Self-Determination Network News:

May 2024

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Registration for the 2024 Self-Determination Conference Opens in July

The 2024 Self-Determination Conference will be held October 21st-23rd at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. It's one of Wisconsin’s biggest (and most amazing) event for people with disabilities and the people who support them. Last year, over 800 people attended the conference! 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 live. Registration will open in July. Stay tuned for details!

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 Circles of Life on May 16h in Stevens Point?  How about Employment First in Wisconsin Dells on May 21st? We will have recording equipment on site at both conferences.

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 Emily. This active young woman loves being busy. Whether it’s she’s rock climbing, water skiing, snow skiing, traveling, or volunteering at her church, she can’t sit still. Check out this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Emily.   

Who should we shine the spotlight on next?

Stacy’s Journal

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

• Take a Survey: The American Institutes of Research is looking for people with disabilities to take a survey about the ways you find and use information in your daily lives. Check it out!
• Roadblock for Proposed Funding Boost for In-Home Care: A $258 million plan to improve the pay for thousands of home health care providers in Wisconsin was halted after lawmakers on the Legislature’s powerful budget committee blocked it. Learn the impact of this.
• Research Funding for Mobile App Opportunity: A new funding opportunity is available for programming to plan and conduct research, demonstration projects, trainings, and related activities to develop methods, procedures, and rehabilitation technology that maximize the full inclusion and integration of people with disabilities. Applications due June 7th.
• Lawsuit Seeks Electronic Ballot Option: Disability Rights Wisconsin, the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, along with four voters with disabilities filed a lawsuit against the Wisconsin Elections Commission. The lawsuits seeks to allow voters with disabilities to cast their ballot electronically.  Learn more about what they are asking for.
• 2024 Election Toolkit: The Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition has released a toolkit which includes videos, posts, and graphics to get people ready to vote in elections this year. Check it out!
• New Guidance on Voting Rights for People with Disabilities: The US Department of Justice issued an updated guide of The Americans with Disabilities Act and Other Federal Laws Protecting the Rights of Voters with Disabilities. Look at what's new.
• ABLE Accounts: Recently, Governor Evers signed a bill ordering the state’s Department of Financial Institutions to set up an ABLE program for residents or join one of the existing multi-state consortiums. Read about how these accounts help people with disabilities.
• Manufacturing Company: A manufacturing company in  West Allis has made a deliberate point to provide people who have autism meaningful employment opportunities. Find out more about this company.
• Caregiver Champion Collaborative: The National Caregiver Champion Collaborative will facilitate peer networking and engagement among professionals who lead caregiver services and supports. Learn more about this program.
• Best Airlines: U.S. airlines got a little bit better with mobility devices in 2023. Find out what the 10 best airlines for handling mobility devices are.
• Talented Artist: An artist in Madison creates coloring books that have universal quotes. Read more about this talented artist.
• Voting Grant Opportunity for Schools: The Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition is looking for schools to partner with to help students with disabilities understand their voting rights and responsibilities. Learn about this opportunity.
• Discrimination Rule Finalized: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services finalized a rule that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. Find out more about what this rule means.
• Workforce Brief: The US Department of Health and Human Services along with the Department of Labor released a brief summarizing a workgroup’s recommendations to federal and state agencies, non-profit organizations, and research institutions to improve data infrastructure and information on the HCBS workforce. Learn about the recommendations.

Upcoming Events 

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

• Wisconsin Council Of The Blind & Visually Impaired Advocacy Day: May 16th, 12p.m. to 1:30p.m., Virtual
• Webinar: Assistive Listening Systems: Where We Are Today And What’s On The Horizon: May 16th, 1p.m. to 2:30p.m., Virtual
• Employment First Conference: May 21st, Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells WI
• Community Conversation: May 23rd, 10a.m. to 1p.m., Independence First, Milwaukee WI
• Webinar: Building And Sustaining An Accessible Federal Technology Environment: May 28th, 12p.m. to 1:30p.m., Virtual
• WisTech 2024 Training # 1 Unlocking The Power Of Recreation: June 11th, 10a.m. to 11a.m., Virtual
• WisTech 2024 Training #2 The ABCs Of AAC: June 18th, 10a.m. to 11a.m., Virtual
• WisTech 2024 Training # 3 Host With The Most: Inclusive Party Planning: July 16th, 10a.m. to 11a.m., Virtual

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.