Self-Determination Network News:

March 2024

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2024 Self-Determination Conference Call for Presenters

Are you interested in presenting at the 2024 Self-Determination Conference?  Session proposals for are now being accepted for Tuesday, October 22nd and Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024. This year’s theme: A Seat at the Table: Nothing About Us Without Us! will help people with disabilities have a voice in supports they need to lead a more Self-Determined life. Proposals due by on May 10th. Submit an application today!

Make a Plan for the Next Election 

April 2nd is an important statewide election. Join the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition on Thursday March 14th from 12p.m. to 12:45p.m. for a Lunch and Learn webinar that will help you prepare by discussing what you may find on your ballot, how to find non-partisan candidate information, how to get involved in this election year, and more. You will also get the most up-to-date information about this year’s elections. Register here.

Disability Advocacy Day is March 20th 

We're looking forward to seeing many of you in Madison on March 20th for Disability Advocacy Day, but we understand that some people can't make it. For those who can't come, we want to encourage you to call or email your legislators. You can share your story and tell them what you'd like to see done. You can still let your voice be heard even if you are not able to attend!

Please Help InControl Wisconsin's Caring Across Cultures Project

Are you someone who hires direct care workers?  Are you a family member of someone who receives support from a direct care worker?  Are you a direct care worker?  If so, InControl Wisconsin would like you to share a short video, audio clip, or written story of your personal experiences to help others understand the relationships between direct care workers and the people who hire them.  We will give you questions to answer, to make it easier for you.

Your stories will be used in online learning courses and/or other resources hosted on InControl Wisconsin’s website as part of the Caring Across Cultures learning platform. (See this link for more details about the project.)

Why are we asking for your help? Caring Across Cultures is a project with a goal of helping direct care workers and the people who hire them to build strong relationships. We want to help them connect and build trust across cultural differences.

What better way for someone who is thinking about hiring direct care workers to hear directly from people who are already doing it? The same is true for someone thinking about becoming a direct care worker. There’s nothing like hearing from someone first hand about what it’s like.

You can record a video or audio clip yourself with your phone (or other device) or you can ask us for help.

Here is a document to help you record your own video or audio.  This document will also tell you how to send us your finished recording: CLICK HERE

Need some help?

• You can work on this at home. If you need some help, Contact Sarah Godfrey, at sarah@promotelocal.com / (262) 349-1968, and she will schedule a phone or video call with you.

• Are you coming to Disability Advocacy Day, State Capital in Madison, March 20th?  We will have recording equipment on site.

Ready to Do This?

• Sign up here! 

• Questions for you to answer when you record yourself

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 Lindsey. This talented author, illustrator, artist, and motivational speaker has proven many people wrong. Check out this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Lindsey.   

Who should we shine the spotlight on next?

Stacy’s Journal

"There is no such thing as a right level of caution. It’s an individual choice."

In this month's journal entry, Stacy talks about how people have different levels of caution. She explains why she has to be a very cautious person.

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

• Prioritizing Accessibility and Inclusion: According to the World Economic Forum, of the 90% of companies that claim to make diversity a priority, only 4% are inclusive of people with disabilities. Learn what steps companies can take to improve efforts by focusing on communications and events.
• Technology Grant Opportunity: The National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research announced a new grant opportunity on information and communication technologies access. Applications due April 15th. Learn more about this opportunity.
• Fall Internship Program: The American Association of People with Disabilities is offering a paid internship to students and recent graduates with disabilities. The internship will help interns build leadership skills, explore career opportunities, and connect with the disability community.. Applications due March 13th.  Find out more and apply today!
• Volunteers Needed: Volunteers are needed for a research study on people who have sustained spinal cord injuries. Read more about this study.
• Initiatives for the Direct Care Workforce: The US Department of Health and Human Services recently announced several initiatives and resources to help with the dire need for caregivers. Read about the initiatives.
• Employment Record: The number of people with disabilities who are employed has reached a record high. Find out how much it jumped.
• Public Comment Wanted: The Federal Emergency Management Agency published an interim final rule that seeks to simplify processes, remove barriers to entry, and increase eligibility for certain types of assistance under their Individual Assistance program. Public comment is open until July 22nd.
• Proposed Rule would Ensure Airline Dignity for Passengers: Recently, the US Transportation Secretary announced a new proposed rule that would ensure that airline passengers who use wheelchairs can travel safely with dignity. Find out about the standards airlines would need to follow to accommodate people. 

Upcoming Events 

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

• Lunch And Learn: Make A Plan For The Next Election: March 14th, 12p.m. to 12:45p.m., Virtual
• 2024 National Self-Direction Conference: March 14th-15th, Marriot Waterfront, Baltimore MD
• Disability Advocacy Day: March 20th, 10a.m. to 3p.m., Monona Terrance and the State Capitol, Madison WI
• Webinar: What's New With WCAG 2.2?: March 21st, 1p.m. to 2:30p.m., Virtual
• 2024 Annual Disability Statistics Conference: Surveys, Statistics, And Identity: March 28th, Virtual or Washington D.C.
• Supported Decision-Making Webinar: April 10th, 1p.m. to 4p.m., Virtual
• Know Your Rights Webinar For Family Members: April 24th, 12p.m. to 1p.m., Virtual
• 7th Annual Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium: May 2nd, 9a.m. to 4p.m., Virtual 
• Circles Of Life Conference 2024: May 16th-17th, Holiday Inn, Stevens Point WI
• Employment First Conference: May 21st, 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.