Self-Determination Network News: April 2025
Self-Determination Network News:
April 2025
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Federal Fallout Update
Here is the recording from the latest webinar that the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities puts on about what's happening with Medicaid, Social Security, and beyond. Your relentless advocacy is making a difference, but we need to keep it up. Keep calling legislators, making visits, writing letters, etc... We need to keep these issues visible!
Call for Presenters for the 2025 Self-Determination Conference
Are you interested in presenting at the 2025 Self-Determination Conference? The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities is seeking session proposals for Tuesday, October 21st and Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025. This year’s theme: Self-Determination by Design: Your Life, Your Way will help people with disabilities lead more Self-Determined lives by offering tools to plan the life they want to live in the communities they choose! Proposals are due May 9th. Learn more and submit a proposal!
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.
For April, we're catching up with Jason. This amazing self-advocate has played a pivotal role in turning one of Wisconsin’s state disability councils around over the last couple of years. He also has enjoyed helping family members navigate and advocate for what supports they need to be successful. Stop by this month's Member Spotlight to catch up with Jason.
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:
- Fear of Losing Protections: An ongoing lawsuit challenges Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which legally mandates access and accommodations across wide swaths of the public. Learn what losing protections would mean for millions of people.
- Changes to the Social Security Administration: Recently proposed changes to the Social Security Administration have advocates worried. Read about what these changes entail.
- Five Key Facts about Medicaid Integrity: Program integrity efforts work to prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse, to increase program transparency and accountability, and to recover improperly used funds. Learn what these key things do to ensure integrity.
- Movie Star: In Wisconsin and beyond, Cindy Bentley is known as an incredible disability self-advocate. Learn about her new short film which highlights her story of determination and resilience.
- Risk of Work Requirements: Potential work requirements for people on Medicaid would further complicate things for people with disabilities. Find out why.
- Dismantling of the Administration for Community Living: Recently, the Trump administration announced the dismantling of the Administration for Community Living which oversees a wide range of services. Read about what what this could mean for people with disabilities.
- Proposed Improved Accessibility for 911 Networks: The Federal Communications Commission adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) proposing improvements to ensure the resiliency, reliability, interoperability, and accessibility of Next Generation 911 (NG911) networks Learn what these improvements will do.
- Voter Barriers Continue: Voting barriers for people with disabilities in Wisconsin continue. Read about how a lawsuit continues in the courts that would allow people with disabilities to use an electronic ballot to vote.
- REAL ID: When enforcement of the REAL ID Act begins May 7, 2025, the regular Wisconsin driver license or ID will no longer be accepted identification for domestic air travel or to enter a federal building or military base. Find out more about this new rule.
- Concerns over ACL Dismantling: Nearly half of staff at the Administration for Community Living have been terminated as part of broader Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) layoffs, disrupting funding distribution for disability programs nationwide Find out why advocates are concerned.
- Disrupting the Department of Education: The Education Department enforces disability rights in schools by distributing Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funds and investigating discrimination complaints. Learn why advocates are concerned with Trump transferring the responsibilities to Health and Human Services.
- Changing Course on Social Security Administration Requirements: The Trump administration is backing off the in-person requirements it announced for people needing services at Social Security Administration. Learn what made them change course.
Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:
- Self-Direction for the Long Haul: April 16th, 1p.m. to 2p.m., Virtual
- Behind the Curtain: Understanding State Administration of Self-Direction: April 23rd, 1p.m. to 2p.m., Virtual
- People with Disabilities Love Self-Direction, But How Do Waiver Participants and Administrators Plan for the Future?: April 30th, 1p.m. to 2p.m., Virtual
- Webinar: Outdoor Dining, Retail, and Community Spaces: May 1st, 1:30p.m. to 3p.m., Virtual
- Circles of Life Conference 2025: May 8th & 9th, Wilderness Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI
- Employment First Conference: May 19th & 20th, Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI
- National Symposium on Quality Employment 2025: May 20th-22nd, Memorial Union, Madison 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.
