proposed Home Care Overtime Policy: The Department of Labor issued a proposed rule to rescind restrictive provisions that increased costs and administrative burdens in home care. Learn what this rule would change.
- Consumer Direction Podcast: Consumer direction, which allows people to hire people they choose to be caregivers through Medicaid, remains largely unused. Listen to this podcast to learn how consumer direction helps people with disabilities with disabilities while keeping families together financially.
- Program for First Responders: The Middleton Police Department has introduced a new program aimed at helping first responders better respond to situations with people with invisible disabilities. Watch this news story to learn about what this program does.
- The Older Americans Act: The Older Americans Act turned 60 in July. Read what this Act has done.
- Theater Company Focuses on Disability Theater: A theater company is the first in the area the area which is made up of a cast and crew of actors and actress who have disabilities. Learn more about this unique theater.
- Wisconsin Governor and Health Secretary Criticize Bill: Governor Evers and Health Secretary Johnson criticize the One Big Beautiful Bill. Find out why.
- Cross State Trek to Raise Awareness: A man from Neenah recently made the 100+ mile trip to the Capitol in Madison using his power wheelchair to raise awareness for better wages for home care workers. Learn about his journey.
- Watch: Medicaid is 60 years old and it covers one in five people in this country. Watch this video to learn how it got so big and how the recent bill may change it.
- Subminimum Wage: The Trump administration withdrew a rule that would have federally ended subminimum wage for disabled workers, allowing some companies certificates to continue paying disabled employees as little as 25 cents an hour. Read about what this means for states.
- Amtrak Accessibility Concerns: A new report finds that Amtrak is losing a significant amount of customers because it hasn't done a good job of responding to accessibility complaints. Find out what is being done to address these concerns.
- Medicaid Turns From Lifeline to Question Mark: For a Wisconsin woman who has chronic illness, Medicaid has become a lifeline. Read about how it has now become a question mark due to the recent legislation.
- Mental Health Concerns in Rural Areas: Medicaid is the largest payer for mental health services, and, in rural areas, people are disproportionately rely on the public insurance program. Learn what the fears are with Medicaid on the chopping block.
- National Award Winner: A student at UW-Eau Claire received a national disability advocacy award for her dedication to creating a safe and inclusive campus environment. Read about what she has done.
- Caregiving Report: A new report reveals that the caregiving landscape now includes 63 million people. Learn about what this surge means and what the priorities are.
- Eliminating Workforce Initiatives: The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services recently announced that it will no longer fund Medicaid workforce initiatives. Find out what these included.
- Celebrating 35 Years of the ADA: On July 26th, the Americans with Disabilities Act turned 35. Learn about what this law has accomplished and what still needs to be done.
- Families Supporting Families: The Board for People with Developmental Disabilities and the Department of Public Instruction want to strengthen their partnerships with Wisconsin’s communities of color and communities who speak Spanish and Hmong to better support families who have school-aged children with intellectual or developmental disabilities. They are offering two grant options to bring bring families who have school-aged children with intellectual or developmental disabilities together. Learn more and apply today.
- Changes Coming to Social Security: The Social Security Administration announced some big changes coming in mid-August. Read about the new multi-factor authorization process to talk with an agent over the phone.
- Impact on Family Caregivers: Many immigrants who had work permits, for jobs including nursing and caregiving, have had temporary legal status revoked. Find out why this could impact family caregivers.
- Disability Activist on Quarter: A famous disability activist will soon appear on US quarters. Read about this activist.
Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:
- Webinar: Service First – Empowering Front-Line Staff: August 14th, 1p.m. to 2:30p.m., Virtual
- Access Technology Class: Which Smart Glasses are Right for Me?: August 14th, 4p.m. to 5p.m., Virtual
- Self Determination Conference 2025: October 20th-22nd, Kalahari 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.
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.'
A prominent disability justice activist, Stacey Park Milbern, will soon appear on quarters issued by the U.S. Mint as part of a special program honoring notable American women.
Many immigrants from countries like Venezuela and Haiti who had work permits for jobs, including nursing, have now had their temporary legal status revoked by the Trump administration. If more families lose that formal support, they may have to take on the role of caregivers directly.
NEWSWEEK: Social Security Rolling Out Major Change in August: What to Know
By SD Network, 2025-08-01
The Social Security Administration announced some big changes coming in mid-August. The re will be a new multi-factor authorization process to talk with an agent over the phone. If people want to contact the Social Security office over the phone, they will have to first go to the office in-person to get a PIN. This will be problematic for older adults and people with disabilities--especially in rural areas.
WISCONSIN BOARD FOR PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES: Families Supporting Families: 2025 Applications Open
By SD Network, 2025-08-01
|
|
|
WI DOT: Wisconsin Department of Transportation seeks public comment on 2025 ADA Transition Plan
By SD Network, 2025-08-01
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has published the 2025 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan. There is a public comment period open through Sunday, August 31 (approximately midnight, 11:59 a.m.). Your feedback is very important, and we hope you’ll take the time to participate in this opportunity. Visit http://www.wisconsindot.gov/ada to find the plan, along with an overview video presentation and options to comment using the web, email or standard U.S. Mail.
U.S. ACCESS BOARD: Celebrating 35 Years of Americans with Disabilities Act
By SD Network, 2025-07-28
|
July 26, 2025 marks 35 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush. The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in both the private and state and local government sectors. Under the ADA, the U.S. Access Board develops and maintains accessibility guidelines for the construction and alteration of facilities covered by the law, as well as guidelines for the design of the public right-of-way and transportation vehicles. These guidelines serve as the basis of standards used by other agencies to enforce the ADA’s design requirements. The Access Board celebrates the 35th anniversary of the ADA as it continues to hold trainings, webinars, public events, and engagements with international partners throughout the year. |
|
HOME HEALTH CARE NEWS: CMS To Cut Medicaid Workforce Initiatives For Home- And Community-Based Services
By SD Network, 2025-07-28
|
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it will no longer approve funding for new Medicaid workforce initiatives for home- and community-based services. Medicaid workforce initiatives were intended to "strengthen and build" several industries' workforces, including primary care, behavioral health, dental and home- and community-based services. The initiatives included programs such as student loan repayment and workforce training programs. |