Self-Determination Network News:

June 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. We'll be sending out a message when registration is available. Stay tuned for details! 

InControl Wisconsin's Caring Across Cultures Project

Join an Upcoming Lunch & Learn Webinar about Voting 

Constitutional amendments will be on the ballot again in August. Changing our constitution is  big deal. Join the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition's Lunch & Learn on Tuesday June 25th from 12p.m. to 12:45p.m. to learn what they’re about. We  will also talk about how the new maps may impact you, what else is on the ballot, and how you can be prepared. Register for the webinar here.

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 the vice president of InControl Wisconsin, Julie. This fierce advocate for people with disabilities full-heartedly believes in the true meaning of self-direction and continues to push for change.  Check out this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Julie.   

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:

• Caregiving Front and Center in the Election: With the election a few short months away, caregivers of all types are seeking better health care options. According to one report,  home health care and child day care are both in the top 10 industries with the largest number of working Medicaid enrollees. Learn why Medicaid expansion would greatly help.
• Accessible Workplaces: Every year, Global Accessibility Awareness Day brings awareness to the need for digital access and inclusion in the workplace. Read about else should be considered when creating an accessible workplace.
• Adaptive Clothing Startup: When people pick out what clothes they're going to wear, most take things like the weather, plans for the day, and their mood in to consideration. However, not many people think about how many buttons something has or how hard the zipper is on a certain piece of clothing. For people who have dexterity limitations or physical limitations, things like that really matter. Find out about an adaptive clothing startup in Madison that seeks to resolve those types of problems for people with disabilities.
• Changes to SSI: The Social Security Administration is making several changes to the Supplemental Security Income program, which will take effect in September. Read about the changes coming.
• WisCaregiver Connections: WisCaregiver Careers offers a free training for certified direct care professionals and certified nursing assistants. One component of the program is the WisCaregiver Connections online workforce platform that gives hiring providers access to certified workers.  Learn more about  the program.
• New Accessibility Features: Apple announced a range of new capabilities aimed at making life easier for people with disabilities including an option to control a phone or tablet using only a person’s eyes. Find out what other features are going to be available.
• Solutions to the Direct Care Workforce Crisis: Experts discussed solutions to improve jobs for the nation’s direct care workers at the National Skills Coalition’s 2024 Skills Summit. Read about some of the ideas that were thought of.
• Push for Better Healthcare for Co-occurring Conditions: National developmental disability advocacy groups are linking multimillion-dollar partnerships with some big players in health care in a push to better address co-occurring conditions.  Learn about what groups are hoping to do.
• EVV Hard Launch Date: A date for the hard launch of electronic visit verification  (EVV) for home health care services and personal care nurse supervisory visits has been set. Find out when it is.
• Rebuilding Trust in Healthcare: According to a recent poll, the majority of people with disabilities have negative health care experience. Read about why many advocates feel that it's time for government to step in.
• The Pink Umbrella Theater Company: The Pink Umbrella Theater Company was founded in 2018 as Milwaukee’s first theater for artists with a wide range of disabilities. Find out more about this unique company.
• Partners in Policymaking: Partners in Policymaking is an advocacy and systems change training program that develops leaders who are able to work with legislators and communities on policies and initiatives that will support the full inclusion and participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of life. Applications are due on October 4th.
• SPARKs Grants: Do you have an idea to make your community a better place for people with disabilities? Organize your grassroots group and apply for funding to help make it happen! Find out more about SPARKs grants and apply today!
• Funding for Transportation: The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration announced $7.8 million for 17 projects that will improve public transportation for people with disabilities, older adults, and low-income individuals. Learn about what these grants will support.
•  Input Needed on the Family Care Waiver: Last year, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services asked members, family, friends, caregivers, providers, managed care organizations, tribal leaders, advocates, and other partners how they can improve Family Care and Family Care Partnership. They used that input to draft changes to the program waivers. Now, they want your input on the draft waiver renewal application. Comments due on July 5th.
• National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers: The Administration for Community Living announced availability of $2 million to support the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers. The applications are due August 6th.
• Researchers Creating a Robotic Arm: Researchers at UW-Milwaukee are creating a robotic arm accessory to increase mobility for people with disabilities. Read about how this arm was created..
• New Guidance: The nation’s pediatricians are getting new guidance on how to help teenagers with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families navigate the transition to adulthood. Learn what's included in the guidance.

Upcoming Events 

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

• Lunch And Learn: Constitutional Amendments And Fair Maps Webinar: June 25th, 12p.m. to 12:45p.m., Virtual
• Webinar: Picture This! Identifying Non-Compliant Elements & Spaces: July 11th, 1:30p.m. to 3p.m., Virtual
• WisTech 2024 Training # 3 Host With The Most: Inclusive Party Planning: July 16th, 10a.m. to 11a.m., Virtual
• WisTech 2024 Training #4 Towards Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence: August 20th, 10a.m. to 11a.m., Virtual
• WisTech 2024 Training #5 Technology And Tranquility: AT For Mental Health And And Self Care: September 17th, 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.