Meet Felicia. This self-advocate has been proving doctors wrong since she was born. She has been involved in multiple disability advocacy boards and recently accepted a position as an Outreach Self-Advocate for an organization. She believes we can all make a difference in our communities and that it’s important to be a positive influence for others. We are so fortune to have her as a member of the Self-Determination Network.  

What's your story?  Tell us a little bit about yourself.

When Felicia was born, the doctor told her mom that she wouldn’t walk, talk, see, or hear, through therapy and hard work, she can walk, talk, see a little bit, and hear.  She shares that she was diagnosed at an early age with Autism. She was bullied throughout my schooling until she got into senior high school which led to having suicidal thoughts. However, she’s pleased to share that she battled through and graduated high school with a very high GPA. She no longer has suicidal thoughts either. After high school, she attended Milwaukee Area Technical College for awhile, but she had problems with Financial Aid. She then pursued a degree in Medical Coding and Billing from Milwaukee Career College. She finished the course, but due to financial issues, she never got her certificate.

From 2011 to 2014, Felicia was on a board called Transit Plus Advisory Council which is a council/board that advocated for people who were riding the paratransit program in Milwaukee called Transit Plus. She was the Chair for the Public Relations Committee of that board. In 2014, she helped out a friend get his online college and fellowship off the ground. She explained that she started out as a leader in the women's group and then she switched over to the foreign missions. She was made the CEO over North America and South America. In 2018, her friend passed away and that bumped her up to being the President and Chancellor of the online school and fellowship. She explained that the online school is a Christian oriented driven for people pursuing their calling.

In June 2013, Felicia started going to Wisconsin Lions Camp where she enjoys activities and help encourage other campers to go. In 2014, she went with a travel group out of Dane County as a travel chaperone.  She shares that she received a call from the founder of the group telling me that I could not come on anymore tours because she was disabled. So, from July 2014 to March 2017, she did research and started organizing her own travel group. In November 2016, she worked as an Intake Clerk for a friend’s her personal care agency until June 2017. In April 2017, I started founded Abilities Travel Club. Abilities which is a travel tour business that helps the community, travel lovers, people with disabilities, and seniors enhance Independent living skills while traveling. In 2019, she was a part of a board called Dreamability where we would help people with disabilities fulfill their dreams and goals; however, this group was disbanded due to the lack of participation and other issues.  In 2019, she was voted as the president of Across The Way - Christian Resource Center (ATW - CRC) which is a Christian Resource Center that gears children and families to provide Christian education. In March 2021, she was hired as an Outreach Self-Advocate for People First Wisconsin.

Why did you join the SD Network? How are you involved with self-determination?

Felicia got involved with self-determination was she kept hearing the phrase “self-determination.” She wondered what was, so she attended some conferences related to self-determination and disability employment. At those conferences, she also kept hearing the phrase, “pursue your purpose,” and she asking herself how she could pursue her purpose. A green light went on for her when she realized she could use self- determination to help her do it. She joined the SD Network because she wanted to be around people who were self-determined like she is. She also wants to help others who don’t know what self-determination is so they can be like her.

Tell us some good news - what's the most exciting thing happening for you (or in Wisconsin) in terms self-determination?

Felicia wants to share that, even though people may have multiple challenges in life, there is still hope. In July 2019, she founded a Christian oriented interview podcast entitled, “Kingdom Hope Connections Radio Show,” and in October 2019, I presented using technology to be healthy at the Self-Determination Conference. She also presented at another conference about substance abuse. In October 2021, she will be a presenter again at the Self-Determination Conference.

What tip or resource would you like to share with people who want to be more self-determined?

Felica shares that, “you can make a difference in your community and be a positive influence to people around you.” A resource Felicia would like to share is the is Abilities Travel Club. Abilities Travel Club is a travel tour business based in Milwaukee, WI and provide travel services in the State of Wisconsin.  We have traveled to camps, conferences, restaurants, hotels and museums. She explains that they’re looking forward to traveling to various places in the Midwest and the United States. There’s no cost to join and the meetings are held via conference calls. To find out more information, you can email abilitiestravelclub@gmail.com or like Abilities Travel Club on Facebook.

What are some of your hobbies?

 Felicia says her hobbies are boating, bowling, cooking, fishing, singing, traveling, writing, and volunteering.

***We love hearing the views and opinions of Network members. We need to mention that the views and opinions expressed on this site are those of the person who is sharing them. They do not necessarily reflect InControl Wisconsin or any of our supporters and funders.

Microsoft recently announced a big initiative to hire people with disabilities. A person from Microsoft explains that they're working with classrooms of all levels to make them more accessible. They're also building more technology into their devices to make that possible. Things like screen readers and captioning are being made available. They're also working with caregivers so they know how to assist people using this equipment in the community. 

Read more

Most people were never think of a stick of deodorant as being an obstacle, but for people with visual impairments or limb motor challenges, putting on deodorant is a difficult task. Recently, a deodorant company designed an inclusive deodorant container. It has a hooked top and a wider bottom so it can be gripped easier. 

Read more

The documentary "Crip Camp" is about the whole disability rights movement. It tells the stories of many of the laws that protect the rights for people with disabilities. It was nominated for a Oscar, but it didn't win. However, many people felt it was win for people with disabilities. The  nomination made people with disabilities more visible in the film industry. It also brought awareness of the things that still need to be changed. 

Read more

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is opening a 30-day public comment period for the draft of the 2021 Wisconsin Medicaid Managed Care Quality Strategy. DHS invites you to submit your feedback by May 21, 2021.

The Quality Strategy describes DHS’ strategies for assessment and quality improvement of managed care services offered to Medicaid members. The 2021 Quality Strategy is the second version of the original Quality Strategy published in 2018. The 2021 Quality Strategy includes improvements based on Medicaid quality team review, public comment from the 2018 Quality Strategy, and feedback from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

The Quality Strategy sets a three-year vision for the Division of Medicaid Services to achieve its quality goals for managed care programs, and it is intended to evolve over time. The Quality Strategy includes the specific strategies Wisconsin will use to best meet the health care, service, and support needs of Wisconsin Medicaid members. The Quality Strategy includes BadgerCare Plus and Medicaid Supplemental Security Income health maintenance organizations, Health Homes, Family Care, Family Care Partnership, Children Come First, Wraparound Milwaukee, and Care4Kids managed care programs.

Public comment is an opportunity to submit your comments and feedback to DHS on the Quality Strategy. Find more information about the public comment period and review the 2021 Medicaid Managed Care Quality Strategy on the DHS website.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently released a public notice inviting comment on whether any updates are needed to the rules implementing the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA)

Most of these rules have been in effect for many years, and many of them have not been revisited recently, some since initial adoption. Given changes in technology and industry practices, as well as taking into account consumer experiences, the Commission seeks comment on whether there is a need to update these rules.

Interested parties may file comments by accessing the Electronic Comment Filing System at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings.  All filings must reference GN Docket No. 21-140.  People with disabilities who need assistance to file comments online may request assistance by email to FCC504@fcc.gov.

Comment Deadline: May 24, 2021

Reply Comment Deadline: Jun 21, 2021

For general information about the CVAA, visit  https://www.fcc.gov/general/twenty-first-century-communications-and-video-accessibility-act-0.  

For specific questions, please contact Debra Patkin, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, at (202) 870-5226 (voice or videophone for American Sign Language users) or Debra.Patkin@fcc.gov, Diana Sokolow, Diana.Sokolow@fcc.gov, of the Media Bureau, Policy Division, (202) 418-2120, or Eli Johnson, Eli.Johnson@fcc.gov, of the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, Competition and Infrastructure Policy Division, (202) 418-1395.

Self-Determination Network News:

April 2021

Connect | Share |Learn | http://sdnetworkwi.org/ 

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:

• COVID-19 Vaccine Questions and Answers
• A Conversation with Micah Fialka-Feldman
• Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Information

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:

• Volunteer Research Participants Wanted: Allison is looking for volunteers to help her in a research study about social isolation for people with disabilities. She is in search of community development practitioners/connecters/consultants/organizers or similar roles with communities who have experience working with people with disabilities. Learn more and contact her today! 
• Executive Order Increases Voting Access: Recently, President Biden signed an executive order that will increase voting access. Find out what the order includes. 
• Doctors Bias: A recent study found that many doctors have a bias against people with disabilities. Read about what exactly the study revealed. 
• Vaccine Access: The Kaiser Family Foundation released a detailed report on COVID-19 and the disability community. Look at some of the interesting statistics and maps.
• Take a Survey: The Collaborative on Health Reform and Independent Living is doing a survey about health insurance, health care access, and the pandemic for people with disabilities. The survey is open until April 30th. 
• Home Modifications Grant Program: HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes has announced $30 million in grant funds and training resources to non-federal entities to establish the Older Adults Home Modification Grant Program. The grant program will assist experienced nonprofits, state and local governments, and public housing authorities in programs that make home modifications and limited repairs to meet the needs of low-income older adult homeowners. Applications due May 4th. 
• Stimulus Checks: Many people with have received stimulus checks. Read about how some people are putting their money in an ABLE account. 
• Waitlist Eliminated: At the end of February, Wisconsin achieved something highly anticipated for people with disabilities. Read about how the waitlist for long-term care services was eliminated for adults. 
• Stimulus Bill Sends Funds to the Disability Community: Recently, President Biden signed a big pandemic relief bill that will send billions of dollars to special education and home-and-community-based services.  Learn details about how this will help people. 
• Emergency Broadband Benefit Program: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has launched an Emergency Broadband Benefit Program to help households struggling to pay for internet service during the pandemic. Find out who is eligible. 
• Vaccine Rollout Confusion: Vaccine rollout in Wisconsin is going study, but there has been a lot of confusion about who is eligible when. Read about how people were getting mixed messages. 
• Self-Direction and COVID Study: Researchers at Brandeis University are conducting a study on the experiences of people with disabilities who self-direct Medicaid-funded HCBS during the pandemic.  Find out how to participate. 
• Feedback Wanted on Employment Policies and Programs: The U.S. Department of Labor is seeking input on ideas for ensuring equity in employment policies and programs for people with disabilities from historically underserved communities.  Comments due April 26th. 
• Feasibility of Internet Emergency Alerts: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently proposed rules to improve the way the public receives emergency alerts on their mobile phones, televisions, and radios. They are seeking comments on these proposed rules. Comments are due June 14th. 
• Lifespan Respite Care Program Grant Opportunities: The Administration for Community Living has opened up two grant opportunities for the Lifespan Respite Care Programs. Find out more about these! 
• Bringing The Long-Term Care Reform Debate to the Forefront: President Biden has announced that he plans to expand Medicaid's Home-and-Community-Based Services for people who receive long-term care and supports. Read about how this has already achieved one major goal. 
• COVID-19 Guidance for Day Centers: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is offering up new guidance for day centers and the people with disabilities they’re serving during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Learn what this suggests. 
• Accessible Airbnb Experiences: Airbnb is introducing a new slate of offerings specifically aimed at people with disabilities. Find out how they are catering to people with different abilities. 
• Respite Program Survey: Do you know of a respite program that uses students as respite providers? Help create a toolkit for other respite programs by taking this survey. It closes June 1st. 

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're shining the spotlight on Cynthia. Working to support people with disabilities for over four decades, she has seen many positive changes in the community. Stop by this month's Member Spotlight to get to know Cynthia. 

Who should we shine the spotlight on next?

Stacy’s Journal

Upcoming Events

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

• Webinar: Strengths-Based Planning For Worst-Case Scenarios: Person-Centered Planning In Disaster Preparedness: April 26th, 2p.m. to 3:30p.m., Online
• Webinar: The Federal Response To COVID-19 - Addressing The Needs Of The Autism And Disability Communities: April 28th, 1p.m. to 3p.m., Online
• Circles Of Life Virtual Conference 2021: May 6th-7th, Online
• Webinar: Play Areas: May 6th, 1:30p.m. to 3p.m., Online
• Virtual Employment First Conference: May 13th, 8:30a.m. to 3:30p.m., Online 

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.

Do you know of a respite program that uses students as respite providers? If so, please complete this brief survey (https://link.zixcentral.com/u/e96e4a27/UqF0gNKi6xGAfkv6hnsoMg?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2FStudentRespiteSurvey) no later than June 1, 2021.  Survey results will be used to help create a free downloadable toolkit to promote the development of respite programs that engage students as respite providers.

We would greatly appreciate if you could also share this invite within your networks, as appropriate.

This project is led by Dr. Kim Whitmore, Assistant Professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Wisconsin – Madison in partnership with the Respite Care Association of Wisconsin. Funding for this project is provided by the Lifespan Respite Grant Program from the Administration for Community Living (Grant No. 90LRLI0032-01-00).

Please contact Kim Whitmore at Kim.Whitmore@wisc.edu with any questions.