Self-Determination Network News: May 2023
Self-Determination Network News:
May 2023
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The Ongoing Caregiver Crisis
In late April, the Survival Coalition put on a press event about how the ongoing caregiver caregiver crisis is really affecting people's lives. The results of 2023 caregiver survey that the Survival Coalition recently did will be released very soon, and the preliminary results indicate the impact of the care worker shortage has significantly increased since the initial survey was conducted last year. We encourage people to keep sharing their caregiver stories with legislators and remind them that caregiving needs to be a priority in the budget.
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 shined the spotlight on David. This advocate extraordinaire continues to serve his community in any way he can. When he’s not busy serving on one of the many boards he’s on, he’s appraising antiques or officiating weddings. Check out this month's Member Spotlight to get to know David.
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:
- What self-determination means to me #SHORTS
- Why I tell my story #SHORTS
- About me #SHORTS
- Ben's Transition Story
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:
- Five Resources to Advocate for Workforce: Momentum for policy change at the state level continues to grow dramatically for the direct care workforce. Check out these resources to help people advocate for the direct care workforce.
- Fact Sheet: Recently, the Biden administration announced the most comprehensive set of actions an administration has taken to improve care and support caregivers (including family caregivers). Learn about some of the directives to expand affordable and high-quality care and provide support for caregivers.
- Care Workforce Not Keeping Pace: Research continues to show that the size of the home care workforce isn't keeping pace with home-and-community-based services. Read about how improving access to HCBS will require not only expanded insurance coverage but also new workforce investment.
- Supporting People with Invisible Disabilities: Invisible disabilities, as the name suggests, are disabilities that are not immediately apparent to others. Learn about ways leaders can support people who have invisible disabilities.
- Ending of the Public Health Emergency: The public health emergency from COVID-19 has now ended. Learn about some of the implications this may have on Medicaid HCBS programs, including workforce challenges and reductions in access to care.
- Wisconsintes with Disabilities Could Help Workforce Shortage: People with disabilities in Wisconsin could help solve the labor shortage, but recruitment efforts often disregard the population. Find out why there's such a mismatch between employers and people with disabilities.
- Input Needed: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services published a proposed rule, Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services (Access Rule) to improve access to — and quality of — Medicaid services and promote health equity across the Medicaid program. The proposed rule applies to all Medicaid services, including the home and community-based services (HCBS) that are vital to people with disabilities and older adults. Comments must be received by July 3.
- The Influence of Disability in a Changing World: Change is inevitable yet within the arc of the disability narrative we have seen profound transformations happening over years starting with civil rights to the evolution of business, representation, and a revolution through a broad cultural zeitgeist that is redefining our understanding of the disability experience. Read this interesting reflection.
- Report on Equity and Access: A new report examines current research on equity, inclusion, and access for the 61+ million individuals in the United States with disabilities in key social determinants of health including employment, transportation, healthcare, and education. Learn what it revealed.
- New Funding to Support Family Caregivers: The Administration for Community Living recently announced a new funding opportunity for an initiative to support family caregivers. Applications are June 26th.
- Advisory on Loneliness and Isolation: A new advisory notes that older adults and people with disabilities are among the populations with the highest numbers of loneliness and isolation. Find out what recommendations are suggested.
- Fall Internship Opportunity: The American Association of People with Disabilities is seeking applicants for their fall internship program. The internship program places students and recent graduates in a paid program that builds leadership skills, explores career opportunities, and enriches connections in the disability community. Applications are due June 8lth.
- Bipartisan Bill Would Eliminate Derogatory Language: A new bipartisan bill is going around that would eliminate "outdated and derogatory" language on intellectual disability from federal law. Learn more about this bill.
- Bill Focusing on Strengthening Direct Care Workforce: A group of lawmakers has introduced legislation that not only focuses on improving conditions for professional caregivers, but family caregivers as well. Find out what this bill would do.
- Improving Air Travel: For many years, flying has been challenging for many people with disabilities. Read about a bill that would track damaged mobile aids and start research on designing planes that would allow people to stay in their mobility devices while flying.
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Addressing Disability Discrimination in Health Care: Two years after the feds suggested that they were going to update regulations to prevent health care providers from discriminating against people with disabilities, but advocates are still waiting for that to happen. Read about how advocates are pressuring lawmakers to urgently update regulations related to the Rehabilitation Act.
Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:
- Webinar: Mental Health First Aid In The Workplace: May 16th, 1p.m. to 2:30p.m., Online
- Webinar: Getting The Services You Need From The Waiver – Participant Rights: May 17th, 1p.m. to 2:30p.m.
- Employment First Conference: May 23rd, 9a.m. to 4p.m., Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells WI
- Webinar: Easy Read Text: June 5th, 3p.m. to 4p.m., Online
- Webinar: Easy Read Icons: July 10th, 3p.m. to 4p.m., Online
- Webinar: Basic Formatting: July 31st, 3p.m. to 4p.m., p.m.
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.
