News
FORBES: DEI Is Being Cut As People With Disabilities Are Paid $0.22 An Hour
By SD Network, 2025-01-31
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), a clear and comprehensive prohibition of discrimination toward anyone on the basis of disability. Yet within that act lies a troubling loophole that currently affects hundreds of thousands of workers with disabilities in the US. It’s called “subminimum wage.”
In 2025, many issues are at play that could affect Medicaid coverage, financing, and access to care. While Medicaid was not discussed much on the campaign trail, there are expectations that big changes will likely be proposed through executive actions. Areas to watch with Medicaid implications include state budgets and long-term care workforce challenges.
The workers who care for people with disabilities are underpaid, overwhelmed, and increasingly leaving the field. Advocates say action is desperately needed to stem the tide.
HEALTH AFFAIRS: Medicaid And CHIP: Program Improvements And The Need To Protect Them
By SD Network, 2025-01-22
As we near the turnover of administrations, Health Affairs Forefront offers a series of articles from leaders at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services providing their thoughts on the major achievements of the last four years, remaining challenges, and lessons learned.
HOODLINE: Wisconsin Health Department introduces free online training for certified direct care professionals with language diversity focus
By SD Network, 2025-01-22
Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) introduces free online training for direct care professionals, including materials in English, Spanish, and Hmong.
COMMON DREAMS: It’s long past time to end subminimum wages for disabled workers,
By SD Network, 2025-01-22
After years of advocacy from the disabled community, the Department of Labor is proposing a rule that would end the issuance of 14(c) certificates, which enable businesses to pay subminimum wages to disabled workers.
Self-Determination Network News:
January 2025
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Disability Advocacy Day 2025
Save the date for the 2025 Disability Advocacy Day on Wednesday March 12th in Madison. We'll be sending out information about details and registration in early February. We hope to see you there!
Register for a BPDD virtual workshop
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 January, we're shining the spotlight on Rose. This photography loving self-advocate is taking the Partners in Policymaking class right now and is eager to advocate for Medicaid expansion. Stop by this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Rose.
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:
- Switzer Research Fellowship: The purpose of the Switzer Research Fellowships Program is to build research capacity by providing support to highly qualified individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to conduct research on rehabilitation, independent living, and other experiences and outcomes of people with disabilities. Applications due February 3rd.
- Disability Data Collection Practices: Read about some promising practices states can use to collect disability data to improve health equity.
- Self-Direction in Medicaid: This study’s aim was to examine how states across the United States implemented self-direction in their Medicaid home and community‐based services waiver programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in fiscal year 2021. Learn about some of the interesting statistics that it revealed.
- Workforce Challenges Continue: A new survey highlighted the challenges facing America’s direct support workforce, revealing a care system in crisis due to ongoing recruitment and retention issues. Find out why this is.
- New Air Travel Rules: New rules aimed to ease air travel for people with disabilities will go into effect on January 18th. Learn what they are.
- Mom On a Mission: Going to the grocery store is not a big ordeal for most people, but for adults with disabilities and their caregivers, it can be challenging. Read about one Wisconsin mom's mission to get adult changing stations in more common places.
- Universal Design Funding Opportunity: The National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research announced a new funding opportunity on universal design. Applications are due March 6th. Learn more about this opportunity.
- Disability Providers Fear More Cuts: Disability service providers across the country are struggling to maintain their services, with many reporting that they are turning away new referrals and discontinuing programs and they’re concerned that it could get worse Learn why.
- Ending Subminimum Wage: As federal officials consider ending a program that allows employers to pay people with disabilities less than minimum wage, a new study suggests that doing so has little downside. Learn the reasoning.
- Input Needed: The Department of Health and Human Services is seeking input on the impact of ageism in health care. Comments due March 15th.
- Inspiring Wrestler: For Anthony Robles, coming out of retirement from wrestling to make a about his life was exciting. Read about one Wisconsin wrestler's unique story.
- Think Differently Database Act: President Biden signed the Think Differently Database Act to create an online resource for individuals with disabilities, caregivers, and families. Find out what this law requires.
Here's a sample of upcoming events listed on the Self-Determination Network:
- Federal Medicaid Updates: What's going on and how to tell your story to policymakers: January 21st, 12p.m. to 1:30p.m., Virtual
- Webinar: Highlights from the Fiscal Year 2024 Government-wide Section 508 Assessment: January 21st, 12p.m. to 1:30p.m., Virtual
- Federal Medicaid Updates: What's going on and how to tell your story to policymakers: January 23rd, 3p.m. to 4:30p.m., Virtual
- Webinar: Innovation in the Direct Care Workforce: Unlocking Success Through Peer Learning: January 29th, 1p.m. to 2p.m., Virtual
- Webinar: Accessibility and Air Travel: February 6th, 1:30p.m. to 3p.m., Virtual
- Disability Advocacy Day 2025: March 12th, Monona Terrace and State Capitol, Madison 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.
HOMECARE MAGAZINE: New Law Requires HHS to Publish Resources for People With Disabilities
By SD Network, 2025-01-16
President Biden signed the Think Differently Database Act to create an online resource for individuals with disabilities, caregivers, and families. The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) has three years from the enactment date to establish and update the website. The website must include information about eligibility, points of contact, covered long-term services, and associated wait lists, plus information about how to contact each State’s Medicaid office.